Best Shows on Netflix Australia in 2026: Our Top Picks

The Best of Netflix Australia in 2026

Love it or loathe its ever-changing catalogue, Netflix remains the big dog of streaming in Australia. With plans starting from $7.99/month (with ads) up to $25.99/month for the Premium 4K tier, most Australian households have a Netflix subscription ticking away. The question isn’t whether to have Netflix — it’s what to actually watch among the overwhelming sea of content.

We’ve done the hard work for you. Here are the best shows on Netflix Australia right now.

1. Adolescence

The show everyone’s talking about, and for good reason. This limited series about a 13-year-old charged with murder is told across four feature-length episodes, each filmed in a single continuous take. Stephen Graham is extraordinary, the writing is fearless, and it’s the kind of show that stays with you for days after watching. Our pick for the best new show of 2026 so far.

2. Squid Game (Seasons 1-2)

The South Korean phenomenon that broke every Netflix record continues to deliver. Season 2 expands the deadly games into new territory while deepening the social commentary that made the original so resonant. If you’ve been sleeping on this, the entire run is available and absolutely worth the hype.

3. Wednesday (Season 2)

Jenna Ortega’s Wednesday Addams is back at Nevermore Academy, and Season 2 leans harder into the horror elements while maintaining the dark comedy that made the first season a global hit. It’s slickly produced, genuinely funny, and Ortega continues to be a magnetic screen presence.

4. Black Mirror (Season 7)

Charlie Brooker’s tech-anxiety anthology returned with another batch of unsettling, thought-provoking episodes. The latest season is one of the show’s strongest, with a particularly standout episode that’s already being called one of the best in the series’ history. Each episode stands alone, so you can dip in wherever you fancy.

5. Stranger Things (Seasons 1-4)

With the final season on the horizon, now’s the perfect time to revisit Hawkins, Indiana. The Duffer Brothers’ love letter to ’80s horror and adventure remains one of Netflix’s crown jewels. If you haven’t seen it, start from the beginning. If you have, a rewatch before the finale is practically mandatory.

6. Heartstopper (Season 3)

The beautifully gentle coming-of-age romance returned for its most emotionally mature season yet. Following Charlie and Nick through the challenges of sixth form, Season 3 tackles heavier themes — including mental health, eating disorders, and the pressures of growing up — while maintaining the warmth and optimism that makes this show so special.

7. Nobody Wants This (Season 2)

Kristen Bell and Adam Brody’s unexpected rom-com hit proved Season 1 wasn’t a fluke. The chemistry between the two leads remains off the charts, and the writing navigates the culture-clash comedy with genuine wit and heart. It’s breezy, charming, and the perfect palate cleanser after heavier fare.

8. One Hundred Years of Solitude

Netflix’s ambitious adaptation of Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s literary masterpiece is a triumph. Filmed in Colombia with a Spanish-speaking cast, it’s visually breathtaking and narratively bold, bringing the magical realism of the novel to life with remarkable fidelity. A genuine prestige achievement.

9. The Diplomat (Season 3)

Keri Russell continues to command the screen as Ambassador Kate Wyler, navigating international crises with sharp dialogue and propulsive plotting. Season 3 raises the stakes considerably, and Russell and Rufus Sewell’s combative chemistry remains one of the great pleasures of modern television.

10. Love Is Blind Australia

Look, sometimes you need trash telly, and Netflix’s Australian version of the dating show format is magnificently chaotic. There’s something uniquely entertaining about watching Aussies navigate the pod experiment, and the cultural specificity — the accents, the slang, the absolute scenes at the commitment ceremonies — makes it compulsive viewing.

The Bottom Line

Netflix Australia’s catalogue in 2026 is genuinely strong across the board. Whether you’re after prestige drama, sci-fi thrills, heartfelt romance, or guilty-pleasure reality, there’s something here for everyone. The ad-supported tier at $7.99/month makes it accessible, and the sheer volume of quality content means you’ll always have something worth watching.