When we think of timeless movies and shows, it makes sense that we jump to classic movies that have had time to become recognizable, even for people who have never seen the works themselves. Some may not know thatNetflixhas existed in some form since the late-1990s. Of course, what’s now known as a streaming platform giant wasn’t a streaming service at all then. The company went through many different business models before it became what we all know it as today, including the influx of original programming.
House of Cardswas the first Netflix Original, followed up by the wildly successfulOrange Is the New Black. Netflix has premiered a lot of innovative and rewatchable content over the years, and of course, has produced its share of duds as well. To be considered “timeless” is up for debate, but one criterion is that even if some of the slang, references, fashion, etc. may show their age, there is something about them that is still enjoyable no matter the year. Here are 20 of the most timeless Netflix Originals.
20Squid Game
Squid Gamecame and conquered the attention spans of millions around the world who couldn’t get enough of this survival drama. It helped that it came at the perfect time, premiering in 2021 when much of the world was still confined to lockdowns. At that time, many felt like they were in their own game of survival stuck in a house with family, partners, or roommates.
Squid Gameis a South Korean series about a group of people who are competing in a game to win a large sum of money. But this isn’t your ordinary game show. The challenges all have a deadly angle to them, and you are sure to be on the edge of your seat as the contestant pool dwindles one by one.
Stream on Netflix
19The Kissing Booth
The Kissing Boothmight fall under the “so bad it’s good” category for some viewers. Others might just consider it bad, as evidenced by its 15%Rotten Tomatoesscore.The Kissing Boothindeed employs many common tropes such as the “bad boy” who needs a “good girl” to come fix him, and boys acting inappropriately, but it’s okay becauseABS! JAWLINE!
Despite all of this, this teen romc-om does break a few expectations. Spoiler alert: We have a somewhat nerdy guy who is pining for the attention of his best friend (who is also the main character) and it doesn’t end in a romance or love triangle. This simple deviation alone makes for a fresh take on this story.
18Stranger Things
Stranger Thingsis a sci-fi horror about a group of friends in a small town where the supernatural mixes with reality. The show is set in the 1980s, which lends well to its many inspirations such as Stephen King, Wes Craven, and other influencers of the horror genre.
Despite taking place during a time young people today never experienced, it managed to connect with this generation due to the well-rounded characters and high emotional and physical stakes. Older generations will also gravitate toward the show, with Winona Ryder as a main character and all the eighties music and fashion.Stranger Thingsis timeless because it can capture a wide breadth of viewership.
17The Perfection
One of the most underrated films on this list,The Perfectionis a psychological horror film that revolves around theworld of classical music. Charlotte is a talented cellist who got into a distinguished music school, but unfortunately had to leave to care for her dying mother. Years later, Charlotte is not done with her love for music and gets the chance to go to Shanghai with people from the academy to search for other prodigies.
During this trip to China, Charlotte meets Lizzie, another cellist, and the two form a relationship. But strange things start happening and viewers realize this world of classical music isn’t as pristine and buttoned-up as it first seemed.
16The Queen’s Gambit
The Queen’s Gambitis another show that benefited from people being stuck at home and in desperate need of a distraction. The show was released in 2020 and starredAnya Taylor-Joyas Beth Harmon, an esteemed chess player in the 50s and 60s. People who thought a historical miniseries about chess would be slow and boring were quickly proven wrong. Beth is not only trying to climb the ranks in the chess world, but she’s also battling alcoholism and drug addiction.
Taylor-Joy’s portrayal of Beth is excellent, providing insight into the character even when she’s not speaking and pondering her next chess move. It’s a story about ambition, connection, and family, themes that always captivate audiences.
15Mudbound
Historical drama lovers who want a different story during theWorld War II erawill enjoyMudbound. It is based on a novel by the same name and follows the story of two families dealing with the war. Though each family has a member who enlists in the war, their experiences diverge in that one family, the Jacksons, is Black and the other, the McAllans, is white.
Despite the racism rampant in the McAllan family, the two men who enlisted form a bond over their shared trauma. The film shows the men in service, their families back in Mississippi, and the PTSD they face when the war is over. Despite WWII at its center, this movie touches on issues still present today.
14To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
Netflix wants to tap into the surging popularity of teen rom-coms and found a winner withTo All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. This YA book-to-screen adaptation is about a high school girl named Lara Jean who has a pretty normal life. But thanks to her little sister sending out a series of love letters to past crushes, things get a bit more chaotic.
One of the letter’s recipients, Peter, devises a plan for the two of them to fake date to make his ex-girlfriend jealous. Of course, because this is a romance, it quickly shifts from faking feelings to catching feelings. The film may not take a lot of risks, but sometimes the most timeless pieces of work are ones that follow genre conventions and do it well. This is a sweet film with lovable characters, perfect for a cozy afternoon.
13The Haunting of Hill House
In 1959, author Shirley Jackson released a gothic horror novel. In 2018, Mike Flanagan directed it and brought it to Netflix.The Haunting of Hill Houseis a dual-timeline show that follows the Crain family and the infamous Hill House that shaped each member of the family’s life. They originally moved into the house in the late-90s with plans to renovate, but the house and its invisible occupants weren’t keen about things being messed with.
They are forced from the house after a series of paranormal encounters and are lured back over 20 years later. They remember. The house remembers. And you’ll remember every second of this thrilling series.
Related:The Best Haunted House Movies of All Time, Ranked
If you prefer more realism to your series,Maidcould be a great pick for you. The show follows a woman named Alex who escapes an abusive relationship and is trying to get back on her feet, provide for her daughter, and heal from her past.
This series shines a light on how the U.S. doesn’t do enough to help struggling, displaced individuals to right their lives, especially single mothers. It’s frustrating, heartbreaking, and still inspiring to see the resilience of Alex. All the characters feel so whole, and it’s no wonder considering it was adapted from a memoir titledMaid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Surviveby Stephanie Land.
11Outer Banks
Mystery. Friendship. Romance. Hijinks. Summer vibes.Outer Bankshas all that and so much more. The series begins with John B and his group of friends (The Pogues) being mischievous teens. John B’s father went missing, so he lives alone though his friends are never far away. They discover a boat wreck underwater that’s connected to John B’s father and a large sum of money that people are willing to kill to keep them away from.
This is a classic treasure hunt story, but with more violence. The plausibility of some of the plot lines becomes harder to ignore as the seasons go on, but you’ll be having too much fun watching to truly care.
