Netflix has come a long way since its humble beginnings as an American DVD-by-mail subscription service in 1997. Now its name has become synonymous with streaming, with over 167 millions subscribers worldwide which has doubled in just over two years.
While the introduction of countless new streaming services such as Amazon Prime, Disney+ and NOW TV means there is stiff competition for subscribers, Netflix still has the largest fan base, due in no small part to the amount of fresh new content they bring to the platform each month.
There is an extenstive back catalogue of classic shows and movies, as well as numerous Netflix Original titles released to stream each month. Here are some of the movies and TV shows coming to Netflix UK.
New Netflix Originals coming in August
- Super Monsters: The New Class - August 1
- Connected - August 2
- Immigration Nation - August 3
- A Go! Go! Cory Carson Summer Camp - August 4
- Malibu Rescue: The Next Wave - August 4
- Mundo Mistério / Mystery Lab - August 4
- Sam Jay: 3 In The Morning - August 4
- Anelka : L’Incompris / Anelka: Misunderstood - August 5
- World’s Most Wanted - August 5
- The Rain: Season 3 - August 6
- The Seven Deadly Sins: Imperial Wrath of The Gods - August 6
- Alta Mar / High Seas: Season 3 - August 7
- Berlin, Berlin - August 7
- The Magic School Bus Rides Again Kids In Space - August 7
- ¡Nailed It! México: Season 2 - August 7
- The New Legends of Monkey: Season 2 - August 7
- Selling Sunset: Season 3 - August 7
- Sing On! Germany - August 7
- Tiny Creatures - August 7
- Wizards: Tales of Arcadia - August 7
- Word Party Songs - August 7
- Work It - August 7
- GAME ON: A Comedy Crossover Event - August 10
- Rob Schneider: Asian Momma, Mexican Kids - August 11
- (Un)Well - August 12
- Une fille facile / An Easy Girl - August 12
- 3%: Season 4 - August 14
- El robo del siglo - August 14
- Fearless - August 14
- Glow Up: Season 2 - August 14
- Project Power - August 14
- Octonauts & the Caves of Sac Actun - August 14
- Teenage Bounty Hunters - August 14
- Fearless - August 14
- Rita: Season 5 - August 15
- Stranger: Season 2 - August 15
- Crazy Awesome Teachers - August 17
- Glitch Techs: Season 2 - August 17
- Crímenes de familia / The Crimes That Bind - August 19
- DeMarcus Family Rules - August 19
- High Score - August 19
- Biohackers - August 20
- Great Pretender - August 20
- John Was Trying to Contact Aliens - August 20
- Alien TV - August 21
- Fuego negro - August 21
- Hoops - August 21
- Lucifer: Season 5 - August 21
- Rust Valley Restorers: Season 3 - August 21
- The Sleepover - August 21
- Emily’s Wonder Lab - August 25
- Trinkets: Season 2 - August 25
- Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol - August 26
- La venganza de Analía - August 26
- Million Dollar Beach House - August 26
- Rising Phoenix - August 26
- Aggretsuko: Season 3 - August 27
- All Together Now - August 28
- Cobra Kai: Seasons 1-2 - August 28
- I AM A KILLER: Released - August 28
- Orígenes secretos / Unknown Origins - August 28
Types of Netflix series
Netflix’s content output has expanded rapidly in recent years. Currently, the service offers four different types of content it brands ‘original’, some of which are accessible everywhere and some of which aren’t:
1. Original productions
These are TV programmes or films that have been produced by Netflix and are only distributed via Netflix worldwide.
2. Partnership productions
As you might expect, these programmes or films are created in collaboration with other production houses, including BBC America, ITV, AMC and E4. This content isn’t available on Netflix globally as the partnering broadcaster usually retains the rights for its country.
3. Continuations
These are programmes that previously aired on another network which Netflix either picked up after they were cancelled or outbid the network for the rights to air a new series. Continuations are available globally and are exclusive to Netflix.
4. Acquisitions
Although Netflix lists these programmes as ‘originals’, these are TV shows that are either currently airing or have previously aired in one country which Netflix has bought the rights for exclusive distribution in another market. Whether or not you can watch these series is heavily dependent upon where you’re located.
These may seem like minor differences, but due to international copyright laws and distribution restrictions, it’s important to understand the differences and what you can expect in your home versus when you’re using Netflix abroad.
Netflix original productions
Netflix has dozens of original series. Here are just some of Netflix's best shows:
- The Crown
- Stranger Things
- Sex Education
- Orange is the New Black
- The Witcher
- Messiah
- 13 Reasons Why
- Big Mouth
- BoJack Horseman
- Narcos
- The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance
- When They See Us
- Russian Doll
- The Get Down
- You
- Master of None
- Living With Yourself
Netflix documentaries
Netflix's original documentaries often become a hot topic online — lots of its productions end up going viral, either due to controversial subject matter or just genuinely riveting accounts of memorable moments in history.
Here are some of the best documentaries on Netflix right now:
- American Factory
- The Great Hack
- The Devil Next Door
- Icarus
- Confessions with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes
- Knock Down The House
- Fyre
- World War II In Colour
- Louis Theroux's Weird Weekends
- Hip-Hop Evolution
- Making a Murderer
- Explained
Netflix stand-up comedy specials
The streaming service is fast becoming a hub for stand-up comedy across multiple countries. Here are some notable specials you should see:
- Leslie Jones: Time Machine
- Mo Gilligan: Momentum
- Michelle Wolf: Joke Show
- Dave Chapelle: Sticks & Stones
- Bill Burr: Paper Tiger
- Katherine Ryan: Glitter Room
- Ellen DeGeneres: Relatable
- Russel Brand: Re:Birth
- Trevor Noah: Son of Patricia
- Sarah Silverman: A Speck of Dust
- Ricky Gervais: Humanity
- Reggie Watts: Spatial
Netflix series continuations
- Arrested Development
- The Killing
- Top Boy
- Lucifer
- Black Mirror
- Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee
- Shaun the Sheep (yes, really!)
Netflix acquisitions
- Better Call Saul
- Orphan Black
- Once Upon a Time
- Shadowhunters
- Scream
- Archer
- Reign
- Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
- Pretty Little Liars
TV box sets on Netflix
Netflix has a huge collection of TV programmes from all over the world available to stream. Some of these change regularly, but you can expect to see series along the lines of:
- Breaking Bad
- RuPaul’s Drag Race
- Gilmore Girls
- One Punch Man
- The Blue Planet
- It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
- Mad Men
- Glee
- The Thick of It
- Rick and Morty
- Planet Earth
- Absolutely Fabulous
- Fargo
- Blackadder
- How I Met Your Mother
- The IT Crowd
- Jane the Virgin
- Doctor Who
- Fargo
- The Good Wife
- Peep Show
- Attack on Titan
- South Park
- American Horror Story
Netflix movies
Although TV programmes are the main draw for Netflix, the service boasts a staggering collection of films across a wide variety of genres, including:
- A Quiet Place
- Gone Girl
- The Death of Stalin
- The Lord of the Rings trilogy
- Studio Ghibli franchise
- Call Me By Your Name
- The Babadook
- Erin Brokovich
- Birdman
- Dunkirk
- La La Land
- Legally Blonde
- American Psycho
- 12 Years A Slave
- Thelma & Louise
Children’s shows on Netflix
Netflix has a dedicated kid’s profile with heaps of TV series and films for kids of all ages, such as:
- Hotel Transylvania
- Peppa Pig
- The Angry Birds Movie
- Matilda
- The Little Prince
- Walking with Dinosaurs
- The Boss Baby: Back in Business
- Yu-Gi-Oh!
- Minions
- Paw Patrol
- My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
- Sam & Cat
- Shrek
- Peter Rabbit
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