The best-acted Netflix show has decent alternatives, but some stand out due to the exceptional talent. The performers' impressive portrayals allow viewers to experience a wide range of emotions while watching the episodes. I believe that the emotions are vividly expressed in the narratives about teenage monster hunters, royal figures facing challenges, or young chess champions confronting their pasts.
This list features 10 Netflix dramas with outstanding acting that you shouldn’t overlook. The highlighted scenes enable the audience to experience a wide range of emotions, thanks to the actors’ remarkable performances. The enhanced quality made every performance memorable and beneficial for the entire team.
Disclaimer: This article is solely the writer's opinion. Reader discretion is advised.
Here is the list of the 10 best-acted Netflix shows you shouldn't miss:
10. Stranger Things

Stranger Things is the best-acted Netflix show, and viewers shouldn't miss it. In the Dear Billy episode, Sadie Sink's portrayal of Max Mayfield surprises viewers with her strong performance. Max catches the villain's attention due to his guilt over Billy's death. In a pivotal scene, Max is overwhelmed by memories of her past suffering. As she fights Vecna's hold, "Running Up That Hill" plays in her mind. Sink gained widespread recognition because people were captivated by her emotions, anxieties, and resilient attitude.
9. Breaking Bad

The main cast of Breaking Bad features Bryan Cranston (Walter White). In the Crawl Space episode, Cranston delivers a superb performance as Walt learns that his wife, Skyler, gave away their funds, giving him extreme anxiety. His mental collapse is vividly portrayed, especially when he chuckles while hiding in the crawl space. This scene is often seen as powerful, with many praising Cranston's performance. His extraordinary acting helped make Breaking Bad the best-acted Netflix show.
8. Unbelievable

Kaitlyn Dever (Marie Adler), Toni Collette (Detective Grace Rasmussen), Merritt Wever (Detective Karen Duvall), and Danielle Macdonald (Amber) comprise the lead cast in this best-acted Netflix show. Dever excels as Marie, a character whose report of being raped is dismissed, leading her to lose faith in herself. In Episode 1, Marie is compelled to speak with the detectives, creating an intense scenario.
Dever effectively conveys Marie's uncertainty, fear, and vulnerability. Her manner of speaking and movement illustrates the struggle of not being believed. This scene sets the tone for the series by emphasizing the flaws within the justice system regarding sexual assault and showcasing Dever's exceptional acting.
7. Dark

Dark is also one of the best-acted Netflix shows due to Louis Hofmann's outstanding performance as Jonas. He is relatively new to the acting world, yet he plays a pivotal role in the series’ time travel plot.
In the episode "An Endless Cycle," Jonas encounters his father, Michael, while he is on the verge of dying due to fate. The way he portrays Jonas allows viewers to recognize his hopelessness and understand that what matters most to him is his father’s approval.
The deep emotional scenes and excellent acting make it easy for viewers to connect with the character and appreciate the nuances of this top-rated Netflix show.
6. The Haunting of Hill House

The major stars in this Netflix show are Victoria Pedretti as Nell, Oliver Jackson-Cohen as Luke, Carla Gugino as Olivia, Elizabeth Reaser as Shirley, Kate Siegel as Theo, and Michiel Huisman as Steven Crain. In the Two Storms episode, the family gathers in a funeral home during a powerful storm. Uncut scenes highlight the actors' performances, revealing unconscious feelings and triggering strong debates amid challenges.
The characters in this well-acted Netflix show impressed the audience by convincingly portraying grief, anger, and confusion throughout the drama. The shift between past events and current happenings enhanced the episode’s appeal, alongside the strong performances and effective direction.
5. BoJack Horseman

Raphael Bob-Waksal created the American adult animated tragicomedy series BoJack Horseman. Will Arnett, Amy Sedaris, Paul F. Tompkins, Aaron Paul, and Alison Brie voice the main characters. Will Arnett brings sarcasm, sadness, and hope to BoJack’s character. In the episode Free Churro, BoJack addresses the audience during his mother’s funeral, while Kafelsky expresses his feelings about her throughout the series.
The audience of this best-acted Netflix show senses his unfiltered feelings without distractions. It creates a strong, intimate experience through simple shots and Arnett’s narration.
4. Ozark

Ozark, Netflix's best-acted show, was created by Bill Dubuque and Mark Williams, co-produced by Netflix, MRC Television, and Aggregate Films. Jason Bateman and Laura Linney star as Marty and Wendy Byrde, a couple who relocate their family to the Lake of the Ozarks to launder money for a Mexican drug cartel.
Laura Linney delivers an outstanding performance as Wendy Byrde in the episode titled "Fire Pink." A poignant scene portrays Wendy, alone in the car with her phone in hand, as she talks to Marty. After learning about her brother Ben’s death, she begins to cry and feels a sense of guilt. Audiences were captivated by Linney's raw portrayal of Wendy's emotional turmoil, which made her suffering and struggle palpable. One Reddit user wrote:
"Laura Linney was outstanding this season"
The quote conveys how deeply this occurrence affected the audience. It was a powerful moment when she cried while talking to Marty on the phone in the car. It seemed so sincere.
3. The Queen's Gambit

Anya Taylor-Joy, Marielle Heller, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Harry Melling, Moses Ingram, and Marcin Dorociński star in this acclaimed Netflix series. The final episode, “End Game,” features Anya Taylor-Joy's standout performance as Beth Harmon confronts Vasily Borgov in Moscow, resulting in a mental battle of intelligence and willpower.
The actress portrays Beth as she transitions from uncertainty to becoming a strong and composed winner. Her calm demeanor and solid performance highlight the gravity of her character's circumstances and her bravery. Taylor-Joy's skilled acting shines through in this sequence, leaving a lasting impression on viewers.
2. Mindhunter

In the season 1 finale, Holden Ford, portrayed by Jonathan Groff, suffers a severe panic attack after confronting Ed Kemper, collapsing in a hospital corridor. Groff's realistic and emotional depiction highlights Holden's vulnerability and stress. Many Reddit users praised this scene's execution.
"Jonathan Groff's performance was amazing, the combination of how it was shot, the music, and the distorted audio... really pulled the scene together."
The audience of this best-acted Netflix show may relate to Holden's suffering, which is intensified by the distorted sound, captivating visuals, and powerful performances Groff.
1. The Crown

The Queen, played by Olivia Colman, must address the aftermath of Aberfan, where a coal mass led to the deaths of 116 children and 28 adults. Many questioned why she didn’t visit the devastated town immediately, but she eventually did. She conveys that the Queen must choose between her duties and emotions. At a memorial service, her one-word reply and a tear sliding down her face highlight this struggle. Critics praised her performance, with Collider stating,
"Colman delivers a masterclass in acting, particularly in the episode's last haunting seconds."
This poignant display of grief underscores how effectively Colman captures the complexity of a leader who is both profoundly shaped by tragedy and bound by tradition. Thanks to Olivia's extraordinary performance, The Crown is regarded as the best-acted Netflix show.
We conclude that these top-rated Netflix shows received accolades for their performers' exceptional acting in addition to their well-known plots. The performers displayed a wide range of emotions on screen. Sadie Sink appeared very frightened in Stranger Things, and Olivia Colman conveyed quiet sorrow in The Crown. Every scene demonstrated that acting can clearly reveal a character’s personality to an audience.
Due to their performances, the concerts garnered critical acclaim, numerous accolades, and devoted fans worldwide. Whether the scenes were intense or gentle, the actors skillfully delivered their roles. Consequently, fans understand why these best-acted Netflix shows are so worth watching.