EDIT: This list contains some great Netflix shows- BUT I have an updated (2016 edition) list with 70 amazing Netflix TV series, movies, and documentaries as well! Be sure and check out this post, too. You’ll be glad you did!
I have a love/hate relationship with Netflix.
I love it because I can now watch great TV series(es?) on my iPad or Kindle, which makes cooking, cleaning, laundry, and working out a lot less boring. I hate it because I have trouble finding anything on Netflix that’s worth watching.
That’s where you guys come into the picture.
Last week, I asked Suburban Turmoil readers on Facebook for your favorite Netflix shows. 200 comments later, I now have a Netflix queue that should keep me entertained for the next few years — and I couldn’t keep all this great information to myself.
That’s why I’m sharing it with you- These are the 35 Netflix TV series that came up the most in your comments. Program descriptions are from Netflix- and from me, if I’ve seen them or heard a lot about them. Save this post, share this post, and most of all, ENJOY some great television!
House of Cards was hands down your favorite Netflix series. I can’t wait to watch it.
Three Emmy Award wins including David Fincher (“The Social Network”) for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series and nine nominations including Outstanding Drama Series went to this acclaimed political thriller. Lead Actor nominee Kevin Spacey stars as ruthless, cunning Congressman Francis Underwood, who will stop at nothing to conquer the halls of power in Washington D.C. His secret weapon: his gorgeous, ambitious, and equally conniving wife Claire (Lead Actress nominee Robin Wright).
I’ve only seen the first episode of Portlandia, and I already love it. It’s funny in the same way that SNL was funny back in the Will Ferrell/Cheri Oteri years.
Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein send up the righteous, artistically inclined and 100% organic residents of Portland, Ore., in this sketch-based comedy series. Typical targets include artisanal light bulbs, feminist bookstores and indie rock.
I just spent the last couple of months watching every episode of Parenthood. I am so in love with this show.
Four grown siblings juggle parenthood, relationships, careers and more as they cope with life’s ups and downs in this family drama set in Berkeley, Calif. Meanwhile, their parents face an unraveling marriage and their own parenting challenges.
Dennis and I are watching Friday Night Lights together. It is so amazingly good.
Football is god in small-town Texas, where the Dillon High School Panthers seem to be a shoo-in for the state championship for the first time in 15 years — and the pressure to win is enormous for the team’s new coach, Eric Taylor.
Orange is the New Black is another series I watched compulsively from start to finish. It’s raunchy, but also well-written and hilarious and just plain old entertaining. Can’t WAIT for season two.
From the creator of βWeedsβ comes a heartbreaking and hilarious new series set in a womenβs prison. Piper Chapmanβs wild past comes back to haunt her, resulting in her arrest and detention in a federal penitentiary. To pay her debt to society, Piper trades her comfortable New York life for an orange prison jumpsuit and finds unexpected conflict and camaraderie amidst an eccentric group of inmates.
I’m watching Scandal now. Every episode will keep you riveted.
Olivia Pope leads a team of Washington, D.C., lawyers who specialize in making scandals disappear. As they secretly handle crises at the highest levels of government, the dysfunctional team must also cope with problems closer to home.
If you like Downton Abbey, you will love The Tudors. It’s the television version of a good, trashy historical romance.
All the splendor and scandal of England’s 16th-century royal court comes to life in this series that follows notorious Tudor monarch Henry VIII. The king often lets his passions rule, making for one of the most tumultuous periods of the throne.
So many people I know say Breaking Bad is the best television series OF ALL TIME. I can’t wait to watch it.
A high school chemistry teacher dying of cancer teams with a former student to manufacture and sell crystal meth to secure his family’s future.
Desperate Housewives is another show that’s the equivalent of a mindlessly entertaining beach read. I’ve seen nearly every season now and it never gets old.
Winner of multiple Golden Globes, this popular prime-time soap follows the exploits of suburbanites Susan (Teri Hatcher), Lynette (Felicity Huffman), Bree (Marcia Cross), Gabrielle (Eva Longoria) and Edie (Nicollette Sheridan), whose daily lives run the gamut from parenting and marriage woes to steamy sex and deadly betrayal. Even as the ladies of Wisteria Lane harbor dark secrets, they lend one another support when the going gets tough.
If you’ve somehow gotten to this point in your life and have never watched Grey’s Anatomy, GET ON IT, GIRL! This series is amazing!
Intern (and eventual resident) Meredith Grey finds herself caught up in personal and professional passions with fellow doctors at a Seattle hospital.
While I’m not generally a fan of television musicals, Glee is so funny and entertaining and well-written, it transcended the genre.
Amid relationship woes and personal attacks from a wicked cheerleading coach, a teacher fights to turn underdog glee club members into winners.
Watching Call the Midwife is like reading a great book.
Set in the 1950s, this period drama based on the memoirs of Jennifer Worth follows new midwife Jenny Lee and the other midwives and nuns working in a nursing convent in an impoverished section of London’s East End.
Sherlock got rave reviews from many of you.
In this updated take on Arthur Conan Doyle’s beloved mystery tales, the eccentric sleuth prowls the streets of modern-day London in search of clues. At his side — though hobbling — is flatmate Dr. John Watson, fresh from the war in Afghanistan.
The Walking Dead. So. Dang. Good.
And gross.
BUT GOOD.
In the wake of a zombie apocalypse, survivors hold on to the hope of humanity by banding together to wage a fight for their own survival.
I haven’t yet seen Fringe, but any J.J. Abrams show is worth watching.
As part of Fringe Division, eager young FBI agent Olivia Dunham uses experimental science to unravel the layers of mystery surrounding a series of dangerous — and escalating — paranormal events called the Pattern.
Dollhouse is a Joss Whedon series I have seen- and I loved it. Eliza Dushku was great in this series, and it’s fun seeing her play so many different characters.
Programmable “doll” for hire Echo is routinely implanted with memories and skills she’ll need to carry out missions. After her handlers erase her mind, she tries to understand the recollections that are starting to creep into her consciousness.
I love Mad Men so much– and it’s on Netflix! YAY.
Set in 1960s New York City, this series takes a peek inside an ad agency during an era when the cutthroat business had a glamorous lure.
In Weeds, Nancy Botwin takes a big hit when her husband dies suddenly and she’s left struggling to maintain her comfortable lifestyle — so the suburban soccer mom summons up her inner entrepreneur and starts selling pot to her affluent neighbors.
The Office chronicles the daily foibles of office workers at the Dunder Mifflin paper company, where deluded boss Michael Scott attempts to shepherd his employees as a documentary film crew captures every wince-worthy moment.
Alias is a huge fan favorite- Several of you said you watch this series all over again every year. Now that’s love.
Created by J.J. Abrams, this action-packed spy series made a star of lithe leading lady Jennifer Garner, who redefined armed and dangerous as double agent Sydney Bristow, a CIA operative whose mission is to destroy a global crime syndicate.
We watched every episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer with my stepdaughters, and I’ll do the same with my daughter when she’s a little older. This is a great show!
Despite her desire to live a normal life at Sunnydale High, tough-as-nails teenager Buffy Summers fulfills her mystical calling as a Slayer by protecting humankind from vampires, demons and other malevolent supernatural creatures.
Inspired by Alexandre Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo, Revenge follows a lovely young woman who moves to the Hamptons and charms the pants off her new neighbors — while plotting their downfall for sins committed against her family.
After seizing control of its town, gun-running motorcycle club the Sons of Anarchy soon butts heads with rival biker gangs, racist groups and the law. Meanwhile, young Jax Teller finds himself torn between protecting his son and loyalty to his gang.
In Freaks and Geeks, a group of high school students in 1980 faces various social struggles. Lindsay Weir rebels and begins hanging out with a crowd of burnouts, courtesy of an invitation from Daniel Desario.
Winning four consecutive Emmy Awards for Outstanding Drama Series, The West Wing chronicles the triumphs and travails of White House senior staff under the administration of President Josiah Bartlet.
In
The Killing, a young Seattle girl’s disappearance sets in motion this moody crime series centering on a conflicted detective who’s working on the case.
30 Rock stars Emmy-winning series creator Tina Fey as Liz Lemon, an unlucky-in-love New Yorker who heads up a ragtag team of writers on the fictional NBC variety show “TGS with Tracy Jordan.” The top-notch ensemble cast also features Alec Baldwin as pompous network executive Jack Donaghy, Tracy Morgan and Jane Krakowski as the pampered stars of “TGS,” and Jack McBrayer as a relentlessly upbeat NBC page.
Four ordinary women with an extraordinary flair for code-breaking and razor-sharp intelligence skills are the focus of The Bletchley Circle. Having served as code breakers in World War II, the four now focus their talents on catching killers.
Dennis and I are watching American Horror Story now. It’s so creepy and twisted and it gives me nightmares and Jessica Lange is fantastic! LOVE.
Exploring humankind’s unsettling capacity for evil, this darkly twisted drama plays upon the power of supernatural fears and everyday horrors. Each season brings back familiar faces, but they’re playing different characters in an all-new setting.
The Forsyte Saga is an epic miniseries follows the Victorian pride of the Forsyte clan through the scandals and mistakes of the patriarch, Soames. His ways change when he sees his cherished daughter grow into a captivating young woman who carries on the family pride.
In McLeod’s Daughters, this empowering hit Australian drama series reunites a pair of long-lost half-sisters who inherit their father’s financially troubled farm and hire a staff of hardworking women to help bring it back to life. Although it’s been 20 years since Claire (Lisa Chappell) and Tess (Bridie Carter) have seen each other, their reunion is less than rosy. But as the siblings mend fences around the ranch, they repair lingering wounds in each other’s hearts.
Watch Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries and immerse yourself in the opulent, exciting and sometimes dangerous world of Australia’s leading lady — Det. Phryne Fisher — who is a glamorous and thoroughly modern woman of the 1920s.
It’s the story of a wealthy family that lost everything, and the one son who had no choice but to keep them all together. It’s the return of the award-winning Arrested Development, starring Emmy nominee Jason Bateman and one of the funniest ensembles in TV comedy, who taught viewers the meaning of βnever nude,β spread a dangerous amount of misinformation about maritime law, and reminded everyone βthat’s why you always leave a note.β
Parks and Recreation focuses on Leslie Knope, a public employee with the Parks and Recreation department in rural Pawnee, Ind. Although Leslie is full of energy and good ideas for community improvements, she finds herself bogged down by bureaucracy.
Jennifer Morrison, Ginnifer Goodwin and Robert Carlyle star in Once Upon a Time, a fantastical series that follows the travails of a young woman who is drawn to a small Maine town and discovers that it’s filled with the mystical elements of the fairy tale world.
Got more Netflix favorites? Share them in the comments! The more options, the better!
Supernatural! Two yummy brothers fighting monsters, ghosts, vampires and other creatures. Very addicting!
You must add The Following to your list!!!
YOU ARE AWESOME! Just when I thought there was NO MORE TV I could watch- oy.:)
Rescue Me, Lost and The Vampire Diaries! π
i’m so with you! i love the vampire diaries and then they came out with the originals which is good but they need to bring in some of the original characters like damon yummy
Dexter!
Netflix is my boyfriend.
wow.hes cheating on me..
and me…
Same…. But luckily for him I will always love netflix…
And how about Ally McBeal?
Firefly, from Joss Whedon. It won’t take long, but it is oh so good. Then you can watch the movie Serenity. Joss created Dollhouse as well. I’m not sure Abrams was involved…. ???
Oops, you’re right! I loved Firefly and Serenity- Didn’t know they were on Netflix! Thanks!
Farscape! It’s not everyone’s cup of tea but if you love Serenity and Firefly, you’ll definitely love Farscape!
i LOVED farscape.. havent seen the series’-end movie yet though ):
I second the commenter than said you must add “The Following” to this list. It is oh so creepy and Kevin Bacon is at his best. Fantastic show!
I second the commenter that said you must add “The Following” to this list. It is oh so creepy and Kevin Bacon is at his very best!
I’d trade out American Horror Story for the new Doctor Who.
‘Top of the Lake’ for those that like ‘A Killing’ or ‘The Following’.
I’m addicted to Scandal. It is my crack. Started it on Netflix and am now in withdrawals waiting for new episodes to come back. February 27th. Counting down…
The husband and I got into Psych on Netflix after a friend recommended it. Took a couple episodes for us to get really into it but after that it made us laugh hysterically every time.
I have to say that the Killing was my fav. I also liked Dead Zone
Longmire. House of Cards. Vikings.
Awesome, I have seen practically eveything on the list except the comedies!
Broadchurch, Hetty Wainthropp, Are You Being Served?, Orphan Black, Doc Martin, Wallander, Tommy & Tuppance, Ripper, Helix, Inspector Lewis, Blue Murder, Prime Suspect (The Helen Mirren classic), Vicar of Dibley, The Diets That Time Forgot, Mr. & Mrs. Murder, Keeping Up Appearances, &, of course, Murder In Suburbia! Some are on PBS.org, some Netflix, some Hulu, others on Acorn.tv. If you use the free trial month of Acorn judiciously, you can catch all the goodies, gratis. This is a heavily BBC-laden list, favoring Mysteries, Thrillers, & Ensemble Comedies. No cucumber sandwiches, required. I’ve watched all these titles via streaming, at one point; apologies if a few have rolled off.
Turbo! A new animated show for the kids. It’s nice to have an offering for the kids too.
I love Parenthood! I watched all the previous seasons in January. Netflix got me hooked on Pretty Little liars and the Fosters.
my 2 favorites π
Giving a shout out to “Don’t Trust the B in Apartment 23” – hysterical. So funny.
I am glad to see Once Upon A Time here, looking forward to see a new season on netflix! If you like to watch detective series like me , here is my list : http://www.sweetieandgeek.com/good-detective-shows-on-netflix/
Watching Desperate Housewives now I’m really loving it!
How I Met Your Mother???
I have to say for a movie, “Mrs. Pettigrew lives for a day.” is worth the watch. The Finder, series is short but very good. The killing I just finished and it’s what led me here to see what others were watching. I watch SOA weekly, and of course breaking bad is a mustd I guess i am guilty netflix is my boyfriend too! I’m glad to know i’m not the only one who has a $7 month habit! LOL
some good shows that i watch is the vampire diaries, the 100, witches of east end, vampire knight, blood, and American horror story so you guys should check them out
can you guys give me some good shows with young romance please
Reign is new on Netflix and it’s great- also, Pretty Little Liars. π
LUTHER, Battlestar Galatica, Gossip Girl, Midsomer Murders
The Gates is rarely talked about:( I never even knew this show existed until it popped up on my suggested list on Netflix. The show is great!!! It’s like desperate housewives with supernatural Influences. Such a shame it’s been canceled. What is even worse is the cliff-hanger at the end. What the hell happens? I wish there was a book! My heart is forever broken.
The 100, The Vampire Diaries, The Walking Dead,Breaking Bad,Weeds,Orange is the new black,pretty little liars, The originals, heroes,lost.. ALL A MUST SEE. Give them a try
Just finished watching all of Orange is the new black. I feel like there’s no other series I’ll love as much. What would you recommend? Thanks
Lost, any day.
i watched all of those besides orange is the new black and weeds might as well try those
The Fall: that chick from X-Files as a cop pitted against that hunk from 50 Shades of Grey as a serial killer = no brainer. Also recommend Top of the Lake and Broadchurch in the crime drama genre.
THE VAMPIRE DIARIES is the best show ever! Not just for women men love it also! It’s a thriller, every category into one show! Also watch The Originals! It’s a spin off from the vampire diaries so to fully know everything that’s going on wait until season 4 of The Vampire Diaries to start The Originals!
That awkward moment when you’ve seen all these TV shows….
EVERYONE MUST WATCH LOST! ???????????? There will never be a show I love as much as I did that one!! At least I haven’t found one yet… not even one that comes close!!
Must. Watch!!!!