Top 10 Underrated Netflix Original Shows You Should Be Watching
How it is that more people aren't watching these shows, we will never know! Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we'll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Underrated Netflix Original Shows You Should Be Watching.
For this list, we will only be looking at underrated Netflix Originals, so anything that was added to the streaming service, but not directly produced, co-produced or distributed by them, will not be considered.
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#10: “Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Return” (2017-)
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The plot of this wacky, off-the-beaten-path kind of show should be enough to convince you to watch it. “Mystery Science Theatre 3000” first premiered in 1988 and its premise was both extremely simple and totally out there. Essentially it was about a janitor who gets kidnapped by scientists who force him to watch old B-movies; and he’s just barely kept sane by a group of robot buddies. Throughout the show, the janitor and his ‘bots act as the peanut gallery, cracking clever quips on the plots, characters and dialogue of the cheesy flicks they watch. “Mystery Science Theatre 3000: The Return”… is basically the same thing, plus Patton Oswalt. So yeah, you should totally watch it.
#9: “F is for Family” (2015-)
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Here are three reasons you should watch “F is for Family”: Bill Burr, Bill Burr and oh yeah, Bill Burr. The comedian’s unique vocal talents shine through in this animated family comedy set in the ‘70s. Burr voices patriarch Frank Murphy, a beer-guzzling father of three who has a short fuse and a penchant for ripping off rants about anything and everything that gets on his nerves. Rounding out the cast, we have Laura Dern, Justin Long and Sam Rockwell, who plays Frank’s boastful neighbor (and perpetual scene-stealer), Vic. We understand that vulgarity-laced animated shows aren’t for everyone, but you’d be wise to give “F is for Family” a shot.
#8: “The OA” (2016-)
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Is there anyone who doesn’t like Brit Marling? The absurdly talented actress and producer not only stars in “The OA”, she’s its co-creator. The show is a fantastic mix of eerie sci-fi and fantasy; it revolves around the reemergence of a young woman who’s been missing for years. Upon her mysterious return, she has a new name and the ability to see, despite the fact that, when she first disappeared, she was blind. Why “The OA” is so underrated we simply can’t figure out. The writing is sharp, the characters well-developed and the acting superb. Seriously, you’ve got to check this one out.
#7: “Crazyhead” (2016-)
Netflix has really tapped British talent for its Originals. And, as we see, sci-fi is an exceedingly fertile genre for cool and creative shows. So it makes sense that Howard Overman, the mind behind messed-up-teens-with-superheroes series “Misfits” would get the call again for “Crazyhead”. Cara Theobold and Susan Wokoma are “seers”; and what they see are demons in everyday life. They then proceed to kick supernatural ass. A little bit “Buffy”, a little bit “They Live,” and a lot of fun.
#6: “3%” (2016-)
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The first Netflix original series to be produced entirely in Portuguese, “3%” is the foreign-language dystopian thriller you didn’t know you needed. The world the show presents is a fractured one in which the wealthy live Offshore and the poor live Inland. Through The Process, citizens of the Inland are given the opportunity to leave. However, the path to bliss is not without its hurdles . . . big hurdles. The show takes its name from the fact that only 3% of people make it through The Process. A tightly-woven tale of sacrifice, betrayal and the quest for a better life, “3%” should be put on your list ASAP.
#5: “Sense8” (2015-18)
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A nuanced piece of science fiction, “Sense8” is blessed with a unique plot, an excellent ensemble cast and some of the best direction in recent TV memory. This show from the Wachowski sisters is about eight strangers from across the globe who slowly discover that they share mental and emotional links, and are able to jump in and out of each other’s minds, seemingly at will. Trying to tell eight different stories in a single show is no small feat, but “Sense8” manages to pull it off. At least it did, as the show was canceled in 2017 despite critical acclaim. But don’t fret: 2018 will see a two-hour series finale, so you’ve got time to catch up.
#4: “Love” (2016-)
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The fact that Judd Apatow is listed as a co-creator should be more than enough to convince you that “Love” is worth checking out. The show stars Gillian Jacobs, best known for her time playing Britta Perry on “Community,” and actor, writer and stand-up comic, Paul Rust. “Love” is best described as a rom-com that hates rom-coms. It’s about two people trying to love each other but constantly failing due to their numerous doubts and insecurities. Surrounded by an awesome cast of characters, each more goofy and endearing than the next, the inherent comedic ability of Jacobs and Rust shines through in every scene.
#3: “Easy” (2016-)
No matter how hard we try we simply can’t get over how bonkers the cast of “Easy” is. The anthology series features, wait…let us catch our breath…Orlando Bloom, Aubrey Plaza, Dave Franco, Malin Akerman, Jake Johnson, Hannibal Buress and Marc Maron. And those are just some of the bigger names! The improv-heavy show is set in Chicago and focuses on the love-, sex- and social lives of a group of people from varying cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds. “Easy” is, variously, a hilarious sit-com, a touching drama and a wacky, who-knows-where-this-is-going comedic romp. The show’s loose structure and all-star cast make it a must watch for all Netflix lovers!
#2: “American Vandal” (2017-)
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Who doesn’t love a good satire? “American Vandal” is a mockumentary, and it’s one that lampoons true crime shows like Netflix’s own hyper-successful “Making a Murderer”. It takes place in a high school and revolves around a crime involving faculty cars, spray paint and (cough), penises… you do the math. A ridiculous premise? Well, sure, but trust us, “American Vandal” is 100% worth your time. It’s very clever and sharp, and parodies its victim in a way that is both smart and side-splittingly funny. This is the role YouTube sensation Jimmy Tatro was born to play. Before we unveil our top pick, here’s our honorable mention: “Santa Clarita Diet” (2017-)
#1: “Lady Dynamite” (2016-)
This is one show that we can say with absolute certainty deserves to be on your “what to watch next” list. “Lady Dynamite” springs from the fertile minds of longtime “South Park” producer Pam Brady and “Arrested Development” creator Mitch Hurwitz; so it’s got a lot going for it right off the bat. The show is loosely based on the life, career, and mental health travails of its lead, alt stand-up comic Maria Bamford. All kinds of amazingly and refreshingly zany stuff happens throughout the show. It’s surreal, weird and lots of fun. Don’t sleep on this one, we mean it!
