(Photo by Manuel Fernandez-Valdes)
100 Hidden Gem Series on Netflix
So you’re all caught up on Tiger King, still coming down from the shocks of Ozark, and you’ve rewatched Stranger Things – twice. And yes, we know, you saw the ending of The Stranger coming a mile away. When it comes to the best and buzziest new stuff on Netflix, you’re right on top of it. But what to watch next? With more and more time at home, those watchlists are thinning out. Which is where we come in with this guide to 100 under-seen and under-appreciated series available on Netflix we think you should put on your radar, stat.
To compile this list of hidden gems, we trawled through the streaming giant’s series and miniseries offerings to unearth recommendations you may not find in big Best Of Netflix lists or topping Netflix’s weekly rankings. In this guide, you’ll find shows with super-high Tomatometer scores that – perplexingly – haven’t quite managed to become the “hits” they should be (Tuca & Bertie); some great not-Netflix-Originals you might not have known were offered (The IT Crowd, Extras, The Magic School Bus, Skins); foreign series that kick ass (Israel’s Fauda, Australia’s Kath & Kim, India’s Ghoul); as well as some personal staff favorites.
We’ve arranged the guide by genre to help you find exactly what you’re in the mood for. And while many of the selections have multiple seasons, we linked to the page for each show’s first season because, well, that’s generally the best place to start and get a sense of whether the show is right for you. For more info on each show, and to read reviews, click into the show title. And if you’re looking for even more binge-worthy suggestions, check out our guides to the Best Netflix Series and Shows, the 250 Best Movies on Netflix, and Hidden Gem Movies on Netflix.
For now, happy bingeing, and we hope you find something surprising and special in the list below.
Found a hidden gem on Netflix that’s not on our list? Let your fellow fans know in the comments.
Mysteries and Thrillers
#27
Critics Consensus: Battle Creek doesn't reinvent the wheel as a police procedural, but it distinguishes itself with biting humor and a darker tone than most network shows.
#26
Critics Consensus: Safe boasts a superb cast -- albeit with some questionable accents -- who carry its soapy, mystery-laden drama just well enough to offer an entertaining diversion.
#25
Critics Consensus: Black Earth Rising is an exceptional political thriller, confronting relevant challenges and deep-seated geopolitical problems with storytelling verve and a wise refusal to provide any easy answers.
#24
Critics Consensus: With precision and grace, Bowen, Bruce, and Richie deliver a well-balanced and refreshing new thriller that vehemently examines the true crime tragedy heard around the world.
#23
Critics Consensus: Well written and beautifully shot, Broadchurch is a deliberate, slowly unfolding mystery procedural with terrific performances from a fine cast.
#21
Critics Consensus: Smart, suspenseful, and superbly shot, Giri/Haji is a near-perfect crime thriller with a surprisingly sharp sense of humor.
#20
Critics Consensus: Buoyed by Anna Friel, Marcella will satisfy any fan of dark crime drama.
#19
Critics Consensus: Quality performances help keep London Spy engaging, even though its plot sometimes meanders.
#18
Critics Consensus: Gorgeous, grim, and unexpected, Sacred Games is saved from its procedural premise by its dense plotting and superb cast.
#17
Critics Consensus: Babylon Berlin's humor and humanity pair nicely with its hypnotic visuals, resulting in a show that dazzles within its oversaturated genre.
Comedies
#85
Critics Consensus: Crashing's formula feels familiar despite its unusual setting, but Phoebe Waller-Bridges' buoyant performance and crackling script gives this coming of age comedy some refreshing pep.
#89
Critics Consensus: The frothy chemistry between The IT Crowd's triumvirate of misanthropes makes for a brainy riot, even if this sitcom feels constrained by its wearisome laugh track and occasional myopia.
#88
Critics Consensus: Kim's Convenience may look like an old school sitcom, but its depiction of a Korean Canadian shop owner and his lovable family is positively refreshing.
#87
Critics Consensus: Guided by the goth Martha Stewart herself, The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell is a spooky good time for crafters from all walks of life.
#87
Critics Consensus: Great News overcomes its familiar trappings with gently subversive humor and a smart cast of talented, likable actors.
#83
Critics Consensus: A perfectly curated cast and raw writing drive Derry Girls's dark humor as creator Lisa McGee makes frenetic light of teen life in 1990s Northern Ireland.
#82
Critics Consensus: Nothing is off-limits when it comes to Extras, as Andy, Darren, and Maggie touch on every taboo in the book with the help of each episode's featured celebrity.
#80
Critics Consensus: Lovesick's ribald premise is elevated throughout by an empathetic sweetness, carefully measuring both the blessings and curses left in the wake of failed relationships -- STDs and all.
#79
Critics Consensus: A flourishing blend of family drama and melancholic madness, Flowers is a twisted treat.
#76
Critics Consensus: A gloriously absurd journey into the mind of Tim Robinson, I Think You Should Leave's bazaar of surreal skits breathes new life into the world of TV sketch-comedy.
#74
Critics Consensus: Easy encapsulates the exploration of gender roles, love and family in true mumblecore fashion, often giving rise to moments that feel raw, intimate and un-meditated.
#74
Critics Consensus: Charming, realistic, and focused on underrepresented communities, On My Block is the respite from stylized teen dramas you didn't know you needed.
#71
Critics Consensus: This hilarious Australian sitcom brings a nuanced approach to parenthood with its sharp writing, impactful storylines, and fierce authenticity.
#69
Critics Consensus: Bonding's writing too often teeters uncomfortably between bewitchingly funny and bewilderingly underwhelming to make it a truly satisfying experience.
#67
Critics Consensus: A flawed series that ticks off all the nostalgia boxes, Everything Sucks! still manages to tug at the heartstrings.
#66
Critics Consensus: Honest and genuinely affecting, Special lives up to its name with a funny -- if a bit too concise -- first season brightened by Ryan O'Connell's infectious charms.
Dramas
#52
Critics Consensus: All American's ambitious attempts to tackle class struggles and classroom drama largely play thanks to its winning cast -- an auspicious start to a promising new series.
#64
Critics Consensus: Imposters meshes slapstick comedy, top-notch writing, unexpected twists, and a noteworthy lead performance, with satisfying -- and surprisingly ambitious -- results.
#63
Critics Consensus: Elite is highly digestible, technically strong trash TV for anyone with a guilty pleasure palate.
#61
Critics Consensus: A reimagining of classic Australian series Prisoner, Wentworth amps up sex, violence, and darkness without losing sight of its characters' humanity, no matter how brutal their behavior turns out to be.
#57
Critics Consensus: Fun, fascinating and feminist, Spike Lee's classic is born again for a new generation.
#56
Critics Consensus: It's got a solid cast, but Hart of Dixie is unfortunately rife with paper-thin characters and illogical plotting.
#54
Critics Consensus: Toni Collette creates comedy between the sheets in this unlikely sex-drama from acclaimed playwright Nick Payne for the BBC.
#50
Critics Consensus: The plot of Good Girls may not be entirely believable, but the strong performances from its lead actresses are.
#48
Critics Consensus: First-rate performances, compelling storylines, and high production values make Secret City an enthralling political thriller.
#47
Critics Consensus: Versailles is decadent escapism with its flouting of obscene wealth, frilly pageantry, and juicy court intrigue -- effectively papering over the series' stiff performances.
Action and Adventure
#41
Critics Consensus: Queen Sono's twisty, taut thrills are matched with epic action sequences and soapy delights, making Netflix's first South African series a smashing good time.
#45
Critics Consensus: Into the Badlands is loaded with off-kilter potential that's left largely unfulfilled -- although its well-choreographed action sequences should satisfy martial arts fans.
#42
Critics Consensus: Queen of the South enlivens an overdone premise with action and narrative vigor -- and shows hints of intriguing potential.
#40
Critics Consensus: Jason Momoa's powerhouse performance as Declan Harp is ultimately weighed down by Frontier's often sluggish storytelling.
#39
Critics Consensus: The Last Kingdom fuses beautiful cinematography and magnificent action sequences to create highly gratifying historical drama.
Horror and the Supernatural
#37
Critics Consensus: Short, spooky, and surprisingly poignant, Ghoul's concentrated brand of horror is familiar, but effective.
#36
Critics Consensus: What Wynonna Earp lacks in originality it more than makes up for in gritty, silly, supernatural fun.
#35
Critics Consensus: The Rain starts out slow, but develops into a thrilling addition to the dystopia television genre.
#34
Critics Consensus: An amusing variation on the zombie trend, iZombie is refreshingly different, if perhaps too youth-oriented to resonate with adult audiences.
#33
Critics Consensus: The Mist's absorbing atmosphere and solid special effects struggle to overcome a generally uninspired story and performances.
#32
Critics Consensus: Smart and scary with the most unsettling pair of eyes since Nicolas Cage in Vampire's Kiss, Marianne is pure nightmare fuel.
#31
Critics Consensus: Black Summer has enough undead carnage and a sinewy pace to please zombie fans, but the series suffers from scant characterization and doesn't add much storytelling meat to the genre's gnawed-on bone.
#29
Critics Consensus: Daybreak's blend of soapy teen drama and post apocalyptic horror has some truly inspired moments, even if it feels like you've seen a few of them before.
#28
Critics Consensus: While its family drama and superhero aspirations don't quite come together, compelling performances and a sense of wonder keep Raising Dion afloat and suggest that with a little more guidance it could become something great.
Animated Series
#93
Critics Consensus: Tuca & Bertie skips right past Bojack Horseman's shadow with its chipper sensibility and madcap sight gags, bringing plenty of laughs as it addresses adulting anxiety and exalts the joys of friendship.
#99
Critics Consensus: Neon Genesis Evangelion -- both a cultural touchstone for Japan and an uncompromising auteurist vision by creator Hideaki Anno -- doubles as an enthralling apex for the mecha anime genre and as a harrowing exploration of depression, making for a wholly singular epic about angels and inner demons.
#95
Critics Consensus: With its state-of-the-art animation, unorthodox hero, and gut-bustlingly funny jabs at the shounen genre, One-Punch Man is simply a knockout.
#92
Critics Consensus: Uniquely bleak for a Sanrio property, Aggretsuko balances biting corporate satire with adorable characters and absurdist comedy to create a surprising, insightful addition to the world of animation.
Reality and Docu-series
#6
Critics Consensus: Salt Fat Acid Heat distinguishes itself from other cooking programs with Samin Nosrat's approachable and educational teaching style, celebrating the essential ingredients of a good meal with an international perspective.
#7
Critics Consensus: Ugly Delicious injects new life into the food documentary by dispensing with culinary pretensions and celebrating a vibrant spectrum of dishes that are sure to whet audience appetites.
#4
Critics Consensus: Legitimized by a docuseries aesthetic, Dating Around successfully indulges in cringe without falling into typical reality tv contrivance.
#1
Critics Consensus: A joyous baking competition that celebrates those who try, Nailed It!'s lack of pretension and incredibly funny host are a refreshing treat.
Thumbnail image: Stephen Scott / ©CBC / courtesy Everett Collection, Manuel Fernandez-Valdes / Netflix, Sophie Mutevelian / BBC / Netflix
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