The 2010s were an excellent decade for Netflix’s original content, with the streaming giant producing a wide range of high-quality shows that have garnered critical acclaim and devoted fanbases. From gripping dramas and heartfelt comedies to thrilling sci-fi and horror series, Netflix has something for everyone. Notable Netflix shows from the 2010s include Black Mirror, Narcos, and The Crown.
Many became cultural phenomena and garnered critical acclaim for their acting, writing, and production values. Overall, the 2010s were a great period for TV, and Netflix played a significant role in producing some of the best shows of the decade. Here are the ten best Netflix shows of the 2010s, ranked.
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10 House of Cards (2013-2018)
Netflix
House of Cards follows Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey), a ruthless and cunning politician who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals, as he navigates the cutthroat world of Washington, D.C., and rises through the ranks. Along the way, he is aided by his wife, Claire Underwood (Robin Wright), who is equally ambitious and willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead. A key aspect of the show is its portrayal of the inner workings of the U.S. government. It offers a realistic and often bleak view of the political landscape, showing the cutthroat nature of politics and the lengths people will go to achieve their goals.
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Despite its many strengths House of Cards was not without its flaws. Some viewers felt that the show was overly melodramatic and sometimes strayed into soap opera territory. Others criticized the show’s depiction of politics and government, arguing that it was overly cynical and did not accurately reflect the reality of life in Washington, D.C. Despite these criticisms, House of Cards remained a popular and influential show.
9 Orange is The New Black (2013-2019)
Lionsgate Television
The show follows the story of Piper Chapman (Taylor Schilling), a privileged New Yorker sentenced to 15 months in prison for transporting a suitcase full of drug money for her former girlfriend, Alex Vause (Laura Prepon), an international drug smuggler. As Piper navigates life’s challenges behind bars, she forms relationships with a diverse group of inmates and learns about their various backstories. Orange is the New Black is also known for exploring social and political issues.
The show touches on topics such as racial and economic inequality, the war on drugs, and the privatization of prisons. It also delves into the emotional and psychological impacts of incarceration on both inmates and their families. Despite its heavy themes, Orange is the New Black is also a show that is filled with moments of humor and humanity. The relationships between the inmates are often heartwarming, and the show portrays the resilience and strength of the human spirit. Overall, Orange is the New Black is a thought-provoking and emotionally powerful show that has gained a devoted fan base.
8 Narcos (2015-2017)
The television series Narcos, an American-Colombian production, is a crime drama that was co-created and produced by Chris Brancato, Carlo Bernard, and Doug Miro. It features a Spanish and English dialogue mix, with some episodes entirely in Spanish. The cast includes Escober (Wagner Moura), DEA agent Steve Murphy (Boyd Holbrook), and DEA agent Javier Peña (Pedro Pascal).
The show chronicles the life of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, who became one of the wealthiest and most powerful criminals in history, as well as the efforts of law enforcement to catch him and bring him to justice. The television series Narcos also explores the role of the Colombian government and the drug cartels in the country’s ongoing conflict.
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7 Master of None (2015-2021)
Master of None is a comedy-drama television series created by Aziz Ansari and Alan Yang. The show follows the personal and professional life of Dev Shah (Aziz Ansari), a 30-year-old actor, as he navigates his way through life in New York City. Dev goes through various personal and professional experiences, including dating, making a career in acting, and trying to find meaning in his life. Along the way, he is supported by his close group of friends, who include Denise (Lena Waithe), Arnold Baumheiser (Eric Wareheim), and Brian Chang (Kelvin Yu).
Master of None is known for its clever writing, relatable characters, and willingness to tackle important and timely issues. Each episode focuses on a different theme, such as the challenges of dating in the modern world, the struggles of being a minority in the entertainment industry, and the importance of family. It received widespread critical acclaim and won several awards, including three Emmy Awards.
6 The Crown (2016 to Present)
The Crown is a historical drama television series created by Peter Morgan for Netflix. It follows the life of Queen Elizabeth II, who became Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms in 1952 after her father’s death, King George VI. The series covers her reign’s major events and controversies, including her marriage to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, relationships with her children and other royal family members, and interactions with prime ministers and other world leaders.
The series also explores the personal and political challenges Elizabeth and the royal family faced and the social and cultural changes that occurred during her reign. The show features an ensemble cast, including Claire Foy as Queen Elizabeth II, Matt Smith as Prince Philip, and Vanessa Kirby as Princess Margaret.
5 Stranger Things (2016 to Present)
21 Laps Entertainment
Stranger Things is a science fiction television series created by the Duffer Brothers. It is set in the 1980s in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana. It follows the story of a group of young friends and their families, who are drawn into a series of supernatural events surrounding a mysterious girl with psychokinetic abilities called Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown). A new threat emerges in Hawkins in the form of the Upside Down, a parallel dimension.
As the group tries to figure out how to rescue Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) and defeat the creature from the Upside Down World (Demogorgon), they also deal with the typical challenges of growing up in the 1980s, including school, relationships, and family troubles. Along the way, they are aided by the town’s local police chief and a government scientist.
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4 Black Mirror (2016 to present)
It might be important to note that Black Mirror’s first two seasons aired on Channel 4 from 2011 to 2014. The series then moved to Netflix in 2016. Black Mirror, created by Charlie Brooker, is a British television show with episodes that explore the theme of technology and its impact on society. Each episode is a standalone story with a unique cast of characters and examines different aspects of society and technology.
Episodes are often set in an alternative present or the near future and feature technology that is either fictional or based on real-world prototypes. Black Mirror has gained a reputation for its bleak, cynical outlook and its portrayal of the possible consequences of emerging technologies.
3 Dark (2017-2020)
Dark is the first German-language Netflix original series and follows an intricate and complex storyline involving time travel and its potential consequences. The show takes place in the fictional town of Winden, Germany, and spans three generations of characters, all connected to a mysterious disappearance that occurred in the town in 1986. The disappearance of a young boy in Winden town brings together four estranged families as they try to uncover the truth about what happened to the boy and their loved ones.
As the characters try to make sense of the mysterious events occurring in their town, they realize that everything is connected and that the past has a way of reaching into the present.
2 The Haunting of Hill House (2018)
The Haunting of Hill House is a psychological horror drama television series created by Shirley Jackson and developed by Mike Flanagan for Netflix. The Haunting of Hill House follows the story of the Crain family, who are haunted by their experiences living in the mysterious Hill House. The Crain family comprises five adult siblings: Steven, Shirley, Theo, Luke, and Nell.
Each sibling has a unique personality and struggle, but their experiences at Hill House have a lasting impact on their lives. The show takes its audience on a journey through the past and present as the Crains confront their memories of Hill House and the ghosts that still haunt them. As they unravel the mystery of what happened at Hill House, they are forced to confront their demons and the darkness within themselves.
1 When They See Us (2019)
Ava DuVernay co-wrote and directed the four episodes of When They See Us based on a true story. The series tells the story of the Central Park Five, a group of five young men of color who were wrongfully convicted of raping a jogger in New York City’s Central Park in 1989. Despite maintaining their innocence, the men were sentenced to prison and spent many years fighting for their exoneration.
The series covers the period the Central Park Five were first questioned about the crime in 1989, through their exoneration in 2002, and the eventual settlement reached with the city of New York in 2014. The series features an all-star cast including Antron McCray (Caleel Harris), Yusef Salaam (Ethan Herisse), Kevin Richardson (Asante Blackk), Raymond Santana (Freddy Miyares), and Korey Wise (Jhareel Jerome).
