With Netflix planning to crack down on the practice of password sharing, many feel divisive about continuing their monthly streaming subscription. But if Netflix is your only source of movies, TV shows, documentaries, and web series, this article will help you decide what to watch tonight.
Before we move on to our picks, you may have recently read or heard about the streaming giant mass-banning user accounts on social media or in your friends’ circle. It’s unlikely because of password sharing, but the fact that the account credentials were stolen and sold on the web, violating Netflix’s terms of use.
Due to most users having poor password hygiene, it’s relatively easy to get into one’s Netflix account and profit from it. For instance, “123456,” “iloveyou,” and “password” are some of the most common passwords worldwide, putting millions of accounts at high risk. Therefore, you should choose an uncommon, unguessable, and robust password for your Netflix account (and other services).
Now without further ado, let us walk you through our picks for must-watch Netflix shows of 2022 that deserve your attention. In the interest of keeping it fresh, we’re only focusing on content added to Netflix in 2022 or renewed for more seasons, but we’ve also chosen shows we personally find fun and engaging.
The Best 2022 Netflix Shows to Watch Right Now
| Month of Release | Name of the Show | Current Season | Genre | IMDb Rating |
| January | After Life | Season 3 (Final) | Comedy | 8.4 |
| Archive 81 | Season 1 | Drama | 7.3 | |
| DOTA: Dragon’s Blood | Season 2 | Animation | 7.8 | |
| Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness | Season 1 | Reality | 6.9 | |
| In From the Cold | Season 1 | Drama | 6.2 | |
| All of Us Are Dead | Season 1 | Korean Drama | 7.5 | |
| February | Raising Dion | Season 2 | Drama | 7.1 |
| Murderville | Season 1 | Comedy | 6.8 | |
| Sweet Magnolias | Season 2 | Drama | 7.3 | |
| Inventing Anna | Limited Series | Drama | 6.8 | |
| Space Force | Season 2 | Comedy | 6.7 | |
| Vikings: Valhalla | Season 1 | Historical Drama | 7.1 | |
| The Cuphead Show! | Season 1 | Kids | 7.5 | |
| Juvenile Justice | Season 1 | Korean Drama | 8.0 | |
| March | The Last Kingdom | Season 5 (Final) | Historical Drama | 8.5 |
| Pieces of Her | Season 1 | Drama | 6.3 | |
| Human Resources | Season 1 | Animated | 7.2 | |
| Top Boy | Season 2 | Drama | 8.4 | |
| Kotaro Lives Alone | Season 1 | Anime | 8.5 | |
| April | The Creature Cases | Season 1 | Kids | 8.4 |
| Hard Cell | Season 1 | Comedy | 6.2 | |
| Anatomy of a Scandal | Limited Series | Drama | 7.0 | |
| Pacific Rim: The Black | Season 2 | Animated | 7.0 | |
| Heartstopper | Season 1 | Drama | 8.9 | |
| Ozark | Season 4 | Drama | 8.5 | |
| Grace and Frankie | Season 7 (Final) | Comedy | 8.2 | |
| My Liberation Notes | Season 1 | Korean Drama | 8.5 | |
| Who Rules the World | Season 1 | Mandarin Drama | 8.6 | |
| May | Hold Your Breath: The Ice Dive | Documentary | 6.4 | |
| The Circle | Season 4 | Reality | 7.3 | |
| Clark | Season 1 | Thriller, Comedy | 7.5 | |
| Welcome to Eden | Season 1 | Drama | 5.3 | |
| Outlander | Season 5 | Drama, Sci-Fi | 8.5 | |
| The Lincoln Lawyer | Season 1 | Legal Drama | 7.7 | |
| Cyber Hell: Exposing an Internet Horror | Documentary | 7.4 | ||
| Wrong Side of the Tracks | Season 2 | Drama | 6.6 | |
| Stranger Things | Season 4 (Premieres May 27) | Fiction, Supernatural | 8.7 |
Must-Watch Netflix Originals of 2022
It’s no secret that Netflix is home to some of the best original web series, offering something for everyone, from lighthearted sitcoms to easygoing legal dramas to intense thrillers. This year, Netflix has brought a plethora of new series and renewed its existing series for more seasons. Of all the latest releases, here are the must-watch Netflix Originals of 2022:
Stranger Things
One of Netflix’s top-running shows and possibly its best, Stranger Things, is returning for a fourth season later this May. There’s nothing new to say about this legendary show other than the fact that it has been nearly three years since the release of the last season, so you may want to binge the previous three seasons to familiarize yourself with the plot and the characters.
Ozark
This crime thriller is another viewer’s favorite that upped the expectations with every season and has recently come to an end, with its fourth season available for streaming now. Marty (Jason Bateman) and Wendy (Laura Linney) are the core highlights of Ozark, but it’s Ruth (Julia Garner) who steals the spotlight in the third season.
The final season is absolutely a must-watch for those following the story of Ozark to learn the Byrde family’s fate as their money laundering schemes expand. For anyone just starting the series, it should be a thrilling ride to unfold the story of Marty slowly going from being a family man to a mastermind of a criminal cartel.
Heartstopper
Heartstopper is a high-school romantic show but not of the typical kind. Inspired by Alice Oseman’s graphic novel of the same name, the series follows the story of Charlie Spring (Joe Locke), an ever-anxious teenager pursuing his crush Nick Nelson (Kit Connor), a popular player on his school’s rugby team.
Like the graphic novel, the following series uses quirky animations to show the emotional backdrop of the situations. It makes for a light-hearted and visually appealing to those coming of age, further adding to the actors’ brilliant portrayal of the characters.
With a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an 8.9 IMDb rating, the first season of Heartstopper is a must-watch.
Bridgerton
Based on Julia Quinn’s collection of novels, Bridgerton is one of the most-watched Netflix series of 2022 so far. Set in Britain in the 18th century, Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) of the noble Bridgerton family, along with her other siblings, is on a quest to find a partner for herself. However, unexpectedly, her plans are derailed by her brother Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) and the mysterious Lady Whistledown.
The recent season unveils more of this mysterious lady and shows Anthony webbed in a complex relationship while maintaining his family duties. First-timers are bound to be in awe of the lively and tense chemistry between the main characters, as well as the soundtrack.
Recently, news has broken that Netflix is working on a prequel to Bridgerton focusing on the youth years of Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel).
After Life
After Life is British comedy-drama series that follows the story of Tony Johnson, played by the famous comedian and Golden Globe winner Ricky Gervais, who pushes everyone around him away to cope with his wife’s tragic passing. He considers his insolence as a superpower – not caring about himself or anyone else – though it ends up being trickier when his friends and family try to save him.
The first two seasons of this show deal with this rather sensitive subject with black comedy and have a fair share of good comical moments. The third and final season, which is streaming since January 2022, gives the viewers a closure to Tony’s depression and sorrow.
The Last Kingdom
Netflix’s The Last Kingdom is comparable to that of HBO’s Game of Thrones, minus the fantasy elements of GoT. It’s based on Bernard Cornwell’s famous novel series, The Saxon Stories.
The show tells the story of Uhtred Ragnarsson (Alexander Dreymon), captured by the Danes as a child, along with a young Saxon girl called Brida (Emily Cox), as a slave. He is later adopted by Earl Ragnar, the leader of Danes, and raised as a Viking, which creates a bigger conflict later in his life. As his loyalty is put on trial, Uhtred takes an oath to avenge the murder of his family.
The show is a retelling of true historical events that happened many centuries ago in Britain. With the overwhelming success of the fifth and final season released in March 2022, Netflix has also begun working on a feature film.
Russian Doll
The first season of Russian Doll introduces Nadia Vulvokov (Natasha Lyonne), a game developer who keeps dying in a seemingly inescapable time loop, forcing her to relive her birthday party one night in New York City. As she desperately tries to figure out a way to get out of the loop, she meets a man who also happens to be stuck in the same loop.
The showrunners just didn’t stop here. Season 2 of the show, which landed back in April, further explores the story of Nadia, this time back in time to 1982 and trapped inside the body of her mother.
Natasha Lyonne’s brilliant acting will most definitely keep you glued to your couch and likely even wishing for a third season. As of now, the show is yet to be officially renewed for another season.
Wrapping Up
Over the years, the vast catalog of shows has become Netflix’s strongest suit, and it continues to expand as we speak. Our selection for must-watch Netflix shows of 2022 should provide you with sufficient content to breeze through a month or two. Plus, there’s much more heading to Netflix in the upcoming weeks!
Perhaps this isn’t the greatest time to cancel your Netflix subscription over the crackdown on password sharing, as you will miss out on plenty of good shows. That said, we highly recommend sharing your account details with someone only when necessary. Also, refrain from re-using your Netflix password for other services to avoid privacy theft.
