Netflix has its fair share of exclusive titles in the form of Netflix Originals, but of all the titles in the niche library, only a few can truly be recognized for being groundbreaking. Some pioneered new film-making techniques, others raised the bar for animation, and a few have reshaped television today.
For every new (and old) Netflix viewer, there are a few shows that I recommend for their excellence. Here are five game-changing shows that you can only stream on Netflix.
Adolescence
A tense story told with no interruptions
A recent Netflix show that captured a global audience is also one of its shortest ones. Adolescence is a British psychological crime thriller with a heavy plot. Set in an English town, the show follows Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper), a young boy who is taken into custody on suspicion of the murder of his classmate, Katie Leonard. Adolescence also shows how Jamie’s father, Eddie (Stephen Graham), and his family deal with the news and its repercussions while facing backlash from their community.
What stands out about the show’s cinematography is that all four episodes were filmed in one continuous shot (including some showstopping tracking shots), which earned it widespread recognition. The excellent technique only adds to the tension of the story, leveling up the viewing experience by unfolding the story in real time.
Adolescence received an impressive thirteen nominations at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards and won nine, including acting wins for Graham and Cooper.
House of Cards
The leader of the pack
House of Cards is a pioneer in many ways, being the show that pretty much put Netflix Originals on the map. The political thriller follows ambitious Congressman Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) and his wife, Claire (Robin Wright), as they scheme, manipulate, and eliminate anyone standing in the way of their climb up the political ladder. As Frank’s plans grow bolder after a betrayal, the pair become ruthless in their pursuit of influence, turning Washington politics into their personal chessboard.
House of Cards proved that a streaming service could create a show that took traditional shows head-on: it went on to receive dozens of Primetime Emmy Award nominations and became the first streaming series to earn major Emmy recognition. It also helped make binge-watching the norm by releasing an entire season at once instead of following a weekly schedule.
Ripley
A noir masterpiece in black and white
If you’ve only watched The Talented Mr. Ripley, the story does not have to fully end there. While the 1999 film introduced many viewers to Patricia Highsmith’s iconic con artist, Netflix’s Ripley returns to the original novel, taking a slower and more psychological tilt.
The series follows Tom Ripley, a struggling con artist hired to travel to Italy and convince wealthy heir Dickie Greenleaf to return home. But after getting a taste of Dickie’s glamorous lifestyle, Ripley’s assignment turns into a dangerous obsession as he spins an elaborate web of lies to capture that life for himself.
Andrew Scott’s standout performance makes Ripley’s character feel unsettling yet compelling. Shot entirely in stunning black and white, this is one of the most visually striking shows on Netflix today.
Blue Eye Samurai
Revenge is best served stunning
Blue Eye Samuraiis one of Netflix’s most visually stunning animated series and shows what animation can achieve on TV. Unfolding during Japan‘s traditional Edo era, the show is a classic revenge sotry served with action. The plot, deeply submerged in mystery, takes us through the journey of Mizu, a skilled swordswoman, as she tries to track down and exact vegeance on four men.
Born as a half-Japanese, half-European woman in a Japan where borders are closed, and anyone who is not Japanese is shunned as an outcast, Mizu sets off to kill four men (one of whom is her father) while concealing her identity and gender.
Blue Eye Samurai won numerous awards across many categories, including writing, animation, editing, and production design. It combines CG animation with hand-painted textures, as well as brushstroke-inspired lighting, creating a sort of hybrid feel that has changed the game for animated shows today.
Arcane
A new standard for animation
We can’t talk about animated shows without mentioning the most expensive (and in my opinion, one of the greatest) animated shows ever made. Arcane, which cost an estimated $250 million to produce and promote, is an incredibly visually ambitious show you can stream only on Netflix.
Set in the League of Legends universe, this steampunk action animation focuses on the story of sisters Violet and Powder (Jinx) as they navigate conflict amid the tensions between a utopia (Piltover) and an underground dystopia (Zaun). After being orphaned, the two sisters go on a heist in Piltover when they are young, setting off a chain of events that result in something bigger than themselves. Arcane also shows the potential and perils of technology while building some strong side characters that have been set up for future spin-offs.
Arcane won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program in 2022, becoming the first streaming series based on a video game to do so. The best part is that you can watch Arcane even if you are not a League fan; with its stunning visuals and world-building, this series is a bingeworthy watch.
Some great titles hide in plain sight
Apart from these shows, there are some more pioneers (for instance, pop-culture classics like Black Mirror and Stranger Things) and simply underrated gems that you can only stream on Netflix, so don’t dismiss Netflix Originals easily, even if they may constantly flood your recommendations.
