12 of this year’s finest and worst Netflix originals

“Heartstopper” was well-received.

“Heartstopper’s” Kit Connor and Joe Locke.

Netflix

100% Rotten Tomatoes

“Heartstopper” is based on Alice Oseman’s graphic novel and stars Joe Locke as bashful student Charlie (Kit Connor).

Sweet and inclusive teen-romance series praised by critics.

“Heartstopper” is “about love and its lovely, multifaceted, colorful shapes,” Federica Bocco wrote for Netflix Life.

“Mo” is a lovely drama-comedy, say critics.

“Mo’s” cast.

Netflix

100% Rotten Tomatoes

Pakistani refugee Mo Najjar (Mohammed Amer) pursues US citizenship and supports his family in Texas.

“Mo” is partially based on Amer’s own experience and presents a thoughtful, often hilarious look at immigrant life.

Stuff critic Graeme Tuckett said “Mo” is authentic. This will be your new favorite Netflix show.

“Hustle” won Adam Sandler critical acclaim.

“Hustle’s” Adam Sandler.

Netflix

93% Rotten Tomatoes

A Philadelphia 76ers scout (Sandler) recruits a star player from Spain (Juancho Hernangómez).

After “Uncut Gems” in 2019, Sandler impressed with this sports drama.

“Hustle” doesn’t deviate from sports film clichés, but it’s lifted by Adam Sandler’s snappy and honest performance.

“Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey” was lauded for its stark cult aesthetic.

Netflix’s docuseries “Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey”

Netflix

91% Rotten Tomatoes

“Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey” examines Warren Jeffs’ rise in the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and its scandals.

Critics commended the docuseries’ comprehensive examination of Jeffs’ sermons and his many survivors.

The first-hand testimonies from survivors are “awe-inspiring,” Kristen Baldwin wrote for Entertainment Weekly.

“Vikings: Valhalla” is a bloody, hilarious historical series.

“Vikings: Valhalla” star Leo Suter.

Netflix

90% Rotten Tomatoes

This historical drama follows Leif Erikson (Sam Corlett), Freydis Eriksdotter (Frida Gustavsson), and Harald Sigurdsson (Leo Suter) and their violent successes.

Critics agreed “Vikings” will certainly enchant viewers willing to suspend disbelief.

Erin Maxwell commented in LA Weekly that the show’s “biography and butchery” is nice enough for people who don’t mind more fantasy than truth in historical dramas.

Critics praised “The Sandman” adaption.

Neil Gaiman’s comic inspired “The Sandman.”

Dropbox

87% Rotten Tomatoes

Dream (Tom Sturridge) returns after a century to seek cosmic redemption.

The fantasy series captivated critics with its blend of fantasy, horror, and drama.

“It’s a fantasy adventure novel and a philosophical musing on dreams, lying, hope, and fate,” Valerie Anne wrote for Autostraddle.

Critics loved “All of Us Are Dead.”

All of us are dead’s cast.

Netflix

87% Rotten Tomatoes

High school kids join together as their school becomes a zombie slaughter in this South Korean horror series.

The apocalypse series was bingeable, said critics.

The Daily Beast’s Nick Schager called the 12-part Netflix series about zombies invading a high school “gruesome, exhilarating, and incredibly addicting.”

“Archive 81” was a sleeper smash, say critics.

“Archive 81” by Dina Shihabi.

Colbert/Netflix/Quantrell

86% Rotten Tomatoes

Dan Turner (Mamoudou Athie) fixes damaged cassettes at a remote research facility to piece together a dead student’s thesis (Dina Shihabi).

The eight-episode horror series captivated critics.

Jump-scares and short blasts of horror come from these factors, but the most frightening parts of the series center on isolation.

“Welcome to Eden” enchanted critics despite tale problems.

“Eden” cast.

Netflix

80% Rotten Tomatoes

Zoa (Amaia Aberasturi) and a gang of 20-somethings win a vacation to a distant island, but she may never return.

“Welcome to Eden” was praised despite critics’ complaints that it could have been better developed.

“Welcome to Eden” is classic binge stuff, wrote Vicky Jessop for the London Evening Standard. “The show’s dreamy, mesmerizing, unsettling vibe makes it easy to binge late at night.”

“Uncoupled” critics say Neil Patrick Harris excels.

The “Uncoupled” star.

NETFLIX

76% Rotten Tomatoes

Michael (Harris) dates again after his 17-year partner dumps him.

Most reviewers liked “Uncoupled” for its wit and warmth.

“Neil Patrick Harris is a tremendously entertaining depiction of a likeable, lovelorn middle-aged man,” said Jim Schembri. “It’s career-best work.”

“Murderville” combines improv, comedy, and intrigue.

“Murderville’s” Will Arnett and Conan O’Brien.

Michaels/Netflix

74% Rotten Tomatoes

Will Arnett plays detective Terry Seattle and finds a different partner in each episode to investigate a hypothetical crime.

Although some reviews claimed the guests were hit-or-miss, most found the comedy amusing.

Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times stated, “Whoever is in the room with Arnett must bring their A game.”

“The Adam Project” was termed a nostalgic harmless.

“The Adam Project’s” Ryan Reynolds and Walker Scobell.

Netflix

67% Rotten Tomatoes

Adam Reed (Ryan Reynolds) goes from 2050 to 2022 to save his wife, but is stuck with his 12-year-old self (Walker Scobell).

“The Adam Project” used some classic plot cliches, but its cast was superb.

“Ryan Reynolds leads an A-list cast in this ‘Back to the Future’ nostalgia trip,” noted ABC News’ Peter Travers.

“Spiderhead” underwhelmed reviews.

“Spiderhead’s” Chris Hemsworth.

Netflix

39% Rotten Tomatoes

This psychological thriller is based on a short tale by George Saunders. Test subjects volunteer for a chemical study to reduce their prison time.

“Spiderhead” stars Miles Teller, Chris Hemsworth, and Jurnee Smollett, but critics complained movie didn’t live up to its source material.

“Teller and Hemsworth have a lot of screen presence together, but you can only do so much without a good plot or script,” said BBC Radio’s James Luxford.

“A Madea Homecoming” recycles gags, say critics.

“Madea Homecoming” stars Tyler Perry.

Netflix.

36% Rotten Tomatoes

This slapstick comedy celebrates Madea’s great-college grandson’s graduation.

Critics questioned whether a 12th “Madea” film was needed despite a few laughs.

Jackie K. Cooper noted the comedy featured “laugh-out-loud moments” but was “simply a repetition of earlier ‘Madea’ flicks.”

“The Royal Treatment” was corny yet forgettable.

“The Royal Treatment’s” Mena Massoud and Laura Marano.

YouTube

35% Rotten Tomatoes

Isabella (Laura Marano) is startled when she’s invited to handle Prince Thomas’ (Mena Massoud) bridal hair and cosmetics — and when she falls in love in the process.

“The Royal Treatment” was innocent fun, but critics claimed it was inferior to other romantic comedies.

“This warmhearted, well-intentioned movie is hampered by a lack of inventiveness and strange accents,” Common Sense Media’s Jennifer Green remarked.

“Purple Hearts” lacked chemistry and creativity, critics remarked.

Sofia Carson in “Purple Hearts”

Netflix/Fellman

35% Rotten Tomatoes

Cassie (Sofia Carson) decides to marry Luke (Nicholas Galitzine) for the military benefits, but neither expects to fall in love.

The sentimental, politicized romance didn’t impress critics.

The lack of chemistry between the stars makes the film’s convoluted storylines and subplots worse, according to The New York Times’ Claire Shaffer.

Critics panned “God’s Favorite Idiot.”

God’s Favorite Idiot’s cast.

Netflix

33% Rotten Tomatoes

Clark Thompson (Ben Falcone) becomes a messenger for God in a conflict between Heaven and Hell while navigating a new romance with Amily (Melissa McCarthy).

The ambitious comedy disappointed critics, they said.

“God’s Favorite Idiot” has no particular features, personality, or purpose, according to Wenlei Ma.

Critics panned “Texas Chainsaw Massacre”

Movie’s cast.

Netflix.

31% Rotten Tomatoes

Melody (Sarah Yarkin) and her sister Lila (Elsie Fisher) invite their pals to a small Texas town for a business proposal, but a serial murderer takes them down one by one.

Critics said the latest “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” was too absurd.

David Fear stated in Rolling Stone, “For the love of Leatherface, let this massacre alone.”

Most critics disliked “Persuasion.”

“Persuasion’s” Dakota Johnson.

Netflix.

31% Rotten Tomatoes

Anne Elliot (Dakota Johnson) gets a second chance at love in a modern rendition of “Persuasion”

Many commentators felt “Persuasion” missing key Austen adaption elements.

“‘Persuasion’ at times appears ashamed by its source material, or overeager to polish it up for viewers,” David Sims wrote for The Atlantic. “It’s rushed and forgettable.”

“Pentaverate” baffled critics.

“Pentaverate” stars Mike Myers and Lydia West.

Netflix

28% Rotten Tomatoes

“The Pentaverate” stars Mike Myers as a Canadian journalist investigating a mysterious society.

Critics thought the satirical series failed to wow despite a few highlights.

Caroline Framke said in a Variety review that “the show’s quality doesn’t matter.”

Many critics found “Echoes” frustrating.

“Echoes”‘ Michelle Monaghan.

Netflix

25% rotten tomatoes

Gina (Michelle Monaghan) does everything she can to find her lost twin sister Leni.

Critics liked Monaghan’s performance but not the story.

“Echoes’ potential drains before the premiere is done as it gets goofier,” Brian Tallerico wrote for Roger Ebert.

“Senior Year” didn’t impress despite a strong lead.

Senior Year’s Rebel Wilson.

Netflix

24% Rotten Tomatoes

Stephanie (Rebel Wilson) struggles to regain her popularity and finish high school after awakening from a coma.

“Senior Year” was a tough sell despite Wilson’s best efforts.

Kate Erbland of IndieWire said, “The film chugs through its expected beats with nice humor, but there’s not much more to recommend it.”

“The Bubble” had a great cast but a weak storyline, critics noted.

“Bubble” cast.

Radford/Netflix

21% Rotten Tomatoes

During the pandemic, a cast and crew film a CGI sequel despite COVID-19 regulations.

Leslie Mann, Karen Gillan, Pedro Pascal, David Duchovny, and Keegan-Michael Key helped improve a weak writing, said critics.

David Rooney termed the movie a “slapdash comedy with misused talent”

“Me Time” fatigued critics.

“Me Time” stars Kevin Hart, Mark Wahlberg.

Netflix

7% Rotten Tomatoes

Stay-at-home dad Sonny (Kevin Hart) reconnects with Huck (Mark Wahlberg) during a tumultuous weekend.

The vulgar comedy bored most critics.

“A decent way to kill an hour and 41 minutes, but you could do better,” said critic Jeffrey Lyles.

All scores were current when published and may change. Netflix originals are both Netflix-made and platform-exclusive.