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It's wild to think that another year is already coming to an end. The months have raced by in a dizzying blur, and we've been doing our best at trying to keep up with every new release on Netflix. In 2025, the streaming giant has dropped tons of new shows. We've also seen the return of many fan favorite series.
With the year winding down, there’s still time to catch the best of the best. Whether you’re looking for a thrilling escape, a heartfelt drama, or a mind-bending mystery, the four Netflix shows we shared below are absolute must-watches before the year wraps up!
Squid Game
- Creator: Hwang Dong-hyuk
- Cast: Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Wi Ha-joon, Park Hae-soo, Jung Ho-yeon, Lee Jin-wook
- Seasons: 3
This year saw the end of one of Netflix's most popular shows, Squid Game. That said, it's only right that we include this Korean series on our list. If you haven’t watched Squid Game yet, honestly, you’re missing out on one of the wildest rides Netflix has ever served.
First off, the suspense is insane. Every deadly game keeps you on the edge of your seat, heart pounding like you’re in it too. Then there’s the story itself. It’s not just about survival. It’s about money, desperation, and how far people will go when they have nothing left to lose.
So, what is Squid Game actually about? Imagine being invited to play a series of childhood games. But here's the thing. If you lose, it’s game over. And we're not talking about losing a point or getting a timeout. Losing means your life is on the line. From tug-of-war to marbles, each game looks simple on the surface, but the stakes are life or death. The survival thriller series centers mainly on Gi-hun, a down-on-his-luck man drowning in debt, who reluctantly joins the deadly competition.
Bridgerton
- Creator: Chris Van Dusen
- Cast: Jonathan Bailey, Nicola Coughlan, Ruth Gemmell, Claudia Jessie, Simone Ashley, Luke Newton, Golda Rosheuvel, Luke Thompson, Yerin Ha
- Seasons: 3 and a fourth season on the way
When you think of the best period dramas ever, which ones come to mind? Hopefully, Bridgerton is one of them. It's a series about love in all its messy, thrilling, heartbreaking, and exhilarating forms. Based on Julia Quinn’s beloved novels, the show immerses viewers in a world of glittering ballrooms, scandalous secrets, and forbidden romances. Each season follows a specific member of the Bridgerton family as they navigate society’s rigid expectations while searching for a genuine romantic connection.
The first season tells the love story of Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Basset, the brooding Duke of Hastings. The second season then turns its focus to Anthony Bridgerton, the eldest sibling and head of the family, as he becomes entangled in a slow-burning, enemies-to-lovers romance with the sharp-witted and fiercely independent Kate Sharma. The most recent season, season 3, shifts the spotlight to Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington, longtime friends whose bond gradually blossoms into a deeply emotional and heartfelt romance.
Up next is Bridgerton season 4, which is set for a release on Netflix early next year. The upcoming installment will follow Benedict Bridgerton, the free-spirited and artistic second eldest brother, as he steps into the spotlight for his own romantic journey with Sophie Baek.
Untamed
- Creators: Mark L. Smith and Elle Smith
- Cast: Eric Bana, Sam Neill, Rosemarie DeWitt, Lily Santiago, Wilson Bethel
- Seasons: 1 and a second season on the way
Eric Bana in a crime drama should be enough to catch your interest in this show. Untamed is one of Netflix's newest series, having been released this year. Bana stars in the leading role as Special Agent Kyle Turner, a seasoned investigator with the National Park Service’s Investigative Services Branch who is tasked with solving a mysterious death in the heart of Yosemite National Park. Partnering with rookie park ranger Naya Vasquez, he begins to peel back the layers of a case that is far more complex and dangerous than it initially appears.
Besides the intriguing plot and amazing cast, you should watch Untamed because it'll be back for a second season. You don't have to worry about investing your time in a show that ends abruptly. There’s more story to come! Netflix announced this shortly after Untamed came out.
The Beast in Me
- Creator: Gabe Rotter
- Cast: Claire Danes, Matthew Rhys, Brittany Snow, Natalie Morales
- Seasons: 1
Netflix might have plenty of shows that go on for season after season, but then it also has its limited series that are just as great. One such show is The Beast in Me. In eight episodes, the psychological thriller tells a tightly woven story that explores obsession, grief, and hidden dangers lurking beneath seemingly ordinary lives.
The series revolves around Aggie Wiggs, an acclaimed author whose life is shattered by the devastating loss of her young son. Her peaceful routine is thrown into turmoil when Nile Jarvis, a charismatic and enigmatic neighbor with a shadowy past, moves in next door. Both fascinated and unsettled by him, Aggie becomes consumed with discovering the truth about Nile.