Best Shows on Netflix: Top 10 Series to Watch Right Now

There’s a reason Netflix’s library feels infinite: with over 260 million subscribers worldwide, the streaming giant has poured billions into original series that span every genre imaginable. This guide cuts through the noise by cross-referencing critic scores, audience ratings, and viewership data to highlight the absolute best shows on Netflix right now.

Most-watched Netflix series (hours in first 28 days): Squid Game: 1.65 billion ·
Highest IMDb rating among Netflix originals: Breaking Bad: 9.5 ·
Most Emmy wins for a Netflix series: The Crown: 21 ·
Netflix global subscribers (2025): 260 million

The table below distills the most important numbers for the top contenders — one pattern: the shows that dominate viewership don’t always lead in critical scores.

The trade-off: Squid Game and Wednesday rack up massive hours, but critically acclaimed series like Breaking Bad and The Crown pull higher IMDb scores. If you want cultural buzz, go with the former; for prestige storytelling, the latter.

What is the top 10 best series on Netflix?

Top 10 best series overview

• 1. Breaking Bad – IMDb 9.5, RT 96%. The gold standard for character-driven crime drama.
• 2. Squid Game – IMDb 8.0, RT 95%. The most-watched Netflix series of all time.
• 3. Stranger Things – IMDb 8.7, RT 93%. Nostalgic sci-fi with global appeal.
• 4. The Crown – IMDb 8.6, RT 90%. 21 Emmy wins, royal drama at its finest.
• 5. The Boroughs – RT 97%, 80% audience. Top-rated Netflix original currently streaming (Rotten Tomatoes).
• 6. Legends – RT 97%, 86% audience. Another near-perfect critic darling.
• 7. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder – RT 86%, 82% audience. A twisty teen mystery.
• 8. The Chestnut Man – Featured on Rotten Tomatoes’ “best this month” list. Nordic noir at its darkest.
• 9. Beef – RT 98%, critically acclaimed drama about road rage and class.
• 10. Wednesday – IMDb 8.1, RT 71%. Addams Family spin-off with massive viewership.

How the ranking was determined

This list combines Tomatometer scores from Rotten Tomatoes’ editorial guide with IMDb user ratings and Netflix’s own viewership data. The goal: surface shows that excel on at least two of the three metrics. As What’s on Netflix notes, these are distinct popularity and quality signals — combining them gives a more rounded picture.

The pattern: critically adored series like Breaking Bad and The Crown anchor the top, while recent hits like The Boroughs and Legends show that fresh releases can still wow critics.

What are the big 3 Netflix shows?

Defining the big 3

The “big 3” of Netflix original series are widely considered to be Stranger Things, Squid Game, and The Crown. Each dominates a different axis: viewership, cultural impact, or critical acclaim.

Why these three stand out

• Stranger Things – Four seasons, 12 Emmy wins, a 93% Tomatometer, and 1.35 billion hours for season 4. It’s the franchise that defined Netflix’s original content strategy.
• Squid Game – 1.65 billion hours in 28 days — a record that still stands. It became a global phenomenon in weeks, according to Netflix’s TUDUM editor.
• The Crown – 21 Primetime Emmy Awards, the most for any Netflix series, and a 90% Tomatometer. It’s the definitive historical drama of the streamer.

The implication: Netflix’s three biggest tentpoles serve different cravings, so pick according to your mood.

What’s good on Netflix now in Ireland?

Current top shows in Ireland

Netflix maintains a weekly Top 10 chart for Ireland based on viewing hours. While specific Ireland-only rankings change fast, the same global hits — Squid Game, Wednesday, and Stranger Things — consistently appear. The most direct way to see what Ireland is watching right now is to check that live list.

New releases and trending series

Recent additions like Legends (97% Tomatometer) and The Boroughs (97% Tomatometer) are trending worldwide and likely popular in Ireland too. Nemesis (80% Tomatometer, 52% audience) and The Four Seasons (84% Tomatometer) are also available. For Irish-specific content, note that no dedicated Irish series was highlighted in the current research — but Netflix’s library includes a range of UK and Irish co-productions.

The implication: if you’re in Ireland and want what’s hot right now, your best bet is to open Netflix’s Top 10 row — but for critically safe bets, any of the 90%+ Tomatometer shows are a solid pick.

What to absolutely watch on Netflix?

Must-watch series across genres

• Drama: Breaking Bad (IMDb 9.5) — widely considered the greatest TV series ever.
• Sci-Fi/Horror: Stranger Things (IMDb 8.7, RT 93%) — a nostalgic thrill ride.
• Thriller: Squid Game (IMDb 8.0, RT 95%) — gripping and socially relevant.
• Historical Drama: The Crown (IMDb 8.6, RT 90%) — lavishly produced and award-winning.
• Comedy: Beef (RT 98%) — a darkly funny look at modern rage.
• Crime/Mystery: A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (RT 86%) — a bingeable teen whodunit.

As Rotten Tomatoes Editorial frames it, these are the shows that “you absolutely need to watch right now” — backed by critic consensus and audience scores.

Binge-worthy one-season shows

• Beef (1 season, 10 episodes) – RT 98%. A tight, self-contained story.
• Squid Game (1 season, 9 episodes) – RT 95%. Perfect for a weekend.
• The Chestnut Man (1 season, 6 episodes) – Nordic noir that finishes strong.

What are the 5 most watched Netflix shows?

The five most-watched series by hours

Netflix measures viewership as total hours watched in the first 28 days of release. According to Netflix Tudum, the top 5 are:

1. Squid Game – 1.65 billion hours
2. Stranger Things (Season 4) – 1.35 billion hours
3. Wednesday – 1.02 billion hours
4. Money Heist (Part 4) – 792 million hours (Note: this is a Spanish series, figures from Netflix)
5. Bridgerton (Season 2) – 656 million hours

How viewership is measured

Netflix uses the “hours viewed in first 28 days” metric. This replaced the earlier “number of accounts that watched at least 2 minutes” metric in 2021. The change made it easier to compare shows of different lengths but still favours longer mini-series over shorter comedies. As What’s on Netflix explains, viewership and critical acclaim are different signals — a show can be massively popular without being a critic’s favourite.

Why this matters: if you’re chasing the cultural conversation, go with the most-watched list. If you want quality, complement it with IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes scores.

Comparing the best: a head-to-head

Three shows, three different strengths: here’s how the top contenders stack up across the dimensions that matter most to viewers.

The implication: Squid Game wins on sheer scale, Stranger Things on broad appeal, and The Crown on awards dominance. Your pick depends on what you value most.

Summary

The best shows on Netflix aren’t a single list — they’re a spectrum. If you want cultural ubiquity, Squid Game and Stranger Things deliver. If you want critical perfection, Breaking Bad and The Crown are untouchable. For viewers in Ireland or anywhere else, the smartest move is to cross-reference the Netflix Top 10 with IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes scores. The choice is yours: chase the crowd or trust the critics. For the Irish viewer, the clear path is to check Netflix Ireland’s weekly chart and then cross-verify with Tomatometer scores — or you risk spending more time scrolling than watching.

Related reading: 100 Best Netflix Series To Watch Right Now · best Netflix Original series according to Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb

While our list highlights the best shows on Netflix right now, you can also explore Netflixs top 2024 series by views for a data-driven look at last year’s biggest hits.

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