The Best Netflix Shows Of 2021 (2023)

This year,Netflix released a number of excellent new TV shows; here are the best Netflix shows of 2021. Due to the markedly significant shift to streaming over the past few years, there has been a massive proliferation in the volume and variety of television show releases, especially Netflix Originals, thetop 25 of whichhave consistently topped the popularity charts. The sheer range of Netflix shows released this year alone is staggering, especially when one considers the various sub-genres involved.

What makes a series enjoyable is, of course, subject to interpretation, as some shows are great purely due to their binge factor, while others elicit a strong feeling of catharsis. Shows like Midnight Mass manage to do both, unfolding a complex, layered tale with great care and skill, granting considerable attention to character development. Others function outside of the limited series mold, performing considerably well in their own right, such as Netflix’s Lucifer, which banked on a genre-hybrid storyline that was both entertaining and had high emotional stakes.

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Apart from Netflix Originals that strike a chord with audiences right off the bat, as evidenced by the global popularity of Squid Game, there are some that elicit pretty divisive reactions. A seminal example of the same is Netflix’s adaptation of Cowboy Bebop, which was canceled after lukewarm-to-negative responses to the first season. Nevertheless, here are some of the best Netflix shows of the year that are strong standouts due to a matrix of various factors.

Maid

This limited series was inspired by Stephanie Land’s memoir, Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother's Will to Survive, and focuses on a young mother, Alex, who escapes an abusive relationship and struggles to provide for her child. With a subject matter as sensitive as domestic abuse,Maid manages to treat it with great care and craft a compelling drama that elicits powerful emotions in the viewers. Margaret Qualley’s performance as Alex keeps the show grounded at all times, even when some of it is difficult to get through due to the severity of the subject matter. With a protagonist to root for and a story that is expertly crafted, Maid is a worthy contender as one of the best shows of the year.

The Chestnut Man

Kasper Barfoed and Mikkel Serup’s The Chestnut Man is a Danish crime series that follows a murder investigation involving a mysterious chestnut figurine left at all of the crime scenes. This six-episode thriller definitely wins on the bingeability front, but what makes this series compelling is the consistently grim nature of The Chestnut Man's storyline that manages to evoke a naturally ominous aura throughout. The characters in question are invested with incredible richness and depth, and the well-paced nature of the plot keeps things interesting right up till the end. The Chestnut Man is also beautiful to behold, as it employs a fall color palette, with a touch of the macabre that imbues every shot with just the right aesthetics.

Midnight Mass

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Mike Flanagan’s Midnight Mass is a seven-episode foray into the nature of grief, faith, and the inherent meaning of existence.Focused on the isolated fishing community of Crockett Island, ominous eventsbefall the islandafter the arrival of a mysterious priest. While Midnight Mass is markedly different from Flanagan’s The Haunting offerings, the show’s brilliance lies in its delicate treatment of a wide medley of characters, who, in their own ways, expose the grim underbelly of religious fanaticism and the horrors that accompany the same. The principal cast belts out stellar performances, with Hamish Linklater receiving critical acclaim with his portrayal of Father Paul/Monsignor Pruitt, whose character stitches the divergent parts of the show together. Although Midnight Mass can be too much of a slow-burn for some audiences, especially when it comes to lengthy monologues, the end result is a beautiful odyssey that eventually pays off.

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The Chair

This ambitious comedy of manners spans only six episodes, but manages to deliver a scathing commentary about the inner workings of academia “in what seems like New England.”The Chair is hilarious in the truest sense, helmed by a brilliant Sandra Oh, who plays Ji-Yoon Ki, the new English department chair at Pembroke University. Ji-Yoon aims to make academia a more inclusive space but is soonbalancing thegrievances of her older faculty, tenurefora young and brilliant professor, a PR crisis, and constant funding needs. The comedic social commentary in The Chair works so well due to the fact that it does not try too hard to be preachy but chooses the well-crafted explorative route instead. It was initially only meant to be a single-season limited series, but hopefully, Netflixand its creators see fit to give it a longer run.

The Witcher Season 2

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The Witcher is based on the beloved fantasy drama book series by Andrzej Sapkowski, whose work prompted the popular standalone and spinoff video games in The Witchersaga. Season 1 of The Witcher, although well-received, was deemed overly complicated from a narrative point of view by critics and audiences, highlighting the complexity that is often involved in translating adaptations to the screen. The Witcherseason 2, however, is a drastic improvement in many aspects, remaining thoroughly entertaining while widening the legend of Geralt of Rivia and Princess Ciri, whose fates remain inexplicably connected. Season 2 not only grants well-crafted action sequences but is also better-paced than its predecessor. The simplification of the timeline allowsSapkowski’s wondrous world to be expanded in the best of ways.

Squid Game Season 1

This South Korean survival drama achieved widespread critical and international acclaim, holding the title of Netflix’s most-watched series ever so far. Audiences resonated with the core premise of Squid Gameas it melds serious social issues with a thrilling game-based formula, the stakesremaining sky-high and the characters fleshed out in commendable ways. While the commentary on class disparity and capitalism has been explored quite well, what makes the showso appealing are the distinctive twists and emotion inherent within the narrative,all held together bySquid Game's protagonist, Gi-hun. Additionally, the compelling performances by the ensemble cast also help cement the popularity of the show, which is inarguably well-deserved.

Brand New Cherry Flavor

Nick Antosca and Lenore Zion’s limited series, Brand New Cherry Flavoris a bit of an acquired taste, but worth one's patience. As it delves into a twisted tale about power, temptation, witchcraft, and revenge, it exploresthe convoluted power structures and brutal exploitation inherent within Hollywood. The story isa bold foray into the extreme world of aspiring director Lisa Nova, brought to life via an incredibly haunting performance by Rosa Salazar.On the way, Brand New Cherry Flavor deliversa deranged trip into the crevices of matters deemed forbidden, such as the way in which Boro demands payment from Lisa by making her throw up kittens and the absolutely bonkers way in which the final sequence plays out.

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Shadow and Bone Season 1

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Based on the Grishaverse books and world created by Leigh Bardugo, theShadow and BoneNetflix adaptation does a masterful job of blending together the original trilogy with the largely unconnected follow-up duology set in the same world.It results in an engaging telling of the tale of protagonist Alina Starkov, who struggles with her destiny as the Sun Summonerwhile also weaving in an original narrative thread about The Crows that serves as a prequel to their books. Season 1 succeeds in introducing new audiences to Shadow and Bones’ intricate worldbuildingwhile delighting fans of the novels by expanding the original source material in interesting ways. While uninitiated viewers might find it difficult to keep up with the Grisha terminology that is integral to the plot, the show does a wonderful job of unveilingit all naturally. The showetchesits central characters in a relatable, nuanced light while also creating a compelling villain in Ben Barnes' manipulative, complex General Kirigan, a.k.a The Darkling. The geopoliticalmachinations and lush costumingare commendable, and despite the presence of some YA clichés, Shadow and Boneelevates themall.

Arcane Season 1

Created by Christian Linke and Alex Yee, Arcane: League of Legends is set in the League of Legendsvideo game universe and has received universal acclaim from audiences and critics alike. Not only has the series succeeded in capturing the world-building of the games, but it also manages to be equally appealing to both casual viewers and longtime League of Legendsplayers. Arcane season 1also delivers an emotionally compelling story, helmed by interesting characters worth rooting for and spectacular aesthetics that combine 2D and 3D animation. The voice cast also does a stellar job, grounding the Arcane franchise’s fascinating lore and making the fantastical world feel considerably real and lived-in.

Kota Factory

Raghav Subbu’s Hindi web series, Kota Factory follows 16-year-old Vaibhav, who moves to Kota with the intention of getting into IIT. The series has been praised for its refreshing monochrome setting, and the realism with which it portrays the actual narrative surrounding Kota and IIT preparation. The incorporation of deadpan humor and existential themes elevates the series above the telltale offerings in the genre, while the cinematography and art directiongreatly enhancethe central premise. Not only is Kota Factory engaging on many levels, but it is also a good example of how variant narrative threads can be meshed together seamlessly to create a strong, compelling core narrative.

You Season 3

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Youseason 3 continues the fraught, complicated dynamic between Joe and Love, who is pregnant with his child in a new suburban home. Solely repeating the cycle of Joe’s obsession with new female characters with the situation getting progressively worse for the victims involved (not to mention the unjustified murders) could have veered You season 3 into stale territory. However, the latest season of You manages to up the ante and the stakes in terms of thrill, while succeeding in showcasing the vapidness inherent within certain characters and the telltale relationship between the idea of love and the need for control. What makes You season 3 special is Love’s arc, cemented by an electrifying performance by Victoria Pedretti, wherein the narrative is able to usurp Joe’s usual position of power, even if it is for a little while.

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Hellbound

Yeon Sang-ho’s Hellboundis based on the webtoon of the same name and concerns a host of supernatural beings appearing out of nowhere to condemn people to Hell. A solid horror entry this year, Hellbound unleashes absolute madnesswith its premise, which manages to suspend audience disbelief despite the extreme absurdity of the concepts involved. Much like Squid Game, Hellbounddelivers a smart, scathing commentary, exploring the themes of sin and mortality, as well as the completely interpretative idea of justice. The performances, plot twists, and monsters mesh well with each other to concoct a highly entertaining, taut, and phantasmagoric dark fantasy drama worth consideration.

Sweet Tooth

Among the best Netflix shows of 2021 is Sweet Tooth, based on Jeff Lemire’s eponymous comic book, which makes considerable changes to the original’s core narrative, but manages to introduce ideas and character arcs interesting enough to keep audiences invested in its storyline. Sweet Tooth understandably softens some of the darker elements in the Sweet Tooth comics, maintaining a steady pace with the help of a wide range of intriguing characters, especially the endearing portrayal of Gus. The Netflixadaptation is partly whimsical and partly rooted in the horrors of a dystopian, fantasy world, striking a masterful balance between the two, with equal parts of cruelty and kindness - a mirror to the real world.

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