The 11 best and worst Netflix series that have been released this year
In just a few years, Netflix has become one of the most successful streaming platforms with the most content. This year has released many original series, some of them with good reception by critics, and others not so much.
These are the 11 best and worst series released in 2021 to date.
Critics love the documentary series 'Penguin Colony'
Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Summary: Narrated by Patton Oswalt, the charming documentary series centers on the penguin colony that each year comes to nest in a coastal town in South Africa.
Critics have heaped praise on Colonia Pingüino, calling it sweet and refreshing.
"With Oswalt's beautiful photography and fun yet warm narration, Penguin Colony is definitely something you can dive into and watch in one go," Joel Keller wrote for Decider.
'The Lost Kingdom of Pirates' is another great bet from critics
Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Summary: This series of dramatized documentaries tells about the legendary stories of piracy on the high seas.
Critics say that fans of the story would be amused by the docudrama.
"This wildly popular new documentary series features world-class reenactments starring top British actors," Brad Newsome wrote for The Sydney Morning Herald.
Critics have referred to 'Last Chance U: Basketball' as a sports documentary with heart.
Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Summary: Last Chance U: Basketball follows a group of young athletes in East Los Angeles as their basketball coach puts them on the path to fulfilling their college dreams.
The docu-series has garnered high critical acclaim and has been right up there with Last Chance U, the original that began in 2016.
"The turn from soccer to basketball only serves to deepen the brilliance of Last Chance U," said Jean Henegan for Pop Culture Maniacs.
'How they became tyrants' has captivated experts
Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Summary: Narrated by Peter Dinklage, each episode of How They Became Tyrants looks at how the world's most famous dictators rose, controlled information, and clung to power.
Although it goes into dark territory, the series has been praised for being educational and fascinating.
"It offers a creative way to introduce viewers to concepts associated with dictatorship and tyranny," Melissa Camacho wrote for Common Sense Media.
Critics have praised 'Sweet Tooth', a dystopian series
Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%
Summary: In a dystopian future where a pandemic has decimated the planet and children are born as animal hybrids, a deer-horned boy (Christian Convery) sets out to find his mother with a protector who is initially reluctant to help him (Nonso Anozie). ).
Sweet Tooth has been hailed by critics, who have called it dark, fantastical, and cleverly crafted.
"It's a sweet and charming series that has a streak of tragedy, but it's not overwhelmingly sad," reviewer Wenlei Ma told News.com.au.
'Lupin' has received very good marks for its plot of robbers
Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
Summary: Inspired by Maurice Leblanc's collection of stories, the French show follows gentleman thief Assane Diop (Omar Sy) as he sets out to avenge the unjust death of his father.
Most critics have had nothing but praise for the first 2 seasons of Lupine, which have been released this year.
Kelly Lawler has written the following for USA Today: "Between Sy's brilliant charm as the thief with a heart of gold and the beauty of Paris as a backdrop, Lupine steals the viewer's attention, aside from priceless necklaces and paintings of wicked billionaires."
'Masters of the Universe: Revelation' is considered a worthy successor to the successful series of the 80s
Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%
Summary: A sequel to He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, the animated series tells the story of He-Man (voiced by Chris Wood) and his companions teaming up to battle Skeletor (voiced by Mark Hamill). in the lands of Eternia.
Critics say that Masters of the Universe: Revelation has proven to be a worthy successor to the original.
"Netflix's new series honors its predecessor in remarkable and clever ways, while humanizing its heroes and villains," Nick Shager told the Daily Beast.
'Yasuke' has put a spin on a legendary figure, which has pleasantly surprised critics
Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%
Summary: In feudal Japan, a samurai named Yasuke (voiced by LaKeith Stanfield) must take up his sword once more to protect Saki (voiced by Maya Tanida), a young woman with mystical powers.
The Japanese-American anime has surprised critics by putting an inventive spin on a real-life historical figure.
"'Yasuke' beautifully melds the legend of the first Black Samurai with elements of fantasy, topped off with a moving performance by LaKeith Stanfield and stunning animation sequences," wrote critic Collier Jennings.
'Suppose New York is a City' Paints New York City in a New Light, Experts Say
Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%
Summary: In Suppose New York is a City, humorist Fran Lebowitz and filmmaker Martin Scorsese explore New York City and all of its quirks.
Pundits have referred to the series as a strange and delightful deconstruction of one of the world's most fascinating cities.
"Suppose New York is a City is a wonderful tribute to New York City and the art of conversation," opined Robert Levin for Newsday.
'Shadow and Bone' has been received as a fascinating adaptation of the book
David Appleby/Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88%
Summary: In a world where an unstoppable dark force spreads, a young woman named Alina Starkov (Jessie Mei Li) discovers that she can summon light. At the same time, a group of thieves is sent on a mission to kidnap the new Summoner of the Sun.
Hailed as a proper adaptation inspired by Leigh Bardugo's Shadow and Bone and Six of Crows book series, the series has been a hit with most critics.
"There's a lot to like about Shadow and Bone, including its 19th-century Russian-inspired aesthetic," Richard Phippen wrote in NME.
'Eden' is an anime set in another millennium
Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88%
Summary: Thousands of years after humans disappeared from the planet, 2 farming robots discover a girl and raise her in secret.
Critics have enjoyed the science fiction anime, referring to it as original and surprisingly emotional.
Critic Kate Sánchez has written, "Eden is short, it's sweet, and it's extremely wholesome. Truth be told, it's a light and beautiful story for dark times."
On the other hand, experts believe that 'Halston' has not lived up to its potential
Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 65%
Summary: The drama delves into the lifestyle of fashion designer Roy Halston Frowick and his impact on the industry.
Although critics have praised Ewan McGregor's performance, some feel that Halston has failed when it comes to plotting and Ryan Murphy's direction.
"Murphy maintains such tight control over Halston's world that the designer can't breathe as a subject," Naomi Fry opined for The New Yorker.
Critics wanted less sparkle and more substance from 'Behind her eyes'
Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 62%
Summary: A single mother named Louise (Simona Brown) welcomes her troubles when she falls for her boss David (Tom Bateman) while she befriends her wife Adele (Eve Hewson).
Behind her eyes she had many surprises up her sleeve, but some critics have questioned whether she had the character, plot and script to back up her intriguing twists.
"You may like the exceptionally audacious ending or you may hate it, but you will definitely talk about it either way," Roxana Hadadi told Roger Ebert.
'Country Comfort' has not convinced at all
BETH DUBBER/NETFLIX
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 57%
Summary: A country singer (Katharine McPhee) takes an unconventional career turn when she becomes the nanny of a father (Eddie Cibrian) and his 5 children.
Country Comfort hasn't received much praise, but some critics have seen potential in the comedy.
"It may not be great art, but for certain types of viewers it is the consolation the title promises," wrote Joyce Slaton for Common Sense Media.
The comedy 'The Upshaw family' has critics divided
LARA SOLANKI/NETFLIX
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 57%
Summary: Indiana couple Regina (Kim Fields) and Bennie Upshaw (Mike Epps) experience obstacles in their marriage while raising their children.
Critics are divided, with some finding it appealing and others calling it outdated.
"The largely indifferent series would have fit perfectly into the TV comedy landscape 20 years ago," Inkoo Kang told The Hollywood Reporter.
'Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness' has received a lukewarm review
Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 50%
Summary: Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness follows Leon S. Kennedy (voiced by Nick Apostolides) and Claire Redfield (voiced by Stephanie Panisello) after a zombie outbreak.
Based on the video game franchise of the same name, the CGI-animated series has garnered mixed reception from critics.
Reviewer Huw Saunders has indicated that the series is nothing special, but not particularly bad either.
Some of the experts think that 'The dance of the fireflies' is not up to the stars that appear
Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 47%
Summary: After meeting as children, Tully Hart (Katherine Heigl) and Kate Mularkey (Sarah Chalke) spend the next 30 years side by side as best friends.
Pundits have praised the lead performances of Heigl and Chalke, but many have felt that the performance overshadowed the series itself.
"By most metrics, Dance With the Fireflies just isn't a good show. Yet despite its many limitations, there's something lovable about it," Judy Berman opined for Time.
'The One' has a good hook, but it doesn't live up to expectations
Robert Viglasky/Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 41%
Summary: CEO Rebecca Webb (Hannah Ware) oversees MatchDNA, a company that claims to match soulmates based on DNA samples.
Critics have felt that The One builds on recycled ideas and wastes what could have been an interesting plot.
"I doubt The One is the perfect match for anyone," Lucy Mangan wrote for The Guardian.
Critics believe that 'In the pits' succumbs to the traps of conventional sitcoms
Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 40%
Summary: After a NASCAR team owner retires, his daughter Catherine (Jillian Mueller) takes over and shakes things up, much to the chagrin of crew chief Kevin Gibson (Kevin James).
Critics speak highly of the cast, but agree that In the Pits brings nothing new to the sitcom genre.
"The cast is lovely... [but] the performances aren't enough to make up for the fact that the show isn't that much fun," Dan Caffrey told AV Club.
Experts think 'Jupiter's legacy' is bogged down by a slow pace
Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 39%
Summary: Based on the comics by Mark Millar, Jupiter's Legacy centers on superhero Sheldon Sampson (Josh Duhamel) as he attempts to lead the next generation of heroes.
With a lot of source material, the series blurs too much into the intricacies of world building, according to critics.
"For a series about superheroes, Jupiter's Legacy moves in what feels like slow motion," Brian Lowry opined for CNN.
'Destiny: The Winx Saga' is considered weak and not a series that leaves a mark
Jonathan Hession/Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 37%
Summary: At a magical boarding school in the Otherworld, a group of young fairies control their powers as they fall in love and battle monsters.
The live adaptation of the Winx cartoon series has not been well received.
In her review of The Beat, Therese Lacson has written: "It ends up being just another teen series that flops so miserably that it's only worth watching with hate."
Experts have had trouble taking "Sex/Life" seriously
Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 23%
Summary: Billie Connelly (Sarah Shahi) threatens to blow up her peaceful suburban life with her husband (Mike Vogel) when she goes after her ex-boyfriend Brad (Adam Demos).
Pundits have said that Sex/Life is not the comedic drama that was advertised.
"Dig a little deeper and you'll find a very obvious truth: Sex/Life is nothing more than a series of low-light sex scenes punctuated by groan-inducing dialogue," Thomas Mitchell told the Sydney Morning Herald.