Stop Scrolling: The Absolute Best Shows to Watch on Netflix Right Now

shows watch on Netflix, We’ve all been there. It’s Friday night. You’ve got your snack ready, you’re cozy on the couch, and you open Netflix. And then… nothing. You scroll for twenty minutes, watch a few trailers, add things to your list, and somehow end up watching a episode of The Office for the hundredth time. Sound familiar?

The paradox of choice is real. With thousands of titles available, finding something good can feel like a part-time job. But don’t worry, I’ve done the heavy lifting for you.

Whether you’re into edge-of-your-seat thrillers, gut-busting comedies, or documentaries that make you feel instantly smarter, this guide to the best shows to watch on Netflix has got you covered. I’ve mixed in some popular favorites you might have missed, a few hidden gems, and the new releases that are actually worth the hype.

Grab your remote, get comfortable, and let’s find your next binge-worthy obsession.

How We Picked These Shows

Before we dive in, a quick note on how this list came together. With new content dropping every week, “best” can be subjective. So, I focused on a few key things:

• Cultural Buzz: Shows that people can’t stop talking about.

• Storytelling Quality: Did it keep us hooked? Was it well-written?

• Entertainment Value: At the end of the day, is it fun to watch?

• Freshness: I’ve included a mix of all-time classics and recent hits that are dominating conversations right now.

The Current Heavyweights: Shows Everyone Is Talking About

These are the shows that have taken over social media, water cooler chats, and group chats. If you want to stay in the loop, start here.

1. The Night Agent

If you like fast-paced action with a classic “conspiracy at the highest levels” plot, this is your show.

• The Gist: A low-level FBI agent working in the basement of the White House answers a phone that never rings. That call throws him into a deadly conspiracy that goes right to the heart of the government.

• Why It’s a Must-Watch: It’s pure popcorn entertainment. The episodes fly by, the action sequences are tight, and it’s the kind of show where you tell yourself “just one more” and suddenly it’s 3 AM. It was renewed for a second season for a reason.

2. Beef

This show came out of nowhere and blew everyone away.

• The Gist: Two strangers, a struggling contractor and a frustrated entrepreneur, get into a road rage incident. What starts as a small confrontation spirals into an all-out, life-consuming feud that wreaks havoc on both their lives and the people around them.

• Why It’s a Must-Watch: It’s raw, uncomfortable, and hilarious. Ali Wong and Steven Yeun deliver performances that feel painfully real. It’s a masterclass in showing the anger and emptiness that can hide just beneath the surface of modern life. Plus, it’s only 10 short episodes—easy to finish in a weekend.

3. The Crown (Seasons 1-4)

Okay, so this isn’t a “new” show, but with the later seasons covering the more modern royal history, it’s consistently one of the most beautifully made shows on the platform.

• The Gist: A lavish, fictionalized drama about the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, from her wedding in 1947 through the late 20th century.

• Why It’s a Must-Watch: The production value is insane. The costumes, the sets, the acting—it’s all top-tier. You don’t even need to be a royalist to get sucked into the personal struggles of a family forced to live their lives in a very public gilded cage.

For the Thrill Seekers: Crime, Mystery, and Suspense

Sometimes you just want a show that gets your heart pumping. Here are the best shows to watch on Netflix if you love a good mystery.

4. Fool Me Once (Harlan Coben Series)

Harlan Coben has a deal with Netflix, and most of his adaptations are solid gold. This is the latest and one of the best.

• The Gist: A woman’s husband is murdered. A few weeks later, she sets up a nanny cam to watch her daughter play, and she sees her dead husband in the park with their child. The mystery spirals out from there, involving a complex family history and a cold-case detective.

• Why It’s a Must-Watch: It’s twisty. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, another layer is revealed. It’s the definition of a binge-watch because you have to know what’s going on shows watch on Netflix.

5. Mindhunter

Sadly, it seems we may never get a third season, but the two seasons that exist are perfect.

• The Gist: Set in the late 1970s, two FBI agents start interviewing imprisoned serial killers to understand how they think, hoping to apply this knowledge to ongoing cases.

• Why It’s a Must-Watch: It’s not a typical crime procedural. It’s a slow-burn psychological thriller. The interviews with actors playing killers like Ed Kemper are genuinely chilling and deeply fascinating. It’s smart, tense, and incredibly well-acted.

6. Bodies

A clever, mind-bending British series that plays with time and space.

• The Gist: Four detectives in four different time periods (1890, 1940, 2023, and 2053) all find the same dead body in the same alleyway on Whitechapel. They must investigate, and they soon realize the case connects them across decades.

• Why It’s a Must-Watch: It requires your attention, but it rewards you for it. Watching how the pieces of the puzzle fit together across different eras is incredibly satisfying.

Laughter is the Best Medicine: Comedy Picks

Need a laugh? These shows deliver.

7. Derry Girls

This is pure joy in television form.

• The Gist: A coming-of-age story about a group of teenage friends growing up in Derry, Northern Ireland, in the 1990s during the Troubles. Yes, it’s set during a political conflict, but the show focuses on the universal chaos of being a teenager.

• Why It’s a Must-Watch: It is absolutely hilarious. The characters are ridiculous and lovable, and the writing is sharp. It’s a show about finding humor and friendship in the most unlikely circumstances. Sister Michael is one of the best TV characters of all time.

8. Sex Education

This show ended recently, and it went out on a high note.

• The Gist: An awkward teenage boy with a sex therapist mom teams up with a classmate to run an underground sex therapy clinic at their school.

• Why It’s a Must-Watch: Yes, it’s about sex, but at its core, it’s a warm, heartfelt show about friendship, identity, and the awkwardness of growing up. The cast (Asa Butterfield, Gillian Anderson, Emma Mackey, Ncuti Gatwa) is phenomenal, and it handles serious topics with a perfect mix of humor and heart.

9. The Good Place

A philosophical comedy that is somehow also one of the happiest shows ever made.

• The Gist: A woman who lived a selfish life on Earth accidentally ends up in a utopian “Good Place” afterlife. She must hide her moral failings while trying to become a better person.

• Why It’s a Must-Watch: It’s smart, funny, and surprisingly deep. It explores big questions about what it means to be a good person, all while making you laugh out loud. And the series finale is widely considered one of the best endings in TV history.

Docuseries and Reality: Unbelievable but True

Sometimes reality is stranger (and more interesting) than fiction.

10. Beckham

Even if you don’t care about soccer (or football), this docuseries is a fascinating character study.

• The Gist: A four-part series chronicling David Beckham’s rise from a working-class kid in London to a global superstar.

• Why It’s a Must-Watch: It’s brilliantly directed by Fisher Stevens. It covers his career, his marriage to Victoria, and the intense scrutiny they faced. It’s honest about his mistakes but also shows the insane work ethic and drive required to reach that level of fame. Victoria’s “We’re very working class” moment went viral for a reason.

11. Our Planet

If you need something visually stunning, this is the one.

• The Gist: A nature documentary series narrated by David Attenborough, showcasing the world’s natural wonders and the wildlife that lives there.

• Why It’s a Must-Watch: It’s a visual masterpiece. The cinematography is breathtaking. But it’s not just pretty pictures; it’s also a stark reminder of what we stand to lose due to climate change. It’s equal parts beautiful and heartbreaking.

Hidden Gems You Might Have Missed

These shows didn’t get the massive marketing budgets, but they deserve your attention.

12. Patriot

This is the definition of a hidden gem. It’s so unique it’s hard to describe.

• The Gist: A highly trained intelligence officer goes undercover as an employee at a Milwaukee piping firm to prevent Iran from going nuclear.

• Why It’s a Must-Watch: It’s a dark comedy that feels like a Coen Brothers movie. The tone is absurd, melancholic, and oddly beautiful. The folk songs the main character writes and performs are weirdly great. It’s not for everyone, but if it clicks for you, you’ll be obsessed.

13. Travelers

Before he was doing The Umbrella Academy, Eric McCormack starred in this smart sci-fi series.

• The Gist: In a post-apocalyptic future, human consciousness is sent back in time to the 21st century and uploaded into the bodies of people just about to die. Their mission is to save humanity.

• Why It’s a Must-Watch: It’s a tightly plotted show with great characters. It handles the “time travel rules” really well and builds to a genuinely satisfying conclusion (which is rare for Netflix sci-fi).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the #1 best show on Netflix right now?
A: It changes constantly based on the Netflix Top 10, but recently, limited series like Fool Me Once and Baby Reindeer (if out by the time you read this) have held the top spots. For consistent quality, you can’t go wrong with classics like Breaking Bad or The Crown.

Q: What is the most watched Netflix series of all time?
A: As of early 2024, the crown belongs to Wednesday (Season 1), followed closely by Stranger Things 4 and Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. These shows rack up hundreds of millions of views.

Q: I only have time for one season. What should I watch?
A: Go with a limited series. The Queen’s Gambit is a perfect, self-contained story. If you want crime, Unbelievable is heavy but incredible. If you want comedy, The Good Place (though multi-season) is worth every minute.

Q: Are Netflix originals better than licensed shows?
A: It depends on your taste. Netflix Originals are hit-or-miss, but when they hit (Stranger Things, Squid Game), they are cultural phenomena. Licensed shows (like Seinfeld or Grey’s Anatomy) are great for comfort watching and long runs.

Q: How do I find shows that match my specific taste?
A: Don’t just rely on the Netflix algorithm. Check out reviews on sites like Rotten Tomatoes or IMDb. Look for “If you liked X, you’ll love Y” lists (like this one!), and follow film critics on social media who share your taste.

Conclusion

The beauty of Netflix is that there is truly something for everyone. Whether you’re in the mood for a high-stakes thriller, a laugh-out-loud comedy, or a documentary that opens your eyes, the platform is overflowing with quality content. The hard part is just picking one.

I hope this guide to the best shows to watch on Netflix has helped clear up some of the noise and given you a few new titles to add to your list. From the gripping mystery of Fool Me Once to the heartfelt laughs of Derry Girls, there’s a whole world of stories waiting for you.

Now, stop scrolling and start watching. Your couch is calling.