The Top 10 Drama Shows Streaming on Netflix (Ranked)
#10 - The Walking Dead (2010)
I don’t think even AMC imagined the humongous success The Walking Dead would have. Premiering on Halloween in 2010, TWD went on to become a ratings champion for the network. Andrew Lincoln (Love Actually, Teachers) stars as Rick Grimes, the leader of a group doing their best to survive during a zombie apocalypse. Fans fell in love with Grimes, Daryl, Glenn, Carol, and many more in this ensemble cast. If you’re looking for a show that features horror, heart, and plenty of action, TWD should be at the top of your list.
Photo © Idiot Box Productions, Circle of Confusion, Skybound Entertainment, Valhalla Entertainment, AMC Studios.
#9 - Shameless (2011)
The world’s favorite dysfunctional family can be seen right here on Showtime’s Shameless. This show lives up to its title time and time again in this dramedy of the Gallagher family. Led by the patriarch Frank Gallagher, played by William H. Macy (Fargo, Boogie Nights), you won’t believe some of the crazy things that happen in this show. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll be disgusted sometimes, but you won’t regret watching this great series.
Photo © John Wells Productions, Warner Bros. Television, Showtime Networks.
#8 - Gilmore Girls (2000)
If you’re looking for a show full of heart and drama, but can do without the horror of The Walking Dead or the craziness of Shameless, then you might want to binge through the 7 seasons (plus a revival mini-series) of the timeless dramedy the Gilmore Girls. Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel play the titular Gilmore Girls, starring in the roles they were born to play. If you lived through the early 2000s, this show and its town of Star Hollow will remind you of a simpler time. Love, heartache, and so much more await you in a binge of this wonderful series.
Photo © Dorothy Parker Drank Here Productions, Hofflund/Polone, Warner Bros. Television.
#7 - House of Cards (2013)
Netflix’s first original show, House of Cards, may be less enjoyable now as it stars Kevin Spacey. If you remove him from the equation, House of Cards is a wonderfully written and exciting political drama. You’ll never know what’s coming in this series. Robin Wright (The Princess Bride, Forrest Gump) is brilliant as Claire Underwood and the show also features breakout performances from Mahershala Ali (Moonlight, Green Book), Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Kate Mara (Fantastic Four, A Teacher), and Corey Stoll (Ant-Man, Midnight in Paris).
Photo © MRC, Trigger Street Productions, Wade/Thomas Productions, Knight Takes King Productions.
#6 - Better Call Saul (2015)
Normally, a prequel television show is hampered by the fact that you know what’s going to happen. However, Better Call Saul is an exception. The show’s creator, Vince Gilligan of Breaking Bad fame, recaptures the magic of the hit show Breaking Bad in a series about that show’s lovable miscreant lawyer, Saul Goodman. Bob Odenkirk (Breaking Bad, Mr. Show) captivates audiences as Goodman, showing range and development in his character that only adds to the greatness of Breaking Bad. Fans of that series may want to continue down on our list, as you may be reading about it more very soon.
Photo © High Bridge Productions, Crystal Diner Productions, Gran Via Productions, Sony Pictures Television.
#5 - Stranger Things (2016)
If you love the 80s and especially 80s TV/Film, then Stranger Things is the show that you should be binging next. We’re sure that many of you have already seen the show, as it set all sorts of Netflix viewership records. Over 64 million households watched the third season of the show within the first month of its premier. But, if you’ve somehow missed out on all the fun, joining Eleven and the boys on their sci-fi adventures will make for some totally radical television watching.
Photo © 21 Laps Entertainment, Monkey Massacre, Netflix.
#4 - The Punisher (2017)
One batch, two batch, penny and dime. If you’re a fan of the superhero genre, then how have you not watched this amazing Netflix Original Show? After partnering with Marvel, Netflix brought us some of the best superhero shows to date. Led by the show Daredevil (which you might see somewhere on this list), these intertwined shows brought the superhero genre to the next level. The Punisher is a fan favorite comic book character that the movies never quite got right. This show and its star, Jon Bernthal (The Walking Dead, The Wolf of Wall Street), finally does him justice. The character makes his debut in season two of Daredevil, which brings us to...
Photo © Marvel Television, ABC Studios, Bohemian Risk Productions, Netflix.
#3 - Daredevil (2015)
The first Marvel show on Netflix may be its best. It opened the door for the aforementioned Punisher series, as well as Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, and The Defenders. In our opinion, all the shows are pretty good, but Daredevil stands above. The critics agree, as season one has a 99% fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes. The series kicked off the Netflix Marvel universe with a bang, led by great writing, cinematography, and acting. Charlie Cox (Stardust, The Theory of Everything) and Vincent D’Onofrio (Men in Black, Full Metal Jacket) were perfectly cast as Daredevil and the Kingpin, respectively. If you’re unsure about committing to watching all these connected shows, give Daredevil season one a watch and you’ll be unsure no longer.
Photo © Marvel Television, ABC Studios, DeKnight Productions, Goddard Textiles.
#2 - Orange is the New Black (2013)
Speaking of firsts, one of Netflix’s first original shows is arguably its best effort. Full of dynamic and multi-layered characters spending their time behind bars, OITNB showcases the female inmates' stories in prison and how they got there. Created by the innovative Jenji Kohan (Weeds) and starring an ensemble cast led by Taylor Schilling (Argo, The Lucky One), OITNB is the longest running and most watched original series on Netflix. Nominated for 16 Emmy Awards and winning four, OITNB is loved by critics and audiences everywhere.
Photo © Tilted Productions, Lionsgate Television.
#1 - Breaking Bad (2008)
The highest rated multi-season television show on IMDB.com is also the highest show on our list. Breaking Bad originally aired on the AMC network. Ratings were good for their first three seasons, then the show began to stream on Netflix. This helped millions of people discover the show, leading it to become one of the most watched shows in America by the time the series concluded after its fifth season. It practicatically helped invent the notion of “binge watching” as people devoured the first three seasons on Netflix to catch up to the AMC broadcasts. Bryan Cranston (Malcolm in the Middle, Argo) and Aaron Paul (Need for Speed, Westworld) star in this crime drama that proves that one will do anything for their family and friends. If you'll do something for us, we hope it’s that you give this show a binge the next time you take a seat in front of your TV.
Photo © High Bridge Entertainment, Gran Via Productions, Sony Pictures Television.
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