What to stream on Netflix: 35 buzziest shows (2024)

"Making A Murderer" -- the Netflix crime drama about the real-life case of Steven Avery -- is one of the hottest thing on TV... except it's not really on TV. It's on Netflix. And lucky for cord cutters everywhere, it's not the only totally binge-worthy series you can now stream there.

34. "How to Get Away with Murder"

The first season of ABC’s smash hit drama, “How to Get Away with Murder,” is also now streaming on Netflix. So, if all that true crime injustice gets you down, you can always switch over to “HTGAWM” and put the law in Annalise Keating’s uber-capable hands.

33. "The League"

Six seasons of the FX sitcom, “The League,” are now available for streaming on Netflix. So, if you’re a fantasy football enthusiast or you know people who are, go ahead and let this semi-improvised comedy draft you.

32. "Scandal"

If you hear people mentioning Olivia Pope and you don’t quite know what they’re talking about, it’s high time for you to start watching “Scandal.” Luckily, the first four seasons are now streaming on Netflix.

31. "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt"

Before there was “Making A Murderer,” there was “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.” The tale of a young woman rescued from a doomsday cult in Indiana, who goes from 15 years of captivity to trying to make a life for herself in New York City, this Netflix original comedy had social media buzzing with laugher in 2015. #PinotNoir

30. "Skins"

If you didn’t live in England from 2007-2013, you might have missed the controversial teen drama, “Skins.” Now, however, the show’s full seven seasons are available on Netflix. So, that’s your go-ahead to explore gritty issues like adolescent sexuality, substance abuse and mental illness with Tony, Michelle and the gang.

29. "Daredevil"

“Daredevil” -- the story of a young lawyer, blinded as a boy, who now uses his heightened senses to fight crime -- is yet another of 2015’s buzziest TV shows. Not only is it available for streaming on Netflix, this Marvel superhero series is a Netflix original. So, it’ll likely be around for a while.

28. "Luther"

“Luther,” the popular U.K. crime drama starring Idris Elba, has been called one of the grittiest detective series of all time. So, if you liked “True Detective” and “The Wire,” this should probably be the next notch on your queue.

27. "Portlandia"

Sketch comedy at its best, “Portlandia” takes on the comic absurdities of hipster life in Portland, Oregon. Five seasons are currently streaming on Netflix.

26. "American Horror Story"

You still have to wait a little longer for Lady Gaga’s season, but “Murder House,” “Asylum,” “Coven,” and “Freak Show” are now all streaming on Netflix. So, that’s four new reasons to sleep with the lights on.

25. "Archer"

Even the suavest men can still have mommy issues. And Archer, the spy at the center of this FX adult animated series, has a mother for a boss. Naturally, adventure and comedy ensues.

24. "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"

Nothing to see here. Just a high school student hunting the undead. Totally normal.

Okay, actually it’s not, and there’s a lot to see. Seven seasons of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” are currently streaming on Netflix, and it’s as bingeworthy today as it was in the ‘90s.

23. "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia"

Uncomfortable, immature and hilarious, “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” follows four narcissistic friends as they run a bar in Philadelphia. All ten seasons are currently streaming on Netflix.

21. "Scrubs"

On TV, medical dramas are often a dime a dozen, but “Scrubs” broke the mold. A mix of slapstick comedy, voiceover narration and surreal daydreams, this series enjoyed nine seasons on primetime. Now, all of them are streaming on Netflix.

20. "Sons of Anarchy"

A crime drama about an outlaw motorcycle club who seizes control of a town and clashes with a number of other gun-toting groups, “Sons of Anarchy” is the highest rated FX series of all time. Now, all seven of its seasons are streaming on Netflix.

19. "New Girl"

A new generation’s answer to “Friends,” “New Girl” is as quirky as it is heartfelt. The characters -- from Jess, a dorky teacher played by Zooey Deschanel, to Schmidt, a narcissistic, formerly obese ladies man -- are at once comically unique and weirdly familiar. Check out any of the four seasons currently streaming on Netflix, and you just might end up wishing you lived in their apartment too.

18. "Dexter"

When “Dexter” hit the airwaves in 2006, it was completely groundbreaking; a drama that made viewers sympathize with a serial killer. Michael C. Hall’s mild-mannered Dexter is a blood-splatter analyst for the Miami police by day, and a bloodthirsty vigilante by night. This series is a definite must see, and its full eight season run is currently streaming on Netflix.

17. "Friday Night Lights"

The story of a state championship-bound high school football team in rural Texas, “Friday Night Lights” is a touchdown for both drama and excitement. All of its five seasons are available for streaming on Netflix.

16. "Orange Is the New Black"

When a privileged New Yorker ends up in a women’s prison for a past indiscretion, her world is turned completely upside down. “Orange Is the New Black” is funny, emotional and surprising. It is yet another Netflix original not to be missed.

15. "Sherlock"

This isn’t your grandpa’s Sherlock Holmes. Benedict Cumberbatch breathes modern life into the classic Sir Arthur Conan Doyle sleuth, and both critics and audiences approve. “Sherlock” currently holds an 88 percent rating among critics and a 94 percent rating among audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. All three seasons are available for streaming.

14. "Parks and Recreation"

In “Parks and Rec,” SNL alum Amy Poehler plays a perky, ambitious mid-level employee in a rural Parks and Recreation department. She’s full of energy and ideas, but the bureaucratic system isn’t set up for those sorts of things and hilarity ensues. The show’s passionate fan base was crushed when the series was cancelled in 2015. So, it’s a good thing six of the seven seasons are currently streaming on Netflix.

13. "Mad Men"

Cutthroat business never looked so good. “Mad Men” is an American period drama about the relationships and daily operations at a fictitious New York advertising agency in the 1960s. It made Don Draper a household name. And all seven seasons are now streaming on Netflix.

12. "Master of None"

In November 2015, Netflix followed up “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” with Aziz Ansari’s “Master of None.” It’s about a 30-year-old actor trying to navigate life in New York City, and word on the street is that it’s comedy gold. Check out the first season on Netflix, before your friends discover you haven’t seen it yet.

11. "Lost"

What’s a smoke monster? Why do so many people play the numbers 4 8 15 16 23 42 in the lottery? If you don’t know, it’s definitely time to watch “Lost.” And good news: You can now stream all six seasons.

10. "Dr. Who"

Ever travelled through time in a magical blue box? Let “Dr. Who” be your brilliant, yet wacky, tour guide. You may even take down a few evil aliens in the process.

9. "House of Cards"

If you live in the world today, you probably think you know ruthless politicians. But you’ve never seen anything like Frank Underwood and his wife, Claire.

8. "The X-Files"

With a six-episode “X-Files” revival set to hit Fox in January 2016, you might want to brush up on your Mulder and Scully. Luckily, nine seasons of the FBI agents’ adventures are now streaming. Find out once and for all whether there’s a government conspiracy afoot to hide evidence of extraterrestrial activity. And remind yourself why “The X-Files” won a cosmic 15 Emmys during its run on primetime, paving the way for future sci-fi series like “Fringe” and “Lost.”

7. "The Walking Dead"

When the zombie apocalypse comes, you want to be on the same team as Rick and Daryl. Their friends aren’t too shabby either. (Ahem, Michonne.) So, brush up on your crossbow skills with five of the show’s six seasons, now streaming on Netflix.

6. "Freaks and Geeks"

“Freaks and Geeks” gave rise to a lot of familiar faces. So, if you want to see what James Franco, Seth Rogan and Jason Segal were like at the start of their careers, check out this Judd Apatow gem.

5. "Friends"

Let’s be honest... Has there ever been a better group of friends on TV? You can now catch up with Ross, Rachel, Monica, Joey, Chandler and Phoebe on Netflix. All 10 seasons are streaming.

4. "Arrested Development"

Few shows have the sort of passionate cult followings that “Arrested Development” does. And that’s likely because a lot of people feel like they’re the only normal member of a crazy family. Just be glad your family isn’t this one.

All four seasons of the Emmy Award-winning comedy are now streaming on Netflix.

3. "The West Wing"

The political drama to end all political dramas, "West Wing" is the stuff of TV legend. So, if you have yet to watch Aaron Sorkin's take on running the Executive Branch, now's the time. All seven seasons are currently streaming on Netflix.

2. "Stranger Things"

This self-proclaimed “love letter to the supernatural classics of the ‘80s” is America’s newest binge-watching obsession. Its child stars are adorable. Its references to beloved films,like “E.T.” and “The Goonies,” are plentiful. And its plot is edge-of-your-seat good.

Do yourself a favor and find out why Winona Ryder has Christmas lights strung up all around her house, before someone else ruins it for you. Missing out on this series is a TV fate worse than falling into the grips ofthe Demogorgon.

1. "Breaking Bad"

When a submissive chemistry teacher gets a grim diagnosis of inoperable lung cancer, he enters the meth trade in an attempt to leave his family some sort of financial security. In the process, however, Walter White gets more than he bargained for.

All five nail-biting seasons of the hit crime drama are now streaming on Netflix.