Netflix is one of the oldest streaming services around and is available in nearly 200 countries, so it should come as no surprise that many of the streamer’s series are international ones. Not only that, but some of its most popular shows are not in the English language. Sure, there are tons of huge US shows on Netflix right now, which cater to diverse audiences, from costume dramas like Bridgerton to gothic gems like Wednesday and the sci-fi inspired Stranger Things; and then there are The Queen’s Gambit for chess fans, Dahmer for true crime junkies, and Baby Reindeer for lovers of the absurd. But think of global sensation Money Heist, or the recently released The Trunk: so many of Netflix’s biggest, most gripping hits are international.
So whether you’ve run out of US-produced shows that are available in your country – in which case, a VPN on sale could also allow you to bypass geo-restrictions – or you’re looking to discover series from other areas of the world, you’ve come to the right place! We made a list of 5 international shows that are all available to watch on Netflix right now, from popular hits to lesser known gems and more recent releases! Find them all below in alphabetical order: happy watching!
1. Berlín (2023,-)
Country: Spain
Creators: Esther Martínez Lobato & Álex Pina
Chances are, you’re already familiar with Money Heist (La Casa de Papel), the show that took the world by storm when it was released, back in 2017, and kept us entertained with five gripping seasons all revolving around a group of Spanish thieves attempting to accomplish the most perfect and ambitious robbery in the history of the country. Berlín is the spin-off, and if you haven’t seen it, you’re in for a treat.
The show revolves around the titular character, played by Pedro Alonso, and we follow him years before the events of Money Heist, when he was at his most successful. In episode one, we watch him as he plans a heist that begins in Paris and that will take him and his gang to 33 more cities during a single night, and the rest of the season only becomes more gripping. It’s not as good as the main series, but if you’re looking for the same kind of vibe and to be reunited with some familiar faces, it will absolutely do the trick. Not to mention, a second season is already in the works, which makes this the perfect time to start binging this addictive show!
2. Dark (2017–2020)
Country: Germany
Creators: Baran bo Odar & Jantje Friese
If you love sci-fi, you shouldn’t miss this German thriller! When it comes to international shows on Netflix, if you’re looking for something with supernatural elements and wonderfully complex storytelling, you can’t go wrong with Dark. It all begins with the disappearance of a child, not unlike Stranger Things. This time, we’re in the fictional town of Winden, Germany, and we follow a series of characters who are all looking for the truth, each in their own, dysfunctional way.
They soon find out that it all has to do with time travel, in a series that will keep your eyes glued to the screen with its haunting atmosphere but also make you think about philosophical questions that have to do with the passing of time and the meaning of life. Dark is an eerie, haunting show, and it gets even better (and darker!) as it goes on, introducing us to more timelines that make the story even more enthralling. If time traveling, parallel worlds, and existential dilemmas are what you look for in a series, this is the show for you.
3. Lupin (2021,-)
Country: France
Creator: George Kay
Arsène Lupin is a fictional gentleman thief/detective who was created by Maurice Leblanc in 1905, and went on to appear in many books, graphic novels, shows, films, and even theatre shows since then. In this ongoing, BAFTA-nominated Netflix series, his name is Assane Diop and he’s played by Omar Sy (The Intouchables, The Book of Clarence), and that, alone, should make you want to watch it.
Sy is part of why the series works as well as it does: he brings us a fresh version of the character and makes him come alive in a way that makes it impossible to stop watching the series. Storytelling wise, Lupin manages to stay true to the source material while also adding something new to it. It’s also an incredibly fun show with twists and surprises at every turn, and one of the most bingeable series on Netflix right now.
4. Squid Game (2021–2025)
Country: Korea
Writer-Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
We couldn’t write a list of best international shows to watch on Netflix without mentioning Squid Game, even more so since Season 2 is about to be released! The show revolves around a young man named Song Gi–hoon (Lee Jung-jae) who finds himself in huge debt, with relatives to care for an no idea of how to make some quick cash. One day, a businessman approaches him on the underground, offering him the chance to earn money if he accepts to play a game with him. Needless to say, the prize for the winner is a huge sum of money, but it won’t be so easy to get to that part. As it turns out, there can only be one winner, as all the other players will die in the process.
We’ll leave it at that to avoid spoilers, as what makes this show so gripping and tense is having no idea of where it’s going until all is revealed, at the very end. And trust us: this will have you even more excited for Season 2, as the possibilities are endless. If you’re looking for a show that’s just disquieting enough to hold your interest and features characters you’ll grow fond of facing impossible scenarios, don’t miss Squid Game!
5. Tear Along the Dotted Line (2021)
Country: Italy
Creator: Zerocalcare
If you’ve never heard of Tear Along the Dotted Line, you’re not alone. This animated series was huge in Italy back in 2021, when it was released, as it comes from a very popular graphic designer, Zerocalcare. Here, he puts together material that comes from various comic books to create an original series that encompasses what his works are all about: autobiographical, fast-paced, wonderfully ironic, and hugely relatable.
The show takes place in Rome, where a cartoonist and his conscience – here represented by an armadillo – take a journey by train while reminiscing on various stages of the protagonist’s life, tackling anything from public restrooms and the tangled mess of wires behind our TVs to life’s big questions. We guarantee that you’ll start the series laughing at every frame and finish it in tears, moved by the journey you’ll have just witnessed. Not to be missed!
Here you have it! The 5 international shows listed above are all available to binge on Netflix, and each is worth watching for different reasons. Whether you’re looking for a popular release, a hidden gem, or a new series to start from scratch, there’s something for everyone here! Enjoy!
