Netflix has produced an enormous amount of original content since 2013. They produce both high-quality content and a lot of it: 44 Emmy Awards were given to Netflix’s original programming in 2021, more than any other production business. Of course, Netflix has had its fair share of failures. (View Emily and Rob the Real in Paris.) However, a few of its programmes, including Bojack Horseman and Black Mirror, have deservedly earned their place in the hall of fame of excellent television.
Due to Netflix’s tremendous financial resources, they have been able to produce a number of high-profile shows that are on par with anything produced by HBO or AMC. (The most recent season of Stranger Things, for example, is more akin to a compilation of feature films than a typical series.) The most popular series produced by the firm are found in a variety of genres, including comedy, historical drama, and crime.
Black Mirror (2011) – IMDb: 8.8/10
The dangers of the digital age are examined in this gritty anthology series. The majority of the episodes take place in dystopian near-futures when humankind is plagued by technology. 2019 saw the relaunch of The Twilight Zone, but Black Mirror is still the rightful successor to that legendary programme.
Along with its innovative idea, Black Mirror boasts a remarkable range. The best episodes range from comedies, satires, and even love stories to dark and violent episodes. Highlights include “San Junipero,” a love story about two individuals who meet in a virtual world for the elderly, and “Nosedive,” a tale on the risks of seeking acceptance on social media starring Bryce Dallas Howard.
Bojack Horseman (2014) – IMDb: 8.8/10
In this animated comedy-drama, Will Arnett’s washed-up 90s sitcom star Bojack (a Hollywood actor) tries to make a comeback in his acting career. Aaron Paul provides the voice of Bojack’s roommate Todd, while Amy Sedaris plays his cat agent Princess Carolyn. Alison Brie also appears as Bojack’s ghostwriter Diane.
The show is packed with funny dialogue, innumerable animal puns, and numerous visual gags. The series addresses sadness, addiction, and trauma; the vibrant animation provides a wonderful counterpoint to the theme. Along with Don Draper and Tony Soprano, Bojack is one of the greatest self-destructive anti-heroes in television history.
Dark (2017) – IMDb: 8.7/10
German science fiction series Dark explores a number of characters in a small village after a local child disappears. The novel starts out as a murder mystery but gradually turns into a massive, interwoven time travel tale spanning several generations.
Although it first has some superficial similarities to Stranger Things, it ultimately is grimier and more brutal. Twin Peaks by David Lynch would be a more appropriate parallel. Dark is an ambitious programme that merits praise for sticking with an absurd premise. Although the plot becomes a little more complicated in Seasons 2 and 3, the performances, music, and cinematography remain strong.
House of Cards (2013) – IMDb: 8.7/10
The very first programme created by Netflix was House of Cards. Frank and Claire Underwood are two immoral politicians vying for absolute control in Washington, D.C., and Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright play them. Although it is based on a British TV series from the 1990s, the Netflix version emphasises Machiavellianism even more. House of Cards has received praise for its realistic portrayal of politics and for the compelling individuals it features.
After Spacey was accused of sexual misconduct in 2017, Netflix severed its relationship with the actor. The final season was therefore produced without him, but Wright more than supports the programme by herself. Season 6 follows Claire as she takes office and embarks on a mission to eliminate all of her adversaries.
Mr. Sunshine (2018) – IMDb: 8.7/10
This drama is set in early 20th-century Korea and centres on the lives of many independence-fighting activists. The lead role of Lee Byung-hun is that of a young Korean who joins the US Marine Corps before returning to his native country. There, he discovers a Japanese plot to invade his country and falls in love with the noblewoman Go Ae-shin (Kim Tae-ri).
The historical moment Mr. Sunshine depicts is one that many viewers might not be familiar with. One of the highest-rated TV programmes in South Korean history, the programme was particularly well-liked there. Although Mr. Sunshine has received favourable reviews, others have criticised it for purported historical inaccuracies.
Narcos (2015) – IMDb: 8.8/10
The life of cocaine kingpin Pablo Escobar (Wagner Moura) and the DEA officers who sought to bring him down are depicted in this epic criminal saga. It’s a horrifying glimpse at the destruction caused by the illegal cocaine trade. The programme incorporates interviews and archival material, giving it an authenticity that many crime plays lack.
Critics gave Narcos favourable reviews, complimenting the characters’ realism and the show’s intricate plotlines that go beyond typical cop stories. Even rapper Pusha T gave the programme a shout-out.
Peaky Blinders (2013) – IMDb: 8.8/10
Following gangsters in Birmingham, England after World War I as they attempt to elude law enforcement, this historical crime drama. Adrien Brody, Anya Taylor-Joy, Tom Hardy, and Cillian Murphy all play supporting roles. The majority of the characters were influenced by actual criminals who lived in the region. Even the vivid touches of the cast make it worthwhile.
Tommy Shelby, the mob boss, is played by Murphy in his best performance of his career. He is endearing and charismatic, yet he is also volatile, irate, and capable of brutal violence. It’s an excellent time to start because the final season just aired this year. A spin-off film is currently being created.
Stranger Things (2016) – IMDb: 8.7/10
The 1980s small-town Indiana setting of Stranger Things centres on a group of kids who face various mysterious dangers. From the attire to the music to the lingo (and let’s not even talk about the hairstyles), it’s the ultimate trip back in time to the 1980s. The sci-fi that was in vogue at the time, including the works of Steven Spielberg, John Carpenter, and Stephen King, is also mentioned in the programme.
Stranger Things is without a doubt Netflix’s premier programme. In its first weekend, viewers watched the most recent season for a record-breaking 287 million hours. Stranger Things has such a strong gravitational pull that it even lifts classic songs like Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” to the top of the charts. (The Metallica song “Master of Puppets,” which was played in the Season 4 finale, seems to be having a similar impact.) The fifth and final season of Stranger Things will premiere in 2019. It appears to be the most significant season ever with a feature-length finale.
The Crown (2016) – IMDb: 8.7/10
A historical drama about Queen Elizabeth II is called The Crown. From her early years on the throne in the 1950s until the present day, the show chronicles the monarch. Three actresses—Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, and Imelda Staunton—have portrayed Queen Elizabeth in the show’s four seasons at various times in her life. Each one gave a standout performance, giving the Queen a different take.
The Crown is still a well-made drama despite occasional criticism for inaccuracy and veering into hagiography. As the programme explores political scandals, putsch attempts, and terror plans, the plot occasionally becomes surprisingly compelling. The manors and palaces in particular are expertly created by the set designers, who also provide the stunning cinematography. It succeeds as a dramatisation of recent UK history and offers an intriguing glimpse into an extraordinary life.
When They See Us – IMDb: 8.9/10
This crime thriller is based on the Central Park jogger case from 1989, in which five Black and Latino males were wrongfully charged with attacking a woman in the park and convicted. The programme specifically examines how the men and their families were impacted by the charges. The series is co-written and directed by award-winning director Ava DuVernay. Similar themes are explored in When They See Us and DuVernay’s blockbuster films Selma and 13th.
The film When They See Us is equal parts suspenseful courtroom drama, character analysis, and social commentary. It is successful in painting a terrible picture of incarceration and the American legal system. The ensemble cast’s powerful performances will undoubtedly stay with the audience long after the credits have rolled.
