Top 10 Best NETFLIX TV SHOWS to Watch Now! 2026

[00:00] Howdy folks, Brett here with another Top 10. When going through the Netflix guide, deciding what to watch can be a difficult task. So coming up based on our personal favorites, I'll count down the Top 10 original series

[00:13] that you can watch right now on Netflix. To qualify, the series must be current with new episodes released since last year's video. And these will be ranked based on entertainment value alone. Let's get started.

[00:31] Starting off our countdown, coming in at number 10 is the Beast and Me. The psychological crime thriller is an eight episode limited series that stars Claire Daines and Matthew Reyes.

[00:43] The story follows an author played by Daines who begins writing a book about her new next-door neighbor played by Reyes who is a real-state executive who allegedly killed his wife. The Beast and Me is well written with excellent performances from the entire cast.

[00:59] Next up, a man on the inside comes in at number nine. This comedy series is one of only a few ever created for Netflix that's actually watchable. It was created by Michael Schur, who's known for his work on the American version of the office

[01:13] and creator of The Good Place. It stars Ted Danson as a retired professor who gets a new lease on life when he gets hired to go undercover inside a San Francisco retirement home.

[01:25] Danson, as usual, is at the top of his game with a good supporting cast and the writing is fantastic. Two seasons of a man on the inside are available to watch right now. And at number eight is the supernatural comedy horror Wednesday, which is based on the

[01:40] Adam's family character, Wednesday Adams, with Tim Burton serving as one of the executive producers. The series follows Wednesday, while attending Nevermore Academy, while she attempts to master, her emerging psychic ability thwart a killing spree and solve the mystery that embroiled her

[01:56] parents 25 years earlier. The show's not just for teenagers, it's good for all ages. Two seasons of Wednesday are on the streaming service now and has been renewed for a third season.

[02:09] Coming in at number seven is Death by Lightning. This is the first of two in a row that far exceeded my expectations. This historical drama for episode limited series features a fantastic ensemble cast,

[02:22] including Michael Shannon, Matthew McFadden, and many others. It stars Shannon as president of the United States, James Garfield, and McFadden as his assassin Charles Guto. With only four episodes they get right to it without dragging things out with too much filler

[02:38] and the performances are outstanding. In at number six, last Samurai standing is the other one that exceeded expectations. This historical Japanese action drama was adapted from the novel of the same name.

[02:53] It takes place in 1878 where 292 Samurai's gather for a battle royale lured by a 100 billion yen prize with the last survivor reaching Tokyo wins. This character driven, period piece features intense action scenes and the visuals are stunning.

[03:10] Last Samurai standing has been renewed by Netflix for a second season. The political thriller The Diplomat takes the number five spot. The series stars Carrie Russell as Kate Wiler.

[03:24] She plays the new US ambassador to the UK where she helps to forge strategic alliances, diffuse international crisis, and adjust to her new role being thrust into the spotlight. While at the same time she's also managing a failing marriage to how Wiler

[03:38] a fellow career diplomat played by Rufus Seule. If you enjoy shows like succession and house of cards with witty dialogue, the series should be on your watch list. Three seasons of the diplomat are available to watch right now and has been renewed

[03:53] for fourth. Coming in at number four is the long-running sci-fi anthology series Black Mirror. Episodes are standalone with each dealing with the unintended consequences of future technologies.

[04:07] If you haven't seen it yet, it's worth checking out. The seventh season released over the past year has some episodes that are quite thought-provoking that you soon won't forget. All seven seasons of Black Mirror are on Netflix right now and has been renewed for an eighth season.

[04:24] Before we get to our top three here are some other Netflix originals that for some of you might be worth your time to check out. The historical drama House of Guinness. The romantic western Ransom Canyon. The sports comedy Running Point.

[04:40] The South Korean dystopian survival thriller Squid Game. The crime drama Untamed. The mystery thriller his and hers. And the crime thriller Black Rabbit.

[04:53] Now for our top three, Cobra Kai takes the number three spot. This martial arts comedy drama is a sequel to the original karate kid films. It stars Ralph Machio and William Zapka reprising their roles as Daniel Larusso and Johnny Lawrence.

[05:09] The series begins with Johnny who's down on his luck reopening the infamous Cobra Kai Dojo reigniting his rivalry with Daniel who's now successful businessman. Despite being somewhat cheesy at times, this nostalgic series is well-written, highly entertaining

[05:24] and unlike most shows has a very satisfying conclusion. All six seasons of Cobra Kai with the sixth being the last are available to watch right now. And the runner-up spot coming in at number two is Department Q. This British crime thriller

[05:41] stars Matthew Good as DCI Carl Mork living with the guilt following an attack that left his partner paralyzed and another policeman dead. Upon returning to work, he becomes the head of a cold

[05:53] case unit concentrating on unsolved crimes. The storyline is fantastic with great performances especially by good. If your fan of shows like Slow Horses, Department Q is a must watch.

[06:06] It's been renewed for a second season. Coming in at number one, Stranger Things takes the top spot for the first time ever and all the years we've been doing this countdown. Created by the Duffer Brothers, the series follows supernatural events

[06:21] primarily occurring in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana during the 1980s. The series leans heavily into nostalgic moments from that time period and is reminiscent of films by Stephen King, Stephen Spielberg and others. While cheesy at times as a collective whole,

[06:38] it's one of the finest science fiction series ever to be created. All five seasons of Stranger Things with the fifth being the last are available to watch right now. Thanks for watching. If you enjoyed this video and you'd like to see us do more videos like this,

[06:53] give it a thumbs up and share it with others. What is your favorite Netflix original series? Let us know about it in the comments. And if you're new to our channel, subscribe and hit the bell to not miss out on our latest hot cans and other tech-related stuff here on Bret In Tech.