It's no secret that Netflix [1] has more incredible TV series [2] available to stream than we can handle. But what has remained a secret for far too long is how many excellent foreign TV shows you can find on the streaming service. From mystery [3] to sci-fi to comedy to period pieces, Netflix offers international TV series in dozens of languages and set all over the world, and if you have yet to watch any of them, then you're seriously missing out. Here are just some of the best foreign [4] shows on Netflix, and yes, they're all totally worth reading the subtitles.
— Additional reporting by Lauren Harano
Who Killed Sara?
This 10-episode Spanish-language series hails from Mexico and centres on Alex Guzman, who has spent the last 18 years in prison after being framed for the murder of his sister Sara. Now out of prison, Alex is seeking revenge on the Lazcano family, who he believes are the true murderers and who tricked him into taking the fall. Read our full review of the show here [6].
Watch Who Killed Sara? on Netflix now. [7]
Crash Landing on You
This South Korean rom-com revolves around the secret romance that develops between a South Korean heiress of a conglomerate and a high-ranking North Korean officer after a paragliding accident causes the heiress to make an emergency landing in North Korea.
Watch Crash Landing on You on Netflix now. [8]
Justice
This legal drama tells the story of Farah, a woman who returns home to Abu Dhabi to become a defence attorney, much to the disappointment of her family, who expected Farah to join her father at his law firm.
Watch Justice on Netflix now. [9]
Black Spot
This French-Belgian thriller follows the head of the county police, Laurène Weiss (whose town's murder rate is six times the national average), and how she brings justice to her city.
Watch Black Spot on Netflix now [10].
Lupin
Created by the British showrunner George Kay, Lupin is the first French series to crack the top 10 on Netflix in the American market (a projected total of 70 million households will watch at least part of the series in its first 28 days, which is 7 million more than Bridgerton [11] if you can believe). A little bit like Ocean's Eleven meets Sherlock Holmes meets National Treasure, the show follows Assane Diop — a devout fan of the French thief Arsène Lupin — in his attempts to steal Marie Antoinette's necklace to avenge his father for an injustice that changed his life. Funny, thrilling, and full of action, we only have one grip — we wish there were double the episodes!
Watch Lupin on Netflix now [12].
The Valhalla Murders
Netflix's first Icelandic original series tells the story of an Oslo detective with a dark past, who must return to his native Iceland to help an ambitious detective investigate a series of murders. The longer these two investigate the case, the more likely it seems that these crimes were committed by the same person.
Watch The Valhalla Murders on Netflix now [13].
Deadwind
In this Finnish crime drama, a recently widowed detective discovers the body of a young woman on a construction site, which triggers a series of events that threaten to upheave the life she is still struggling to put back together.
Watch Deadwind on Netflix now. [14]
Queen Sono
Netflix's first African original series stars Quantico's Pearl Thusi as the titular Queen Sono, a kickass South African field operative still reeling from the mysterious death of her mother, who was an anti-apartheid revolutionary leader and freedom fighter. Queen proves that you can take on terrorism and look incredible while doing it (even while battling your own inner demons).
Watch Queen Sono on Netflix now [15].
The Forest
A French detective gets caught up in her own investigation when her daughter goes missing. The Forest is new to Netflix this July, so you'll want to get watching ASAP to avoid potential internet spoilers!
Watch The Forest on Netflix now. [16]
Criminal
When you're done watching the two UK series of Criminal, make sure to check out the French, German, and Spanish versions. Just like the British series, most of the action centres around the police interrogation room, making each episode 45 minutes full of intensity — and a touch of claustrophobia.
Watch Criminal on Netflix now [17].
Suburra: Blood on Rome
Inspired by a real-life political scandal, this Italian crime drama (which serves as a prequel to the 2015 film Suburra and the novel of the same name, by Giancarlo De Cataldo and Carlo Bonini) follows a battle between organised crime, corrupt politicians, and the Vatican over Rome's underground crime scene. It seems too wild to be real, but you just have to see it to believe it.
Watch Suburra: Blood on Rome on Netflix now [18].
Good Morning Call
A high school girl gets her first apartment and realises she has to share it with the most popular guy in school. The roommates decide it's best they keep it a secret.
Watch Good Morning Call on Netflix now. [19]
Ragnarok
Inspired by Norse mythology, this Norwegian coming-of-age series takes place in the fictitious town of Edda. As the town struggles with industrial pollution and melting glaciers, it becomes clear that only a teenager gifted with the embodiment of Thor can save the people of Edda.
Watch Ragnarok on Netflix now [20].
Unit 42
This Belgian cybercrime series follows a widowed cop named Sam struggling to raise his three children alone who must team up with a former hacker named Billie to hunt down the new coders terrorizing Belgium — though what Sam doesn't know is that Billie has secret objectives of her own.
Watch Unit 42 on Netflix now [21].
Well-Intended Love
This Chinese drama revolves around a struggling actress who — after being diagnosed with leukemia — begins a relationship with a CEO in order to use him for a bone marrow transplant and get her career back on track. Despite their unconventional beginning, Xia Lin soon finds herself actually and unexpectedly falling in love.
Watch Well-Intended Love on Netflix now. [22]
Bordertown
This Finnish mystery series revolves around legendary detective Kari Sorjonen, who moves to his family to a town near the border of Russia after his wife miraculously survives a battle with brain cancer. Though he hopes to spend more time with his family there, he and his new partner Lena Jaakkola find themselves faced with some incredibly dark murder cases instead.
Watch Bordertown on Netflix [23].
The Naked Director
This series is based on Nobuhiro Motohashi's book of reportage about the real-life Toru Muranishi, an innovative and provocative director of Japanese adult videos who revolutionized the adult entertainment industry during the economic boom of 1980s Japan.
Watch The Naked Director on Netflix now. [24]
Romance Is a Bonus Book
This Korean drama follows a genius writer and the youngest editor in chief in history at a publishing company who finds himself falling for a disgraced copywriter, not knowing that she fibbed to get a job at his company.
Watch Romance Is a Bonus Book on Netflix now. [25]
Omniscient
This eerie Brazilian series is set in the near future, revolving around a society under constant Big Brother-like surveillance. Despite the Omniscient system's drones, a murder is somehow committed without the killer being monitored, and the deceased's daughter — a tech intern named Nina — decides to risk everything in order to figure out how the murderer got away.
Watch Omniscient on Netflix now [26].
Love Alarm
Based on the digital comic of the same name by Chon Kye-young, this South Korean drama series revolves around a mysterious developer who creates an app, which tells users if someone near them has romantic feelings for them — what could possibly go wrong?
Watch Love Alarm on Netflix now. [27]
Puerta 7
Created by Martin Zimmerman, who also created Ozark and Narcos, this Argentine thriller revolves around the attempts of a woman to expose and dissolve the organised crime that exists within a football club. You don't have to be a football fan to appreciate this gritty drama.
Watch Puerta 7 on Netflix now [28].
Money Heist
This Spanish heist show originally debuted in late 2017, telling the story of eight thieves who lock themselves in the Royal Mint of Spain — along with a group of hostages — as a criminal mastermind named the Professor attempts to get the police to cooperate with his master plan. Through it's not based on a true story [29], the series is set after Spain's 2008 financial crisis, and it acts as a sort of allegorical tale of rebellion against capitalism and the government.
Watch Money Heist on Netflix [30].
Selection Day
Based on the novel of the same name by Aravind Adiga, this Indian drama is centreed around a 14-year-old cricket prodigy who tries out for Mumbai's under-19 cricket team and finds himself face-to-face with his older brother's rival. This show offers an amazing look at life in Mumbai, as well as an introductory course into the world of cricket.
Watch Selection Day on Netflix [31].
Dark
This German time-travel series (which is also the first German original series produced for Netflix), revolves around the people of Winden, whose lives are throw for a loop when two children go missing in their small town. Four families conduct a search, and they gradually discover a time-travel conspiracy that spans over three generations. If this show doesn't give you major Stranger Things [32] vibes, then you're lying.
Watch Dark on Netflix [33].
Ingobernable
What happens when the First Lady of Mexico, a woman of honour and ideals, starts to lose faith in her president husband? That's exactly what happens in this Spanish-language crime drama, which follows Emilia Urquiza as she attempts to improve the conditions of her country and uncover some dark truths — even if that means going behind her husband's back to do it.
Watch Ingobernable on Netflix [34].
Girls From Ipanema
Set in 1959 Rio de Janeiro, this Brazilian drama series follows the story of wealthy and dutiful Malu, who moves from São Paulo to Rio to open a restaurant with her husband, but when she finds herself abandoned and penniless, she instead pursues her dream of founding a music club. The story is totally unique, and you're as likely to fall in love with Malu as you are with Rio.
Watch Girls From Ipanema on Netflix. [35]
Delhi Crime
Inspired by the notorious December 2012 investigation by the Delhi Police into the horrific gang rape of a young woman, this Indian drama follows a female investigator and the challenges she faces while attempting to bring the perpetrators to justice. This one definitely isn't easy to watch, but we promise it's worth it.
Watch Delhi Crime on Netflix [36].
The Break
In this French-language Belgian crime drama, a police detective named Yoann Peeters moves back to his hometown after suffering through a horrible loss, only to find himself drawn into a dark new case. While everyone believes the victim to have committed suicide, Peeters believes that only he can see the death for what it really is: murder.
Watch The Break on Netflix [37].
3%
Set in the distant future, this Brazilian dystopian series revolves around two communities: the impoverished Inland, and the three percent of the population who are lucky enough to live in a virtual paradise known as the Offshore. Michele Santana may be new to the Offshore and have no family of her own, but her strong sense of justice compels her to make the Inland a better place with its own selection process — even if that means resisting The Process, which can only spell trouble.
Watch 3% on Netflix [38].
The Rain
In this Danish post-apocalyptic series, two siblings, Simone and Rasmus, navigate the world alongside a ragtag team of survivors five years after a virus spread by rainfall wipes out almost all of Scandinavia. The show is perfect for fans of The Walking Dead [39], and the show has already been renewed for its third (but, unfortunately) final season [40].
Watch The Rain on Netflix [41].
Elite
In this Netflix crime drama, three working-class teens displaced by an earthquake are enrolled in the most exclusive school in Spain, and the clash between the classes erupts into a battle that eventually turns fatal. Think Gossip Girl [42] set in Spain (but perhaps even more dramatic, if that's possible). We already have two seasons of the series available, and we'll be getting a third season in 2020 [43].
Watch Elite on Netflix [44].
Little Things
This sweet series follows modern, cohabiting couple Kavya and Dhruv as they navigate work, life, and love in Mumbai, India, exploring their life together through their conversations. Though the series is in English, you'll get to learn plenty of Hindi slang, and you can also expect a third season [45] of this series to premiere very soon.
Watch Little Things on Netflix [46].
Osmosis
Set in near-future Paris, this French sci-fi series is basically an extended episode of Black Mirror, following the effects of a dating app — created by tech company Osmosis and run by brother-sister duo Paul and Esther — that matches people with their supposed soulmates based on an algorithm that uses brain data and personal memories. A second season has not yet been announced for this freaky series, but we're really hoping to see one.
Watch Osmosis on Netflix [47].
Call My Agent!
This French comedy series is basically Entourage set in Paris, following three agents — Mathias, Gabriel and Andréa — at a Paris talent firm, A.S.K., as they struggle to keep their high-maintenance clients happy and their own sanity intact. You'll see a whole new side of show business — and probably never want to be on the agenting side of show business yourself.
Watch Call My Agent! on Netflix [48].
Kingdom
Set in Korea's medieval Joseon period, this South Korean drama follows a crown prince who is forced out to investigate a mysterious plague that's spreading across his country, making the infected immune to death and hungry for the taste of flesh. It sounds weird, but true us — it's cool.
Watch Kingdom on Netflix [49].
El Marginal
In this Argentine crime drama, an ex-cop is sent by a judge to infiltrate the dangerous San Onofre prison, hoping to get information on the gang responsible for the judge's daughter's kidnapping. Of course, in the prison Miguel finds himself surrounded by the country's most dangerous felons, and he must hide his true identity — or risk losing his life.
Watch El Marginal on Netflix [50].
The House of Flowers
This dark comedy follows the lives of a wealthy and dysfunctional Mexican family who owns a flower shop, and the matriarch's attempts to save face after her husband's affair (as well as all of the family's secrets) come to light. Though season two just premiered on Netflix, it's already been confirmed that we'll be getting a third season [51] as well.
Watch The House of Flowers on Netflix [52].
Cable Girls
Based around four women working at the brand-new National Telephone Company in 1920s Madrid, this series follows Lidia, Carlota, Ángeles, and Marga as they discover new talents, find their voices, and overcome their own private tragedies. Boasting incredible acting and awesome costuming, this show has flown under the radar for far too long, and since the fourth season just dropped, you have plenty of episodes to binge.
Watch Cable Girls on Netflix [53].
The Hook Up Plan
In this French comedy series, a heartbroken Parisian who can't seem to get over her ex is unknowingly set up by her friends with a male escort, but what they don't expect is for Elsa to actually fall for him. Season two is already available, and we can only hope that we'll see a third.
Watch The Hook Up Plan on Netflix [54].
When Heroes Fly
This new Hebrew-language drama follows four friends — veterans of an Israeli Special Forces unit — as they reunite 11 years after falling out and travel together to Colombia for a final (and very personal) rescue mission. Make sure you keep the tissues handy, because this one is a real tearjerker.
Watch When Heroes Fly on Netflix [55].
Terrace House: Opening New Doors
If you need more feel-good shows in your life, then you seriously need to start watching Terrace House: Opening New Doors. Japan's Real World-esque reality TV phenomenon recently debuted its sixth instalment, following six housemates as they go to work, make dinner together, and generally act far more well-behaved than any Real World cast members ever have.
Watch Terrace House: Opening New Doors on Netflix [56].
Suburra
Inspired by a real-life political scandal, this Italian crime drama (which serves as a prequel to the 2015 film and the novel of the same name by Giancarlo De Cataldo and Carlo Bonini) follows a battle between organised crime, corrupt politicians, and the Vatican over Rome's underground crime scene. It seems too wild to be real, but you just have to see it to believe it.
Watch Suburra on Netflix [57].
Baby
Loosely based on the real-life scandal of two high school students from Rome's wealthy Parioli district engageing in part-time prostitution, this series follows a group of Roman teens seeking a sense of identity and financial independence by selling sex. It's dark, it's raunchy, and it's totally addicting, so even though season two just dropped, we're already eager for a third instalment.
Watch Baby on Netflix [58].
How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast)
Inspired by real events, believe it or not, this German series tells the story of how a 17-year-old high school student created Europe's largest online drug business from his bedroom with his best friend, Lenny — and all to impress his American pill-popping party animal ex-girlfriend, Lisa. This coming-of-age story is utterly unique, though it will probably remind you of Sex Education (if the series replaced sex advice with pills).
Watch How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast) on Netflix [59].
Club of Crows
This Mexican comedy-drama was the first Spanish-language original series on Netflix, following half-siblings Chava and Isabel as they manage the future of the Ravens New Toledo, the treasured football squad left in their care after the death of their father. There are already four seasons on Netflix, and though it won't be returning for a fifth, a prequel isn't out of the question [60].
Watch Club of Crows on Netflix [61].
Bard of Blood
Based on the 2015 espionage novel of the same name by Bilal Siddiqui, this Indian spy thriller revolves around an excommunicated RAW agent who must face his demons and return to Balochistan after he is recruited to rescue four captured RAW agents on a covert mission. If you want a series that's going to keep you on the edge of your seat, then this thriller is for you.
Watch Bard of Blood on Netflix [62].