Think you've conquered Netflix's entire library? Think again. With the streamer's relentless release schedule and habit of canceling shows prematurely, plenty of underrated originals have slipped through the cracks. But hidden among the algorithm-driven churn are some truly flawless series—shows that deliver a perfect binge from the very first episode to the final credits. Here are the forgotten Netflix gems that deserve a spot on your watchlist.
'The Last Kingdom' (2015–2022)
Based on Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Stories novels, this historical action series follows Uhtred of Bebbanburg (Alexander Dreymon), a Saxon-raised Dane navigating loyalty, identity, and endless power struggles in medieval England. With battle sequences so frequent you'd need a liver transplant after one season, the show boasts a cast with undeniable chemistry, including Emily Cox, David Dawson, Ian Hart, and Mark Rowley. It never got the prestige TV buzz it deserved—likely because it was unfairly compared to Game of Thrones—but it outlasted that juggernaut and concluded on its own terms with a satisfying feature film.
'The Society' (2019)
We'll be honest: this one-season wonder ends on a cliffhanger (Netflix renewed it, then reversed course during the pandemic). But don't let that stop you. The Society is one of the most underrated YA sci-fi series streaming today. It follows a group of teens from a wealthy New England town who return from a canceled school trip to find their community empty of adults and cut off from the world. With no rescue in sight, they must build a new society—or embrace chaos. Featuring young talent like Kathryn Newton, Gideon Adlon, Kristine Froseth, and Rachel Keller, the show wrings every thrill and twist from its compelling premise.
'Godless' (2017)
Scott Frank's seven-episode Western limited series is among the most cinematic TV ever made. Set in 1880s New Mexico, it follows outlaw Roy Goode (Jack O'Connell), who flees his gang and takes refuge in La Belle, a mining town populated almost entirely by women after a catastrophic accident. His arrival makes the town a target, but the women refuse to be victims. Jeff Daniels, Merritt Weaver, Scoot McNairy, and Michelle Dockery deliver career-best performances. The finale is an extended action sequence that rivals anything the genre has produced.
'GLOW' (2017–2019)
Set in the world of 1980s women's wrestling, GLOW is about performance, reinvention, and the struggle of women trying to make it in a system not built for them. Alison Brie and Betty Gilpin are extraordinary as former best friends Ruth and Debbie, forced to work together in the ring alongside a ragtag group of outcasts managed by Marc Maron's Sam. The writing is sharp, the period detail impeccable, and the fact that Netflix canceled it one day before the cast was to film its fourth season is one of the cruelest cancellations in streaming history. Still, the three near-perfect seasons we got remain undiminished.
'Marco Polo' (2014–2016)
In the early 2010s, everyone chased Game of Thrones coattails, and Netflix poured an absurd budget into this sweeping historical drama about Venetian explorer Marco Polo (Lorenzo Richelmy) at the court of Kublai Khan (Benedict Wong). The result is one of the most visually lavish series the streamer has ever produced—an intricate political drama wrapped in gorgeous fight choreography and stunning Central Asian landscapes. It was expensive, ambitious, and ahead of its time, which is probably why it got canceled. What remains are two seasons of exceptional television that hold up better than ever.
For more hidden gems, check out our list of perfect action movies based on true stories or dive into Netflix's hidden gem crime thriller 'Free Fire'. And if you're craving more underrated series, Hulu's 'Sunny Nights' is a crime comedy masterpiece with a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score.
