The 25 best shows on Netflix to watch right now
Oct. 25, 2024From Arcane to Black Doves, here are the best Netflix shows to stream right this December
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In this guide of the best shows on Netflix to watch right now, there are picks for everyone, from nail-biting thrillers like Black Doves to animated gems likeArcane. As we know, it’s not always easy to choose something to watch among the streaming platform’s vast catalog, so we’re here to make your life a lot easier this Christmas.
With all thenew Netflixseries coming throughout December, such as the highly anticipatedSquid Game season 2, we sometimes get overwhelmed by the many choices in front of us. Netflix is one of thebest streaming services, as it offers a lot of binge-worthy shows, but some gems end up buried by the algorithm.
In this guide, we’ve curated a list that mixes new Netflix releases and all-time unmissable series — the result is 25 must-watch shows that you have to add to your watchlist as soon as possible. We’ve broken them down by genre, so there’s something here for every mood and viewer.
From critically-acclaimed dramas that give thebest Netflix moviesa run for their money in terms of cinematic quality, to record-breaking sci-fi shows that became a worldwide sensation, we’ve got you covered. Additionally, we’ve included a pick of the month to highlight a specific title that we love and we passionately want to recommend.
Scroll on to read our complete guide to the best Netflix shows to add to your list this December!
Black Doves
If you’re going to binge-watch a show this month on Netflix, it has to beBlack Doves. This British spy thriller is the streaming platform’s latest hit for a reason. In fact, for many reasons, including Keira Knightley and Ben Whishaw’s stunning performances as spy besties.
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The London-set show follows an undercover agent who has been posing as a politician’s wife for a decade in order to feed government secrets to her employers. When the man she is secretly in love with is murdered, she will stop at nothing to find out the truth and exact revenge on those who killed him.
Black Doves is the kind of nail-biting thriller that you won’t be able to stop watching. It is so good that it has already been greenlit for a second season, so make sure to join the party as soon as possible.
Immerse yourself in this British political thriller starring The Eternals' Richard Madden as a former war veteran turned Police Sergeant who is assigned to protect the despised Home Secretary, Julia Montague (Keeley Hawes). These contrasting personalities are thrown together in close proximity to thwart domestic terrorist attacks, all while Sergeant Budd grapples with his ongoing PTSD and conflict about his evolving emotions toward his boss.
It dives into controversial issues of the government’s access to private information and how corrupt our politics are to favor the people in positions of power. Think White House Down meets James Bond; this gripping six-part series is almost too good not to be watched in one sitting.
After streaming this one, you can also read our handy guide breaking down all the details on the potential for aBodyguard season 2.
Now a partner in big business to a crime leader’s daughter, Susie Glass, Eddie has to navigate the underworld he’s been plunged into and try and make it out alive, all while protecting his image as a gentleman. With a second season on the way, there’s no better time to revisit this action comedy.
Read ourThe Gentlemen reviewfor more insights!
If it somehow passed you by, Squid Game is the Korean survival thriller that took the internet by storm and even became the most streamed show on Netflix in the US around its release. For those who aren’t familiar with the record-breaking series, Squid Game follows 456 players (to be precise) who all have financial struggles and are invited to take part in a mysterious survival competition with a lucrative cash prize of ₩45.6 billion (that’s the equivalent of around $38 million).
The catch? They have to compete in a series of traditional children’s games, but this time with a deadly twist. Watch as they risk their lives for your entertainment. It’s a must-watch, especially sinceSquid Game season 2is on the near horizon.
Prepare to sit at the edge of your seat, as you tune into the rise and fall of the infamous drug empire led by Pablo Escobar, leader of the Medellín Cartel. The Spanish-American crime drama immerses you in a dramatized version of this real-life figure who moved illegal goods (think cocaine, alcohol, and cigarettes) on the black market as two DEA agents, Murphy and Pena, attempt to finally win the war against drugs in Colombia.
All three seasons are packed with twists and turns. Each one does something different without straying too far from its main theme of ‘catch the bad guy.’ It’s a binge-worthy drama that will keep you on your toes.
Love high-stakes? Check out our list of thebest Netflix action moviesstreaming right now.
Calling all fans of The Karate Kid, the cherished sequel series Cobra Kai is all available to stream on Netflix. After its original release onYouTubePremium, the martial arts drama found a whole new audience when it joined the streaming platform for season three. Set three decades after the original films, the series picks up with Johnny Lawrence, who is suffering from alcoholism and depression after being defeated by his old nemesis, Daniel, as he tries to reform his ways and open the Cobra Kai dojo.
There are nods that Karate Kid fans will enjoy, including old cast members, as well as plenty of new material for anyone unfamiliar with the original. It’s a story of contrast, resilience, and making peace with old feuds. With over 55 episodes to get through andCobra Kai season 6stilltechnicallyongoing, what are you waiting for? Time to dive right in.
Read ourCobra Kai season 6, part 1 reviewto keep up to date on the latest outing in the series. Or head over to ourCobra Kai season 6 release scheduleguide.
Set in the Riot Games' League of Legends universe, Arcane is an action-adventure that follows sisters Vi and Jinx (voiced by Hailee Steinfeld and Ella Purnell) as they navigate the unrest between the contrasting worlds of the utopian city, Piltover and the seedy, oppressed side of Zaun. The animation has been widely praised for its world-building, action sequences, and storylines.
Invested fans will love the homage to the original game, but this is still an accessible and exciting watch for anyone unfamiliar with the source material, too, which led to it becoming the first streaming series to win a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program. If you needed any more convincing, it’s regarded as one of the best video game adaptations ever made, which is an accolade that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
To keep up-to-date with this gem, head over to ourArcane season 2 release scheduleguide. Or read our four-starArcane season 2 review.
One of the best animations on Netflix is Big Mouth, a cartoon sitcom that documents the highs and lows, horrors and wonders of puberty. Based on comedian Nick Kroll’s own adolescence in suburban New York, the series follows a group of seventh-graders who are accompanied by hormone monsters that take the form of not-so-helpful shoulder angels.
It’s one of the few shows that will make you cringe, laugh, and contemplate your own adolescence within minutes of each other. It’s energetic, bonkers, and has a star-studded voice cast featuring John Mulaney, Maya Rudolph, Jason Mantzoukas, and Jordan Peele. Time to head back to high school and all the awkward, hilarious horrors that entails.
Laugh out loud with our ranking of thebest Netflix comediescurrently taking the platform by storm.
Based on the acclaimed Japanese video game series of the same name, this dark action fantasy animation follows Trevor, the last surviving member of the disgraced Belmont clan, a formerly legendary family of monster hunters, as he sets out to take down the revered vampire Dracula and his expansive forces.
Across the four seasons there’s a host of twists and turns, but also top-notch storytelling and animation throughout the 32 episodes. Starting with 20-minute episodes in the first season, it’s an adaptation that is easy to binge and effortless in style. Castlevania is not one to miss. In fact, it’s easily one of thebest anime series on Netflixright now.
Brought to you by David Fincher and Joshua Donner, this unique animated series actually consists of a series of short films that aren’t in any way interconnected. Set across various genres, the episodes sometimes relate to a similar theme, but feature different cast, crew, and stories.
Fincher and Donner originally planned this reboot of Heavy Metal to become a film, which is noticeable in the epic storytelling of each episode and makes for a rich feast for audiences across the three seasons. If you love robots, fantasy, romance, and science-fiction, then give this innovative world a whirl.
Based on Makoto Yukimura’s manga of the same name, this Japanese anime series follows the life of Thorfinn, a man who is initially bloodthirsty for revenge after his father’s death at the hands of Askeladd. He joins the formidable Vikings and sets out to unleash his rage on the world before ultimately losing all hope in the second season.
The acclaimed series has been praised for its animation, writing, and action sequences and the emotive exploration of Thorfinn’s grief, psychological damage, and the trauma that haunts him, which develops the existing source material. Whether you’re new to these stories or an avid manga reader, it’s a breathtaking animation that deserves recognition.
For more 2D gems, you can head over to our guide on all thenew animeheading our way.
The Witcher is the ultimate place to start if you’re looking for high-fantasy escapism. Based on the novels by Andrzej Sapkowski, the series follows Geralt of Riviera as he goes across the Continent, slaying beasts and saving cities from destruction. Woven into this epic is the tale of crowned princess Ciri and the sorceress Yennefer of Vengerberg.
The success of the first three seasons has even led to a spin-off animated series and a live-action prequel, not to mentionThe Witcher season 4, which will see Liam Hemsworth take over from Henry Cavill in the titular role. It’s an ever-expanding franchise, and for good reason: it’s visually stunning, with intricate storylines woven across various timelines and bloody, brutal fight sequences. It’s one of Netflix’s greatest series.
Need more Geralt in your life? Read our list of the bestgames like The Witcher 3to play today.
If you’ve scrolled through Booktok, then you’ll have heard of the Grishaverse, the fantasy universe where Shadow and Bone and the Six of Crows books are set. This adaptation of Leigh Bardugo’s fantasy book follows Li, a young orphan who is the long-awaited Sun Summoner and has to step into her destiny and new identity as a Grisha, a person with magical abilities.
Think The Witcher meets Harry Potter, if that’s your vibe, then add this adaptation to your watch list. The second season covers more of this extensive universe, touching on epic storylines from several books in the series, including Siege and Storm and Crooked Kingdom. Ready to escape into an entirely new world? Look no further.
Read our ranking of thebest fantasy movies on Netflixfor more epics.
In a post-apocalyptic world, Gus, a boy who is half-human and half-deer, sets out on an epic adventure to find his mother after the death of his father, with a gruff protector. Based on the comic book series, it’s an eccentric, heart-warming, and whimsical tale that merges together the best of fantasy adventures and science fiction.
Gus is one of many hybrid animal-human babies who were born after a virus wiped out the majority of the world’s population. If you needed any further convincing, the first two seasons received over twenty nominations for Children and Family Emmy awards, those accolades speak for themselves.
For more award winners, check out our list of thebest shows on Apple TVto watch right now.
It features an excellent cast with Emily Rudd as Nami, Mackenyu as Roronoa Zoro, and Taz Skylar as Sanji, who should be credited with bringing this well-loved story to life in a delightful new way for existing fans and new ones, too. WithOne Piece season 2in the works, it’s time to revisit this recent success.
Step into a dystopia that reflects part of our own reality, in this acclaimed anthology series, where each episode serves as a standalone story. Inspired by The Twilight Zone (aka one of thebest TV showsever made), Charlie Brooker’s sci-fi series is set in the near-future, predominantly, in a world with a strong reliance on technology advancements.
If you don’t want to watch all six seasons, check out our handy guide to thebest Black Mirror episodes.
Now, there is nothing quite like Stranger Things. The Duffer Brothers' nostalgic coming-of-age series is rooted in the 1980s and references a host of iconic tropes in horror, science-fiction, and mystery. Set in a small town in Indiana, the first season begins with the disappearance of a young boy, Will Byers. As his mother, Joyce, the sheriff, and his friends start to investigate what happens, it seems that there’s something much more sinister than any of them expected.
A parallel world, packed with demonic monsters, sits right next to their own, and they have to venture into the Upside Down to set things straight again and save Will. With a phenomenal ensemble cast, it’s one of the most outstanding series of the past decade. Make sure you catch up beforeStranger Things season 5is released.
Venom’s Stephen Graham fronts this British science fiction mystery thriller that sees the same dead body found in four locations in East London across four different time periods. The crime drama sees four police officers inspecting the same body, who become embroiled in a conspiracy far bigger than any of them could imagine.
It’s a gripping twist on your standard murder mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end. Alongside Graham, the cast features Shira Haas, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Kyle Soller, and Amaka Okafor. With only eight episodes to get through, what are you waiting for?
It’s stuffed with twists and each season seems to become even more energetic and ambitious than the last. If you’re looking for a fresh spin on a comic book adaptation that features a standout cast, then The Umbrella Academy is for you.
Read ourThe Umbrella Academy season 4 reviewfor more information on the latest season.
Chances are, if Mike Flanagan has written a horror series, it will be on our watch list. This adaptation of Shirley Jackson’s terrifying novel lives up to its name. The Haunting of Hill House follows the Crain family, who move into the grand and remote ‘Hill House’ to flip it before moving on to their ‘dream home.’ But the house has other plans. Switching between the past and the present, the story picks up decades later as the now scattered family is reunited by the events of their childhood in that house.
Hill House is not for the faint-hearted. Both equal parts terrifying and mesmerizing. Its follow-up, The Haunting of Bly Manor, strikes a different tone but sees the return of the same actors in new roles, many of which are frequent collaborators with Flanagan, especially in his Netflix series. Final warning, though: you will be scared of turning the lights off at night after finishing this one.
More nightmares await in our list of thebest Netflix horror movies.
Far from the cozy, quaint comedy found in Sabrina the Teenage Witch, this Sabrina Spellman, taken from the Archie Comics, has a much darker edge. The series still follows Sabrina, a teen girl who struggles with her witch ancestry and longs to be normal, all while living with her two squabbling Aunts and her cat, Salem.
Things generally turn from bad to worse for Sabrina as the series dabbles in everything dark, foul, and devilish in the witch world and its colossal repercussions. There’s stand-out performances from Kiernan Shipka as Sabrina, as well as appearances from Doctor Who’s Michelle Gomez, Lucy Davis, and Miranda Otto. There’s only two seasons, told across four parts, but it’s a spellbinding watch for anyone who loves witch lore, magic, and mayhem.
Read ourChilling Adventures of Sabrina season 2 reviewfor more witchy information.
When it debuted, Dahmer soared straight to the number one spot on Netflix and became the most-watched English language series of all time within 28 days. This dramatization is a harrowing, blood-curdling watch that explores the apathy and psychosis of a killer. If you enjoy watching documentaries such as Making a Murderer, then Monster, including the more recent series about the Mendez brothers, The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, will be right up your street.
Keep up to date with the most talked about series with our list of thebest shows on Hulu.
Didn’t we say if Mike Flanagan is involved then we’ll be watching? That’s definitely true of The Fall of the House of Usher. Based on the Edgar Allen Poe story of the same name, the series introduces a world reminiscent of a Gothic Succession, where an immensely wealthy family - who made their money through pharmaceuticals - are suddenly plagued with gruesome deaths.
It moves between the grim present and the hopeful past in two timelines, as Rodrick and his twin sister Madeline relive the events of the 1950s that led to his sprawling family of children meeting their untimely demise. All of which is acted out to perfection by the star-studded cast featuring Carl Gugino, Bruce Greenwood, Mark Hamill and Henry Thomas. With themes of corruption, generational trauma, greed, and power, it’s a gripping horror that cannot be overlooked.
For a more in-depth look at this spooky masterpiece, read ourThe Fall of the House of Usher review.
Tim Burton’s coming-of-age horror-comedy is the most streamed series on Netflix for good reason. The Addams Family spin-off follows Jenna Ortega as a Wednesday Addams as she’s enrolled in a centuries-old boarding school called Nevermore Academy. Unlike most teens her age, the gothic icon must learn to control her emerging psychic powers, stop a monster from destroying the town, and solve a murder that stems from generations of supernatural trauma from her family’s history.
For more streaming picks, check out our lists of thebest shows on HBO Max, thebest shows on Disney Plus, and finally, thebest Amazon Prime series.
Jess is a freelance culture and entertainment journalist based in Cambridgeshire who has bylines in Rolling Stone, GQ, Dazed, Cosmopolitan, Stylist, Radio Times, The Guardian and the i. With a degree in English Literature and a Masters in Creative Writing, Jess is passionate about story-telling in all its forms and especially the representation of women and mental health on-screen. In between overanalyzing her favorite TV shows, films and internet trends, she’s working on her debut non-fiction book.
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