The 50 best Netflix Australia TV shows

Netflix has undoubtedly been the game changer in the world of streaming entertainment. With an enormous volume of original and classic content, including Netflix's library of television shows, there is something for everyone.

From political drama to 80s-inspired sci-fi to the best superhero TV shows and everything in between, Netflix has been consistently knocking it out of the park. What's not always quite so easy is determining what to watch. We've watched the early classics you may have missed and some brand new titles, to come up with the 50 best Netflix TV shows in Australia.

• How do we come up with our list?

  For our best show and movie recommendations we look at a combination of titles' IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes scores (where available), what's popular on the service's app and the expert and critical opinion of our writers, who have over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry.

Try before you buy with these free trials and deals

The series is inventive, gory and thought-provoking. It's also quite addictive, so you might want to clear your schedule before tuning in.

This fast-paced comedy has some of the tightest scripts around and is easily one of the best (and funniest) Australian shows of the past few years.

Lupin boasts a memorable performance from Omar Sy in the lead role. Plus, it's a roller-coaster of action, thievery and human drama. The plot twists will have you engrossed in no time.

Sweet Tooth might sound depressing based on its synopsis. Rest assured, it's not. The series has a lot of heart and is surprisingly entertaining, making it a treat for fantasy fans of all ages.

The dark comedy sees things spiral out of control as each tries to get back at the other. The high-quality cast and gripping story will make you want to binge immediately.

Produced by Shonda Rhimes, Bridgerton is an addictive and charming series which is sure to appeal to romance enthusiasts. Add wonderful performances and gorgeous sets into the mix and we've got a winner.

The Crown has a tremendous cast and excellent production values. While it may take some historical liberties, it also delivers an engaging narrative.

Lucifer puts a fun twist on the buddy cop and crime procedural formats.

Funny, compelling and thoughtful, the show doesn't disappoint, even in a world saturated with revivals. Whether you're a fan of the original film or not, you'll be hooked in no time.

This series may seem repetitive at first glance, but rest assured – Russian Doll is so inventive that it's impossible to get bored, whether you choose to binge it in a single session or pace yourself. It only gets more ambitious and complex as it goes on, so we can pretty much bet you'll be on the edge of your seat. As a nice bonus, Natasha Lyonne is extremely compelling in the main role.

Charming comedy Never Have I Ever is inspired by creator Mindy Kaling's own early life and stars newcomer Maitreyi Ramakrishnan as an overachieving high school sophomore. She's perfect in the lead role, supported by a tremendous ensemble cast. The series has so much heart you'll likely fall in love with it from the very first scene.

The show goes from dark to darker, making it an addictive watch. If you can stand the tension, following the pair as they struggle to get away with crime-related endeavours is highly satisfying.

Slick and chilling, Mindhunter is one of Netflix's most addictive original shows, featuring a tremendous cast and showing us how now common terms like "serial killer" first came to life. If you're into crime shows, you don't want to miss this.

Epic in scale and boasting some truly excellent fight scenes, The Witcher is a treat for fantasy lovers. Henry Cavill offers a memorable performance and the visuals are mesmerising. If you're looking for a show full of magic and gore, you just stumbled upon the perfect binge.

If you like period dramas, this is a must. The Queen's Gambit is not only beautifully shot and rich in detail, but it boasts a nuanced performance from Anya Taylor-Joy and tells a complex, spell-binding story. Believe the hype – it really is that good.

Melodramatic and highly addictive, this drama is the kind of show best enjoyed binged, so there's no wonder it made its way onto Netflix's generous library of foreign content. Soon after, it even became the most-watched foreign series on the service. If you don't mind subtitles, you'll be in for a delicious tale full of twists, manipulation and revolt.

An intricate mystery-drama, this German series is sure to appeal to Stranger Things fans. Tense and beautifully crafted, this tale reveals itself slowly, keeping the viewer engaged every step of the way. You'll be glued to the screen, eager to discover all the secrets this deeply troubled town worked so hard to bury. In the end, your patience will be rewarded. And then some.

Stirring and immersive, powerful miniseries When They See Us puts a lot of emphasis on what the boys and their families endured over their decades-long ordeal, shining light on all the ways in which the system failed them. Turns out, justice truly can be blind.

The Umbrella Academy is the perfect blend of comedy and drama, offering a memorable soundtrack and a compelling ensemble cast. You won't regret spending time in the show's delightful company. It's funny and compulsively watchable.

One of the most informative and sweetest teen comedies about sex, Sex Education is an often hilarious, always exciting series that feels fresh and honest. You can enjoy it regardless of age.

The best kind of unsettling, You is a highly addictive TV show, so make sure you set aside enough time to devour this delicious offering. Both thrilling and trashy, the series will definitely make you think about how you can better protect your privacy, especially online.

Dark and terrifying, The Haunting of Hill House is a smooth blend of family drama and horror thrills, all delivered to you in an incredibly stylish package. Caution – you might end up sleeping with the lights on.

It's rare to see a show so lovingly dedicated to the 80s. Often TV shows, movies and books lean on nostalgia without weaving them into the narrative in any meaningful way. That's far from the case in Stranger Things. The Duffer Brothers' sci-fi/thriller/horror isn't just a love letter, it stands alone as one of the greatest television shows today, thanks to its talented and diverse cast and its gripping story arc.

Black Mirror episodes are often mind-bending and even terrifying, showcasing situations where technology goes too far. This may not be a show that's particularly fun to watch, but it's gripping and provocative, which should be enough to keep you glued to the screen.

With all its twisty time-travel narrative, Bodies can be hard to keep track of, but if you stick with it, the pay-off is worth it.

Rick and Morty rockets between risky and gut-busting hilarity to some surprisingly meaningful and touching life lessons (though Rick has a habit of shooting down anything hopeful).

It is a thought-provoking, funny and evocative show about life in a women's prison. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll vaguely wonder about committing a minor crime so you too can go to prison and write about it.

Imagine every live-action character Will Arnett has ever played blended together in an anthropomorphic horse and you have BoJack Horseman. This story of a washed-up equine actor seemed at first to be Netflix's Family Guy or American Dad. However, it's so much more than that. Unlike most sitcoms or cartoons, Bojack's character actually goes through a lot of growth. It's not exactly what you would expect from a bizarre comedy about talking animals, but that's what you get with BoJack.

While the twist at the start might confuse fans of the comic and the movie, stick with this anime version, as this new path it travels is well worth following.

The series seamlessly switches from dark comedy to moving drama at a moment's notice, offering a thoughtful exploration of grief, depression and resilience. It also boasts some wonderful performances, especially from Gervais himself.

An epic coming-of-age story, Boy Swallows Universe blends the magic and innocence of youth with the brutal reality of the adult world.

Narcos doesn't give you too many characters to root for, but it's definitely addictive and illuminating, even if you're already familiar with much of the real life stories. The series is stylish and action-packed, with top-notch performances and intense storytelling. Not recommended for the faint of heart.

The Good Place is a charming comedy about the afterlife. It's hilarious and lively, it's weird and subversive, it's well-written and brilliantly casted. You'll be hooked from episode 1.

In the mood for a wholesome romance? Heartstopper is unbearably cute and incredibly uplifting, to the point where it may even restore your faith in humanity.

With excellent production values, solid acting and an intriguing plot, Peaky Blinders is a period drama you don't want to miss.

An adaptation of the comic book series written by Neil Gaiman, The Sandman is gorgeous to look at, with excellent visual effects and committed performances. It's the perfect fantasy series to get lost in.

Top Boy is thrilling, tense and it works as not only a taut drama, but accurate social commentary as well.

Reboots are all the rage nowadays, but we're happy to report that Heartbreak High is a good one. Vibrant and funny, the series will quickly make its way into viewers' hearts. If you're a fan of Sex Education, even better.

The anthology is visually dazzling, with each episode standing on its own. You can binge them over the course of a long weekend, but we recommend spacing them out for maximum enjoyment.

Coming from Tim Burton, horror comedy Wednesday is a whole lot of fun, mainly thanks to Jenna Ortega's flawless performance. The visuals are also top-notch.

If you’re up for a Succession-like story but with added horror, The Fall of the House of Usher is just the show for you.

A mix of comedy, action and drama, at the heart of The Brothers Sun is the dilemma of duty to family vs following your personal dreams. Michelle Yeoh’s presence lights up every scene she is in, plus the series has unearthed some fresh talent too.

The Lying Life of Adults is a compelling adaptation that does the source material justice. Melancholic and absorbing, this beautiful coming-of-age series will sweep you off your feet.

Inventive and unsettling, this thriller/horror series delivers both scares and social commentary. It's a hidden gem well worth your time.

With a dynamite performance from Celeste Barber, this is the perfect show to unwind with after a long week. Short and breezy, it will make you experience a rollercoaster of emotions.

If you loved Keri Russell in The Americans, there's no doubt you'll love her in this political drama too.

If you're a fan of the bodice-ripping Bridgerton, you'll adore this as its world expands with this prequel of Regency romance.

Based on a novel by Matthew Quirk, The Night Agent is a fast-paced and binge-worthy series that will keep you glued to the screen. It's best enjoyed with a big bowl of popcorn.

With an attractive cast and fun plot, The Lincoln Lawyer is an easy binge.

One Piece already is a favourite anime series and a bestselling manga, so with this live-action adaptation you can fall in love with the story all over again.

What changed on our list?

New additions

• The Brothers Sun
• Boy Swallows Universe

We removed

• Shadow and Bone
• From Scratch

Image: Netflix