Netflix is the original streaming service and remains the most popular — but is it the right one for you? Check out our guide to see what you can expect with a Netflix subscription.
Netflix started out as an American DVD-by-mail subscription service in 1997, and while its DVD service was highly popular, it didn’t really take off as a cultural phenomenon until it launched its streaming service in 2007.
Although the streaming service itself was highly popular, offering a limited range of TV series and films, what truly boosted Netflix’s subscriber count was its shift toward producing original content, starting with House of Cards in 2013, starring Kevin Spacey. As Netflix began to offer more and more high-quality exclusive TV series and films, subscription numbers boomed.
Now, 20 years later, Netflix is synonymous with VOD. The company has expanded globally, operating in over 190 countries, and has over 86 million subscribers.
At current count, Netflix has over 3,600 films and TV series available to stream, so chances are high that you’ll find something to watch. The site’s catalogue changes regularly, but we’ve highlighted some of the standouts that Netflix is known for to help you decide whether you want to subscribe or not.
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:
- Original productions: These are TV programmes or films that have been produced by Netflix and are only distributed via Netflix worldwide.
- Partnership productions: As you might expect, these programmes or films are created in partnership with broadcasters in various countries, including BBC America, ITV and E4. This content isn’t available on Netflix globally as the partnering broadcaster usually retains the rights for that country.
- 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.
- 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 traveling.
Netflix original productions
Netflix has over 40 original series. Here are just some of the highlights:
- The Crown
- Stranger Things
- Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
- Orange is the New Black
- House of Cards
- 13 Reasons Why
- Making a Murderer
- Marvel’s Jessica Jones
- BoJack Horseman
- Narcos
- Marvel’s Luke Cage
- Grace and Frankie
- Marvel’s Daredevil
- The Get Down
- Sense8
- Master of None
- Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp
Netflix partnership productions
Of all the types of Netflix series, partnership productions are the most limited in number.
- Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency
- Travelers
- Lilyhammer
Netflix series continuations
- Arrested Development
- The Killing
- Gilmore Girls
- Lovesick
- Black Mirror
- Trailer Park Boys
Netflix acquisitions
- Better Call Saul
- Orphan Black
- It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
- Once Upon a Time
- Shadowhunters
- Scream
- Archer
- Reign
- Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
- Pretty Little Liars
TV box sets on Netflix
Netflix has a vast 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
- Hannibal
- The Blue Planet
- Star Trek: The Next Generation
- The Thick of It
- Planet Earth
- Absolutely Fabulous
- The Mighty Boosh
- Black Adder
- Brooklyn Nine-Nine
- Jane the Virgin
- How to Get Away with Murder
- Luther
- Fargo
- The Good Wife
- Peaky Blinders
- Attack on Titan
- Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries
- Shameless
- Wolf Hall
- American Horror Story
Films
Although TV programmes are the main draw for Netflix, the service boasts a staggering collection of films across a wide variety of genres, including:
- Guardians of the Galaxy
- Gone Girl
- Die Hard
- The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2
- X-Men: Days of Future Past
- Fight Club
- MIB 3
- Creed
- Sicario
- The Big Short
- Airplane
- The Babadook
- Wild
- The Shawshank Redemption
- Birdman
- Me Before You
- Legally Blonde
- Paranormal Activity
- Vertigo
- Evil Dead
Children’s programming 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
- Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events
- Peppa Pig
- Bee Movie
- How to Train Your Dragon
- Megamind
- Maleficent
- The Little Prince
- Dora the Explorer
- Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-rabbit
- Walking with Dinosaurs
- Kung Fu Panda
- The Boxtrolls
- Paw Patrol
- My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
- Sam & Cat
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