Netflix Original Tv Shows That Still Set The Bar Higher
Netflix original TV shows that still set the bar higher
Netflix original TV shows have become the platform's clearest proof that streaming can produce prestige, global hits, and franchise-scale storytelling at the same time, with titles like Stranger Things, The Crown, and Squid Game remaining reference points for audience reach and awards success. Netflix's own materials still highlight this pipeline of acclaimed originals, including a 2026 Tudum feature calling out 23 critically acclaimed series and a 2024 awards roundup noting 230 Primetime Emmy awards for the company since 2013.
Why these shows matter
The strongest Netflix originals do more than fill a catalog; they define viewing habits, drive conversation across languages, and create durable value for a global audience. Netflix's official pages and awards coverage show that the service has repeatedly turned original series into cultural events, with The Crown becoming a landmark prestige drama and Stranger Things evolving into one of the platform's most recognizable franchises.
For viewers, the practical question is not which Netflix original is newest, but which ones still set the standard for writing, production quality, and rewatch value. The titles below remain strong choices because they combine broad appeal with sustained critical recognition and, in several cases, major award totals.
Standout titles
- The Crown - Netflix's most decorated original drama, with 87 Emmy nominations and 21 wins across six seasons, according to Netflix Tudum.
- Stranger Things - A flagship sci-fi series that Netflix continues to treat as a tentpole property, with an official listing showing five seasons and continued franchise expansion.
- Squid Game - A global phenomenon that moved from breakout drama to a broader franchise, underscoring Netflix's international reach.
- Orange Is the New Black - One of the platform's earliest original series successes and a foundational title in Netflix's prestige era.
- Wednesday - A newer hit that helped confirm Netflix's strength in character-driven, youth-skewing genre storytelling.
- Baby Reindeer - A recent awards magnet that strengthened Netflix's reputation for daring limited-series storytelling.
Data snapshot
| Show | Why it still matters | Verified signal |
|---|---|---|
| The Crown | Benchmark for prestige historical drama and awards dominance. | 87 Emmy nominations, 21 wins |
| Stranger Things | Signature Netflix franchise with lasting cultural visibility. | Official Netflix title page lists 5 seasons |
| Squid Game | Proof that a non-English-language series can become a worldwide event. | Netflix's official title page lists 3 seasons |
| Orange Is the New Black | Early original that helped legitimize Netflix as a premium studio. | Netflix identifies it as its first original dramedy series |
| Baby Reindeer | Recent example of Netflix's awards reach in limited series. | Highlighted in Netflix's 2024 Emmy roundup |
What makes a winner
The best streaming series on Netflix usually share four traits: a distinct voice, strong cast chemistry, a memorable visual identity, and the ability to sustain conversation beyond opening weekend. Netflix's own awards history supports that formula, because the platform has repeatedly earned major recognition for series that combine craft and cultural momentum rather than relying on novelty alone.
That pattern matters for school leaders, educators, and families who view media literacy as part of contemporary formation. A strong original series can serve as a case study in narrative structure, ethical conflict, historical interpretation, and global cultural exchange when it is discussed carefully and critically.
Viewing order
- Start with The Crown if you want the clearest example of awards-level prestige television.
- Move to Stranger Things for a mainstream genre series with long-running audience loyalty.
- Watch Squid Game next to see how Netflix built a global hit from a Korean-language thriller.
- Include Orange Is the New Black to understand Netflix's original-series foundation.
- Add Wednesday and Baby Reindeer to compare newer forms of franchise and limited-series success.
Historical context
Netflix's original-series strategy changed television economics after its first original drama and later awards breakthroughs, with the company's own retrospective noting that its Emmy profile grew from a single 2013 win into a massive awards footprint by 2024. That evolution is important because it shows how a streaming platform moved from distribution to creative leadership, reshaping the standards by which original television is judged.
"Here are 23 critically acclaimed Netflix Original series that have earned their reputations in award nominations, wins, and rave reviews," Netflix Tudum wrote in 2026, a concise statement of how the company now positions its prestige catalog.
For families and educators
For parents, educators, and school communities, the practical value of a title like Netflix original TV shows lies in selecting programs that can be discussed with intention rather than consumed passively. Series such as The Crown and Stranger Things can support conversations about leadership, power, fear, friendship, and moral choice when guided by age-appropriate reflection.
In a Marist educational frame, that kind of viewing can become a prompt for discernment, empathy, and social understanding when adults help students connect storylines to real-world responsibility. The point is not to treat entertainment as curriculum, but to use high-quality storytelling as an entry point for thoughtful dialogue and media literacy.
Helpful tips and tricks for Netflix Original Tv Shows That Still Set The Bar Higher
What are the best Netflix original TV shows?
The strongest and most durable choices include The Crown, Stranger Things, Squid Game, Orange Is the New Black, Wednesday, and Baby Reindeer, because they combine cultural reach with verified critical or awards recognition.
Which Netflix originals won the most awards?
Among Netflix originals, The Crown stands out with 87 Emmy nominations and 21 wins, and Netflix's broader awards totals show the platform has built a major prestige-TV portfolio since 2013.
Why do Netflix originals matter in TV history?
Netflix originals matter because they helped prove that streaming services could create globally visible, award-winning television rather than simply licensing it, with Netflix's own historical coverage pointing to a rapid rise in Emmy recognition and prestige status.
Which Netflix original should I start with?
Start with The Crown if you want the most acclaimed drama, or Stranger Things if you want the most accessible genre hit; both are official Netflix originals with strong long-term visibility.
Are Netflix originals only English-language shows?
No, Netflix's standout original catalog includes global hits such as Squid Game, which helped establish the platform's international storytelling power and broadened the audience for non-English series.
