Special Report

The Best Shows to Watch on Netflix Right Now

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This fall, Netflix is saying goodbye to several series, including the slasher anthology “Scream” and the ‘90s sitcom “Sister, Sister.” Luckily, there are still dozens of fan favorites and critically acclaimed shows to binge. (Here’s a list of the most watched Netflix original movies and shows of all time.)

To determine the best series to stream on Netflix this September, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on audience reception from IMDb, a wholly owned subsidiary of Amazon. Television shows streaming on Netflix were ranked based on average IMDb user rating as of Sept. 1, 2023. Only shows with at least 10,000 user reviews were considered. In the case of tied scores, shows with more reviews were rated higher. Data on streaming availability for September 2023 is from Reelgood.

If historical drama with plenty of fight scenes is what you’re after, try “The Last Kingdom,” a five-season epic tale of conquest between the Saxons and the Vikings as Alfred the Great attempts to unify the disparate kingdoms that would become England. Another action-packed show full of villains is “Narcos,” a look at the career of Colombian drug kingpin Pablo Escobar.

Several animated series are on the list, including “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” a fantasy tale that follows a group of youths with extraordinary powers as they attempt to prevent an evil lord from destroying the delicate balance between four contrasting nations, as well as “Cowboy Bebop,” a Japanese anime space western about a crew of interplanetary bounty hunters.

Click here to see all the best series to stream on Netflix this September

Documentary series include the British nature series “Our Planet,” as well as the true-crime show “Making a Murderer,” and the stunt-filled automotive offering “Top Gear.” Comedies include the classic sitcom about life in New York, “Seinfeld,” and the offbeat Canadian cult favorite “Trailer Park Boys.” (These are the best international shows to ever stream on Netflix.)

Courtesy of ADV Films

50. Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995-1996)
> IMDb user rating: 8.5/10
> IMDb user votes: 78,439
> Episode count: 26

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Courtesy of Netflix

49. Sacred Games (2018-2019)
> IMDb user rating: 8.5/10
> IMDb user votes: 90,873
> Episode count: 16

Courtesy of BBC America

48. The Last Kingdom (2015-2022)
> IMDb user rating: 8.5/10
> IMDb user votes: 157,663
> Episode count: 46

Courtesy of YouTube Premium

47. Cobra Kai (2018-2023)
> IMDb user rating: 8.5/10
> IMDb user votes: 197,030
> Episode count: 51

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Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company

46. Community (2009-2015)
> IMDb user rating: 8.5/10
> IMDb user votes: 281,916
> Episode count: 110

Courtesy of tvN

45. Twenty Five Twenty One (2022)
> IMDb user rating: 8.6/10
> IMDb user votes: 11,115
> Episode count: 16

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Courtesy of tvN

44. Flower of Evil (2020)
> IMDb user rating: 8.6/10
> IMDb user votes: 11,541
> Episode count: 36

Courtesy of Public Broadcasting Service

43. The Great British Baking Show (2010-present)
> IMDb user rating: 8.6/10
> IMDb user votes: 11,710
> Episode count: 169

Courtesy of Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)

42. Call the Midwife (2012-present)
> IMDb user rating: 8.6/10
> IMDb user votes: 29,191
> Episode count: 114

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Courtesy of Netflix

41. It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (2020)
> IMDb user rating: 8.6/10
> IMDb user votes: 29,785
> Episode count: 16

Courtesy of BBC America

40. Trailer Park Boys (2001-2018)
> IMDb user rating: 8.6/10
> IMDb user votes: 47,877
> Episode count: 106

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Courtesy of Cartoon Network

39. Justice League (2001-2004)
> IMDb user rating: 8.6/10
> IMDb user votes: 49,562
> Episode count: 52

Courtesy of Netflix

38. Heartstopper (2022-present)
> IMDb user rating: 8.6/10
> IMDb user votes: 69,282
> Episode count: 24

Courtesy of Netflix

37. Making a Murderer (2015-2018)
> IMDb user rating: 8.6/10
> IMDb user votes: 100,053
> Episode count: 20

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Courtesy of Netflix

36. The Crown (2016-2023)
> IMDb user rating: 8.6/10
> IMDb user votes: 233,595
> Episode count: 60

Courtesy of Showtime Networks

35. Shameless (2011-2021)
> IMDb user rating: 8.6/10
> IMDb user votes: 263,026
> Episode count: 134

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Courtesy of Netflix

34. Mindhunter (2017-2019)
> IMDb user rating: 8.6/10
> IMDb user votes: 313,706
> Episode count: 19

Courtesy of Discovery Force Channel

33. Justice League Unlimited (2004-2006)
> IMDb user rating: 8.7/10
> IMDb user votes: 18,752
> Episode count: 39

Courtesy of Netflix

32. Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022)
> IMDb user rating: 8.7/10
> IMDb user votes: 21,817
> Episode count: 16

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Courtesy of Netflix

31. Wentworth (2013-2021)
> IMDb user rating: 8.7/10
> IMDb user votes: 23,556
> Episode count: 100

Courtesy of Crunchyroll

30. Haikyu!! (2014-2020)
> IMDb user rating: 8.7/10
> IMDb user votes: 31,122
> Episode count: 89

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Courtesy of Netflix

29. Crash Landing on You (2019-2020)
> IMDb user rating: 8.7/10
> IMDb user votes: 36,118
> Episode count: 19

Courtesy of Chiller

28. Monster (2004-2005)
> IMDb user rating: 8.7/10
> IMDb user votes: 38,326
> Episode count: 75

Courtesy of Netflix

27. Anne with an E (2017-2019)
> IMDb user rating: 8.7/10
> IMDb user votes: 61,434
> Episode count: 27

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Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company (NBC)

26. Friday Night Lights (2006-2011)
> IMDb user rating: 8.7/10
> IMDb user votes: 70,103
> Episode count: 76

Courtesy of BBC Worldwide

25. Top Gear (2002-present)
> IMDb user rating: 8.7/10
> IMDb user votes: 123,562
> Episode count: 327

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Courtesy of Adult Swim

24. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (2019-present)
> IMDb user rating: 8.7/10
> IMDb user votes: 130,628
> Episode count: 55

Courtesy of Adult Swim

23. One Punch Man (2015-2019)
> IMDb user rating: 8.7/10
> IMDb user votes: 175,536
> Episode count: 25

Courtesy of Fox Network

22. Arrested Development (2003-2019)
> IMDb user rating: 8.7/10
> IMDb user votes: 316,509
> Episode count: 84

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Courtesy of Netflix

21. Dark (2017-2020)
> IMDb user rating: 8.7/10
> IMDb user votes: 418,860
> Episode count: 26

Courtesy of Netflix

20. House of Cards (2013-2018)
> IMDb user rating: 8.7/10
> IMDb user votes: 519,588
> Episode count: 73

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Courtesy of Netflix

19. Black Mirror (2011-present)
> IMDb user rating: 8.7/10
> IMDb user votes: 608,362
> Episode count: 27

Courtesy of Warner Home Video

18. Stranger Things (2016-present)
> IMDb user rating: 8.7/10
> IMDb user votes: 1,270,653
> Episode count: 42

Courtesy of Netflix

17. Alchemy of Souls (2022-present)
> IMDb user rating: 8.8/10
> IMDb user votes: 13,106
> Episode count: 30

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Courtesy of Crunchyroll

16. Vinland Saga (2019-present)
> IMDb user rating: 8.8/10
> IMDb user votes: 57,985
> Episode count: 48

Courtesy of Comedy Central

15. Chappelle’s Show (2003-2006)
> IMDb user rating: 8.8/10
> IMDb user votes: 69,269
> Episode count: 33

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Courtesy of Netflix

14. Narcos (2015-2017)
> IMDb user rating: 8.8/10
> IMDb user votes: 450,534
> Episode count: 30

Courtesy of Netflix

13. Peaky Blinders (2013-2022)
> IMDb user rating: 8.8/10
> IMDb user votes: 602,334
> Episode count: 36

Courtesy of Adult Swim

12. Cowboy Bebop (1998-1999)
> IMDb user rating: 8.9/10
> IMDb user votes: 130,155
> Episode count: 26

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Courtesy of 4 Kids Entertainment

11. One Piece (1999-present)
> IMDb user rating: 8.9/10
> IMDb user votes: 175,838
> Episode count: 1,081

Courtesy of National Broadcasting Company

10. Seinfeld (1989-1998)
> IMDb user rating: 8.9/10
> IMDb user votes: 337,072
> Episode count: 173

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Courtesy of Adult Swim

9. Death Note (2006-2007)
> IMDb user rating: 8.9/10
> IMDb user votes: 353,859
> Episode count: 37

Courtesy of HBO Max

8. Friends (1994-2004)
> IMDb user rating: 8.9/10
> IMDb user votes: 1,042,532
> Episode count: 235

Courtesy of Netflix

7. Kota Factory (2019-2021)
> IMDb user rating: 9.0/10
> IMDb user votes: 77,442
> Episode count: 10

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Courtesy of Adult Swim

6. Hunter x Hunter (2011-2014)
> IMDb user rating: 9.0/10
> IMDb user votes: 118,159
> Episode count: 148

Courtesy of Netflix

5. Arcane (2021-present)
> IMDb user rating: 9.0/10
> IMDb user votes: 240,532
> Episode count: 10

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Courtesy of American Movie Classics

4. Better Call Saul (2015-2022)
> IMDb user rating: 9.0/10
> IMDb user votes: 600,271
> Episode count: 63

Courtesy of Netflix

3. Our Planet (2019-2023)
> IMDb user rating: 9.3/10
> IMDb user votes: 47,973
> Episode count: 13

Courtesy of Nickelodeon Network

2. Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-2008)
> IMDb user rating: 9.3/10
> IMDb user votes: 341,078
> Episode count: 62

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Courtesy of American Movie Classics

1. Breaking Bad (2008-2013)
> IMDb user rating: 9.5/10
> IMDb user votes: 2,027,938
> Episode count: 62

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