The past decade of television has been defined, at least in part, by an overwhelming amount of it. Finding a show to watch has never been easier, but picking the right program to stream has never been harder.
Netflix has been a part of the problem in this era of “too muchness.” For now, we’ve picked several shows from the streaming service that were underseen when they first dropped. Now, these shows are considered underrated and worth your time.
We also have guides to the best new shows to stream, the best shows on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, and the best movies on Amazon Prime Video.
Running Point (2025-)
This show is not literally about running the Los Angeles Lakers, but Running Point very much gets at that idea. The show stars Kate Hudson as a middle-aged woman who inherits her father’s Los Angeles basketball team and must manage all the aspects of running the team.
Thanks in large part to Hudson’s performance, Running Point is a charming look at how difficult it can be for a woman to make it in a business dominated by male owners and athletes. It’s not exactly a documentary, but it’s fascinating nonetheless.
You can watch Running Point on Netflix.
Gossip Girl (2007-2012)
One of the defining teen shows of the millennial era, Gossip Girl chronicles the lives of ultra-wealthy Manhattan teenagers who become the subjects of a gossip blog that airs all of their secrets. As they hook up, break up, and get into fights, they find that their lives are strangely captivating to the people following along.
Gossip Girl was not always the best-written show on television, but it was often one of the most utterly captivating. Plus, it launched a generation of young talent, including Penn Badgley, Leighton Meester, and Blake Lively.
You can watch Gossip Girl on Netflix.
The Crown (2016-2023)
The Crown received critical acclaim upon its release, but its reputation suffered during the later seasons. The Crown — a depiction of Queen Elizabeth’s reign over the United Kingdom from its inception through the late ’90s — is a fascinating examination of what it means to be a royal in a world that no longer needs them.
The show has a fundamentally sympathetic perspective on all of its fabulously wealthy characters. It’s also about what it takes for them to excise themselves from situations they might care about. It certainly doesn’t hurt that the show launched the career of Josh O’Connor.
You can watch The Crown on Netflix.
