The #1 problem with the streaming era? Aside from the fact we’ve essentially reinvented cable television (and now paying out our collective ass), it’s deciding what to watch. Hence why we wanted to curate a list of the best shows on Netflix Australia right now.
From Netflix-produced originals like Formula 1: Drive To Survive, Money Heist, Narcos, The Crown, Ozark, Squid Games, and Stranger Things; to the heavy-hitting binge fodder the streaming giant has licensed such as Seinfeld, Rick and Morty, and Peaky Blinders, there’s plenty here to kill the time.
So we’ve cut through the noise to bring you a curated list you can work through without the endless thumbnail scrolling. From prestige dramas and pacey thrillers to easy-watching comedies and comforting classics, here’s the definitive Boss Hunting list for the best TV shows on Netflix Australia right now.
Crime Dramas and Thrillers
Legends
Neil Forsyth backs up his success with The Gold with another critically acclaimed British true crime series. Based on a real-life undercover investigation to dismantle a major heroin-smuggling operation in the 90s, Legends is dark, gritty, and one of the best British crime dramas we’ve seen.
Steve Coogan’s performance as the op leader is outstanding. Although he’s long proved his dramatic chops in films like Philomena, for audiences only familiar with his comedic work as Alan Partridge, his dramatic range here is a revelation.
Verdict: High-quality British true crime drama. Steve Coogan alone makes it worth watching.
Man on Fire
Based on the same novel as the 2004 Denzel movie, this is an action thriller you can rip through in a few days. The plot follows a former CIA contractor on the run in Brazil with his best friend’s daughter, desperately trying to protect her while avenging her father’s death.
What it lacks in originality, it makes up for in big-budget production values – from sweeping aerial shots and explosions to gunfights, helicopters, and chase scenes.
Verdict: The conspiracy thriller plot is nothing new, but it’s entertaining and action-packed.
Dept. Q
Based on a book series by Danish writer Jussi Adler-Olsen, Dept. Q follows a tortured soul-type detective returning to work after an ambush that injured him and paralysed his friend. Instead of investigating standard cases, he’s relegated to the basement, where he assembles a ragtag team to work on a woman's unsolved disappearance. It’s the perfect mix of cliffhangers, plot twists, gore, and dry-witted humour.
Once you start watching, you’ll smash through it pretty quickly. But beware, Season 2 only began filming in July 2026 and will likely not air until late 2027.
Verdict: Highly addictive, gritty, and darkly funny.
I Will Find You
Like many other Harlan Coben adaptations (Run Away), this limited series provides just enough for a rainy weekend binge-watch while its audience simultaneously completes Instagram.
In a nutshell, a man (Sam Worthington) breaks free from prison after finding out that the son he was accused of murdering could still be alive. With the help of his journalist ex-sister-in-law, he embarks on a mission to expose elaborate conspiracies, save his son, and clear his name.
Verdict: Enough violence, suspense, and twists for a low-barrier, fast-paced weekend burn.
Black Rabbit
This is basically The Bear meets Ozark, but not quite as good (although that is admittedly a pretty high bar).
Starring Jude Law and Jason Bateman, Black Rabbit is a high-stakes crime drama following the chaotic reunion of a successful New York restaurateur (Law) and his troubled, gambling addict brother (Bateman). It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it’s intense and character-driven, with strong performances from both actors.
Verdict: Fans liked it more than critics, but the chemistry between the A-list leads holds it up.
The Gentlemen
This Guy Ritchie gangster drama is a spin-off of his 2019 movie. The story follows an aristocrat (beautifully portrayed by Theo James) who finds himself caught up in an underground cannabis empire after unexpectedly inheriting his family’s country estate.
It’s violent, dark, and witty. Season 2 is expected to drop in late 2026, so now’s the perfect time to smash or re-watch Season 1.
Verdict: Quintessentially Guy Ritchie with sharp, episodic pacing.
Beef was meant to be a one-off limited series. But after 8 Emmys and 3 Golden Globes, the writers decided to make it an anthology.
Season 1, starring Ali Wong and Steven Yeun, follows two strangers who become obsessed with ruining each other’s lives after a road rage incident.
Although it is a dark comedy, it’s like Breaking Bad in the sense that it gets increasingly bleak. It’s also thematically similar to Parasite and has a lot of substance around class divisions and the Korean-American experience.
Season 2, starring Carey Mulligan and Oscar Isaac, is about a country club manager and his wife’s toxic blackmail war with two employees. It’s still watchable, but it doesn’t come close to the originality and pacing of Season 1.
Verdict: Season 1 is a must-watch masterpiece, but approach Season 2 with tempered expectations.
How to Get to Heaven from Belfast
This genre-bending drama from Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee is a murder mystery, road trip, action crime comedy. Following the journey of three lifelong besties as they unravel the suspicious death of their former high school friend, it swings between conspiracy, savagery, and chaos.
It’s got some bizarre culty vibes at times, and the conspiracy element becomes less believable as the show goes on. But as long as you don’t take it too seriously (which the show itself often doesn’t), it’s enjoyable.
Verdict: The plot gets a bit bizarre, but there’s plenty of mystery, action, and comedy.
Dead to Me
Starring Christina Applegate, Linda Cardellini, and James Marsden, this crime comedy drama follows two women whose lives and grief become intertwined after a hit-and-run accident.
The joys of this one are in the twists and turns. Things get dark, emotionally complicated, and all three lead actors are absolutely brilliant.
Verdict: A masterclass in pitch-black comedic chemistry. Stream it.
Sci-Fi and Superheroes
The Boroughs
Produced by the Duffer Brothers (Stranger Things) and starring Geena Davis, Bill Pullman, Alfred Molina, and Alfre Woodard, The Boroughs follows a group of unlikely retiree heroes who take down a youth-stealing cult.
Despite a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Netflix controversially dropped it after just one season. Rumour has it that the production costs – reportedly US$10 million (~AU$14.4 million) per episode – just weren’t sustainable.
Verdict: It’s Stranger Things meets The White Lotus in a retirement community.
The Umbrella Academy
This superhero comedy drama follows the time-travelling antics of adopted siblings with wildly different powers. Over the course of four seasons, they collectively endanger and save the world several times over.
The full ensemble cast, including Elliot Page, Tom Hopper, Kate Walsh, and Mary J Blige, is excellent. But the standout performance is Robert Sheehan (Misfits) as a flamboyant drug addict who can communicate with the dead.
Verdict: Stream it. It’s dark, funny, and has an excellent soundtrack.
You might also like: The WONDERfools – a Korean action-comedy about social outcasts who develop weird and erratic superpowers after being exposed to hazardous waste.
This psychological crime thriller, executive-produced by Jodie Foster and Conan O’Brien, made quite an impression on the awards circuit after it debuted in November 2025, with both Matthew Rhys and Claire Danes praised for their performances.
The story follows a journalist who becomes dangerously obsessed with her next-door neighbour, who may or may not have murdered his wife, while simultaneously grieving the hit-and-run death of her young son. It’s all very tense with cat-and-mouse vibes that will keep you guessing.
Verdict: Matthew Rhys can do no wrong. Stream it.
Adolescence
Produced by Brad Pitt’s company, Plan B, this terrifyingly relevant show about a 13-year-old boy arrested for murdering a female classmate took the world by storm in March 2025.
Each of the four episodes was shot in one continuous take, which makes the already epic performances – especially by young newcomer Owen Cooper – even more impressive. It’s excellent, must-watch TV. But be warned, it’s a pretty tough watch and explores the influence of the manosphere on young boys.
Verdict: Nine Emmy awards, enough said.
Baby Reindeer
This is another must-watch series that got the world talking for a good few months when it was released in April 2024.
Adapted from Richard Gadd’s autobiographical one-man show (and starring Gadd as himself), Baby Reindeer is about a toxic relationship between a rising comedian and his mentally unstable stalker. Things get pretty dark and grim. It’s hard to watch but equally hard to look away.
Verdict: Tough viewing at times, but it’s high-quality drama that you should see.
Comedies and Easy-Watching Documentaries
Running Point
Loosely based on the Los Angeles Lakers’ real-life president, Jeanie Buss and executive-produced by Mindy Kaling and Ike Barinholtz, this comedy-drama has some big names, including Kate Hudson and Justin Theroux.
Following a reformed party girl who takes over her family’s basketball team after her brother has an epic public meltdown, it combines the underdog themes of Ted Lasso with the backstabbing antics of Succession.
Verdict: Easy-watching comedy-drama. Season 1 probably has the edge on Season 2.
You may also like: Club de Cuervos. This Mexican comedy-drama is less glossy and significantly more chaotic (in a good way), but it follows a similar sports-team dynasty saga.
The Hawk
At the time of writing, this brand-new Will Ferrell comedy is still a few weeks away from hitting the green. But, as with most things this SNL alum does, it’s expected to be equal parts silly and endearing.
It’s about a delusional and washed-up ex-golf pro (Ferrell) on a mission to pull off the sport’s greatest comeback while competing against his arch-nemesis (played by Luke Wilson) and his rising-star son (Jimmy Tatro). With that line-up, plus Molly Shannon playing his ex-wife and Fortune Feimster as his uncouth caddie, you can expect it to be a weird and uncomfortably entertaining comedy.
The Hawk drops on Netflix Australia on July 16 2026. Judging by the trailer, it’s basically Talladega Nights meets Happy Gilmore.
Verdict: Too soon to tell, but there’s plenty of comedic star-power to make it a relatively safe bet.
Nobody Wants This
Decent rom-coms that aren’t sickeningly cheesy are hard to come by. But thanks to an excellent ensemble cast headed by Adam Brody and Kristen Bell, Nobody Wants This hits the sweet spot.
It’s a tale as old as time… A young hot rabbi falls for a straight-talking agnostic podcaster, and chaos ensues. From overbearing mothers and cultural clashes to problematic siblings and the general ups and downs of falling in love and blending social circles, it covers highly relatable scenarios with laugh-out-loud authenticity.
Verdict: A comforting and easy watch to enjoy with or without a significant other.
The Four Seasons
Based on the 1981 Alan Alda film, The Four Seasons follows three middle-aged couples on their seasonal weekends away. Starring heavyweights like Steve Carell, Tina Fey, Will Forte, and Colman Domingo, it explores the messy fallout over the course of a year after one of the couples splits.
Basically, it’s a ridiculous yet relatable middle-aged relationship and friendship drama set against the backdrop of aspirational holiday settings. It’s rich people complaining, but the stellar cast adds comedic and dramatic weight.
Verdict: Season 1 is better than Season 2 – probably because it features a lot more Steve Carell.
Formula 1: Drive to Survive
Drive to Survive is a genre-defining sports documentary that almost single-handedly took Formula 1 fandom to a totally new level. It combines driver duels on track with off-track boardroom chess and corporate backstabbing, all while showcasing the ridiculously lavish lives of F1 drivers.
From shock sackings to high-stakes transfers and bitter team principal feuds, there’s never been a dull moment across its eight-season run and counting.
Verdict: Blending sports documentary with aspirational luxury and a hint of drama, it’s bingeable and easy to watch.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
We’re rounding things off with a feel-good American sitcom you can watch a million times.
Andy Samberg (The Lonely Island) anchors an outstanding ensemble cast as a perpetually immature New York detective who clashes with his stoic boss (played spectacularly by the late, great Andre Braugher).
It combines silly slapstick comedy and ridiculous crime-solving escapades with occasional heavy themes like systemic racism and homophobia. It’s easy to dip in and out of, has the obligatory will-they-won’t-they romance to keep you engaged, and plenty of character development for good measure.
Verdict: It’s the ultimate high-replay-value series built for tired weeknights and endless background looping.
Want more easy-watching classics? All seasons of 30 Rock, The Office, Friends, and Seinfeld are available on Netflix Australia right now.
If it’s feature-length entertainment you’re after, check out the best movies on Netflix Australia right now.
And if you’re looking to add to your streaming stack, take a look at our round-up on the best streaming services in Australia.
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