10 Greatest Shows on Netflix That Are 10/10, No Notes
Lucas Kloberdanz-Dyck is a writer for Collider. He grew up creating lists, stories, and worlds, which led to his love of anime and video games. He attended Sheridan College where he earned an Honours Bachelor of Game Design. Lucas and his group won 1st place for technical innovation at LevelUp Toronto 2023, and he was also an intern for the Oakville Film Festival of Arts.
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Some fans like to laugh by watching comedies, others prefer the exhilaration that comes with action-packed series, while the heart-pumping love of romance suits the taste of different viewers. But no matter what genre people prefer, they can be sure to find what they are looking for on Netflix, the largest streaming platform in the world, which has masterpieces such as The Crown and Adolescence.
However, some viewers prefer a different kind of feeling, the one that drags them to the edge of their seat, dying in anticipation of what will happen next, and Netflix has plenty of thrillers to keep them happy and entertained. That is why this list will feature exceptional thriller shows on Netflix based on writing, acting, story, overall quality, fan opinion, critical acclaim, originality, and how much it evokes a thrilling sensation.
'Dark Winds' (2022–Present)
Most of the shows on this list are well known, but Dark Winds is perhaps the most obscure, which just means it is the most underrated and overlooked thriller on Netflix. Joe (Zahn McClarnon) and Jim (Kiowa Gordon) are Navajo tribal police who solve mysteries as a string of crimes plagues the reservation. While each crime opens old wounds, it also comes a step closer to the truth behind these violent crimes.
After some criticism, Dark Winds corrected its inaccuracy of the Navajo people and culture, hiring a cultural advisor. This not only improved the series, but made it more authentic and captivating. This thriller blends neo-Western and neo-noir aspects to create a distinctly mesmerizing series that feels essential and entertaining, making it the hidden gem on Netflix that more fans need to check out.
'You' (2018–2025)
After seven years of teeth-clenching excitement, You delivered a thrilling conclusion with its final season in 2025, but that just means fans can binge the full experience. Joe (Penn Badgley) is a seemingly normal person, but his crush turns into an obsession and something darker, willing to eliminate any obstacle he must in order to be with the woman he loves.
While the final season wasn't the best, the rest of the show is a perfect 10/10, delivering a gripping thriller series that is both entertaining and creepily realistic. You borders on the line of a modern social media horror series, but retains its thrilling aspects and drama, which makes it such a fantastic show that everyone needs to watch.
'Stranger Things' (2016–2025)
It had to happen eventually, but after nearly a decade, Stranger Things ended in 2025, wrapping up Netflix's most iconic and popular series. When a group of kids investigates a strange facility, their lives change forever, now being a part of a supernatural conspiracy involving demons and monsters from parallel worlds and a psychic girl.
Some fans may not consider it a thriller, but it is definitely a supernatural thriller with plenty of other dramatic elements. Whether viewers prefer the characters or the nostalgic fun, they can't deny that the thrilling moments and story are what keep them watching, using the dynamics and creepy world to create a tense and infectious atmosphere. The Stranger Things finale was emotional, but also a thrilling and fitting conclusion to the best series on Netflix.
'Squid Game' (2021–2025)
Stranger Things may be the most popular Netflix series of all time, but Squid Game is the show to watch right now. The world revolves around money, but unfortunately it isn't easy to get it, but the characters in Squid Game think they found their lucky break. However, what they encounter is a torturous game that kills the losers for the entertainment of the rich.
Fans must be under a rock if they haven't watched Squid Game already, especially if they are thriller fans, as this is one of the best and most riveting shows of the genre. Even though the second and third seasons weren't perfect, the first season is a masterpiece, using its creativity and fascinating death games alongside its endearing cast to create a magnificent thriller.
Collider Exclusive · 8 Questions · 2 Minutes Which Netflix Character Would Be Your Best Friend? Dustin · Emily · Wednesday · Gi-hun
Some friends drag you out of the house. Some sit with you on the worst night of your life. Netflix has written both, plus the one who tells you the truth you have been avoiding all week. Answer eight quick questions about how you actually do friendship, and find out which of them was always going to end up in your corner.
🧢Dustin(Stranger Things)
🗼Emily(Emily in Paris)
🕷️Wednesday(Wednesday)
🟢Gi-hun(Squid Game)
01
How do you usually end up making a new friend? The origin story says a lot about the friendship that follows it.
02
What is a perfect Saturday with your best friend? Friendship is mostly built out of very ordinary hours.
03
You call them at two in the morning. What happens? This is the real test of a friendship, and everybody knows it.
04
What do you want from them when you are clearly wrong? The best friendships are the ones that survive being corrected.
05
What do your friends actually value about you? The friend you attract says something about the friend you are.
06
You have a falling out. How does it go? How a friendship repairs itself matters more than how it breaks.
07
What do you actually need a best friend for? Everybody is missing something. The right friend fills that gap.
08
Ten years from now, what keeps the two of you close? Eight questions in, this is the one that decides who you get.
The Group Chat Has Spoken Your Best Friend Is…
Four Netflix characters, four completely different ways of showing up for somebody. This is the one who fits how you actually do friendship, and what having them in your life would be like.
Dustin Henderson
You do not do friendship at half volume, and neither does he. What you want is somebody who says yes to the plan before you have finished describing the plan.
- Dustin is the friend the entire show runs on: loyal past the point of sense, enthusiastic about everything, and incapable of leaving anybody behind.
- You have the same instinct. Your friendships are loud, specific and slightly ridiculous, and they last for decades because of it.
- He is also the one person who would take your strangest interest completely seriously, which is far rarer than it sounds.
- You would have a group chat. It would never once be quiet.
Emily Cooper
You are the friend who makes things happen, and so is she. Together you would be mildly exhausting to everyone around you and completely delighted with yourselves.
- Emily treats an ordinary Tuesday as something that could be turned into an occasion, which is either the best or the worst quality in a friend depending on your energy levels.
- You share her refusal to sit still. Neither of you has ever accepted a night in when something was happening somewhere else.
- She is far more loyal than people give her credit for. She defends her friends loudly, publicly, and occasionally before checking the facts.
- She would post the photo without asking. You would forgive her, because it is a very good photo.
Wednesday Addams
You have no patience for pleasant lies, and she has no ability to tell them. What looks like coldness from the outside is the most reliable friendship on this list.
- Wednesday never says a kind thing she does not mean, which makes the rare ones count for an enormous amount.
- You would rather be told the truth than be made comfortable. She is constitutionally incapable of offering you anything else.
- Underneath all of it she is ferociously protective. She simply refuses to make a performance out of caring.
- Do not expect a birthday message. Do expect her to ruin anyone who wrongs you.
Seong Gi-hun
You look after whoever is having the worst day. So does he. It is the least strategic way to move through the world and the best possible quality in a friend.
- Gi-hun is not the strongest player in Squid Game, or the cleverest. He is the one who keeps choosing to protect somebody else, over and over, at genuine cost to himself.
- You have the same instinct. You notice who is struggling and you stay with them, long after anybody would blame you for leaving.
- He is a flawed friend, and that is part of why it lands. He lets people down, then comes back and tries again, which is more than most manage.
- He would give you his last chance and never once mention that he had done it.
'Money Heist' (2017–2021)
Netflix is a treasure trove for foreign shows, especially thrillers, as proven by Squid Game and Money Heist, the latter of which is a consistent and masterful crime thriller. With a plan and nothing to lose, a group of thieves come together to pull off the greatest heist of all time, but first they need to take hostages and deal with the police before they can live out the rest of their lives.
Money Heist is an adrenaline-fueled thrill ride with plenty of tension and a touch of humor to liven things up. From its stylized visuals to a fun group of characters and an unpredictable story, this is arguably the most entertaining thriller on this list. Money Heist is an excellent international crime drama and thriller. Fans only wish it could have aired for a couple more seasons.
'Narcos' (2015–2017)
It is rare for a thriller to also be a biopic, but Narcos proves that it can excel at both of these categories as Wagner Moura plays the infamous Pablo Escobar. While it shows Escobar's rise to success, it also features the DEA agents sent to stop him and their personal and professional lives, all culminating in the eventual downfall of history's greatest kingpin.
Narcos may not be the most accurate depiction of Escobar, the Medellín cartel and the DEA agents, but it sacrificed authenticity for thrills, and it very much paid off. The rise and fall is fascinating to watch, but the tension and suspense at every step of the way is engrossing, depicting the greatest game of cat and mouse in television history.
'Ozark' (2017–2022)
A lot of these thriller series are staples of Netflix, and Ozark is a landmark among those, being both a critical sensation and a popular icon. Marty (Jason Bateman) relocates his family to the titular community after a money laundering scheme goes bad. Now he must protect his family while also taking matters into his own hands.
The Rotten Tomatoes score may vary per season, but that shouldn't fool fans. Ozark is a perfect 10 from start to finish, delivering a powerful crime drama with thrills to go around. Ozark is a classic Netflix series and a must-watch thriller that proves the streaming platform has some of the best thrillers of all time.
'Ripley' (2024)
Almost all the thriller shows on this list feature multiple seasons, which is excellent, since they can deliver more thrills and excitement. However, Ripley only needed a single season to become a fantastic thriller series, even if fans wished it had more. The titular protagonist is a scam artist who smells opportunity, stealing the life of his friend to live a luxurious life in Italy.
Ripley dazzles as a limited series through its black and white visuals, artistic cinematography, well-written characters, and a flawless plot. It may feel like a slow burn, but it soon becomes an inferno of intrigue and thrills as the story develops. By the end, fans will be completely engrossed in its daring style and nuanced thriller feel.
'Dark' (2017–2020)
Netflix hits with yet another phenomenal foreign language thriller series, this time with Dark, a German production. When two children go missing in a small German town, its dark past is revealed, unleashing the secrets and mysteries alongside it. The mystery only deepens as the four families search for the missing kids, including supernatural events.
The thriller and mystery genres go perfectly together, and that is why Dark is one of the best thriller series of all time, nailing both aspects to produce a must-watch sci-fi experience. The tension only increases every season, ramping up exhilarating drama and unpredictable mystery. Dark is an essential Netflix thriller that is too overlooked, considering how good it is.
'Mindhunter' (2017–2019)
Almost all of these series got the rightful conclusion they deserved, but not all shows are that lucky, as evident with Mindhunter, which, despite being a masterpiece, does not have a proper finale. Bill (Holt McCallany) and Holden (Jonathan Groff) are FBI agents who must get into the minds of criminals in order to capture them.
It baffled fans that Netflix canceled Mindhunter, especially considering it is the most perfect thriller on the streaming platform. Either way, a lack of conclusion doesn't take away from its perfection and thrilling moments. Mindhunter is one of the best original Netflix series of all time, and a must-watch for any thriller fans.
Mindhunter
- Release Date
- 2017 - 2019
- Network
- Netflix
- Showrunner
- Joe Penhall
- Directors
- David Fincher, Carl Franklin, Andrew Dominik, Andrew Douglas, Asif Kapadia, Tobias Lindholm
-
Bill Tench
-
Holden Ford
- Writers
- Joe Penhall, Jennifer Haley, Joshua Donen, Courtenay Miles, Carly Wray, Pamela Cederquist
- Seasons
- 2
- Story By
- Joshua Donen, Josh Douglas, Mark Olshaker, Courtenay Miles
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
- Main Genre
- Crime
- Producers
- Jim Davidson, Mark Winemaker, Liz Hannah
- Creator(s)
- Joe Penhall
- Executive Producer(s)
- Beth Kono, Ceán Chaffin, Charlize Theron, Courtenay Miles, David Fincher, Jennifer Erwin, Joe Penhall, Joshua Donen
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