Bookmark this page as we celebrate and list what is deemed to be the Top 50 Highest Rated and Best Netflix Series of All Time.
Since 2007, Netflix has been adding a wide range of series to its original library. Now in 2022, the streaming service has just as much original content as licensed fare — a remarkable feat as it now battles against an evergrowing streaming market.
At Ready Steady Cut, we are constantly challenged to find the Best and Highest Rated Netflix Series of All Time. Knowing what to watch “next on Netflix” is a social phenomenon as we divert our attention away from network TV.
If you are unsure what to watch next, bookmark this page as we list what is deemed the Best Highest Rated Netflix Series of All Time. We’ve used Rotten Tomatoes as the benchmark, but we will also share with you the IMDB rating to give you a sense of difference in objectivity. On top of this, if we have reviewed it on our site, we will also share the review with you. We will update this page every three months so audiences can keep up to date on the latest best, and most popular Netflix shows as part of their subscription.
Last updated: September 9th, 2023
The Top 50 Highest Rated Netflix Series of All Time
50. The End of the F***ing World (2017)
With a provoking title and a promising premise, it’s no surprise this series made it to the all time and highest rated series list for Netflix. Originally a Channel 4 series, it made its way onto Netflix in 2018.
Official Premise: Based on the comic book series by Charles Forsman, “The End of the F…ing World” sees two 17-year-old outsiders, James and Alyssa, embark on a road trip to find her estranged father, who left home when she was just a child. James, who is convinced he’s a psychopath, has decided it’s time to graduate from killing animals to something bigger — and he already has a target in mind. Alyssa, the embodiment of existential angst, feels like she doesn’t fit in at her new school despite being quite popular.
Cast: Alex Lawther, Jessica Barden, Wunmi Mosaku, Gemma Whelan.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
At Ready Steady Cut, we reviewed season 1: “It isn’t typical, and it can occasionally be challenging, but The End of the F***ing World is a surprisingly fresh-feeling tale of adolescence.”
49. Never Have I Ever (2020)
This series we expect to stay on the best list for Netflix for a long time. With the minds of Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher behind this dramedy, it was always going to be a hard-to-put-down series.
Official Premise: The complicated life of a first-generation Indian-American teenager.
Cast: Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Richa Moorjani, Poorna Jagannathan, Jaren Lewison, Darren Barnet.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%
IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
At Ready Steady Cut, we reviewed season 1: “Netflix’s Never Have I Ever is an American coming-of-age story but warmly shines a torch on Indian culture. It deserves a Season 2.”
48. Peaky Blinders (2013)
One of Britain’s all-time favorite shows, it’s no wonder why Netflix picked it up for a global audience. With an impressive cast and war-time themes, Peaky Blinders is one of the thumbnails to stay on the streaming service.
Official Premise: Britain is a mixture of despair and hedonism in 1919 in the aftermath of the Great War. Returning soldiers, newly minted revolutions and criminal gangs are fighting for survival in a nation rocked by economic upheaval. One of the most powerful gangs of the time is the Peaky Blinders, run by returning war hero Thomas Shelby and his family.
Cast: Cillian Murphy, Natasha O’Keeffe, Paul Anderson, Sophie Rundle, Finn Cole.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%
IMDB Rating: 8.8/10
47. Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (2023)
Critic Lori C. said about Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, “A brilliant addition to the Bridgerton universe or the Bridgerverse. It shows how the titular Queen contributed to the ton as we know it and how the aristocracy got desegregated in the first place..”
Official Premise: Betrothed against her will to King George, young Charlotte arrives in London on her wedding day and faces scrutiny from the monarch’s cunning mother.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
IMDB Rating: 7.4/10
46. Waffles + Mochi (2021)
When Barack and Michelle Obama decided to produce and direct Netflix projects, it was no surprise that critics rated their work highly. However, we did not expect Michelle Obama’s kids and family series Waffles + Mochi to have an extraordinary impact and make it on the all-time highly rated Netflix series list.
Official Premise: Former first lady Michelle Obama is joined by puppet pals to discover, cook and eat foods from around the world.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
IMDB Rating: 7.4/10
45. Rhythm + Flow (2019)
Netflix is known for its wide-ranging reality series. Some are garbage, but other concepts have upped the reality game. When Cardi B, Chance the Rapper, and T.I decided to come together to create their talent series, it surprised many audiences with quality and entertainment. Giving X-Factor vibes, this had all the potential, but the series did not make it past season 1.
Official Premise: Judges Cardi B, Chance the Rapper, and T.I. search for the next breakout hip-hop star in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, and Chicago.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
IMDB Rating: 7.4/10
44. Bobby Kennedy for President
In American political history, we all know about the tragic plight of the famous President John F. Kennedy, but what about his brother Robert “Bobby” Kennedy? A man who was equally as impactful and influential in the world of politics. This four-part docuseries is incredibly insightful and hones in on the subject matter with respect and honesty.
Official Premise: This four-part docuseries examines the “Bobby Phenomenon” of the 1960s and the politician’s continuing influence decades after his untimely death. The show features interviews with RFK confidantes and staffers, including Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), singer Harry Belafonte and lawyer Peter Edelman.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
At Ready Steady Cut, we reviewed the docuseries: “Bobby Kennedy for President is not trying to impress with innovative documentary techniques, although it must be respected the effort that has gone into digitizing worn tapes.”
43. Cheer (2020)
When Last Chance U became the cornerstone of sports documentary series on Netflix, no one would have imagined anything better coming to the fray. That’s until the Last Chance U creator, Greg Whiteley, gave the world Cheer, documenting the lives of a cheerleading team in the small town of Corsicana, Texas. The series brought a lot of obsession globally, with many celebrities gushing over the series. Surprisingly, it brought unwanted controversy with its second season. However, it has remained as one of the highest-rated Netflix series of all time.
Official Premise: In the small town of Corsicana, Texas, hard-driving head cheer coach Monica Aldama demands perfection from her team of competitive college athletes.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
At Ready Steady Cut, we reviewed season 1: “As a sister to Last Chance U, there is no doubt that Cheer Season 1 will be loved. Let’s hope that it grabs enough attention for a much-needed second season.”
42. Squid Game (2021)
Korean Drama, known as K-Drama, already has a loving, vibrant, engaging community full of eager audience members, but Squid Game changed everything, especially in the Western markets. Korean drama was well and truly on the map after Netflix gave this series a chance on its platform, changing the optics forever. Not only did this become one of the highest rated Netflix series of all time, but it became the most viewed (in watch-hours) after one week.
Official Premise: Hundreds of cash-strapped contestants accept an invitation to compete in children’s games for a tempting prize, but the stakes are deadly.
Cast: Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo, Oh Yeong-su, Wi Ha-joon.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
IMDB Rating: 8.0/10
At Ready Steady Cut, we reviewed season 1: “Squid Game gives the nostalgia of childhood playgrounds a grim twist as various down-on-their-luck players stand to lose much more than a fortune.”
41. She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (2018)
When Dreamworks and Netflix teamed up to do their own rebooted animated adaptation of She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, it could have gone either way, but what came was an overwhelming success and critical acclaim. This animated series is a wonderful gem on Netflix, spanning five seasons.
Official Premise: In this reboot of the 1980s series, a magic sword transforms an orphan girl into warrior She-Ra, who unites a rebellion to fight against evil.
Voice Cast: Aimee Carrero, Karen Fukuhara, AJ Michalka, Marcus Scribner, Reshma Shetty
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
At Ready Steady Cut, we reviewed season 1: “I enjoyed She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, it’s harmless fun that might actually have something to say. I hope that somewhere down the line we might get to see He-Man resurrected by Netflix, but I guess we’ll see.”
40. Dark (2017)
This is quite possibly the most complex but also most incredible sci-fi series of all time, and it deserves to be on the highest rated and best of all-time list for Netflix. The sci-fi series dealt with so many intrinsic stories that timelines had to be created on the internet so it could be followed thoroughly. But do not let that put you off. Dark is an absolute pleasure of a series.
Official Premise: When two children go missing in a small German town, its sinful past is exposed along with the double lives and fractured relationships that exist among four families as they search for the kids. The mystery-drama series introduces an intricate puzzle filled with twists that includes a web of curious characters, all of whom have a connection to the town’s troubled history — whether they know it or not. The story includes supernatural elements that tie back to the same town in 1986. “Dark” represents the first German original series produced for Netflix.
Cast: Oliver Masucci, Karoline Eichhorn, Jördis Triebel, Louis Hofmann, Maja Schöne.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
IMDB Rating: 8.7/10
At Ready Steady Cut, we reviewed season 3: “Dark season 3 is beautiful and tenebrous in every sense of the word, and it’s difficult to imagine how any other series could match this complex yet complete achievement.”
39. Sex Education (2019)
If you ever grew up watching Skins, then Sex Education is the closest you’ll get to that series, and to be fair, this is way better. Flying on to Netflix in 2019, the series has become a Netflix staple and cemented itself as one of the best and highest rated.
Official Premise: Socially awkward high school student Otis may not have much experience in the lovemaking department, but he gets good guidance on the topic in his personal sex ed course — living with mom Jean, who is a sex therapist. Being surrounded by manuals, videos, and tediously open conversations about sex, Otis has become a reluctant expert on the subject. When his classmates learn about his home life, Otis decides to use his insider knowledge to improve his status at school, so he teams up with whip-smart bad girl Maeve to set up an underground sex therapy clinic to deal with their classmates’ problems. But through his analysis of teenage sexuality, Otis realizes that he may need some therapy of his own.
Cast: Asa Butterfield, Gillian Anderson, Emma Mackey, Ncuti Gatwa, Connor Swindells.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
IMDB Rating: 8.4/10
At Ready Steady Cut, we reviewed season 1: “Feeling fresh on the platform, Netflix series Sex Education gives a new, refreshing, alternative style of a coming-of-age story.”
38. Kingdom (2019)
If you thought Squid Game was a game-changer in the K-Drama world on a global level, wait until you watch Kingdom on Netflix — quite possibly one of the best and highest rated zombie stories ever created. The series has grown so considerably that Netflix released a prequel film to the main series.
Official Premise: The deceased king rises, and a mysterious plague begins to spread; the prince must face a new breed of enemies to unveil the evil scheme and save his people.
Cast: Bae Doona, Ju Ji-hoon, Ryu Seung-ryong, Kim Sang-ho.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
IMDB Rating: 8.3/10
37. Gentefied (2020)
Gentrification is an essential subject in the USA, and Gentefied provides an intrinsic story, following three Mexican-American cousins chasing the American dream. This comedy-drama is a must-watch in the Netflix catalog.
Official Premise: In Los Angeles, three Mexican-American cousins chase the American Dream, even while that dream threatens the things they hold most dear, including their neighborhood, their immigrant grandfather, and the family-owned taco shop.
Cast: Joaquín Cosio, J.J. Soria, Karrie Martin, Carlos Santos, Alma Martinez.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
IMDB Rating: 7.4/10
At Ready Steady Cut, we reviewed season 1: “Gentefied season 1 offers political and cultural undertones in a firm, engaging comedy about a family trying to save their business in an area of gentrification.”
36. Unorthodox (2020)
Perhaps one of Netflix’s most dramatic and chilling series in this all-time best list — Unorthodox was one of the game-changers that drove the management team at Netflix to place more of their bets on limited series. This is a must-watch.
Official Premise: A woman flees an arranged marriage in Brooklyn to start a new life abroad, then her past catches up to her.
Cast: Shira Haas, Amit Rahav, Jeff Wilbusch, Aaron Altaras, Tamar Amit-Joseph.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
IMDB Rating: 8.0/10
At Ready Steady Cut, we reviewed this series: “Netflix series Unorthodox brings forth an insightful, important memoir of a Jewish woman escaping her Hasidic community in Williamsburg, New York.”
35. Call My Agent! (2015)
Despite being released in 2015, this comedy series has remained in the top 50 Netflix and highest rated series of all time. The French comedy series follows agents who try earnestly to keep their clients happy. With a high rating, this series is one to add to your watch list.
Official Premise: At a Paris talent firm, agents scramble to keep their star clients happy and their business afloat.
Cast: Camille Cottin, Thibault de Montalembert, Gregory Montel, Liliane Rovère, Fanny Sidney.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
IMDB Rating: 8.3/10
34. The Queen’s Gambit (2020)
You’d think a series about chess would be the most boring story of all time, but ironically, this is one of Netflix’s best-ever limited series. It was so popular that a board game based on The Queen’s Gambit was released — yes, chess, but we’ll question the insanity of the human race another day. You need to watch this series, which features one of Anya Taylor-Joy’s best performances.
Official Premise: Set during the Cold War era, orphaned chess prodigy Beth Harmon struggles with addiction in a quest to become the greatest chess player in the world.
Cast: Anya Taylor-Joy, Marielle Heller, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Moses Ingram, Harry Melling.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
IMDB Rating: 8.6/10
At Ready Steady Cut, we reviewed the series: “With its strong themes and understanding of the times, this is a must-see drama this year. This series serves a checkmate in its opening chapters.”
33. A Series of Unfortunate Events (2017)
Netflix did a fine job picking up this series, adapting Lemony Snicket’s famous books. With a brilliant cast, and a thumping premise, this series had everything to be critically acclaimed, which is why it’s still in the top 50.
Official Premise: This series follows the tragic tale of three orphans — Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire — who are investigating their parents’ mysterious death. The siblings are saddled with an evil guardian named Count Olaf (portrayed by Emmy-winning actor Neil Patrick Harris), who will do whatever it takes to get his hands on the Baudelaires’ inheritance. Violet, Klaus, and Sunny must outsmart Olaf at every turn, foiling devious plans and disguises. The series is based on the best-selling series of books by Lemony Snicket (aka Daniel Handler).
Cast: Neil Patrick Harris, Patrick Warburton, Malina Weissman, Louis Hynes, Presley Smith.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
At Ready Steady Cut, we reviewed season 3: “The adaptation of the last four titles in Lemony Snicket’s famous series of books is beautifully made and a satisfying conclusion, thanks to Daniel Handler and Barry Sonnenfeld.”
32. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015)
When we saw Ellie Kemper in The Office, we never thought she’d go on to star in one of the most fabulous and flamboyant comedy series of all time, but Netflix certainly gave the brilliant actress a home. Despite early reservations, this series became a staple of Netflix, bringing many memes and cultural references.
Official Premise: Rescued after 15 years in a cult, Kimmy Schmidt decides to reclaim her life by venturing to New York, where she experiences everyday life with wide-eyed enthusiasm. On a whim, she rents a room from Titus, a gay wannabe Broadway actor, who makes ends meet as a street performer in Times Square. The unlikely pair find they’re well-suited to help each other out, with Titus reintroducing Kimmy to modern life, and her providing him with the inspiration that you should never give up. Together they’ll make it through whatever life throws at them.
Cast: Ellie Kemper, Tituss Burgess, Jane Krakowski, Carol Kane.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
31. The Andy Warhol Diaries
If the streaming service is good at anything, it provides brilliant documentary series, and this is one of them. It doesn’t get as personal as this.
Official Premise: After he is shot in 1968, the late artist begins documenting his life and feelings to shed light on the secrets behind his persona.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
IMDB Rating: 7.7/10
30. The Keepers (2017)
Another staple documentary series making it on the all time list. The Keepers is a shocking true crime series tackling an unsolved but deadly case. This documentary series tries to uncover the truth, with plenty of shocks on the way. This is a must-watch.
Official Premise: Netflix’s docuseries tackles the unsolved murder of Cathy Cesnik, a beloved nun and Catholic high school teacher in Baltimore. After disappearing on Nov. 7, 1969, Cesnik’s body was found nearly two months later — but to this day, the killer remains unnamed. In the ’90s, the case returned to the spotlight after one of Cesnik’s former students accused the high school’s chaplain of sexual abuse, and claims that she was taken to Cesnik’s then undiscovered corpse and threatened. Director Ryan White pieces together the story through conversations with friends, relatives, journalists, government officials and Baltimore citizens, hoping to uncover the truth.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
29. Hellbound (2021)
This is another K-Drama series that, for some reason, did not reach the same heights as Squid Game but leaves the audience on a significant cliffhanger. Hellbound is another Korean gem that captured many imaginations around the world and sits easily in the highest rated Netflix series of all time.
Official Premise: Unearthly beings deliver condemnations, sending individuals to hell and giving rise to a religious group founded on the idea of divine justice.
Cast: Yoo Ah-in, Kim Hyun-joo, Won Jin-a, Park Jung-min, Yang Ik-joon.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
IMDB Rating: 6.6/10
At Ready Steady Cut, we reviewed season 1: “It’s hard to keep your eyes away from Hellbound because the concept is so enticing and addictive.”
28. Elite (2018)
Netflix has an abundance of teen drama series, but this Spanish story is one of its most popular in their vast library. Elite is not for the lighthearted as it follows a group of teenagers at an exclusive private school in Spain.
Official Premise: When three working-class teens enroll in an exclusive private school in Spain, the clash between them and the wealthy students leads to murder.
Cast: Arón Piper, Miguel Bernardeau, Ester Expósito, Claudia Salas, Georgina Amorós.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
IMDB Rating: 7.4/10
At Ready Steady Cut, we reviewed season 1: “Elite will be the new soapy, trashy binge-watch of the masses this weekend, as the Spanish series tackles class divides and, of course, a murder.”
27. Lady Dynamite (2016)
Stars starring as a fictionalized version of themselves is a popular approach of late, but nothing quite hits as Lady Dynamite. Released in 2016, the series has stayed strong as one of the all-time highest-rated Netflix series.
Official Premise: Maria Bamford stars as a fictionalized version of herself in this comedy, loosely based on what the dynamic comic and actress has accepted to be her life. Bamford also serves as an executive producer alongside Pam Brady and the creator of the critically acclaimed “Arrested Development,” Mitch Hurwitz. Occasionally featuring surreal episodes, the series tells the tale of a woman who loses it and then finds herself. The series features several big names in comedy as guest stars, including Sarah Silverman, Jon Cryer, Ana Gasteyer, Patton Oswalt, and Jenny Slate.
Cast: Maria Bamford, Fred Melamed, Mary Kay Place, Ana Gasteyer, Ed Begley Jr.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
IMDB Rating: 7.3/10
26. Sweet Tooth (2021)
Now and again, a series is released that melts your soul. With a great child actor and an incredible dystopian storyline, Sweet Tooth is a fantastic fantasy series for all ages.
Official Premise: On a perilous adventure in a post-apocalyptic world, a boy who’s half-human and half deer searches for a new beginning with a gruff protector.
Cast: Christian Convery, Nonso Anozie, Adeel Akhtar, Stefania LaVie Owen, Dania Ramirez.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
At Ready Steady Cut, we reviewed season 1: “An open letter to Netflix — please do not cancel this. Sweet Tooth deserves to stay. Let it breathe.”
25. Lupin (2021)
This is another Netflix series that caught everyone by surprise, and this one is a retelling of the classic French story about Arsene Lupin. Starring Omar Sy, the Netflix series saw critical acclaim rather quickly, securing itself as one of the best and highest rated Netflix series of all time.
Official Premise: A retelling of the classic French story about Arsène Lupin, the world-famous gentleman thief and master of disguise.
Cast: Omar Sy, Ludivine Sagnier, Clotilde Hesme, Nicole Garcia, Hervé Pierre.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
IMDB Rating: 7.5/10
At Ready Steady Cut, we reviewed season 1: “One of the great strengths of Netflix’s Lupin is how it entices the viewer down one path, to then strip it away and surprise with an entirely new outlook.”
24. When They See Us (2019)
Based on actual events, this series is one of the most chilling stories about Black America. There have been many accounts of injustices in the black communities up and down America, but this is perhaps one of the most infamous pitfalls in the American judicial system. This is not for the fainthearted.
Official Premise: In 1989 a jogger was assaulted and raped in New York’s Central Park, and five young people were subsequently charged with the crime. The quintet, labeled the Central Park Five, maintained its innocence and spent years fighting the convictions, hoping to be exonerated. This limited series spans a quarter of a century, from when the teens are first questioned about the incident in the spring of 1989, going through their exoneration in 2002 and ultimately the settlement reached with the city of New York in 2014. The cast is full of Emmy nominees and winners, including Michael K. Williams, John Leguizamo, Felicity Huffman, and Blair Underwood. Oscar nominee and Emmy winner Ava DuVernay co-wrote and directed the four episodes.
Cast: Michael K. Williams, Vera Farmiga, John Alberto Leguizamo, Felicity Huffman, Niecy Nash.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
IMDB Rating: 8.9/10
At Ready Steady Cut, we reviewed the series: “Tragically articulated and well-directed, Ava Duvernay’s Netflix series When They See Us is one of the best shows on the platform this year.”
23. Russian Doll (2019)
Back in 2019, Natasha Lyonne decided to release herself from the known shackles of Orange is the New Black and decide to lead on another Netflix series that’s based on time loops. It was surprisingly trendy, earning many accolades along the way.
Official Premise: Emmy-nominated actress Natasha Lyonne stars in this comedy-drama series as Nadia, a young woman who is on a journey to be the guest of honor at a party in New York City. But she gets caught in a mysterious loop as she repeatedly attends the same event and dies at the end of the night each time — only to awaken the next day unharmed as if nothing had happened. In addition to starring, Lyonne co-created the show with “Saturday Night Live” alum Amy Poehler and serves as a writer and director for the Netflix original series.
Cast: Natasha Lyonne, Charlie Barnett, Greta Lee, Annie Murphy, Chloë Sevigny.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
At Ready Steady Cut, we reviewed season 1: “You appreciate Natasha Lyonne’s performance in Netflix series Russian Doll, but the whole concept driving the story gets a little irritating and repetitive.”
22. Mindhunter (2017)
One series in this top 50 list angers viewers, and it is Mindhunter. After Netflix canceled it, many subscribers wondered what Netflix’s threshold for retaining or canceling shows was. This series is a must-watch, even if it leaves you wondering how far it could have gone. Surprisingly, no other network or streaming service picked it up.
Official Premise: Catching a criminal often requires the authorities to get inside the villain’s mind to figure out how he thinks. That’s the job of FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench. They attempt to understand and catch serial killers by studying their damaged psyches. Along the way, the agents pioneer the development of modern serial-killer profiling. The crime drama has a strong pedigree behind the camera, with Oscar-nominated director David Fincher and Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron among the show’s executive producers.
Cast: Jonathan Groff, Holt McCallany, Anna Torv, Joe Tuttle, Stacey Roca.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
IMDB Rating: 8.6/10
21. Special (2019)
Bringing a series that portrays a disability comes with a lot of risks. You need to cast well and direct with accuracy and specificity. It’s also got to be well written, with the right story picked. Special hits all the right notes, and that’s why it enters Netflix’s Top 20 highest rated series of all time.
Official Premise: Actor-writer Ryan O’Connell stars in this semi-autobiographical series based on his memoir. He plays Ryan, a gay man with cerebral palsy who decides to do away with his identity as an accident victim and go after the life that he wants. After years of dead-end internships, blogging in his pajamas and mainly communicating through text, Ryan figures out how to take his life from bleak to chic as he gets ready to start limping toward adulthood. O’Connell serves as an executive producer on the comedy series, along with “The Big Bang Theory” star Jim Parsons.
Cast: Ryan O’Connell, Jessica Hecht, Punam Patel, Marla Mindelle.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%
IMDB Rating: 7.6/10
20. Scrotal Recall (or known as Lovesick) (2014)
If a series has remained on this list after 2014, it must be good. This romantic series has a lot of “hide behind your cushion” moments as a 20-something man has to reach out al all his exes.
Official Premise: Dylan, a 20-something romantic, has been intimate with a long list of women during his quest for true love. When he discovers that he has a sexually transmitted disease, Dylan must go back and contact everyone he has slept with to tell them about his diagnosis. Each time Dylan seeks out a different person from his contact list, the show flashes back to a defining moment in a relationship that he would prefer to forget. Friends Evie and Luke, who have been with Dylan through it all over the last decade, travel down memory lane with him.
Cast: Johnny Flynn, Antonia Thomas, Daniel Ings, Joshua McGuire.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%
IMDB Rating: 8.0/10
19. Five Came Back (2017)
We often take for granted when we see footage from World War Two, but how do you think that footage came to be? Well, it came with a high risk of life, and this docuseries brings to life how we attained vital footage from one of the deadliest wars in modern times.
Official Premise: Filmmakers who risked their lives during World War II to serve their country and expose the truth.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%
IMDB Rating: 8.3/10
18. Wild Wild Country (2018)
A documentary series about one of the world’s most controversial gurus? Yes, please. This series was destined to reach the heights of the critically acclaimed. It has absolutely everything.
Official Premise: When a controversial guru builds a utopian city in the Oregon desert, it causes a massive conflict with local ranchers. This docuseries chronicles the conflict, which leads to the first bioterror attack in the United States and a massive case of illegal wiretapping. It is a pivotal, but largely forgotten, time in American cultural history that tested the country’s tolerance for the separation of church and state. Brothers Mark and Jay Duplass serve as executive producers on the series.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
17. I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson (2019)
Quite possibly one of the best sketch artists of all time, so it is no surprise Tim Robinson managed to create one of the most acclaimed and highest rated Netflix series of all time.
Official Premise: Actor Tim Robinson stars in this sketch comedy series — which he also co-created — that sees him trying to get people to go away. In each segment, Robinson and his guests do whatever they can to try to drive someone to the point that they need — or desperately want — to leave. Robinson spent several years as a writer on “Saturday Night Live,” so it’s not a surprise that the show’s roster of guest stars includes a number of SNL alumni. Among them are Andy Samberg, Will Forte, Vanessa Bayer and Cecily Strong.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%
IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
At Ready Steady Cut, we reviewed season 2: “The second season deserves as much applause as it gets. It’s hilarious, witty, and absurd, and that’s how sketch shows are meant to work.”
16. Unbelievable (2019)
This limited series on Netflix is one of the most important stories told following the #MeToo movement. With an incredible cast and a well-woven and intrinsic story, this series deserves to be in the top 50 of all time.
Official Premise: When a teen reports being raped, then recants her story, two female detectives follow evidence that could reveal the truth; based on a true story.
Cast: Kaitlyn Dever, Toni Collette, Merritt Wever.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%
IMDB Rating: 8.4/10
At Ready Steady Cut, we reviewed the series: “Netflix Series Unbelievable is one of the most important stories to arrive on the major streaming platform, providing clarity and education surrounding sexual assault victims.”
15. American Vandal (2017)
This series had social media buzzing immediately. A mockumentary that ironically covers a fictional true crime case. It has all the comedic flair you expect, properly inspecting modern society and its relationship with the media.
Official Premise: True-crime series are gaining popularity on TV so, of course, there was bound to be a satire of the genre. “American Vandal” takes a look at the aftermath of various high school pranks. Aspiring student documentarian Peter Maldonado takes it upon himself, with help from friend Sam Ecklund, to investigate the cases and find out exactly who is responsible for the crimes. After looking into vandalism at a public high school, Peter and Sam head to a Catholic school after the cafeteria’s lemonade is contaminated with laxatives. In the style of the genre it lampoons, the series leaves viewers wondering who the real perpetrator is until the very end.
Cast: Tyler Alvarez, Griffin Gluck, Travis Tope, Taylor Dearden, Melvin Gregg.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
At Ready Steady Cut, we reviewed season 1: “American Vandal displays our obsession with true crime stories, how we take everything as fact and how we are easily roped in by entertaining factors.”
14. Beef (2023)
At Ready Steady Cut, we reviewed season 1: “You won’t see a better new series all year. A perfect blend of dark comic thrills and revealing moments of mental health that are deeply felt. Beef is frenetic, hilarious, anxiety-ridden, and wholly original.”
Official Premise: Two people let a road rage incident burrow into their minds and slowly consume their every thought and action.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
13. Tuca & Bertie (2019)
We were wondering when another animated series would hit this list, and I suppose the first 99% RT score featuring the voice of Tiffany Haddish is not a bad start!
Official Premise: This animated comedy series explores the friendship between two 30-year-old bird women who live in the same apartment building. The buddy comedy features cocky, carefree toucan Tuca and anxious, daydreaming songbird Bertie as they live their lives in the metropolis of Bird Town. The former roommates separate when Bertie moves in with chipper architect Speckle and Tuca moves upstairs from them. Tiffany Haddish and Ali Wong voice the titular characters on this animated show that is decidedly not for kids.
Voice Cast: Tiffany Haddish, Ali Wong, Steven Yeun.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 99%
IMDB Rating: 7.3/10
12. Alias Grace (2017)
Based on the 1996 Margaret Atwood novel, this series got critics noticing very quickly, along with a substantial audience.
Official Premise: Based on the 1996 Margaret Atwood novel of the same name, “Alias Grace” tells the story of young Grace Marks, a poor Irish immigrant and domestic servant in Upper Canada who is accused and convicted of the 1843 murder of her employer and his housekeeper. Stablehand James McDermott is also convicted of the crime. McDermott is hanged, but Grace is sentenced to life in prison, leading her to become one of the most notorious women of the period in Canada. The story is based on actual 19th-century events.
Cast: Sarah Gadon, Kerr Logan, Paul Gross, Anna Paquin, Edward Holcroft.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 99%
IMDB Rating: 7.7/10
11. One Day at a Time (2017)
Taking on rebooted version series from 1975 was always going to be a risk, but Netflix like risks. And with that, the series became critically acclaimed and ended up on the highest rated Netflix series list of all time.
Official Premise: This comedy-drama is inspired by Norman Lear’s 1975 series of the same name. This time around, the series follows the life of Penelope, a newly single Army veteran, and her Cuban-American family, as they navigate the ups and downs of life. Now a nurse, Penelope is raising two strong-willed children. When faced with challenges, Penelope turns to her “old-school” mother, and her building manager, who has become an invaluable confidant. The series offers a contemporary take on what life looks like in both good and bad times, and how loved ones can help make it all worthwhile.
Cast: Rita Moreno, Justina Machado, Stephen Tobolowsky, Todd Grinnell, Isabella Gomez.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 99%
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
10. Big Mouth (2017)
Ah, we are in the top 10 now. And first on the list is Netflix’s most popular animated series Big Mouth. What are you doing if you have a Netflix subscription and have never watched this?
Official Premise: Even for a cartoon character, going through puberty isn’t easy for a young person. Andrew is learning that first hand as he experiences the nightmare that is growing up in this animated series geared toward adults. Along for the ride are friends Nick and Jessi, who develop a budding romance along the way. The comedy veterans who lend their voices to “Big Mouth” include John Mulaney, Nick Kroll, Maya Rudolph and Jordan Peele.
Voice Cast: Nick Kroll, John Mulaney, Jessi Klein, Jason Mantzoukas, Fred Armisen
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 99%
IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
9. Immigration Nation (2020)
Immigration is a hot topic in the USA. Every presidential election, the candidates argue about how best to tackle immigration. However, the issue raised its head when Donald Trump was the President of the USA, as ICE, their immigration authority, was exposed for terrible practices and treatment of immigrants. This documentary series is a must-watch.
Official Premise: A deep look at the state of U.S. immigration, utilizing unprecedented access to ICE operations and moving portraits of immigrants.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
IMDB Rating: 7.4/10
At Ready Steady Cut, we reviewed the series: “Immigration Nation shows arrogance, it shows no empathy and it shows a glaring issue — we are still on the wrong side of history. This Netflix series is 2020’s required viewing.”
8. Girl/Haji (2019)
Netflix has a habit of picking series up from BBC and re-platforming it on their streaming service, but they will be glad they took this show on as it quickly entered the highest rated Netflix series of all time list. Girl/Haji is an incredible thriller set in both Tokyo and London.
Official Premise: Translating to Duty/Shame and set in both Tokyo and London, “Giri/Haji” is a thriller about a Tokyo detective named Kenzo Mori, scouring the London underworld to find his allegedly deceased brother, Yuto. Yuto was accused of brutally murdering the nephew of a yakuza member, which could lead to the onset of a gang war. Kenzo’s investigation into the disappearance lures him into dangerous elements of the corrupt underworld of London’s criminal circuit. Starring an international ensemble cast, the series originally aired on BBC2.
Cast: Takehiro Hira, Kelly Macdonald, Yôsuke Kubozuka, Will Sharpe, Aoi Okuyama.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
At Ready Steady Cut, we reviewed season 1: “Giri/Haji is an extraordinary creative accomplishment; brazenly original, deeply moving, and quite unlike anything you’ve ever seen.”
7. Arcane: League of Legends (2021)
Arcane leaped onto Netflix with a rare weekend, weekly release, and surprisingly it went from strength to strength. Even Netflix appeared surprised by its success. With a mix of 2D and 3D animation, this became one of the most talked about animated shows in 2021 and was soon on the highest rated Netflix series list. This is a rare video game adaptation to receive all the praise.
Official Premise: The origins of two iconic League champions, set in the utopian Piltover and the oppressed underground of Zaun.
Voice Cast: Hailee Steinfeld, Katie Leung, Kevin Alejandro, Jason Spisak, Ella Purnell.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
IMDB Rating: 9.0/10
At Ready Steady Cut, we reviewed season 1: “Gorgeous to look at and genuinely compelling regardless of your League of Legends knowledge, Arcane is a rare win for video game adaptations.”
6. Ugly Delicious (2018)
If you want to salivate over a series, this is the go-to. Starring an award-winning chef, this may be one of the best culinary reality series that has surfaced. Feast your eyes!
Official Premise: James Beard Award-winning chef David Chang stars in this travelogue that sends him on a journey to culinary hot spots around the world. He is joined by writers, activists, artists and other chefs who use food as a vehicle to break down cultural barriers and tackle misconceptions. Chang and his guests — a list that includes the likes of TV host Jimmy Kimmel, comic Nick Kroll and writer Peter Meehan — venture out of polished kitchens into the wider world to explore locales including Houston, Tokyo and Copenhagen.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
5. Dash & Lily (2020)
A Christmas romance series? Sounds somewhat cheesy and predictable right? This Netflix series released around our festive activities captured the hearts of many critics and audiences. It’s a surprising must-watch.
Official Premise: A whirlwind Christmas romance builds as cynical Dash, and optimistic Lily trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations around New York City.
Cast: Austin Abrams, Midori Francis, Dante Brown, Troy Iwata, Keana Marie.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
IMDB Rating: 7.4/10
At Ready Steady Cut, we reviewed season 1: “Dash & Lily grabs at the heart using Christmas vibes and a heavy dose of hopeless romantics that audiences will soften too.”
4. Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Return (2017)
Netflix loves bringing series back from the dead, and this was a successful reboot, bringing back a cult classic TV show to streaming screens.
Official Premise: The cult classic TV show is back! Comic Jonah Ray plays the role of Jonah Heston, a hapless human who is forced by evil scientists to endure a vault of cheesy movies. Kinga Forrester (Felicia Day) is the daughter of the original mad scientist, Dr. Clayton Forrester, and Patton Oswalt plays the son of Clayton’s former henchman. In hopes of holding onto his sanity, Jonah watches the films with his hilarious robot companions. Together, the “B” movie audience members crack snarky jokes as the action plays out on screen.
Cast: Jonah Ray, Felicia Day, Patton Oswalt, Hampton Yount, Baron Vaughn.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
3. Heartstopper (2022)
This series was creating a buzz and trending on social media before it even came out, and there’s no surprise. This warm, teen LGTBQ drama has plenty of coming-of-age tropes and an impressive young cast leading the story.
Official Premise: Teens Charlie and Nick discover their unlikely friendship might be something more as they navigate school and young love.
Cast: Kit Connor, Joe Locke, William Gao, Yasmin Finney, Corinna Brown.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
IMDB Rating: 8.7/10
At Ready Steady Cut, we reviewed season 1: “Heartstopper might lack some edge and feel as if it’s speaking to a younger demographic than the usual teen drama, but its deeply uplifting portrait of young love is very difficult not to get swept up in.”
2. Feel Good (2020)
This is undoubtedly a drama that deserves a 100% score in the highest rated list — Netflix deciding to platform this series from Channel 4 was a brilliant move to provide it to a global audience. This is one of the most enjoyable LGBTQ dramas, with the two leading cast members providing brilliant chemistry.
Official Premise: Recovering addict and comic Mae tries to control the addictive behaviors and intense romanticism that permeate her life; their efforts are complicated by a new and all-consuming relationship with their new girlfriend, George.
Cast: Mae Martin, Charlotte Ritchie, Sophie Thompson, Lisa Kudrow, Adrian Lukis.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
IMDB Rating: 7.5/10
At Ready Steady Cut, we reviewed season 1: “Netflix’s and Channel 4’s Feel Good season 1 is relatable for all the right and wrong reasons, introducing us to two loved up, sometimes broken characters.”
1. The Baby-Sitters Club (2020)
Another successful reboot, but this show is also top on the highest rated Netflix series of all time, which objectively means the best. And this series’s cultural and social importance could not be more evident. Bringing nostalgia but a modern feel, this reboot nails it, with audiences and critics coming together to agree on one thing — this is an absolute must-watch!
Official Premise: A group of friends launch a babysitting business.
Cast: Sophie Grace, Malia Baker, Momona Tamada, Shay Rudolph, Kyndra Sanchez.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
IMDB Rating: 7.4/10
At Ready Steady Cut, we reviewed season 1: “It’s abundantly transparent that the writers for the reboot had a desire to modernize the story, not repeat it, while also staying loyal.”
And that’s it, folks, the Top 50 Highest Rated and Best Netflix Series of All Time! And we will make sure to update this page every three months, so keep it bookmarked!
Is there any series on this list that you disagree with? Comment below.
If you are interested in Apple TV+, then check out the Best and Highest Rated Apple TV+ shows too.
