Even though Netflix is having a massive year with several of its biggest franchises expanding and coming to an end, there are still several recent and ongoing shows that are seriously flying under the radar.
While new titles like Adolescence and Untamed have dominated Netflix’s streaming charts this year, their success has overshadowed plenty of shows and limited series that have received critical acclaim but have failed to generate much buzz online.
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Under A Dark Sun
Under a Dark Sun is one of Netflix’s latest masterpieces that nobody seems to be talking about. The story follows a woman named Alba, played by Ava Baya, who finds herself at the center of a murder investigation after one of her employees is found dead on a flower farm in France.
Alba faces more heat from homicide detectives when the man who was found dead on the flower farm turns out to be her father. The six-part miniseries, originally titled Qui sème le vent, is highly bingeable and easy to get engrossed in thanks to its strong plot, good acting, and scenic landscape.
Under a Dark Sun received some brief attention when it landed the #5 spot on the U.S. streaming chart and hit #2 on Netflix’s global chart following its release in early July 2025. Despite its strong quality and other compelling elements, Under a Dark Sun has been celebrated as a quiet success seemingly under the cover of darkness.
Under a Dark Sun is available to stream now exclusively on Netflix. It also stars 2-time Best Actress Oscar nominee Isabelle Adjani (Camille Claudel, The Story of Adele H), and notable French actors Guillaume Gouix, Amina Ben Ismail, and Nicola Vaude.
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Toxic Town
Toxic Town is a British drama limited series created by Jack Thorne, the Emmy-nominated writer of Netflix’s hit series Adolescence. It was released on Netflix back in late February 2025 and received a perfect 100% Certified Fresh critic score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Although Toxic Town did not receive the same level of Emmy buzz as Adolescence, earning zero nominations, the series was celebrated for similar reasons. Like Adolescence, Toxic Town takes a deep dive into a mysterious real-world dilemma and focuses on a select few characters who are passionate about finding answers.
Toxic Town is a 4-part legal drama series that chronicles the true story of a handful of mothers from Corby, England, whose children are born with disabilities. They stop at nothing to find out who is responsible with the aim of holding them accountable, targeting the recent industrial project that likely released toxins into the town.
Toxic Town received modest viewership during the first half of 2025 (15.3 million), but nowhere near Adolescence’s 141 million. The series has an outstanding cast featuring Jodie Whittaker (Broadchurch), Aimee Lou Wood (The White Lotus), and Rory Kinnear (The Diplomat).
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The Vince Staples Show
The Vince Staples Show is one of the most underrated comedy series on Netflix. It has been called an Atlanta replacement because of its similar comedic tone and hip-hop culture focus. It stars one of the best rappers alive, Vince Staples, in a fictional and exaggerated portrayal of his daily life in his hometown of Long Beach, California.
Vince Staples plays himself in the 5-part first season, which was released back in February 2024. A second season is already on the way and is expected to be released on Netflix sometime this year, making now the perfect time for viewers looking for a good comedy show to see what they’ve been missing.
The Vince Staples Show received a 94% Rotten Tomatoes score, making it one of the most critically acclaimed new comedy series of last year. The fact that Netflix picked it up for a second season is also a promising sign of the show’s quality.
Other than Staples himself, the dark comedy series stars rapper Rick Ross, Myles Bullock (White Men Can’t Jump), Scott MacArthur (The Righteous Gemstones), Arturo Castro (Broad City), Vanessa Bell Calloway (One of Them Days), and Andrea Ellsworth (Shameless).
4
Trigger
Trigger is one of the best new Netflix action thriller series of summer 2025. All 10 episodes were just released on July 25, 2025. Critics have raved over Trigger, which has earned a perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes score.
Trigger is centered around an abrupt influx of weapons into gun-free South Korea and the two men who are at the frontlines of the battle. One man, a police officer, and another man, an arms broker, find themselves at violent odds as they fight for the soul of the city.
As part of Netflix’s K-Content slate, Trigger may not be available to stream in all global regions. However, the limited series is available to stream in the United States.
Trigger is not for the faint of heart and contains severe depictions of violence. It’s meant to be a cautionary tale about the destructive potential of unregulated gun use, but it remains both highly entertaining and thought-provoking throughout. Fans of John Wick and Netflix’s Tom Hardy movie Havocwill surely enjoy Trigger.
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Mercy for None
Mercy For None is another fantastic yet dark K-drama miniseries on Netflix that was released at the start of June 2025. The limited series consists of just seven episodes, all ranging from 37 to 49 minutes each. The storytelling is sharp and enhanced by the gritty tone and film noir atmosphere.
The series follows a former gangster, Nam Gi-joon, who severs ties with his old gang to uncover the truth about his brother’s death. Also in a similar vein to John Wick, Mercy for None’s protagonist ends up going on a vengeful path towards justice.
Those still looking for a Tokyo Vice replacement may have finally found it in Mercy for None due to its gangster themes, despite the geographical and cultural differences. Mercy for None is yet another Netflix series that has earned a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score of 100% but has not garnered much global viewership.
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Forever
Forever achieved a modest viewership on Netflix following its May 8, 2025, release, but only amassed a total of 19.1 million views. Its 97% Certified Fresh Rotten Tomatoes score suggests that it should have been a much bigger streaming hit for Netflix.
Forever is a romantic drama series that follows two high schoolers in Los Angeles, Justin (Michael Cooper Jr.) and Keisha (Lovie Simone). Together, they navigate first love problems while also facing external pressures from society and, of course, their parents.
At eight episodes, all ranging from 43 to 52 minutes, Forever is a very easy and lighthearted show to get lost in. Despite its relatively poor viewership, Netflix has renewed the series for a second season, which is certainly a testament to the quality of the series developed by Mara Brock Akil (inspired by the Judy Blume book).
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Copycat Killer
Copycat Killer is one of the best Netflix shows to watch for fans of Mindhunter. The story follows a cunning serial killer who creates an intriguing spectacle that puzzles prosecutors and uses media attention to their advantage.
There are also certain elements of Copycat Killer, particularly in the methodology of the serial killer, that would interest Dexter fans. Although the series was released back in 2023, it has remained one of the most overlooked critically acclaimed serial killer shows on Netflix.
Copycat Killer season 1 consists of ten episodes and still has the potential to spark a second season, as Netflix has not confirmed or denied a series expansion. The series is set in Taipei and is based on the Japanese novel The Copycat written by Miyuki Miyabe.
