20 Insanely Good Netflix Original TV Series Nobody Talks About but Should Watch

Netflix offers a massive library of original content, with new shows and movies added all the time. Big hits often get a lot of attention and are heavily promoted, making them easy to find. These are the shows that everyone seems to be talking about, filling up social media feeds and trending lists. They become popular quickly and are often the first thing you see when you log in.

However, with so much content available, it’s easy for some excellent shows to get lost in the shuffle. These hidden gems might not have the same marketing budget or widespread buzz, but they offer unique stories and high-quality production. They are the shows you might stumble upon late at night or hear about from a friend. For viewers looking for something different and tired of the same old formulas, these lesser-known series are worth discovering.

Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts (2020)

This animated series is set in a post-apocalyptic world where mutated animals, known as “mutes,” rule the surface. The story follows a young girl named Kipo Oak who has spent her entire life living in an underground burrow. When a disaster forces her to the surface, she must navigate this strange and dangerous new world to find her way back home.

Along her journey, Kipo befriends a diverse group of humans and mutes, including the survivalist Wolf, the insect-like Dave, and the pig-like Mandu. Together, they face various challenges and enemies while exploring a vibrant and imaginative landscape. The show is known for its creative world-building, positive and inclusive themes, and a distinctive soundtrack that blends different musical genres.

Teenage Bounty Hunters (2020)

This comedy-drama follows fraternal twin sisters Sterling and Blair Wesley, who attend a conservative Christian high school in Atlanta. After they accidentally damage their father’s truck, they need to find a way to pay for the repairs. Their solution comes in an unexpected form when they team up with a veteran bounty hunter named Bowser Jenkins.

The series balances the twins’ new secret life of chasing down bail jumpers with the typical challenges of high school, such as relationships and academic pressures. Sterling and Blair use their unique skills to track down targets, all while keeping their bounty hunting a secret from their family and friends. The show explores themes of family, friendship, and self-discovery with a mix of humor and action.

Lockwood & Co. (2023)

Set in an alternate version of modern-day London, this supernatural thriller takes place in a world plagued by ghosts that can kill with a single touch. Only young people have the psychic abilities needed to see and fight these deadly spirits. The story follows Lucy Carlyle, a talented young ghost hunter who runs away from home and joins a small, independent ghost-hunting agency called Lockwood & Co.

The agency is run by the ambitious and charismatic Anthony Lockwood, along with his brilliant but socially awkward researcher, George. Together, the trio takes on increasingly dangerous cases, competing with larger, more established agencies. They must rely on their wits, courage, and unique talents to survive in a city filled with supernatural threats.

Marianne (2019)

This French horror series centers on a successful horror novelist named Emma Larsimon. She has been writing a popular book series about a witch named Marianne, a character that has haunted her nightmares since childhood. After deciding to end the series, she is confronted by a childhood friend who tells her that the fictional witch has become real and is terrorizing her hometown.

Emma is forced to return to her small, seaside village to confront the evil entity that she thought only existed in her imagination. As the line between fiction and reality blurs, she must uncover the dark secrets of her past to defeat the malevolent spirit. The series is known for its genuinely scary moments and unsettling atmosphere.

3% (2016)

This Brazilian dystopian thriller is set in a future where society is divided into two distinct parts: the impoverished Inland and the affluent, utopian Offshore. Every year, all 20-year-olds from the Inland are given a single opportunity to escape poverty by competing in a series of rigorous tests known as “The Process.” Only three percent of the candidates succeed and earn a place in the Offshore.

The story follows a group of young candidates as they navigate the intense and often brutal challenges of The Process. Each contestant has their own reasons for wanting to make it to the Offshore, and they must form alliances, face betrayals, and make difficult choices to survive. The series explores themes of inequality, desperation, and the human will to succeed against all odds.

Anne with an E (2017)

Based on the classic novel “Anne of Green Gables,” this series tells the story of Anne Shirley, a young orphan girl who is mistakenly sent to live with an aging brother and sister, Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert. The Cuthberts had intended to adopt a boy to help them on their farm in the fictional town of Avonlea. Despite the initial mix-up, Anne’s spirited and imaginative personality begins to change their lives and the lives of those in their small community.

The show delves into Anne’s difficult past in orphanages and with abusive families, providing a deeper context for her character. It also expands on the world of the original books, exploring themes of identity, prejudice, and feminism. The series is praised for its emotional depth and its more realistic portrayal of Anne’s struggles and triumphs.

The Get Down (2016)

Set in the South Bronx during the late 1970s, this musical drama tells the story of the rise of hip-hop and disco music. The series follows a group of teenagers who are at the forefront of this new cultural movement. The main character, Ezekiel “Books” Figuero, is a talented poet who teams up with a group of friends to form a hip-hop group called “The Get Down Brothers.”

The show chronicles their journey as they navigate the vibrant and often chaotic world of the Bronx, a city on the brink of bankruptcy but alive with creativity. It explores the birth of a new art form through music, dance, and graffiti. The series is known for its energetic musical numbers and its stylish depiction of 1970s New York City.

Sense8 (2015)

This science fiction series follows eight strangers from different parts of the world who suddenly become mentally and emotionally linked. These individuals, known as “sensates,” can communicate with, feel, and use each other’s knowledge, language, and skills. The group consists of a diverse set of characters, including a Chicago police officer, a Berlin-based safecracker, a Nairobi bus driver, and a Seoul businesswoman.

As they try to understand their newfound connection and what it means, the sensates are hunted by a mysterious organization that sees them as a threat to the world’s order. They must work together to protect themselves and figure out the truth behind their abilities. The show is celebrated for its ambitious global scope, diverse representation, and exploration of identity and empathy.

Russian Doll (2019)

This comedy-drama follows Nadia Vulvokov, a game developer who finds herself in a time loop. On the night of her 36th birthday party, she dies and is immediately brought back to the same moment at the party. She is forced to relive the night over and over again, dying in a different way each time.

As Nadia tries to figure out what is happening to her, she discovers she’s not the only one trapped in this strange loop. She meets a man named Alan Zaveri who is experiencing a similar, but separate, time loop of his own. Together, they try to find a way to break the cycle, leading them on a journey of self-discovery and connection.

Glitch (2015)

This Australian paranormal drama is set in the small country town of Yoorana. The story begins when the local police sergeant, James Hayes, is called to the town cemetery in the middle of the night. He discovers that seven people have risen from the dead, seemingly in perfect health but with no memory of who they are or what happened to them.

James, with the help of a local doctor, tries to keep the returned individuals hidden from his colleagues, family, and the world. As they work to uncover the truth behind this unexplained event, the group of “risen” individuals must navigate their new reality and piece together their past lives. One of the returned is James’s own late wife, who died two years prior.

Godless (2017)

This Western miniseries is set in the 1880s and centers on the town of La Belle, New Mexico, a community made up almost entirely of women after a mining accident killed most of the men. The story follows Roy Goode, a young outlaw on the run from his former mentor, the ruthless gang leader Frank Griffin.

After being injured, Roy seeks refuge at a ranch on the outskirts of La Belle, owned by a tough widow named Alice Fletcher. As Frank and his gang of outlaws close in, the women of La Belle must band together to defend their town from the violent criminals. The series is noted for its beautiful cinematography and strong performances.

Santa Clarita Diet (2017)

This horror-comedy stars Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant as Sheila and Joel Hammond, a married couple of real estate agents living a quiet life in the suburbs of Santa Clarita, California. Their lives take a dramatic turn when Sheila undergoes a mysterious transformation, becoming a zombie with a craving for human flesh.

Joel and their teenage daughter Abby must help Sheila navigate her new “life” by finding a steady supply of food while maintaining their normal suburban existence. They try to find a cure for her condition, all while dealing with nosy neighbors, cultural norms, and the moral dilemmas of their new diet. The show is a blend of dark humor and family dynamics.

GLOW (2017)

Set in Los Angeles in the 1980s, this comedy-drama is a fictionalized account of the real-life women’s professional wrestling circuit, the “Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling” (GLOW). The story follows Ruth Wilder, a struggling actress who auditions for the wrestling promotion as a last-ditch effort to achieve her dreams.

Ruth joins a diverse group of women who learn to create wrestling personas and perform in the ring. The series explores their personal and professional lives as they navigate the world of 1980s Hollywood and the unique challenges of being female wrestlers. The show is known for its humor, heart, and vibrant 80s aesthetic.

On My Block (2018)

This coming-of-age comedy-drama follows a group of four bright and street-savvy friends navigating their way through high school in a rough inner-city neighborhood of Los Angeles. The group’s lifelong friendship is tested as they begin to confront the challenges of adolescence and the realities of their environment.

The series tackles serious issues such as gang violence and cultural identity with a mix of humor and heartfelt drama. The story centers on the core group of friends as they deal with first loves, new relationships, and the pressures of growing up. The show has been praised for its authentic voice and the strong chemistry of its young cast.

Dark (2017)

This German-language science fiction thriller is set in the small town of Winden. The disappearance of two young children exposes the fractured relationships, double lives, and dark pasts of four families living there. The mystery takes a supernatural turn, tying back to strange events that occurred in the same town in 1986.

The story involves a complex web of time travel, connecting the lives of the town’s residents across different generations. As the characters uncover a sinister conspiracy that spans decades, they must grapple with the nature of time, fate, and the ripple effects of their actions. The series is known for its intricate plot and atmospheric tone.

The Way of the Househusband (2021)

This anime series is a comedy that follows Tatsu, a legendary and feared yakuza boss known as “the Immortal Dragon.” After a successful and violent career in the criminal underworld, he abruptly disappears. He resurfaces, having given up his life of crime to become a dedicated househusband, supporting his career-focused wife, Miku.

The series finds humor in the contrast between Tatsu’s intimidating appearance and tough demeanor and his earnest, meticulous approach to domestic tasks like cooking, cleaning, and shopping. He often applies the same level of intensity and seriousness to his household chores as he did to his former yakuza activities, leading to comical misunderstandings with a variety of characters.

Shadow and Bone (2021)

This fantasy series is set in a war-torn world where a country is split in two by a massive barrier of perpetual darkness called the Shadow Fold. Crawling with monstrous creatures that feast on human flesh, the Fold is a major obstacle for the nation of Ravka. The story follows a young orphan and mapmaker named Alina Starkov.

During a dangerous journey across the Fold, Alina discovers she has a rare and powerful magical ability to summon light. This power makes her a Grisha, a member of the magical elite, and she is hailed as a potential savior who can destroy the Shadow Fold. She is taken to be trained with other Grisha under the command of the powerful General Kirigan.

The OA (2016)

This mystery drama begins with a young woman named Prairie Johnson who resurfaces after having been missing for seven years. When she disappeared, she was blind, but she now has her sight back. Prairie, who now calls herself “The OA” (Original Angel), refuses to tell the FBI or her adoptive parents what happened to her.

Instead, she assembles a group of five local high school students and a teacher, and begins to tell them her life story. Her tale involves being held captive by a scientist obsessed with near-death experiences. The series is known for its unique and complex narrative that blends elements of science fiction, fantasy, and supernatural mystery.

Snabba Cash (2021)

This Swedish crime drama is set in the criminal underworld of Stockholm. The series follows three main characters whose lives intersect in their pursuit of wealth. Leya is a single mother and aspiring tech entrepreneur trying to secure funding for her startup. Salim is a wedding singer who also works as a ruthless enforcer for a local drug lord. And Tim is a troubled teenager who gets drawn into the world of organized crime.

The series explores the brutal and high-stakes world of gangs and organized crime, contrasting it with the seemingly legitimate but equally ruthless world of high-finance and startups. It provides a raw and gritty look at the choices people make when faced with limited opportunities and the desire for a better life. The title “Snabba Cash” translates to “Easy Money.”

Archive 81 (2022)

This supernatural horror series follows an archivist named Dan Turner who is hired for a mysterious job. He is tasked with restoring a collection of damaged videotapes from 1994. The tapes are the work of a documentary filmmaker named Melody Pendras, who was investigating a dangerous cult at the Visser apartment building.

As Dan works on restoring the tapes in a remote and isolated facility, he becomes increasingly drawn into Melody’s investigation. He uncovers a terrifying mystery and finds himself forming a strange connection with Melody across time. The lines between past and present begin to blur as Dan races to find out what happened to Melody and the residents of the Visser.