These are some of the top 15 popular TV shows on Netflix in January 2023. Whether you’re in the mood for a thrilling crime drama, a supernatural horror, or a historical epic, these shows offer something for everyone.
Cast:
Henry Cavill, Anya Chalotra, Freya Allan
Plot Summary:
“The Witcher” is a fantasy drama television series based on the book series of the same name by Andrzej Sapkowski. The show follows the adventures of Geralt of Rivia, a solitary monster hunter in a medieval-inspired world filled with magic and mythical creatures.
Geralt is joined by a powerful sorceress named Yennefer and a young princess named Ciri, both of whom have a special connection to Geralt and the fate of the world. As they journey together, they face challenges and battles, both against supernatural monsters and against the political machinations of kingdoms vying for power.
Throughout the series, the three characters must navigate the complex relationships and motivations of the people and creatures they encounter, all while searching for a way to protect the future and secure their own destinies. “The Witcher” combines action, adventure, and political intrigue to create a thrilling and epic tale.
Cast:
Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Millie Bobby Brown
Plot Summary:
“Stranger Things” is a science fiction-horror television series set in the 1980s in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana. The show follows the disappearance of a young boy named Will Byers and the efforts of his friends, family, and the town to find him.
As the search for Will continues, the group discovers that his disappearance is linked to a mysterious girl named Eleven who has supernatural powers and is on the run from a sinister government organization. The group must work together to uncover the truth about Will’s disappearance and the strange occurrences happening in Hawkins, including the appearance of a parallel dimension known as the “Upside Down”.
Throughout the series, the characters are faced with supernatural and sci-fi elements, including monster attacks and otherworldly forces, as they attempt to save their friend and uncover the truth. The show is known for its blend of suspense, horror, and nostalgia, and its characters, who are complex, quirky, and lovable.
3. The Umbrella Academy (2019)
Cast:
Elliot Page, Tom Hopper, Emmy Raver-Lampman
Plot Summary:
“The Umbrella Academy” is a superhero television series based on the comic book series of the same name by Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá. The show follows a dysfunctional family of seven adopted siblings who all have unique supernatural abilities and were trained by their eccentric father to be heroes.
The siblings are brought back together as adults after their father’s death and must work together to uncover the truth behind his mysterious death and stop the impending apocalypse. Throughout the series, the siblings must confront their personal issues and conflicts as they attempt to work together and use their powers to save the world.
“The Umbrella Academy” is a blend of action, drama, and comedy, and explores themes of family, responsibility, and the consequences of power. The show is known for its quirky and unique characters, as well as its imaginative and fantastical world.
Cast:
Álvaro Morte, Pedro Alonso, Úrsula Corberó
Plot Summary:
“La Casa de Papel” (also known as “Money Heist”) is a Spanish crime drama television series. The show follows a mysterious man known as “The Professor” who, along with a group of eight highly skilled criminals, carries out a meticulously planned heist on the Royal Mint of Spain. The group takes hostages and barricades themselves inside the Mint, with the goal of printing and robbing billions of euros.
As the police and government close in, the robbers must use their intelligence and resourcefulness to outwit their captors and complete their mission. The series follows the tense stand-off between the robbers and the authorities, as well as the personal relationships and dynamics among the robbers themselves.
“La Casa de Papel” is a fast-paced, action-packed thriller that explores themes of power, teamwork, and sacrifice. The show has been praised for its unique and suspenseful storytelling, as well as its diverse and complex characters.
5. You (2018)
Cast:
Penn Badgley, Charlotte Ritchie, Tilly Keeper
Plot Summary:
“You” is a psychological thriller television series based on the novel of the same name by Caroline Kepnes. The show follows a bookstore manager named Joe Goldberg who becomes infatuated with a customer named Beck and uses his charm, intelligence, and manipulation to insert himself into her life and eliminate anyone who stands in the way of their relationship.
As Joe’s obsession with Beck deepens, his behavior becomes increasingly dangerous and violent. The show follows Joe’s efforts to maintain his public image while privately stalking and controlling Beck, as well as the lives of those around him.
“You” is a dark and suspenseful series that explores the dangers of obsession and the power of manipulation. The show has been praised for its sharp writing, complex characters, and gripping storyline.
Cast:
Pedro Pascal, Matias Varela, Damián Alcázar
Plot Summary:
“Narcos” is a crime drama television series based on the real-life events surrounding the rise and fall of the Medellín drug cartel in Colombia during the late 20th century. The show follows the efforts of American DEA agents and Colombian law enforcement as they work to dismantle the powerful and dangerous drug empire led by Pablo Escobar.
Throughout the series, the agents and law enforcement face corruption, violence, and political unrest as they attempt to bring down the cartel and its leaders. The show also explores the personal lives and motivations of the key players on both sides, including the drug lords and the law enforcement officers.
“Narcos” is a tense and dramatic series that provides a nuanced look at the complex and dangerous world of international drug trafficking. The show has been praised for its attention to detail, its authentic portrayal of real-life events, and its talented cast.
Cast:
Jonathan Groff, Holt McCallany, Anna Torv
Plot Summary:
“Mindhunter” is a crime drama television series set in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The show follows Holden Ford, a young and ambitious FBI agent who, along with his partner Bill Tench and psychologist Wendy Carr, is tasked with creating the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit.
The unit’s goal is to understand and catch serial killers by delving into the psychology and motivations of these dangerous criminals. Throughout the series, Holden, Bill, and Wendy interview and study a number of infamous serial killers, including Edmund Kemper and Richard Speck, in an effort to understand the criminal mind and improve their ability to catch and prosecute these criminals.
“Mindhunter” is a suspenseful and thought-provoking series that provides a behind-the-scenes look at the early days of criminal profiling and the FBI’s efforts to understand and catch serial killers. The show has been praised for its attention to detail, its insightful exploration of criminal psychology, and its talented cast.
8. Ozark (2017)
Cast:
Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, Sofia Hublitz
Plot Summary:
“Ozark” is a crime drama television series about a financial advisor named Marty Byrde and his family who suddenly relocate from the suburbs of Chicago to a summer resort community in the Ozarks. Marty is forced to work for a dangerous drug kingpin in order to launder millions of dollars in order to protect his family and himself.
Throughout the series, Marty and his family struggle to adapt to their new surroundings and navigate the dangerous and complex world of drug trafficking and money laundering. Marty must also deal with local law enforcement, rival gangs, and internal conflicts within his own family, all while trying to keep his criminal activities hidden and his family safe.
“Ozark” is a tense and suspenseful series that explores the consequences of crime and the lengths one will go to protect their family. The show has been praised for its strong writing, complex characters, and attention to detail.
Cast:
Jonathan Pryce, Lesley Manville, Jonny Lee Miller
Plot Summary:
“The Crown” is a historical drama television series that follows the reign of Queen Elizabeth II from her early days on the throne through the present day. The show provides a behind-the-scenes look at the personal and political events that have shaped the reign of one of the world’s most famous and enduring monarchs.
Throughout the series, the show explores the Queen’s relationships with her family, including Prince Philip, Prince Charles, and Princess Margaret, as well as her relationships with Prime Ministers and other key figures in the British government. The show also touches on significant historical events, such as the Suez Crisis, the Cold War, and the dissolution of the British Empire.
“The Crown” is a visually stunning and well-researched series that provides a nuanced look at the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II. The show has been praised for its strong writing, attention to detail, and talented cast.
10. Dark (2017)
Cast:
Louis Hofmann, Karoline Eichhorn
Plot Summary:
“Dark” is a supernatural thriller television series that takes place in a small German town named Winden. The show begins with the disappearance of a young boy, which sets off a chain of events that uncover the town’s dark and disturbing secrets.
As the investigation into the disappearance continues, the town’s residents begin to uncover a web of supernatural and scientific mysteries that are connected to their own lives and the lives of their ancestors. The show explores the concept of time and the impact that one’s actions can have on the future and the past.
Throughout the series, the show shifts between multiple time periods, including the present day, the 1950s, and the 1980s, as it delves into the interconnected lives of four families and the secrets they have kept hidden for generations.
“Dark” is a complex and suspenseful series that explores themes of time, fate, and the impact of one’s actions. The show has been praised for its intricate and interconnected storyline, its strong writing, and its attention to detail.
Cast:
Asa Butterfield, Gillian Anderson, Ncuti Gatwa
Plot Summary:
“Sex Education” is a comedy-drama television series that takes place at a high school in England. The show focuses on Otis, a socially awkward teenager who, despite having little personal experience with sex, finds himself at the center of his school’s sex education scene.
Along with Maeve, a confident and independent student, Otis sets up an underground sex therapy clinic to help their classmates with their various sexual problems and insecurities. Throughout the series, Otis and Maeve help their classmates navigate the confusing and often awkward world of teenage sexuality, while also facing their own personal challenges and growing as individuals.
“Sex Education” is a lighthearted and humorous series that addresses serious and important issues related to sex and sexuality. The show has been praised for its open and honest approach to these topics, its strong writing, and its talented cast.
12. The Haunting of Hill House (2018)
Cast:
Michiel Huisman, Elizabeth Reaser, Kate Siegel
Plot Summary:
“The Haunting of Hill House” is a horror drama television series that follows the lives of the Crain family, who as children, lived in Hill House, a seemingly haunted mansion. The show alternates between flashbacks of their time living in the house and the present day, where the siblings are haunted by the traumatic events that took place during their childhood.
Throughout the series, the Crain siblings are forced to confront their past and the demons that have haunted them for years, both figuratively and literally. As they unravel the mysteries of Hill House and the events that took place there, the siblings must come to terms with their own fears and traumas in order to move forward with their lives.
“The Haunting of Hill House” is a haunting and suspenseful series that explores themes of grief, trauma, and family. The show has been praised for its strong writing, its attention to detail, and its effective use of horror elements.
Cast:
Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci
Plot Summary:
“The Irishman” is a crime drama film directed by Martin Scorsese and distributed by Netflix. The film follows the life of Frank Sheeran, a World War II veteran who becomes involved in organized crime in 1950s and 60s America.
Throughout the film, Frank rises through the ranks of the Mafia and becomes a trusted associate of notorious union boss Jimmy Hoffa. The film explores Frank’s relationship with Hoffa, as well as his role in Hoffa’s disappearance, and his eventual fall from grace.
“The Irishman” is a character-driven drama that provides a captivating look at the world of organized crime and the rise and fall of one of its most notorious figures. The film has been praised for its strong writing, its attention to detail, and its talented cast, including Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci.
14. Orange Is the New Black (2013)
Cast:
Taylor Schilling, Natasha Lyonne, Uzo Aduba
Plot Summary:
“Orange is the New Black” is a comedy-drama television series set in a women’s federal prison. The show follows the life of Piper Chapman, a woman who is sentenced to 15 months in prison for a crime she committed a decade earlier.
Throughout the series, Piper must adjust to life in prison and navigate the complex relationships and power dynamics among the inmates and staff. The show also explores the backgrounds and stories of the other inmates, providing a diverse and nuanced look at the criminal justice system and the women who are affected by it.
“Orange is the New Black” is a thought-provoking and often humorous series that addresses important social and political issues related to the criminal justice system. The show has been praised for its strong writing, its diverse and well-developed cast of characters, and its realistic portrayal of life in prison.
Plot Summary:
“Black Mirror” is a science fiction anthology television series that explores the dark side of technology and its impact on society. Each episode presents a standalone story that delves into the dangers of new and emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and the Internet.
The show presents a dark and dystopian vision of the future, where advancements in technology have created new forms of oppression and control. The episodes range from suspenseful thrillers to thought-provoking dramas, and often have a twisted or surprising twist ending.
“Black Mirror” is a critically acclaimed series that has been praised for its sharp writing, its thought-provoking themes, and its creative and innovative use of technology. The show has been described as a modern-day “Twilight Zone,” and it has become a cultural phenomenon, inspiring discussions and debates about the future of technology and its impact on society.