19 of the best and 19 of the worst Netflix originals that have come out this year, so far
- Netflix has released a wide variety of original documentaries, television shows, and films in 2020.
- Netflix originals like "Feel Good," "Cheer," and "The Baby-Sitters Club" have received rave reviews.
- On the other hand, critics felt like viewers could skip originals like "Desperados," "A Fall from Grace," and "The Last Thing He Wanted."
So far this year, Netflix has added a wide variety of original TV shows, films, and documentaries to its streaming site.
Here are 19 of the best and 19 of the worst Netflix originals that have come out in 2020, according to critic scores on Rotten Tomatoes.
Editor's Note: All scores were current on the date of publication and are subject to change. Netflix's originals generally consist of both content created by the streaming service and content exclusive to the platform.
The dramatic comedy series "Feel Good" earned sweeping praise from critics.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Summary: On "Feel Good," Mae Martin stars as Mae, a stand-up comedian adjusting to life in London as she starts a new relationship and quietly struggles with sobriety.
Critics fell in love with the fresh and funny series, saying that "Feel Good" was an admirable mix of heartfelt and insightful moments.
"The series progresses with a nigh perfect rhythm and manages to deal with the complexity of its character ... with an amazing equilibrium between anguish and irreverence," Paula Vázquez Prieto wrote for La Nación in Argentina.
Critics felt like "The Baby-Sitters Club" added a fresh take to a beloved book series.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 100%
Summary: "The Baby-Sitters Club" is a modern adaptation of the book series by Ann M. Martin from the 1980s.
The show centers on a group of seventh graders, Kristy (Sophie Grace), Mary-Anne (Malia Baker), Claudia (Momona Tamada), and Stacey (Shay Rudolph), as they start a babysitting business in their neighborhood.
Brimming with heart and welcome insights on friendship and family, the first season of "The Baby-Sitters Club" was adored by critics.
"This Netflix series does a stellar job of adapting the popular book series, all while adding modern touches to the overall narrative so that it doesn't feel dated in any way," Natasha Alvar reported for Cultured Vultures.
"The Half of It" was received as a touching and delicate look at teen romance.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%
Summary: In the coming-of-age film "The Half of It," top student Ellie Chu (Leah Lewis) is surprised when her classmate Paul (Daniel Diemer) enlists her help in winning the heart of popular girl Aster (Alexxis Lemire). But Ellie soon realizes that she may have feelings for Aster, too.
Critics said that the personal and unique nature of the film's narrative made it feel all the more universal.
"It's so tenderhearted and transporting, its characters so likable, that you can't help but want to give the movie and everyone in it a big hug," Bilge Ebiri wrote in his review for Vulture.
"Cheer" captivated audiences with its high-flying drama.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
Summary: The docuseries follows a Texas-based group of cheerleading teens as they train to compete in a final cheer competition in Daytona, Florida.
Critics praised the eye-opening intensity of "Cheer" and lauded the show's direction, which made the docuseries feel personal.
"Director Greg Whiteley crafts the narrative in a way that makes the audience feel intimately involved in their lives," Kelly Lawler wrote for USA Today.
"Never Have I Ever" earned rave reviews from critics.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 96%
Summary: After a particularly rough freshman year, Devi (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) is ready for a fresh start at her high school with her two best friends at her side. But familial expectations, school rivalries, and sudden attention from her lifelong crush all signal that her life is about to get more complicated than ever.
"Never Have I Ever" earned a rush of praise from critics who were charmed by the likable young cast and the nuanced writing.
NDTV critic Saibal Chatterjee called the series a "convincing and moving coming of age story that is engaging all the way."
Critics called "Unorthodox" a compelling, personal drama.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
Summary: Based on a memoir by Deborah Feldman, "Unorthodox" is a dramatic miniseries that follows Esther Shapiro (Shira Haas) from life in a secluded Hasidic community to her eventual escape in the far reaches of Berlin.
"Unorthodox" received a stream of positive reception from critics, who applauded the miniseries for effectively channeling the suspense and trauma of Esther's story.
"What unfolds is a story of personal discovery with the intensity of a spy thriller," James Poniewozik wrote for the New York Times.
Critics praised "Homemade," a global anthology series filmed during the pandemic.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%
Summary: The Netflix anthology series "Homemade" ties together a collection of stories filmed at home during the Covid-19 pandemic by an array of filmmakers that include Ladj Ly, Paolo Sorrentino, and Gurinder Chadha.
Critics called "Homemade" creative and diverting, saying it adds weight to the theory that adversity can breed innovation.
"But one of the great pleasures of the collection is watching human ingenuity at work almost in real time, as each filmmaker in turn fathoms what's possible, then keeps pushing, to regularly thrilling effect," wrote Daily Telegraph critic Robbie Collin.
"Medical Police" is a comedic take on television procedurals.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%
Summary: A parody of medical shows and crime procedurals, the series "Medical Police" stars Erinn Hayes and Rob Huebel as a pair of crime-fighting doctors investigating a deadly virus.
Reviews praised "Medical Police" as a pitch-perfect satire of a deluge of prime-time television shows.
"The narrative structure and camera placement, the performances and the pacing, are all spot on, the action scenes - which do pause for comedy - impressively executed," Robert Lloyd wrote for the Los Angeles Times.
Spike Lee’s “Da 5 Bloods” was met with critical acclaim.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%
Summary: In the dramatic war film "Da 5 Bloods," a group of Vietnam War veterans return to the country they once fought in to locate the remains of their former squad leader, Norman Holloway (Chadwick Boseman).
Critics were quick to praise director Spike Lee and his singular, propulsive vision, which could be felt in every frame of his latest work.
"'Da 5 Bloods' is the first movie I've seen since lockdown began that made me yearn to be in a packed cinema," Charlotte O'Sullivan said in her review for the London Evening Standard.
Reviewers were pleasantly surprised by the drama "Uncorked."
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%
Summary: In the drama "Uncorked," Elijah (Mamoudou Athie) surprises his father when he passes over his request to take over the family barbecue business in favor of training to become a master sommelier.
Reviews for "Uncorked" called the family drama sweet and sincere, saying it's a cozy film to watch at home with a glass of wine.
"Athie, Vance, and Nash are all doing terrific work, which only adds to what a film like this is capable of," Aaron Neuwirth wrote for We Live Entertainment.
"The Midnight Gospel" wowed critics with its unique format and animation.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 92%
Summary: In the intergalactic animated series "The Midnight Gospel," Clancy Gilroy (voiced by Duncan Trussell) travels to different dimensions in varying simulated universes so that he can interview guests for his video podcast.
Critics were blown away by the show's extraordinary animation and the vast swath of topics it covered in its mesmerizing first season.
"Whether you're a fan of podcasts or adult animation, 'The Midnight Gospel' offers a mind-bending experience to viewers that has not really been seen before," Joseph Doninguez wrote in his review for Film Inquiry.
Critics called the comedy series "Gentefied" complex and crafty.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
Summary: Set in Los Angeles, the comedy series "Gentefied" follows three Mexican-American cousins as they grapple with gentrification and disillusionment in their attempts to achieve the American Dream.
Critics praised "Gentefied" for juggling several topics without ever compromising on its ensemble cast of characters.
"Of the many series about immigration, gentrification and cross-cultural identities that have sprung up in the past several years, 'Gentefied' is among the most astute," Judy Berman wrote for Time magazine.
Critics called "Miss Americana" a revealing music documentary.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
Summary: The music documentary "Miss Americana" shows an extensive look at Taylor Swift's career, from her humble beginnings as a country-music star to her position as an influential figure in pop culture.
Critics praised Lana Wilson's direction but agreed that the emotional heft of "Miss Americana" came from Swift's vulnerable interviews.
"'Miss Americana' offers a compelling and compassionate portrait of an extraordinarily talented woman who has grown up and remained remarkably unspoiled under the harshest possible spotlights," Alexandra MacAaron wrote for Women's Voices for Change.
"Queen Sono" was received as a top-notch action series.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
Summary: On the thrilling action series "Queen Sono," a top spy Queen Sono (Pearl Thusi) at a South African agency embarks on a dangerous mission while navigating uncharted waters in her personal life.
"Queen Sono" received positive reviews for delivering suspense-filled episodes with a strong central lead at its helm.
"'Queen Sono' is more than just an appealing spy thriller," Jazmin Kopotsha wrote for Refinery 29. "It's a fierce, conscious celebration of black Africa and the women at its heart."
"Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness" has become an internet sensation and has spurred countless memes.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 87%
Summary: This true-crime documentary series tells a series of stories about the world of big-cat sanctuaries and the corruption, rumors, and crimes that have taken place there.
Critics and audience members couldn't get enough of this docuseries, which consisted of seven total episodes and one reunion special.
"Tiger King grabs your attention from the get-go and keeps you hooked with its constant refreshing of information, facts and conspiracy theories, some of which you'd dismiss as crazy were it not for the assurance that it's all true, more or less," Jim Schembri wrote for 3AW.
"I Am Not Okay With This" is a coming-of-age series with a supernatural twist.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 87%
Summary: Based on a comic book, "I Am Not Okay With This" centers on 17-year-old Sydney (Sophia Lillis) and her struggles at school and home all while she develops telekinetic powers.
Complex and multifaceted, the series received high marks, with critics citing Lillis' central performance and the show's dark humor as the series' strong suits.
"Netflix's 'I Am Not Okay With This' is a genre-defying coming-of-age tale that will leave you begging for a second season," Karen Rought wrote for Hypable.
Critics called "The Stranger" an addictive mystery series.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 83%
Summary: On the drama series "The Stranger," Adam Price (Richard Armitage) leads a happy life with his family until a mysterious woman (Hannah John-Kamen) appears and reveals that his wife faked her recent pregnancy and miscarriage.
Thrilling, binge-able, and based on the hit novel by Harlan Coben, "The Stranger" wasn't perfect but critics feel it is one of the more solid options available on the streaming service.
"In elevating the emotional stakes to the same level as the conspiracy, Brocklehurst imbues 'The Stranger' with a weight that stays with the viewer more effectively than all the other weekend crimetime options parading across TV schedules," Melanie McFarland wrote for Salon.
Critics praised “The Old Guard” as an inventive action thriller.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 81%
Summary: In the thriller "The Old Guard," immortal mercenaries Andromache (Charlize Theron), Booker (Matthias Schoenaerts), Joe (Marwan Kenzari), and Nicky (Luca Marinelli) are hired by a CIA operative to rescue kidnapped children in South Sudan.
Reviewers noted that "The Old Guard" occasionally indulged in melodrama, but it was largely received as an exciting action film that was worth adding to a Netflix queue.
Sydney Morning Herald critic Brad Newsome called the movie a "hugely imaginative, bone-snappingly violent action-fantasy."
"To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You" was called a solid sequel.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 75%
Summary: In the romantic-comedy sequel, Lara Jean (Lana Condor) and Peter (Noah Centineo) are just settling into their new relationship as a couple when an old flame (Jordan Fisher) appears.
Sweet and sincere with its heart on its sleeve, "P.S. I Still Love You" may not win new converts but it will likely please fans of the first film.
"It's really sweet," Christy Lemire said on "Breakfast All Day." "If you like the first one you will like this one too."
On the other hand, "Spinning Out" received mostly mixed reviews.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 59%
Summary: On the drama series "Spinning Out," figure skater Kat Baker (Kaya Scodelario) sets her sights for the Olympics while trying to balance her love life and her family.
"Spinning Out" was largely received as a soapy drama that didn't feature the spectacle of its main sport enough to qualify as a skating show. Despite being loved by audiences, the series also got canceled after just one season.
"The series has all the right ingredients for an addictive watch," wrote Variety critic Caroline Framke. "But as the season plods towards its uneven finale, 'Spinning Out' instead does exactly what its title promises instead of sticking the landing."
Some critics thought "The Letter for the King" spread itself thin.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 57%
Summary: On the adventure series "The Letter for the King," a young squire named Tiuri (Amir Wilson) lives peacefully in Dagonaut until a dying knight asks him to deliver a letter to a neighboring king.
With an ambitious opening and adventurous sets, "The Letter for the King" spread itself too thin through poor pacing.
"[W]ith such a trim episode count, it's surprising and more than a little disheartening how quickly The Letter for the King runs out of steam," Isaac Feldberg wrote for the Fortune.
"Freud" was a departure from traditional biopic series, but not in a good way.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 54%
Summary: The crime drama follows a fictionalized version of a young Sigmund Freud (Robert Finster), the father of psychoanalysis, as he investigates a murder conspiracy.
Critics had a few issues with the portrayal of Freud and the untraditional style of the biopic series as a whole.
"Such a wild departure from a more traditional biopic series might actually be appreciated if Freud didn't treat the cocaine-loving, free association-developing doctor as a mere bystander in all the murder and mayhem," Danette Chavez wrote for AV Club.
The drama series "The English Game" failed to engage critics.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 53%
Summary: The six-part miniseries "The English Game" depicts the early origins of football and how it united players from across class lines.
"The English Game" received negative to mixed reviews, with critics not holding back in calling it a middling, joyless series.
"It is 'Downton Abbey' for boys. It is terrible," Lucy Mangan wrote for The Guardian.
Some critics felt like "AJ and the Queen" missed the mark.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 52%
Summary: On the comedy series "AJ and the Queen," drag queen Ruby Red (RuPaul) finds an unlikely companion in 10-year-old AJ (Izzy G.) while on the road.
Overall, critics wanted more from the comedy series, wishing that RuPaul and the creators of the show had dug deeper. The show was canceled after one season.
"Unfortunately, RuPaul continues to get in her own way in this series," Monique Jones wrote for Just Add Color. "Pretty annoying, since I wanted to love this series as a longtime RuPaul and 'Drag Race' fan, a fan who sees the good and the bad of RuPaul's reign."
Most reviewers quickly grew tired of "Brews Brothers."
Rotten Tomatoes score: 40%
Summary: The comedy series "Brews Brothers" forces two competitive brothers, Adam (Mike Castle) and Wilhelm (Alan Aisenberg), to work together in order to keep their brewery afloat.
Some critics wanted to root for "Brews Brothers," but others felt like they couldn't really connect to the self-proclaimed comedy.
"There are some laughs here and there, and indeed some pretty outrageous situations," Bill Goodykoontz admitted in his review for the Arizona Republic. "But over the course of the eight-episode season a kind of sameness sets in."
Despite an admirable cast, "Space Force" never fully got off the ground for critics.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 38%
Summary: "Space Force" is a comedy series starring Steve Carell as Mark R. Naird, an Air Force general who is tasked with leading the latest branch of the US Armed Forces. With his sights set on another successful moon landing, Mark works alongside new team members Adrian (John Malkovich), Tony (Ben Schwartz), and Captain Angela Ali (Tawny Newsome).
Existing in an awkward space between parody and intentional drama, "Space Force" left critics confused and disappointed even though they loved its ensemble cast.
"'Space Force' is not exactly embarrassing -- everyone involved is too talented -- but it is shockingly unfunny for a show made by people who are so talented," noted Slate critic Willa Paskin.
The action film "Spenser Confidential" was a genre-heavy mess.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 36%
Summary: In the action film "Spenser Confidential," ex-cop Spenser (Mark Wahlberg) recruits amateur MMA fighter Hawk (Winston Duke) to help him solve the murder of his former colleagues.
Striving to be both a comedy and an action film as well as a thriller, "Spenser Confidential" failed to effectively tell a cohesive story, according to most critics.
"'Serviceable' is probably the most complimentary term I can come up with," James Berardinelli wrote for Reel Views.
Many critics felt like "October Faction" had too much going on.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 33%
Summary: On the supernatural series "October Faction," two teenagers (Aurora Burghart and Gabriel Darku) discover that their parents hunt monsters for a secret society.
"October Faction" was met with some head-scratching from critics, due to its overstuffed plot and haphazard editing.
"I'm pretty sure a major character's hair color drastically changed for no reason," Tori Preston observed in her review for Pajiba. "I'm also pretty sure a major character died on-screen, and I couldn't tell until they cut to the tombstone."
Critics said "Ghost Stories" was a hit-or-miss horror film series.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 33%
Summary: An anthology of four short horror films, "Ghost Stories" explores spine-chilling stories featuring dangerous strangers, disconcerting children, cannibals, and spirits.
Critics said that the horror anthology film was hit-or-miss, with some elements succeeding and others falling short.
"Overall, there's not enough sustained unease or a sense of dread or foreboding," Shubhra Gupta wrote for the Indian Express. "Nor is there too much originality: I got flashes of John Krasinski's 'A Quiet Place,' and Daphne du Maurier's 'Rebecca.'"
Earnest but flawed, "Love Wedding Repeat" left a bad impression with reviewers.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 32%
Summary: As he tries to keep guests happy at his sister's wedding, Jack (Sam Claflin) seeks his own happiness with his old crush, Dina (Olivia Munn), as alternate dimensions create different scenarios for the same day.
Critics said that the cast gave their all, but "Love Wedding Repeat" was ultimately dragged down by forced comedy and an overused premise.
"Everybody's trying really hard to be funny," Claudia Puig wrote in her review for Film Week. "It's exhausting and kind of irritating."
"The Goop Lab" left many critics puzzled.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 30%
Summary: "The Goop Lab" explores a range of wellness topics with Gwenyth Paltrow and the staff behind her famous lifestyle site, Goop.
"The Goop Lab" left many critics listing their issues with the series and calling out the show's inaccuracies.
"We could go episode by episode, breaking down each idea that The Goop Lab presents as fact - but it might be a waste of time," Patricia Hernandez wrote for Polygon.
Critics called "The Kissing Booth 2" shallow and barely watchable.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 26%
Summary: In "The Kissing Booth 2," high-school senior Elle Evans (Joey King) tries to juggle her long-distance relationship with her boyfriend Noah (Jacob Elordi) as newcomer Marco (Taylor Zakhar Perez) catches her eye.
Underwritten and overlong, "The Kissing Booth 2" was called barely watchable by critics who praised King for elevating the material given to her.
"The one saving grace is King, a genuinely delightful young actor who manages to hold your attention and empathy even if her underwritten character barely deserves it," Lindsey Bahr wrote in her review for the Associated Press.
"Dangerous Lies" was received as silly and melodramatic.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 25%
Summary: In the drama "Dangerous Lies," Katie Franklin (Camila Mendes) is thrown for a loop when her elderly employer unexpectedly dies and names her as the sole recipient of his wealth. With a huge windfall of money in her hands, Katie finds herself subject to suspicion after his death.
Critics agreed that "Dangerous Lies" was more of a middling distraction than a credible drama.
"The actors in 'Dangerous Lies' don't do a particularly outstanding job in their roles, but no one is outright horrible either," Carla Hay wrote for Culture Mix. "It's the kind of made-for-TV movie that someone can watch to pass the time, but it won't leave much of a lasting impression."
Critics called "Fatal Affair" predictable and plodding.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 22%
Summary: In the dramatic film "Fatal Affair," Ellie Warren (Nia Long) reconnects with her old college friend David (Omar Epps) and uses her newfound attraction to him as a sign to repair her marriage with her husband.
Predictable and repetitive, "Fatal Affair" was called a lazy movie better relegated to daytime television viewing.
Globe and Mail critic Barry Hertz said it was "exactly the kind of barely-there diversion that you might have flipped past on the Lifetime channel in days of yore."
Reviewers said the action-comedy "Coffee and Kareem" was heavy on action and light on humor.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 20%
Summary: In a failed attempt to get his mother's (Taraji P. Henson) new boyfriend James Coffee (Ed Helms) out of the picture, 12-year-old Kareem accidentally catches the attention of dangerous criminal fugitives.
Critics felt that "Coffee and Kareem" was bursting at the seams with so many movie references and influences that it didn't stand on its own two feet.
"There's a better movie buried underneath the many corpses in the crude and confused Netflix comedy 'Coffee & Kareem,' one of their algorithmically assembled weekend options patchworked together from a stack of search terms," Benjamin Lee wrote for The Guardian.
The drama "A Fall from Grace" was met with unintentional laughs from critics.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 17%
Summary: In the drama "A Fall from Grace," Grace Waters (Crystal Fox) awaits trial for the murder of her second husband with only a novice public defender (Bresha Webb) at her side.
Reportedly filmed in just five days, the Tyler Perry drama was marred by inconsistencies, both in plot and continuity.
"The film quickly spirals into unstructured, nearly laughable chaos," Noëlle D. Lilley wrote for the Chicago Reader.
"Desperados" was criticized as an outdated romantic comedy that underserved its leads.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 15%
Summary: After sending her new boyfriend a drunken email, Wesley (Nasim Pedrad) takes her best friends Brooke (Anna Camp) and Kaylie (Sarah Burns) on a spur-of-the-moment trip to Mexico to delete the email before he can read it, and bumps into an old flame (Lamorne Morris) along the way.
Built upon an absurd premise and an oddly outdated version of female desperation, "Desperados" failed as both a romance and as a comedy for critics.
"Any funny film should also be relatable and have true stakes," Janaya Green wrote for the Chicago Reader. "This Netflix release failed to do either."
Most critics said that "The Last Thing He Wanted" wasted the talents of its all-star cast.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 5%
Summary: Based on a Joan Didion novel, "The Last Thing He Wanted" follows news journalist Elena McMahon (Anne Hathaway) as she leaves her job to fulfill her father's dying wish.
With a muddled narrative and talent that seemingly went to waste, "The Last Thing He Wanted" didn't impress critics.
"How does a director as stellar as Dee Rees go so thunderously wrong adapting a 1996 novel by the great Joan Didion, with a cast headed by Anne Hathaway, Ben Affleck, and Willem Dafoe?" Peter Travers wrote for Rolling Stone. "Here's Exhibit A and the last thing any of us wanted."
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