Let’s be honest: Netflix drops so much “content” that the actual masterpieces often get buried under the latest reality show or a generic rom-com. Finding Netflix shows you shouldn’t miss is about cutting through that noise to find the series that were actually made by people who love the craft of filmmaking. We’re talking about directors who use the frame to tell the story and scripts that don’t treat you like you’re multitasking while you watch.
This list of Netflix shows you shouldn’t miss is a curated collection of some of the platform’s best work that we haven’t touched on yet. From grimy, street-level crime sagas to visually insane sci-fi experiments, these are the high-confidence binge-watches that define what modern streaming can do when it actually tries. If you’re ready to move past the “trending” row and find something with a real soul, these 10 picks are for you.
Best for: Viewers looking for top-tier Netflix originals that offer unique visual styles, high-level directing, and stories that stick with you.
Common cinephile pain points this list solves: Scrolling for 20 minutes without picking anything / Wasting time on “filler” shows / Flat cinematography / Series that feel like they were made by a committee.
Related Lists: The Best TV Shows on Netflix Right Now / Shows That Hook You From Episode One / Perfect Shows for a Weekend Binge / Hidden TV Gems Worth Your Time
What to watch for
When you’re looking for a must-watch Netflix series, look for visual identity. Does the show have a specific color palette? Does the camera move with a purpose? Pay attention to scene transitions and sound design—these are the hallmarks of a show that wasn’t just “content,” but a real cinematic project. The best ones use every tool in the kit to keep you immersed in the world.
10 Netflix shows you shouldn’t miss
1. Maniac (2018) 🇺🇸
Director/Creator: Cary Joji Fukunaga / Patrick Somerville
Plot: Two strangers connect during a mind-bending pharmaceutical trial that takes them through a series of vivid, subconscious dream worlds designed to heal their trauma.
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
Where to Watch: Netflix
Why it’s a must-watch: It’s visually authored TV at its absolute peak. Directed entirely by Fukunaga, the show changes its aesthetic, lighting, and production design in every episode to match the different dream realities. It’s a high-concept masterpiece that rewards attention to detail.
2. Top Boy (2011–2023) 🇬🇧
Director/Creator: Ronan Bennett
Plot: Two seasoned drug dealers return to the grimy streets of London to reclaim their throne, facing off against young, ruthless rivals in a world where loyalty is a luxury.
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Where to Watch: Netflix
Why it’s a must-watch: This is gritty, street-level realism done with incredible craft. The cinematography captures the London estates with a cold, atmospheric beauty, and the surgical pacing makes every gangland confrontation feel like a high-stakes thriller. It’s the best crime drama you haven’t finished yet.
3. Love, Death & Robots (2019– ) 🇺🇸
Director/Creator: Tim Miller / David Fincher (Producer)
Plot: An anthology of short stories spanning sci-fi, horror, and comedy, each rendered in a different, cutting-edge animation style.
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Where to Watch: Netflix
Why it’s a must-watch: Every episode is a technical experiment. Because each short has a different director, it’s a showcase for inventive blocking and incredible visual storytelling. It’s the perfect “cinephile snack” for anyone who loves seeing how far digital craft can be pushed.
4. The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (2019) 🇺🇸🇬🇧
Director/Creator: Louis Leterrier / Jeffrey Addiss / Will Matthews
Plot: Three Gelflings discover the horrifying secret behind the Skeksis’ power and set out on an epic journey to ignite the fires of rebellion and save their world.
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Where to Watch: Netflix
Why it’s a must-watch: It’s a tactile masterpiece. The show uses actual puppets and massive practical sets, giving it a physical “weight” that CGI shows can’t replicate. The cinematography and lighting are handled like a big-budget epic, making it one of the most beautiful things on the platform.
5. Lupin (2021– ) 🇫🇷
Director/Creator: George Kay / François Uzan
Plot: Inspired by the adventures of Arsène Lupin, a gentleman thief sets out to avenge his father for an injustice inflicted by a wealthy, corrupt family.
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
Where to Watch: Netflix
Why it’s a must-watch: This is heist-craft with style. The show uses Paris as a playground, with clean blocking and clever “sleight of hand” editing that keeps the audience guessing. It’s fast-paced, smart, and has an effortless cinematic charm that makes it an easy binge.
6. Griselda (2024) 🇺🇸
Director/Creator: Doug Miro / Eric Newman / Carlo Bernard / Ingrid Escajeda
Plot: The rise of Griselda Blanco, a savvy and ambitious Colombian businesswoman who created one of the most profitable cartels in history in 1970s Miami.
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
Where to Watch: Netflix
Why it’s a must-watch: It’s period-piece crime with real directorial bite. The show uses a grimy, 1970s-inspired color palette and surgical sound design to recreate the tension of the era. The blocking in the negotiation scenes is a great study in showing how power shifts through presence alone.
7. When They See Us (2019) 🇺🇸
Director/Creator: Ava DuVernay
Plot: Five teens from Harlem become trapped in a nightmare when they’re falsely accused of a brutal attack in Central Park, following their struggle for justice across decades.
IMDb Rating: 8.9/10
Where to Watch: Netflix
Why it’s a must-watch: It’s high-impact storytelling that uses every tool of the medium. DuVernay’s intentional framing and use of close-ups make the emotional weight of the story feel personal and unavoidable. It’s a limited series that uses its structure to show the slow, crushing passage of time.
8. The Haunting of Bly Manor (2020) 🇺🇸
Director/Creator: Mike Flanagan
Plot: A young au pair arrives at an English country estate to care for two orphaned children, only to find that the house holds dark secrets that refuse to stay in the past.
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
Where to Watch: Netflix
Why it’s a must-watch: Flanagan is the modern king of atmospheric horror. The show uses “hidden” ghosts in the background of shots—a brilliant bit of blocking and visual information that keeps the viewer constantly searching the frame. It’s a slow-burn ghost story that values mood over jump scares.
9. GLOW (2017–2019) 🇺🇸
Director/Creator: Liz Flahive / Carly Mensch
Plot: An out-of-work actress in 1980s Los Angeles finds one last chance for stardom by joining a fledgling professional wrestling circuit populated by misfits.
IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
Where to Watch: Netflix
Why it’s a must-watch: It features incredible ensemble blocking. The way the show manages a massive cast in a small wrestling ring is a masterclass in physical comedy and action geography. It’s vibrant, funny, and has a unique visual energy that was perfectly tailored to its era.
10. Cobra Kai (2018–2025) 🇺🇸
Director/Creator: Josh Heald / Jon Hurwitz / Hayden Schlossberg
Plot: Decades after the events of the All Valley Karate Tournament, a down-and-out Johnny Lawrence seeks redemption by reopening the infamous Cobra Kai dojo, reigniting his rivalry with Daniel LaRusso.
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Where to Watch: Netflix
Why it’s a must-watch: It’s better than it has any right to be. The fight choreography is surprisingly clean and readable, using wide shots to show off the actual stunts. The pacing and narrative structure turn a nostalgia play into a high-stakes, character-driven drama that is addictive for viewers of any age.
What to watch next
Next category: TV Shows You’ll Finish Faster Than You Expect (because once you’ve cleared these Netflix must-watches, you’ll want some high-momentum seasons you can crush in a single weekend).