Netflix is an ideal place to find original shows to binge, but ongoing series come with the risk of being canceled before they see their stories through to the end. Completed titles are safer bets, ensuring viewers will at least get closure after all is said and done. The best Netflix originals deliver a finished story and remain engaging from beginning to end. It’s a tough balance to strike, but the series that manage it are more impressive as a result.
They tend to have one thing in common, too: a strong premise that they never lose sight of. These shows all hit the ground running, then keep their foot on the gas throughout. Their stakes, pacing, tone, and themes all feel intentionally executed, and it’s enough to ensure the viewing experience is satisfying from the first episode to the last.
Honorable Mentions
- Stranger Things (2016 – 2025): Stranger Things doesn’t necessarily have a bad season, but its fifth and final outing doesn’t quite live up to the previous ones. Thanks to ambiguous fates, plot armor, and a rushed climax, Stranger Things Season 5 is the most divisive of the bunch. It’s still a strong show throughout, but not enough to make the main list.
- Midnight Mass (2021): Midnight Mass offers a tense tale of fanaticism and religious trauma, and it’s widely regarded as one of Netflix’s best horror offerings. Although the series is nearly flawless, another Mike Flanagan offering is even more perfect — and thus, is the one I chose for this list.
- Mindhunter (2017 – 2019): Mindhunter is one of the greatest Netflix original series ever made, as David Fincher’s series does an excellent job of digging into the psychology behind crime and the history behind criminal profiling. Unfortunately, it wasn’t given the chance to take its story all the way with Mindhunter Season 3. For that reason, its ending feels more frustrating than satisfying.
- Sense8 (2015 – 2018): Like Mindhunter, Sense8 was a phenomenon that had all the right ingredients to become a perfect TV series. However, the sci-fi drama was canceled after Season 2. And while a feature-length film gave the story and characters much-needed closure, it’s still disappointing that it never got to see its original plan through to the end.
‘The Queen’s Gambit’ (2020)
The Show Makes Competitive Chess More Intense Than You’d Think
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Netflix -
The Queen’s Gambit Netflix -
Netflix
Why It’s Great: The Queen’s Gambit takes what should be a quiet game and turns it into an intense and dramatic story, totally upending any expectations audiences might have. The series manages to make chess feel thrilling and interesting, and it balances that narrative with the psychological depth of its main character. Watching Beth Harmon face her trauma and personal struggles feels nearly as satisfying as watching her win a match. It helps that Anya Taylor-Joy is such a force throughout.
How It’s Perfect From Start to Finish: Perhaps maintaining a solid momentum across a single, seven-episode outing isn’t a massive feat, but The Queen’s Gambit is a show that leaves very little room for criticism. The fact that it turns the experiences of a competitive chess player into such a gripping ride is undeniably impressive, and it earns its spot on this list for that achievement alone. The story is tight and surprisingly easy to binge, but it doesn’t sacrifice quality to get there.
‘The Haunting of Hill House’ (2018)
Mike Flanagan’s Best Netflix Series Elicits Every Emotion
Why It’s Great: Nearly all of Mike Flanagan’s Netflix shows come close to perfection, but The Haunting of Hill House fully reaches it. This stunning take on Shirley Jackson’s classic horror novel is the perfect adaptation. It manages to improve on the source material, yet it remains recognizable. That’s a balancing act Flanagan has a knack for. He also manages to blend genuine horror, grief, and familial drama with an undercurrent of hope. The series will make viewers laugh, cry, and jump out of their seats. It offers the whole emotional spectrum.
How It’s Perfect From Start to Finish: The Haunting of Hill House opens with a fractured family and a compelling central mystery, and both are handled well enough to keep viewers invested for the full 10 episodes. The flawed characters keep things interesting, and the questions surrounding their pasts make the show go by fast, even with its intentional pacing. The feeling of dread mounts throughout, and The Haunting of Hill House concludes with one of the most beautiful endings imaginable.
‘Unbelievable’ (2019)
This Netflix Miniseries Is as Powerful as It Is Important
Why It’s Great: Unbelievable is an immensely powerful show, and what makes it a must-watch is how important it is. Unbelievable tackles the aftermath of sexual assault and condemns the institutions that often fail victims. It does so with a great deal of care and respect, and Kaitlyn Dever nails the emotional impact with her lead performance. It’s a devastating series, but it’s also consistently engaging. It’s one viewers will need to sit with, but that only adds to its overall quality.
How It’s Perfect From Start to Finish: One of the most impressive things about Unbelievable is its ability to maintain a tight narrative, even with a non-linear structure. The show is told in two timelines, and they work together to make valid criticisms of the justice system and show a better way. The series is well-written across its eight episodes, and everything from the pacing to the acting elevates it.
‘BoJack Horseman’ (2014 – 2020)
The Cleverly Written Sitcom Has a Shocking Amount of Depth
Why It’s Great: BoJack Horseman is no ordinary sitcom, but it pulls viewers in with the promise of one — then proves much deeper than it originally lets on. The series is known for its realistic and careful exploration of weighty subjects, from alcoholism to mental illness and trauma. Its deeply flawed characters still manage to be relatable, especially its titular lead. It balances its emotional character work with clever humor, striking the perfect balance throughout.
How It’s Perfect From Start to Finish: BoJack Horseman doesn’t initially seem like anything special, but that’s part of what makes its opening so impressive. The series presents itself as a typical animated comedy at first, then surprises viewers with its shift to darker and deeper storylines. This is a testament to the writing quality, as the show always feels intentional. That continues to be the case across six seasons, and the ending fits perfectly with everything that comes before it.
‘Dark’ (2017 – 2020)
The Rare Sci-Fi Show That Nails Time Travel & Mystery-Box Storytelling
Why It’s Great: Dark is widely regarded as a sci-fi masterpiece, and the German-language series boasts one of the best uses of time travel on TV. The three-season show gets off to a slow start, but it’s an intentional and smartly crafted one. The missing-person mystery that’s introduced in the premiere spirals into something much bigger, and upon a rewatch, you’ll realize all the seeds are planted from the jump. Dark is the perfect mystery-box story for those who love seeing small and seemingly insignificant details come together.
How It’s Perfect From Start to Finish: Dark is similar to BoJack Horseman in that it doesn’t take off right away, but the writing and quality are still flawless from the beginning. Once it does pick up and start answering questions, the twists and cliffhangers make it nearly impossible to put down. And Dark‘s ending doesn’t disappoint, something many similar mystery-box shows simply can’t say.
‘You’ (2018 – 2025)
The Series Constantly Finds Ways to Reinvent Itself
Why It’s Great: Based on Caroline Kepnes’s 2014 novel and its sequels, You started on Lifetime then moved to Netflix for Season 2. The show weaves a story of obsession that challenges the “nice guy” archetype, unpacks the dangers of toxic romance tropes, and addresses the violence against women that often gets downplayed and overlooked. Although You can stretch the limits of believability at times, it has important things to say. It’s also thrilling and well-paced, and the performances are incredible — especially Penn Badgley’s turn as Joe.
How It’s Perfect From Start to Finish: You Season 1 perfectly captures the show’s central themes, all while delivering a story that’s equally thrilling and disturbing. The show consistently balances the two, forcing the viewer to unpack why they’re so wrapped up in Joe’s story. In a very meta way, it challenges us to consider whether we’re part of the problem.
You also constantly finds ways to reinvent itself, which is impressive for a show that mostly repeats the same storyline from season to season. It works to its advantage, though, proving that some people never change. The ending is thematically appropriate too, despite being somewhat divisive.
‘Ozark’ (2017 – 2022)
The Crime Drama Refuses to Pull Its Punches From Episode 1
Why It’s Great: Ozark was essentially Netflix’s answer to Breaking Bad, and the crime thriller is another worthy binge. It starts with the cartel seeking out Marty Byrde, who is laundering money for them — and whose business partner has been stealing some for himself. Marty narrowly escapes a death sentence by promising to move to the Ozarks and launder $500 million in just five years.
He’s then tasked with following through on that, which makes for a tense journey as the clock ticks and the Byrdes are dragged deeper into a dark criminal world. The stakes are high, the performances are compelling, and the action and drama are constantly engaging.
How It’s Perfect From Start to Finish: Ozark kicks off with high stakes from Season 1, and things only get more intense from there. Marty’s first encounter with the cartel is a reminder that no one is safe, and the show continues to emphasize that point throughout its run. It makes for a heart-pounding viewing experience, especially as we come to care for some of these characters more than we might like. The ending is true to the show’s tone and themes, and it’s one that will haunt viewers after the credits roll.
‘Arcane’ (2021 – 2024)
The Animated Series Is a Masterpiece in Every Way
Why It’s Great: Arcane is a masterclass in storytelling, blending so many different strengths to deliver a series that’s stylish, gripping, and impactful. On a personal level, Arcane tells a tale of two sisters separated by tragedy and drawn into opposing sides of a conflict between the wealthy and privileged Piltover and the oppressed city of Zaun. As you might imagine, it touches on important themes of classism, change, and trauma — and does so while presenting incredible action, character arcs, and world-building.
How It’s Perfect From Start to Finish: At just two seasons, Arcane is able to maintain a high quality throughout its run. The animation and production are top-notch across its 18 episodes, and both outings have soundtracks that will send viewers straight to Spotify. The show kicks off with a charming found-family dynamic before throwing a gut-wrenching turn at viewers. From there, the show explores weighty topics and manages to do them and its overarching plot justice before it’s through.
- Release Date
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2021 – 2024
- Network
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Netflix
- Showrunner
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Christian Linke
- Directors
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Barth Maunoury, Marietta Ren, Christelle Abgrall
- Writers
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Amanda Overton, Nick Luddington, Mollie Bickley St. John, Ben St. John, Giovanna Sarquis, Henry G.M. Jones
- Franchise(s)
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League of Legends
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