Matt has been writing for MovieWeb since 2021, specializing in horror, animation, and 80s and 90s films. He obtained his first degree in Media Writing from Greenwich University.
In relation to the course, Matthew spent some time writing as an intern for music and lifestyle magazine Guestlist.
Matthew also has a Masters degree in Marketing and has worked several PR jobs where writing duties included creating press releases, quotes and byline-articles.
After establishing itself as the world’s biggest streaming platform, Netflix began making original content in 2013 with original shows House of Cards, Orange is the New Black, and Hemlock Grove, all becoming major successes for the company. Since then, it has gone from strength to strength, with thousands of original Netflix shows and movies now under its belt, including some of the biggest and most acclaimed shows of all time.
It is not unusual, though – even for great shows – that they might start a little shaky and take time to find their rhythm. Others begin with a brilliant first season but gradually decline, straying from what made the show compelling in the first place. Here, though, we’re focusing on a very rare breed of Netflix original show – those that are perfect from start to finish, without a single bad season.
‘Narcos’ (2014 – 2017)
Crime dramas about drug trafficking are certainly nothing novel or unique. Even when narrowed down to those about the most notorious of all drug kingpins, Pablo Escobar, there’s a good handful that immediately spring to mind. None captivates quite like Narcos, though, with its raw realism, stylized cinematic flair, and powerful performances. Starting strong and improving with each season, not only did Narcos deliver three seasons in which the heart-pounding, character-driven drama never dips, astonishingly, its spin-off series, Narcos: Mexico, which focuses on the development of Mexico’s illegal drug trade, manages to replicate that success. Across three critically acclaimed seasons, it matches the brilliance of the original and, in many ways, arguably surpasses it.
‘Arcane’ (2021 – 2024)
The gorgeously animated steampunk world of Arcane is a marvel in itself, but when combined with the intricate narrative involving sisters Vi and Powder, who find themselves embroiled in a developing conflict between the rich, utopian city of Piltover and the seedy, oppressed underbelly of Zaun, you have one of the most riveting, highly acclaimed adult animations in Netflix history.
Both seasons scored a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and Arcane was the first video game adaptation to win both Annie Awards and Primetime Emmy Awards. It ranked first on the Netflix Top 10 Chart in 52 countries and is considered by many as the greatest game adaptation of all time, praised for its LGBTQ+ representation and blend of fantasy thrills, emotional storytelling, memorable soundtrack, and immersive world-building.
‘Mindhunter’ (2017 – 2019)
Set in the late ’70s and early ’80s, in the early days of criminal psychology and criminal profiling at the FBI, Mindhunter is a psychological crime thriller that focuses on the newly formed Behavioral Science Unit. The unit, consisting of FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench, along with psychologist Wendy Carr, works together to gain a further understanding of the criminal mind through interviewing imprisoned killers, hoping to use what they learn to help solve ongoing cases.
Far more than your typical police procedural, not only are Mindhunter’s detective-style cases deep, dark, and intricate, but it also delves into the emotional toll this work takes on its team and their personal lives. Its meticulous attention to character development is second to none, allowing audiences to immerse themselves in the dark, grimy worlds the unit so often find themselves in. It’s a slow-burn affair, lasting two seasons, that’s deeply psychological, leaving viewers pondering the nature of morality, human behavior, and evil itself.
‘Dark’ (2017 – 2020)
Sitting somewhere between Stranger Things and Twin Peaks with a sprinkling of Lost, Dark is a sci-fi mystery thriller that sees a series of inexplicable events, involving missing children and a time portal, occurring in the German town of Winden. As a result, the town’s fractured relationships, double lives, and dark pasts are brought to light.
Its intricate, layered, and mind-bending plot is bolstered by moody cinematography and a haunting soundtrack, creating an eerie, immersive atmosphere. Exploring heavy themes like fate vs. free will and the cyclical nature of human suffering, Dark is the type of show that lingers with audiences long after the end credits have rolled. Consistently compelling, each of its three seasons has scored a ‘fresh’ Rotten Tomatoes score of 90% or above, with many publications listing it among the greatest TV shows of the 21st Century.
‘BoJack Horseman’ (2014 – 2020)
Everything about BoJack Horseman is utterly unique. Animated sitcoms are nothing new at this stage, but even their animation style trades the bright, high-contrast color palettes found in the likes of The Simpsons, Futurama, and Family Guy for pastel, subdued, slightly washed-out colors. The world is populated by both anthropomorphic animals, who possess deadpan faces with limited scope for expression, matching the show’s dry, understated humor.
Dark humor has become commonplace in adult animated shows like American Dad, South Park, and Family Guy, but the humor in BoJack Horseman leans more toward dark satire, existential wit, and character-driven irony. Oppositely, the aforementioned rely more heavily on cutaway gags, shock value, and broader social parody. As a result, BoJack Horseman is darker in many ways, delving deeply into themes like depression, addiction, trauma, and the emptiness of fame, giving its comedy a haunting, bittersweet edge that most mainstream animated sitcoms rarely explore.
‘GLOW’ (2017 – 2019)
GLOW chronicles the lives and careers of an array of fictionalized cast and crew members during their time working for ‘Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling’ (GLOW) during the 1980s. Bringing a sense of tension and drama to the weird, wacky, and wonderful world of the real-life wrestling federation, GLOW’s unique blend of irreverent comedy and character-driven drama feels both silly and smart at the same time.
Featuring a talented ensemble cast including the likes of Alison Brie, Kate Nash, Kia Steven,s and Betty Gilpin, GLOW was praised for its unique concept and its portrayal of complex and, often, flawed characters – many of whom are women from diverse backgrounds. Unfortunately, despite each of its three seasons receiving critical acclaim, the fourth and final season was canceled due to COVID-19, leaving many loose ends and unanswered questions.
‘Dead to Me’ (2019 – 2022)
Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini star as Jen and Judy, respectively, who develop a strong bond during their therapy sessions. Jen is mourning the death of her husband at the hands of a hit-and-run driver, while Judy is passing herself off as a grieving fiancée who lost her partner to a heart attack. In actuality, Judy is the hit-and-run driver responsible for Jen’s husband’s death. Jen slowly begins to realize Judy is not all she seems as her secrets and lies begin to unravel, threatening to end their bond and her mental stability.
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Dead to Me ran for three universally acclaimed seasons, each of which is as poignant, engaging, and darkly funny as the last. Combining black humor with mystery and intrigue, the twisty, turny crime thriller elements will have viewers on the edges of their seats, while the masterfully crafted depiction of a deeply moving relationship shaped by mutual grief – anchored by the powerful, pitch-perfect performances of its two leads – adds emotional resonance.
‘Bridgerton’ (2020 – Present)
One of the biggest television shows of the 21st century, Bridgerton became an immediate hit when it was released on Netflix in 2020, captivating audiences with its lush period settings and scandalous romances. Sitting amongst the most-watched Netflix shows ever, it has been showered with praise and accolades, including multiple Primetime Emmy Awards and the AFI Award for the Top Television Program.
One of the most bingeable shows on TV, it cleverly blends Regency history with modern sensibilities, incorporating contemporary dialogue, classical covers of modern songs, and a racially diverse cast into its otherwise authentic period setting.
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