When you open your Netflix app, it's easy to be overwhelmed by the number of shows to choose from. All that choice can make it hard to figure out what to stream -- we've all done the infinite scroll, spending an hour looking for something before just giving up and watching old episodes of Seinfeld. Not to mention the fact that some shows have a shorter shelf life than others and it's hard to tell when something will leave the platform forever. That's why we've handpicked some of the most entertaining shows on the platform that you should watch, and we'll call out what's brand new or leaving soon, so you always know how to prioritize your queue.
This week, we're all in on the great mystery series Dept. Q, starring Matthew Goode, Kate Dickie and Chloe Pirrie. The series has been popular on Netflix since it premiered at the end of May and for good reason -- it consists of nine truly addictive episodes that follow a brusque, tortured detective as he and his team look into the cold case of a woman who vanished without a trace. If you're looking for your next favorite series, here's our roundup of some of the best shows you can stream on Netflix. And if you'd rather go with a movie instead, here are our picks for the best movies on Netflix.
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Netflix Dept. Q (2025) In Dept. Q, Matthew Goode stars as DCI Carl Morck, a detective in Edinburgh, Scotland whose been assigned to a newly formed task force that investigates cold cases. Morck is your typical "doesn't play by the rules" cop who has just returned to the force after an incident where he was seriously wounded and his partner was paralyzed, and he's more of a loose cannon now than ever. As the reluctant leader of this new department, he and his team look into a case involving a female prosecutor who mysteriously disappeared without a trace, with no real leads to go on. Scott Frank, the co-creator of The Queen's Gambit, is responsible for this series, too.
USA Network Mr. Robot (2015-2019) Mr. Robot, which ran on the USA Network from 2015 to 2019, was Rami Malek's breakout role. Malek stars in the dark drama as Elliot Alderson, a cybersecurity whiz who gets recruited by a vigilante hacker known as Mr. Robot (played by Christian Slater) with plans to manipulate data stored by Elliot's employer. Plagued by depression and hallucinations, Elliot struggles to balance his mysterious double life and his sanity as he finds himself deeply involved in the hacktivist group known as "fsociety." All four seasons of the show just dropped on Netflix this month, and they'll definitely keep you up all night.
IFC Portlandia (2011-2018) Portlandia, the great sketch series written by and starring Carrie Brownstein and Fred Armisen, ran for eight seasons on IFC, and now you can watch every episode on Netflix. The show, which hilariously and lovingly poked fun at the city of Portland and all the various people you might find there, just arrived on Netflix this week. Keep an eye out for the dozens of celebrity cameos throughout the series, too. SNL alums like Kristen Wiig and Jason Sudeikis show up, but so do the Portland Trailblazers, Eddie Vedder and the rest of Sleater-Kinney, too.
Netflix Somebody Feed Phil (2018 - ) Phil Rosenthal became one of the most successful men in Hollywood after serving as the co-creator, writer and producer of Everybody Loves Raymond, and now he's parlayed that success into a career as a TV host on Somebody Feed Phil. Rosenthal has always been passionate about food, and his travel series combines his earnest curiosity with his exploration of off-the-beaten-path locations, settling in the middle of the Venn diagram of Anthony Bourdain and Rick Steves. The eighth season of the popular show just arrived, and it's the perfect summer binge.
Netflix Wednesday (2022 -) Jenna Ortega stars in Netflix's Wednesday, a modern take on the life of one of the most morbid teens in pop culture history, Wednesday Addams. The series, executive produced and occasionally directed by Tim Burton, quickly became one of the most popular shows on Netflix when it premiered in 2022. There's no better time to catch up, because the second season premieres in just a few weeks The new season will be split in two, with Part 1 premiering on Aug. 6, and Part 2 on Sept. 3.
Netflix I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson (2019 - 2023) Tim Robinson is having a moment now that his first feature film, Friendship, is out, and if you loved that movie, you definitely need to catch up on his absurdist sketch comedy show I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson. The often cringey comedy might not be for everyone, but for a certain subset of comedy fans, it's a gem. The show features a who's who of notable talent - stars from Saturday Night Live including Fred Armisen, Vanessa Bayer and Will Forte appear, along with Ayo Edebiri, Fred Willard, Sam Richardson, and more. The premises are usually bonkers, often humiliating situations and Robinson has perfected his awkward persona in each of them. If you're a fan of Robinson's humor, definitely try the other Netflix series he stars in alongside Richardson, Detroiters, after you've finished this.
Netflix Squid Game (2021 -) This thriller was all anyone talked about when it debuted, and for good reason. Hundreds of people in desperate need of cash compete in a series of games that become a fight for survival. If you can handle the grotesque and gory themes throughout this show, it's an enthralling watch. The third and final season just arrived on June 27, so now is a great time to watch the complete series.
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