2016 was a transformative year for Netflix. While some debuts were uneven, the streamer's impressive lineup set a high bar that few rivals could match.
Standouts included 3%, Black Mirror (Season 3), The Last Kingdom, Travelers, and White Rabbit Project. Each showcased Netflix's knack for bold, genre-bending storytelling—like Black Mirror's standalone episodes exploring technology's dark side.
Netflix shows no signs of slowing, prioritizing premium originals over quantity. Fans of hits like Bloodline, Master of None, Orange Is the New Black, and Stranger Things have plenty to anticipate in 2017.
Release date: January 6, 2017
This fresh take on the 1970s sitcom follows a Cuban-American family: a veteran single mom, her outspoken feminist daughter, and awkward teenage son. Rita Moreno stars as the grandmother, bringing EGOT prestige to the heartfelt comedy.
Release date: January 13, 2017
Adapted from Lemony Snicket's novels, this eight-episode dark mystery stars Neil Patrick Harris as scheming Count Olaf, targeting the Baudelaire orphans' fortune. Critics praise its witty tone and thoughtful dive into loss, grief, and resilience.
Release date: January 20, 2017
Netflix's historical dramas—like Marco Polo, The Last Kingdom, and The Crown—keep thriving. Frontier dives into 18th-century North American fur trade, delivering action-packed intrigue. (Note: Premiered on Discovery Canada in 2016; Netflix handles global rights outside Canada.)
Release date: February 3, 2017
Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant star in this zombie comedy as a couple navigating her undead cravings—everyone's fair game except him. Expect sharp humor with familiar faces like Nathan Fillion.
Release date: March 17, 2017
The fourth Marvel Netflix series after Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and Luke Cage. Danny Rand channels the Iron Fist's power in epic martial arts battles. Essential for MCU fans.
Release date: April 2017
Sophia Amoruso's memoir inspires this comedy about bootstrapping a vintage eBay shop into a multimillion-dollar empire by 28. Penned by a 30 Rock alum, it's set to sparkle with wit.
Release date: Sometime in 2017
A groundbreaking crime drama set in 1979, tracking FBI agents interviewing serial killers to crack cases. David Fincher executive produces this fresh take on behavioral science.
Release date: Sometime in 2017
Building on Netflix's science lineup (like MythBusters), Bill Nye hosts a talk show blending science, politics, pop culture, and society with celebrity guests and myth-busting.
Release date: Sometime in 2017
Marvel's Netflix heroes unite in this miniseries by the Daredevil team. A potential TV milestone tying together the Defenders' arcs.
Release date: Sometime in 2017
Jon Bernthal's vigilante from Daredevil gets his solo shot, penned by Hannibal's Steve Lightfoot. Intense MCU action awaits.
Release date: Sometime in 2017
Selena Gomez executive produces and stars with Dylan Minnette in this YA adaptation. A teen's suicide tapes reveal classmates' roles in her tragedy.
Release date: Sometime in 2017
Naomi Watts plays therapist Jean Holloway, blurring lines with her patients' loved ones. Directed by Fifty Shades of Grey's Sam Taylor-Johnson.
Release date: Sometime in 2017
A dramatic retelling of Anne of Green Gables by Breaking Bad alum Moira Walley-Beckett. Emmy-winning writing promises emotional depth.
Release date: Sometime in 2017
Sequel to First Day of Camp, set in 1991 across camp and NYC. Returning cast plus new faces for nostalgic laughs.
Release date: End of 2017
Jason Bateman stars as a financial planner relocating to the Ozarks to settle a cartel debt. Breaking Bad-esque tension ahead.
I'm thrilled for A Series of Unfortunate Events, Frontier, Santa Clarita Diet, and Ozark—dark drama with clever twists is my jam. Yet every entry brims with promise, especially 13 Reasons Why.
Netflix's bold originals justify any price hike. Stay ad-free and innovative? Count me in as a loyal subscriber.
Need binge ideas now? Try these post-Stranger Things picks.
Which 2017 Netflix originals excite you? Favorite 2016 shows? Happy with Netflix's trajectory? Share in the comments!
