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TV & Movies

39 Of The Best Shows On Netflix NZ Right Now

29th Jan 2026
Written by:
Siriol Dafydd
Entertainment Writer | Urban List, Sydney
  • Queer Eye

We all know the hunt for the next Netflix binge never ends. To make your search a little easier, we at Urban List have rounded up a slew of the best Netflix Series available in NZ right this minute.

So grab the snacks and get comfy, here are the best shows on Netflix NZ today.

Queer Eye (Season 10)

We all need a big old hug of a TV show every now and again. And, if you’re in the market for that kind of warm and fuzzy reality show, you should get cracking on the tenth and final season of Queer Eye. In case you’ve never heard of it (where have you been?), it’s basically a makeover show with five fabulous gay guys in charge. It’s fun, emotional at times, and just easy to watch. Enjoy.

The Diplomat (Season 3)

If you haven’t already seen seasons 1 and 2, this political drama starring Keri Russell is worth watching. In a nutshell, the story follows a diplomat who is suddenly thrown into the role of American ambassador to the United Kingdom right in the middle of an international crisis. From unearthing conspiracies to political espionage to emotional drama, there’s plenty going on here. It’s one to pay attention to, though, so save this one for when you’ve got the brain space and the discipline to stay away from your phone.

Emily in Paris (Season 5)

Emily in Paris Season 5 is finally here. And, if you didn’t binge it all as soon as it dropped on 18 December 2025, we simply must assume you’ve never seen it. The story follows an American girl who moves to Paris to work at a marketing agency. It’s all about drama, romance, eye candy, and fashion choices that are as infuriatingly unrealistic as they are fabulous. Essentially, it’s Sex and the City for Gen Z.

Stranger Things (Season 5)

A little underdog series called Stranger Things recently launched, and yep, it's chaotic as ever. As the final season of the show, you should expect it to be darker, more intense, and more emotional than previous instalments. But it’ll still have all the friendship vibes and nostalgia you know and love. So, if you haven’t already smashed through this — enjoy.

The Beast in Me

Fans of Homeland and The Americans will love, love, love this one. Claire Danes plays a grief-stricken, reclusive author barely holding it together, while Matthew Rhys plays her charming but super suss new neighbour who was suspected of killing his wife. It’s giving us Hitchcock obsessive vibes, and it’s gripping as. Not a cute and cosy easy-watching rom com for sure, but definitely worth sinking your teeth into.

Selling Sunset (Season 9)

If we’re honest, we kinda hate that we love this show. The ridiculous storylines are topped only by the even more ridiculous outfits… yet we keep returning for more. If you haven’t seen this yet, it’s a reality show about a veeeeeeery dysfunctional group of real estate agents in Los Angeles. All nine seasons are available to watch now. Expect backstabbing, catfights, heartbreaks, and so much more. 

A Man on the Inside 

Forty-three years after his first breakout role in a little-known American series called Cheers, Ted Danson shines once again in A Man on the Inside. The first season follows a retired and bereaved college professor who goes undercover in a retirement village to investigate a theft. But, while he’s there to find the culprit among the residents and staff, he ends up making some real friendships. It’s sweet, heartwarming, funny, and adds just enough twists and turns to keep you engaged. Seasons 1 and 2 are available to stream in full now.

 

Simone Biles Rising

Arguably one of the most massive names in gymnastics, US legend Simone Biles had it all until she didn't, going to hell and back on her road to recovery. It feels insane to see what these Olympic-bound athletes put their bodies (and minds) through on the daily, and the almost back-breaking pressure they're put under by the team around them who are meant to be their greatest supports.

The Receiver

Whether you understand the ins and outs of NFL or not, this will get you involved almost instantly, allowing inside access into the live and big emotions of five top athletes at the absolute top of their game throughout the epic 2023-2024 NFL season. You might be surprised how much you want to tear through this one

Sprint

 If there was a series to ever make us want to head out for a run, it's this. Following a ton of long-standing global rivalries, Sprint takes you into the nitty gritty world of professional sprinting and will absolutely leave you a little breathless. These unbelievable athletes put everything on the line just to be that second faster to claim top spot. We inhaled it all.

The Decameron

Period dramas are still having a moment, and we're here to say this is definitely not your Bridgerton saucy moment. The Decameron, set in 1300's Florence, is a totally irreverent, tongue-in-cheek, dark comedy that's had us giggling. Critics raved about it, and it’s fast-paced, fun and easy to get around. Stream all eight episodes right this minute, please.

Dirty Pop: The Boy Band Scam

Give me any sort of '90s/noughties boy band drama to watch and I'm there, no questions asked. Turns out the squeaky clean pop legends of The Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC and our gal Britney had a bad boy (music heavy weight Lou Pearlman) shielding some dark secrets behind them which you get to rip into throughout this limited docuseries. So good for a half-paying-attention-binge, make sure this one's on your radar.

Bridgerton (Season 3)

Unsurprisingly, everyone is absolutely lost their minds over the latest season of Bridgerton. A little less steamy but the chemistry is still 200% off the charts with plenty of royal drama to boot in between. If you haven't already binged the entire thing several times (or even if you have) add it to your watch list, stat. Watch out for the carriage scene, we have notes.

Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies And Scandal

This three-part docuseries explores the outrageous data hack of dating affair site Ashley Madison, where over 37 million people's personal details were leaked onto the dark web. Unsurprisingly causing absolute anarchy, delve into the lives of some of the couples and families affected, as well as checking out the big bosses whose biz was decimated over night. Short, snappy and salacious, there's nothing like a spy into the messed up minds of people that co-exist in our world.

Bodkin

When a sassy rage-filled investigator and overly-optimistic podcaster (and his doting side kick) come together, chaos ensues in Bodkin. Freshly dropped this month, this dark comedy drama set in a quaint humble Irish town looks to unlock an unsolved mystery around a strange disappearance of locals years before. Although light-hearted, we found ourselves quickly immersed in following links to solve the mystery Sherlock Holmes style. 

Buying London

We *love* a perve into luxe real estate, and so Buying London is the newest sneaky look into some of the world's most OTT insane properties. Check out the penthouses and ridiculously opulent castles of the world's elite, while also of course jumping into the juicy drama of luxury estate agency DDRE Global. Although it follows the same archetype as all the property shows, there's still something delicious about a binge after a hard day at work. 

A Man In Full

There's something about the fall of the big baller that we love to see, especially when Jeff Daniels (The Newsroom, American Rust, Dumb and Dumber) is the baddie. When Atlanta real estate king Charlie Croker suddenly finds himself in bankruptcy, underground political interests collide creating a heart-thumping limited series we've thrown straight to the top of our binge list. From writer David E. Kelley and directed by Hollywood queen Regina King, this new release is giving Succession vibes for sure.

The Roast Of Tom Brady

You've probably seen snippets plastered all across your socials already. Hosted by Kevin Hart, this star-studded line up sees plenty of offensive one-liners and full contact comedy taking a swing at the life and times of NFL legend, Tom Brady. It's raunchy, irreverant and an easy weekend watch that won't require all of your brain power after a long hard week.

Baby Reindeer

If your group chats were completely taken over by Baby Reindeer chat a couple of years back, rest easy that you're not alone. This complex and somewhat controversial new release follows a seemingly sweet, struggling comedian as he shows an act of kindness to a vulnerable woman, sparking a suffocating obsession which threatens to wreak havoc on both their lives. Raising big questions around stalking and consent, it gets dark real quick, so make sure you're in the mood.

3 Body Problem

Created by some of the brilliant minds behind Game of Thrones, this thriller redefines sci-fi drama with its genre-bending mysteries and high-stakes scenes that will leave you gasping. Based on an international bestselling trilogy, the series tracks a young woman's fateful decision that reverberates through both space and time. Sounds complicated, right? Sure, but definitely worth a watch

Griselda

Racy, gritty and super fast-paced, Griselda showcases beloved Modern Family star Sofia Vegara like you've never seen her before. Inspired by true events, this six part limited series delves into the dirty underbelly of Griselda Blanco's plight from the streets of Medellín to rolling the high life in Miami as the so-called 'Godmother' of the drug scene.You'll need to put your phone down and pay attention to keep up with this one.

Young Royals: Season 3

The third and final season of Young Royals promises more sexual tension and drama than ever before. The Swedish coming-of-age romantic drama series follows the privileged students of Hillerska boarding school trying to navigate their relationships, sexual identities and deepest urges. We suggest heading back to the start so you can really take it all in.

Girls5Eva: Season 3

For those in need of some light-hearted feel-good bops, Girls5Eva's got your back. From Busy Philipps to Sara Bareilles, Ashley Park and a ton of other famous faces, check back in with these queens as they kick off their Returnity Tour, navigating their way into those bright lights of stardom. Seasons 1-3 are available to stream in full now.

Can I Tell You A Secret?

This British true crime limited docuseries is haunting in all sorts of ways. Following real-life victims Jade Hallam, Abby Furness and Lia Marie Hambly, we experience the unfolding of the traumatic stalking and online abuse they suffered by Hardy, a predator eventually sentenced to jail in the UK after years of tormenting vulnerable women.

One Day

If you swooned over Leo Woodall in White Lotus, prepare to fall in love all over again with One Day. Spanning across the lives of Dex and Em after their chance meeting at their graduation night in 1988, each episode follows another year in their journey of love, heartbreak and missed connections. Based on the beloved novel by David Nicholls, this is one to keep the tissues handy for.

Boy Swallows Universe

It's been a long time since we first caught word that Trent Dalton's famed Boy Swallows Universe was being transformed into a series for Netflix. While the wait has been long, Netflix has finally dropped the show and it's definitely been worth it.

The Crown

The controversial sixth season of The Crown is all about the relationship between Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed before a horrendous car crash. Prince William also tries to integrate back into life at Eton in the wake of his mother’s death, as the monarchy has to ride the wave of public opinion. 

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story

Indeed—we have a Bridgerton-verse prequel. It's all about Queen Charlotte's rise to power and how her marriage to King George sets off a chain of events that transformed society, laying the foundation for the Ton world of Bridgerton. 

Translatlantic

Transatlantic is inspired by the true story of Varian Fry, Mary Jayne Gold and the Emergency Rescue Committee. Risking their lives to help more than 2000 refugees escape occupied France, including many artists on the Nazis’ most-wanted list. 

The Witcher: Blood Origin

Set in an elven world 1200 years before the world of The Witcher, Blood Origin is the story about one of seven outcasts who unite against a mega power that seemingly took everything from them. 

Heartbreak High

The reimagining of the 90s Australian YA series, which ran for seven seasons, follows Amerie who forges a mysterious and very public rift with her ride-or-die Harper at Hartley High. With her new friends, outsiders Quinni and Darren, Amerie tries to repair her reputation, while navigating love, sex, and heartbreak. We are swooning hard. 

Peaky Blinders

If you haven’t watched this one yet, firstly—shame on you. Secondly, it’s basically about a notorious gang in 1919 Birmingham, England, led by the fierce Tommy Shelby, a crime boss set on moving up in the world no matter the cost.

Love, Death & Robots

In our eyes, Love Death & Robots is quite possibly one of the best TV series around. If you’ve been watching since season one, you’ll know exactly why. If you’ve enver been into animation, LDR is the one show that will change your mind. This gem brings us a compilation of animated short stories, spanning across multiple genres such as, fantasy, fiction, horror and comedy. Each episode was produced with the intention of being easy to watch, but hard to forget and range from five to 17-minute stories. 

Heartstopper

While most high school series these days delve into sex and drugs (and rock 'n' roll?), Heartstopper is a new-age show bound to bring some heartwarming scenes to weekend Netflix binge. The show, an adaptation of Alice Oseman's webcomic and graphic novel of the same name, spans eight episodes whereby teenagers Charlie and Nick discover their unlikely friendship might be something a little bit more as they navigate their way through the cesspit of high school drama and young love. 

Anatomy Of A Scandal

If you’ve read the bestselling novel of the same name by Sarah Vaughn, you’ll know this is a big deal. A psychological thriller and gripping courtroom drama, the series infiltrates Britain's elite through a personal and political scandal. James and Sophie Whitehouse live in a blissful world. A Minister in Parliament, a loving family at home, James' trajectory appears without limits. Until a scandalous secret suddenly comes to light. Barrister Kate Woodcroft has a trajectory of her own, and her prosecution threatens to tear into Westminster and the Whitehouse marriage. This is a juicy series you can't afford to miss.

Human Resources

From the inventive minds that brought us the award-winning adult animation, Big Mouth comes the even edgier and adult-ier Human Resources. The spin-off pulls back the curtain on the daily lives of the creatures—Hormone Monsters, Depression Kitties, Shame Wizards and many more, helping humans journey through every aspect of life from puberty to parenthood to the twilight years. Featuring an all-star voice cast— including Nick Kroll, Maya Rudolph and David Thewlis reprising their Big Mouth roles. 

Pieces Of Her

Pieces of Her is an unmissable piece of content you need in your life. In a sleepy Georgia town, a random act of violence sets off an unexpected chain of events for 30-year-old Andy Oliver and her mother, Laura. Desperate for answers, Andy embarks on a dangerous journey across America, drawing her towards the dark, hidden heart of her family.

All Of Us Are Dead

We hate to make parallels to Squid Game but let's just say All Of Us Are Dead is a fantastic K-series that will fill that void. A group of students trapped in a high school find themselves in dire situations as they seek to be rescued from a zombie invasion of their school. It’s heinous, it’s messy, and it’s damn amazing.

Hellbound

Unbelievable demonstrations of hell take place in the middle of Seoul right in front of crowds. Mysterious beings condemn individuals to be Hellbound, and otherworldly beings appear exactly at the specified time to kill the condemned in a brutal burning.

Rising above the utter chaos resulting from these inexplicable supernatural occurrences is the commanding voice of Jung Jinsu, the leader of an up-and-coming religious organization, The New Truth. He claims that only sinners are marked for condemnation and that these occurrences represent the divine will to make humans righteous. A group of his followers with blind faith, the Arrowhead, take into their own hands the punishment of those who go against the divine will. 

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Image credit: Netflix

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