Whether it’s a new show or a new season of a show that premiered in 2021, Netflix
continues to show its dominance when it comes to putting out shows for audiences to binge-watch.
So in this video, we will be going over the 10 best 2021 Netflix TV series to binge watch now.
You’ll want to stick around to see which shows managed to take over the world upon their release.
Before we dive in make sure to like this video, and subscribe to the channel.
Let us know in the comments what Netflix series of 2021 were your favorite. Let’s get started!
Midnight Mass * We start off with
the best horror show of 2021 in Midnight Mass. set in a fishing community on a small island,
the series revolves around the town's new young priest, Father Paul, who can is able to perform
“miracles” such as allowing the blind to see and a wheelchair-bound girl to walk*.
The massive draw of the show is the mystery surrounding ominous events that begin to
happen to the people on the island that make you start to question who exactly Paul is
and how he got such power. Mike Flanagan, who also made The Haunting of Hill House,
did a great job of incorporating the supernatural to highlight the point of the show being that
religion can be used for good, but it can also be weaponized against the faithful.
Never Have I Ever: Upon its release in 2020,
never have I ever surprisingly became one of the best and most popular teen shows on the platform*.
It follows Devi as she tries to improve her popularity status at her high school in her
sophomore year, which she believes can happen by losing her virginity to Paxton, the most popular
guy in school. The second season continued the show’s amazing portrayal of a teenager dealing
with the typical teenage hardships such as a love triangle*, but it also carries on demonstrating
the importance of a psychologist for teens as Devi needs help coping with her father’s death
which caused her to have a psychosomatic paralyzation during her freshman year
and accepting her Indian heritage. Not to mention the fact that the love triangle of Devi, Ben,
and Paxton continues to get more complicated and even more so after the season 2 finale.
How To Become A Tyrant* A 6 episode docuseries narrated by Peter Dinklage,
this show is a step-by-step playbook on how to rule an entire country like a tyrant.
Each episode is a different tactic that one of the 6 most notorious tyrants in the past 100 years
has used to control an entire country. Such as Stalin’s manipulation of the media,
Sadam Hussain’s elimination of any opposing party, or how the Kim dynasty continues to
isolate an entire country from the rest of the world. Even though the show took a satirical
look when discussing a sensitive topic, it is a necessary watch examining how these men
rose to power and created absolute rule. Much of which feels extremely relevant in today’s time,
especially episode 4 which described Stalin’s control of the truth and media*.
Ganglands:
This French crime series that incorporates some high action heists, gang wars, and betrayals
will soon become one of Netflix’s best series ever. When low-level thief Liane and her gang
steal a duffel bag with 8 kilos of coke, which resulted in her girlfriend getting kidnapped,
she must team up with Medhi, a professional thief with *, as they collaborate to rescue
their loved one. Unfortunately, the two are drawn into a violent turf war between
two of Brussels biggest drug gangs giving us some captivating and adrenaline-pumping gun battles*.
With only 6 episodes the story is fast-paced with the focal point being Medhi who we see bring hell
to Brussel’s all in an attempt to rescue his niece*. From the looks of how season 1 ended,
season 2 appears to be set up to be even deadlier and high octane.
The Billion Dollar Code: A 4 episode German series that covers one of
the most unknown cases of intellectual property rights, might not sound all that fascinating,
however, this is right up your alley if you enjoyed The Social Network. German pioneers
Carsten Schlüter & Juri Müller are shown taking on Google in court fighting for the right to
be credited as the inventors of the algorithm that the company used to create Google Earth*.
Like the Social Network, we are taken back and forth between the 2017 deposition of the case
and 1993-94 when the two met and came up with the revolutionary software. Even with 4 episodes,
the show sheds a spotlight on not just the pros and cons of pursuing one’s dream,
like relationships being ruined*,
but also how giant tech companies manage to
take an idea from a smaller company resulting in that companies death.
Sex Education: The most frustrating will they won’t they couples
in Otis and Maeve returned for an anticipated third season. Continuing to produce the satirical
comedy and outlandish situations that made the series garner such a massive backing*,
season 3 also incorporated new elements. Such as the character development for
some of the characters resulting in them going from hated to beloved characters now.
It even managed to set itself apart from other teen shows by how they
realistically portrayed the parents as complex and extremely flawed people*.
While Otis and Maeve may indeed be the couple we want to see,
after this season you will begin to question whether or not that still holds true.
How To Sell Drugs Online (Fast) * It’s no surprise that the third season of
Netflix’s more surprising German hit series was just as binge-worthy as the previous 2 seasons.
The show revolves around high schooler Moritz Zimmerman’s desire to impress his ex-girlfriend,
resulting in him and his computer wiz friend Lenny creating Europe’s biggest drug distribution
website. Picking up from season 2 we see Mortiz and his group of friends go their separate ways
as he takes on continuing to grow the company he believes he is CEO of.
Season 3 managed to keep the same comedic yet heartfelt situations these teenagers
usually find themselves in and wrap up one part of the group’s story*.
Which we can expect to quickly change for them as season 4 has already been announced.
Arcane*
A prequel animated series based on the League of Legends video game not only became one of
Netflix’s most-watched series, but it may have also changed the way streaming services release
their shows. Released as a three-act tale with three episodes put out every week, it gave us
a look into the popular video games lore. Mostly told through the relationship between Violet and
her younger sister Powder, aka Jinx. Whether it’s Jinx’s distorted headspace or the fight scenes*,
you will be left mesmerized with the animation done that was beyond anything
any animated show has done before. Even if you have not played the video game or know
anything about any of the characters, the series does a great job of drawing you in
with each of the character’s stories. Season 1 left us all on a cliffhanger that has us
impatiently waiting for the release of the already confirmed second season.
Maid Margaret Qualley gave us one
of the best performances of the year in her role as Alex, a single mother who escaped an abusive
marriage while also fighting to provide for her and her daughter as a house cleaner. Left with
no other options for childcare, Alex turns to her unmedicated bipolar mother, played by Qualley’s
real mother Andie MacDowell, resulting in them rehashing some old emotional wounds in their
relationship*. Don’t be surprised if you happen to shed a tear or two while watching as you will
quickly become attached to Alex. You begin to feel her anxiousness watching the onscreen counter of
her total $18 reduction with every pump of gas or dollar toy bought for her daughter and pain
seeing her put in some terrible situations*. This was undoubtedly Qualley’s breakout
performance as there was not one scene in the 10 episodes where she did not command the screen.
Squid Game*
It’s no surprise that the Korean series Squid Game is the top choice as it became the most-watched
show ever on Netflix. The show follows a group of individuals all facing financial hardships
as they compete in a set of children's games for a grand prize of $40 million.
The catch is that the moment a contestant loses in any of the games they are killed on the spot*.
As the viewer, it’s hard not to become attached to some of these characters especially Sae-Byeok,
as some of them risk dying competing for the betterment of not just their
lives but their loved ones as well. With the overwhelming popularity, shocking revelation,
and the massive cliffhanger at the end of season 1, it’s no surprise that they have already
announced a second season. As well as rumors of potentially expanding the series with spin-offs.
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