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20 Criminally Underrated Netflix Shows You Need to Check Out

When it comes to Netflix’s ever-expanding library of shows, choosing what to watch can be a challenge. Although you’re eager to see the newest series that just dropped on the platform, there’s also a lengthy list of recommendations that you’ve yet to get to. Not to mention all the hidden gems that aren’t even on your radar yet. But thankfully, we’ve come up with a list of underrated Netflix shows that totally deserve to be added to the top of your queue. From funny sitcoms to gripping dramas, see 20 binge-worthy titles you should check out.

25 Hidden Gems to Check Out on Netflix, According to an Entertainment Editor


1. ‘the Get Down’

We're still bummed that this musical drama was cancelled after just one season, but it's a refreshing look into the world of hip-hop through the lens of ambitious teens. Justice Smith, Shameik Moore, Herizen F. Guardiola and Jaden Smith all star in the series, which chronicles the rise of the music genre in the South Bronx during the '70s.

2. ‘on My Block’

Who can resist a compelling coming-of-age comedy that centers on teenagers of color and tackles relevant issues? Follow four street-smart teens, whose tight-knit friendship is put to the test when they all start high school in inner-city Los Angeles.

3. ‘sisters’

In this fascinating Australian series, Julia Bechly (Maria Angelico) discovers that her father and fertility specialist, Dr. Julius Bechly (Barry Otto), is possibly the father of hundreds of other children. This prompts Julia to seek out her many siblings, but she’s surprised to learn that she has hundreds of brothers and only two sisters.

4. ‘i Am Not Okay With This’

The director of The End of the F***ing World teamed up with the producers of Stranger Things to create this gripping series, which follows a 17-year-old girl who learns she has telekinetic powers. Inspired by Charles Forsman’s comic book of the same name, it stars Sophia Lillis, Wyatt Oleff and Sofia Bryant.

5. ‘queen Of The South’

After her boyfriend, a notorious drug dealer, gets murdered in Mexico, Teresa Mendoza (Alice Braga) flees to America and joins forces with someone from her past to take down the drug ring that’s responsible. In an interesting turn of events, Teresa builds her own drug empire, leading to even more complications.

Watch on netflix

6. ‘kipo And The Age Of Wonderbeasts’

It’s charming, it’s colorful, it’s inclusive and it’s delightfully imaginative. Set during the aftermath of a huge mutant attack, a teen named Kipo is left to explore the surface world, which is ruled by mutated creatures. As she seeks to reunite with her missing father, she befriends two fellow survivors and mutant animals, but the group has their fair share of obstacles along the way.

7. ‘unorthodox’

Adapted from Deborah Feldman's autobiography, this emotional miniseries tells the story of a 19-year-old Jewish woman who runs away from her arranged marriage in an Orthodox community in New York. She heads to Berlin and rejects her old beliefs, but her new life is threatened when her husband decides to follow her.

8. ‘derry Girls’

Set during The Troubles in '90s Northern Ireland, the sitcom follows a group of Catholic school students as they navigate the highs and lows of being a teenager. From smart humor to stellar writing, Derry Girls will have you laughing non-stop.

9. ‘ghoul’

Coming from the brilliant minds behind Insidious and Get Out, Ghoul follows the interrogation of a terrorist at a remote government internment camp in India, but it ultimately leads to a series of mysterious and terrifying supernatural events.

10. ‘lovesick’

After going through a string of casual relationships in quest for true love, Dylan (Johnny Flynn) learns that he has chlamydia. With the help of his best friends, he decides to revisit his former partners and inform them of his new diagnosis. Naturally, chaos and awkwardness ensue.

11. ‘ethos’

Ethos (Bir Başkadır in Turkish) is an emotional series that brilliantly highlights the diversity of Turkish society. It follows a variety of intriguing characters, all of whom are somehow connected to a conservative woman named Meryem (Öykü Karayel).

12. ‘crazyhead’

As if navigating their early 20s wasn’t challenging enough, Amy (Cara Theobold) and Raquel (Susan Wokoma) team up to protect their city from demons hiding in plain sight. It’s the kind of series that’ll have you biting your nails one moment and laughing uncontrollably the next.

13. ‘seis Manos’

This adult animated series centers on three orphans who are trained by a martial arts master in Mexico. But when their mentor gets murdered, they get pulled into a world of drugs and evil forces as they team up to avenge his death. It’s probably one of the darkest and most gritty shows you will ever see.

14. ‘1983’

Set in an alternate timeline in early 00's Poland, the Cold War has not ended and the Iron Curtain still stands. A law student and a detective team up to investigate the country's dark secrets, leading them to a major conspiracy that could change everything.

15. ‘raising Dion’

A widowed mom's world is turned upside down when she discovers that her 7-year-old son, Dion, has superhero-like powers. Can she keep his abilities a secret and protect him from those with dark motives? Michael B. Jordan, Alisha Wainwright and Ja'Siah Young star in this family-friendly gem.

16. ‘easy’

This intimate anthology series explores the lives of a diverse group of people in Chicago as they tackle relationships, sex, modern technology and more. You'll spot quite a few familiar faces, from Sophia Bush to Judy Greer.

17. ‘good Girls’

Desperate to get out of their financial rut, three suburban moms agree to pull off a grocery store heist. And fortunately for them, the robbery is successful, which unfortunately begins to attract even more problems.

Watch on netflix

18. ‘great News’

Created by Tracey Wigfield, who brought us the infamous reboot of Saved By The Bell, Great News follows Katie Wendelson (Briga Heelan), a news producer who's less than thrilled to hear about her mother joining the team as the new intern.

Watch on netflix

19. ‘cuckoo’

This quirky British drama follows the Thompsons, who are stunned to learn that, while taking a gap year, their daughter has married a hippie named Dale (Adam Samberg), who also goes by the nickname "Cuckoo."

20. ‘anne With An E’

Based on Lucy Maud Montgomery's classic children's book, Anne of Green Gables, this heartfelt coming-of-age story follows Anne Shirley (Amybeth McNulty), a bright young orphan whose passion and determination changes the lives of those around her.



nakeisha campbell bio

Associate Editor, News and Entertainment

  • Writes celebrity news, TV/movie reviews and SEO-focused entertainment articles
  • Interviews celebrities and covers red carpet events
  • Has 8+ years of experience covering entertainment topics

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