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Best Netflix series you can watch right now (20+1list)

Best Netflix series you can watch right now

written by Souranath Banerjee

In 1997 a new company by the name of Netflix was founded by  Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph in California with the idea of providing subscription-based streaming service from its library of Best-Netflix-seriesfilms and television programs. By 2012 they started their content-production of both films and television series under the name ‘Netflix Original‘. And at present they are the largest streaming service with 125 million total subscribers worldwide, operating over 190 countries across the globe!

Needless to say most of the top notch films and series of recent times are available only on Netflix, and don’t know about you but I often get damn confused while choosing from their vast library of awesome content.

And thus to simplify our search for quality binge watching here is a list of some of the Best Netflix series you can watch right now!

P.S – The Golden rule of watching any TV series is to remember that the 1st Season is always the best!

20. 13 Reasons Why (2017) (TV Series)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JebwYGn5Z3E

Best-Netflix-seriesA teenager going through high school is never been easy and this is one show that dares to speak up about the pressure, the temptations, the torments of a young mind and seeks answers to the brutally honest vulnerabilities of today’s youth.

Created by Brian Yorkey, this is about a guy who needs to backtrack in the past and connect the dots in order to know the cause of his friend’s suicide.

19. Dexter (2006) (TV Series)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQeUmSD1c3g

Best-Netflix-seriesA blood-spatter analyst for the Miami police has a secret life of his own – at night he hunts down murderers and kill them!

Created by James Manos Jr., a crime mystery with a twist where you want the serial killer to succeed in his missions.

Awesome performances by Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter. Highly addictive!

18. Sacred Games (2018) (TV Series)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28j8h0RRov4

Best-Netflix-seriesCreated/directed by Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane, this is the first Indian Netflix Original TV Series.

(Click for Review)

The story of the intertwined lives of a mafia don (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) nearing the twilight of his life and the struggles of an honest cop (Saif Ali Khan) trying to do right amidst a corrupt system.

17. Gotham (2014) (TV Series)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0d1zpt6k5OI

Best-Netflix-seriesSet on the backdrop of the most dangerous city – Gotham, this series tells the story of a young Detective James Gordon (Ben McKenzie) and his rise through the police force to greatness.

Created by Bruno Heller, this is such an unique show where Batman (only a child) plays  the  second fiddle and you get to watch the beginnings of some of the greatest villain characters like the Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor), The Riddler (Cory Michael Smith), Fish Moony (Jada Pinkett Smith) and even The Catwoman (Camren Bicondova).

16. Arrested Development (2003) (TV Series)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXg2_yExgVY

Best-Netflix-seriesA refreshing comedy drama that enfolds the humorous tensions and conflicts within a so-called dysfunctional family.

Created by Mitchell Hurwitz, and Jason Bateman taking the lead – this is one of the very few witty laugh riots that perfectly fits the limited comedy options in Netflix.

Won multiple Emmies and still one of the highest rated TV series ever made!

15. Fauda (2015) (TV Series)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5zcu25_IG0

Best-Netflix-seriesThe Israeli Special Forces tries to take down the Palestinian Jihad organisation – the only series that narrates the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and brilliantly weaves the issue into a thrilling tale of action, violence and emotional loss for both sides.

Created by Avi Issacharoff and Lior Raz, an underrated show yet highly addictive, brilliant performances and an intense storyline.

14. Ozark (2017) (TV Series)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hAXVqrljbs

Best-Netflix-series‘Most people just have a fundamentally flawed view of money’

A financial advisor gets in trouble with a drug cartel and is forced to relocate his family and come up with innovative schemes to make money.

Created by Bill Dubuque and Mark Williams, and starring Jason Bateman and Laura Linney in the lead – an intense drama with multiple thrilling plot twists.

13. The Punisher (2017) (TV Series)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIY6zFL95hE

Best-Netflix-seriesA Marine veteran (Jon Bernthal) whose family been murdered turns into a vigilante and all he wants is vengeance!

‘Those who do evil to others – the killers, the rapists, psychos, sadists – you will come to know me well. Frank Castle is dead. Call me… The Punisher.’

Created by Steve Lightfoot, an action packed crime drama that promises to engage you till the end!

12. Bloodline (2015) (TV Series)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRnS8FkcXNk

Best-Netflix-seriesAs the black sheep of the family returns home many past family secrets are to be spilled along with a bit of bad blood!

Created by Glenn Kessler, Todd A. Kessler and Daniel Zelman, probably the only 100% family drama available in Netflix which completely engages you through its brilliant characters and unique storytelling. Kyle Chandler and Ben Mendelsohn gives amazing performances!

11. Fargo (2014) (TV Series)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKs8DzjPDMU

Best-Netflix-seriesThis show is as popular as the Oscar winning film by the same name from the Coen brothers on which it is based on, maintaining similar storyline but with a fresh star-cast – Billy Bob Thornton, Martin Freeman, Allison Tolman, Kirsten Dunst and Ewan McGregor among others. 

Created by Noah Hawley, definitely the best black comedy TV series ever made. Totally worth your time!

10. Stranger Things (2016) (TV Series)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWxyRG_tckY

Best-Netflix-seriesThe sudden disappearance of a young boy in a small town begins a hunt which eventually leads to dark government agencies and their rogue experiments that will turn the otherwise peaceful town upside down and put everyone’s life in danger!

Created by Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer (the Duffer brothers), a dark and twisted tale of horror that you can’t miss. Millie Bobby Brown shines as a child actor.

9. House of Cards (2013) (TV Series)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULwUzF1q5w4

Best-Netflix-seriesA cunning and vicious Congressman (Kevin Spacey) and his ever-supporting wife (Robin Wright) makes their way to the top of the political ladder while taking revenge on people who betrayed him in the past.

Created by Beau Willimon and directed by a series of acclaimed directors like David FincherJames FoleyJoel Schumacher and John Dahl – one of the best series ever made!

8. Daredevil (2015) (TV Series)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAy6NJ_D5vU

Best-Netflix-seriesA blind lawyer who transforms into a vigilante by night – this is the story of an unlikely superhero (Charlie Cox) with superhuman senses that allows him to see the world in an entirely unique manner.

Dark and violent, yet highly captivating with a terrific storyline.

Created by Drew Goddard, this Marvel series has some of the best fighting sequences ever!

7. Peaky Blinders (2013) (TV Series)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwXfVGjSz-4

Best-Netflix-seriesSet in 1919 Birmingham, England -this is one brilliant Gangster saga that has become one of the most popular shows in Netflix and rightly so.

Cillian Murphy, Paul Anderson, Sam Neill and Tom Hardy among other in the acting department, top class story telling and brilliant cinematography! Created by Steven Knight, this is The Sopranos of our time!

6. Homeland (2011) (TV Series)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyFmS3wRPCQ

Best-Netflix-seriesA bipolar CIA operative becomes suspicious to the point of conviction that a war prisoner who is being treated as a war hero is actually been turned into an al-Qaeda spy.

Starring Claire Danes, Mandy Patinkin and Damian Lewis and created by Alex Gansa and Howard Gordon, this is a perfect example of a high class espionage drama, thrilling and emotionally captivating at the same time!

5. Orange Is the New Black (2013) (TV Series)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLyUlTu4KbI

Best-Netflix-seriesPrison can be a life changing experience and who knows it better than the lead character of this show, a married woman (Taylor Schilling) who is convicted of a decade old crime of transporting drug money to an ex-girlfriend!

Created by Jenji Kohan, quick paced and quirky, and dealing with LGBT themes, this is one show which manages to be both emotional and funny at the same time.

4. Sherlock (2010) (TV Series)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK7S9mrFWL4

Best-Netflix-seriesOriginally created by Conan Doyle, the ever popular sleuth and his assistant are back and this time Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Dr. John Watson (Martin Freeman) are transported to our modern world where they solve unique crimes by the help of Sherlock’s ‘Deductive logic’ of course.

Created by Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat, a thrilling, superbly edited show that guarantees your attention.

3. Narcos (2015) (TV Series)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7elNhHwgBU

Best-Netflix-seriesA series based on the real story of the rise and expansion of the Colombian drug cartels spearheaded by the cocaine kingpin Pablo Escobar (Wagner Moura). And also about the brilliant effort made by a joint team of Colombian and US forces to eradicate the cartel.

Created by Carlo Bernard, Chris Brancato and Doug Miro, this is one of the most addictive series I have ever watched in my life! 

2. Breaking Bad (2008) (TV Series)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhesaQXLuRY

Best-Netflix-seriesA chemistry teacher diagnosed with cancer decides to break bad and starts cooking and dealing drugs.

Bryan Cranston in his legendary performance and such an exceptional storyline – this dark comedy series is as addictive as any drug ever existed. 

Created by Vince Gilligan, this is one show that changed the whole game for the future of TV series!

1. Mindhunter (2017) (TV Series)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gZCfRD_zWE

Best-Netflix-seriesLate 1970s, in order to delve into the psychology of serial murderers two FBI agents (Jonathan Groff and Holt McCallany) while researching on criminal behaviour interview some of the most prolific murderers of the time!

Created by Joe Penhall and some episodes directed by acclaimed David Fincher – this is at present the most exciting and dramatic crime thriller series to watch!

and (The ‘+1’ film is not necessarily the best but certainly the most innovative one. A must watch)

+1. Black Mirror (2011) (TV Series)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jROLrhQkK78

Best-Netflix-seriesA British Sci Fi anthology series, each episode a new story mostly based on futuristic worlds where technology have evolved into extreme advanced dimensions and we humans are trying our best to coup up with it.

Created by Charlie Brooker, brilliantly imaginative, often dark and satirical but thoroughly engaging. Even frightening to some extent as most of the episodes are uniquely scary and believable too.

Similar Interest: Sacred Games Review

Poster courtesy: www.imdb.com.

Bridge of Spies (2015)

Bridge of Spies review.

written by Souranath Banerjee

My Ratings: 3.8/5.

It’s definitely a good Spielberg film but certainly not one of his best.

2015 must have been a difficult year for all the espionage agencies because no matter how hard the spies try to hide, their covers are repeatedly been blown in the numerous spy-films made on them.

From the Kingsmen to 007, Tom Cruise to U.N.C.L.E – this year Hollywood has been obsessed with Spy movies. And now Steven Spielberg decides to join the party.

After a gap of 10 years actor Tom Hanks and director Steven bridge-of-spies-poster2Spielberg join hands, this being their fourth collaboration (previous ones being Saving Private Ryan, Catch Me If You Can and The Terminal); and this time they come up with a historical spy-thriller (based on true events) called Bridge of Spies.

The film is set in 1960, when the Cold War was at it’s peak.

Bridge of Spies is actually a biopic on American insurance-attorney James B. Donovan (Tom Hanks) who agreed to risk his reputation and his safety (as well as his family’s), in order to serve his country in the most righteous manner possible.

Firstly, he had to defend a captured Soviet spy Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance) in the American court of justice and then, he was recruited by the CIA and sent to the-then hostile Germany (Berlin being partitioned) to negotiate a spy-exchange mission between the two rival countries – America and Russia.

Rudolf Abel being the Russian spy who was exchanged with Francis Gary Powers (Austin Stowell), the American pilot whose aircraft was shot down over the Soviet borders (the U-2 incident).

Now, Bridge of Spies not only successfully depicts the moral obligation of Donovan’s character and his constant quest for justice
bridge-of-spies-poster1but the film also manages to create the tension of that particular era,
the desperate attempt of the two super powers trying to topple each other by any means possible.

But then, don’t expect too much dramatization of events.

Bridge of Spies faithfully clings to the pages of history, not much of a suspense element created anywhere in the movie, pretty much gives away the basic story line from the start and also it’s more of a dialogue based spy film.

Written by Matt Charman and the famous Coen brothers ( Ethan Coen and Joel Coen), and with Spielberg’s direction and some brilliant performances, the film surely deserves attention.

If you like authentic historical espionage cinema more than the thrilling fast-paced fictional spy films – this one is tailor made for you.

Poster courtesy: www.impawards.com

Best fictional films about writers

Best fictional films about writers.

written by Souranath Banerjee.

Don’t you think the ‘writers’ are a strange breed of people?

They are supposed to be imaginative, curious and passionate about their work. Well, thats the romantic side. But often their constant struggle to be original, their possessive nature, their creative vulnerability lead them to unpredictable alleys.

I have managed to put up a list of my all time favorite films where the protagonist writes for a living – films where sometimes the writer is in danger and other times he IS the danger.

And the list begins.

10. Secret Window (2004)

Secret Window

A perfect blend of Stephen KingDavid Koepp + Johnny Depp and the result is a tangy physiological thriller.

The story of a lone writer who is unexpectedly threatened and accused of plagiarism by a complete stranger.

If you are a Johnny Depp fan and you like mystery it’s surely your cup of tea.

9. The Ghost aka The Ghost Writer (2010)

The Ghost Writer

Tension, suspense, thrill, excitement – these words are made to define this film.

When a ghost writer (Ewan McGregor) takes up a new job for a former politician (Pierce Brosnan), he unknowingly puts his life in danger. An edgy script – one of my personal favorite.

For Roman Polanski fans this is a special treat.

8. Stranger Than Fiction (2006)

Stranger Than Fiction

What if you realize one fine morning that you are not in control of your life – that you exist only in somebody’s imagination, in someone’s writings?

Directed by Marc Forster, Will Ferrell in his own comic way experience this scary concept. Superb performance.

One of the most innovative story told in style.

7. Wonder Boys (2000)

Wonder Boys

An interesting star cast – Michael Douglas at his best, Tobey Maguire young n talented and Robert Downey Jr. joins in.

Directed by Curtis Hanson, this is a film about writers and their careers; the tormented souls desperate to create something unique.

A perfect drama with a comic touch – very entertaining and well performed.

6. Barton Fink (1991)

Barton Fink

This time the Coen brothers (Joel Coen, Ethan Coen) create a dark world where a writer in a hotel room struggles in his quest to write about ‘the common man’.

The crisp dialogues, the eerie look and feel of the film, the brilliant acting – it’s a complete package.

Though often considered too glum and black for some people’s taste but for me this film is a superb satire.

5. Midnight in Paris (2011)

Midnight in Paris

At midnight Paris becomes a magical place for a writer who travels back in time and meet the great artists of all times (all his inspirations).

A refreshing comedy by Woody Allen and a crackling performance by Owen Wilson – the result is a mystically charming film.

The film radiates the director’s love for Paris.

4. The Squid and the Whale (2005)

The squid and the whale

Dealing with parents divorce is always tough, specially when both of them are writers and pretty self centered in nature.

This is a perfect family drama – often funny in a cruel way; the story of two young boys who try to cope up with the tension in between their parents.

Directed by Noah Baumbachthe film is actually much more interesting than it’s name suggests.

3. Deathtrap (1982)

Deathtrap

This is a film that will startle you; the more you will try to predict what is next, the more you will be surprised.

A writer with his deadly plans and a sinister collection of weapons –Michael Caine at his best.

Sidney Lumet (one of my all time favorite director) maliciously reveals a trap that surely leads to death. It’s a dangerous game but you never know who is the winner till the end of the film.

2. Adaptation. (2002)

Adaptation

One of Nicolas Cage‘s best performance (that too a double role) and also one of Spike Jonze‘s best film till date.

The famous scriptwriter Charlie Kaufman shows his brilliance once again.

Though most people (including me) has a problem with the ending of this film but still it will remain one of my all time favorite.

1. Ruby Sparks (2012)

Ruby sparks

Directed by Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris, the brilliance of this film is that it cannot be explained unless you watch it.

The concept of finding the girl of your dreams is turned upside down into a whole new dimension.

What if you want to play God and you are given the control to manipulate people whom you love? Think twice before you wish.

and

(The ‘+1’ film is not necessarily the best but certainly the most offbeat and crazy one. A must watch).

+1. Misery (1990)

MiseryWriters always like to communicate with their fans. And specially if one claims to be his ‘no 1 fan’ and especially if that person saves the writer’s life. Right?

Wrong in this particular case.

Adopted from Stephen King‘s novel and directed by Rob Reiner this film is one twisted tale of a writer (James Caanand his fan (Kathy Bates, who won the Oscar as the Best actress in the leading role that year).