Unfortunately, there are countless foreign gems that can easily fall under the radar for most viewers and fail to get the hype they deserve. Curated on this list are Netflix’s 10 greatest international series that you may not have heard of. These shows act as a passport that will transport you to new cultures, different perspectives, and one-of-a-kind storytelling. From the bustling streets of Mexico City to the French Ardennes Forest to Down Under, it’s a trip around the world at only the price of your monthly subscription.
10’Glitch' (2015 - 2019)
From Australia
The award-winningGlitchis one of Australia’s most underrated shows. One night, in the small fictional town of Yoorana, Sergeant James Hayes (Patrick Brammall) is called to the cemetery, where six formerly dead people have inexplicably risen from their graves in perfect health, including his wife Kate (Emma Booth). Some have recently died, others have been dead for as long as 150 years. The story follows a determined James as he tries to discover why and how they have returned.
A Dazzling, Bingeworthy Character-Driven Drama
While it may have a premise reminiscent ofLes revenants(The Returned), the writers ofGlitchhave come on record to confirm that it was in no way influenced by the French series and that the script was written before they ever watched it.Glitchvastly differs in the way it approaches the theme and has a completely unique feel. It’s ideal viewing for those who aremesmerized by character-driven stories. Intriguing and eerie, it keeps viewers hooked and wanting more after each episode.
9'3%' (2016 - 2020)
From Brazil
3%is a YA dystopian thriller set in an unspecified future, in which the planet has been devastated. Society is divided between an impoverished area known as “Inland” and a mysterious, remote utopia called “Offshore.” Only a tiny percentage of people are fortunate enough to live a good life on the abundant Offshore, while most are stuck in the slums of the Inland. Every year, those who turn 20 years old participate in “The Process,” a cutthroat competition consisting of physical, psychological, intellectual, and moral tests. Those who make the top 3% are deemed worthy of being granted entry to the exclusive, affluent Offshore.
A Riveting, Thought-Provoking Sci-Fi Gem
As Netflix’s second-ever original non-English-language series, it wasn’t widely popular in the U.S., but it’s definitely worth your time.3%stands out against other YA dystopian media for its intriguing, well-developed characters. The story also offers an excess of thought-provoking twists and turns, making it a compelling watch. Itsfocus on real-world issueslike social inequality, privilege, and class divide also makes it an important one.
8’The Forest' (2017)
From France
The Forest
Near a French village at the Belgian border, 16-year-old Jennifer Lenoir (Isis Guillaume) goes missing in the Ardennes Forest. A couple of days later, her body is discovered. The new police captain, Gaspard Deker (Samuel Labarthe), is immediately put at odds with the townsfolk, and local officer Virginie Musso (Suzanne Clément) investigate the case. Ève Mendel, a teacher with a mysterious connection to the same forest, also assists in solving the murder.
A Gripping Mystery With an Immersive Setting
As they dig deeper, they uncover disturbing secrets in a small town where everyone has something to hide, and discover that this isn’t the first girl who’s vanished in the shadows of those trees. The dark crime drama keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, anxiously waiting for the next reveal. Its dark, eerie setting makes it all the more captivating and adds to the story’s tension and suspense.The Forestis the kind of show that makes one want to stay up binging all night to get to the bottom of thebone-chilling mystery.
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7’Cable Girls' (2017 - 2020)
From Spain
Cable Girls
Set in 1920s Madrid,Cable Girlsis one of the most underrated andgreatest period dramas on the streaming platform. The five-season series revolves around Spain’s first national telephone company. Detailing the lives of four women who work there, it follows their careers, romances, and their fight for power and independence. Famous Spanish star Blanca Suárez stars alongside Ana Fernández García, Nadia de Santiago, Maggie Civantos, and Ana Polvorosa.
A Powerful Story of Female Friendship
Cable Girlsis more than a soap opera; it’s a progressive show that tackles important topics, like feminism, LGBTQ rights, domestic abuse, and the oppression of patriarchal systems, illustrating what women had to go up against to survive in that decade. The production is visually lavish, well-written, and excels in the costume department. It won several awards, including Outstanding Scripted Television Series (Spanish-language) at the 29th GLAAD Media Awards.
6’Marianne' (2019)
Marianneremains in obscurity for most. While die-hard fans of horror may have been part of the French show’s dedicated fanbase, it fell under the radar for the average viewer. The story follows a famous horror author, Emma Larsimon (Victoire du Bois), who turned the recurring nightmares she had as a kid into a best-selling series. When she’s forced to return to her hometown of Elden, she discovers that Marianne, the evil witch antagonist in her books, is real and is wreaking havoc on the town.
Not for the Faint of Heart
Delving deep into the psychological horrors of a writer’s nightmares and creations,MarianneisNetflix’s most frightening original horrorto date. Watching it after dark makes for a deeply unsettling experience. Its villain will bleed into your own nightmares, so be warned. Viewers were upset to learn the series wasn’t renewed for a second season, but don’t let that discourage you from watching. While the finale is set up for a sophomore follow-up, the tale works great as a stand-alone story, so stream ahead.
5’To the Lake' (2019 - 2022)
From Russia
Based on a Russian novel by Yana Vegnar,To the Lakeillustrates the collapse of society after a pandemic takes over Moscow.As the fatal virus spreads, the capital is quarantined. With no food or fuel, the darkest aspects of human nature reveal themselves. The city is overrun with chaos, lawlessness, and marauding gangs. The show follows a group of survivors who take the perilous journey out of the city to seek refuge on a deserted island.
An Action-Packed Survival Story
To the Lakeis terrifying in that it shows how people react to the breakdown of social norms, and what they’re capable of doing to survive in the face of an unthinkable disaster. The series has well-written, richly flawed characters that make for a compelling watch, as well as unexpected plot twists that keep you saying “just one more episode.”
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4’Equinox' (2020)
From Denmark
Looking for a Nordic noirbut also craving something with supernatural elements? The Danish miniseriesEquinoxhas you covered. Based on the podcastEquinox 1985, it stars Danica Ćurčić (The Chestnut Man) as Astrid, a young radio journalist whose older sister Ida (Karoline Hamm) disappeared 20 years earlier. When the cops showed up at her family’s door with the news as a child, she wasn’t surprised, having foreseen the tragedy in her dreams. Haunted by her vanishing with terrible visions ever since, she begins an investigation that leads her to unimaginable, eerie places.
Mind-Bending Folk Horror
If you are a fan of the moody horror offered in the hit German seriesDarkand appreciate folk tales, you’ll thoroughly enjoyEquinox. At just six episodes, you can binge it one day — and it’s so gripping and visually stunning that you’ll want to. Ćurčić gives a phenomenal performance, driving the captivating story forward. The series boasts a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.
3’Belascoarán, PI' (2022)
From Mexico
Based on a mystery detective series of books by Paco Ignacio Taibo II,Belascoarán, PIis set against the backdrop of a 1970s Mexico City. It stars Luis Gerardo Méndez as Héctor Belasoarán Shayne, a successful engineer who, unsatisfied with his humdrum life, quits his corporate job to chase his dream of becoming an independent detective, costing him his beautiful wife and luxurious house.
A Fun, Compelling Mystery With a Charming Detective
The miniseries is made up of three feature-length episodes, and all involve different cases, from a serial killer, to kidnappings, to the murder of a union leader. Becoming a nuisance to the crooked cops ends up landing him in big trouble.Belascoarán, PIis one of the most unique detective shows the streaming platform has to offer. As compelling as a Nordic noir and as cozy as anAgatha Christie mystery, it will be hard not to sit through all of its episodes.
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From South Korea
All Of Us Are Dead
All of Us Are Deadis a Korean coming-of-age zombie apocalypse series based on Joo Dong-geun’s popular webtoon of the same name. In a unique departure from other zombie stories, it centers around a group of teenagers. Hyosan High School serves as ground zero for the outbreak, which was created by none other than the science teacher. After three years of fans waiting for a second season, things are finally starting to move, making it a perfect time to catch up on this lesser-known gem.
A Fresh Take on Zombies
What makes this one ofthe best zombie series out thereis the show’s coming-of-age aspect and its incorporation of emotional drama, capturing the tensions, grudges, romances, and difficulties that come with high school dynamics. While it pulls at the heart, it never shies away from gore and suspense. Themes explored include friendship, class inequality, abuse of power, the corruption of authority, and the failure of older generations to protect the youth.
1’The Law According to Lidia Poët' (2023 - Present)
From Italy
The Law According to Lidia Poët
The Law According to Lidia Poëtis inspired by the true story of the first female lawyer in 19th-century Italy, who put up a big fight for women to have the right to practice law in a field exclusive to men. Set in Turin in 1883, the series follows her early career after a court rules against her, declaring that a woman cannot be allowed to be a lawyer and disbarring her. Taking on a job at her brother’s firm, she assists in different cases, and continues her fight to become an official lawyer.
An Inspiring Protagonist
Half drama and half procedural,the feminist showtackles gender norms, patriarchal oppression, sexism, and female freedom and independence. The show only has six episodes in each season, making it easy to catch up before the long-awaited third season. Lidia (Matilda de Angelis) is a formidable, strong woman who will inspire people of any sex and find her way into their hearts.
