30 Binge-Worthy Dramas on Netflix

Everyone loves a good binge session whether it be an extensive one or a short one. It’s nice to be able to immerse ourselves in a world different from our own and check out for a little while.

One of the best resources for TV binges is the ever-present streaming source — Netflix. There is no shortage of drama series on this service from heartwarming family dramas to superhero dramas to the ever-popular thriller/crime drama.

We want to help you guys sift through the high level of content to find the greats — some well-known while others are hidden gems. Some are lengthy binges while others take only a day, but no matter what they all capture our attention in the best ways.

In no particular order, here are our picks for 30 Binge-worthy Dramas on Netflix:

1. Elite

Number of Episodes: 24

If you were a fan of Pretty Little Liars, Gossip Girl, or How to Get Away with Murder, then Elite is for you!

The series follows a group of teenagers who deal with a tragedy while also dealing with usual teenaged-things like love, school, drugs, and murder. From beginning to end, you’re in for a wild ride with a few characters you ultimately want to root for.  

2. Grey’s Anatomy

Number of Episodes: 342

If you are looking for a medical drama, then Grey’s Anatomy is the best of the best on Netflix. This show is currently in its 16th season on ABC, but you can easily catch up with the first 15 seasons on Netflix.

This drama centers on interns and attendings alike as they navigate the world of trauma, emergency, and surgery at one of Seattle’s greatest hospitals. Though the name of the hospital and the doctors have changed over the years, this drama still excites with its inventive storytelling.

The main focus of this show is, of course, Meredith Grey, but in more recent years that focus has extended more to include an array of characters both young and seasoned. It’s a lengthy binge, but well worth your time, just make sure you have a tissue or ten handy for those really heartwrenching moments.

3. The Vampire Diaries

Number of Episodes: 171

The Vampire Diaries is one of the greatest vampire shows to come along since Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It’s a show loosely based on a book series of the same name written by L.J. Smith. 

Stars Ian Somerhalder, Paul Wesley, and Nina Dobrev carry the show through all 8 seasons with Dobrev leaving briefly. Their characters created a love triangle to end all love triangles when the vampire brothers — Damon and Stefan — both fall for the beautiful human, Elena.

The show follows the supernatural happenings in the historic fictional town of Mystic Falls, Virginia. The residents of Mystic Falls aren’t completely aware of all that is happening but, that doesn’t stop some of them from protecting the town.

It is a popular series that created two spin-off series — The Originals and Legacies — both of which can also be found on Netflix.

4. Arrow

Number of Episodes: 170

Having just wrapped up the series earlier this year, Arrow is a perfect binge-watch.

The series follows Oliver Queen after returning from 5 years of torture, tragedy, and torment, as he is determined to right his family’s wrongs. Watching Oliver’s growth over the span of 8 seasons is remarkable and wonderful to watch, as he finds a solid team in a former soldier and a hacker, and love along the way. 

5. Scandal

Number of Episodes: 124

Netflix is filled with all the Shondaland shows, but one of the most popular ones is definitely Scandal. This political drama follows the fixer Olivia Pope as she runs a crisis-management firm. 

Her greatest clients are the nation’s politicians and she proves time and time again why she is the best at her job. Her on-and-off-again relationship with President Grant creates a few scandals of their own, but nothing more than she can handle.

This drama series is bound to keep you on the edge of the seat from one episode to the next.

6. Criminal Minds

Number of Episodes: 277

While Criminal Minds ended its series run with 15 seasons, only 12 of them are on Netflix. However, that still makes for an extensive binge that is likely to last weeks instead of just days.

The show’s focus is on cases taken on by the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit or BAU. This team of Special Supervisory Agents is a hodgepodge variety of talents that makes each case compelling.

The great thing about this crime drama is that each episode is about more than just the criminals being investigated. Each episode is book-ended with inspirational quotes that relate to the human issue of each case. 

7. Gossip Girl

Number of Episodes: 121

On New York City’s Upper East Side the moniker ‘XOXO Gossip Girl’ is synonymous with everyone’s secrets being spilled. None of the elite teens on Gossip Girl can do anything without the blogger telling everyone about it.

These spoiled kids think that they run the world, but really they only run their world, which is much smaller than they realize. This teen drama is still popular today because of the way they tell very real stories amidst all the soapy drama.

It doesn’t hurt that the show boasts a stellar cast of Blake Lively, Leighton Meister, Chace Crawford, Penn Badgley, and Ed Westwick. 

8. You

Number of Episodes: 20

You is one of those binges that can easily be done in a day or two. It is a fast, compelling watch that captures your full attention from the moment it starts.

The show centers on a young man named Joe (played by Penn Badgley), who seems to be sweet and unassuming on the outside. However, he harbors a dark secret under the surface.

You is a dark and disturbing binge, but you’ll be unable to look away.  Badgley manages to make Joe both charming and creepy, which is fascinating to watch.

9. All American

Number of Episodes: 32

Love, romance, betrayal, football — All American is chocked full of everything you could ever want from a typical teen drama. Where All American differs from the status quo, however, is in its determination to place important social justice issues at the forefront of its series, never shying away from discussing the difficult topics.

Loosely based on the real-life experiences of NFL star Spencer Passenger, All American has plenty of on-field moments that provide you with the same sense of unity shows like Friday Night Lights deliver and enough romantic entanglements to make you think you’ve accidentally turned on Beverly Hills 90210.

Where the show pivots, is in keeping its pulse on the high school experience, while seemingly weaving in doses of cultural reality that are somehow missing from similar teen dramas with a predominately white cast.

Racism, police brutality, gang violence, the subtle nuances of privilege — all topics that All American has no issue breaching head-on, and doing it with flawless poignancy.

Add in the absolutely staggering performances by an A+ cast, and you’ve got the perfect binge-worthy series. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll swoon, and most importantly, you’ll learn something.  

10. Gilmore Girls

Number of Episodes: 153

One of the greatest family dramas to this day is the incomparable, Gilmore Girls. This drama about female empowerment and the bond between mothers and daughters stands the test of time.

Centered on the mother/daughter team of Lorelai and Rory Gilmore, the show goes through the ups and downs of that relationship as the landscape changes between adolescence and adulthood. These two may not have all the answers but what they do have is each other’s backs — always.

If you are looking for a lengthy binge that will leave you feeling loved and appreciated, then travel on down the road to Stars Hollow.

11. Daredevil

Number of Episodes: 39

Netflix is famous for the multitude of original series centered in the Marvel Universe. One of the more popular series is Daredevil.

Daredevil follows an independent attorney, Matt Murdock, who was blinded in an accident as a child. He uses his heightened senses to help him become the vigilante Daredevil fighting crimes on the streets of New York late at night.

Along with his trusted friends — Foggy Nelson and Karen Page — Murdock uses his job to seek out those he hopes to get justice against. It’s an action-packed drama that is sure to fill any superhero lover’s void.

12. La Casa de Papel/Money Heist

Number of Episodes: 30

Grab your pens and your masks, it is heist time! La Casa De Papel/Money Heist is a sexy and adventurous binge-worthy show on Netflix.

Most of the instantly iconic characters are trapped together inside a bank and have to figure out how to deal with each other 24/7. We can relate. The close quarters create a powder keg for lust, violence, loyalty, and, of course, cash to explode onto the screen.

Did we mention the ships? Spanish TV knows how to do steamy, and La Casa De Papel does not disappoint. The Professor and The Inspector have our heart all tied up.

Season 4 of the hit series will drop on Netflix on April 3, so now is the perfect time to get your binge on for the first three seasons. 

13. Once Upon a Time

Number of Episodes: 156

Who said you can’t revisit all your favorite fairy tales in a mixture of classic and modern settings? On Once Upon A Time, viewers are able to not only live within the realms of their favorite fairy tales but also follow them as they adjust to a more modern world.

The series starts out following Emma Swan as her son, Henry, leads her to a strange town called Storybrooke. She discovers that everyone in this town is stuck in time and that they are actually members of fairy tales given new identities. 

As the series progresses, more and more fairy tale characters are added to the cast of characters who interact with Emma Swan and her son, Henry. And if you’re looking for some ships to steal your heart, Once Upon A Time has quite a few of those.

If fairy tales and fantasy are your cup of tea, then travel over to Storybrooke for one of the most magical binges you can ever find.

14. Mad Men

Number of Episodes: 90

Another period drama, Mad Men, manages to take a time in our nation’s history, the 1960’s, and make it gilded to the point of nostalgia. Despite the main character being the epitome of male toxicity, audiences find themselves commiserating with him.

The unexpected stars of this show aren’t the men at all, it’s the women — Peggy, Betty, and Joan. These ladies manage to make a name for themselves in a man’s world.

Watch this series if you are intrigued by the 1960’s advertising in America or just want to see Elisabeth Moss before her groundbreaking role on The Handmaid’s Tale.

15. Merlin

Number of Episodes: 65

In a land of myth and a time of magic, the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young boy. His name…Merlin.

This quote starts every episode of Merlin and sets the tone for the whole show. This alternate look into the creating of King Arthur — by starting when he is just a young prince — has captivated fantasy fans for years.

This series goes through all the trials and triumphs of the dynamic duo of Prince Arthur and his manservant/sorcerer-in-training Merlin. These two young men take brotherhood to a whole new level and captivate the attention of everyone with a bit of cheeky humor and playful banter.

16. Supernatural

Number of Episodes: 307

Even if you haven’t seen Supernatural, you know the names, Sam and Dean Winchester. This supernatural drama is The CW’s longest-running series, having started it’s 15th and final season in 2019.

It follows the Winchester brothers as they fight off demons, ghosts, angels, and vampires — among other creatures — to keep everyone safe. While hunters are a dime a dozen, these brothers are the ones fated to save the world.

Dean Winchester: Saving people, hunting things, the family business.

Coupled with a kickass rock soundtrack, this series should be on everyone’s binge plans. Until then, carry on my wayward son.

17. Dexter

Number of Episodes: 96

This Showtime original is still turning heads all these years later. Dexter follows the double life of Dexter Morgan, a blood splatter analyst by day and a serial killer by night.

Dexter Morgan is the “good” kind of serial killer — he only kills other killers. It’s messed up logic, but it ultimately makes him the anti-hero we all love to root for. 

If you love true crime then this is the binge for you. Just don’t be surprised if you start to sympathize with Dexter’s logic by the end or cry for him when tragedy strikes his own life.

18. The Walking Dead

Number of Episodes: 131

Our current world is a little topsy-turvy, and yet some people still seek out those shows that depict post-apocalyptic worlds. One of the strongest contenders on Netflix is The Walking Dead.

Rick Grimes, along with his family and a group of other survivors, travels all over the United States in search of a place to live safe from the zombies taking over. Along the way, these survivors must go up against not only zombies but also other groups of survivors. 

It’s one of the more violent shows on this list but still manages to bring the human condition into the heart of the story itself.

19. The Crown

Number of Episodes: 41

Are period pieces or historical fiction what you’re looking for? Then look no further than the Netflix series, The Crown. It’s a perfect glimpse into the everyday lives of the British Royal Family.

The Crown follows Queen Elizabeth II from the death of her father and her rise the throne to modern time. It covers both the political and personal aspects of this long-reigning queen. 

The show requires a bit of focus to get through each episode, but the story grabs you so effectively that you find yourself immersed in the world for hours on end.

20. The West Wing

Number of Episodes: 156

Politics might not sound relaxing, but when you’re in the Bartlet Administration’s West Wing, it doesn’t seem so bad. The West Wing follows the people who serve at the pleasure of the President and shines a light on how it really does take a village to run the country.

The show isn’t all doom and gloom.

There are a couple of hijinks along the way, and the characters are passionate and enjoy what they’re doing. It leads to impassioned discussions that can sometimes be funny, still serious. Plus, in the midst of it all, you may get an idea of how the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government work together.

Fun fact, we have also compiled a list of the best episodes from this fantastic political drama. The list can be found here.

21. iZombie

Number of Episodes: 71

On iZombie, a virus has spread all over Seattle, WA — sound familiar? This timely drama gives a lighthearted feel to the very real problem of a zombie virus taking over society.

Liv Moore — a secret zombie — helps her friends Dr. Ravi Chakrabarti and Detective Clive Babineaux solve murder cases by eating the victims’ brains and recovering part of their memories. All while trying to protect the citizens of her city — both zombie and human.

This series is a playful and fun drama to really take us away from the uncertainty of reality. 

22. The 100

Number of Episodes: 84

Sometimes we want to escape our world entirely so we look for those dramas that spark our sense of adventure or intrigue with different ways of life. In recent years, one such show has really captured that focus by telling the story of teens from space coming back to Earth centuries after their ancestors abandoned it.

The 100 is the exact type of futuristic drama that screams excitement. The show is rarely light and far from fluffy, or even fun, but the story still manages to captivate audiences by the unique attention to common themes.

We all gladly follow the triumphs and heartbreaks of Clarke Griffin and the other teens as they learn to survive on the ground. 

23. Call the Midwife

Number of Episodes: 72

One of the only other medical dramas on this list is Call the Midwife. This medical drama is also a period piece set in 1950s East End London.

Follow along through a vastly changing landscape and time as a group of young midwives and nuns treat the expectant mothers in the poorest parts of London. These women bring a bit of happiness and color to a time that severely lacks it.

Besides, who doesn’t love stories centered on brand new babies? 

24. Lucifer

Number of Episodes: 67

What happens when you mix the King of Hell with the Los Angeles police force? You get the thrilling drama, Lucifer, which is there to mesmerize and excite you. 

The Devil himself grows tired of hell and leaves it for Los Angeles. His escapades in the city of angels put him in direct contact with Detective Chloe Decker.

The two team up in order to solve various crimes all over the city. All the while, Lucifer works to find his place in the world around him and discovers that he just might have a soul after all.

25. American Horror Story

Number of Episodes: 84

The great thing about this thriller series is that each season is stand alone and can be watched separately or as part of the series as a whole. 

American Horror Story tells different tales of intrigue and mystery each season. To tie various seasons together, the series carries certain elements — such as locations and characters — from one season to the next.

It’s fun to binge this whole series and try to catch which elements are similar between them all. Each season the scare comes from the direct actions of a disturbed human and paints the picture of humans being the most terrifying element in our world.

26. Broadchurch

Number of Episodes: 24

Broadchurch is three seasons packed with intense drama. While the subject matter is quite grim, it is well worth the binge for the difficult-to-crack mystery and the incredible performances.

Acting gods Olivia Colman, David Tennant, and Jodie Whittaker lead the cast in this dramatic detective series. The interactions between DI Alec Hardy (Tennant) and DS Ellie Miller (Colman) temper the tragic story with moments of levity and humor. Suspense is weaved intricately throughout each season, even as mysteries are revealed.

You will be captivated and entertained from beginning to end and will not want to leave the quaint coastal town when your binge is over. 

27. Breaking Bad

Number of Episodes: 62

Cancer and meth are two things that don’t seem like they should go together, but on Breaking Bad they 100 percent do.

Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher, is diagnosed with cancer. Wanting to make sure his family is taken care of, he teams up with a former student, Jesse Pinkman, and the two set out to make a premium product that will disrupt the current drug trade.

Breaking Bad follows Walter White’s journey as he goes further and further down the rabbit hole as a drug manufacturer named Heisenberg and deals with the effects his actions have on his associates and family.  

28. Anne with an E

Number of Episodes: 27

Every book lover can agree that Anne from Green Gables is a cultural classic. Therefore, when Netflix came out with an original series based on the book, fans were over the moon excited.

Anne with an E is about the young Anne Shirley as she comes to live with the Cuthbert’s at their home: Green Gables. The show — much like the book series — covers an array of young adult topics such as growing pains, love, loss, and figuring out who you are.

The original series has 3 seasons that fly right by and make for a quick, warm, heartfelt binge.

29. Narcos: Mexico

Number of Episodes: 20

It is always a strange thing to sympathize with killers. On Narcos: Mexico, you can’t help but be lured in by Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo’s empire-building schemes.

Even as we root for him, we know how it’s all going to end: badly. Narcos: Mexico is inspired by real events and real people, and the voiceover explanation guides us through the history of El Padrino and the cop who would bring him down.

With a cast that includes the flat-out incredible Diego Luna, Michael Pena, Joaquín Cosio, and Tenoch Huerta, we have no choice but to binge Narcos: Mexico. 

30. Gotham

Number of Episodes: 100

Gotham is the perfect fit for all the Batman fans out there or even just people who are fans of the Batman universe, whether it be the heroes or the villains. 

This series does a great job of giving focus to not only the rise of Bruce Wayne as Batman and Detective Gordan but also the rise of famous villains. The biggest ones are Penguin, Riddler, and Catwoman, but they aren’t the only villains on this series that really share the spotlight.

While Batman is already a dark hero, this series takes things to an even darker level that fascinates many comic fans. Sometimes, heroes can be villains and the villains can be heroes.

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Additional contributions from Janelle McCammack, Kat Pettibone, Brianna Martinez, Lauren Busser, and Erin Allen.

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