These miniseries on Netflix are fantastic, but they’re not talked about as often as they should be. The storytelling medium has become an especially thrilling one in the past little while, with the streaming service’s thrillers like Clickbait, Black Rabbit, and Wayward featuring big twists and characters who you keep thinking about.

But, of course, there is more to this genre than scary and unsettling stories. And even the most passionate fans of this narrative form don’t have time to watch everything, and sometimes, everyone misses a truly great show.

Whether seeking out a tale about spies, a dark show based on a real legal case, or a more light-hearted, romantic story that still has some meaning, you’ll find all of these miniseries incredibly gripping.

The Survivors (2025)

The harrowing miniseries makes you feel the fear and anxiety of the scary natural disaster that kills Kieran Elliott’s (Charlie Vickers) loved ones in Evelyn Bay. But it’s also about the inspiring themes of rebuilding your life and thinking about a happier future.

As you watch the six episodes, you’ll root for Kieran as he hopes to rebuild his life in the place where he comes from, now that he has a child.

While fast-paced thrillers are great, and it’s fun to talk about what’s going to happen next, The Survivors has a heavier, emotional tone. You’ll still want to get to the next episode quickly, as it’s a thoughtful show about facing death while being optimistic.

Who Is Erin Carter? (2023)

A complex character and action-heavy scenes combine in this fascinating seven-episode miniseries, which was released in 2023. It has a premise that sounds like a movie plot, as Erin Carter (Evin Ahmad) saves herself and her family when a gunman appears in a supermarket where she lives in Barcelona.

The series shares more about Erin, who has a fascinating history, and she’s a capable, strong, and impressive character who is as well-developed as someone you would watch for several seasons. The ending of Who Is Erin Carter? is also charming and fun, and you’ll feel satisfied that you found out everything you wanted to know about Erin’s story.

Treason (2022)

If you want a fun tale about life as a spy and have already seen Netflix’s The Diplomat, The Recruit, and Black Doves, Treason is a good choice. When compared to other series full of action and schemes, it’s a bit more melodramatic, but it’s hard not to become interested in the interconnected problems of the main characters.

Like Keri Russell’s strong characters in several spy shows on the streaming platform, Kara Yusova (Olga Kurylenko) is more than capable of achieving anything she wants, which makes her the perfect protagonist here. It’s fun seeing her dynamic with Adam Lawrence (Charlie Cox), who works for the Secret Intelligence Service/MI6. It’s also impressive that it’s only five episodes.

The Eddy (2020)

There’s a lot of talent on The Eddy, including star André Holland, who portrays Elliot Udo, who lives in Paris and runs a band and a club. La La Land‘s Damien Chazelle directed the first two episodes, which depict Elliot’s desire to be successful in the music industry and help his teen daughter Julie (Amandla Stenberg), who’s having a tough time.

A musical show doesn’t come around that often, and sometimes it doesn’t last, like Hulu’s Up Here, which only had one season. Since The Eddy was designed as a miniseries, it thankfully has a real ending instead of leaving viewers to keep wondering about the people they’ve just spent eight episodes with.

The final episode also achieves that tricky balance of wrapping up every plot point while also leaving some mystery for the next phase of Elliot’s work life.

Dear Child (2023)

Almost two years after its release on Netflix, this thriller from Germany should be talked about much more considering its 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and its engaging story about a woman and two kids who were kidnapped and held in a house for years.

When a car hits a woman named Lena (Kim Riedle) in the woods, you think you understand her trauma and her story, but these six episodes feature a fresh twist on a typical thriller about an abduction or missing person.

It’s definitely an alarming and grim story, and it can be particularly tough to watch a show about kids who aren’t in a safe and loving home. But the plot stays compelling throughout, and it’s fascinating to see how much story can be told in six episodes instead of several TV seasons.

What/If (2019)

Netflix has a gripping thriller miniseries that has definitely been forgotten in What/If, which features an exciting performance from Renée Zellweger, who plays a mysterious businesswoman named Anne Montgomery.

The show explores the world of technology startups as Anne gives Lisa Donovan (Jane Levy) the money she needs to follow her dreams, although there’s a catch. It’s best to ignore the low Rotten Tomatoes rating and just enjoy the drama.

Although it didn’t get much love when it came out in 2019, the show has a few hallmarks of creator Mike Kelley’s more popular show, Revenge, from scheming characters to an excellent final episode. The reveal at the end of What/If makes the past 10 episodes totally worth it.

Pine Gap (2018)

While it has a mysterious title, it was easy to miss this six-episode miniseries when it came out, but it’s one of the most engaging spy stories on Netflix. It tells a dramatized story of a real place called the Joint Defence Facility Pine Gap, which is in Alice Springs, Australia.

The show explores the complicated dynamic between the people who work at this place, along with the political relationship between Australia and the United States.

There are secrets, which is what you would expect and hope for, but also a fun relationship between two key characters, which adds intrigue. It’s also fun to tune in and see a younger Milly Alcock as a girl living in Alice Springs.

Maniac (2018)

With a strong cast including Emma Stone, Sally Field, Justin Theroux, and Jonah Hill, this Netflix miniseries isn’t Stone’s usual comedic or dramatic fare. Instead, it’s a story about mental health and moves between reality and dreamlike sequences.

The premise is startling, as Owen Milgrim (Hill) and Annie (Stone) become part of an experiment where they’re promised that they won’t suffer anymore if they take certain pills. While Stone’s other characters are talked about more, she gives a nuanced performance, and you’ll empathize with Annie’s inner struggle.

Sometimes it’s fun to know where a story is going, as it’s satisfying to guess the killer or big secrets, but it can also be nice to be surprised. Maniac is a show about a crucial topic that needs more discussion, but is also entertaining, as you won’t be quite sure what’s going on until the final episode.

Toxic Town (2025)

A miniseries is an excellent medium for disturbing subject matter or an emotional true story as it can be tough to watch people in such an upsetting situation for several seasons.

Toxic Town is an example of how well the format can work for a four-episode show. It delves into the terrible “Corby toxic waste case” in Corby, Northamptonshire, England. When several mothers sued the council in the area, a judge agreed that toxic waste from the Corby Steelworks had led to problems at birth for several babies.

The cast has some big names, from Rory Kinnear to Aimee Lou Wood and Jodie Whittaker. Most significantly, the series gets across a powerful message that really stays with you. There’s an unforgettable scene when Susan McIntyre (Whittaker) says moms “blame ourselves” for anything that goes wrong with their kids. This adds necessary emotion to the shocking news headlines.

One Day (2024)

The Netflix show about the sweet love story between Emma Morley (Ambika Mod) and Dexter Mayhew (Leo Woodall) doesn’t get mentioned in the same breath as huge releases like Bridgerton. But it’s a worthy pick when searching for a story that’s less dark than some of the most popular miniseries about creepy towns and killers.

From Dexter’s overwhelming career as a TV host to Emma’s time as a restaurant server and then a teacher, One Day shares the realistic experiences that most twentysomethings have. Compelling questions about finding meaningful work and how to know if someone is your soulmate are explored here.

The Netflix miniseries is longer than most at 14 episodes, which gives you more than enough time to connect to the two main characters. Even those who have read David Nicholls’s novel or seen the 2011 movie will enjoy it as the protagonists feel fresh and new.