Nostalgia-Baiting
Something about the rapid release of Netflix Original films and TV series these past few years has me looking back at where it all started for the streaming service. From documentaries to dramas, animated and live-action, I’m drawn to the shows that came before the Netflix we know today. It’s time to go back to Netflix’s roots and see what they created at the origins of the “Netflix Originals,” from the years 2013-2018.
What Happened, Miss Simone?
For the music lovers out there, this 2015 documentary shows the life of Nina Simone, singer and activist, featuring un-released recordings and archival footage. With her daughter Lisa Simone Kelly acting as producer, this film might be the most accurate depiction of Simone that we have today.
Netflix, What Happened, Miss Simone?
Chef’s Table
This docu-series first aired in 2015, and has six delicious seasons (and a couple of spinoff themed seasons) to sink your teeth and your mind into. Each episode focuses on a different chef, who strives to be revolutionary in their culinary niche. This series is sure to inspire viewers to push their own boundaries of food!
Boardwalk Pictures, Chef's Table (2015-2024)
My Beautiful Broken Brain
After a hemorrhagic stroke at 34, Lotje Sodderland documents her recovery from the incident as she tries to build a new life in vastly different mental circumstances. This 2014 documentary shows each of her triumphs and setbacks as she relearns to speak, read, and write.
Netflix, My Beautiful Broken Brain (2014)
Cooked
Acclaimed food writer Michael Pollan sets off on a journey of baking, brewing, and braising in this 2016 documentary mini-series. He explores the rich history and varied aspects that go into cooking and the way that food links humans not only internationally, but into history.
Ali Wong: Baby Cobra
In this comedy special, Ali Wong discusses her relationship misadventures, pregnancy, hoarding tendencies, and the flaws of feminism. Go back to 2016 to witness the start of this comedian’s career and experience the hilarity that came with an Ali Wong live show.
Comedy Dynamics, Ali Wong: Baby Cobra (2016)
Into The Inferno
This 2016 documentary explores active volcanoes in Vanuatu, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Iceland, and North Korea. Led by volcanologist Clive Oppenheimer, this film seeks to uncover the origins of our planet and the human species.
Spring Films, Into the Inferno (2016)
City Of Joy
This 2016 documentary describes the experiences of women who graduated in the first class of students at the leadership center in Eastern Congo. These women work together against gendered brutality after a colonially-driven 20-year conflict, seeking ways to process and manage the horrible experiences they’ve lived with, while still growing into role-models for other women and girls.
Impact Partners, City of Joy (2016)
Joshua: Teenager VS Superpower
Teenager Joshua Wong becomes a beacon of hope in Hong Kong after the Chinese Communist Party goes back on its word to grant autonomy to the city. The 2017 documentary displays thousands of kids rallying around Wong in an effort to reclaim sovereignty from their government.
June Pictures, Joshua: Teenager vs. Superpower (2017)
Ugly Delicious
A culinary docu-series hosted by David Chang, and featuring many other celebrity guests and chefs. He explores various cuisines with a focus on the cultural, historical, and sociological impact food has. The first season was released in 2018.
Tremolo Productions, Ugly Delicious (2018-2020)
Salt Fat Acid Heat
In this four-part culinary mini-series from 2018, Samin Nosrat explores the ways salt, fat, acid, and heat affect how flavors interact through the lens of how they each relate to regional and traditional cooking. The one-season documentary left me hungry and with a new knowledge of how to cook.
Jigsaw Productions, Salt Fat Acid Heat (2018)
Barry
Devon Terrell stars as Former American President Barack Obama in this 2016 drama film about Obama’s schooling and life at Columbia University in the 80s. Learn about the highs and lows, trials and tribulations of Obama’s life before his presidency.
Imperial Dreams
A 2014 American drama about a young reformed gangster named Bambi, and his loyalty to family. The film stars John Boyega, and follows the stress and pain that come from incarceration and returning home after release.
Super Crispy Entertainment, Imperial Dreams (2014)
Beasts Of No Nation
This 2015 drama is based on a true story, following a young boy as he becomes a child fighter during a conflict in Sierra Leone. This film has heavy themes and follows the pain inflicted on children by national conflict and is based on a book with the same title.
Red Crown Productions, Beasts of No Nation (2015)
The Ridiculous 6
This comedy film from 2015 follows a man named Tommy (Adam Sandler) who was raised by a Native American tribe. When he discovers he has five half brothers, the newly-discovered siblings set off to discover who their biological father is, encountering many threats and participating in many shenanigans along the way.
Eaves Movie Ranch, The Ridiculous 6 (2015)
Tallulah
Tallulah (2016) follows a young woman named Tallulah (Elliot Page) who removes a baby from her irresponsible mother’s care and passes them off as her own. Tallulah has to find a way to provide this child she now cares for while evading her mother.
Blue Ocean Entertainment, Tallulah (2016)
Rebirth
A horror film released in 2016 about a suburban father named Kyle, who goes on a weekend-long retreat program called Rebirth. After creating an environment of isolation, Kyle undergoes a psychodramatic journey of seduction and brutality.
The Babysitter
A 12-year-old boy who, after spying on his babysitter and her group of interesting friends, discovers they run a satanic cult and intend to sacrifice him as part of a demonic ritual. This 2017 comedy slasher film features Judah Lewis and Samara Weaving.
Netflix, The Babysitter (2017)
To The Bone
Lily Collins and Keanu Reeves star in this film detailing a young woman’s harrowing battle with anorexia. When she meets an unconventional doctor, he forces her to face her disorder head on and choose to live beyond it. Released in 2017, the film competed at the Sundance Film Festival that year.
Sparkhouse Media, To the Bone (2017)
Hemlock Grove
A 2013 horror television series based on the titular novel by Brian McGreevy, the plot follows the strange events occurring in Hemlock Grove. Roman Godfrey (Bill Skarsgård) befriends Peter Rumancek (Landon Liboiron) as a series of suspicious activities sweep the town, and the two come together to uncover the perpetrator while keeping their own secrets hidden.
Gaumont International Television, Hemlock Grove (2013-2015)
Marco Polo
Based on the famous Venetian explorer, Marco Polo (2014) details the explorer’s time in the court of Mongolia’s Kublai Khan. Played by Lorenzo Richelmy, Marco Polo encounters betrayals, intrigues, and violent rivalries in the Khan’s (Benedict Wong) care.
The Weinstein Company, Marco Polo (2014-2016)
Orange Is The New Black
Based on Piper Kerman’s memoir of the same title, the 2013 comedy-drama follows Piper Chapman (Taylor Schilling) when her life is disrupted after she is sentenced to 15 months in prison for transporting money across the border with her girlfriend a decade earlier. The series ended in 2019, and garnered a lot of critical acclaim and won awards during its runtime.
Lionsgate, Orange Is the New Black (2913-2019)
Daredevil
Netflix’s first foray into the Marvel universe was in 2015, in which Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), a blind lawyer, moonlights as a masked vigilante named Daredevil. He has to manage being the nighttime anti-hero while keeping his practice open with friend Franklin Nelson (Elden Henson). This series also stars Vincent D’Onofrio as the primary antagonist, Wilson Fisk AKA Kingpin.
ABC Signature, Daredevil (2015-2018)
Lilyhammer
A former New York gangster, Frank “The Fixer” Tagliano (Steve Van Zandt), tries to start a new life in the small town of Lillehammer, Norway, after an attempt is made on his life and he loses his dog, Lily. The series follows his attempts to integrate into his new home while leaning on the experience and knowledge accumulated during his time as a mob-underboss.
Rubicon TV AS, Lilyhammer (2012-2014)
Sense8
When a group of eight people are suddenly linked around the world, they have to work together to evade a suspicious organization who hunts them to preserve the world order. In a story about human connection and the ways it can change the world, the Watchowski sisters bring a beautiful and terrifying action-drama story to life in Sense8 (2015).
Anarchos Productions, Sense8 (2015-2018)
The OA
Debuting on Netflix in 2016, The OA is about Prairie Johnson (Brit Marling), who returns to her home after being missing for seven years with scars on her back and calling herself the OA, the “original angel”. She assembles a team of four high school students and a teacher to tell them her story.
Black Mirror
A British TV series anthology that takes a deep dive into humanity and the varying futures that stem from present-day decisions and inventions, the state of society steeped in late-stage capitalism, and isolationist values. Netflix commissioned 12 episodes of the series, which aired on the streaming service in 2016.
Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency
When Todd Brotzman (Elijah Wood) meets Dirk Gently (Samuel Barnett), the two befriend Farah Black (Jade Eshete) and begin investigating seemingly random cases in the area. But there are secret CIA agents tracking Dirk, along with a fellow holistic practitioner who intends to rend him. This 2016 series is a comical science fiction series inspired by the novel series of the same name by Douglas Adams, who wrote The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy.
AMC Studios, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency (2016-2017)
Santa Clarita Diet
The life of married couple Sheila (Drew Barrymore) and Joel Hammond (Timothy Olyphant) is upended as Sheila undergoes a metamorphosis into a creature that consumes human flesh and is controlled by her Id. The 2017 series follows their endeavors to maintain a semblance of normalcy while dealing with the supernatural aspects of Sheila’s new existence.
Flower Films, Santa Clarita Diet (2017-2019)
Anne With An E
A 2017 adaptation of the classic children’s book Anne Of Green Gables, this series follows orphan Anne as she attempts to find her place in Avonlea. Amidst themes of orphaning, child abandonment, emotional distress, and issues like gender inequality, religion, and prejudice, Anne With An E details the life of a young girl as she grows up.
Northwood Entertainment, Anne with an E (2017-2019)
GLOW
Glow was released in 2017, following struggling actress Ruth Wilder (Alison Brie) as she joins a fledgling professional wrestling program called Gorgeous Ladies Of Wrestling (GLOW). Upon discovering her former friend and fellow actress Debbie Eagan (Betty Gilpin), Ruth and the others involved in the project deal with interpersonal relationships, racism, and prejudice as they struggle to make GLOW a popular series in 1980s Southern California.
Tilted Productions, GLOW (2017-2019)
Dear White People
Despite being made in 2014, Dear White People deals with a lot of issues that have become increasingly relevant a decade later. It follows Samantha “Sam” White (Tessa Thompson) as she navigates being a Black student at a predominantly White Ivy-League university, and the various prejudiced attacks she and her peers face.
SisterLee Productions, Dear White People (2017-2021)
Money Heist
Known in Spanish as La casa de papel, this series took the world by storm in 2017. It all starts with Tokyo, who is saved from capture by The Professor, who is planning a major heist at the Royal Mint of Spain. In a braided narrative, each episode shows the heist and the events leading up to it. The series stands as a reminder of how it only takes a few people to create change in the world.
Atresmedia, Money Heist (2017-2021)
The End Of The F****** World
This dark comedy coming-of-age teen romance series strays from the typical tropes by following a young man who believes he’s secretly a danger to others and the young girl he’s planning to test this theory on. The two teens steal a car and run away together, enduring off-putting situations and forming a unique bond. The End Of The F****** World was released in 2017 and ran for two seasons.
Clerkenwell Films, The End of the F-ing World (2017-2019)Everything Sucks!
Set in the real-life town of Boring, Oregon, Everything Sucks! (2018) centers around the students of the A/V and Drama club as they team up to make a movie. While they film, the students grapple with sexuality, mental health, and coming of age. The series stars Sydney Sweeney and Peyton Kennedy.
Midnight Radio, Everything Sucks! (2018)
Bojack Horseman
Bojack Horseman (2014) is an adult animation starring Will Arnett, Aaron Paul, and Alison Brie. It centers around Bojack Horseman, who is a washed up actor after finding fame in the 80s, as he tries to find his next big role and write his memoir. Through the series, he grapples with feelings of self-worth, depression, and figuring out who you are at different stages of your life.
Netflix, BoJack Horseman (2014-2020)
Castlevania
This series premiered in 2017, based on the video game series by Konami. After losing his wife in a witch hunt, the vampire Vlad Dracula Țepeș (Graham McTavish) makes the townsfolk sacrifice themselves in return. After summoning a demon army, he reshapes the land. In response, Trevor Belmont (Richard Armitage), the last of a family of monster hunters, takes on Dracula’s forces with the help of his friends.
Netflix, Castlevania (2017-2021)
Big Mouth
In another twist on the coming-of-age story, Big Mouth begins with many of the main characters encountering puberty for the first time. In a stacked cast featuring Nick Kroll, John Mulaney, Jessi Klein, and Maya Rudolph, growing up is the tip of the iceberg of topics that this series covers.
Danger Goldberg Productions, Big Mouth (2017-2025)
Devilman Crybaby
Devilman Crybaby premiered on Netflix in 2018 from Japanese director Masaaki Yuasa, the series follows Akira Fudo and his friend Ryo as demons are discovered and attempt to eradicate humanity. As Akira and Ryo fight, Akira merges with a demon and becomes the legendary Devilman. Devilman Crybaby addresses themes of bigotry and “the other,” alongside themes of queerness, puberty, and love.
Netflix, Devilman: Crybaby (2018)
Disenchantment
Created by Matt Groening for Netflix, Disenchantment is about Princess Bean (Abbi Jacobson), of a fantastical, medieval European kingdom called Dreamland. She and her two companions, Luci the demon (Eric Andre) and Elfo the elf (Nat Faxon), get into trouble as they rebel against Bean’s father and step-mother and uncover magical conspiracies.
Netflix, Disenchantment (2018-2023)
The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
In 2015 sitcom The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, four women are rescued from a doomsday cult and returned to their lives after 15 years of captivity. Kimmy (Ellie Kemper) moves to New York and begins to forge a strange new life in the aftermath of her rescue. The was a hit when it first aired—but there’s one punchline that still angers fans.
There have been several critiques around how the show handles the issue of race, but the character Jacqueline White, a Native American woman who aspires to be a White woman, continues to rub fans the wrong way. Jacqueline's backstory is undoubtedly bizarre, yet she does have some pretty brilliant scenes in later seasons which deal with her heritage in a smart and relatable way. So, while there may be some hiccups in The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, the show is still bound to lead to some laughs and is well worth a watch.
