Miniseries, or limited series (essentially shows that are intentionally single-season) have become one of the most popular storytelling formats in recent years, all thanks to streaming platforms like Netflix. In an era when social platforms like TikTok entice us to consume media in a very rapid manner, our brains are way more susceptible to binge series that don’t require that much of our free time. There’s an overwhelming number of new movies and TV shows coming out every month, hence why we’re more likely to choose a limited series to watch next, to keep up with everything. It’s a smaller commitment.
In this regard, Netflix is one of the leading providers of miniseries that are binge-worthy. Indeed, every month, the streamer continuously adds new TV series just as quickly as it cancels them. As such, there’s virtually no shortage of stuff to watch. Let’s take a look at a few Netflix miniseries that you should definitely watch next if you haven’t already.
Updated on October 27th, 2023, by Fatima Ali Idrisoglu: This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.
30 The Midnight Club (2022)
Featuring stories based on the novels and short stories of popular young adult horror writer, Christopher Pike, The Midnight Club sports a grim hook since it takes place in a hospice. The show follows eight close friends who are all residents there. The group of young friends all suffer from a terminal illness and form the midnight club as a way to entertain themselves. They meet up each night at midnight to tell scary stories. However, the series also follows a second narrative that plays out the stories they tell each other. The friends also have a pact that whichever one of them succumbs to their illness first will reach out from beyond the grave to communicate with the rest of them.
What Makes It Great
The Midnight Club is a great show, filled with plenty of nostalgic elements and spooky tales that re-confirm the reason for Pike’s books’ ongoing popularity. Each character was given enough time to shine and get closer to the audience. Their personalities, fears, and goals were explained in a set of stories and the fans were able to have their own little ‘Sherlock moments’ to discover these hidden messages. Unfortunately, it only had one season, so fans looking forward to answers behind some of the unexplained mysteries, will have to look forward to reading the books. However, this also means it can be watched as a limited series since that season followed a semi-anthology format.
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29 Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life (2016)
Following on from the huge popularity of the original show, The Gilmore Girls, the follow-up show, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life is a great miniseries that gave fans one more hit of their beloved characters. The show takes place in four, feature-length episodes, with fans ecstatic that Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel in particular returned as the famous duo of Lorelai and Rory Gilmore.
What Makes It Great
Acting as a sequel to the iconic show, much of the original cast and fan-favorite characters return to reprise their roles. The show was well-received and has an 87% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. With more than enough nostalgic elements and new twists for fans to gorge themselves on, this was definitely one of the more successful revivals around. While some fans may disagree, there’s no denying that the sequel did bring in a fresh batch of gossip, curiosity, and fan-favorite moments that were well-missed.
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28 Inside Man (2022)
Inside Man
- Release Date
- June 23, 2013
- Cast
- Morgan Spurlock
- Main Genre
- Documentary
Inside Man stars David Tennant and the brilliant Stanley Tucci, and the show tells a pulsating tale about a man on death row in the US to a woman trapped in a cellar in England. While on death row, a convicted murderer, who’s also a former criminologist, helps people on cold cases whenever they call on him. Meanwhile, across the pond, a vicarage holds some very dark secrets as the two seemingly unconnected worlds are brought together by some chilling revelations.
What Makes It Great
This show offers scenes that are brilliant, psychologically twisted, and playing on some unique angles. The cast in particular has been praised by critics for their absorbing portrayals, which are both immersive and spine-tingling with their tension at times. Each episode is engineered in a way that tags the audience along with solving cases, making them feel like a detective themselves. For fans who love a good crime show, this one’s not to be missed.
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27 Treason (2022)
Treason
- Release Date
- December 26, 2022
- Cast
- Ciarán Hinds, Beau Gadsdon, Samuel Leakey, Adam James, Charlie Cox
- Main Genre
- Action
The show sees Cox’s character, Adam Lawrence forced to take the reins as the head of MI6 when his former boss is poisoned. Meanwhile, Kara Yusova (Kurylenko) a Russian spy who’s investigating the death of five of her men, winds up roping him into a far larger conspiracy than meets the eye.
What Makes It Great
Fans of the Daredevil seriesare in for a treat with the great spy show, Treason. It stars Charlie Cox in the lead with an electric Olga Kurylenko at his side. This show hits all the right notes for lovers of spy shows, with scenes full of twists, double-crosses, and all the intrigue fans of the genre have come to expect. These fantastic twists make Treason a good reason why this seemingly ordinary spy show is a gripping watch.
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26 The Haunting of Hill House (2018)
The Haunting of Hill House
- Release Date
- November 30, 2017
- Cast
- Michiel Huisman, Elizabeth Reaser, Kate Siegel, Victoria Pedretti, Timothy Hutton, Carla Gugino, Henry Thomas
- Main Genre
- Horror
The Haunting of Hill House is based on 1959’s gothic horror novel by Shirley Jackson. The plot revolves around an ill-fated family that got haunted after living at the Hill House. Even after fleeing from the mansion and reaching adulthood, the children now-turned-adult, still experience strange paranormal occurrences that disrupt their daily lives. Not only are they haunted by the malevolent spirits that dwell there, but their lives are split between past and present.
What Makes It Great
For horror fanatics, there’s no need to scour the vast library of bad horror films out there looking for a gem when Netflix has you covered. It may not be a movie, but it will give the best ones around a run for their money with its terrifying scenes and brilliant plot. The show delivers on everything, it drips in tension and uses a congruent mix of jump scares, tension building, and a horrifying atmosphere that will get under skin of the even the most ardent horror fan. The Haunting of Hill House does an amazing job of tying the two plots together and fully immersing audiences in the fates of each family member.
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25 Maniac (2018)
Maniac
- Release Date
- September 21, 2018
- Cast
- Emma Stone, Jonah Hill, Justin Theroux, Sally Field
- Genres
- Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
Maniac is a mind-bending comedy show that takes a deep dive into the human mind. Annie Landsberg and Owen Milgrim are two young people who do not know each other but are dealing with their demons. When they sign up for a twisted pharmaceutical trial, they find the thin line between reality and fantasy blurring. After taking the pills, they enter a three-day drug trip where they watch them trying to confront their guilt and pain.
What Makes It Great
Before Academy Award winner Everything Everywhere All At Once graced us with a futuristic and trippy spectacle, this ambitious Netflix miniseries explored the boundaries of creativity on the small screens. It stars Emma Stone and Jonah Hill, who haven’t shared a screen since Superbad. From aquariums to dinner dates, the visuals are a feast for the senses. While the storyline is a bit complicated, the performances from Stone and Hill are truly amazing.
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24 Stay Close (2021)
Stay Close is a British thriller based on a bestselling novel written by Harlan Coben. The wildly immersive story follows the lives of three people entangled by a messy past. Megan is a mother of three living an ordinary life in the suburbs. Ray is a young man who would’ve become a successful photojournalist but is stuck gratifying pretentious teens. And Broome is a homicide detective still hung up on an unsolved case. When a friend of Megan delivers jarring news, she is reminded of something she’d forgotten long ago.
What Makes It Great
Stay Close came out in 2021, and if you haven’t checked out this incredible limited series yet, you better do. Why? For starters, as the three protagonists find themselves trying to find more details about the night to uncover the truth, the series slams you with a dark and satisfying escape.
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23 Boo, B*tch (2022)
Starring Zoe Colletti and Lana Condor, Boo, B*tch talks about a timid high school senior named Erika who is returning home from a party and somehow, she becomes a ghost. Erika has always lived a humble life, staying away from trouble. And right when she feels ready to change her narrative and do something dramatically epic, she makes a slip and turns into a ghost. With 24 hours to make the most of her afterlife, Erika, along with her BFF Gia, decides to embrace the freedom and have some fun.
What Makes It Great
This series is a feel-good comedy we didn’t know we needed. Both the girls are truly amazing in stirring up chaos together. While the series has several cheer-worthy moments, it is sure to leave you with tears in the end. Moreover, the humor and the heartfelt moments paired with the ‘90s nostalgia will have you reminiscing about your high school days.
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22 Tales of the City (2019)
A sequel to the 1993 miniseries, Tales of the City is based on Armistead Maupin’s beloved novels. Starring Laura Linney and Olympia Dukakis, it follows Mary Ann, who is living her life in the suburbs of Connecticut. When a midlife crisis hits her, she begins to find flaws in her seemingly perfect life. And 30 years after she last checked in, Mary Ann returns home to 28 Barbary Lane and reunites with their eclectic inhabitants. Home has changed though, and how she’s facing issues like LGBTQ+ rights and gentrification. What stays the same is the familiar humbleness of Anna Madrigal and her chosen family, all of whom pass their message of love.
What Makes It Great
It is set in the iconic yet ever-changing world of its titular location, and needless to say, the revival serves as a heartwarming trip down memory lane for fans of the original. The series, with just 10 episodes, captures the beauty of its source material and produces a feel-good, escapist drama.
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21 Dash & Lily (2020)
Dash & Lily is the story of two strangers who connect during Christmas over a red notebook. Dash is a cynic who hates Christmas and Lily is relentlessly optimistic. When he finds a notebook left in a library, he is immediately transfixed by its owner, which he finds out much later is Lily, and thus begins a stunning back and forth across NYC.
What Makes It Great
An accidental limited series that would’ve made fans even happier if it continued. As far as coming-of-age holiday romances go, the Netflix series is purely feel-good. It not only reminds you to look for magic in every corner but also dares you to dream and wish for better days and stronger connections. Midori Francis and Austin Abrams are charming and their chemistry, however subtle, is great. The entire will-they-won’t-they dynamic leads to a satisfying ending.
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20 The Haunting of Bly Manor (2020)
Majorly adapted from Henry James’ 1898 novella, The Turn of the Screw, this series narrates the story of a young au pair named Danielle that travels to the Bly Manor, at the request of Henry Wingrave to take care of his niece and nephew. Things turn sour as she starts to see paranormal entities that haunt her daily life with the goal of something sinister.
What Makes It Great
Fans were treated to a fresh new tale of horror as Mike Flanagan followed up on his Haunting of Hill House serieswith The Haunting of Bly Manor. Flanagan reassembled the Haunting staples in Victoria Pedretti, Kate Siegel, and Oliver Jackson and put them in a blender full of gothic brooding and romance, before presenting a cocktail full of terror and raw emotions. The Haunting of Bly Manor does well to extend Flanagan’s repute as a master of horror, starting strong and creepy and not quitting until the last frame.
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19 Transatlantic (2023)
Transatlantic is based on the real-life Emergency Rescue Committee that was responsible for arranging safe passage for several refugees in Nazi-occupied France. It was based on the novel The Flight Portfolio by Julie Orringer.
What Makes It Great
With a cast led by an incredible Gillian Jacobs (Love, Community), Transatlantic does a great job of capturing the high-stakes panic and chaos often associated with the oppressive Nazi regime. A stylish and informative rendition of a somewhat sad subject, Transatlantic is one of the most underrated shows on Netflix at the moment.
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18 Bodyguard (2018)
Bodyguard is a political thriller that revolves around a police officer named David Budd, a veteran who suffers from post-war PTSD and now works for the Royalty and Specialist Protection Branch in the police. As an assignment, he is set to protect the Home Secretary, who he dislikes due to her vision on politics.
What Makes It Great
Having had a somewhat muted performance in Game of Thrones, Madden’s special forces officer David Budd was put through the wringer. A thriller on steroids, It has all the workings of a classic action show while being tethered in human emotions like love and loyalty. Unlike many of its peers, Bodyguard blurs the boundaries between professional and personal protection as Budd finds himself running on a constant treadmill of stress and chaos to keep his subject and lover alive. It also puts a spotlight on controversial issues such as terrorism, PTSD, and government breaching the privacy of the people.
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17 Halston (2021)
Documenting the life of fashion icon Halston (Ewan McGregor), Halston focuses on the ill fate accompanied by excess drugs, fame, and money. It charts the late designer’s quick rise to fame and rapid fall from it.
What Makes It Great
Despite being one of the shortest miniseries on Netflix at five episodes, Halston delivers its salts worth with McGregor’s rumbunctious performance at the heart of all things. There are tragedies, life lessons, and hints of mental illness involved. It’s a fine example of how you can’t help someone who doesn’t want to help himself.
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16 Inventing Anna (2022)
Shonda Rhimes’ Inventing Anna is based on the true story of notorious Anna Sorokin, the show sheds light on Anna’s antics as she conned her way into New York’s upper-class circle pretending to be a wealthy German heiress. Anna uses her new network to deceive people of thousands of dollars in cash, jewelry, and services to invest in ”a bigger goal”.
What Makes It Great
One of the things that make it worthwhile is how closely each character’s growth and downfall are narrated. The audience is made to feel what each person in this show is going through, even going as far as making them sympathize with Anna’s reasoning behind her crimes. There are also hints of struggle, betrayal, and the negative sides of gaining fame. While it may not be the most accurate narration of what really happened, it truly spoke to the fans.
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15 Midnight Mass (2021)
Midnight Mass
An isolated island community experiences miraculous events – and frightening omens – after the arrival of a charismatic, mysterious young priest. Directed by Mike Flanagan.
- Release Date
- September 24, 2021
- Cast
- Kate Siegel, Zach Gilford, Rahul Kohli, Samantha Sloyan, Kristin Lehman
- Genres
- Horror, Drama, Mystery
Midnight Mass follows the citizens of Crockett Island as they experience seemingly impossible supernatural phenomena after the arrival of a charismatic young priest. Monsignor Pruitt’s appearance coincides with that of a man who was recently released from prison. His inclination toward miraculous events and frightening omens brings an atmosphere of dread throughout the town. As tensions rise and the townsfolk get caught up in fear and blind faith, this haunting tale of science and spirit becomes an engrossing battle of humanity between light and darkness.
What Makes It Great
From Mike Flanagan, the creator of The Haunting of Hill House, comes this creepy, mysterious, and atmospheric Netflix miniseries that keeps you guessing till the very end. Hamish Linklater’s performance as Father Paul was critically appreciated, and the show became arguably the best horror series of 2021.
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14 From Scratch (2022)
It revolves around Amy Wheeler and Lino Ortolano, a Sicilian chef she meets while studying in Florence. The two fall madly in love and build a life together. However, just as quickly as their love blossomed, their pretty little world came crashing down when Lino was diagnosed with cancer.
What Makes It Great
A limited series that brings in a dash of romance and a handful of drama, From Scratch handles this unexpected tragedy with such grace and humor that it is impossible not to be invested. Zoe Saldana is as incredible as Amy, fighting to keep her family intact, and thriving most in the face of loss and adversity. Tembi Locke’s work gets impressive treatment as it reminds us that love is powerful; it is complicated, eternal, and ultimately irresistible.
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13 Behind Her Eyes (2021)
Revolving around the lives of three people – Louise, a single mother working as a receptionist for a psychiatrist; David, her new boss and the man she’s having an affair with; and his mysterious wife Adele, whom Louise secretly befriends – the show is irresistible and captivating from start to finish.
What Makes It Great
Nothing is truly what it seems in Behind Her Eyes. With only six episodes, it manages to create a web of dark secrets, dream-walking abilities, and a mind-bending triple cross as things start to escalate between the main characters. And when the truth finally emerges, the viewer is left asking, “Wait, what?” and struggling to put the pieces of a painfully complex plot together.
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12 Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (2023)
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
- Release Date
- May 4, 2023
- Cast
- India Amarteifio, Freddie Dennis, Richard Cunningham, Golda Rosheuvel, Michelle Fairley
- Genres
- Biography, Drama, History
A spin-off of the very popular Netflix show Bridgerton, this limited series focuses on the origins of Queen Charlotte. Before the ballrooms and courtyards were lit by romance and laughter of the ton, there was a young Queen who went through hell to bring the country equal rights and justice. With George’s madness, the pressure to give the crown an heir, to see “The Great Experiment” succeed, and to find love amidst pleasantries, Charlotte’s only escape was to preside over a court filled with ambitious royals and scandalous nobility.
What Makes It Great
On the surface, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story may be a story about the marriage between Charlotte and George, but beneath the fine lines is a teenage princess finding her voice as the ruler and her rise to power in a world dominated and controlled by men. If you loved the period setting of the Bridgerton era, you’re sure to love Queen Charlotte.
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11 Anatomy of a Scandal (2022)
Anatomy of a Scandal
A consent scandal amongst British privileged elite and the women caught up in its wake.
- Release Date
- April 15, 2022
- Cast
- Ben Radcliffe, Josette Simon
- Genres
- Thriller
Based on the novel of the same name by Sarah Vaughan, Anatomy of a Scandal is a thrilling drama that follows a privileged Oxford politician, James Whitehouse, as he stands accused of a shocking crime. His unproblematic, picture-perfect life is upended while his wife stands by him. However, as the case grips the nation and James’ image is torn apart at trial, Sophie finds cracks beginning to show in her husband’s defense. Prosecutor Kate Woodcroft has several political considerations to make while building her case, but she stops at nothing.
What Makes It Great
The show, in all its fierceness, tackles issues surrounding class, privilege, consent, and the truth by combining elements of intrigue and suspense in a truly remarkable way. Overall, as the wrenching drama in Anatomy of a Scandal unfolds in and out of the courtroom, hidden secrets come to the surface, and certain relationships change forever.
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