Best Shows on Netflix Right Now, Ranked for Filmmakers (July 2020)

Sail Down the River

1. Schitt’s Creek

Eugene Levy is one of the most underrated comedic talents of his generation -- famous for his work as a writer and actor on films like Waiting for Guffman and Best in Show.

Schitt’s Creek was created by Eugene Levy and his son Dan. The series spans six seasons and eighty episodes -- and follows a family of four adjusting to life in their new town of Schitt’s Creek.

“Tonight’s the night” is what blood-spatter expert/serial killer Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) says to begin the first episode of what would become one of the most notorious shows in existence. For years, Dexter was regarded as one of the best shows on television.

The fourth season of Dexter is still largely viewed as one of the single best seasons of a show ever made. Of course, John Lithgow aided that season with an incredible performance, but Dexter was never more focused than it was then. In the end, Dexter floundered to give resolution to its title character, which resulted in the dismissal of the once highly revered show. 

When it was announced that Vince Gilligan was going to follow up Breaking Bad with a prequel series focused on Saul Goodman, many responded with a healthy dose of skepticism. Not because Saul wasn’t an interesting character but because many wanted to see Gilligan do something “new.”

Although Better Call Saul is a prequel, it still feels very new. Most of the show takes place in the past, but we also see momentary glimpses into the events after Breaking Bad. This gives us something to be unsure of and adds a foreboding sense of doom to the events of the past. Ultimately, Better Call Saul is Gilligan’s most refined work and the current best show on television.

Perhaps no show on television today oozes style more than Peaky Blinders. Every facet of the show is layered with incredible period detail, and expressive production decisions. Take the haircuts for example -- it’s funny to hear that the most iconic part of the show’s character designs were almost rejected by the actors.

Peaky Blinders is a captivating look at a family of criminals in Birmingham, England during the underexplored period between World War I and World War II. Cillian Murphy gives a career performance as the head of the peaky blinders, Thomas Shelby. Oh, and the show just happens to have one of the best recurring title sequences of all time, featuring the enrapturing music of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.

After years of toiling away in obscurity, Money Heist has finally found widespread appeal with international audiences.

Money Heist, or as it’s referred to with Spanish speaking viewers La Casa de Papel, follows a mysterious man named the Professor and his elaborate heists on financial institutions. Since Money Heist debuted on Netflix in late-2017, it’s become one of the most popular shows in the world.

Style Over Substance Fantasy Series

12. The Witcher

I think most would admit that the first season of Netflix’s mega-budget The Witcher was far from perfect -- there were pacing issues, instances of acting inconsistency, and plenty of questionable moments of dialogue.

However, for many who stuck with it, The Witcher proved worthwhile in the end. Henry Cavill is great in the role of monster hunter Geralt of Rivia, even if he does take the “witchers don’t have emotion” maxim too much to heart. But with plenty of room to grow, it seems likely that The Witcher will only continue to grow in the seasons to come.   

Richard Madden’s pronunciation of Ma’am is just one reason to check out Bodyguard -- there are dozens more. Bodyguard made waves upon release for its graphic depictions of violence, terror, and PTSD.

Bodyguard was also a favorite of critics in 2018, with many citing its difficult subject matter as timely and unforgettable.

Russian Doll is, as its title implies, a series of unraveling new layers to something that’s different yet seems the same. Natasha Lyonne serves as co-creator and star of the series that was a smash-hit with critics in 2019.

A second season of Russian Doll has already been ordered by Netflix but there’s currently no definite release date.

GLOW, AKA the Gorgeous Ladies Of Wrestling continues the trend of Netflix finding hits in the unlikeliest of places. This Netflix original series stars Alison Brie as an actress-turned-wrestler who desperately attempts to find a “Hollywood” career.

Beyond the superficial action on the mat, GLOW has lots to say about corruption in the entertainment industry and the empowerment of women.

The course of television history was changed forever with Vince Gilligan’s Breaking Bad. Bryan Cranston stars in the show as a high-school teacher turned meath kingpin who will do anything necessary to get what he wants.

Breaking Bad is one of the most tangibly depressing shows ever made. There’s something innately disturbing about the story of Walter White and his tragic family. That’s a testament to the show’s excellent writing and direction though.

True-crime documentaries have spread like wildfire in recent years, almost to the point of self-parody. American Vandal satirizes the true-crime doc to perfection though.

Not since the prime of Christopher Guest and Michael McKean’s collaborations together have we seen such brilliant use of the mockumentary format.