We all know by now that Netflix is a streaming giant – but that’s not all that it is. After spending $15 billion on original content for 2019, Netflix is now also a content creating behemoth, producing new and exciting series, specials, movies, and documentaries that you can watch nowhere else.
From suspenseful crime thrillers to hilarious comedies, Netflix’s original programming has it all. What’s best is that Netflix originals are released all at once, so you don’t have to wait a week for the next episode. Make sure you have some popcorn ready as you binge-watch these ten must-see Netflix Originals.
The Umbrella Academy
Based on Gerard Way (My Chemical Romance) and Gabriel Bá’s Eisner-winning comic of the same name, The Umbrella Academy follows the Hargreeves, a set of dysfunctional superhero siblings, as they reunite over the death of their estranged adoptive father and – if they ever stop bickering – save the world. This ten-episode show is just as imaginative, interesting, and intriguing as its source material, making it impossible to skip.
Russian Doll
What if you died unexpectedly, only to awaken the next day to do it all over again? That is what this dark comedy by Natasha Lyonne (Orange is the New Black), Amy Poehler (SNL), and Leslye Headland (Sleeping with Other People) explores. The eight-episode dramedy follows Nadia Vulvokov during the longest night of her hedonistic life. Hilarious, smart, and overall just a lot of fun, this show will keep you at the edge of your seat, excitedly tapping the “next” button once episode credits start to roll.
Sex Education
We all got the “birds and the bees” talk in high school, but, for sure, it’s nothing like the ones that the students of Moordale High School get. In Sex Education, Otis (Asa Butterfield), a socially awkward and sexually inexperienced teen, reluctantly opens an underground sex therapy clinic at the behest of badass but vulnerable Maeve (Emma Mackey). Equal parts clever and heartwarming, this eight-episode show explores teen sexuality in a way that is realistic and funny.
Bodyguard
Bodyguard is a tense, action-packed drama that will definitely keep you on your toes. It stars Game of Thrones’ Richard Madden (the King in the North!) as David Budd, a war veteran who is now serving as a bodyguard for Home Secretary Julia Montague (Keeley Hawes). Political intrigue and mystery abound in this tantalizing six-episode thriller, making it perfect for your weekend binge.
You
When bookstore manager Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) meets aspiring writer Guinevere Beck (Elizabeth Lail), he immediately falls in love. During the course of ten episodes, we watch as Joe pulls out all the stops to make Guinevere his one and only – including stalking her and kidnapping her friends. Once you start, you won’t be able to stop following this psychological thriller to its thrilling conclusion.
Kingdom
In Korea’s medieval Joseon period, a mysterious disease sweeps the land, turning its victims to half-dead, bloodthirsty monsters and leaving Crown Prince Yi-Chang (Ju Ji-hoon) as the one tasked to stop it from spreading further. Kingdom is period drama, political thriller, and zombie horror all rolled into one endlessly entertaining six-episode series.
Tidying Up With Marie Kondo
If you’ve just signed up for a condo for sale in Cebu, Philippines, you know how difficult it is to pack for the move. If you find yourself in the middle of a heap of stuff that you’ve accumulated, you might be wondering what to keep and what to throw out. In this Netflix Original, Marie Kondo will teach you how to put your things in order using her trademark KonMari method. If you need a little organizational magic in your life, this eight-episode show will definitely spark joy for you.
One Day at a Time (Season 3)
Based on Norman Lear’s 1975 sitcom of the same name, One Day at a Time revolves around a Cuban-American family living Los Angeles. Full of heart and good humor, the show tackles serious issues such as immigration, mental illness, sexism, and homophobia without being preachy, all while being a delight to watch. Each season of this family sitcom has 13 episodes, so you can easily binge-watch it during your downtime.
Black Earth Rising
Starring Michaela Coel (Black Mirror, Chewing Gum), Harriet Walter (The Crown, Downtown Abbey), John Goodman (The Big Lebowski), and Hugo Blick (The Honourable Woman), this eight-episode limited series tells the tale of Kate Ashby, a legal investigator who was saved from the Rwandan genocide as a baby. This political drama is incredibly complex and compelling, leaving you wanting answers for the complicated questions that it raises.
Pose
Set in New York City’s ball scene in the 1980s, Pose is centered on the lives of the members of the House of Evangelista, a fledgling house founded by Blanca (MJ Rodriguez). Created by Ryan Murphy (American Horror Story, Glee), this eight-episode show is resplendent and revolutionary, dazzling you in one scene and then making you cry in the next. Queue this show up on Netflix and get the tissues ready as you watch the House of Evangelista live…work…and pose!
This list just scratches the surface of what Netflix can bring to the table. No matter what mood you’re in, you’re sure to find a show, movie, or documentary that will tickle your fancy.
