Around The World In 25 Binges
There’s no passport required to travel the globe these days—just a comfy couch and a Netflix account. From Spanish thrillers that’ll make your heart race to Korean dramas that’ll make you cry, the streaming giant has become a world tour of storytelling genius. Let’s take a spin through the best international shows that have taken Netflix by storm.
Dark (Germany)
Dark is a mind-bending, time-travel thriller that redefined what audiences expect from sci-fi. Set in the small town of Winden, this German series connects four families across multiple timelines, unraveling secrets that span generations. It’s eerie, complex, and beautifully crafted—think Stranger Things meets Interstellar, but with more existential dread (and way fewer jokes).
Squid Game (South Korea)
When Squid Game hit Netflix in 2021, it didn’t just dominate—it detonated. This dystopian thriller about desperate contestants competing in deadly children’s games became a cultural phenomenon, blending biting social commentary with shocking visuals. Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk’s series broke records worldwide and turned green tracksuits into fashion statements, making it the ultimate global Netflix moment.
Screenshot from Squid Game, Netflix
Valeria (Spain)
Spain’s answer to Sex and the City, Valeria follows a struggling writer and her three best friends as they juggle love, ambition, and self-discovery in Madrid. The show is witty, stylish, and full of heart, balancing romantic chaos with female empowerment. It’s a feel-good binge with a Mediterranean flair—and a killer soundtrack to boot.
Screenshot from Valeria, Netflix
Abla Fahita: Drama Queen (Egypt)
Only in Egypt could a sassy puppet become a celebrity. Abla Fahita: Drama Queen turns Cairo’s most outspoken puppet diva into a full-fledged Netflix star. Part parody, part melodrama, it’s a hilariously over-the-top mix of soap opera and satire, proving that even a puppet can serve high drama and sharper one-liners than most humans.
Screenshot from Abla Fahita: Drama Queen, Netflix
The 7 Lives Of Léa (France)
When Léa discovers a body in a ravine, she wakes up living the life of a different person each day, trying to solve the murder before it happens. The 7 Lives of Léa combines mystery, coming-of-age drama, and fantasy into one stylish package. It’s trippy, tender, and thoroughly French in the best way.
Screenshot from The 7 Lives of Lea, Netflix
An Astrological Guide For Broken Hearts (Italy)
Romance and astrology collide in this charming Italian rom-com. An Astrological Guide for Broken Hearts follows a quirky TV producer who uses zodiac signs to navigate her love life. The show is playful, colorful, and irresistibly optimistic—basically, it’s a hug in the form of a series.
Screenshot from An Astrological Guide for Broken Hearts, Netflix
Lupin (France)
Omar Sy shines as Assane Diop, a gentleman thief inspired by the legendary Arsène Lupin. Lupin mixes classic heist thrills with modern Parisian style, crafting a slick story full of twists and charisma. It’s smart, fast-paced, and oozes charm—basically, if James Bond and Sherlock Holmes had a French cousin, this would be him.
Screenshot from Lupin, Netflix
Anxious People (Sweden)
Based on Fredrik Backman’s novel, Anxious People turns a botched bank robbery into a heartfelt comedy about human connection. With quirky characters, clever dialogue, and an offbeat tone, this Swedish gem reminds viewers that everyone’s a little weird—and that’s what makes life (and television) interesting.
Screenshot from Anxious People, Netflix
Berlin (Spain)
A spin-off of Money Heist, Berlin dives into the backstory of one of the original show’s most magnetic antiheroes. Set in Paris, it’s got all the slick style, clever schemes, and chaos fans expect. Equal parts drama and dark comedy, it proves that even the most morally questionable thieves can be irresistibly charming.
Screenshot from Berlin, Netflix
Elite (Spain)
Teen drama, Spanish style. Elite follows a group of students at an exclusive private school where secrets, scandals, and murders collide. The show is equal parts Gossip Girl and How to Get Away With Murder, filled with twists, hookups, and social commentary. It’s messy, addictive, and totally irresistible.
Screenshot from Elite, Netflix
Borgen (Denmark)
Politics has never looked this cool. Borgen centers on Denmark’s first female prime minister as she navigates the brutal world of politics and personal sacrifice. With sharp writing and powerhouse performances, it’s a masterclass in political drama that rivals The West Wing—but with better sweaters.
Screenshot from Borgen, Netflix
Cable Girls (Spain)
Set in 1920s Madrid, Cable Girls follows four women working at a telephone company while fighting for independence and equality. It’s feminist, glamorous, and packed with drama, offering a stylish look at the struggles of the modern woman—back when “modern” meant wearing pearls while breaking glass ceilings.
Screenshot from Cable Girls, Netflix
Crashing Eid (Saudi Arabia)
This Saudi Arabian dramedy captures the tension between tradition and modernity. Crashing Eid follows a woman who returns home to Saudi Arabia with her British fiancé, sparking culture clashes and family chaos. It’s a charming, heartfelt look at love, identity, and the humor found in cultural misunderstandings.
Screenshot from Crashing Eid, Netflix
Crash Landing On You (South Korea)
A South Korean heiress literally falls into North Korea—literally. Crash Landing on You is part romance, part political drama, and all heart. The chemistry between Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin is electric, and the show’s emotional storytelling has made it one of Netflix’s biggest K-drama hits ever.
Screenshot from Crash Landing On You, Netflix
Family Business (France)
When a failed butcher and his family discover that cannabis is about to be legalized, they pivot their shop into a weed business. Family Business is absurd, hilarious, and oddly wholesome—it’s like Breaking Bad, but with baguettes and family dinners.
Screenshot from Family Business, Netflix
Finding Ola (Egypt)
After her marriage ends, Ola embarks on a journey of self-discovery and reinvention. Finding Ola blends humor and heartbreak while tackling modern Egyptian womanhood with charm and depth. It’s fresh, funny, and full of heart—proving that starting over can be just as inspiring as falling in love.
Screenshot from Finding Ola, Netflix
Money Heist (Spain)
No list is complete without Money Heist (La Casa de Papel). The red jumpsuits, the Salvador Dalí masks, the Professor’s meticulous plans—it’s pure adrenaline. This Spanish sensation turned a local crime drama into a global obsession, reminding everyone that sometimes, crime really does pay (in streaming numbers, at least).
Screenshot from Money Heist, Netflix
Giri/Haji (Japan/UK)
Giri/Haji (meaning “Duty/Shame”) is a stylish, genre-blending thriller that combines crime, family drama, and artful animation. Following a Tokyo detective tracking his brother through London’s underworld, it’s a cinematic feast that balances violence with surprising tenderness. A true hidden gem on Netflix.
Screenshot from Giri/Haji, Netflix
The Glory (South Korea)
The Glory follows a woman who meticulously plots revenge on the bullies who destroyed her childhood. It’s haunting, beautifully written, and full of emotional fire. Song Hye-kyo’s performance is chillingly powerful, making this one of the most gripping revenge stories in K-drama history.
Screenshot from The Glory, Netflix
Masaba Masaba (India)
Fashion, fame, and family collide in Masaba Masaba, a semi-fictional look at designer Masaba Gupta’s real life. Blending humor and vulnerability, it’s a refreshingly honest portrait of a modern Indian woman balancing chaos and creativity. Think Emily in Paris, but with better outfits and way more heart.
Screenshot from Masaba Masaba, Netflix
Midnight At The Pera Palace (Turkey)
History meets mystery in this Turkish fantasy drama. When a journalist travels back to 1919 Istanbul, she uncovers a plot that could change the country’s fate. Midnight at the Pera Palace is glamorous, suspenseful, and full of time-travel intrigue—perfect for history buffs who love a good twist.
Screenshot from Midnight at the Pera Palace, Netflix
The Neighbor (Spain)
Superhero satire meets Spanish humor in The Neighbor. When an ordinary guy accidentally gains superpowers, he struggles to balance hero duties with his disastrous personal life. It’s clever, self-aware, and refreshingly unpretentious—a perfect antidote to Hollywood’s overblown caped crusaders.
Screenshot from The Neighbor, Netflix
Nobody’s Looking (Brazil)
Imagine angels as overworked office drones and you’ve got Nobody’s Looking. This quirky Brazilian comedy about celestial bureaucracy is equal parts absurd and brilliant. It’s The Office meets Good Omens, delivering laugh-out-loud moments with a surprisingly thoughtful message about purpose and rebellion.
Screenshot from Nobody’s Looking, Netflix
Sacred Games (India)
Based on Vikram Chandra’s novel, Sacred Games is a gritty, sprawling crime saga set in Mumbai. It blends police drama, political intrigue, and religious symbolism into a masterful web of storytelling. With stellar performances by Saif Ali Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, it’s India’s answer to Narcos.
Screenshot from Sacred Games, Netflix
Servant Of The People (Ukraine)
Before he became the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy played one. Servant of the People follows a humble teacher who unexpectedly becomes president after a rant about corruption goes viral. The satire is sharp, funny, and eerily prophetic—a reminder that sometimes, art really does imitate life.
Screenshot from Servant of the People, Netflix
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