11 of the best and 11 of the worst Netflix shows that came out in 2023
Meghan Cook
- Netflix has released a slew of comedies, dramas, and animated original series throughout 2023.
- "The Lying Life of Adults" and "Beef" are among the year's top-rated shows.
Critics thought "The Lying Life of Adults" perfectly captured Elena Ferrante's novel.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%
Summary: Also known as "La Vita Bugiarda Degli Adulti" and based on the novel by Ferrante, the Italian drama follows Giovanna (Giordana Marengo) as she comes of age in Naples in the late 1990s.
Critics praised the series for going above and beyond in its adaptation of Ferrante's best-selling book.
"As coming-of-age stories go, Ferrante is one of the greatest storytellers ever to live, and this adaptation doesn't just succeed on its own merits, but on hers as well," Shane Ryan wrote for Paste magazine.
"This World Can't Tear Me Down" expertly veered between zany comedy and sociopolitical commentary.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%
Summary: When an old friend returns to their neighborhood amid a refugee crisis, Zero (voiced by Michele "Zerocalcare" Rech) tries to help him feel at home.
The adult animated comedy earned rave reviews for packing an emotional punch within its social commentary.
"It feels like eating a sweet treat that's actually good for you, but the packaging would never come clean about," Brittany Vincent wrote for Decider. "And that's much of its appeal, which will likely carry on throughout the rest of the episodes."
"MerPeople" piqued critics' curiosity and explored a niche subculture.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%
Summary: The documentary miniseries captures the daily life and career of "mer people" who wear mermaid tails and performs underwater.
Many critics said that "MerPeople" took them by surprise, in the best way possible.
"'MerPeople' is one of the strangest documentary series to have been screened on Netflix," Anne Marie Hourihane wrote for the Irish Independent. "But it's beautiful to look at — all those merpeople under water — and respectful of all the effort, the late night traveling and, above all, the hope."
The riveting drama "Beef" left critics hungry for more.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 98%
Summary: After a road-rage incident spirals out of control, two strangers (Ali Wong and Steven Yuen) grapple with the life-altering consequences of their actions.
Every aspect of "Beef" brought in rave reviews from critics, from its powerhouse leads to its incredible narrative.
"With addictive performances, stellar writing, and an innovative tone throughout, 'Beef' will undoubtedly garner a dedicated viewership on Netflix due to its sheer originality," Anna Miller wrote for Discussing Film.
Critics said "Wellmania" deftly blended comedy and drama.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 89%
Summary: On the dramatic comedy, Liv Healy (Celeste Barber) is forced to reckon with her partying lifestyle after a health appointment gives her a reality check.
Critics said that comedic moments fit well within the complex and poignant series about self-discovery.
"Barber, an Aussie comedian, is dynamite in the lead, an astonishing combination of one-woman disaster flick and flashes of vulnerability that, indeed, reminds you of Waller-Bridge in 'Fleabag' in the very best way," Benji Wilson wrote for The Telegraph.
"The Chosen One" enthralled critics once it found its footing.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 86%
Summary: Young Santa Rosalía native Jodie Christianson (Bobby Luhnow) is changed forever when he realizes he has Jesus-like powers.
Despite suffering from a slow beginning, "The Chosen One" (also known as "El Elegido Temporada") had critics urging viewers to stick with it.
"Though it gets off to a slow, slightly messy start, this is a series with bags of charm, some delightful performances, a gripping plot and lots of local color," James Delingpole wrote for The Spectator.
"One Piece" earned approval from critics who loved the original anime and manga.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 85%
Summary: Monkey D. Luffy (Iñaki Godoy) pursues his lifelong dream of becoming King of the Pirates as he recruits a crew of unlikely friends to uncover the world's greatest treasure.
Critics praised "One Piece" for adapting a long-running anime and manga while keeping all of its wild world-building and gleeful chaos intact.
"'One Piece' exudes an inexplicable charm, embracing its conceptual eccentricities and infectious optimism," Ronak Kotecha wrote for the Times of India.
Critics said Michelle Buteau shined on "Survival of the Thickest."
Rotten Tomatoes score: 85%
Summary: Stylist Mavis Beaumont (Buteau) seeks fulfillment from her career and family after an unexpected breakup throws her off track.
Most critics agreed that "Survival of the Thickest" was worth watching for Buteau's charisma alone.
"Michelle Buteau, who created the show and wrote the book it's based on, is a talented comedian who has created a disarmingly charming character with a sharp sense of humor," Jen Maravegias wrote for Pajiba.
Critics couldn't stop bingeing "The Diplomat."
Rotten Tomatoes score: 83%
Summary: After becoming the US ambassador to the United Kingdom, Kate Wyler (Keri Russell) balances emerging international crises amid the ongoing dissolution of her marriage.
Critics said they couldn't stop bingeing "The Diplomat," while still making note of its somewhat soapy premise
"The only major complaint we have is the eight episodes go by too fast, leaving us wanting more, now," Richard Roeper wrote for the Chicago Sun-Times.
Critics said "Skull Island" was handcrafted for Kaiju fans.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 82%
Summary: An animated sequel series to "Kong: Skull Island" (2017), "Skull Island" follows a group of explorers who end up shipwrecked on an island that's home to a slew of mythical beasts, including King Kong.
Critics urged fans of Kong and the larger MonsterVerse franchise to watch the fun animated series.
"If you have any love in your heart for Kaiju-type things, you're going to love 'Skull Island,'" Frantz Jerome wrote for Black Nerd Problems.
Critics agreed that "XO, Kitty" was simple but incredibly sweet.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 81%
Summary: On the continuation of the beloved "To All the Boys" franchise, Kitty Song Covey (Anna Cathcart) heads to boarding school in Seoul, South Korea, with romantic aspirations.
It might not win prestige awards, but "XO, Kitty" still captured the hearts of most critics.
"A sweet, pretty cupcake of a teen romance," Angie Han wrote for The Hollywood Reporter.
On the other hand, "That '90s Show" didn't win over every critic.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 75%
Summary: Eric (Topher Grace) and Donna's (Laura Prepeon) daughter Leia (Callie Haverda) spends the summer of 1995 with her grandparents in Wisconsin.
The belated sequel to "That '70s Show" had its admirers, but even the positive reviews noted that the show was still finding its footing.
"'That '90s Show' strikes a wonky balance between nostalgia and new material, but it has the potential to build something long-lasting if its showrunner puts in the effort," Gabi Zietsman wrote for News24.
"The Night Agent" didn't quite become a fan-favorite.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 74%
Summary: FBI agent Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso) becomes engulfed in a national conspiracy as he hunts down a government traitor.
Although the action series had generally favorable reviews, most critics felt lukewarm about it.
"'The Shield' creator, Shawn Ryan, does his best to put some texture and moral tension in this fast-paced series, but at best this a solid, unspectacular run-and-gun narrative that at least has a zesty female counterpart," Craig Mathieson wrote for The Age.
Some critics felt "Pressure Cooker" was a tad formulaic.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 71%
Summary: On this reality cooking competition, 11 chefs compete to see who will go home with $100,000 in winnings.
Although many critics enjoyed "Pressure Cooker," others felt it was a tad underbaked.
"The competitors are spouting the same cliches we've heard on countless episodes of 'Big Brother' or 'Chopped,' and the dishes — while delicious-looking — aren't anything we haven't seen elsewhere," Scott Hines wrote for Decider.
Critics were split over "Unstable."
Rotten Tomatoes score: 67%
Summary: Socially inept Jackson (John Owen Lowe) tries to help his grieving father (Rob Lowe) by joining his tech company.
"Unstable" had a mix of positive and negative reviews, with some critics pointing out that the series seemed a bit like a vanity project for the Lowe family.
"'Unstable' plays a little too conspicuously like a father-and-son bonding opportunity for Rob Lowe and John Owen Lowe, yielding a breezy Netflix comedy series that's so lightweight it could easily just blow away," Brian Lowry wrote for CNN.
Reviewers questioned the staying power of "Agent Elvis."
Rotten Tomatoes score: 62%
Summary: On the animated action-comedy, legendary singer Elvis Presley (voiced by Matthew McConaughey) joins an undercover spy program to save the world.
Critics fawned over the comedy's voice cast but felt the show itself lacked longevity.
"At best, this show is an amusing, if feather-light spoof of spy narratives; at worst, it's not half as funny as it wants to be, mostly because the writing is just so-so," Joyce Slaton wrote for Common Sense Media.
Critics said "How to Become a Cult Leader" lacked the heft of better docuseries.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 57%
Summary: The docuseries plunges into the dark playbooks of notorious figures like Charles Manson, Jim Jones, and more to break down the origins of infamous cults.
In an era of mind-blowing documentaries, critics said "How to Become a Cult Leader" didn't stand out.
"'How to Become a Cult Leader'... becomes a playbook of an unintended sort: How not to make a docuseries," G. Allen Johnson wrote for Datebook.
Even fans of "Perfect Match" admitted the premise was a little lazy.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 56%
Summary: Host Nick Lachey puts prospective couples to the test on the compatibility-based reality competition.
The critics who enjoyed "Perfect Match" still cautioned that it was best enjoyed as a guilty pleasure.
"It is absolutely addicting and the definition of mindless reality television that you can't help but keep watching," Kristen Maldonado wrote for Pop Culture Planet.
"Fubar" left some critics rolling their eyes.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 50%
Summary: Father-daughter pair Luke (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and Emma Brunner (Monica Barbaro) are forced to work together after they discover they're both secret CIA operatives.
Critics largely agreed that the show would've been better received if it took a higher-brow approach.
"It's a mild comedy and a tepid adrenalin shot," Craig Mathieson wrote for The Age. "Leaning into satire might have saved it."
According to reviews, "Mulligan" was less than the sum of its parts.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 50%
Summary: In the wake of global destruction at the hands of aliens, Matty Mulligan (voiced by Nat Faxon) attempts to rebuild society with his fellow survivors.
Critics pointed out that the comedy couldn't measure up to other dystopian shows in recent media.
"The answer to the question — what would happen if you took the film 'Idiocracy,' added a dash of Will Forte's 'The Last Man on Earth' and made it an adult animated TV series and also worse?" Lucy Mangan wrote for The Guardian.
"Glamorous" couldn't hold the attention of most critics.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 47%
Summary: Genderqueer influencer Marco Mejia (Miss Benny) sets out to challenge industry standards after they are hired under iconic makeup mogul Madolyn (Kim Cattrall).
Although "Glamorous" had its admirers, many of them also had trouble staying attached to the show as the episodes stretched on.
"'Glamorous' certainly has an enjoyable story, but it fizzles out pretty quickly," wrote critic Nuha Hassan.
Critics said "Queen Cleopatra" couldn't stand on its own.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 18%
Summary: Narrated by Jada Pinkett Smith, the four-part miniseries details the reign of Queen Cleopatra (Adele James).
Most critics felt like the series copied better, more enriching shows to ill effect.
"It's too soapy for serious history fans, and not enough of a soap for viewers who like juicy historical dramas," Anita Singh wrote for The Telegraph.
Note: All scores were current on the date of publication and are subject to change.
This story was originally published on October 7, 2023, and most recently updated on December 22, 2023.
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