In the global game and competition of streaming content, there have been many that have stood out from the pack. Yet, while services like Disney Plus and HBO Max are slowly on the rise, they may never overtake one of the first of its kind, the juggernaut known as Netflix.
Since it started in 1997, Netflix has gone from simply renting out films to digital streaming to creating their own original content. From sci-fi dramas to gritty superhero shows, Netflix has pumped out a large collection of originals of great quality. Here are the ten best Netflix originals ever since it launched according to IMDb.
The Dark Crystal: Age Of Resistance - 8.5
Recently, Netflix has slowly become a place not just for new shows to thrive but for continuing ideas and continuations to grow. Tv series have slowly become some of the best ways to keep a property going, whether it be another series or follow-up to a movie.
One such series is The Dark Crystal: Age Of Resistance. A prequel to the Jim Henson's 1982 feature, this ended up being an immediate hit after only one season, bringing fans in with a unique story and fantastic puppetry.
Mindhunter - 8.6
For one reason or another, audience members seem to enjoy stories about serial killers. Whether it be in the form of Criminal Minds, a documentary, or another drama series, fans are always looking for tales about real-life monsters going bump in the night, with David Fincher more than happy to comply.
Mindhunter is a series based on real events that follows the FBI behavioral unit as they search for serial killers. It is enough to satiate any crime fans. With disturbing scenes and phenomenal acting, Mindhunter will leave many rattled but others wanting more.
Daredevil - 8.6
In this day and age, superheroes rule both the box office and Hollywood. With the MCU and DCEU competing to deliver films worthy of the comics, TV grew into the space left behind, focusing on street-level characters.
While many expected a typical superhero romp, Daredevil became something more. Packed to the brim with amazingly brutal action, grounded stories, and phenomenal, character-defining portrayals of classic characters like Punisher, Kingpin, Elektra, Bullseye, and The Man Without Fear himself, Daredevil's three-season run became legendary in the world of superhero shows.
The Haunting Of Hill House - 8.7
Nobody likes to be scared and yet, for one reason or another, they can't help but watch a scary show or movie in the dead of night. It's an unfortunate habit that many studios have taken advantage of, pumping out one terrifying series after another.
Netflix's The Haunting Of Hill House, a horror anthology series, quickly won over fans not just with its unique horror and scares but with an intriguing story, solid performances, and camera work that boggles the mind, making many excited for the next season.
The Crown - 8.7
Typically, very few Netflix viewers, at the very least ones of the younger generation, want to watch a series that embodies a history lesson or talks about real-life events. Usually, they want to watch shows to escape from the real world and, sometimes, school work.
Yet, some shows, like The Crown, manage to take historical events and turn them into intriguing drama. Detailing the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, The Crown spins a tale full of history, moving performances, and great dialogue to create a unique history series.
House Of Cards - 8.7
A shows run is almost always defined by it's ending. Sure, how it began is always of great note but if a show can begin and end on high notes, then it receives acclaim. If it ends poorly, then the show's doomed forever.
House Of Cards is one such show, beginning a political drama with many twists and bloody turns in stunning fashion that faltered in its final season due to actor related issues. Nevertheless, the first few seasons, well-acted and written, still earns House Of Cards a decent ranking.
Bojack Horseman - 8.7
Animated series typically are seen as just that: animated shows. If it's a cartoon, audiences' first reaction is that it's meant for kids or younger audiences and even if adults can watch it, it won't carry the same depth of emotion as other series.
On the surface, Bojack Horseman, a series intended for adults, has a fun premise of an anthropomorphic horse actor. Yet, as the show progresses, the tone becomes darker, with the series expertly examining heavy themes and ideas interlaced with humor that make this one of the best animated series out there.
Stranger Things - 8.8
In recent years, the past decades have become more and more popular among people, nostalgia being one of the key factors. The decade most nostalgic though seems to be the 1980's, with movies and shows trying to capture the same charm and feel of that era.
No show does it better than Stranger Things, a sci-fi horror set in the 1980s. It takes influence from the classic films of Steven Speilberg and John Carpenter to create a truly wonderful yet horrifying world, filled with great references, performances, and effects.
Narcos - 8.8
Documentaries have, in recent years, managed to gain popularity and become more and more frequent in the world of TV series. Whether it's because fans like documentaries or because they bring in the ratings, multiple shows based in documentary styles have been popping up.
Narcos, although not technically a documentary, does fall into the same kind of make and feel. Throughout its three seasons of detailing the rise and fall of Pablo Escobar, the show expertly walks the line of documentary and drama series, making for something else entirely.
When They See Us - 8.9
If one were to say that Netflix was home to Emmy and Golden Globe worthy material, many would scoff at the prospect. While Netflix has gained attention in recent years, nothing ever screamed award-worthy despite a few films they picked up along the way.
Then, the When They See Us miniseries was released, a series that many took note of for its amazing performances, heart-wrenching story, and Oscar-worthy directing that helped the series hit the mark and gain the attention it deserved and needed.