The Best Shows on Netflix Right Now

Shadow and Bone (2021): The Fantasy YA Series Comes to Netflix

Shadow and Bone, a new show based on a series of young adult novels by Leigh Bardugo, is one of Netflix's biggest debuts in 2021. It's about an orphaned mapmaker named Alina Starkov (Jessie Mei Li) who discovers she has an extraordinary power that could forever change the Russian-flavored fantasy world she lives in. Critics have praised the book series for its world-building and plotting.

The Way of the Househusband (2020): Critically-Praised Manga Gets an Anime Adaptation

Tatsu is a fearsome Yakuza boss who single-handedly wipes out ten rival gangs in one night. Afterwards, he decides to retire and becomes a househusband who supports his wife's career by doing chores with the same intensity he once had in his criminal life. That's the premise of The Way of the Househusband, a manga series from creator Kousuke Oono that's now also an anime series on Netflix. Critics have praised the manga for its art style and comedic timing, and it won a 2020 Eisner Award for best humour publication.

Dad Stop Embarrassing Me (2021): Jamie Foxx Returns to His Comedy Roots

Dad Stop Embarrassing Me is a new sitcom inspired by actor Jaime Foxx's relationship with his real-life daughter, Corinne (who executive produces the show). Foxx plays Brian, an entrepreneur who owns a cosmetics brand. He plays a variety of other characters as well, which is perhaps a nod to his early stint on the variety comedy show In Living Color. Kyla-Drew plays his perpetually embarrassed teenaged daughter, Sasha, while fellow In Living Color alum David Alan Grier stars as her grandfather, Pops. If you're a fan of old-school sitcoms, this one's worth checking out.

Waffles + Mochi (2021): Food Facts from Former First Lady Michelle Obama and Friends

Former First Lady Michelle Obama's favorite cause while living in the White House was getting kids to eat healthier. Now, she's continuing her mission to teach children about fruits and vegetables with a new family-friendly show called Waffles + Mochi. Waffles and Mochi are two adorable puppets who travel the world learning about food and cooking. They're joined by Mrs. Obama and celebrity guests like Jack Black, Zack Galifianakis, Samin Nosrat, and more. It looks very warm and fuzzy, and couldn't we all use that right now?

Lupin (2021): An Addictive French Crime Thriller

This stylish crime caper stars Omar Sy as gentleman thief Assane Diop, who is based on the fictional French anti-hero Arsene Lupin. Over the course of the show's inaugural season, he seeks revenge against a wealthy family that wronged his father, but things take an unexpected turn. The series is smart and fun, and Francophiles will enjoy the gorgeous Paris scenery.

Bridgerton (2020): A Fun, Soapy Period Drama

This soapy period romance from Shondaland is inspired by a series of bestselling bodice rippers by Julia Quinn. Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor), the eldest daughter of the powerful Bridgerton family, is looking for a husband. But her older brother and a high society scandal sheet are hindering her prospects. That's when she meets the Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page), a man who's committed to bachelorhood. It's a classic will-they-won't-they story with some gorgeous visuals and plenty of nudity. There are worse ways to spend a weekend.

Pacific Rim: The Black (2021): Because Who Doesn't Love a Good Kaiju/Mecha Fight?

Netflix's latest anime series is based on Guillermo del Toro's cult classic Pacific Rim movie franchise. Set in a near future where humanity battles gigantic kaiju using mechas called Jaegers, The Black focuses on two siblings in Australia who are searching for their parents. The animation looks gorgeous and who doesn't like to watch giant monsters and giant robots fight?

Firefly Lane (2021): An Ode to Female Friendship and Feathered Bangs

Based on a novel by Kristin Hannah, Firefly Lane charts the friendship between two women over decades, from their teens to their 40s. But a single act of betrayal threatens a bond they previously thought unshakable. Filled with plenty of '70s,'80s, and '90s references, this show will likely please anyone who enjoys a good coming-of-age tale, the movie Beaches, or Fleetwood Mac.

Cobra Kai (2018): Best '80s Nostalgia

Based on the '80s movie franchise The Karate Kid, Cobra Kai takes place thirty years after the events of the first film. Antagonist Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) is now a handyman with an estranged son. When he rescues a boy named Miguel from some bullies, he's inspired to reopen the old Cobra Kai dojo. But doing so places him back into his old high school rivalry with Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) who's now a successful businessman.

Cobra Kai uses its time jump as an asset, turning a somewhat corny story into an interesting character study of two men who peaked in high school, and how their grudges and failures affect the next generation.

Good Girls (2018): A Fun Basic Cable Crime Show

Christina Hendricks, Retta, Mae Whitman star as three suburban moms who, desperate for cash, team up to rob a supermarket. Things spiral from there. There's some good chemistry between the leads and some good laughs as the women continuously struggle to overcome one bad situation after another.

Disenchantment (2018): A Fantasy Spoof from 'The Simpsons' Creator

Disenchantment is The Simpsons creator Matt Groening's send-up of the fantasy genre. Princess Tiabeanie Mariabeanie de la Rochambeau Grunkwitz, or just "Bean" to her friends, is a rebellious hard-drinking princess who runs away from her royal duties to go on adventures with her two best friends, an elf named Elfo and a demon named Luci. While it doesn't quite reach the quality of early Simpsons episodes or Futurama, it's a fun show with plenty of gags.

The Magicians (2015): Harry Potter for Grown-ups

Based on a trilogy of fantasy novels from Lev Grossman, The Magicians is about twenty-something-year-old students attending a secretive magical university in New York. Comparisons to a certain British children's book series are inevitable. The Magicians is a more mature, darker, and cynical story, though. Slow to start, it becomes wildly entertaining in later seasons.

The Queen's Gambit: Best I-Can't-Believe-I'm-Loving-A-Show-About-Chess Limited Series

If you thought this was just another take on the British Royal Family, you are in for a jaw-dropping surprise. The word "queen" can apply in many ways to this oddly satisfying mid-century mini-series look at the world of chess and the unlikely prodigy who blithely climbs her way to the top of it.

Anya Taylor-Joy is a compelling delight to watch as her character Beth Harmon navigates a world filled with wild loops and daring plot twists. The supporting cast is superb at adding just the right touches of humor and lightness to a generally dramatic series. From Bill Camp's stern portrayal of an unlikely chess teacher to Marcin Dorocinski's rendering of a callous Russian world chess champion, every supporting character is brilliant at building unforgettable scenes that keep viewers rooting for the girl who handily rolls with every punch thrown. Do not leave this series off your list.

Big Mouth (2017): Best Animated Series About Teenage Puberty

Big Mouth is an animated series about teens and the messiness of adolescence. It features the comedic talents of Nick Kroll, John Mulaney, Jason Mantzoukas, and more. Look past all the gross-out humor and you'll find a smart, empathetic look at how puberty affects teens both physically and emotionally. It's not suitable for younger viewers, though.

The Crown: Because Olivia Colman, That's Why

The much-anticipated fourth season of The Crown is now on Netflix. Known for its high drama and luxurious cinematography, the show chronicles the lives of one of the most famous families in the world, the royal family of England. Academy Award-winning actress Olivia Colman returns as Queen Elizabeth. She's joined by Gillian Anderson, who plays Margaret Thatcher. Newcomers Josh O’Connor and Emma Corrin play Charles and Diana, respectively.

Schitt’s Creek (2015): Best Canadian Fish-Out-of-Water Comedy

The entire run of Schitt's Creek is on Netflix, making this a good time to catch up. After the wealthy Schitt family loses their fortune they move to the aforementioned Schitt's Creek, a dreary little town they once bought as a joke. Featuring great ensemble humor from its leads (especially from veteran actor Catherine O'Hara), the show is a fish-out-of-water premise that mixes Arrested Development-style family dysfunction, clever writing, and crude humor.

Evil (2019): Most Disturbingly Fun Show From Basic Cable

The CBS drama Evil is about a forensic psychologist (Katja Herbers) hired by the Catholic Church to investigate a variety of supernatural phenomena. She's joined by a priest-in-training (Mike Colter) and a contractor (Aasif Mandvi). The first season has the trio investigating serial killers, modern-day prophets, a curiously addictive Christmas song, and more. Show creators Michelle and Robert King are also responsible for The Good Wife and The Good Fight. Like those shows, Evil features a talented cast, smart writing, and relatable characters.

The Umbrella Academy (2019): Best Dysfunctional Superheroes

Quite possibly the most dysfunctional family in comicdom, the Hargreeves siblings are seven people born with superpowers and adopted by an emotionally abusive billionaire. He turns the children into a crime-fighting team called The Umbrella Academy. Many years later, he dies under mysterious circumstances and the siblings reunite for his funeral. Oh, and there's also an apocalypse coming in about a week. The unusual premise is helped by an effective soundtrack, gorgeous visuals, and a story that focuses more on character emotions than superhero theatrics (although there's plenty of those, too).

Somebody Feed Phil (2018): Best TV Comfort Food

This lighthearted travel documentary chronicles the adventures of Phil Rosenthal, the creator of Everybody Loves Raymond, as he eats his way around the world with almost childlike delight. The show doesn't dive as deeply into the cultures it visits as, say, Parts Unknown, and Rosenthal is the polar opposite of the late Anthony Bourdain. And the theme song will make you cringe every time you hear it. But, Rosenthal is an affable host and, like The Great British Bake Off, Somebody Feed Phil is pure feel-good comfort food.

Carmen Sandiego (2019): Best Educational Cartoon Series

Carmen Sandiego's third season is now on Netflix, bringing all-new educational adventures for young viewers and a heavy dose of nostalgia for those who remember the video games this show is based on. It has a caper-of-the-week format that sees Carmen squaring off against the agents of V.I.L.E. and stealing priceless artifacts. Along the way, it manages to incorporate some of the educational elements Carmen Sandiego is famous for, presenting factsheets and information on the locales and peoples the anti-hero visits during her heists.

Ozark (2017): Moodiest Crime Thriller

In this atmospheric crime drama, crooked accountant Marty Byrde (Jason Bateman) finds himself staring down the barrel of a gun when his partner slips up. Rather than accept his fate, Byrde suggests a solution: He'll move to the Lake of the Ozarks and set up a money laundering operation. The deal accepted, Marty heads south with wife Wendy (Laura Linney) and their two kids.

Like a set of dominos falling one after the other, Marty and Wendy can't help but get deeper and deeper into this mess, even sucking locals like Ruth Langmore (Julia Garner) into their wake. In a dangerous world where any slip up could result in brutal death, Marty and Wendy do their best to stay one step ahead of both the cartel and each other.

The Witcher (2019): Best Fantasy Action and Adventure

The Witcher tells the story of Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill), a Witcher, which is an order of mutated monster hunters. The first season also weaves in stories about Ciri (Freya Allan), a young princess linked to Geralt by a mistake of destiny, and sorceress Yennefer (Anya Chalotra), whose origin story is explored most thoroughly of the three.

If you aren't familiar with the source material, The Witcher may confuse you at first. It freely weaves the three main stories together without always making it clear that they aren't actually happening at the same time. The first season ties together nicely though, setting the stage for a massively epic fantasy to come.