Streaming shows are a relatively new phenomenon, and yet they dominate the charts for the best, most innovative, and most loved series. Streamers like Netflix and HBO Max are producing content that wins Emmys and is highly regarded by audiences. Thanks to these streamers, there is more flexibility in the art and how it can be illustrated. Just look at Adolescence and the four one-shot episodes. This is a risk that we only see streamers do and would unlikely ever be picked up by a cable network.
From Netflix’s first original House of Cardsto HBO Max’s most recent success, The Pitt, we are seeing creatives push the boundaries of the art form. IMDB’s Top 250 TV Showsis ranked by the ratings of viewers and features shows from Breaking Badto The Office, but which streaming shows have achieved the highest ranks?
8
‘Narcos’ (2015 – 2017)
Netflix’s crime drama series Narcosfollows the story of Pablo Escobar and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents. Running for three seasons, the drama series frequently topped the Netflix Top 10 charts. After three successful seasons, the creators decided to spin off the show into Narcos: Mexico, which also ran for three seasons before concluding its own run. Although the new series focused on Mexico, the original was filmed in Colombia and centered on the growth of the illegal drug trade there.
The first season received positive reviews, but the reception grew warmer in its subsequent seasons. And before skyrocketing to fame in The Last of Us and after his role on Game of Thrones, Pedro Pascal was one of the leads in Narcos. The drama was created by Chris Brancato, Carlo Bernard, and Doug Miro.
7
‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ (2025)
The highest-ranking K-drama on the Top 250 list is Netflix’s When Life Gives You Tangerines. Rather than other streaming shows that rank this high, which have high-caliber stakes or innovative worlds, this K-drama is a simple slice-of-life drama. The show isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel, but creating a story that resonates with viewers and their humanity. Spanning multiple decades, the Korean drama follows a young girl who wants to be a poet and the son of a fisherman.
The story is full of life, creating a feeling of a burgeoning journey between the intertwining lives of the two romantic leads. Taking place on Jeju Island, their love story is not a straightforward path, and they encounter many obstacles along the way. When Life Gives You Tangerines keeps you invested in each of their journeys throughout its 16-episode run.
6
‘Panchayat’ (2020 – Present)
The Viral Fever, an Indian streaming service, created the Hindi-language show, Panchayat,for Amazon Prime Video. Premiering in 2020, the series has four seasons on the streaming platform so far, with another promised to launch in 2026. The dramedy follows an engineering student who can’t find a job and decides to take one as a secretary at a small village’s governing institution. He grew up in an urban city and now has to acclimate to life in a rural small town.
Besides the comedic writing, the series has received acclaim for its portrayal of rural life. Deepak Kumar Mishra directed all the episodes in the first three seasons, and most of the episodes of the fourth season alongside Akshat Vijaywargiya. Chandan Kumar wrote all of the episodes. Each season has eight episodes, which makes Panchayat a relatively easy binge-watch.
5
‘BoJack Horseman’ (2014 – 2020)
Netflix’s animated tragicomedy BoJack Horsemanis a fan-favorite among fans of comedies with serious undertones. Created by Raphael Bob-Waksberg, he managed to craft a black comedy that also incorporates plenty of psychological drama and satire. It’s an impressive feat, and he’s managed to do something similar with Amazon Prime Video’s Undone and Netflix’s Long Story Short.
Set in Hollywood, BoJack Horseman follows the titular character. This formerly famous 1990s sitcom star has decided to return to the spotlight with the help of an autobiographical memoir written by a ghostwriter. Consisting of 76 episodes and a Christmas special, BoJack Horseman covers more than you can count, but it ranges from alcoholism to sexism. It makes you think, but also makes you laugh. It’s hard to imagine without watching, but it’s one of those rare shows that leave a mark on you.
4
‘When They See Us’ (2019)
A retelling of the Central Park jogger case, Netflix’s When They See Us was created, written, and directed by Ava DuVernay. The crime drama follows the wrongful conviction of five Black and Latino men of assaulting and raping a white woman who was jogging through Central Park. Many years after they were convicted, the Central Park Five were exonerated and have now become known as the Exonerated Five. DuVernay chose to retell this injustice in the form of a true crime drama rather than a documentary. The Central Park Five were portrayed by Asante Blackk, Caleel Harris, Ethan Herisse, Jharrel Jerome, and Marquis Rodriguez.
The series was critically acclaimed and praised for its writing and acting. When They See Us ended up garnering 11 Emmy nominations, which included a win for Jerome. The original NY prosecutor did file a lawsuit against Netflix and DuVernay, claiming the series was full of fabrications. In an effort to avoid future issues, Netflix added a disclaimer stating that parts of the series were fictionalized.
3
‘The Pitt’ (2025 – Present)
HBO Max’s latest smash hit is the medical drama The Pitt. Created by R. Scott Gemmill, The Pitt is the second collaboration between John Wells and Noah Wyle, who’ve previously worked together on ER. Wyle leads the ensemble of the medical procedural, where each season takes place over the course of one 15-hour shift. Each episode lasts about an hour, and we watch as the doctors and nurses struggle with short staffing and underfunding, along with the complexities of caring for patients. The main hope of the show was to highlight the realities that emergency department staff face – the good and the bad.
Thanks to the writers and producers conducting extensive research, the medical community has praised the series for its accurate and faithful representation of their experiences as medical professionals. Its first season won five Emmys, including acting nominations for Wyle, Katherine LaNasa, and Best Drama Series. Almost exactly a year after the first season premiered, the second season is expected to launch with a new 15-hour shift.
2
‘Arcane’ (2021 – 2024)
Video game adaptations are notoriously bad at creating adaptations that satisfy fans of the source material and fail to capture new audiences.Arcane is one of the few exceptions to that. Taking place in the world of League of Legends, Arcane follows the complex relationship between two sisters, Vi (Hailee Steinfeld) and Powder/Jinx (Ella Purnell), as well as the growing disparity and tension between the prosperous city of Piltover and the impoverished city of Zaun. Thanks to beautiful animation, an engaging story, and bringing new color to the source material, original fans of the video game and new audiences loved the series.
Both audiences and critics universally loved the first season. The second and final season was also well-received, but it drew some criticisms for its pacing. Both seasons performed well on Netflix and won the Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program. Arcane became the first Netflix show to win the Emmy in this category.
1
‘Dexter: Resurrection’ (2025 – Present)
Dexterran for eight seasons, from 2006 to 2013. The series followed Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall), a forensic analyst who also served as a vigilante serial killer. He kills people whom he believes deserve to be punished and have evaded punishment by the legal system. After eight seasons, the series aired its finale, which got the largest viewing numbers for Showtime in its history.
In 2021, Dexter returned in Dexter: New Blood, set ten years after the original series. It was a miniseries and also aired on Showtime. In 2025, Dexter returns for a third time in Dexter: Resurrection. This time, the series picks up only two weeks after the previous series. And the series has a new home and airs on Paramount+ Premium. The latest series has new additions to its cast, like Uma Thurman and Peter Dinklage.
Dexter: Resurrection
- Release Date
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July 13, 2025
- Network
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Paramount+ with Showtime
- Directors
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Marcos Siega
- Writers
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Scott Buck
