EW’s picks range from page-to-screen adaptations like “Lord of the Flies” to tense crime dramas like “Adolescence” and “The Beast in Me.”

The 25 best bingeable miniseries streaming on Netflix

EW’s picks range from page-to-screen adaptations like “Lord of the Flies” to tense crime dramas like “Adolescence” and “The Beast in Me.”

By Kevin Jacobsen and Janey Tracey

on August 10, 2026 6:41 a.m. ET

Kaitlyn Dever as Marie Adler in ‘Unbelievable’; Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte in ‘Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story’; Sofía Vergara as Griselda Blanco in ‘Griselda’. Credit:

In the late-2000s and early-2010s, it looked like miniseries were going away. Then came *American Horror Story* in 2011, which helped resurrect the genre and led to a boom of limited and anthology series that hasn’t slowed down 15 years later.

Netflix has been at the forefront of this resurrection, housing numerous buzzworthy miniseries that went on to win the genre’s top prize at the Emmys, such as *Adolescence*, *Baby Reindeer*, and *The Queen’s Gambit*. The streamer also has riveting docuseries like *The Andy Warhol Diaries* and *Wild Wild Country* that explore their subjects further than a traditional documentary feature could.

Ahead, find our recommendations for the 25 best miniseries on Netflix worth binging in their entirety over a weekend.

James Franco as Jake Epping in ‘11.22.63’.

Russ Martin/Hulu

Based on the alternative history novel by Stephen King, this Hulu-produced miniseries is even more thoughtful and engrossing than its premise suggests. James Franco stars as Jake Epping, an English teacher who gains access to a portal that allows him to travel back in time to stop the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. But Jake’s mission becomes complicated when he finds himself adjusting nicely to his new life in the ‘60s, while every choice he makes threatens to change the course of human history. It’s a powerful character study in the body of a propulsive sci-fi thriller. —*Kevin Jacobsen*

Where to watch *11.22.63*: Netflix

**Cast:** James Franco, Chris Cooper, Sarah Gadon, Lucy Fry, George MacKay

Adolescence (2025)

Owen Cooper as Jamie Miller in ‘Adolescence’.

Courtesy of Netflix

This four-part miniseries has become a TV unicorn since its March 2025 release, becoming a massive hit with viewers, achieving universal acclaim from critics, and earning eight Emmys (including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series). *Adolescence* centers on a 13-year-old boy (Owen Cooper) accused of murdering a female classmate, deftly exploring the motive that led to the crime as well as the devastating impact it has on his family. Each episode takes place over the course of an hour and is filmed in one continuous take, from immersing us in the unnerving dread of the initial police interrogations to the sobering reality of his family left to ponder where they went wrong. It’s gripping television, powered by masterful performances and urgent, economical storytelling. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Adolescence*: Netflix

**Cast:** Stephen Graham, Owen Cooper, Ashley Walters, Erin Doherty, Christine Tremarco

Alias Grace (2017)

Sarah Gadon as Grace Marks in ‘Alias Grace’. Jan Thijs/Netflix

If you’re excited that female antiheroes are having a moment, then *Alias Grace* should be next on your watchlist. Created by *Women Talking *director Sarah Polley and directed by *American Psycho* helmer Mary Harron, *Alias Grace *follows Grace Marks (Sarah Gadon), a 19th-century maid who is in jail for allegedly murdering her employers. Like fellow Margaret Atwood adaptation *The Handmaid’s Tale*, *Alias Grace* is a powerful critique of the plight of women in a patriarchal society, but it’s also a miniseries that will keep you constantly guessing about the protagonist’s guilt or innocence. —*Janey Tracey*

Where to watch *Alias Grace*: Netflix

**EW grade:** A–

**Cast:** Sarah Gadon, Edward Holcroft, Rebecca Liddiard, Anna Paquin, Zachary Levi

The Andy Warhol Diaries (2022)

Andy Warhol in ‘The Andy Warhol Diaries’.

This absorbing Emmy-nominated documentary series follows the rise of the influential pop artist Andy Warhol. Utilizing innovative technology to simulate Warhol’s voice, the series brings the artist’s meticulously written diaries to life, guiding us through his career as a painter, the various loves of his life, and his emergence as a pop culture icon in the ‘60s. Aided by revealing interviews from various public figures whose lives were touched by Warhol, *The Andy Warhol Diaries* is a fittingly stylish tribute to a legend. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *The Andy Warhol Diaries*: Netflix

Baby Reindeer (2024)

Richard Gadd as Donny Dunn in ‘Baby Reindeer’.

Based on Richard Gadd’s one-man show about his experience with stalking, *Baby Reindeer* starts with humor, then takes a sharp turn that makes you reevaluate everything that came before. The Emmy-winning miniseries has been controversial, especially after a lawsuit was filed by the woman who claims to be the inspiration for the series. But, wherever you stand on the ethics of fictionalizing real people, *Baby Reindeer* still stands on its own as intimate, gut-wrenching television that’s deeply personal. —*J.T.*

Where to watch *Baby Reindeer*: Netflix

**Cast:** Richard Gadd, Jessica Gunning, Nava Mau, Tom Goodman-Hill

The Beast in Me (2025)

Claire Danes as Aggie Wiggs and Matthew Rhys as Nile Jarvis in ‘The Beast in Me’.

Courtesy of Netflix

Two of television’s most accomplished stars square off in this gripping cat-and-mouse miniseries. Claire Danes plays Aggie Wiggs, an author struggling with depression, who finds inspiration to write her latest book about her enigmatic new neighbor, Nile Jarvis (Matthew Rhys). Nile, a real estate developer, is suspected of murdering his first wife, and Aggie goes on a dangerous mission to learn the truth. Both Emmy-winning stars turn in committed performances as their respective deeply flawed characters, but Rhys in particular delivers one of the most chilling performances in recent television history. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *The Beast in Me*: Netflix

**Cast:** Claire Danes, Matthew Rhys, Brittany Snow, Natalie Morales

Bodies (2023)

Stephen Graham as Elias Mannix in ‘Bodies’.

How can the same dead body be discovered in the exact same place in four vastly different time periods? This is the intriguing premise of *Bodies*, a cleverly conceived miniseries that blends crime drama, science fiction, and a strong dose of mystery. The corpse in question is that of a professor, who is discovered on London’s Longharvest Lane in 1890, 1941, 2023, and 2053. While *Bodies* has grand ambitions in its storytelling, its driving force ultimately stems from a deeply human, often painful desire to be loved. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Bodies*: Netflix

**Cast:** Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Shira Haas, Amaka Okafor, Kyle Soller, Stephen Graham

Bodyguard (2018)

Richard Madden as David Budd and Keeley Hawes as Julia Montague in ‘Bodyguard’. World Productions/Netflix

Many shows might build to their first nail-biting sequence, but not *Bodyguard*. The first episode starts with a 20-minute scene in which David Budd (Richard Madden), a British Army war veteran suffering from PTSD, tries to talk down a suicide bomber while on a train with his two children. EW staffers praised Madden’s Golden Globe-winning performance, the portrayal of women in positions of power, and the “what-the-heck-is-even-happening moments” that make the miniseries impossible not to binge. And the viewers seemed to agree: When it aired in the U.K., *Bodyguard* became the country’s most successful launch of a drama series in the 2010s. —*J.T.*

Where to watch *Bodyguard*: Netflix

**Cast:** Richard Madden, Keeley Hawes, Gina McKee, Sophie Rundle, Vincent Franklin

Death by Lightning (2025)

Michael Shannon as James A. Garfield in ‘Death by Lightning’.

Larry Horricks/Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection

James A. Garfield may not have the name recognition of other centuries-old presidents like George Washington, John Adams, or Abraham Lincoln, but this four-part miniseries has certainly elevated his profile. Michael Shannon stars as Garfield as he becomes the 20th President of the United States and advocates for civil rights. Meanwhile, troubled devotee Charles J. Guiteau (Matthew Macfadyen) turns increasingly disgruntled, leading to him shooting the president. It’s a compelling two-hander that explores both the potential and dangers of humanity. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Death by Lightning*: Netflix

**Cast:** Michael Shannon, Matthew Macfadyen, Betty Gilpin, Bradley Whitford, Nick Offerman

Godless (2017)

Michelle Dockery as Alice Fletcher in ‘Godless’. Ursula Coyote/Netflix

*Godless* takes the Western genre and turns it on its head, focusing on a town almost entirely run by women after a mining accident kills most of the men. Jeff Daniels chews the scenery as murderous robber Frank Griffin, giving a villainous performance for the ages (even if some of his monologues run a little long). But the women are the standouts, especially *Downton Abbey*’s Michelle Dockery and Merritt Wever as the men’s clothes-wearing, overtly feminist Mary Agnes. “I’m done with the notion that the bliss of me and my sisters is to be found in childbearing and caregiving,” she declares. —*J.T.*

Where to watch *Godless*: Netflix

**EW grade:** B

**Cast:** Michelle Dockery, Jack O’Connell, Merritt Wever, Sam Waterston, Jeff Daniels

Griselda (2024)

Sofía Vergara as Griselda Blanco in ‘Griselda’.

Courtesy of Netflix

You’ve never seen Sofía Vergara quite like this. The *Modern Family* alum sheds her comedic persona — and puts on some prosthetics — to deliver a chilling, Emmy-nominated performance as Griselda Blanco, the infamous Colombian drug lord. According to director Andrés Baiz, who also worked on *Narcos*, Vergara was drawn to the role of a woman in a man’s world and the opportunity to show her range. “This was a chance to reinvent herself and step out of her comfort zone,” Baiz told EW. “She knew she had to dive in completely into this role and...push herself to the limit.” —*J.T.*

Where to watch *Griselda*: Netflix

**Cast:** Sofía Vergara, Alberto Guerra, Martin Rodriguez, Juliana Aidén Martinez, Vanessa Ferlito

The Haunting of Hill House (2018)

(From left to right): Mckenna Grace as Theo, Lulu Wilson as Shirley, Paxton Singleton as Steven, Violet McGraw as Nell, Julian Hilliard as Luke, and Henry Thomas as Hugh — the Crains — in ‘The Haunting of Hill House’. Steve Dietl/Netflix

Less of an adaptation than a reimagining, *The Haunting of Hill House* has almost nothing in common with the original Shirley Jackson novel except the characters’ names. But director Mike Flanagan captures the spirit of the work; in true elevated horror fashion, the miniseries uses ghosts as metaphors for trauma and unresolved grief, reaching a terrible and beautiful climax with the now-classic episode “The Bent-Neck Lady.”

“A ghost can be a lot of things: memories, guilt, regrets, trauma, loss,” Flanagan told EW. “We all have our ghosts to contend with, and that contention is where we learn the most about ourselves, as individuals and as a society.” —*J.T.*

Where to watch *The Haunting of Hill House*: Netflix

**Cast:** Victoria Pedretti, Carla Gugino, Michiel Huisma, Kate Siegel, Timothy Hutton

The Last Dance (2020)

Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen during Game 5 of the NBA Finals on June 11, 1997.

Nuccio DiNuzzo/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

You don’t need to follow basketball to appreciate *The Last Dance*. Chronicling Michael Jordan’s final season with the Chicago Bulls, this 10-part docuseries became a quarantine favorite at a time when no one could watch live sports, painting a compelling portrait of ambition, leadership, and the price of success. “Sports fans or non-sports fans, the Chicago Bulls were a global phenomenon,” director Jason Hehir told EW. “This was a cast of characters that Hollywood couldn’t come up with, and Michael Jordan was the star of all stars.” —*J.T.*

Where to watch *The Last Dance*: Netflix

**Cast:** Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman

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Lord of the Flies (2026)

(Center, standing): Winston Sawyers as Ralph and David McKenna as Piggy in ‘Lord of the Flies’.

J Redza/Eleven/Sony Pictures Television

William Golding’s classic novel about British boys who survive a plane crash and make a new society on a deserted island has seen multiple film adaptations over the years. Jack Thorne, fresh from co-creating the Emmy-winning miniseries *Adolescence*, successfully delivered the book’s first TV adaptation, a four-part miniseries that gives the story its proper due as it explores the psychological impact of the boys’ gradual descent into darkness. Teeming with exciting new talent (particularly David McKenna as Piggy), the limited series manages to be as relevant today in its depiction of the corruption of youth as it was when the book was published in 1954. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Lord of the Flies*: Netflix

**Cast:** Winston Sawyers, Lox Pratt, David McKenna, Ike Talbut

Maid (2021)

Margaret Qualley as Alex Russell in ‘Maid’.

Ricardo Hubbs/Netflix

Based on Stephanie Land’s memoir, *Maid* follows Alex (Margaret Qualley), a young mother who escapes an abusive relationship and struggles to support herself and her daughter. The miniseries is a raw and empathetic portrayal of the challenges faced by those living on the margins of society and a scathing indictment of the institutions that make it nearly impossible to escape abuse and poverty. Qualley’s real-life mother, Andie MacDowell, has an unsettling supporting role as Alex’s mentally ill mother, but Qualley is the star, and her nuanced, Emmy-nominated performance makes *Maid *both heartbreaking and inspiring. —*J.T.*

Where to watch *Maid*: Netflix

**Cast:** Margaret Qualley, Nick Robinson, Anika Noni Rose, Andie MacDowell

Midnight Mass (2021)

Hamish Linklater as Father Paul Hill in ‘Midnight Mass’.

Courtesy of Netflix

*The Haunting of Hill House* is Mike Flanagan’s claim to fame, but some might call *Midnight Mass* his magnum opus. The miniseries follows Riley Flynn (Zach Gilford), a man who returns to his religious hometown after serving prison time for manslaughter. When a mysterious priest (Hamish Linklater) arrives, strange and unexplainable events begin to occur. Full of slow-burn horror, it’s Flanagan’s most personal work, based on his experiences with recovery and his upbringing in a Catholic community. “I don’t know how long I could have gone without writing it,” he wrote in a letter to critics. “This...was the story I always wanted to tell.” —*J.T.*

Where to watch *Midnight Mass*: Netflix

**EW grade:** A–

**Cast**: Zach Gilford, Kate Siegel, Hamish Linklater, Kristin Lehman, Samantha Sloyan

One Day (2024)

Ambika Mod as Emma Morley and Leo Woodall as Dexter Mayhew in ‘One Day’.

Forget the 2011 film version starring Jim Sturgess and Anne Hathaway — *One Day* on Netflix is now the definitive adaptation of the beloved novel by David Nicholls. The series follows college classmates Emma (Ambika Mod) and Dexter (Leo Woodall), whose relationship unfolds on the same day over the course of 20 years. A lovely rom-com elevated by Mod and Woodall’s chemistry and nuanced, charming performances, *One Day* will have you in tears by the end of your binge. —*J.T.*

Where to watch *One Day*: Netflix

**Cast:** Ambika Mod, Leo Woodall

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (2023)

Corey Mylchreest as King George III and India Amarteifio as Queen Charlotte in ‘Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story’. Liam Daniel/Netflix

A prequel series to ratings juggernaut *Bridgerton*, *Queen Charlotte* offers a lush, romantic look at the origins of one of the most beloved characters. The miniseries, by super creator Shonda Rhimes, delves into the young Queen Charlotte’s (India Amarteifio) rise to power and her relationship with King George III (Corey Mylchreest). The story has a modern resonance as Queen Charlotte is written as a woman of color, which is the belief of many historians. “I wanted to tell the story of this young woman of color arriving in this world where she never imagined she’d be,” Rhimes told EW. —*J.T.*

Where to watch* Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story*: Netflix

**EW grade:** B+

**Cast:** India Amarteifio, Adjoa Andoh, Michelle Fairley, Corey Mylchreest, Golda Rosheuvel

The Queen’s Gambit (2020)

Anya Taylor-Joy as Beth Harmon in ‘The Queen’s Gambit’.

Phil Bray/Netflix

The miniseries that made everyone learn chess during quarantine, *The Queen’s Gambit* was the surprise hit of 2020, captivating audiences with its riveting tale of chess prodigy Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy). Set during the Cold War, the Emmy-winning series traces Beth’s journey from a Kentucky orphanage to the international chess scene, all while dealing with addiction and inner demons. The quick pacing and inventive visuals make chess matches as thrilling as a sports movie climax, but Taylor-Joy’s mesmerizing performance is the real draw. As EW’s critic writes, “*Queen’s Gambit* will be remembered as the final star-making moment for Taylor-Joy, before her movie career rockets fast and Furiosa-ly.” —*J.T.*

Where to watch* The Queen’s Gambit*: Netflix

**EW grade:** B

**Cast: **Anya Taylor-Joy, Bill Camp, Moses Ingram, Marielle Heller, Thomas Brodie-Sangster

Ripley (2024)

Andrew Scott as Tom Ripley in ‘Ripley’.

*Ripley* brings Patricia Highsmith’s infamous con artist to the small screen in a stylish retelling that goes full noir, filmed entirely in black and white. These changes allow for a darker, lonelier version of Tom Ripley (played by a career-best Andrew Scott), whose complex psychology and lack of glamour is for a modern audience. “I didn’t purposely try to get sympathy or empathy for him,” creator Steven Zaillian told EW. “I trusted that, just by telling the story, that same thing would happen as it did in the book.” —*J.T.*

Where to watch* Ripley*: Netflix

**Cast: **Andrew Scott, Dakota Fanning, Johnny Flynn, Eliot Sumner, Margherita Buy

Toxic Town (2025)

Aimee Lou Wood as Tracy, Jodie Whittaker as Susan, and Karla Crome as Pattie in ‘Toxic Town’.

Ben Blackall/Netflix

This four-part British series is based on the real-life story of mothers who fought their town’s council on behalf of their children. At the center is the toxic waste scandal in Corby, Northamptonshire, England, where the mishandling of industrial waste led to birth defects for several of the town’s newborns. Jodie Whittaker and *White Lotus* alum Aimee Lou Wood are superb as two of the mothers whose babies were affected, and the series is at once infuriating and inspiring as it portrays the long and winding road of seeking justice. —*K.J.*

Where to watch *Toxic Town*: Netflix

**Cast:** Jodie Whittaker, Aimee Lou Wood, Rory Kinnear, Brendan Coyle, Robert Carlyle

Unbelievable (2019)

Kaitlyn Dever as Marie Adler in ‘Unbelievable’. Beth Dubber/Netflix

Based on the devastating, Pulitzer Prize-winning article “An Unbelievable Story of Rape” from ProPublica and the Marshall Project, *Unbelievable* is a hard-hitting, unusually compassionate police procedural about two detectives (Toni Collette and Merritt Wever) as they investigate a series of sexual assaults. Kaitlyn Dever gives a heartbreaking performance as Marie, a rape survivor dismissed by authorities, which the actress called “the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my career.” But instead of dwelling on the gendered injustices, the miniseries highlights the importance of having women in positions of power, as the empathetic approach taken by the female investigators is key to righting the wrongs of the case. —*J.T.*

Where to watch* Unbelievable*: Netflix

**EW grade:** B+

**Cast: **Toni Collette, Merritt Wever, Kaitlyn Dever

Unorthodox (2020)

Amit Rahav as Yanky Shapiro and Shira Haas as Esty Shapiro in ‘Unorthodox’. Anika Molnar/Netflix

Based on Deborah Feldman’s memoir, *Unorthodox* tells the story of Esther “Esty” Shapiro, a young woman who flees her ultra-Orthodox Jewish community in Brooklyn for a new life in Berlin. The miniseries is a gripping tale of self-discovery and rebellion, with Shira Haas delivering an extraordinary turn as Esty. She earned an Emmy nomination for her performance, not least because of that powerful singing scene. “The show is about a woman finding her voice, and in that scene, she’s literally finding it,” Haas told EW. “She’s even surprising herself of what’s coming out of her.” —*J.T.*

Where to watch* Unorthodox*: Netflix

**Cast:** Shira Haas, Amit Rahav, Jeff Wilbusch

When They See Us (2019)

Niecy Nash-Betts as Delores Wise in ‘When They See Us’. Atsushi Nishijima/Netflix

Ava DuVernay’s *When They See Us* is a searing, unflinching account of the wrongful convictions of the Central Park Five, five Black and Latino teenagers who were falsely accused of a brutal assault in 1989. The miniseries powerfully depicts the systemic racism and injustice faced by these young men, following their harrowing journey from arrest to exoneration. With DuVernay’s auteur touch and stellar performances from an ensemble cast, especially Jharrel Jerome, who won an Emmy for his portrayal of Korey Wise, *When They See Us* is as emotionally devastating as it is necessary viewing. —*J.T.*

Where to watch *When They See Us*: Netflix

**Cast:** Asante Blackk, Jharrel Jerome, Niecy Nash-Betts, Felicity Huffman

Wild Wild Country (2018)

Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh in ‘Wild Wild Country’. Netflix

Cult documentaries have been a part of our media diet, but *Wild Wild Country* is one you have to see to believe. Chronicling the rise and fall of the Rajneeshpuram commune in Oregon during the 1980s, the docuseries delves into the controversial practices of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and his followers, leading to one of the most bizarre, shocking, and underreported events in American history. It’s a wild ride filled with twists, legal battles, and a fascinating cast of real-life characters. —*J.T.*

Where to watch* Wild Wild Country*: Netflix

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Original Article on Source

Source: “EW TV”