Ever wondered what the top-rated TV shows on Netflix are? Wonder no more – these are the best of the best
Is there anything more disappointing than dedicating a Saturday night to a Netflix show that everyone is talking about, only to find out it’s a total stinker? It’s happened to us, a lot.
You see, Netflix only recommends the shows it thinks you’ll like. So, if we loved Emily In Paris we’re probably going to like Clueless. Correct - the algorithm works. But it doesn’t mean we’re not partial to a dark true crime documentary or a gritty suspense thriller, like Ozark. We do have layers, yunno?
So, what about the shows that the critics liked? A Rotten Tomatoes score (or Tomatometer) is based on the opinions of hundreds of film and television critics. The percentage given to any one is based on how many positive reviews it got and it’s one of the industry’s most trusted ways to rank quality entertainment.
Is it Friday yet?
In 2021, when we literally couldn’t love TV any harder, there has been some exceptional new releases on Netflix. Last year, miniseries The Queen’s Gambit was the real one to watch. Not only did it score 100% Rotten Tomatoes (!!), it smashed Netflix viewership records with more than 62 million household views in its first month on the streaming site.
Then of course Bridgerton came along on Christmas Day and basically blew every other show out the park. In fact, it's now Netflix's most-watched show ever. The lavish, witty, very raunchy period drama was streamed by 82 million households in its first month alone – how impressive is that?!
Also scoring a mega 100% last Christmas was mini-series Dash & Lily, while some of the best new seasons to come to the streaming site in 2020 included Season 3 of Ozark, Season 2 of Sex Education and Dead To Me Season 2, proving that some shows get even better with time.
Here, we rank the best shows on Netflix according to their Rotten Tomatoes rating for a good watch, guaranteed.
NetflixThe Queen’s Gambit (Rotten Tomatoes: 100%)
Only the best new thing to watch on Netflix right now, The Queen’s Gambit is a limited series based on a 1983 novel about Beth Harmon, one woman on a quest to become the world's greatest chess player. With almost as many household views as Stranger Things Series 3, the series has made the Top 10 in 92 countries and ranked number 1 in 63, according to Netflix. Now that’s hype we can believe in.
NetflixDash & Lily (Rotten Tomatoes: 100%)
Usually, we’re obsessed with Christmas films at this time of year, but a festive TV series has read the room perfectly. We love this sweetly endearing rom-com style show that’s a little bit Gossip Girl and a little bit Never Have I Ever. Importantly though, it’s won over the actual experts, so it’s definitely one for the watchlist.
NetflixMindhunter, Season Two (Rotten Tomatoes: 99%)
Series 2 of Mindhunter, starring Jonathan Groff and Holt McCallany, arrived on Netflix in 2019 and was even more popular (99% Rotten Tomatoes) with the critics than the first (97% Rotten Tomatoes). The second season follows a series of racially motivated murders in Atlanta, based on a real case from 1980.
NetflixDead To Me, Season Two (Rotten Tomatoes: 97%)
We cannot get enough of Judy and Jen, aka Linda Cardellini and Christina Applegate. Despite the grim circumstance of their first meeting, you’ll find yourself laughing out loud as they become fast friends and then housemates. We’re not even a bit surprised to see Will Ferrell pop up in the executive producer credits.
NetflixOzark, Season Three (Rotten Tomatoes: 97%)
Thankfully, Ozark is not quite finished yet! The show will return to Netflix for a fourth season in two parts after Season 3 won the best ratings from critics so far. If that’s not reason enough to stick with it, we don’t know what is.
NetflixSex Education, Series Two (Rotten Tomatoes: 97%)
Just as they announce a third season of Sex Education, it’s time to catch up on the first two. It’s the series that everyone seems to be talking about and, in this case, the series definitely lives up to the hype.
NetflixRussian Doll (Rotten Tomatoes: 97%)
Russian Doll came out around 18 months ago but if you still haven't seen it, it comes highly-recommended. It's a Groundhog Day-style comedy about Nadia who's having a never-ending bad day. Been there? It's 2020, we all have.
NetflixNever Have I Ever, Season One (Rotten Tomatoes: 96%)
Achieving 96% Rotten Tomatoes from the critics, clearly the experts loved Never Have I Ever just as much as we did. Production has started on a second season so this one’s not just going to be a one hit wonder.
NetflixWhen They See Us (Rotten Tomatoes: 96%)
Based on the true story of the Central Park Five, who were charged with the assault and rape of a woman in New York's Central Park back in 1989. The dramatisation of the events shone a new spotlight on the case earlier this year and frankly, it needs to be seen to be believed.
NetflixUnorthodox (Rotten Tomatoes: 95%)
Another miniseries that arrived on Netflix earlier this year, Unorthodox was the much-buzzed based on the biography Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots. The drama was called 'stunning,' 'remarkable' and 'brilliant' with extremely high praise for leading actor Shira Haas.
NetflixBridgerton (Rotten Tomatoes: 89%)
While it may not boast the highest Rotten Tomatoes score, Bridgerton does hold the pretty remarkable accolade of being Netflix's most-streamed show ever. If you haven't tuned in to the gossip-driven period drama, focusing on the relationship between Daphne Bridgerton and the Duke of Hastings, then quite frankly, where have you been?
