The outgoing year 2020 has brought a lot of problems to the film industry. But even in the crisis, several series have emerged that, in my opinion, are worth watching. I have compiled a list for you of the 10 best Netflix series released this year and received high ratings among viewers.
10. Cursed
IMDB – 5.8/10
Let's start with the bottom of the rating, where the series "Cursed" ended up. The first season was released on July 17, 2020. The main role was played by Katherine Langford, well known for the series "13 Reasons Why".
The plot revolves around a girl named Nimue, who sets out in search of the wizard Merlin along with the mercenary Arthur.
The creators of the show position it as a new version of the King Arthur story. The IMDB rating of 5.8 out of 10 says a lot - although the series aimed to take the place of "Game of Thrones", it did not succeed. But it will appeal to those who have read the book of the same name or want to see a new perspective on familiar mythology. I also think it will be interesting to anyone who misses Hannah Baker or Floki, if you know who I mean.
9. Ratched
IMDB – 7.3/10
The next place in the ranking is taken by the series "Ratched", which was released on September 18. This multi-series drama is based on Ken Kesey's novel "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest". This psychological thriller with elements of horror will be a find for fans of these genres. Moreover, many will be familiar with the main actress of the series - Sarah Paulson, who became a star thanks to the cult series "American Horror Story". She is joined in this series not only by this actress, but also by director Ryan Murphy. The result is an exemplary psychological thriller. I recommend it to all fans of the genre.
8. The Haunting of Bly Manor
IMDB – 7.4/10
One of the exceptions in my list is the series "The Haunting of Bly Manor", as it is actually the second season of the series "The Haunting of Hill House", released in 2018. If you have seen the first part, then without a doubt, add it to your watchlist. The main role is played by the charming Victoria Pedretti.
The plot revolves around an American woman, Dani Clayton, who came to work as a nanny to two charming children in the Bly estate, built in England. A series of mysterious deaths haunt those living in the manor. The newly appointed nanny will have to unravel the secret of the house, and only in the end will it become clear what is really happening there.
7. Dash & Lily
IMDB – 7.5/10
The next series is perfect for the upcoming Christmas holidays. The romantic comedy "Dash & Lily" premiered on Netflix on November 10.
Imagine finding a book with pages that are riddles. Each page leads to a new clue from a New York girl named Lily. This intricate love story will lift your spirits and make you wait for the next episode.
I'm sure this project will make it to the top of the best of 2020.
6. I Am Not Okay with This
IMDB – 7.6/10
The series "I Am Not Okay with This" was released on February 26, 2020, and immediately became a hit.
The story revolves around a girl named Sydney, who talks about typical teenage problems until she discovers she has superpowers. The atmosphere is very similar to the series "Stranger Things", and the mix of comedy, fantasy, and drama genres will keep you entertained. I recommend it!
5. Teenage Bounty Hunters
IMDB – 7.7/10
Another excellent comedy released on August 14 is "Teenage Bounty Hunters".
Sisters Sterling and Blair get a job at a company that hunts down fugitives. Everything would be fine, but they uncover a terrible truth about their parents.
The plot is captivating, and from the second episode, you start to empathize with the sisters and eagerly await what will happen in the next episode. It's a great light series for a couple of evenings, as evidenced by the high ratings on IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes.
4. Unorthodox
IMDB – 8.0/10
An unusual and sensational series called "Unorthodox" was released on March 26.
The plot is based on the memoirs of Deborah Feldman. The story revolves around a 19-year-old girl named Esty, who lives in an Orthodox community in the Williamsburg neighborhood of New York City. She, being pregnant, escapes her husband and goes to Berlin to her mother. In turn, her husband goes to Germany to bring her back and thereby remove a dangerous precedent from the community. But Esty discovers a whole new world hidden behind the walls.
The show immerses you in the life of Hasidic Jews in an extremely realistic way and may even shock some viewers. The script, based on real events, captivates, and the series has already entered almost all the top film ratings.
3. Alice in Borderland
IMDB – 8.2/10
The fantasy series "Alice in Borderland" was released on December 10 and was shot in Japan based on the manga comic of the same name.
The plot revolves around three friends, Arisu, Chota, and Karube, who live in Tokyo and are avid gamers. When they go to a meeting in one of the youth districts of the city, Shibuya, they find themselves in a parallel version of the city frozen in time and seemingly deserted at first. After wandering around the desolate metropolis for a while, they learn that they are trapped inside a game arena, where they must risk their lives to play dangerous puzzles, with the price of making a mistake being death. Winning grants them the right to stay in this world for a few more days, and those who do not renew their "visa" will be killed.
The plot is very dynamic, and the lack of unnecessary burden on the viewer will appeal to many, as evidenced by the high ratings of the show.
2. The Midnight Gospel
IMDB – 8.3/10
The second place in our ranking is taken by the animated series "The Midnight Gospel", which was released on April 20. This fantastic comedy has already made it to the Top 250 on Kinopoisk and IMDB.
The story takes us to spacetime traveler Clancy, who hosts his podcasts in other worlds. The interesting plot promises the presence of a broken "multiverse simulator" for the main character. Clancy takes pre-death interviews from beings whose worlds are collapsing.
The script is quite psychedelic, as is the artwork. But the highlight is not in the visuals, but in the content of the podcasts. The rating speaks for the show - 8.3 out of 10.
1. The Queen's Gambit
IMDB – 8.7/10
The cherry on top and the first place in the ranking for 2020 is reserved for "The Queen's Gambit". The plot is based on Walter Tevis' novel of the same name. The main role is played by the charming Anya Taylor-Joy, who is also a big fan of the book.
The story revolves around an orphan named Elizabeth Harmon, who ends up in a Catholic orphanage after her mother's death. To make the children more obedient, they are given mysterious green pills. But the older girl advises Beth to save the pills until night. In the orphanage, the girl also meets an elderly janitor named Shaibel, whom she asks to teach her to play chess.
The game captivates her so much that during the day, Beth constantly escapes from lessons under the guise of cleaning, but instead plays chess with Mr. Shaibel in the basement. At night, she ponders over games under the influence of those same pills she saved at lunch. Several years later, Beth is adopted, and her determination and talent propel her to the top of the chess world.
The plot is very captivating, and the fact that the project was consulted by the former world champion Garry Kasparov leaves no chance for it to fail. Believe me, even if you have never played chess, this series will not leave you indifferent, and don't even start watching it if you don't have 7 hours of free time - you won't be able to tear yourself away!
That's the harvest that 2020 brought us. If you liked this selection, don't forget to bookmark us and share the link to the article. Also, in the comments, I am waiting for your ratings of the series that appeared in 2020 and are also worthy of being on this list.
