It’s been an extremely busy year for new Netflix Originals and that should come as no real surprise given Netflix’s investment in the area. With plenty more scheduled for the remainder of the year, we thought we’d take stock and run through some Netflix Originals that may have slipped through the cracks along the way.
We’ve tried keeping foreign Netflix Originals in this list to a minimum but frankly, they’re some of the best shows on Netflix and hope you’d agree with us once diving in. We’re going to be covering series, movies, and specials.
We’ll be back again towards the end of the year for the annual What’s on Netflix awards where we’ll pick our number 1 underrated show on Netflix from this year. For now, here are 20 Netflix Originals you may have missed so far in 2019.
Shadow (Season 1)
Released on Netflix: March 2019
Genre: Thriller
Netflix has seen plenty of brand new debut dramas with What/If, The Society and Trinkets all being relatively successful but Shadow released to a muted response back in March.
Sure, it’s not the best series in the world with it clocking a 6.5 out of 10 on IMDb but with a relatively vague name and limited marketing, the series deserves more attention.
The action series is about an ex-cop pursuing justice in South Africa.
Watch this if you like: Greenleaf, The Punisher, Shooter
Tuca & Bertie (Season 1)
Released on Netflix: May 2019
Genre: Animated
When it comes to quirky animated series, few will ever be able to top Tuca & Bertie. With many of the same team behind Bojack Horseman working on Tuca & Bertie, you’d have thought it’d have been a smash hit.
Sadly, it may have slipped many people’s schedules despite it getting high critical acclaim.
Sadly, the show hasn’t been given a second season because the viewership did not meet Netflix’s expectations.
Watch this if you like: Bojack Horseman, Big Mouth
Wu Assassins (Season 1)
Released on Netflix: August 2019
Genre: Action
Towards the middle of the year, Netflix started releasing some of its smaller Originals on Thursdays. In some cases, these titles are sent out to die because they don’t quite meet the expectations.
One of the Thursday additions you shouldn’t miss is Wu Assassins. Sure, some of the acting and dialogue is a little janky as is some of the CGI but where the series thrives is its actions sequences.
Watch this if you like: The CW Arrowverse shows, The Raid,
Trailer Park Boys: The Animated Series (Season 1)
Released on Netflix: March 2019
Genre: Animated
Many know and love the Trailer Park Boys but we feel the animated series which got announced and only limited promotion a month before it released is deserving of more love.
The animated series brings together everything you love from The Trailer Park Boys into the animated space.
Watch this if you like: South Park, Trailer Park Boys,
It’s Bruno (Season 1)
Released on Netflix: May 2019
Genre: Comedy
Warner Brothers Television has produced some of the biggest comedy hits period. It’s Bruno has been overshadowed by many new comedy titles coming to Netflix this year but it demands your attention.
The series starring and created by Solvan Naim was also nominated for a Primetime Emmy too and sits at an impressive 7.6/10 on IMDb.
Watch this if you like: Friends, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
The Red Sea Diving Resort (Movie)
Released on Netflix: July 2019
Genre: Drama
Everything looked strong for this Netflix release with veteran writer Gideon Raff behind the movie as well as starring Michael Kenneth Williams, Chris Evans, Greg Kinnear and Ben Kingsley.
The controversial subject matter of the movie could be to its detriment too.
The movie is about agents helping Ethiopian Jewish refugees in the late 1970s.
The movie released in July alongside two other major Netflix movies that got far more attention with those being the action movie Point Blank and the teen-hit Secret Obsession.
Watch this if you like:
Cannon Busters (Season 1)
Released on Netflix: August 2019
Genre: Anime
Netflix has premiered plenty of new anime series but one we think that’s absolutely not to be missed is the adaptation of Cannon Busters. Not only has it gone through an unusual route to release on Netflix.
Cannon Busters released after a couple of delays which could’ve led to confusion around its actual release date.
Watch this if you like: Cowboy Bebop, Castlevania,
Rilakkuma and Kaoru (Season 1)
Released on Netflix: April 2019
Genre: Anime
Anime often goes overlooked by the mainstream as it targets a real niche. This title fell into that trap and therefore went amiss by many.
The series is a stop-motion animated series that’s about the adventures of three people sharing an apartment together. It’s a great introduction to anime and perfect viewing for the kids too.
Watch this if you like: Japanese slice of life series
The Last Czars (Season 1)
Released on Netflix: July 2019
Genre: Historical Drama
The genre-bending series mixed the drama genre with the historical documentary format for a truly unique series that’s worthy of binging through.
Stunning sets and costumes mixed with some great talent equals a fantastic series for all history buffs but sadly, it went unnoticed possibly because it released alongside Stranger Things.
We even pointed out how underpromoted The Last Czars was back in July 2019 and it’s something we still believe today.
Watch this if you like: The Crown, Downtown Abbey, historical documentaries.
Paddleton (Movie)
Released on Netflix: February 2019
Genre: Comedy
Mark Duplass and Ray Romano star in one of the most gut-punching movies Netflix has released to date. Possibly due to its subject matter or its relatively stale trailer, the series went missed by many.
We’d recommend it though as one of the best if quainter titles released on Netflix this year.
Watch this if you like: Indie movies
Kingdom (Season 1)
Released on Netflix: January 2019
Genre: Fantasy Thriller
Language: Korean
In terms of titles that completely shocked us this year that released to limited fan-fare was Kingdom. The Korean series features some top names and is easily one of the best foreign Netflix Originals, period.
The movie is set in the Joseon period of Korea and a deadly virus strikes. It’s a zombie series but quite frankly, this one stands out as one of the best zombie series of all time.
Watch this if you like: The Walking Dead, Korean dramas, Train to Busan
Persona (Season 1)
Released on Netflix: April 2019
Genre: Anthology Drama
Language: Korean
As foreign series go, Persona is a perfect introduction given it takes some of the best directors from the region to explore various stories.
Good news too as a second season has already been commissioned coming out next year.
Watch this if you like: Black Mirror, Easy
High Seas (Season 1)
Released on Netflix: May 2019
Genre: Period Drama
Language: Spanish
Netflix is not shy when it comes to period dramas from Spain with The Cable Girls being the most notable Netflix Original series so far from the region.
Earlier this year, they released High Seas, a series that’s a bit like Titanic meets Downtown Abbey and it captivated audiences.
Watch this if you like: Titanic, The Cable Girls, Downton Abbey
Slasher (Season 3)
Released on Netflix: May 2019
Genre: Horror
Slasher has gone through a strange development and release schedule over the years with multiple broadcasters carrying the show but in mid-2019, Netflix released its first solo series for Slasher but most people didn’t seem to notice.
The third season is on the same level as the previous two but miles ahead of Scream which is definitely the more popular series.
Watch this if you like: Scream
Kevin Hart’s Guide to Black History (2019)
Released on Netflix: February 2019
Genre: Comedy
Kevin Hart was involved in plenty of controversies in early 2019 which is probably why this kids series didn’t get the attention it deserved. Now the controversy has passed, we thought we’d revisit the series and tell you it’s the perfect show for younger kids.
Despite its name alluding to rather controversial subject matters it’s actually far more watered down but does well enough to not trivialize. Kevin Hart demonstrates his charisma in a fun and informative kids series.
Watch this if you like: Kevin Hart, History, Standup Comedy
The Highwaymen (Movie)
Released on Netflix: March 2019
Genre: Biography Drama
Set in the 1930s, this Netflix pickup released towards the beginning of the year and while it received a fair amount of promotion, it didn’t quite get the audience it deserved.
Reviews for the movie were mixed with audiences enjoying it far more than critics.
Watch if you like: Bonnie and Clyde, Historical biographical films.
The Legend of Cocaine Island
Released on Netflix: March 2019
Genre: Documentary Series
There’s been plenty of great new docu-series this year but one that may have flown under the radar is the bizarre docu-series that sees a man traveling to find the buried treasure of cocaine worth over $2 million.
It’s quite unlike any docu-series you’ve seen before and hard to compare against any other docuseries.
Frankenstein’s Monster’s Monster, Frankenstein
Released on Netflix: July 2019
Genre: Mockumentary
Looking for a short title to watch? This certainly fits that requirement although don’t expect to come out the other end anymore enlightened.
Starring Stranger Things’s David Harbour stars as an actor investigating the life of his father. It’s bizarre and perfect for a quick binge.
We hope this gives you an idea on what to watch next on Netflix with titles that may have slipped by. Let us know in the comments if there’s any titles that we have missed.
