Best of Netflix: shows, movies, and more

One of the biggest streaming platforms running today, Netflix is home to an incredible wealth of brilliant shows, movies, reality TV series, and more. From romantic period dramas to fast-paced combat-driven action films, to original kid-friendly animations, there’s something for everyone on the streaming platform.

Check out some of the best Netflix exclusives with our “best of” list here. We take a look at Netflix’s extensive content library and handpick a few of the most popular, well-written, and fan-favourite titles for you to enjoy.
 

Netflix is famous for its exclusive original drama series, with a wide range of shows covering every genre you can think of. Whether you want some action fantasy, period romance, or thriller mystery, Netflix’s got something for you. Here are some of our top picks for the best shows on Netflix.

If you’re into period dramas, enemies-to-lovers storylines, and grand, aesthetic productions, the Bridgerton series is sure to be on your “best of Netflix” list. Based on the book series of the same name, the Bridgerton series is a much-loved historical romance drama that offers a fun and fantastical peek into Victorian English high society, with a glamorised and idyllic twist. 

Set in a reimagination of Regency London, the show follows the young aristocrats of the Bridgerton family as they balance familial duties and social expectations with their tumultuous love life. Already two seasons in, the first installment follows Daphne Bridgerton, the eldest daughter of the Bridgerton family, while the second is led by Anthony Bridgerton, the 9^th Viscount and family head. Both seasons offer a thrilling passionate love story with original characters, exciting plot developments as well as fun Easter eggs within the Bridgerton universe.

If two seasons aren’t enough, you might even want to check out the Bridgerton series prequel spin-off, “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story”. And if that’s not enough, you can read the book series yourself, or take a chance with other romance novels of a similar style.

Another fan-favourite series that’s taken the world by storm is Stranger Things. A sci-fi horror drama, the show takes place in 1980s Indiana, following a group of young friends as they witness supernatural forces, uncover government secrets, and find themselves head-first in more dangerous exploits and mysteries. Exploring important themes of friendship, parenthood, and self-love, Stranger Things brings relatable everyday ideas into a dystopian world filled with cruelty, where human experimentation is the norm.

Having first premiered on Netflix in 2016, the show is charmingly Harry Potter-esque, in that you get to watch the cast grow up both on and off-screen throughout the (currently) four seasons of the series. Featuring award-winning performances by Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink, and more, the brilliant cast of characters and captivating world of Stranger Things grabs your attention and never lets go.

Still not convinced to partake in the Stranger Things universe? Here’s eight more reasons why you need to give the show a go.

With all the recent happenings surrounding The Royal Family, it’s no wonder The Crown has become such a popular and well-loved show on Netflix. The Crown is a dramatised biography about the British Royal Family, specifically the political, professional, and personal lives of its members during Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, from the second half of the 20^th century and onwards.

The four-season show begins with a newly-wed Queen Elizabeth II navigating her life as leader of the world’s most famous monarch and her growing political career. As the 20^th century ends and the British Empire faces an exponential decline, Queen Elizabeth is tasked with protecting her family’s legacy and power as head of the Buckingham Palace. Offering a never-seen-before peek into Queen Elizabeth II’s personal life, as well as her sons’, Princess Diana’s, and other notable Royal Family members’, The Crown is a brilliantly produced show, available only on Netflix.

If you’re looking for more royally good content like The Crown, here’s a few more for you to dive into.

Up for some mythical dark fantasy, brilliantly-choreographed action, and mutated monster CGI? The Witcher blends all these elements into a fantastic show. Arguably one of the best video-game-to-TV-series adaptations to date, The Witcher is currently three seasons in and follows Geralt, a powerful monster hunter, as he traverses through a world full of mystery, crime, and magic.

The Witcher is a fascinating show that explores the idea of “destiny”, whereby even when Geralt tries to seize control of his own destiny, there is more often than not a greater force that pulls him towards places and people, like an unseen puppet master. As Geralt comes to discover this power, he is exposed to the cruel wickedness of his world and strives to protect those he holds dear. Watch all the seasons of The Witcher on Netflix.

A mind-blowing, jaw-dropping psychological thriller, You follows Joe, a seemingly ordinary young man who’s a bit awkward at love. However, things start to become more sinister when Joe’s innocent crushes turn into jealous, rage-driven obsessions. Using any means necessary, Joe starts to pursue the women of his dreams, with each ending in crime and disaster.

Now four seasons in, You has grown into a show about more than just Joe, but his complex relationships with women and his family, and offers broader social commentary on stalking and assault. Penn Badgley’s brilliant portrayal of Joe is sure to get you creeped out, even through a screen. The show is available exclusively on Netflix.
 

If you’re looking for some brilliant, original movies to watch on Netflix, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s a list of a few top films amongst the hundreds available in the platform’s content library.

One of the most-viewed Netflix movies of all time upon its release is Hustle. Having premiered in 2022, Hustle is a sports comedy film following Adam Sandler as Stanley Sugerman, an NBA scout who’s just been fired. By chance, Stanley discovers a raw but talented basketball player in Spain, Bo Cruz, and the two work together to fulfill their dreams on the court.

A LeBron James production that explores the hardships both athletes and coaches face in the basketball sport, Hustle is a feel-good film with great pay-off and acting performances. Telling an uplifting and touching story, the movie does a brilliant job of balancing relatable characters with an industry that’s widely celebrated and embellished as we know it. Watch the movie for yourself, exclusively on Netflix.

Starring Chris Hemsworth in another spectacular action thriller movie, Extraction is a Netflix-exclusive film about a fearless black market mercenary named Tyler Rake, who takes on a life-threatening job to rescue the kidnapped son of a renowned international crime lord. Extraction is a fast-paced movie with some of the best-choreographed action sequences to date from Netflix’s originals. From one-take car chases to a building assault, to bone-crunching hand-to-hand combat, Extraction is filled with chaotic one-take sequences that will make you marvel at your screen.

With a story that’s simple to follow, impeccable action choreographies and stunts, and a perfect performance by Chris Hemsworth, Extraction is one of Netflix’s most loved original films. So much so that there’s even a second installment that you can watch on the platform – Extraction 2.

Another Netflix original film, Murder Mystery stars Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston in a hilarious crime comedy, bound to have you chuckling on your couch. Following a New York cop and his wife as they go on a supposedly romantic vacation to Europe, things go hay wire when the couple end up getting framed for the death of an elderly billionaire.

While the couple become makeshift detectives to prove themselves innocent of the crime, they stumble across even more bizarre secrets in the deceased billionaire’s world. Sandler and Aniston’s impeccable chemistry elevates this film to more than a simple comedy – it’s got mystery, romance, and even becomes a thriller at times. You can catch more of these two in the movie’s sequel, Murder Mystery 2.

A murder mystery film with dramatic family feuding and a bit of comedy sprinkled in, Knives Out is a great film to put on for movie night, available only on Netflix. Starring big names like Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, and Jamie Lee Curtis, the movie follows a detective as he investigates the murder of an eccentric, combative, and wealthy family’s head.

The film does a great job keeping you guessing as the truth of the case never comes out until the very end. With so many family members with various believable motives, you get to take your pick at catching the murderer, and even if you’re mistaken, you can enjoy the detective’s satisfying and detailed reveal at the end of the film. The sequel to Knives Out – Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery – is also available to watch on Netflix.
 

If you’re looking to chill on the couch with some light-hearted entertainment, reality TV shows are the go-to. Netflix has a variety of drama-filled reality shows to suit your taste, from shows about competitive real-estate agents to dating shows with a gimmicky twist. Check them out here.

A Netflix-original reality TV series created by Adam DiVello, the premise of Selling Sunset involves real estate agents feuding over clients and property in the Los Angeles market. The show is currently over six seasons long and gives you an inside peek into the competitive real estate industry, where both affluent buyers and real estate professionals take part in all the drama.

Never seen before industry coverage, with all the reality TV drama to make things interesting, Selling Sunset is one of the most popular shows on Netflix. The best part, there are over six seasons for you to enjoy.

Love is Blind is a reality TV show which follows a social experiment, whereby the idea “love at first sight” is discarded and contestants are encouraged to form a romantic connection with others without knowing what each other look like. Multiple seasons long with many spin-offs in different countries, including Japan and Brazil, Love is Blind is a popular match-making show which puts an original twist on the commonly used concept.

The show picks up when contestants confirm their pairs and finally get to see each other. After going on holiday and living together, couples then get to decide whether they will get married or not. With the stakes at their peak and emotions running high, Love is Blind is a drama-filled reality show that gets you chuckling, cringing, and even at times, invested in the contestants themselves. The show is available only on Netflix.

We all love a good survival show, and one of the best Netflix has to offer is Physical 100. With exactly 100 contestants (hence the name), Physical 100 brings together people in tip-top shape to compete against each other in games testing strength, endurance, dexterity, and many other physical traits. 

From intense 1v1s to strategic group challenges, the show keeps things interesting by having contestants from various professions display their strength in unexpected ways. Contestants include fitness-focussed body builders, gymnasts and personal trainers, as well as active professionals such as emergency response mountain climbers and firefighters. Watch the 100 built contestants interact and compete to the brink of their limits on Physical 100, only on Netflix.

A reality show covering the glamorous lives of wealthy Asian-American socialites, Bling Empire is a unique, entertaining series that gives you an inside peek into what life of the elite is like. Filled with fun, drama, and controversies, watch rich Asian-Americans go all-out hosting parties, travelling the world, and flaunting their wealth on Bling Empire.

There are currently three seasons of Bling Empire, with each introducing new cast members to spice up the cast dynamics. Reminiscent of high school drama, the show has everything entertainment – from cat fights to petty betrayals. If you want to watch more of Bling Empire, you can also check out the accompanying show Dubai Bling.
 

Netflix also carries some of the best original animated series and movies, including award-winning fantasy series Arcane, and kids’ beloved Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight. Check out more of Netflix’s top animated titles here.

Epic, extravagant and absolutely legendary, Arcane is an award-winning animated series with hard-hitting story, interesting characters, and beautiful art. Made by the creators of world-renown game League of Legends, Arcane follows the lore of a pair of sisters, Vi and Powder, who live in the slums of a supposedly utopian city known as Piltover. As the unrest between the city’s rich and poor begin to escalate, the sisters find themselves growing separate in their ideologies, and as time passes, on direct opposing sides of a world-ending conflict.

Arcane is highly praised for its well-directed action sequences, unique steampunk theme, and memorable worldbuilding. The show’s main protagonists are each raw with emotion and have incredibly well-written depth to support their growth throughout the show. A great show for both avid League of Legends gamers and people who’ve never heard of the game before, Arcane is one of the best animated series on Netflix to date.

Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight is an animated cartoon series based on the beloved Kung Fu Panda franchise. Its story picks up a few years after Kung Fu Panda 3 and follows Po as he leaves his home to redeem his honour on a challenging journey across China. On his way, he meets an English brown bear named Luthera and together, they uncover the secrets of the country together.

Jack Black reprises his role as Po and as always, delivers a great performance as the hilarious, genuine, and loveable fighting panda. Rita Ora is the new brown bear in the cast, and the two voice actors work with great chemistry to bring life to this animated series. The show is currently two seasons long and is set to release a third in late 2023, exclusively on Netflix.

Another hit animated series that’s available exclusively on Netflix is BoJack Horseman. A comedy about a washed-up Hollywood star in the form of a horse, BoJack Horseman offers great social commentary about the entertainment industry, as well as explores ideas of self-worth, confidence, and the struggles of maintaining deep relationships.

The show’s satirical comedy can be jarring for some, so we only recommend it for people who enjoy black comedy on the regular. As one of the best animations to come out of Netflix, BoJack Horseman is a much-watch for those interested in satirical humour with emotionally charged characters.

A Netflix-original animation, The Magician’s Elephant is a fantasy adventure film based on the children’s book of the same name. The movie follows Peter as he searches for his long-lost sister Adele and encounters fortune teller, tasking him to meet a magician with an elephant. As Peter sets off on his journey to find his sister, he is also challenged with three near-impossible tasks and uses his wits and experiences to overcome them.

The Magician’s Elephant is a great watch for young kids, exploring themes of family, hope, and teamwork. Set in a beautiful, mysterious world and filled with captivating magic, the film is a fun family watch, available only on Netflix.

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