Netflix puts out a pretty wide array of original shows, ranging from massively popular icons like Stranger Thingsto questionable and poorly rated shows like Hype House. Sometimes, though, Netflix puts out some brilliant masterpieces that don’t quite reach mainstream popularity, instead garnering cult followings or, more sadly, fading slowly into obscurity.
Despite missing the mainstream mark, the following shows have claimed a special place in my streaming rotation. They deserve much more attention than they originally got because of their fantastic stories, lovable characters, and beautiful art direction. From light-hearted comedies to bone-chilling horrors, there are many hidden gems on Netflix waiting to be discovered.
The Residence
Chaotic, mysterious, and wholesome
The Residence, created by Paul William Davies, is a fairly new Netflix original. It debuted in March of 2025, and while it received positive reviews, it hasn’t gotten nearly enough attention. It is a goofy whodunnit that fully embraces the fun of the genre while still feeling witty and clever at every turn. The murder mystery was captivating, and I ended up watching it from start to finish in one sitting. I can’t believe that I had never heard of it before I gave it a shot earlier this year.
On the night of an important state dinner in the White House, there is a murder. An eccentric yet brilliant detective with a penchant for birding, Cordelia Cupp (Uzo Aduba) is brought in to solve the mystery. Drama unfolds and everyone’s dirty laundry is laid bare, with Cordelia’s dry humor and sharp wit bringing about tons of laughs along the way.
Santa Clarita Diet
A fresh take on the zombie genre
It is so hard to believe that this show didn’t quite reach mainstream success. I’m always blown away at how few people I know have watched this show. Santa Clarita Dietstrikes a balance between horror and comedy, taking a well-established genre and turning it on its head. After a three-season run, Netflix decided to cancel the series, citing low viewership as the reason. Its cancellation is tragic, not just because it was a fantastic show, but also because season three ended on a massive cliffhanger.
Santa Clarita Dietstars Timothy Olyphant and Drew Barrymore as a married couple who both work as realtors in Santa Clarita. The world is turned upside down when Sheila (Drew Barrymore) dies and goes through a pretty dramatic transformation. While she feels better than ever, Sheila and her family are forced to deal with the wake of destruction that she leaves behind her.
Long Story Short
Lost in the shadow of BoJack Horseman
Raphael Bob-Waksberg is a renowned figure in the world of television, most acclaimed for creating the heart-wrenching animated series BoJack Horseman,alongside designer Lisa Hanawelt. In 2024, Bob-Waksberg announced Long Story Short, a dramedy that follows a Jewish family in a uniquely non-linear fashion, jumping back and forth between their childhood and adult lives. Despite a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, it hasn’t been able to grab the mainstream quite like BoJack Horsemandid.
Bob Waksberg’s animated comedy-drama features a star-studded cast, with names like Lisa Edelstein, Paul Reiser, Ben Feldman, and Max Greenfield, just to name a few. The story is gripping and relatable and explores the intricacies of a family filled with very different people.
Midnight Mass
Equally gorgeous and horrifying
This is yet another show that sits in the shadow of some of its creator’s other projects. Midnight Masscomes from the mind of Mike Flanagan, the man behind the brilliant and popular horror series, The Haunting of Hill House,and its spin-off, The Haunting of Bly Manor. Debuting in 2021, Midnight Massstands alone, taking a different direction from Flanagan’s other works. It might not have been nearly as popular as his other shows, but it is a must-watch for any horror fan.
Rather than focusing on haunted houses, Midnight Massfocuses on other spooky supernatural beings. The show is about a priest, Father Paul Hill (Hamish Linklater), who arrives in a small town on an isolated island. The charismatic priest drives the town into a bit of a frenzy, winning over the townsfolk with seemingly impossible miracles. The town’s lone sheriff, played by Rahul Kohli, slowly unfolds a dark plot behind Father Paul Hill’s charismatic leadership.
With Halloween just around the corner, this is a great show for getting the spooky vibes flowing.
Popularity is not the only mark of a good show
Netflix pushes its newest and most popular shows on you, meaning that some gems get hidden and forgotten. It even happens to some of Netflix’s own original shows. The above are some of my personal favorites on the streaming platform, and while they might not have achieved mainstream success, I always recommend them to any friends and family willing to listen to my long-winded ranting.
