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 like Arcane. 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 the new Netflix series coming throughout December, such as the highly anticipated Squid Game season 2, we sometimes get overwhelmed by the many choices in front of us. Netflix is one of the best 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 the best Netflix movies a 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!
Streaming pick of the month
Black Doves
Year: 2024
Seasons: 1
Available on: Netflix US/UK
If you're going to binge-watch a show this month on Netflix, it has to be Black 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.
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.
Best action shows on Netflix
Bodyguard
Year: 2018
Seasons: 1
Available on: Netflix US/UK
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 a Bodyguard season 2.
The Gentlemen
Year: 2024
Seasons: 1
Available on: Netflix US/UK
As spin-off series go, The Gentlemen is one of the finest. Guy Ritchie recreates the world he established in his acclaimed 2019 film of the same name in this Netflix original with Divergent's Theo James at the helm alongside Maze Runner's Kaya Scodelario. In an unexpected turn of events, Edward inherits his father's 1500-acre estate and the title of Duke of Halstead instead of his elder brother, Freddie, and, in turn, his lucrative below-ground weed empire.
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 our The Gentlemen review for more insights!
Squid Game
Year: 2021
Seasons: 1
Available on: Netflix US/UK
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 since Squid Game season 2 is on the near horizon.
Narcos
Year: 2015
Seasons: 3
Available on: Netflix US/UK
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 the best Netflix action movies streaming right now.
Cobra Kai
Year: 2018
Seasons: 6
Available on: Netflix US/UK
Calling all fans of The Karate Kid, the cherished sequel series Cobra Kai is all available to stream on Netflix. After its original release on YouTube Premium, 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 and Cobra Kai season 6 still technically ongoing, what are you waiting for? Time to dive right in.
Read our Cobra Kai season 6, part 1 review to keep up to date on the latest outing in the series. Or head over to our Cobra Kai season 6 release schedule guide.
Best Animated shows on Netflix
Arcane
Year: 2021
Seasons: 2
Available on: Netflix US/UK
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 our Arcane season 2 release schedule guide. Or read our four-star Arcane season 2 review.
Big Mouth
Year: 2017
Seasons: 7
Available on: Netflix US/UK
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 the best Netflix comedies currently taking the platform by storm.
Castlevania
Year: 2017
Seasons: 4
Available on: Netflix US/UK
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 the best anime series on Netflix right now.
Love, Death, and Robots
Year: 2019
Seasons: 3
Available on: Netflix US/UK
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.
Vinland Saga
Year: 2019
Seasons: 2
Available on: Netflix US/UK
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 the new anime heading our way.
Best fantasy shows on Netflix
The Witcher
Year: 2019
Seasons: 3
Available on: Netflix US/UK
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 mention The 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 best games like The Witcher 3 to play today.
Shadow and Bone
Year: 2021
Seasons: 2
Available on: Netflix US/UK
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 the best fantasy movies on Netflix for more epics.
Sweet Tooth
Year: 2021
Seasons: 3
Available on: Netflix US/UK
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 the best shows on Apple TV to watch right now.
One Piece
Year: 2023
Seasons: 1
Available on: Netflix US/UK
This beloved manga and one of the best anime series of all time moved into live-action in 2023, and it's safe to say it had big shoes to fill. Yet, the fantasy adaptation created by Matt Owens and Steven Maeda exceeded our expectations. It captured the heart of Eiichiro Oda's magnificent world, as the series followed Monkey D. Luffy (Iñaki Godoy) and his crew of Straw Hat Pirates on the hunt for a fabled treasure.
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. With One Piece season 2 in the works, it's time to revisit this recent success.
Best sci-fi shows on Netflix
Black Mirror
Year: 2011
Seasons: 6
Available on: Netflix US/UK
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 the best TV shows ever made), Charlie Brooker's sci-fi series is set in the near-future, predominantly, in a world with a strong reliance on technology advancements.
Its strong connection to our recent developments has kept it as one of the most talked about series since it moved onto Netflix for its third season in 2016. While it's often described as sci-fi, Black Mirror oscillates between every genre imaginable, flitting between romance, action, and downright horror. One thing they all have in common, though, is that they will all leave you with food for thought about your own relationship with technology.
If you don't want to watch all six seasons, check out our handy guide to the best Black Mirror episodes.
Stranger Things
Year: 2016
Seasons: 4
Available on: Netflix US/UK
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 before Stranger Things season 5 is released.
Bodies
Year: 2023
Seasons: 1
Available on: Netflix US/UK
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?
The Umbrella Academy
Year: 2019
Seasons: 4
Available on: Netflix US/UK
One of Netflix's best superhero series is The Umbrella Academy, which started with a strong first season and the second season even became the most-watched series on the platform in 2020. The series centers around a group of superhero siblings who are all miraculously born at the same time on the same day by women who were not actually pregnant.
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 our The Umbrella Academy season 4 review for more information on the latest season.
Best horror shows on Netflix
The Haunting of Hill House
Year: 2018
Seasons: 1
Available on: Netflix US/UK
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 the best Netflix horror movies.
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
Year: 2019
Seasons: 2
Available on: Netflix US/UK
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 our Chilling Adventures of Sabrina season 2 review for more witchy information.
Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story
Year: 2022
Seasons: 1
Available on: Netflix US/UK
In 2022, Ryan Murphy unveiled the first entry in his biological anthology series, Monsters, with Dahmer: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. Inspired by real-life events, the series examines the life of one of the most notorious serial killers in America from the 1970s to 1990s.
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 the best shows on Hulu.
The Fall of the House of Usher
Year: 2023
Seasons: 1
Available on: Netflix US/UK
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 our The Fall of the House of Usher review.
Wednesday
Year: 2022
Seasons: 1
Available on: Netflix US/UK
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.
All the while, she reluctantly tries to find her place in the world outside of her mother's family. It swooped up awards of every kind and has been renewed - meaning that Wednesday season 2 will be released in 2025. This is a must-watch, and we aren't just saying that because we're excited by the recent casting news of Lady Gaga joining the next season either.
For more streaming picks, check out our lists of the best shows on HBO Max, the best shows on Disney Plus, and finally, the best Amazon Prime series.
