Are you looking for a good time this weekend that allows you to plant yourself in bed and just binge some great shows? Well, it’s a good thing Netflix has us covered. Netflix Originals have proven to be on par with some series you can find on syndicated cable, sometimes even better. And because of how the streaming platform works, it makes it so easy to binge-watch them all!
Thanks to the variety of genres, there is a Netflix Original out there for everyone. So, whether you’re in the mood for some laughs or just want to see some cool new experimental animation, here’s a list of some of the best Netflix Originals you can binge-watch this weekend!
1. The Umbrella Academy
Adapted from the comic book series by the same name, The Umbrella Academy follows a dysfunctional family that used to fight crime together, only to grow estranged when they became adults. However, the death of their adoptive patriarch, Sir Reginald Hargreeves, brings them together once more. But the funeral gets crashed by their brother, Number 5, who had been stuck in a time warp for years and he has news: The world is going to end in 7 days and only they can stop it.
The Umbrella Academy is the brainchild of Gerard Way (Yes, of My Chemical Romance fame), and its punk-inspired zany nature is exactly what makes the series such an engrossing watch.
2. Castlevania
Castlevania is one of the best-animated projects to come out of Netflix, if not the best. Based on the hit game series of the 90s, Castlevania is a gothic adventure following Trevor Belmont after Dracula has exacted his revenge on the world for killing his innocent healer wife, Lisa. To rid the world of Dracula’s evil, Trevor ends up teaming up with Sypha, a magician, and Alucard, the son of Dracula himself. But is their might enough against the Devil himself?
Castlevania has all the hallmarks of a great series. It’s high stakes, with lots of gorgeous fight animation and interesting characterization. It’s a series that not only works for the fans of the game but also for any newcomers who enjoy their anime with an edge.
3. Blue Eye Samurai
A revenge fantasy featuring a female samurai? You bet! Blue Eye Samurai is another stunning animated series from Netflix that follows Mizu, a ‘half-breed’ Japanese woman who is forced to be shunned by her own society at the behest of four men. And so, she vows her revenge against those men, one of whom happens to be her father. Her path may be paved with blood, but her fury is righteous.
Blue Eye Samurai is an emotional ride, where you can feel just how intense Mizu’s life can be. Plus, the animation style itself lends to the brutality beautifully.
4. The Sandman
Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman was already a popular comic book upon release. So when Netflix revealed they would be creating a Netflix Original based on it, people were excited but cautious. The Sandman is a complex series that deals with some very trippy stuff. But turns out they did it justice. The Sandman follows Morpheus, one of the Endless who was made prisoner in the mortal realm. After nearly 100 years in captivity, he escapes and works to restore his realm, Dreaming, once more.
The episode involving Death alone makes The Sandman a worthwhile watch. And while this is a DC Comic IP, this is the one show free from superhero fatigue.
5. Heartstopper
A queer coming-of-age story that is soft and sweet and just pure fluff? That’s exactly what the doctor ordered! Heartstopper is the live-action adaptation of the comic by the same name and follows Charlie, a student at an all-boys school who ends up falling for the new transfer student, Nick. From their tentative friendship, an extraordinary love story blooms.
The story is just vignettes of their lives, going through teenage pains and finding love and acceptance in their small community. It’s a simple but heartwarming watch.
6. One Piece
It’s hard to believe that, of all the anime, that could break the live-action curse it was One Piece that did it. But here we are, with One Piece being a brilliant adaptation of the iconic Shounen manga that follows one Monkey D. Luffy. And what does young Luffy want? To be the ‘King Of The Pirates’, of course! And so, he forms a ragtag pirate crew, made up of some of the most unlikely people, and sets sail to find the illusive One Piece!
You can see how much care was put into this live-action and how faithful it remains to Eiichiro Oda’s vision. It’s just as bold and fun as the anime while still being its own new thing.
7. Love, Death & Robots
Love, Death & Robots is an anthology series that encompasses so many genres at once. Comprised of short stories that span maybe one or two episodes, Love, Death & Robots feels like it was specially curated for anyone who loves animation in general. Each short story has its unique style, meaning you can never guess what’s going to happen next.
If experimental and transformative animation with Sci-Fi elements is your thing, then Love, Death & Robots is going to be an easy pick.
8. Kingdom
Korea, like Japan, does horror well. Especially when it’s mixed in with other elements, like political intrigue in Kingdom. Kingdom is based on the webtoon The Kingdom of the Gods, a zombie horror series set in mid-century Joseon. The Crown Prince at the time, Lee Chang, who, along with his subordinates, finds a zombie plague is ravaging the countrybrewing political conspiracy.
9. Scott Pilgrim Takes Off!
Scott Pilgrim vs The World has become a cult classic over the decade. And for good reason, everything about it felt so ahead of its time. But because it had been more than a decade and all the original actors went on to become superstars, no one expected another installation. That is until Netflix announced Scott Pilgrim Takes Off!, an animation series that breathed new life into the fandom.
Not only did they end up bringing back the original cast members like Michael Cera, Brie Larson, and Chris Hemsworth. But they also gave the series an original spin that more than paid off.
10. The Dragon Prince
The Dragon Prince is a fantastical story that stars Callum and Ezran, two human princes in the land of Xadia who wish to end a war between the humans and the elves that has already gone on for a millennium. And so, they team up with Rayla, a Moonshadow Elf, to finally get down to the bottom of the conflict itself. And turns out that a baby Sky Dragon, the Dragon Prince, might just be the key to doing so.
If you enjoyed Avatar: The Last Airbender and its expansive worldbuilding, then The Dragon Prince is going to be right up your alley. Both shows share the same writer and it’s evident in how good they are.
11. Devilman Crybaby
A little grotesque, a little horrifying, and a lot of biblical imagery? That’s exactly what Devilman Crybaby is all about. It follows Akira Fudo learns that ancient demons are coming in to trigger the apocalypse. Ryo, his friend, reveals that the only way to defeat them is to merge with them, and so Akira becomes Devilman. But though he has the powers of a devil, his soul is entirely human and Ryo will go to any length to protect him. Even at the cost of the world itself.
Devilman Crybaby took the subtext of the manga and made it the focal point. Which is why it’s themes of bigotry and nihilism ended up working so well.
12. Rilakkuma And Kaoru
On some days, you just want a chill and cute show that you can unwind with, especially if you’ve had a hectic week. So, Rilakkuma And Kauro is an easy watch. Taking some of Japan’s most beloved mascots, the series places them in the normal world as roommates to an office worker named Kaoru. From there, we see them become friends and help Kaoru live a life that’s worth enjoying.
Rilakkuma And Kaoru is the perfect series for when you’re feeling overwhelmed, and the stop-motion animation style just adds to it. It’s a breath of fresh air.
13. Baki
Baki was one of the best-selling manga of all time, so an anime adaptation was a no-brainer. The titular character, Baki is raised by his mother to become a warrior as strong as his father, Yujiro. But money can’t buy the kind of merciless training that his father had, and so Baki sets out to learn from other warriors he meets. But after a humiliating defeat by Yujiro, Baki steels himself and enters an underground fighting area where his grit is properly challenged. There, he vows to defeat his dad and emerge the strongest.
It’s a classic Shounen with amazing fights and likable characters. What’s not to love here?
14. Wednesday
Contrary to popular belief, the ‘Wednesday Addams’ dance isn’t the only thing Wednesday had going for it. The Netflix Original was a quirky take on the popular Addams Family, but focusing mainly on the daughter, Wednesday. She is sent to a special school to learn better discipline and from there, gets embroiled in a murder mystery like no other.
Jenna Ortega, as Wednesday is the highlight here, she just plays the morose Wednesday so well. And the dark comedy in the plot makes Wednesday a fun little weekend binge.
15. 3 Body Problem
3 Body Problem is Netflix’s latest offering. So far, It has been doing amazing. 3 Body Problem takes inspiration from an actual math problem and gives us the harrowing tale of Ye Wenjie, an astrophysicist who gets picked up by the military and set to work in a secret base in the middle of nowhere. Her job? Contacting aliens that defy all known laws of physics. But the decisions she makes end up changing everything in the future when humanity faces its greatest threat yet.
This particular Netflix Original is definitely not for the faint of heart. But it is remarkable in its framing and writing if you can wrap your head around all the bizarreness.
16. Alice In Borderland
Another live-action adaptation of a manga, Alice In Borderlands takes the ‘survival of the fittest’ trope to the next level. Arisu is a video game-obsessed geek who finds himself stranded in the Borderlands, an abandoned version of Tokyo. To extend his ‘visa’, he must team up with Usagi, a mountain climber who had just lost her father, and the two must go through a series of survival games. If they fail, lasers from the sky will incinerate them.
If that all sound a little extreme? That’s because it is. Alice In Borderlands is an adrenaline rush but its real charm is the interesting characters that amplify the zaniness.
17. Cobra Kai
Yes, Cobra Kai does count as a Netflix Original. If you grew up as a Karate Kid fan, then Cobra Kai is exactly what you need. A continuation of the popular film series, it centers around Johnny and Lawrence as parents and the revival of Karate leading to their kids being involved in a grudge, 30 years in the making.
This is one of the best spinoffs of a beloved IP out there. It does so much justice to the original Karate Kid franchise and regularly brings back fan favorites. Plus, who doesn’t love a good Kung Fu flick?
18. Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix
With a name like ‘Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix,’ you know you’re in for a ride. A French-American collaboration, Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix features Dolph Laserhawk, a supersoldier who escapes the powerful Eden Tech Military with his boyfriend, Alex. But during atheist, Alex betrays him, and Laserhawk is sent to Supermaxx, a prison where he ends up becoming part of the ‘Ghosts,’ a team of captive rebels.
If this sounds a little video game-esque, that’s because it was inspired by one—Farcry 3. But the dystopian vibe is a great sell, and the show is insanely cool.
19. Parasyte: The Grey
Parasyte is a pretty famous manga and anime series, so it was only time before it got made into a live-action. Parasyte: The Grey is the Netflix Original spinoff where mysterious aliens come down from outer space and start inhabiting humans, ultimately killing them. The host body then transforms, with a strange head that can shapeshift. However, Jeong Su-in is a rare case because she can co-exist with the parasite that tried to take over her. And thus, she can be useful to the Grey Team created to eradicate the parasites.
Parasyte: The Grey is a pretty well-done adaptation where it has the same foundation as the manga but still is transformative enough that it feels fresh.
20. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
While the game Cyberpunk 2077 was a hit-or-miss for many, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners the show was not. It’s a prequel set in Nigh City starring David Martinez, a smart but impulsive kid who ends up losing his hardworking mom in an incident. He ends up becoming an ‘edgerunner’ a.k.a. A Cyberpunk who uses high-tech powers to steal black market goods and act as a mercenary. But he might have a bit more than he can chew when a modification changes his life forever.
Lauded by critics and Cyberpunk enthusiasts alike, the anime series did immensely well for a one-time show. It was as expected, considering Studio Trigger was at the helm of making it.
21. Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina
Say what you will, but Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina is such a campy watch. Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina is adapted from the much darker comic book series of the same name and fully leans into the whole ‘Devil Worship’ theme. Sabrina here is turning 18 and must relinquish her humanity for her coven. But can she let her love go to gain immeasurable power, damning herself forever?
It’s quirky, it’s horrifying, and it has just enough light-heartedness where it doesn’t take itself too seriously.
22. Ready, Set, Love!
Who doesn’t love a little romance? And Ready, Set, Love! The romance is everywhere. This Thai Netflix Original is one of a kind, with a world where men have become a rare breed, and women must compete in a government-sanctioned reality game show to win the perfect man. So, when Day gets accepted into the show and meets Son, the bachelor, Sparks do fly, but so do the rumors of a great conspiracy that might be hidden underneath the radical game veneer.
Honestly, Ready, Set, Love! Goes so hard. It’s an absolutely fun time, and the comedic timing is brilliant!
The 12 Most Genius Movie Plot Holes You Never Knew Were Actually Explained
Friends (and strangers) trying to sound smart by pointing out a movie mistake that isn’t really a mistake?
We found the best answers to “What infamous movie plot hole has an explanation that you’re tired of explaining?” with these 12 movie plot holes that actually have perfectly good explanations.
The 12 Most Genius Movie Plot Holes You Never Knew Were Actually Explained