2025 has been another year of Netflix greats, as the world’s most-subscribed streaming service continues to build a legacy of prestige television on its platform. Having agreed to buy Warner Bros. earlier in December, in some ways the picture has never been rosier for those at the top of this streaming giant.
But we’re here to talk about top TV shows rather than business dealings, and in this respect Netflix has had a barnstorming 12 months, too. A lot’s changed in television since this time last year, as is clear from the dramatic differences between this list and Screen Rant’s best Netflix shows of 2024. Yet, we’ve also had more of the same.
The TV miniseries has arguably had its best year ever, as evidenced by the four very different limited series ranking here. One of Netflix’s biggest shows is wrapping up its final season in spectacular fashion. Police-procedural crime thrillers keep on getting better and better, and Jack Thorne remains as masterful a screenwriter as ever.
Just how strong a year 2025 has been for television is clear from how many of Netflix’s best shows, period, have debuted since January. There are only 10 spots for the best of the best, though, so it’s time to count them down, from the bottom to the very top.
10
Death By Lightning
In Contention To Be Netflix’s Best Historical Drama
It’s not often that slow-burning historical drama about the political machinations around 19th century U.S. presidents become worldwide streaming phenomena. But then, James A. Garfield wasn’t just any 19th century U.S. president, and Death by Lightning isn’t just any Netflix global hit.
It’s an accomplished, beautifully rendered period piece, with exquisite attention to detail and an extraordinary command of its subject matter. More than the formal aspects of the show, however, Death by Lightning is ultimately defined by piercing clarity of its sensitive writing, acting and directing.
9
Stranger Things
Season 5 Is A Worthy Ending
Overall, Stranger Things will go down as one of the best Netflix series of all time, even if the streaming platform continues to dominate television for the next century. Its watertight mystery-box plot, genre-bending approach to the supernatural, innovative retrofuture aesthetic, and crisp production had already secured its place in history before season 5.
Nevertheless, the twist in the tale we’re witnessing in TV’s biggest finish for 2025 still deserves recognition on its own terms. The Stranger Things twist connecting Will to Vecna has already blown millions of minds around the world, and there are no doubt even more dizzying reveals to come from the Upside Down in the series finale.
8
Last Samurai Standing
A Martial Arts Masterpiece
Following the news of Last Samurai Standing’s renewal by Netflix, there’s a serious possibility that this Japanese action thriller is going to become the greatest samurai TV series of all time. Chock full of breathtaking choreography and genuinely suspenseful fight sequences, the show is everything we could wish for from this celebrated subgenre.
Even more impressively, Last Samurai Standing is a gripping story anchored by a relatable central hero whose journey is fraught with real peril. It’s worth noting too that the series carries off its Meiji-era period setting with aplomb. It’s virtually flawless across the board.
7
Toxic Town
Emoting The Pain Of A Horrifying True Story Tragedy
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