We all need some downtime in this period of great stress.
Yes, as the reality of the lockdown hurtles towards us, many of us will welcome any distractions we can get. Thanks to Netflix’s surge in original series over the past few years, they’ve pretty much got you covered themselves. [Featured Image: @strangerthingstv]
Whether it’s a light-hearted comedy or a dark world to escape into, these are some of the best Netflix Original series on offer. And, we’ve even ranked them in order of their Rotten Tomatoes rating. Time to crack on.
1. Big Mouth
Full marks for this hit coming-of-age animated comedy. Big Mouth tells the story of a group of kids growing up and going through puberty in suburban New York. Plus, it features actual puberty monsters that follow the kids around. It’s outlandish, off-the-wall and a bucket of laughs.
Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
2. Mindhunter
A dark, noir-inspired David Fincher thriller. Based on real events, Mindhunter looks at the evolving period of American crime study where the term “serial killer” was born. Some pretty infamous murderers are depicted, particularly in the second series, but we won’t give too much away.
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
3. Russian Doll
Tied with Mindhunter, Russian Doll is an equally impressive breakout series from last year. It follows Nadia Vulvokov (Nathasha Lyonne, the show’s creator) who is killed at her 36th birthday party, but keeps reliving the event in a loop until she finds out what happens to her. A unique comedy-drama that leaves you wanting more. Good thing it’s been renewed for a second series.
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
4. When They See Us
When They See Us is a four-part drama that depicts the story of the 1989 Central Park Jogger case. It explores the prosecution of the Central Park Five and their conviction, which was deemed wrongful years later. When They See Us is a detailed and harrowing look by creator Ava DuVernay into the US court’s treatment towards people of colour.
Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
5. Dark
A German sci-fi thriller that pushes the universe to its limit. Jonas Kahnwald goes looking for answers after the death of his father, and stumbles upon a world more twisted than he can imagine. Finding portals to the past and future, Dark is a deep dive into the depths of the unknown for all involved.
Rotten Tomatoes: 94%
6. Sex Education
This hit show follows a socially-awkward, sexually-ambivalent teenager who builds up his confidence with help from his school. He then creates a sex-advice business with help from a pal, Maeave, to help their classmates deal with similar issues. Sex Education has been a huge success for Netflix, with over 40 million streams on the first series.
Rotten Tomatoes: 94%
7. The Haunting Of Hill House
This one is not for the faint-hearted. The Haunting Of Hill House is the terrifying story of a house doused in terror that wrapped its claws around a family causing them great pain. The Crain family must confront their biggest fears in the form of the house throughout this chilling series.
Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
8. Stranger Things
The mammoth of all Netflix originals. Stranger Things has dominated the world since it first aired in 2016. This show tells the story of how the Demogorgon monster wrecks havoc and mystery in a small 1980s American town. Travel to the ‘Upside Down’ with high school kids and their families trying to protect all they know.
Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
9. Bojack Horseman
A loud, obnoxious cartoon that instantly became a fan favourite. It pit humans and animals together in a harmonious world and tackled real issues head-on. The final series of Bojack Horseman was released this year, but if you haven’t seen it yet, there’s six delightful series to dig your teeth into.
Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
10. Elite
A Spanish teen drama that follows students at an elite high school. Elite begins with three working-class students being sent to this school via scholarships and explores their initial difficulty settling in along with many other social issues. Elite has just released its third season, as well as confirming a fourth is on its way.
Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
11. Glow
A unique comedy-drama surrounding the circuit of syndicated women’s professional wrestling. Set in 1980s Los Angeles, many of Glow’s characters are based on real-life wrestlers from the period, and the professional and personal struggles they went through. The show has been renewed for a fourth a final series, set to drop later this year.
Rotten Tomatoes: 92%
12. You
A hit thriller that details the obsessions of a stalker and the complications it creates. You starts by following Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) who becomes obsessed with his romantic interest Guinevere Beck (Elizabeth Lail) and demonstrates toxic behaviour. The show has amassed over 40 million views for Netflix, and was renewed for a third series last January.
Rotten Tomatoes: 90%
13. Narcos
A series that depicts the infamous drug cartels across history. Beginning with the thrilling tale of the US pursuit of Pablo Escobar, and now residing in 1980s Mexico for its fourth series. It’s a fascinating insight into the complication of the worldwide war on drugs.
Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
14. The Crown
The Crown takes viewers through the long and supreme reign of Queen Elizabeth II. So far, the series has reached 1977, so there is plenty more to come. It has delved into everything from her marriage to Prince Phillip to the introduction of Camilla Shand. Across the next two series, it will range from the introduction of Margaret Thatcher to the Queen’s reign in the 21st century.
Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
15. The Stranger
A British psychological thriller series featuring wreckage caused by the truth. A community is torn apart when a mysterious character starts revealing all their secrets kept from their loved ones. It swiftly evolves into a gripping whodunnit to find out the central truth: who is this stranger?
Rotten Tomatoes: 86%