The best 20 Netflix series of all time

Fed up with dull movies and endless TV reruns? Absolutely understandable. Fortunately, we have a pretty hot tip for you, or rather twenty: the best 20 Netflix series of all time that you, as a true movie and series junkie, absolutely must have seen once. Why on Netflix of all places? Because series are the great strength of the popular streaming giant. Netflix has a sheer overwhelming number of them to offer – now even a series of award-winning in-house productions that are among the ultimate highlights of the series community. We present the 20 best Netflix series of all time.

Marvel’s Daredevil

2015-2018 / 3 seasons / Superheroes, crime thriller, action / IMDb rating: 8.6/10

The Netflix series Marvel’s Daredevil tells the story of Matt Murdock, a blind lawyer from Hell’s Kitchen who fights crime by night as a masked vigilante. After a childhood accident, Matt acquires superhumanly heightened senses that make him an extraordinary fighter. The series is characterized by a dark atmosphere, profound character development and impressive fight scenes. Vincent D’Onofrio as Wilson Fisk (Kingpin) is one of the highlights of the series, as the character is portrayed in a multi-layered and complex way. Daredevil explores morality, justice and the inner struggle between duty and personal conviction and has been praised for its realistic portrayal and strong performances.

Black Mirror

Since 2011 / 5 seasons / Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller / IMDb rating: 8.8/10

Black Mirror is an anthology series by Charlie Brooker that throws the viewer into a dystopian world of the near future where technological progress has recently gained control over people’s lives. The individual episodes are not connected, but form their own stories and casts. The special thing about this is that the storylines grab the viewer from the very beginning and often end with surprising, sometimes disturbing plot twists, making the series a top-class sci-fi thriller.

BoJack Horseman

Since 2014 / 6 seasons / Animation, Comedy, Drama / IMDb rating: 8.8/10

The American animated series revolves around the human horse BoJack Horseman. The former famous TV star from the sitcom Horsin’ Around has now hit rock bottom and is struggling through life with alcohol and drugs. His greatest wish is to finally become a respected celebrity in Los Angeles again. But his path back into the limelight doesn’t go nearly as smoothly as BoJack would like. A rousing comedy for adults about the dark side of fame.

Stranger Things

Since 2016 / 4 seasons / Mystery, Horror / IMDb rating: 8.7/100

The Netflix series Stranger Things takes viewers back to the 1980s and tells the story of a group of kids from the small town of Hawkins who are confronted with supernatural events. After the mysterious disappearance of a friend, the children uncover a secret government conspiracy and meet Eleven, a girl with telekinetic abilities. The series combines science fiction, horror and nostalgia and delights with its empathetic characters, captivating storylines and numerous references to 80s pop culture. Stranger Things has become a worldwide cult hit thanks to its gripping atmosphere and emotional moments.

Dark

Since 2017 / 2 seasons / Crime, Drama, Mystery / IMDb rating: 8.7/10

“Dark” is the first German series that Netflix has produced on its own. The plot takes the viewer to an idyllic small town in the present day, where two children disappear without a trace at the beginning. Nobody knows what could have happened to them, but it is clear that something extremely strange is going on in the town. The series focuses on four families whose lives are thrown completely off the rails – because each of them has a dark secret that soon links them together in a mysterious way.

The series is recommended for anyone who enjoys crime and mystery and is not afraid of the occasional leap in time. After the first two successful seasons, Netflix announced in 2019 that filming had begun for a final third season.

House of Money (original title: La Casa de Papel)

Since 2017 / 5 seasons / Crime, Action, Mystery / IMDb rating: 8.2/10

A highly suspenseful crime series about a man called “The Professor” who plans the biggest robbery in Spanish history with eight professional criminals. The target: the state banknote printing works. He wants to print billions in banknotes there without being discovered by the authorities. The big challenge is that printing the bills takes an impressive 11 days – 11 days that he and his gang of criminals must survive undetected without arousing suspicion. Will he manage to escape with the money?

The fourth season of the popular series will start on Netflix at the beginning of April 2020 – so you still have some time to “warm up” with the first three seasons.

House of Cards

2013-2018 / 6 seasons / Drama / IMDb rating: 8.6/10

A political thriller of superlatives awaits you in “House of Cards”: the setting is – how could it be otherwise – the US Congress. Protagonist Francis “Frank” J. Underwood (played by Kevin Spacey) is a member of the House of Representatives and plans to overthrow the local president with his wife because he has withheld the promised post of Secretary of State from him. A political drama at its best, spiced up with intrigue, corruption and murder, which, season after season, becomes a tangled web of political power games.

Top Boy

Since 2011 / 5 seasons / Crime, Drama / IMDb rating: 8.4/100

The Netflix series Top Boy sheds light on life in London’s social hotspots and tells of power struggles, loyalty and the fight for survival in the world of drug dealing. At the center are Dushane and Sully, two dealers who want to secure their dominance in the criminal underworld. The series offers an intense look at the challenges faced by residents of such neighborhoods and impressively portrays the moral ambivalences of the characters. With authentic performances, strong acting and exciting storylines, Top Boy has gained worldwide recognition.

Making a Murderer

Since 2015 / 2 seasons / Documentary, Crime / IMDb rating: 8.5/10

The 2015 documentary by Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos hit Netflix like a bomb. “Making a Murderer” is about a real-life man named Steven Avery from Wisconsin who was put behind bars in 1985 for an alleged rape, despite pleading not guilty. After 18 years in prison, his innocence was proven by a DNA test. But as soon as Avery is released, he is once again involved in a crime: He is accused of murdering 25-year-old Teresa Halbach, with whom he had met in a scrapyard shortly before she disappeared.

An incredibly gripping documentary series about a supposed modern-day serial killer – addictive factor guaranteed! In fact, the Avery case is not yet over: in 2019, Avery’s lawyer announced on Twitter that she had received a handwritten confession to Halbach’s murder from a prison inmate. So it will be interesting to see whether or not the case takes a groundbreaking turn. A third season is therefore not out of the question.

Mindhunter

Since 2017 / 2 seasons / Crime, Drama, Thriller / IMDb rating: 8.6/10

If you can’t get enough of serial killers and FBI stories, the series “Mindhunter” is sure to please: At the heart of the plot are the two FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench, who have made it their mission to analyze the psyche of serial killers in more detail. In this way, they want to gain a better understanding of their behavior and methods in order to be one step ahead of them at some point. However, it is all the more dangerous for the team when the perpetrators deviate from their patterns against all rationality.

The series takes the viewer on a fascinating yet dark journey into the abysses of the human soul.

Narcos

2015-2017 / 3 seasons / Biography, Crime, Drama / IMDb rating: 8.7/10

Colombia in the 70s: “Narcos” tells the story of the rise and fall of Pablo Escobar and the cruel, ruthless world of Colombian drug trafficking. Between billion-dollar deals, merciless mafia bosses and the fight against the judiciary and military, the series shows in a total of 30 episodes how Escobar rose to the top of the Medellín cartel and became the most famous drug kingpin in the world. Nevertheless, the series should not be seen as a pure biography or documentary, as it also makes use of many fictional characters and storylines.

Godless

2017 / 1 season / Western, Action / IMDb rating: 8.2/10

Orange is the new black

2013-2019 / 7 seasons / Comedy, Crime, Drama / IMDb rating: 8.0/10

A comedy-drama about everyday life in a New York women’s prison that couldn’t be funnier or more profound. Piper Chapman is a respected bisexual academic and one day her past catches up with her: During her college years, she was involved in various drug deals with her lover Alex, but this now comes to light. She is sentenced to 15 months in prison and suddenly finds herself in completely different circumstances. To make matters worse, she also meets Alex in prison, which triggers a rollercoaster of emotions for her.

“Orange is the new black” impresses with great actors, lots of emotion and masterful character development across all 7 seasons.

Our Planet (original title: Our Planet)

Mini-series from 2019 / Documentary / IMDb rating: 9.2/10

Let yourself be whisked away to the impenetrable jungles of South America or explore the vast savannahs of Africa without even moving a foot from your couch. How? With the documentary series “Our Planet” from Netflix: the well-known nature filmmaker David Attenborough and his team have spent more than 3,500 days filming in over 50 different countries to present the best and most breathtaking locations of our blue planet in an 8-part mini-series. A fascinating and beautiful journey across all continents that is not only recommended for nature lovers.

Sex Education

2019 – 2023 / 4 seasons / Comedy, Drama / IMDb rating: 8.2/10

Otis Milburn is an uptight outsider at his school and completely inexperienced sexually. His mother Jean, of all people, is a respected sex therapist who knows no taboos on the subject and is open about it. Her manner is so difficult for Otis that he is unable to develop a normal sex life, let alone masturbate. When his private life becomes public, Otis wants to use his theoretical knowledge of sexuality to gain recognition from his classmates: He opens a secret consultation with his school friend Maeve to give advice and help himself.

“Sex Education” is an exciting teen comedy about the most beautiful secondary matter in the world and already has two seasons on Netflix. A third season is currently planned for 2021.

Ozark

Since 2017 / 4 seasons / Drama, Crime / IMDb rating: 8.5/10
The Netflix series Ozark tells the thrilling story of Marty Byrde, a financial advisor who becomes embroiled in a dangerous money laundering scheme by a Mexican drug cartel. To protect his family, he moves with them to the remote Ozark Mountains, where he is forced to make increasingly risky decisions. The series impresses with complex characters, moral gray areas and a dark atmosphere.

The Crown

Since 2016 / 6 seasons / Drama, History / IMDb rating: 8.6/10

A historical drama about the English royal family, more specifically about the life of Queen Elizabeth II. At the age of 25, the young woman is crowned Queen of England and from then on has to assert herself in a male-dominated world. The first season begins with her marriage to Prince Philip in 1947 and covers roughly a decade of her reign. A decade of her life is also planned for the other seasons, both published and forthcoming. The fourth season will cover the 1980s and is scheduled to start in 2020. A fifth and final season has also been announced.

“The Crown” is a moving biographical drama about the public and private power struggles that Queen Elizabeth II has experienced since the day of her coronation.

Dead girls don’t lie (original title: 13 Reasons Why)

2017 – 2020 / 4 seasons / Drama, Mystery / IMDb rating: 7.5/10

Clay Jensen is not necessarily an outsider, but a completely unremarkable boy from next door. He has little to do with his classmates at high school, preferring to occupy himself with things that nobody else is interested in. But one day, when he comes home from school, he finds a mysterious box of tapes – tapes of his crush Hannah Baker, who had recently committed suicide. On her tapes, the girl returns from the afterlife and reveals 13 reasons why she took her own life. Her request: The tapes should be sent to everyone who played a significant role in her decision. Clay is shocked by the dark secrets he learns about his classmates.

A great and suspenseful Netflix series about the tragic suicide of a girl and the bitter truth behind it. A fourth and final season is due to be released later this year.

Unbelievable

Mini-series 2019 / Crime, Drama / IMDb rating: 8.5/10

An 8-part mini-series about an alleged rape victim: teenager Marie testifies during a police interview that she was threatened by a man with a knife and then raped. But when the case goes viral, she revises her statement and is subsequently convicted in court. Two female investigators pick up on this strange and contradictory affair and begin to investigate the case more closely. They don’t believe Marie was lying – but what happened to make the teenager take this drastic measure?

The Witcher

Since 2019 / 5 seasons / Action, Adventure, Drama / IMDb rating: 8.0/10

“The Witcher” is based on the novel of the same name by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski and may already be familiar to many as a video game. The Netflix series takes viewers into the dark world of the witcher Geralt von Riva (played by Henry Cavill), who travels the countryside killing monsters for a living. Although his supernatural powers make him a strong and powerful fighter, he is despised and shunned by the humans. When he crosses paths with the young princess Cirilla from the kingdom of Cintra, Geralt is faced with a big decision: For according to a predestination, he is to take the girl under his care and protect her from the hostile kingdom of Nilfgaard.

Season 1 is divided into three different storylines and parallel timelines, which unite towards the end. Various stories from the books are touched on, including Geralt’s encounter with robber princess Renfri, Ciri’s escape from Cintra and Yennefer’s development from a crippled maid to an attractive sorceress. After the series got off to an excellent start in December 2019, a second season has already been decided.