A rare TV show stays consistent throughout its run, but these Netflixshows improved with each season. It’s common for the streaming service’s series to have a strong and compelling first season and then disappoint viewers with lackluster character arcs or too many filler episodes.
Having to wait years for new seasons of streaming shows can also sometimes result in new episodes that don’t feel the same or mean audiences have moved on to other series entirely. Netflix also cancels many shows after one season, which leads to stories that feel unfinished.
From a popular thriller with several different settings to a successful adaptation of a nostalgic film franchise, these Netflix shows not only have several fantastic seasons, but each one is even more captivating.
Santa Clarita Diet (2017-2019)
Sheila (Drew Barrymore) and Joel (Timothy Olyphant) surprised in Santa Clarita Diet
Hearing the premise of this Netflix horror comedy, it’s hard to imagine it delivering three great seasons, but season 3 is arguably the best one. By this point, we’re used to Sheila Hammond (Drew Barrymore) being a zombie, and we’re curious about how she can keep selling real estate and living her regular life in a California suburb.
Season 3 proves how messy Sheila’s new life is and sees her daughter Abby (Liv Hewson) becoming even more involved in the family’s problems, which makes these episodes a fun adventure.
Despite not getting a real, clear conclusion to Sheila and Joel’s (Timothy Olympant) story because the show was canceled, season 3 has a smart twist at the end. It’s easy to imagine the fourth season building on that shock and resulting in more big changes for the family.
Love (2016-2018)
Gus (Paul Rust) and Mickey (Gillian Jacobs) in a scene from Love sitting on a boat smiling at each other and wearing lifejackets
If Love had been canceled after one season, Mickey (Gillian Jacobs) and Gus’s (Paul Rust) realistic love story wouldn’t feel as complete as it does by the end of the series. Season 1 lets us know they’re scared of being together despite how well they get along, but season 2 deepens their bond.
Season 2, episode 8, “Marty Dobbs,” sheds light on Mickey’s anxieties and fears as Gus meets her unreliable father. While you expect the couple to finally commit to each other in the season 3 finale, it’s still a sweet ending, and an overall charming series about being open to a mature relationship.
Dead To Me (2019-2022)
Judy (Christina Applegate) and Jen (Linda Cardellini) at a funeral in Dead To Me
Dead to Me is the perfect example of a Netflix series where the initial exciting premise gives way to an even deeper and richer story. A worse show would have become messy or boring as soon as the truth was revealed, but that didn’t happen here.
The clever twist about how Judy Hale (Linda Cardellini) and Jen Harding (Christina Applegate) know each other is season 1’s focus, and then the next two seasons are all about Judy and Jen’s strong and beautiful friendship.
The cliffhanger at the end of the first season ensures a compelling second season, and Judy’s season 3 illness emphasizes the show’s themes of death, loss, and changing your life in the face of tragedy and change.
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015-2019)
Carol Kane (Lillian Kaushtupper) talking to Kimmy (Ellie Kemper) in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Every sitcom faces the challenge of keeping the episodes fun and fresh, as a cool premise can get old. Each season of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt explores Kimmy’s (Ellie Kemper) life in New York City outside of the bunker and shows she is stronger and more confident in almost every episode.
The last season brings Kimmy’s journey full circle as the optimistic but scared young woman has written a book and figured out who she is. The show touches on the significant trauma of leaving a cult while remaining light-hearted.
This is especially true of season 4, episode 3, “Party Monster: Scratching the Surface,” which charts the Reverand’s (Jon Hamm) history but also pokes fun at Netflix true crime documentaries. After seeing Kimmy work various jobs, attend college, and get divorced, you’re proud and impressed with her by the finale.
Bridgerton (2020-Present)
Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) looking serious standing in the living room in Bridgerton
After Simon Basset (Regé-Jean Page) and Daphne Bridgerton’s (Phoebe Dynevor) dramatic and sweet relationship in season 1, seasons 2 and 3 continued to live up to the hype surrounding Shonda Rhimes’s historical Netflix romance.
All three seasons are enjoyable deep dives into the fashion and hairstyles of the time. But it’s easy to say Bridgerton is at its best in season 3 thanks to the spotlight on Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan).
Although we’re invested in Penelope’s love story with Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton), that element could be omitted, and Penelope would be just as much fun to watch. Since she’s a self-assured character, it feels just as important to watch her discover peace on her own terms.
Atypical (2017-2021)
Sam (Keir Gilchrist) with headphones on in a scene from Atypical
While the hope is that a coming-of-age series will become more interesting with time, sometimes this kind of show gets bogged down with random plotlines or boring new characters. That’s not the case with Atypical, which has four fascinating seasons and shares the life of autistic Sam Gardner (Keir Gilchrist).
After season 1 perfectly sets up Sam and his family’s lives, each season adds significant layers to his story and explains his relatable challenges as he grows up. Rather than only focusing on his love life, seasons 2 and 3 are about his college journey, and season 4 sees him moving toward his hope of going to Antarctica.
Atypical is about independence, love, and the tough quest of finding yourself at different stages. Sam’s mom, Elsa (Jennifer Jason Leigh), has her own storylines about who she is outside of her family. Season 4 is the most compelling as you root for Sam to go on his big trip.
You (2018-2025)
Penn Badgley as Joe Goldberg in You
It would have been a shame if You had peaked in season 1 with serial killer Joe Goldberg’s (Penn Badgley) literary life in New York City and pursuit of Beck (Elizabeth Lail). Instead, all five seasons of You offer a riveting depiction of Joe’s terrifying plans, his childhood trauma, his reinventions, and the question of whether he’ll get caught.
If the show had ended after one season, we would have missed out on so many complicated characters and storylines. That includes Joe’s strange and surprising relationship with troubled Love Quinn (Victoria Pedretti) in California, his time in London, and his belief that he can be “good” living in New York City again.
Season 5 is arguably the most significant of all since several characters know the truth about Joe, and these final episodes ask big questions about love, identity, and justice. The last season changes it all and proves that Joe isn’t as powerful as he assumed.
Cobra Kai (2018-2025)
Ralph Maccio as Daniel LaRusso wearing Miyagi-do gi in Cobra Kai
The beloved world of the ’80s and ’90s The Karate Kid movies comes to life in this six-season Netflix series, which could also be seen as a crash course in merging older and newer characters.
Rather than a fun and exciting first season and a few dull ones, Cobra Kai maintains its strong action scenes, character work, and high quality. Season 6 is even more thrilling than the previous ones as the characters compete in the Sekai Taikai tournament, which allows you to see how they’ve grown in martial arts and life.
The big twist in season 6, episode 10, “Eunjangdo” also proved that even in its last season, the show could surprise and devastate fans. While many likely first watched because of nostalgia for the films, the show delivered a great and worthy story in its own right.
Ozark (2017-2022)
Ruth (Julia Garner) and Frank (Joseph Sikora) having a serious conversation in a scene from Ozark
Since the stakes are raised in every season of Ozark, it’s another impressive Netflix show that builds a great foundation and then adds layers. After the Byrde family tries to fix their financial problems with a big move and criminal activity in season 1, they get in more trouble with every passing season.
The draw of the crime drama is watching Marty Byrde (Jason Bateman) make deals with dangerous people and wondering if he’s going to be able to succeed or fall further. His intricate schemes get more complex in every season, and a big death in season 3 emphasizes that the family will only find more suffering and pain instead of happiness.
The fourth season is an intricate puzzle of plans, death, fear, and anxiety. No matter what episode you’re on, you’re always drawn to Ruth Langmore (Julia Garner), who is one of the show’s most complex and resilient characters.
Stranger Things (2016-2025)
Joyce Byers, Dustin, Lucas, Mike, and Jonathan at a table looking nervous in Stranger Things season 1
After getting to know Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) and his charming friends in season 1, you’re fully invested in each season of Netflix’s most beloved show thanks to new monsters, deeper questions about the Upside Down, and emotional arcs.
The series wouldn’t be the same without clever newcomer Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink), who is introduced in season 2 and has a devastating season 4 storyline when Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) targets her because of grief. Season 3 includes the memorable and fun Starcourt Mall setting, which hints at future danger since there’s a lab under it.
Stranger Things season 4 is arguably the best, however, as it’s an epic and at times sad journey about finding Hopper (David Harbour) and fighting Vecna. Each season has brought even more unique characters, including metal-loving rebel Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn), and we all hope that season 5 of the Netflix hit will be even more excellent.
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