Apart from the usual dose of English shows from countries such as the US and the UK, the streaming giant Netflix is gradually expanding towards including more international shows in new languages and new countries. From the German sci-fi drama Dark to the Korean dark fantasy Hellbound, these shows have become some of the highest-rated and most popular Netflix originals.
Not only does this diversity of options help in introducing international talent to wider audiences but it would also prompt viewers to check out more shows with similar cultural contexts. According to a list curated by Ranker, these are some of the biggest international sensations that have come out of Netflix.
Mortel (2019-2021)
The high-school drama formula gets a supernatural twist with the French fantasy series Mortel. The show deals with a bunch of misfit teens entering a pact with a voodoo deity so as to avenge the death of one of their brothers. The chaos that ensues with their newfound powers is bound to impress fans of the fantasy and even the superhero genre.
While critical reviews for Mortel were mixed, the audience reaction was largely positive owing to its high streaming numbers. On Ranker, the show outranks several other French-language shows to stream on Netflix like Lupin and Marianne.
Drug Squad - Costa Del Sol (2019)
With Narcos and its spin-off shows, Netflix has definitely built an interest in the history of the drug trade. In the same line, this 13-episode Spanish series deals with the history of Spain's early anti-narcotics squads.
With popular Spanish stars like Hugo Silva and Álvaro Cervantes in the lead ensemble, Costa Del Sol is an adrenaline-fueled action drama. However, at the same time, rather than sensationalizing the drug menace of the 1970s, it takes a more realistic look at the police detectives who took down druglords with minimal resources.
Criminal: Spain (2019)
Criminal serves as a cross-border Netflix anthology series with true crime scenarios in various countries, ranging from England to France and Germany. The Spanish version follows the same format as its other counterparts with each episode set inside a police interrogation room. As the investigators interview their accused suspects, a psychological battle of wits ensues.
Instead of relying on violence and gore, the crimes are discussed in a dialogue-driven format that immerses viewers in an intense and claustrophobic interrogation. With just over three episodes, Criminal: Spain is also one of the most binge-able police procedural TV shows.
Dark (2017-2020)
The German sci-fi series that took the world by storm, Dark blends time travel with the mystery genre. As a child goes missing in the sleepy town of Winden, the characters of Netflix's Dark unravel a larger conspiracy that spans various generations. What follows is a mind-boggling series of events.
Launched as Germany's first Netflix original series, Dark was an instant hit and wrapped up its multi-layered storyline with a critically-acclaimed three-season-long streak.
The Hook Up Plan (2018-2022)
Taking things on a lighter note, The Hook Up Plan falls in the romantic comedy genre. The protagonist in this Netflix French-language series is a down-on-luck woman who struggles with a monotonous job and a mid-life crisis. As she also has no luck in her love life, her friends try to set her up with a male escort leading to a friendship that would change her life forever.
Following the horrors of Marianne, Netflix's sophomore French original is quite a light-hearted viewing option that would suit audiences if they are looking to binge on a quick watch.
The Protector (2018-2020)
For over four seasons, the Turkish action drama The Protector revolves around an ordinary shopkeeper who discovers that he is connected to an ancient secret order that is tasked with protecting the city of Istanbul. Conflicted between his normal life and his familial duties, The Protector makes for an interesting watch for fans of stories that merge the past with the present, such as the Assassin's Creed Games or even superhero shows like Moon Knight.
Compared to other countries, Turkey has a fair share of original programming on Netflix. With a four-year run, The Protector has been the most consistent and popular option in the language.
Skylines (2019)
When it comes to good Netflix shows that were canceled after just one season, the German drama Skylines seems to be an easy contender. The show boasts a hip-hop-heavy soundtrack as it deals with a rap producer who signs with the prestigious Skyline Records only to discover that the record label is a front for organized crime.
Despite a short-lived run, Skylines won over fans and attained a positive reception. If Netflix users are done binging on Dark, then this is another German cult favorite that they can go for.
Unorthodox (2020)
Even though major portions of Unorthodox were shot in New York and Berlin, the screenplay mostly makes use of the Yiddish language due to its focus on an ultra-Orthodox Jewish sect. The central character is a 19-year-old woman who flees a conservative society to start a new life in Berlin. However, her troubled past, from which she desperately tries to seek freedom, catches up with her.
Nominated for multiple Emmys, Unorthodox with its shocking scenes and realistic performances proved to be a fruitful American and German co-production. It still goes down as one of the highest-rated shows on Netflix.
Love 101 (2020-2021)
Love 101 is a delightful Turkish teen-comedy drama in which a group of high-schoolers joins forces to help a beloved teacher in finding true love. As it is set in the 1990s, the show is filled with a sense of nostalgic simplicity.
As the show also deals with the multiple parallel lives of the students it focuses on, there is a lot happening in Love 101 and yet the plot doesn't seem haphazard. As compared to the heavy drama of The Protector, Love 101 brims with some good, old, light-hearted fun.
Hellbound (2021-)
After winning over critics and breaking streaming records, people might have thought that Squid Game might be Ranker's best international show on Netflix. But for now, the top spot has been taken by another popular Korean series Hellbound. Falling in the dark fantasy genre, Hellbound involves mysterious supernatural beings that appear out of nowhere and condemn ordinary humans to hell.
Such has been Hellbound's popularity on Netflix that the show ended up surpassing Squid Game as the world's most-watched Netflix show in November, as reported by The Guardian.