Summary

  • The best Spanish shows on Netflix offer a wide variety of genres, including crime dramas, period dramas, and teen dramas, ensuring there is something for all audiences.
  • Many Spanish shows on Netflix are hidden gems that are accessible to international audiences, exposing them to quality non-English content.
  • Shows like Bitter Daisies, Unauthorized Living, and Cathedral of the Sea showcase gripping storylines, intense mysteries, and dark historical settings, making them binge-worthy favorites.

The best Spanish shows on Netflix contain some of the best international titles available on the streaming platform. While Netflix finds big audiences with blockbuster shows like Stranger Things and Wednesday, it cannot be underestimated how much of its global success can be attributed to its international and non-English titles, especially its Spanish-language shows from Spain, Mexico, Argentina, and even the U.S. The best Spanish-language shows on Netflix include some of the most popular series on the streamer, as well as some hidden gems waiting to be discovered.

While there are some globally popular Spanish shows on Netflix, like Narcos and Money Heist, there are also many shows that subscribers who predominantly view English language content are likely unaware of. While a lot of these shows might not otherwise have been exposed to international audiences, Netflix makes them accessible to viewers in the U.S. The best Spanish shows on Netflix cover a wide variety of genres, from action thrillers to family dramas to murder mysteries to lighthearted comedies, providing something for all audiences, regardless of their language.

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25 Bitter Daisies (2018)

Intimate Spanish Crime Drama

Bitter Daisies main cast Rosa Varga

Bitter Daisies is originally a show from Spain that became available on Netflix in 2019, a year after its debut on cable television. The series became the first Galician/Spanish language show to be distributed by the streaming platform. It centers around a rookie police officer named Rosa Varga (María Mera). Her first major case takes place in the small town of Murias, faced with the bizarre disappearance of a young girl.

While evidence points to a more simple explanation, Rosa delves deeper. She starts to suspect the seemingly normal and quiet town to have a much darker secret. It makes for the kind of gripping and grounded crime series with an intense mystery that has become a binge-worthy favorite on Netflix.

24 Unauthorized Living (2018-2020)

A Man Juggles His Health Diagnosis And Secret Life As A Drug Lord

Unauthorized Living is a Spanish show originally titled Vivir Sin Permiso. The show first debuted in 2018 but didn't become available on Netflix until 2020. Nemo Bandeira (José Coronado) puts up a front as a legitimate businessman but, in reality, is a rich drug lord. Things take a turn when he's diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Keeping his illness a secret, Nemo contemplates who will be his successor.

The first season deals with the turmoil and struggles Nemo faces with his newfound reality. The second season gets more complex as his second-in-command tries to steal the business empire from the new heir. With many twist and turns to the intricate plot, Unauthorized Living is one of the most layered stories among the best Spanish shows on Netflix.

23 Velvet (2014-2016)

A Spanish Love Story About People From Different Social Circles

Velvet Paula Echevarría

The 2014 Spanish period drama, Velvet, lasted for four-season seasons and is a must-watch for Netflix subscribers seeking Spanish-language content that's full of drama and a serious love story. The show gives audiences a star-crossed love story between two social classes. A humble seamstress catches the eye of a rich young man. The two characters fall in love but their social dynamics may cause trouble.

Alberto Márquez (Miguel Ángel Silvestre) is set to inherit one of the biggest fashion empires from his father. Alberto's and Anna's (Paula Echevarría) relationship is put to the test, and they just might break the rules for love. Such love stories have long been a draw for audiences, and Velvet pulls it off with charm and heart.

22 Cathedral Of The Sea (2018)

A Dark Historical Drama Set Against The Spanish Inquisition

Cathedral of the Sea main cast

Cathedral of the Sea or La Catedral del Mar is an easy one-night binge-watch with one 8-episode season. Based on a 2006 historical novel of the same name, the Spanish medieval show on Netflix isn't for the faint of heart. The story starts in 14th-century Barcelona with a humble farmer set to wed his bride. On the special day, the Lord of Bella makes an unannounced appearance and uses his power to beat and rape the bride.

The story then time jumps to focus on the son born after the marriage. The dark and engrossing look at a dark period in Spain's history with an intense journey for the main character as he is subjected to the evils of the period. The show's success led to the sequel series, Heirs to the Land.

21 Club of Crows (2015-2019)

Rival Siblings Fight For Control Of Their Late Father's Football Club

Club of Crows main cast

Club of Crows, originally titled Club de Cuervos, is a Netflix comedy-drama series about brother and sister Salvador "Chava" Iglesias Jr and Isabel Iglesias-Reina, following the death of their father Salvador Iglesias Sr. The power struggle between them over complete ownership and control of the family's beloved football squad brings laughs and drama. Filmed and produced in Pachuca, Mexico, the show stars both Luis Gerardo Mendez as "Chava" along with Mariana Treviño as his sister Isabel. The series draws from the likes of Arrested Development and Succession as a series that takes a look at greed coming between a family in some hilarious ways.

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20 The House Of Flowers (2018-2020)

Telenovela About A Wealthy Family's Fall From Grace

House of Flowers main cast

Starring prominent names such as Verónica Castro, Cecilia Suárez, and Aislinn Derbez, The House of Flowers, also known as La Casa de Las Flores, is a Netflix comedy-drama that revolves around a Mexican family who amassed fame and riches through their renowned flower shop. However, the patriarch of the family is caught being unfaithful, and then sent away to prison, while the family's assets and accounts are completely frozen.

The Spanish Netflix show then becomes centered around a mother and her two daughters. The humor and charm come from these central relationships, especially their hilarious attempts at surviving while no longer being super rich. Similar to Schitt's Creek's riches-to-rags story, it shows the struggles and triumphs of the adjustment to a simpler life. The telenovela also received a spinoff movie also available on Netflix.

19 Élite (2018)

A Teen Drama Set At A Prep School In Madrid

main cast of Elite on Netflix
Elite
Thriller
Drama
Crime

Release Date
October 5, 2018
Cast
Alvaro Rico , Claudia Salas , Andres Velencoso , Itzan Escamilla , Omar Ayuso , Carla Diaz , Jaime Lorente , Jorge Lopez , Diego Martín , Maria Pedraza , Mina El Hammani , Manu Rios , Miguel Herran , Danna Paola , Martina Cariddi , Aron Piper , Georgina Amoros , Miguel Bernardeau , Ester Exposito , Pol Granch
Story By
Carlos Montero

One of the best Spanish shows on Netflix as well as a network original, Élite is a teen drama series surrounding the lives of three working-class students who are transferred to an exclusive preppy boarding school in Madrid, Spain. With them standing out among their more privileged peers, it is that clash between them and the rich students that leads to murder.

With a predominantly young-adult cast, the show is geared more towards teenagers and young adults, touching on progressive themes and subjects. However, it is entertaining enough to satisfy all viewers with sharp writing and strong characters. All three seasons of Élite are available on Netflix.

18 Cable Girls (2017-2020)

A Period Drama About Spain's First Phone Company

Popularly known in Spanish as Las Chicas del Cable, Cable Girls is a Spanish period drama set in the 1920s. The show tells the tale of Spain receiving its first national telephone company, located in Madrid. The show illustrates the lives of four women who get jobs at the telephone company. For these women, it is much more than just a job for them. The show stars actors Blanca Suárez, Nadia de Santiago, Ana Fernández, and Maggie Civantos, as the "cable girls."

Cable Girls' story unfolds around the progress of women in the workplace in the '20s but through a Spanish lens, making it a relatively different perspective on a theme covered by many English-language peiod dramas.

17 Queen Of The South (2016-2021)

A Crime Drama About Female Cartel Bosses

Camila Vargas walking in Queen of the South.
The Queen of the South

Release Date
June 23, 2016
Cast
Alice Braga , Peter Gadiot , Hemky Madera
Seasons
5

Despite Queen of the South being an American show that first aired on the USA Network, it still counts among the best Spanish shows on Netflix. The show is an adaptation of the Spanish telenovela La Reina del Sur and depicts the stories of two powerful women, Camila Vargas (Veronica Falcón), a Mexican-born leader who runs a billion-dollar cartel in Texas, and Teresa Mendoza (Alice Braga). Teresa is originally captured by the cartel but later on, becomes the wealthiest cartel owner in all of South America. The show provides another pulse-pounding and intense crime story set inside the world of the drug trade with a unique focus on female figures.

16 Ingobernable (2017)

The First Lady Of Mexico Uncovers Political Secrets

Ingobernable on Netflix

Ingobernable is one of the best Spanish shows on Netflix that features an incredibly memorable female lead. Despite the show starting somewhat slow, it proves itself a series worth checking out for its intriguing premise and execution. Steeped in political intrigue, Ingobernable sits comfortably among the strongest Netflix political drams regardless of language.

The show focuses on Emilia Urquiza (Kate del Castillo), who becomes the first lady of Mexico. She is popularly known throughout the country as a strong woman full of conviction and ideas, but her life is not all perfect, as she eventually loses faith in many of her husband's choices. It ultimately leads her on a mission to uncover dark presidential secrets. The gripping political thriller mixed with a relationship drama gives Ingobernable an accelerative pace, though it is a slow burn at first.

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15 El Chapo (2017-2018)

The Story Of The Infamous Mexican Drug Lord

El Chapo follows the rise, capture, and escape of the notorious Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman. Marco de la O, who plays El Chapo, does a magnificent job of depicting the infamous drug lord. Starting as a low-level member of the Guadalajara Cartel, El Chapo rose to power as the head of the Sinaloa Cartel. However, after trying to complete a failed task for Escobar, El Chapo finds himself having to pay the price. The action-filled drama may not be to everyone's liking, but Netflix subscribers who enjoyed the thrilling true-crime saga of Narcos will want to dive into this look at a more modern story of the drug trade.

14 Narcos (2015-2017)

A Crime Saga Detailing Colombia's War On Drugs

Narcos

Release Date
August 28, 2015
Cast
Boyd Holbrook , Damian Alcazar , Wagner Moura , Juan Sebastián Calero , Jorge Monterrosa , Alberto Ammann , Raúl Méndez , Juan Murcia , Pedro Pascal , Francisco Denis , Paulina Gaitan , Paulina Garcia
Seasons
3

Netflix's Narcos is among its most popular series thanks it it being full of action and drug cartel drama. The show depicts the rise of the cocaine trade in Colombia and the real-life stories of drug lords in the 1980s. This Netflix original series not only touches on the behind-the-scenes aspects of leading a drug cartel, but the lengths law enforcement goes to in order to fight against this massive industry.

Undoubtedly one of the best Spanish shows on Netflix, Narcos chronicles the life stories of major public figures such as Pablo Escobar and the targets put on him by government officials. This captivating show details what really went on in Colombia in the late 80s, a deep dive into the dangerous cocaine underworld.

13 Money Heist (2017)

International Emmy Award-Winning Heist Drama

Money Heist main cast
Money Heist

Release Date
May 2, 2017
Cast
Álvaro Morte , Darko Perić , Fernando Cayo , Maria Pedraza , Paco Tous , Rodrigo De la Serna , Enrique Arce , Belén Cuesta , Pedro Alonso , Hovik Keuchkerian , Jaime Lorente , Esther Acebo
Seasons
5

Money Heist, or Casa de Papel, as it is originally known in Spanish, follows the life of "El Professor" who is one of the biggest masterminds in television history. "El Professor" scouts some of the most wanted people in all of Spain to help him commit one of the biggest heists in history. After coming up with a genius plan to infiltrate the Royal Mint of Spain, the group manages to steal nearly two billion Euros without consequence. Money Heist remains unparalleled in the heist crime subgenre. The show became an international hit, spawning several remakes and spinoffs as well as winning Best Drama Series at the International Emmy Awards.

12 Narcos: Mexico (2018-2021)

Spinoff Series About The Marijuana Trade In Mexico

Narcos: Mexico

Release Date
November 16, 2018
Cast
Diego Luna , Michael Pena
Seasons
3

Following the events of Narcos, Netflix's Narcos: Mexico is about the rise and fall of Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo (Diego Luna), Rafa Caro Quintero (Tenoch Huerta Mejia), Amado Carillo Fuentes (José María Yazpik), and other real-life drug lords who either came from or were associated with the Guadalajara Cartel.

Narcos: Mexico ranks highly among the best Spanish shows on Netflix for realistically chronicling the onset of high-THC sinsemilla (seedless) marijuana in the '80s, and how the Guadalajara Cartel eventually branched off to dealing narcotics on a global scale. Michael Peña also has a key role in the series as the dedicated cop who attempts to bring Gallardo down and becomes a target himself.

11 Apache: The Life Of Carlos Tevez (2019)

The Rise Of Argentina's Iconic Footballer

Apache The Life of Carlos Tevez on Netflix

Balthazar Murillo plays the legendary Argentine former football player Carlos Tévez in Apache: The Life of Carlos Tevez. The show is a deep look into how Tévez defied the odds amid the notoriously dangerous neighborhood called Fuerte Apache. Apache: The Life of Carlos Tevez plays out over eight episodes, and is a drama that's worth picking up for both sports and history buffs. It is the kind of inspiring sports story that can transcend language and be uplifting even to those who are unfamiliar with the real-life athlete.

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10 La Linea: Shadow Of Narco (2020)

Spanish Documentary Exposing The International Drug Trade

La Linea Shadow of Narco on Netflix

Below the Rock of Gibraltar lies the city of La Linea de Conception, a site rife with drug smuggling through boats from Morocco supplying Europe with a variety of narcotics. Over four episodes, the docuseries La Linea: Shadow of Narco details what the authorities attempts to enforce local and international drug policy, including the dangers that await them at every corner of La Linea de Conception. As entertaining and well-written as the scripted series that tackle the drug trade are, La Linea: Shadow of Narco makes for an eye-opening exploration of the real stories and is one of the best Spanish-language documentaries available on Netflix.

9 Rebelde (2022-present)

A Sequel Telenovela Set In A Music School

Rebelde main cast

Starring Azul Guaita, Franco Masini, Andrea Chaparro, and Jerónimo Cantillo, Rebelde reveals the lives of the talented students of the Elite Way School's Musical Excellence Program. Rebelde is a teen drama that serves as the direct sequel to the 2004 show of the same name. This means that, apart from being one of the best Spanish shows on Netflix, it's also one of the longest-running Spanish-language shows around. Rebelde was praised as being one of the best modern telenovelas as well as a worthy successor to the original series with a strong cast of characters who share a charming chemistry.

8 El Marginal (2016-2022)

Argentinian Crime Series Set In A Prison

El Marginal main cast

Another gripping crime drama on Netflix, El Marginal is an acclaimed series from Argentina. Former police officer Miguel Palacios (Juan Minujin) goes deep undercover, allowing himself to be incarcerated under false pretenses in order to infiltrate a prison gang. The life of a judge's daughter hangs in the balance, and the endless tension and constant danger Miguel faces make this a nail-biting watch. One of the best Spanish shows on Netflix for viewers in search of action-packed and well-executed drama, El Marginal paints prison gangs in a completely different light and is well-deserving of its Golden Martín Fierro Award. El Marginal concluded after five long, violent, but poignant seasons.

7 Sky Rojo (2021-2023)

A Dark Comedy With Action And Heart

Sky Rojo is an action-packed Spanish Netflix show with a lot of dark comedy and an extremely captivating premise. Coral (Verónica Sánchez), Wendy (Lali Espósito), and Gina (Yany Prado) are three sex workers who flee from their violent and powerful pimp, Romeo (Asier Etxeandia). Over three seasons, the women form a strong bond as they survive facing off against Romeo's henchmen, the dangers of the road, and grappling with their traumatic past. Sky Rojo balances its dark premise with just the right amount of comedy, impressive action, and a great soundtrack.

6 Alba (2021)

Spanish Drama About A Woman's Fight For Justice

cast of Alba on Netflix

Alba is among the most difficult watches among the best Spanish shows on Netflix, as it deals with dark themes like abuse and sexual trauma. The titular protagonist, Alba (Elena Rivera), is a student from a Madrid university who becomes the victim of a sexual assault, and the perpetrators turn out to be the best friends of her boyfriend Bruno Costa (Eric Masip).

One of the perpetrators comes from the wealthy and powerful Entrerríos family, who stands in the way of Alba and Bruno's quest for justice. Alba lasted for just one season without fully resolving Alba's story, but it is nonetheless among the most powerful dramas on Netflix right now.

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