{"id":373971,"date":"2025-12-28T11:34:15","date_gmt":"2025-12-28T11:34:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/373971\/"},"modified":"2025-12-28T11:34:15","modified_gmt":"2025-12-28T11:34:15","slug":"7-best-netflix-shows-of-2025-ranked-by-rotten-tomatoes-score","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/373971\/","title":{"rendered":"7 best Netflix shows of 2025, ranked by Rotten Tomatoes score"},"content":{"rendered":"

Netflix <\/a>original shows have been hitting stronger marks this year than the streamer\u2019s movies. While some series still fall into predictable territory or feel like safe bets, 2025 has delivered a handful of standout originals that have earned genuine critical praise. And yes, while Rotten Tomatoes scores aren\u2019t the final word on quality, they\u2019re a useful starting point if you\u2019re hunting for something genuinely well-made. After all, what you love is always up to you.<\/p>\n

This year, Netflix has released several shows that earned impressively high scores on Rotten Tomatoes, ranging from tense thrillers to Emmy award-winning crime dramas. Among them, \u201cAdolescence\u201d absolutely shines brightest for me but it just misses the top spot in terms of pure ranking, sitting a mere three points shy of a perfect score.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

To save you the digging, I\u2019ve sifted through all the new Netflix series from 2025 and rounded up the seven with the highest critical acclaim. And of course, I\u2019ve ranked them below to make your binge-watching decisions a little easier.<\/p>\n

You may like<\/p>\n

7. \u2018House of Guinness\u2019<\/p>\n

House of Guinness | Official Trailer | Netflix – YouTube
\n\"House<\/p>\n

Watch On <\/a><\/p>\n

Any Guinness lover knows the stout is meant to be enjoyed in hearty swigs, not tiny sips, so it\u2019s only fitting that Netflix\u2019s crime series \u201cHouse of Guinness\u201d is best binged over a few sessions rather than stretched out. From Steven Knight, the mind behind \u201cPeaky Blinders,\u201d the show lacks a central figure as magnetic as Tommy Shelby, but it still has plenty to offer fans of his period crime dramas. The series still includes enough gripping criminal schemes and complicated family drama to keep you hooked.<\/p>\n

\u201cHouse of Guinness\u201d follows the aftermath of Sir Benjamin Guinness\u2019s death in 19th\u2011century Dublin and New York, focusing on how his vast brewing business is passed on to his four adult children \u2014 Arthur (Anthony Boyle), Edward (Louis Partridge), Anne (Emily Fairn), and Ben (Fionn O’Shea) \u2014 who must navigate the challenges of running the world\u2011famous Guinness brewery and the consequences of their father\u2019s will. The story charts their shifting fortunes and the impact of their decisions on both the family and those connected to the brewing enterprise.<\/p>\n

Rotten Tomatoes: 90%<\/a>
Stream “House of Guinness” on Netflix<\/a> now<\/p>\n

6. \u2018Death by Lightning\u2019<\/p>\n

Death by Lightning | Official Trailer | Netflix – YouTube
\n\"Death<\/p>\n

Watch On <\/a><\/p>\n

Over the past year, several Netflix shows have unexpectedly claimed the top spot, but \u201cDeath by Lightning\u201d fully earned that No. 1 position when it premiered. This historical drama, starring Michael Shannon and Matthew Macfadyen, delivers everything fans of the genre could hope for, from lavish set designs to standout performances by its leading actors. Most notably, the series brings to life a compelling historical figure: James A. Garfield, the 20th President of the United States.<\/p>\n

Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.<\/p>\n

\u201cDeath by Lightning\u201d tells the real\u2011life story of James A. Garfield\u2019s (Shannon) rise from relative obscurity to becoming the 20th President of the United States and the actions of Charles J. Guiteau (Macfadyen), the man who would ultimately assassinate him. The series follows key moments from the 1880 Republican National Convention through Garfield\u2019s brief presidency and ends with Guiteau\u2019s capture and its consequences for the nation.<\/p>\n

Rotten Tomatoes: 91%<\/a>
Stream “Death by Lightning” on Netflix<\/a> now<\/p>\n

5. \u2018The Eternaut\u2019<\/p>\n

The Eternaut | Official Trailer | Netflix – YouTube
\n\"The<\/p>\n

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Netflix\u2019s sci-fi thriller \u201cThe Eternaut\u201d has been called \u201cthe best post-apocalyptic show in years<\/a>\u201d by my colleague Alyse Stanley, and I\u2019d have to agree. It can be best described as a blend of \u201cThe Last of Us\u201d and \u201cFallout.\u201d This Argentine series marks the first-ever screen adaptation of the classic Argentine graphic novel by H\u00e9ctor G. Oesterheld, with illustrations by Francisco Solano L\u00f3pez, which originally debuted in 1957. Shortly after landing in Netflix\u2019s top 10, the show was officially renewed for a second season.<\/p>\n

You may like<\/p>\n

\u201cThe\u202fEternaut\u201d follows Juan\u202fSalvo (Ricardo Dar\u00edn) and a group of survivors after a mysterious and deadly snowfall suddenly wipes out most of Buenos Aires. As Juan ventures out into the ravaged city to reconnect with loved ones, he and his companions discover that the snow was only the beginning of an attack by a foreign force. Facing an invisible threat from another world, they must search for safety and work together to stay alive amidst escalating peril.<\/p>\n

Rotten Tomatoes: 96%<\/a>
Stream “The Eternaut” on Netflix<\/a> now<\/p>\n

4. \u2018Forever\u2019 <\/p>\n

FOREVER | Official Trailer | Netflix – YouTube
\n\"FOREVER<\/p>\n

Watch On <\/a><\/p>\n

Much like the original book, \u201cForever\u201d doesn\u2019t measure a teenage relationship by whether it endures indefinitely. Instead, it embraces that same open, judgment-free curiosity, creating a story that honors Blume\u2019s intent while crafting a love story that stands on its own. In a landscape crowded with shows that either sensationalize or oversimplify adolescence, this adaptation provides a refreshingly authentic perspective.<\/p>\n

\u201cForever\u201d follows two childhood friends, Keisha Clark (Lovie Simone) and Justin Edwards (Michael Cooper Jr.), who reconnect as teenagers in Los Angeles and go on a deep and transformative first romance. Set across eight episodes, the series tracks their ups and downs as they work through high school life, social pressures, and the evolving nature of their relationship after fate brings them back together at a party. Along the way, their interactions with friends and family shape how they grow personally and as a couple, with each episode capturing a different moment in their shared journey.<\/p>\n

Rotten Tomatoes: 97%<\/a>
Stream “Forever” on Netflix<\/a> now<\/p>\n

3. \u2018Adolescence\u2019<\/p>\n

Adolescence | Official Trailer | Netflix – YouTube
\n\"Adolescence<\/p>\n

Watch On <\/a><\/p>\n

Calling \u201cAdolescence\u201d simply the best Netflix show of 2025 doesn\u2019t quite do it justice since it could easily rank among the finest shows ever produced. This multi-Emmy-winning crime drama lingers in your mind for weeks, weaving a gripping story of teenage anger and dangerous behavior that feels uncomfortably timely. Each episode is crafted as a single, continuous shot, showcasing exceptional production skill that perfectly complements the series\u2019 intense and carefully told narrative.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdolescence\u201d centers on 13\u2011year\u2011old Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper), who is arrested in his home by armed police on suspicion of killing a classmate at his school. As the police investigation unfolds, Jamie is taken to a station for questioning, processed, and then held in a secure facility. The series also follows the perspectives of his family members, including his dad (Stephen Graham), law enforcement, and a clinical psychologist assigned to his case as they piece together the events surrounding the crime and try to determine what really happened.<\/p>\n

Rotten Tomatoes: 97%<\/a>
Stream “Adolescence” on Netflix<\/a> now<\/p>\n

2. \u2018Last Samurai Standing\u2019 <\/p>\n

Last Samurai Standing | Official Trailer | Netflix – YouTube
\n\"Last<\/p>\n

Watch On <\/a><\/p>\n

Having watched \u201cLast Samurai Standing,\u201d I can confidently say it\u2019s one of the standout streaming originals of 2025. The series evokes the intensity of \u201cSquid Game\u201d and the period intrigue of \u201cShogun,\u201d while delivering a gripping story packed with both ruthless action and emotional stakes. Visually stunning, it\u2019s a feast for fans of the genre. With just six episodes, it\u2019s a quick binge, made even more compelling by the cliffhanger ending that suggests season 2 is likely to be confirmed.<\/p>\n

\u201cLast Samurai Standing\u201d is a Japanese action-thriller set in 1878 during the Meiji era, where the samurai class has lost its place in society. Former samurai Shujiro Saga (Junichi Okada) is one of 292 warriors drawn to Kyoto\u2019s Tenry\u016bji Temple to take part in a deadly competition called Kodoku, in which participants must travel from Kyoto to Tokyo while acquiring wooden tags from rivals. The aim is simple yet brutal: be the last competitor alive and the sole victor to claim a grand prize of 100\u202fbillion yen.<\/p>\n

Rotten Tomatoes: 100%<\/a>
Stream “Last Samurai Standing” on Netflix<\/a> now<\/p>\n

1. \u2018Toxic Town\u2019<\/p>\n

Toxic Town | Official Trailer | Netflix – YouTube
\n\"Toxic<\/p>\n

Watch On <\/a><\/p>\n

Out of all the Netflix originals this year, I\u2019m glad I can place \u201cToxic Town\u201d at the top of this list because it definitely deserved more attention. This four-part limited series goes beyond being just a significant drama. It\u2019s a gripping portrayal of one of the UK\u2019s most shocking environmental disasters. I\u2019ll admit, I was completely unaware of the real-life event before watching, and what I learned was truly eye-opening. The show features powerful performances, an emotional core, and a stark depiction of the fallout from corporate negligence.<\/p>\n

\u201cToxic Town\u201d dramatizes a real\u2011life environmental incident in the town of Corby, England. In 1995, two women give birth to babies with disabilities on the same day, prompting suspicion that something in the local environment may be affecting newborns. As the series unfolds across multiple years, several mothers begin to investigate a possible link between the high number of birth defects and the town\u2019s handling of toxic waste from a former steelworks. Their inquiries grow into a prolonged fight for answers and accountability.<\/p>\n

Rotten Tomatoes: 100%<\/a>
Stream “Toxic Town” on Netflix<\/a> now<\/p>\n

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