20 Best TV Shows on Netflix 2026
Need a new Netflix pick? Explore top dramas, thrillers, horror, sci-fi, and comedies, from Breaking Bad to The Diplomat, with quick guidance on each title.
If you’re deciding what to watch on Netflix, this list gives you a strong mix of tense thrillers, character-driven dramas, eerie mysteries, and smart sci-fi. Start with high-profile picks like The Diplomat, Breaking Bad, and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners if you want bigger stakes and strong ratings, or try From and Yellowjackets when you want something unsettling and puzzle-like. There’s also room for lighter choices such as Nobody Wants This, The Great British Baking Show, and The Gentlemen, plus long-running staples like Grey’s Anatomy and NCIS if you want something familiar to settle into. Whether you’re in the mood for danger, romance, crime, or something strange, the titles here make it easy to find a good next binge.
Spotlight
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01
The Diplomat
Won 1 Emmy Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (2026) · 10 nominations
drama · thriller
Amid an international crisis, a US diplomat contends with her high-profile job as ambassador to the UK and her strained marriage to a political star.
Why watch: If you enjoy political drama with high-pressure stakes, this is a strong pick. Its thriller edge and strained-marriage angle may appeal if you like stories where personal and public crises collide.
Directed by Alex Graves, Liza Johnson, Tucker Gates, Andrew Bernstein, Simon Cellan JonesCast Keri Russell, Rufus Sewell, David Gyasi, Ali Ahn, Rory KinnearNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
02
From
drama · horror · mystery · sci-fi · thriller
Unravel the mystery of a town in middle U.S.A. that imprisons everyone who enters. As the residents struggle to maintain a sense of normality and seek a way out, they must also survive the threats of the surrounding forest.
Why watch: If you like mystery series with a creepy atmosphere, this one fits well. The mix of drama, horror, sci-fi, and thriller suggests a tense watch for anyone drawn to trapped-town stories.
Directed by Jack Bender, Brad Turner, Alexandra La Roche, Jennifer Liao, Jeff RenfroeCast Harold Perrineau, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Eion Bailey, David Alpay, Elizabeth SaundersNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
03
Nobody Wants This
5 Emmy nominations 2x Outstanding Comedy Series
comedy · drama · romance
An agnostic sex podcaster and a newly single rabbi fall in love, but can their relationship survive their wildly different lives and meddling families?
Why watch: If you prefer rom-coms with some emotional weight, this could be a good match. Its comedy-drama-romance blend works well for viewers who like relationships complicated by family and very different lives.
Directed by Hannah Fidell, Karen Maine, Greg Mottola, Oz Rodriguez, Lawrence TrillingCast Kristen Bell, Adam Brody, Justine Lupe, Timothy Simons, Jackie TohnNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
04
East of Eden
drama
In the early 1900s, a fiercely independent woman drives a rift between two brothers, igniting a saga that unfolds across two generations.
Why watch: If you want a broad, character-centered drama, this title may suit you. The two-generation setup suggests a slow-burn family story for viewers who like sweeping emotional arcs.
Directed by Garth Davis, Laure de Clermont-TonnerreCast Florence Pugh, Christopher Abbott, Mike Faist, Hoon Lee, Robert MorganNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
05
Below
drama · horror · mystery & thriller
When a mysterious sea creature terrorizes a remote town, a fisherman must fight to protect his family, his community, and his way of life.
Why watch: If you’re in the mood for horror with a mystery twist, this one stands out. The coastal setting and sea-creature premise should appeal to viewers who like survival stories with a small-town feel.
Directed by Jamie Childs, Helen Shaver, Stephen DunnCast Josh Hartnett, Mackenzie Davis, Charlie Heaton, Ruby Stokes, Kaleb HornNetflixMore details on IMDb →
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06
Lupin
1 BAFTA TV Award nomination
action · crime · drama · mystery
Inspired by the adventures of Arsène Lupin, gentleman thief Assane Diop sets out to avenge his father for an injustice inflicted by a wealthy family.
Why watch: If you enjoy crime stories built around clever schemes and revenge, this is a solid choice. Its action, drama, and mystery elements make it a good fit for viewers who like stylish capers.
Directed by Ludovic Bernard, Louis Leterrier, Hugo Gélin, Xavier Gens, Daniel GrouCast Omar Sy, Ludivine Sagnier, Soufiane Guerrab, Etan Simon, Mamadou HaidaraNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
07
Best Medicine
comedy · drama
A brilliant surgeon leaves Boston to become a small-town doctor where he spent childhood summers. Despite his medical skills, his rude manner alienates locals as he battles hidden phobias and struggles with personal connections.
Why watch: If you like comedy-dramas about personal growth and small-town friction, this may be worth a look. The medical setting and fish-out-of-water setup should appeal to viewers who enjoy character-driven workplace stories.
Directed by Jaime Eliezer Karas, Jamie Babbit, Todd Holland, Jaffar Mahmood, Jason WinerCast Josh Charles, Abigail Spencer, Josh Segarra, Cree, Annie PottsNetflixHuluMore details on IMDb → -
08
Money Trap
action & adventure · comedy · crime
When a mythical map falls into the hands of a legendary scam artist, he decides to pull one last con before leaving it all behind for good.
Why watch: If you want crime comedy with a con-artist angle, this could be for you. The mythical-map hook suggests a lighter, playful take on a last-big-job story.
Directed by Yılmaz Erdoğan, Senol SönmezCast Yılmaz Erdoğan, Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ, Demet Akbağ, Ezgi Mola, Uraz KaygılaroğluNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
09
The Gentlemen
Won 1 Emmy Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series (2024) · 3 nominations
action · comedy · crime
When aristocratic Eddie inherits the family estate, he discovers that it's home to an enormous weed empire — and its proprietors aren't going anywhere.
Why watch: If you enjoy crime comedies with a sharp premise, this is an easy recommendation. Its mix of action, comedy, and crime should suit viewers who like inheritance stories that turn unexpectedly chaotic.
Directed by Eran Creevy, Guy Ritchie, David Caffrey, Nima Nourizadeh, Nick RowlandCast Theo James, Kaya Scodelario, Daniel Ings, Joely Richardson, Vinnie JonesNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
10
Grey's Anatomy
Won 4 Emmys Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (2007) · 40 nominations
drama · romance
Follows the personal and professional lives of a group of doctors at Seattle’s Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.
Why watch: If you want a long-running medical drama with romance at its core, this is an easy place to start. It’s a fit for viewers who like ensemble stories about both work and personal lives.
Directed by Kevin McKidd, Debbie Allen, Rob Corn, Chandra Wilson, Allison Liddi-BrownCast Ellen Pompeo, Chandra Wilson, James Pickens Jr., Kevin McKidd, Justin ChambersNetflixHuluDisney PlusMore details on IMDb → -
11
NCIS
3 Emmy nominations
action · crime · drama · mystery · thriller
From murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines, a team of special agents investigates any crime that has any connection to Navy and Marine Corps personnel, regardless of rank or position.
Why watch: If you prefer procedural crime series with a team focus, this one delivers that format well. The blend of action, mystery, and thriller elements should appeal to viewers who like case-of-the-week tension.
Directed by Dennis Smith, Terrence O'Hara, Tony Wharmby, James Whitmore Jr., Thomas J. WrightCast Sean Murray, David McCallum, Mark Harmon, Brian Dietzen, Rocky CarrollNetflixHuluParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
12
Goosebumps
adventure · comedy · drama · fantasy · horror · mystery · thriller
Anything can turn spooky in this horror anthology series based on the best-selling books by master of kid horror, R.L. Stine. In every episode, see what happens when regular kids find themselves in scary situations, and how they work to confront and overcome their fears.
Why watch: If you like spooky stories that still feel approachable, this anthology is a good fit. The horror and fantasy mix makes it useful for viewers who want eerie episodes rather than one long storyline.
Directed by William Fruet, Ron Oliver, John Bell, Randy Bradshaw, Timothy BondCast R.L. Stine, Kathryn Short, Cody Jones, Scott Wickware, Hamille RustiaNetflixAmazon Prime VideoTubiMore details on IMDb → -
13
Doc
drama
Dr. Amy Larsen must navigate an unfamiliar world after a brain injury erases the last eight years of her life. She can rely only on her estranged 17-year-old daughter, whom she remembers as a 9-year-old, and a handful of devoted friends, as she struggles to continue practicing medicine, despite having lost nearly a decade of knowledge and experience.
Why watch: If you enjoy medical dramas with a personal identity twist, this may be your kind of show. The memory-loss premise gives it an emotional angle that should appeal to viewers who like character-first stories.
Directed by Russell Lee Fine, Marisol Adler, Jono Oliver, Nicole Rubio, Rebecca ThomasCast Molly Parker, Omar Metwally, Jon-Michael Ecker, Amirah Vann, Anya BanerjeeNetflixHuluMore details on IMDb → -
14
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
animation · action · adventure · crime · drama · sci-fi · thriller
In a dystopia riddled with corruption and cybernetic implants, a talented but reckless street kid strives to become a mercenary outlaw — an edgerunner.
Why watch: If you want animated sci-fi with a gritty edge, this is a standout pick. Its action, crime, drama, and thriller blend should appeal to viewers who like dystopian stories with momentum.
Directed by Hiroyuki Imaishi, Kai Ikarashi, Yoshiyuki Kaneko, Noboru Furukawa, Kôdai NakanoCast Kentarô Tone, Kôki Uchiyama, Momoka Terasawa, Akari Kitô, KENNNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
15
Happy's Place
comedy · drama
Bobbie inherits her father's restaurant and is less than thrilled to discover that she has a new business partner in the half-sister she never knew she had.
Why watch: If you like workplace comedies with family tension, this could work well for you. The restaurant setting and unexpected business partnership make it a good fit for viewers who enjoy ensemble sitcom-style drama.
Directed by Pamela Fryman, Victor Gonzalez, Joanna Kerns, Robbie Countryman, Gloria Calderón KellettCast Reba McEntire, Belissa Escobedo, Melissa Peterman, Rex Linn, Pablo CastelblancoNetflixPeacock PremiumMore details on IMDb → -
16
Fire Country
drama
Seeking redemption and a shortened prison sentence, young convict Bode Donovan joins a firefighting program that returns him to his small Northern California hometown, where he and other inmates work alongside elite firefighters to extinguish massive blazes across the region.
Why watch: If you enjoy redemption stories set against dangerous work, this is a good choice. The firefighting backdrop and hometown connection should appeal to viewers who like grounded drama with urgency.
Directed by Bill Purple, Gonzalo Amat, Eagle Egilsson, Sarah Wayne Callies, Kevin AlejandroCast Max Thieriot, Kevin Alejandro, Jordan Calloway, Jules Latimer, Diane FarrNetflixParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
17
Yellowjackets
10 Emmy nominations 2x Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
drama · mystery · thriller
This equal parts survival epic, psychological horror story and coming-of-age drama tells the saga of a team of wildly talented high school girls soccer players who become the (un)lucky survivors of a plane crash deep in the remote northern wilderness. The series chronicles their descent from a complicated but thriving team to savage clans, while also tracking the lives they’ve attempted to piece back together nearly 25 years later.
Why watch: If you like mystery thrillers with survival tension, this is an excellent pick. The dual timeline and wilderness setting should appeal to viewers who enjoy psychological stories with lingering questions.
Directed by Ben Semanoff, Eva Sørhaug, Daisy von Scherler Mayer, Jeffrey W. Byrd, Bart NickersonCast Melanie Lynskey, Sophie Nélisse, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Sophie Thatcher, Samantha HanrattyNetflixAmazon Prime VideoParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
18
Breaking Bad
Won 16 Emmys 3x Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series · 58 nominations
crime · drama · thriller
Walter White, a New Mexico chemistry teacher, is diagnosed with Stage III cancer and given a prognosis of only two years left to live. He becomes filled with a sense of fearlessness and an unrelenting desire to secure his family's financial future at any cost as he enters the dangerous world of drugs and crime.
Why watch: If you want a crime drama with serious emotional stakes, this is one of the strongest options here. Its thriller side and moral pressure make it a fit for viewers who like intense, character-driven storytelling.
Directed by Michelle MacLaren, Adam Bernstein, Vince Gilligan, Colin Bucksey, Michael SlovisCast Bryan Cranston, Anna Gunn, Aaron Paul, Dean Norris, Betsy BrandtNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
19
The Great British Baking Show
Won 2 BAFTA TV Awards 8 nominations
game-show · reality-tv
Bakers attempt three challenges each week trying to impress the judges enough to go through to the next round and eventually are crowned Britain's best amateur baker.
Why watch: If you want a calmer change of pace, this baking competition is an easy watch. Its reality and game-show format suits viewers who like friendly competition and low-stress episodes.
Directed by Jeanette Goulbourn, Andy Devonshire, Scott Tankard, Mark Drake, Anna DriverCast Thomas ArdenNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
20
Dragon Ball Super: Beerus
action & adventure · animation · fantasy · science-fiction
When Beerus, the God of Destruction, awakens in search of a worthy rival, Goku and his friends face an epic battle to stop him from destroying Earth.
Remastered and re-edited version of Dragon Ball Super.
Why watch: If you enjoy action-filled animation with fantasy and science-fiction elements, this should be on your list. The showdown with Beerus makes it a good pick for viewers who like high-energy battles and big stakes.
Directed by Matsuto Seya, Kota Tamakuma, Nobutaka Yoda, Maya Asakura, Ryôta NakamuraCast Masako Nozawa, Joji Yanami, Takahiro Fujimoto, Shinichiro Ota, Ryoichi TanakaNetflixHuluMore details on IMDb →
Wrapping Up
This roundup brings together a wide range of series, from prestige drama and crime stories to horror, comedy, and reality TV. If you want a fast starting point, use the ratings and genres to narrow the field, then circle back when your mood changes. Bookmark this page so you can return whenever you need a fresh pick, because it’s updated regularly with new titles and changing recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top 10 series on Netflix now?
Our top 10 right now: The Diplomat (2023), From (2022), Nobody Wants This (2024), East of Eden (2026), Below (2026), Lupin (2021), Best Medicine (2026), Money Trap (2026), The Gentlemen (2024) and Grey's Anatomy (2005), all streaming on Netflix.
What are the hottest new Netflix series right now?
The newest picks on this list are East of Eden (2026), Below (2026), Best Medicine (2026), Money Trap (2026), Dragon Ball Super: Beerus (2026) and Doc (2025), all streaming on Netflix.
What is the #1 rated Netflix series?
Our No. 1 pick right now is The Diplomat (2023), streaming on Netflix.
Do I need a Netflix subscription to watch these?
Yes. Every title on this list is currently available on Netflix. Availability can change, so we recommend checking the streaming link on each title before you start watching.