Picture Credit: Netflix
The New York Times just dropped a massive retrospective ranking what they consider the “100 Best TV Shows of the 21st Century.” It’s the kind of list that immediately starts arguments on social media, and it’s already done that, but we’re What’s on Netflix, so we wanted to know—how did Netflix do?
HBO (or Max) usually dominates these prestige media lists, and while they definitely showed up in force here, Netflix actually secured a highly respectable chunk of the pie. If you’re a Netflix US subscriber looking to cross some of these critical darlings off your watch list, you’re in luck.
Here is the complete breakdown of how Netflix performed on the NYT Top 100, broken down by Originals, revivals, and licensed shows available in the US. A few titles on the list also appear on Netflix via licensing deals, with Better Call Saul, Homeland, Scandal, and Breaking Bad as the notable ones.
The True Netflix Originals
Picture Credit: Netflix
When we talk about homegrown, commissioned-by-Netflix Originals, 12 shows made the cut. It’s a solid mix of their early prestige dramas, massive global blockbusters, and a few recent breakout hits.
- #20 – The Crown: No surprise here. Peter Morgan’s royal epic was practically built to win awards and top lists like this.
- #44 – BoJack Horseman: Often cited as Netflix’s masterpiece, it’s great to see this animated gem get its flowers in the top 50.
- #48 – House of Cards: The one that started it all. Despite how it ended, the NYT recognizes the seismic shift this show caused in the streaming landscape.
- #53 – Stranger Things: The crown jewel of Netflix’s pop-culture dominance easily secures a spot.
- #57 – I Think You Should Leave: Tim Robinson’s chaotic sketch show continues to prove it’s one of the most influential comedies of the decade.
- #68 – Ozark: The Byrdes’ money-laundering saga remains a massive staple of Netflix’s original drama output.
- #71 – Beef: One of the most acclaimed limited series of recent years, and thoroughly deserving of a spot.
- #72 – Squid Game: You simply cannot write the history of 21st-century television without including Netflix’s biggest show of all time.
- #81 – The Queen’s Gambit: The chess phenomenon that kept us all sane during the 2020 lockdowns.
- #89 – Baby Reindeer: A massive win for Richard Gadd’s recent runaway hit, proving Netflix can still generate out-of-nowhere cultural phenomenons.
- #94 – The Diplomat: Keri Russell’s political thriller is one of the newer additions, but it’s clearly struck a major chord with critics.
- #98 – The OA: Gone far too soon. The inclusion of Brit Marling’s canceled-too-early sci-fi trip feels like sweet vindication for its passionate fanbase.
The Netflix “Originals” (Acquisitions, Revivals & Co-Prods)
Picture: 20th Century Television
Because streaming rights are a messy business, there are a few shows on this list that proudly wear the red “N” Netflix Original branding in the US, even if they started somewhere else or are co-productions.
- #12 – Arrested Development: Fox canceled it, Netflix revived it for Seasons 4 and 5. You can stream the whole thing on Netflix US right now.
- #26 – Black Mirror: Channel 4 started it, but Netflix bought it, supercharged its budget, and turned it into a global anthology powerhouse from Season 3 onwards.
- #43 – Peaky Blinders: A BBC production, but Netflix holds the exclusive US distribution rights and markets it as an Original.
- #85 – The Great British Baking Show: Same story here. It’s Channel 4 in the UK, but it lives as a Netflix Original stateside.
The Verdict
If you tally it all up, between true Originals and co-productions, 16% of the New York Times’ Top 100 shows are streaming on Netflix right now.
While Max might still be the home of “prestige” TV according to critics, Netflix’s strategy of pairing its own massive hits (Stranger Things, Squid Game) with smart licensing plays (Breaking Bad, the HBO titles) makes it arguably the most practical subscription if you want to actually work your way through this list.
What do you think of the New York Times list? Were any major Netflix Originals snubbed? (Personally, I think leaving Dark and Mindhunter off this list is a crime). Let us know your thoughts in the comments down below!