The Best Netflix Series of 2023
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Here at Esquire, we're taking stock of the year in television. (If you want to know our 10 favorite shows of the year, kindly head here.) On today's agenda? Netflix. The streamer, of course, is known for cranking out endless content—some good, some bad!—so we had to watch more time on the platform this year than we're willing to admit.
Regardless, the streamer delivered quite a few surprises in 2023. If you love horror, Mike Flanagan's The Fall of The House of Usher will satiate your craving for the darker things in life. Based on the work of Edgar Allan Poe, the miniseries tracks the downfall of a pharmaceutical family with a haunting secret. Do you love competition shows? Look no further than Squid Game: The Challenge. If romance is more your speed, Bridgerton heated things up with Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. But don’t stop there—that’s only the beginning. Below, you’ll find the 20 best Netflix original series of 2023.
BEEF
How far would a couple of road-raging drivers go for revenge? Well, we certainly find out when Amy Lau and Danny Cho cross paths in a parking lot. After leaving the scene, both drivers vow to ruin each other's lives—but it costs them everything. With themes of capitalism, race, and class woven into the series, BEEF starts as a petty revenge fantasy and ends with a lesson in humanity. Yes, Amy and Danny have beef (for many reasons)—but they have more in common than they think.—Bria McNeal
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The Fall of the House of Usher
The Fall of the House of Usher is based on Edgar Allan Poe’s short story of the same name. In director Mike Flanagan's interpretation, power-hungry siblings Roderick and Madeline are shocked when their company is sued for malpractice. They're certain they’ll win the case, until an attorney reveals that a member of their family is an informant. When Roderick's children are mysteriously killed, he realizes something sinister is at play. Are his kids working against each other, or is someone else to blame?—B.M.
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All The Light We Cannot See
Based on Anthony Doerr’s award-winning novel, All The Light We Cannot See follows an unlikely relationship between a blind French girl and a young German soldier. When France becomes occupied by Nazis, a young Marie-Laure Leblanc starts a radio show to inspire faith in her community. Along the way she meets Werner, a young soldier whose belief system is challenged by the war.—B.M.
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Squid Game: The Challenge
When we heard that Netflix was developing Squid Game: The Challenge—a reality competition series inspired the celebrated a South Korean drama, Squid Game—we were a little skeptical. Turns out, watching 456 players to fight for $4.56 million is pretty damn fun. Each episode eliminates competitors through games that test their physical abilities, intellect, and alliances. To win, players need good luck and an even better strategy. It’s a gripping, 10-episode race to the finish that’s full of satisfying twists.
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Beckham
You might know David Beckham—but do you know his story? Beckham tracks the soccer player's fascinating life, showing his maturation from shy teenager into a superstar. With exclusive interviews from Beckham, his wife, Victoria, and their friends and family, the film displays his journey to international fame—and the consequences that came with it.—B.M.
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Untold
Netflix's Untold has been steadily dropping solid, hour-or-so-long sports documentaries since 2021—but the last few episodes might mark the best in the franchise. This year, Untold profiled two highly-unreliable narrators: Jake Paul and Johnny Manziel. The series creators deserve an Emmy for their ambition alone.—Brady Langmann
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The Ultimatum: Queer Love
The Ultimatum is back and better than ever. This season features a queer cast who have all come with an ultimatum for their relationship. Over the course of eight weeks, they're allowed to swap partners, evaluate their relationships, and put their love to the test. Reality television at its best.—B.M.
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The Witcher
Season Three of The Witcher marks Henry Cavill’s final appearance as the monster slayer Geralt. After announcing his departure from the series to pursue a Superman return (which didn’t pan out either), Cavill capped his time on The Witcher as the series entered its most popular phase. Now, it's time to welcome Liam Hemsworth to this fantasy party.—Josh Rosenberg
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The Lincoln Lawyer
Mickey Haller stans, unite! The Lincoln Lawyer is our guilty pleasure. The Lincoln Lawyer is our friend. The Lincoln Lawyer will save us all.—B.L.
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Painkiller
Here's a series with actual awards-season potential: Painkiller. Thanks to stellar direction from Pete Berg, the opioid crisis—and the greed of the Sackler family and Purdue Pharma—has never felt more harrowing.—B.L.
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Black Mirror
This summer, Black Mirror returned with five new episodes—which are full of the terror, wit, and occasional laugh you've come to expect from the mind of Charlie Brooker. Don't miss the Annie Murphy-starring "Joan Is Awful," which has some fun at the expense of Netflix itself.—B.L.
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Kaleidoscope
Kaleidoscope might just be one of the most interesting shows Netflix has ever released. The Giancarlo Esposito-starring heist drama is structured in a non-linear order, meaning that viewers can watch the episodes in any order they choose. (Leading up the finale, of course.) The order the episodes appear in your browser are also randomized for each user. Crazy stuff.—J.R.
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That '90s Show
Grab a beer (or a blunt!) and turn on That '90s Show for a blast of nostalgia. This year, the Formans welcomed us back to their iconic basement—and yes, it looks just like you remember. This spinoff of That '70s Show follows Eric and Donna’s daughter, Lei Forman. She stays with her grandparents, Red and Kitty, for the summer, where she makes her own memories with a new gaggle of friends.—B.M.
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Break Point
The Netflix Sports Multiverse keeps on rolling, folks. This year, the streamer debuted Break Point, which follows life on the WTA and ATP Tour. Come for candid interviews with the likes of Nick Kyrgios and Ajla Tomljanović. Stay for the temper tantrums and broken rackets.—B.L.
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Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre
Junji Ito, the Japanese master of horror manga, has developed a cult following over the course of his career, thanks to his terrifying illustrations and inventive short stories. The author selected 20 spine-tingling tales to be adapted in an animated anthology series (for the first time) in Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre.—J.R.
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The Diplomat
Netflix's surprise hit of the year so far? The Keri Russell-starring political drama, The Diplomat. If you haven't seen the series quite yet, give it a try—it'll absolutely be your new favorite White-House-wheeling-and-dealing type of show. Then join us in our long wait for Season Two.
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Pluto
There's a reason why Pluto is one of Esquire's best anime of the year. A robot detective solving murders? Do you even need to know more?—B.L.
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Lockwood & Co.
Lockwood & Co. follows the adventures of two teen boys who recruit a young psychic to create a ghost-hunting agency. (Called... Lockwood & Co.) The duo originally plans to hunt ghosts around London and ward off dangerous spirits—but things get complicated when they uncover a mystery that could change the world as they know it.—B.M.
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You
If you’re not already immersed in Joe Goldberg's twisted universe, now is the time to start. Season Four of the stalker-thriller You landed on Netflix this February—and it picks up right where Season Three left off. In this chapter of You, Goldberg, a charming stalker, flees to London for reasons I won’t spoil right now. Just know: he’s left a trail of ghosts in Los Angeles that come back to haunt him.—B.M.
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Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
Love is in the air once again in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story—a limited series that focused on the young Queen Charlotte's rise to prominence. As fans wait for Season Three of the beloved, campy period romance, Shonda Rimes kept the Bridgerton bees buzzing with an eight-episode prequel.—J.R.
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