10 Netflix Thrillers That Get Better With Every Episode

Netflix is famous for popularizing the idea of binge-watching, especially with thrilling TV shows that changed the television landscape, such as Orange Is the New Black and House of Cards. Since then, the service has continued to grow, offering viewers some of the best thriller series available. Netflix boasts a strong collection of original thriller shows, as well as many other acclaimed thriller titles.

Many of Netflix’s top thriller series run for multiple seasons, prioritizing well-developed characters alongside exciting action and suspense. This focus on quality has resulted in strong reviews from both critics and viewers – a rare achievement for a genre that often divides opinion. The most successful thrillers aren’t afraid to be bold and offer something truly different.

The Night Agent

The Night Agent follows an FBI agent working a quiet overnight shift who suddenly finds himself in the middle of a major conspiracy when he receives a critical phone call. It’s a gripping thriller with plenty of action, suspense, and unexpected turns, while also exploring its characters in depth. The show’s recent season has been highly praised and features some of its strongest characters yet.

With compelling characters and plenty of potential for future stories, The Night Agent feels like a show that could go on for a long time. Luckily for fans, a fourth season has been officially greenlit and is currently being developed, though details are still scarce. The show has consistently improved with each season, making the renewal exciting news.

Dark Winds

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Many classic Western TV shows have been criticized for how they portrayed Native American characters, often leaving them on the sidelines or relying on harmful stereotypes. The show Dark Winds is different – it’s a welcome change and has quickly become one of the most important and well-received Westerns on television. What makes it special is that it was created by a team largely comprised of Native American writers and filmmakers, and its quality continues to improve with each new episode.

Set in the 1970s, Dark Winds is a modern take on the Western genre that combines a crime investigation with elements of the supernatural. The show boasts strong performances from its leads and compelling villains. Critics love it – every season has a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes – making it a series you won’t want to miss.

You

As a big fan of twisty thrillers, I was so excited when Penn Badgley, who I first loved as the ‘normal guy’ Dan Humphrey on Gossip Girl, landed the lead in You. It’s brilliant because the show takes everything you think you know about romantic comedies and turns it into something genuinely scary. Joe Goldberg seems like a sweet, unassuming guy at first, but the reveal that he’s actually a dangerous stalker is just the tip of the iceberg. It really messes with your head!

The show You breaks the conventions of its genre by constantly changing Joe’s identity as he finds and obsessively pursues new targets. Maintaining suspense for five seasons is challenging, but the show consistently delivers violence and a creepy mood. The unsettling perspective—told entirely from Joe’s point of view—makes the experience even more disturbing.

Dark

Dark is a brilliantly told story. This sci-fi thriller starts small, focusing on characters to draw you in, and then gradually unfolds into a complex and surprising mystery. Throughout it all, the show’s strength lies in its well-developed and compelling characters.

The series Dark starts with the mysterious vanishing of a child in a small German town. As the story unfolds, it introduces a complex multiverse filled with different versions of the same people. Praised by both critics and viewers – earning a 95% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes – Dark is a compelling thriller with a satisfying conclusion, making it a great choice for sci-fi fans.

Money Heist

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Money Heist was a game-changer for streaming, quickly becoming a top crime thriller on Netflix and launching a whole franchise. The series centers around an elaborate heist where a diverse team locks themselves inside the Royal Mint of Spain. The story jumps between the unfolding robbery and flashbacks to the training the team received from the enigmatic Professor before the operation began.

Each episode of the show usually ends with a suspenseful cliffhanger, and the story revolves around characters who go by code names. These characters are all deeply flawed, often creating as much trouble for themselves as for the mission itself. This makes Money Heist unpredictable, filled with surprising twists, and ultimately delivers a satisfying conclusion.

Mindhunter

Among recent TV show cancellations, the one fans still regret the most is Mindhunter. The series ran for two seasons and was known for its suspenseful, carefully paced storytelling, which created a chilling atmosphere without relying on excessive gore. Though based on a true story, Mindhunter was ultimately canceled because it was expensive to produce.

The series centers around two FBI agents who investigate imprisoned serial killers, hoping to identify potential future offenders before they strike. The show is known for strong acting, particularly its realistic depictions of notorious criminals like Ed Kemper, played by Cameron Britton, and Charles Manson, portrayed by Damon Herriman.

Breaking Bad

During its five seasons, the popular show Breaking Bad became a massive cultural hit, and its stars, Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, achieved legendary status. The series follows a high school chemistry teacher who, after receiving a cancer diagnosis, begins manufacturing methamphetamine to pay for his medical care. Creator Vince Gilligan famously summarized the show’s transformation as changing a mild-mannered teacher into a ruthless criminal.

Breaking Bad is hard to categorize – it’s a show that blends family drama, intense crime thrills, and surprisingly dark humor. What starts as embarrassing mistakes for the characters quickly escalates into dangerous, life-or-death scenarios, and the suspense builds with each season until the explosive finale. Many consider Breaking Bad a thrilling masterpiece and one of the best shows you can find on Netflix.

Baby Reindeer

The series Baby Reindeer quickly stood out when it premiered, originating from Richard Gadd’s live stage show and, ultimately, a true story from his own life. While it’s a challenging watch, this gripping thriller is incredibly worthwhile thanks to its powerful performances and the disturbing, escalating story of a woman who relentlessly stalks him.

Netflix’s Baby Reindeer has received high praise, even earning a recommendation from horror master Stephen King. Critics love it too, giving it a 99% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The show is incredibly gripping, building suspense with each episode as the characters’ disturbing secrets are revealed. Richard Gadd stars as Donny Dunn, a character based on his own life, and Jessica Gunning delivers a standout performance as Martha, who stalks him.

Orphan Black

The very beginning of Orphan Black immediately pulls you into its thrilling story. We first meet Sarah as she witnesses a woman who looks exactly like her in distress. When this doppelgänger tragically jumps in front of a train, Sarah assumes her identity, leading her to uncover a surprising and unsettling truth about her own origins and family.

Tatiana Maslany delivers an Emmy-winning performance in this sci-fi thriller, playing multiple distinct clones. The story starts as a creepy mystery and rapidly expands into a large-scale conspiracy. Despite the quick pace, the show’s excellent writing keeps things engaging, and Orphan Black offers a truly satisfying conclusion – a welcome relief for fans tired of seeing quality shows cut short.

Lupin

Lupin is a thrilling crime series that just gets more captivating as it goes on. The show stars Omar Sy as Assane Diop, a charming thief seeking revenge for his father’s death. What begins as a personal quest quickly becomes a much larger and more intricate story. Lupin expertly blends the excitement of a heist with humor and surprising turns of events.

The first few episodes of Lupin were structured like individual cases, with Omar Sy’s character completing a new heist each week. However, the show really hit its stride as it developed, solidifying his character as one of the most compelling in the thriller genre. Season 4 is expected to begin right after the dramatic ending of season 3.

2026-02-28 17:30