Netflix’s 12 Best Shows Of The Decade So Far, Ranked

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Modern television faces some legitimate criticisms. One major issue is the increasing number of reboots, revivals, and spin-offs. While Ryan Murphy is a highly creative force behind shows like Glee and American Horror Story, he’s recently expanded his work to include not one, but two spin-offs of his drama 9-1-1.

It’s becoming increasingly common for TV shows to have shorter seasons and longer gaps between them. Severance is a critically acclaimed and popular show, and rightfully so. However, the three-year wait between its first and second seasons definitely impacted how people remember it, and the uncertainty around when season 3 will arrive doesn’t help.

Despite its flaws, modern television has produced some incredible series that will likely be remembered as classics. Shows like The Pitt and Slow Horses demonstrate that even familiar genres – such as medical dramas and spy thrillers – can be innovatively reimagined.

I’ve always been amazed by how Netflix leads the way in television. They were pioneers in the early days of streaming, and they haven’t stopped pushing boundaries since – remember how groundbreaking Black Mirror: Bandersnatch was with its interactive format? And they’re still taking risks and creating incredible content, especially with these 12 shows that I think are their very best from the last ten years.

12. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

2022

I was completely blown away by Cyberpunk: Edgerunners – it absolutely deserves the perfect score it has on Rotten Tomatoes. Night City wasn’t just a backdrop; it felt like a living, breathing character itself. The show really created a unique and immersive world, and it looked incredible doing it. For me, atmosphere and world-building are everything in cyberpunk, and Edgerunners nailed it with its amazing art style.

The characters in the show perfectly captured the story’s overall feel and atmosphere. David Martinez’s difficult past gave Edgerunners a sense of tension, immediacy, and sadness that highlighted the struggles within Night City. Plus, the show had a fantastic addition to its cast: Giancarlo Esposito, known from Breaking Bad, provided the voice for Faraday in the English dub.

11. The Glory

2022-2023

Watching The Glory was deeply disturbing, yet completely captivating, as a complex plan for revenge unfolded with suspense and shocking violence. Following its release, series like Adolescence and Under the Bridge highlighted how relevant and even more damaging school bullying has become, solidifying The Glory‘s place as both a groundbreaking and timely drama.

Unlike some shows that hinted at bullying, The Glory presented it directly and often painfully to watch. Some found this upsetting, but it was intentional, contributing to the show’s overall serious tone. The compelling storyline proved The Glory wasn’t simply trying to shock viewers, but using difficult scenes to emphasize its powerful message.

10. Beef

2023-Present

Even if Beef had ended after its initial season, it would have been a standout show. However, by changing from a limited series to an anthology, it now has the potential to become a truly significant series, comparable to American Horror Story and The White Lotus. The second season, focusing on two couples with a feud at a fancy country club, seems likely to appeal to fans of The White Lotus, but will maintain the unique style that made the first season of Beef so compelling.

As a film and TV buff, I was immediately hooked by the premise of Beef – a simple road rage incident that spirals completely out of control. And honestly, Steven Yeun and Ali Wong absolutely blew me away with their performances. They played characters who were so complex and kept surprising you, even taking the story into some really surreal territory. What I loved most is that even with all the craziness, the show never lost touch with what it meant to be human, and it really dug into interesting cultural themes. It was a wild ride, but a surprisingly thoughtful one.

9. Midnight Mass

2021

Mike Flanagan has become known for brilliantly adapting classic horror stories, as seen in series like The Haunting of Hill House, The Fall of the House of Usher, and his upcoming take on Carrie. However, his original Netflix series, Midnight Mass, might be his best work yet. The show’s setting – a remote island town – combined with the strangely captivating presence of Father Paul, offered a chilling and thought-provoking look at religion.

The deliberately slow pace of Midnight Mass, reminiscent of prestige dramas, helped it stand out in the vampire horror genre. But what truly set it apart was how it explored religious ideas. Instead of relying on typical horror elements like demonic possession, the show suggested that the difference between an angel and a demon might simply be how we interpret things.

8. Bridgerton

2020-Present

Bridgerton has breathed new life into historical dramas. While these shows can sometimes feel slow and hard to follow, Bridgerton successfully combines the beautiful visuals of the Regency era with fast-paced, modern storytelling. It’s accessible enough to be a great starting point for viewers new to period pieces, but it’s also a high-quality show in its own right.

Bridgerton’s broad and straightforward approach to diversity smoothly sidesteps concerns about historical precision, and in doing so, feels like a game-changer for the period drama genre. Ultimately, the show is a revitalizing addition to historical fiction, blending the lavishness and refinement of the era with the sensual content audiences now expect from streaming entertainment.

7. The Queen’s Gambit

2020

Despite being released amidst a wealth of popular limited series on Netflix, The Queen’s Gambit has had a lasting impact, proving it was more than just a fleeting trend. The show is widely remembered and was instrumental in making Anya Taylor-Joy a household name. Based on the 1983 novel, it’s also considered a prime example of a successful adaptation.

The series stayed remarkably true to Walter Tevis’s novel, ensuring its lasting appeal. Anya Taylor-Joy’s portrayal of Beth Harmon, the central character in The Queen’s Gambit, was captivating and original. Beth was a compelling figure – brilliant, flawed, and deeply vulnerable. Combined with the show’s striking visuals, this made for exceptional television, even with a focus on the game of chess.

6. The Diplomat

2023-Present

The Diplomat is a rare political drama that manages to be complex and engaging. The main characters, Kate and Hal Wyler, are brilliant, genuinely hopeful people, but also have a subtly unsettling side. This makes viewers both sympathize with and question them, both in their political maneuvering and their relationship, leaving you wondering if they’re truly someone to trust.

Both Keri Russell and Rufus Sewell give standout performances, skillfully shifting between showing vulnerability and shrewdness. Russell is particularly captivating as Kate – a character determined to express herself through her style, while still maintaining her femininity and having a fully realized romantic life.

The series The Diplomat skillfully blends personal relationships with a complicated story of international politics. It presents a realistic and engaging plot without being overly simplistic or confusing, and the characters’ motivations and personalities are consistently linked to the political events unfolding, creating a cohesive and dramatic narrative.

5. Arcane

2021-2024

Even though some fans had issues with the second season, both seasons of Arcane have perfect scores on Rotten Tomatoes. The Last of Us and Fallout have received most of the attention for proving video game adaptations can be good, but Arcane is just as deserving of praise. Interestingly, Ella Purnell voiced a character in Arcane before becoming well-known for her role as Lucy in Fallout.

I was completely captivated by Arcane. What’s so amazing is that it drew people in whether they were already fans of League of Legends or had never even heard of it! It really proves that adaptations can work for everyone. But it wasn’t just broad appeal – Arcane truly honored the game’s story. What I loved most was how deeply it explored its characters, and how rewarding it was to really dive into the show’s rich backstory.

4. Baby Reindeer

2024

As a huge fan of compelling stories, I was completely hooked by Baby Reindeer. Sure, the true crime angle grabbed my attention at first, but what really made the show special was the characters. The antagonist, Martha, was genuinely unsettling – those little details, like always signing her emails “sent from my iPhone,” made her feel so real and creepy. But it wasn’t just about her; the show also gave us a really deep and honest look into Donny Dunn’s life, and that’s what elevated Baby Reindeer from interesting to truly exceptional.

Donny’s initial circumstances were sympathetic and easy for viewers to understand – many could see themselves making similar errors. As the story unfolded, his imperfections were revealed, adding complexity to his character. While he remained the antagonist in Martha’s manipulative actions, these flaws created a uniquely compelling narrative.

3. Maid

2021

Margaret Qualley and Nick Robinson gave standout performances in Maid, realistically and honestly portraying the complexities of domestic abuse. Nick Robinson’s character, Sean, felt incredibly real, which added nuance to Margaret Qualley’s portrayal of Alex and showed that her choices weren’t simple.

As a critic, I found Maid to be a truly powerful watch. What really struck me was how thoroughly the series delved into Alex’s fight for independence and her journey to becoming a good mother, especially as she navigated leaving a difficult relationship with Sean – it wasn’t portrayed as a clean break, but a messy, ongoing struggle, which felt incredibly realistic. And Alex herself? She was instantly relatable – smart, determined, and genuinely trying her best. This realistic portrayal allowed the show to break down stereotypes and create characters that really stayed with me. It wasn’t just entertaining, it felt important.

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2026-04-14 04:43