Top 10 Most Anticipated Netflix Originals of 2017

In 2017 “Netflix and Chill” might actually involve watching Netflix. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we will be counting down our picks for the top 10 most anticipated original programming Netflix will be offering in 2017.

For this list we are looking at the best of the upcoming slew of Netflix-produced entertainment, whether it be movies, documentaries, specials or TV series, new and returning, that will be released in 2017.

#10: “Bill Nye Saves the World” (2017- )

Netflix has always had quite a diverse lineup of programming, from award-winning documentaries, to revivals of famous TV shows. During the '90s, amongst all the Power Rangers and Spiderman cartoons, Bill Nye dominated kids television with his memorable series “Bill Nye the Science Guy”. His insane passion for science and educating the world is being brought back in this talk show about how science relates to every aspect of our lives, and we all can’t wait for his triumphant return.

#9: “The Crown” Season 2 (2016- )

A late arrival in 2016, “The Crown” was probably the most ambitious project Netflix ever decided on producing, with its first season being their most expensive production to date, costing £100 million. Luckily, the gamble was well worth it, and its high praise immediately earned it a confirmed second season to air in 2017, which began filming before the first season even aired. Kicking off where the first season finished, season 2 will begin in 1995 and continue on towards the present day.

#8: “The Get Down” Season 1 Part 2 (2016- )

Having been the most expensive series released by Netflix, before “The Crown” came along, “The Get Down” is pure Baz Luhrmann euphoria. A passion project from the mad mind behind “Moulin Rouge!” and “The Great Gatsby”, this invigorating experience was in production for almost a decade. This epic saga follows a fictional group of characters, as they tell us the story of the rise of hip-hop and fall of disco, in late-70s New York City. Using real locations, events, and people, the musical drama will be returning with the remainder of the first season episodes sometime in 2017.

#7: “Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later” (2017)

Indie teen comedy “Wet Hot American Summer” became an instant hilarious cult classic, and starred then-unknowns, or mostly-unknowns, such as Amy Poehler, Paul Rudd, and Bradley Cooper to name a few. Although the film is relatively unheard of today, it was a surprise when Netflix decided to revive the film into a prequel mini-series, 14 years later. Amazingly, the entire original cast returned to reprise their roles, and even though they got a lot older, they are playing their original characters as younger than they were in the 2001 film. The new series, “Ten Years Later” is now a sequel to both the series and the original film, now set in 1991.

#6: “Master of None” Season 2 (2015- )

Having made a name for himself as a comedian and supporting character in “Parks and Recreation”, Aziz Ansari found the chance to work on more ambitious and personal projects. In 2015 alone, he released his New York Times bestseller “Modern Romance”, his biggest stand-up special “Live at Madison Square Garden” on Netflix, and created, produced, wrote and starred in “Master of None” for Netflix. The series centers on a fictionalized version of himself, an Indian-American trying to make it as an actor, while using his stand-up material as talking points. The first season nabbed a bunch of awards, including an Emmy for outstanding writing so we are very excited to see where the new season will take us.

#5: Dave Chappelle’s New Stand-up Shows (2017)

Since “Chappelle’s Show” went off the air suddenly in 2006, many have wondered what happened to Dave Chappelle. After years of being out of the spotlight, his long-awaited return to showbiz happened this past November when he hosted “Saturday Night Live”. The success of the episode, which included the triumphant return of many “Chappelle’s Show” characters, was immediately followed by the announcement that not only will he be returning to stand-up in 2017, but Netflix will be releasing three new stand-up specials from the veteran comedian. Netflix seemed like an ideal choice, since they are no strangers to stand-up, having released over 20 original specials in 2016 alone, so we can’t wait to see what Chappelle has in store.

#4: “Marvel’s The Defenders” Season 1 (2017- )

With the Marvel Cinematic Universe destroying the box office every year, their expansion to television may have been expected. And while “Agent Carter” and “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” were moderate successes, fans know that Netflix is currently the best place for live action superhero television. After Daredevil, these shows spawned their own mini-Marvel TV universe, introducing a slew of less-recognized Marvel superheroes, but even more exciting was their overall plan. Following the characters Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist, “The Defenders”, a series where all of them team up, will premier in 2017. With “Iron Fist” and “The Punisher” also getting their premieres in 2017, Marvel fans should have enough material to last all year.

#3: “A Series of Unfortunate Events” Season 1 (2017- )

Clearly something very wicked this way comes. Although the film adaptation of the wildly popular series of books wasn’t highly praised, it certainly did not turn us off to the franchise as a whole. The dreary eight episodes, appropriately directed by the man behind “The Addams Family” and “Men In Black”, follow the unfortunate Beaudelaire orphans who must protect their family fortune from the vile man who adopts them. It always seemed as though Lemony Snicket’s dastardly dark stories were more suited as a series, and with Neil Patrick Harris filling in the huge shoes belonging to the foul Count Olaf, we can only expect a frightfully awful time.

#2: “Making a Murderer” Season 2 (2015- )

“Making a Murder” was making insane waves in the media in 2015. The docu-series expertly brought to light the story of Steven Avery, and how he was released after 18 years in prison after being wrongfully accused, only to be charged again with a murder everyone but the police are convinced he didn’t do. Worst of all was the involvement of his young nephew, Brendan Dassey, who seems to have been coerced into admitting complacency. The news story caused an uproar, with citizens even demanding a White House pardon. The fight for Dassey’s innocence and release is far from over, and the second season will be covering his struggle as well as showing the impact the series has had on the justice system.

Before we reveal our top pick, here are a few honourable mentions:

“Mystery Science Theater 3000” Season 12 (1988-99, 2017 )

“Bloodline” Season 3 (2015- )

“Narcos” Season 3 (2015- )

#1: “Stranger Things” Season 2 (2016- )

Monsters, shady government experiments, parallel dimensions, and The Clash. The 80s nostalgia was dialed up to 11, and audiences immediately binge-watched and ate up one of the most talked-about series of 2016. Although the horror and sci-fi influences and references were rampant, fans loved the originality and style of the Duffer Brothers, who offered us a story of a struggling family dealing with the disappearance of their youngest, and the emergence of a mysterious young girl in a quiet town who seems to have psychic powers. Becoming an immediate fan favorite and future cult-classic, the rumors, speculations and excitement for a second season began the moment the first one dropped.


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