Netflix has had another successful year when it comes to its original programming, with several shows breaking viewing records, but what were the best shows of 2022? Netflix started to produce original series in 2013 with House of Cards, and since then has gone on to make some of the most-watched shows in recent history. The likes of Orange Is The New Black, BoJack Horseman, and Squid Game have achieved both critical acclaim and immense popularity across the world.
Despite Netflix losing some subscribers in early 2022, the quantity and quality of its shows have earned the streaming platform over 220 million subscribers worldwide, putting it ahead of rivals Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ (via IndieWire). In 2022, Netflix continued to release brand-new content alongside new seasons of its established franchises, which has helped to bump up their subscriber numbers, offsetting the slump earlier in the year. This year Netflix has multiple shows that have had over one billion hours viewed, and the platform has several contenders to win major accolades in the 2022/2023 awards season. With that in mind, here are the best Netflix shows of 2022 ranked.
10. Bridgerton
Bridgerton’s second season centers on the eldest Bridgerton, Lord Anthony, getting caught up in a love triangle with the Sharma sisters, eventually falling for and marrying the rebellious younger sibling, Edwina. Elsewhere, Bridgerton season 2's biggest moment comes in the final episode when Eloise confronts her best friend Penelope for her gossip-stirring ways under the guise of Lady Whistledown. Bridgerton’s costume design team once again perfects the 1800s aesthetic, and the second season builds on the drama and tension of the first to leave plenty of storylines to further explore in future seasons of the Netflix show.
9. The Sandman
New for 2022, The Sandman is an adaptation of DC's comic book series by Neil Gaiman, which had previously been labeled as unfilmable. After being imprisoned for over 100 years, Morpheus, aka Dream of the Endless, escapes capture and is tasked with fixing the chaos that has occurred in the dream realm during his absence. Tom Sturridge delivers a career-best performance as Dream and is joined by a star-studded cast, boasting the likes of David Thewlis and Gwendoline Christie. The Sandman remains largely faithful to the comics, going as far as to lift scenes straight from the source material while modernizing its dialogue to make it fit for 2022.
8. The Lincoln Lawyer
Based on Michael Connelly's best-selling novel series, The Lincoln Lawyer follows criminal defense attorney and former drug addict Mickey Haller, played by the charismatic Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, take on legal cases in LA while working out of his Lincoln Navigator. Creator David E. Kelley has a history of producing law-based hits, with titles like Boston Legal, Ally McBeal, and Goliath under his belt, and his expert craftsmanship within the genre shines through in The Lincoln Lawyer. Although the series doesn't break new ground when it comes to law-based dramas, The Lincoln Lawyer is an entertaining and binge-worthy series, making it no surprise that Netflix has renewed it for a second season.
7. The Umbrella Academy
The Umbrella Academy has become one of Netflix's most established franchises. Inspired by Gerard Way's comics, season 3 of The Umbrella Academy takes the super-powered group on their biggest adventure yet as they are confronted by another apocalyptic event that sees them square off with the Sparrow Academy, a team created by Reginald Hargreeves in an alternate timeline. While the high production values and humorous dialogue keep The Umbrella Academy entertaining, it's the heroes' relatable character flaws that underpin the show. Like Amazon's The Boys, The Umbrella Academy remains popular after multiple seasons because it offers an alternative to the typical Marvel and DC productions in the saturated superhero genre.
6. Cobra Kai
Cobra Kai, the popular sequel series to The Karate Kid, returned for its fifth season in 2022. Season 5 sees antagonist Terry Silver teach his brutal style of karate to the students of Cobra Kai dojo, which he gained full control of at the end of season 4, while Daniel LaRusso turns to his old rival Chozen to help bring down the organization. Cobra Kai continued to deliver immaculately choreographed fight scenes, emotional punches, and self-aware silly moments, culminating in another exhilarating finale that wrapped up multiple story arcs while also building to an exciting sixth season.
5. Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story
Netflix's most controversial show of 2022 was Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan's true crime drama Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. The dramatization of "The Milwaukee Cannibal's" life is full of disturbing moments and put into question whether true crime horrors should be dramatized given the trauma the victim's families are forced to relive. Still, Dahmer is an absorbing series and avoids making Jeffrey Dahmer a sympathetic character thanks to Evan Peters' calculated performance. Dahmer's success in capturing a large audience led to Netflix renewing Monster as an anthology series focusing on other historic killers, and the show will be wise to continue avoiding humanizing its central characters.
4. Russian Doll
The second season of Russian Doll proved to be another hit for Netflix in 2022. Just over a week away from her 40th birthday, Nadia is transported back to 1982 where she finds herself trapped in her own mother's pregnant body, and at the center of a mystery regarding her family's heirlooms. Russian Doll season 2 matches the first season's crisp aesthetic and sharp script but smartly goes in a different direction by exploring Nadia's backstory in greater detail. The shift in focus away from season one's time loop allows Russian Doll to tell a more rich and wild story that gives greater depth to its central characters' personalities.
3. Ozark
Netflix's crime drama Ozark was back for its final season in 2022. Ozark wrapped up with the final story arc focusing on the Byrde family attempting to make one last money laundering deal before going back to living a crime-free life. While that may have been the intention, the ending of Ozark proved that not to be the case as the Byrde's youngest child, Jonah, murders private investigator Mel to protect his family. Although Ozark lost some of its blurred-line subtlety in season 4, outstanding performances by Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, and Julia Garner elevate the show to make it a captivating watch.
2. Stranger Things.jpg)
The most anticipated Netflix return of 2022 was Stranger Things. The fourth season upped the ante as Eleven and her friends took on their most powerful enemy yet, Vecna. While Stranger Things season 4 had a similar vibe to previous seasons, its longer episodes and huge budget made the series feel more cinematic. Stranger Things continued to influence pop culture by bringing Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” back into the charts worldwide. Stranger Things was also responsible for some of the year’s best scenes, including newcomer Eddie Munson stealing the show with his epic sacrificial guitar solo to buy his friends time during their battle in the Upside Down.
1. Wednesday
Netflix's best show of the year was The Addams Family spinoff Wednesday. Covering almost every genre, including horror, mystery, and comedy, Wednesday follows the titular Addams Family member as she is sent to boarding school where she finds herself investigating a murder using the psychic abilities she inherited from her mother, Morticia. Jenna Ortega's perfect deadpan performance nailed the spirit of Wednesday and made her the unquestionable breakout star of 2022. Wednesday set a new Netflix record for viewership hours within the first week of release, beating Stranger Things season 4, and has since been watched for over 1 billion hours, cementing itself as the platform's best show of the year.