From humble beginnings in 1999, when people could subscribe to get movies delivered to their door, to an entertainment juggernaut worth over $30 billion, Netflix has come a long way. The digital subscription service now has over 75 million users worldwide, who streamed a total of 42.5 billion hours in 2015.
Netflix originally offered television series created by other networks, but in 2012 they decided to begin producing content of their own. This decision was wildly successful — Netflix even led the television networks at the 2016 Golden Globes with eight nominations.
However, not all Netflix shows are created equal. To help you prepare for your next Netflix bender, PrettyFamous found the 20 best original Netflix series. Each of these shows originally aired on Netflix and is ranked by Smart Rating, a comprehensive score that takes into account IMDb rating, IMDb votes (each show has at least 500), Emmy Awards, Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic Ratings.
#20. Hemlock Grove
Smart Rating: 70.74 Number of Episodes: 33 Number of Seasons: 3
Although creepy horror show "Hemlock Grove" stuck around for three seasons, it hasn't caught on amongst critics. Season one has an abysmal 27 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, the show is produced by thriller mastermind Eli Roth, and audiences generally enjoyed seasons two and three.
#19. Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp
Smart Rating: 72.12 Number of Episodes: 8 Number of Seasons: 1
Netflix decided to capitalize on the success of the 2001 comedy, "Wet Hot American Summer" by bringing back the cast 14 years later for a reunion miniseries. Although the show did not go over well with critics, fans loved to see Paul Rudd, Amy Poehler and Bradley Cooper frolicking around as 16-year-olds.
#18. W/Bob & David
Smart Rating: 73.79 Number of Episodes: 5 Number of Seasons: 1
Smart Rating: 84.01 Number of Episodes: 13 Number of Seasons: 1
"Club de Cuervos" is the first Netflix original series in Spanish. Hollywood Reporter labeled it as a "soccer dramedy" and is a big step for Netflix as they expand to foreign markets.
#16. Grace and Frankie
Smart Rating: 84.08 Number of Episodes: 13 Number of Seasons: 1
"Grace and Frankie" impressed critics from the outset. Lily Tomlin was nominated for a Golden Globe for her comedic performance as a woman coming to terms with her husband's affair — with a male coworker. The show was renewed for at least one additional season.
#15. F Is for Family
Smart Rating: 84.13 Number of Episodes: 6 Number of Seasons: 1
"F is for Family" is a 30-minute cartoon sitcom starring standup comedian Bill Burr about a family struggling to get by in the 1970s. The show was produced by heavy-hitter Michael Price (once a writer for "The Simpsons"), and features the voices of Laura Dern and Justin Long. Fans are anxiously awaiting confirmation that it will be renewed.
#14. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Smart Rating: 84.15 Number of Episodes: 13 Number of Seasons: 1
"Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" was nominated for seven Primetime Emmys in 2015. Fans love Tina Fey's writing and Ellie Kemper's sweet portrayal of a woman navigating New York City after being indoctrinated by a cult for most of her life.
#13. Lilyhammer
Smart Rating: 84.18 Number of Episodes: 24 Number of Seasons: 3
Netflix cancelled Norwegian crime drama "Lilyhammer" this year, but it delivered three powerful seasons. The show also represents "Netflix's first foray into original programming" and its success clearly opened the door for Netflix to create more of its own shows.
#12. Marco Polo
Smart Rating: 84.29 Number of Episodes: 10 Number of Seasons: 1
Although panned by critics, audience members enjoyed this pseudo-historical adventure show. Netflix renewed "Marco Polo" for a second season. Just don't look to this show for a history lesson — experts call "Marco Polo" "20 percent actual history and 80 percent fiction."
#11. Bloodline
Smart Rating: 84.35 Number of Episodes: 13 Number of Seasons: 1
"Bloodline" was produced by the same people who brought us the FX drama "Damages." Cinemablend hailed it as "Netflix's best drama yet" and actor Ben Mendelsohn received a Golden Globe nomination for his role as Danny Rayburn.
#10. BoJack Horseman
Smart Rating: 84.36 Number of Episodes: 24 Number of Seasons: 2
Another animated sitcom on this list, "BoJack Horseman" was praised by Business Insider as "television's best kept secret." Although technically a comedy, audiences are drawn to the "dark, emotional heart" of the show.
#9. Master of None
Smart Rating: 84.45 Number of Episodes: 10 Number of Seasons: 1
Comedian Aziz Ansari had a stellar 2015. He published a New York Times Best Seller ("Modern Romance") and created a successful show loosely based off of research from his book. A New York Times review called this show "the year's best comedy," but another season has yet to be confirmed.
#8. Chef's Table
Smart Rating: 84.57 Number of Episodes: 6 Number of Seasons: 1
Netflix's first endeavor into the world of cooking shows was a success. "Chef's Table" delves into the lives of six world-renowned chefs and was nominated for one Primetime Emmy (Outstanding Music Composition for a Series). "Chef's Table" also won the International Documentary Association's award for Best Episodic Series.
#7. Sense8
Smart Rating: 84.84 Number of Episodes: 12 Number of Seasons: 1
"Sense8" was produced by the Wachowskis, the well-known sibling duo who created The Matrix series. It's an exciting sci-fi drama, and fans can't wait for season two. Unfortunately, the release date was pushed back from June 2016 to sometime in 2017.
#6. Marvel's Jessica Jones
Smart Rating: 84.86 Number of Episodes: 13 Number of Seasons: 1
After just one season, fans were hooked on the dark superhero Jessica Jones played by Krysten Ritter. Rotten Tomatoes calls the show "Marvel's strongest TV franchise to date." The show is coming back, but Netflix has not announced precisely when that will be.
#5. Making a Murderer
Smart Rating: 85.19 Number of Episodes: 10 Number of Seasons: 1
"Making a Murderer" gripped the nation as the 10 episode series, filmed over 10 years, exposes holes in the first degree murder case against Steven Avery — a man wrongfully convicted once before.
#4. Narcos
Smart Rating: 85.50 Number of Episodes: 10 Number of Seasons: 1
Another show that premiered in 2015, "Narcos" tells the true story of Colombian drug kingpin Pablo Escobar. "Narcos" was nominated for two Golden Globes, including Best Television Series, and will be back in 2016.
#3. Marvel's Daredevil
Smart Rating: 86.22 Number of Episodes: 26 Number of Seasons: 1
"Daredevil" was Netflix's first foray into the world of Marvel Comics. It was created by successful producer Drew Goddard, who is known for the series "Alias" and "Lost," as well as "The Martian." Audiences love this adaptation because it isn't the fun, comic book-ey superhero story of the past. Business Insider goes far enough to say that "Daredevil" is "the best superhero adaptation on screen since 'The Dark Knight.'"
#2. Orange Is the New Black
Smart Rating: 86.39 Number of Episodes: 39 Number of Seasons: 3
The first season of "Orange is the New Black" was loosely based off of the book "Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison" by Piper Kerman. The series has sharply diverged from that story, but fans love the increasingly bizarre plot twists and complex cast of characters. "OITNB" will be back for a fourth season this summer.
#1. House of Cards
Smart Rating: 87.93 Number of Episodes: 40 Number of Seasons: 3
"House of Cards" is a riveting show about a Congressman and his thirst for revenge. With strong performances from Robin Wright and Kevin Spacey, and an intriguing plot each season, it's no surprise that "House of Cards" reigns supreme as Netflix's top rated original show.
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Maxine Bahns was born in 1971 in Vermont, the daughter of a German-American father and a Chinese-Brazilian mother. Maxine left home at 16 and traveled to Barcelona, Valencia, Paris and Rome. Returning to New York, she attended NYU where she majored in Latin and Greek language and literature, also attending acting classes at Three Arts Studios. ...READ MORE
Born in Portland, Maine to a musically-inclined family (her mother was once an opera singer) and on stage from the age of 5, singer/actress Linda Lavin graduated from The College of William and Mary with a theatre degree. She pounded the New York pavements in the early 1960s searching for work following some stock roles in New Jersey...http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0492089/bio">READ MORE
Parker Croft grew up in Vermont, and now lives in Los Angeles. Falling Overnight was his screenwriting debut as well as his first leading role. His performance earned him Best Actor Awards at the Nashville Film Festival, the Jax Film Fest, The Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival, and earned him the Jack Nance Breakthrough Performance Award at the Visionfest Film Festival... READ MORE
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Sam Huntington was born in Peterborough, New Hampshire, on April 1, 1982. His father is a cabinet maker and owns his own business. His mother is an actress on stage and screen (most famously in Knots Landing). She also is a teacher, writer, and currently serves as Sam's manager. Sam began acting at the age of 9 under the direction of his mother as a part of her children's theater...READ MORE
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A Golden Globe winner and Emmy nominee, Dylan McDermott has proved his talent in film, television and theater. His film credits include The Pang Brother's The Messengers (2007); Wonderland (2003); Home for the Holidays (1995); Steel Magnolias (1989); Hamburger Hill (1987); Miracle on 34th Street (1994); In the Line of Fire (1993) and Burning Palms...READ MORE
Wilson Bethel was born on February 24, 1984 in Hillsboro, New Hampshire, USA as Stephen Wilson Bethel. He is an actor and writer, known for Hart of Dixie (2011), 1968 Tunnel Rats (2008) and The Young and the Restless. READ MORE.
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Mother was a nurse; father was a psychiatrist. Mena was raised in a Rhode Island home that was built in 1870. People Weekly magazine titled an article about her, "All-American Girl" (1999). Declared as the most "patriotic" artist of 2000 by Entertainment Weekly magazine, making allusion to her 3 consecutive movies with the word "American" in their titles: American Pie...READ MORE
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Katie Aselton (born 1 October 1978) is an American film director, producer, and actress from Milbridge, Maine. She is married to her co-star on The League, Mark Duplass. She directed and co-starred in The Freebie, which was shown in the non-competition "Next" category at the Sundance Film Festival in 2010. She and Duplass previously showed a short...
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Gabriel Mann was born on May 14, 1972 in Middlebury, Vermont, USA. He is an actor, known for The Bourne Supremacy (2004), The Bourne Identity (2002) and Revenge (2011). READ MORE
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Patrick Dempsey has lived two charming but separate lives on film and television. From an exuberant, somewhat awkward charmer in college comedy films of the late 1980s and early 1990s, he has morphed spectacularly into a dreamy, wavy-haired television hunk of the new-age millennium and this seductive new image has since spilled off into romantic...READ MORE
Chris Evans - not to be confused with the British DJ and wild man of the same name - began his acting career in typical fashion: performing in school productions and community theater. But it was his rapid rise to stardom that was unusual. Bitten by the acting bug in the first grade because his older sister...READ MORE
Joanna Levesque was born in Brattleboro, Vermont. Her mother, a church soloist and theatre performer, would sing hymns when Joanna was a baby. She grew up being a big fan of Whitney Houston, Etta James, Aretha Franklin and Ella Fitzgerald. A few years later she wanted to show her talent to the world and found an audition for Kids Say the Darndest Things...READ MORE
Mark Wahlberg is one of a handful of respected entertainers who successfully made the transition from teen pop idol to respected actor. A Best Supporting Actor Oscar nominee for The Departed who went on to receive positive critical reviews for his performance in The Fighter, Wahlberg also is a solid comedy actor, proven by his starring role in Ted...READ MORE
Elizabeth Banks was born Elizabeth Mitchell in Pittsfield, a small city in the Berkshires in western Massachusetts near the New York border, on February 10, 1974. She describes herself as having been seen as a "goody two-shoes" in her youth who was nominated for the local Harvest Queen. Banks left...READ MORE
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