The series reaches audiences through reviews and feedback. One such review comes from a critic whose consistent support helps the television industry grow and foster more innovative ideas. Here, let us look at the top 5 critically acclaimed TV shows.
Squid Game
Children play games, but what happens when adults are allowed to play a game with their lives at stake? Underlying this theme, Korean director Hwang Dong-hyuk crafted the Squid Game series. The main story is about a contest played by 456 financially unstable players to win a huge amount of money, but failing this will result in harsh punishment– death. The series uncovers disparity and social inequality in a nuanced way. After its initial release on September 17, 2021, it garnered appreciation from critics and viewers for its unique concept, screenplay, background score, and character-driven acting. After the triumph of the first two seasons, Squid Game’s third and final season is set to be released on June 27, 2025.
House of Cards
Metaphorically, House of Cards is referred to as a situation that is at risk and about to collapse. Embedded in this theme, filmmaker Beau Willimon highlights the life of politician Frank Underwood, as a Congressman from South Carolina, along with his wife Claire, to embark on a political scheme to pursue his dream. The series delves into the themes of manipulation, betrayal, and the corrupting influence of power within the political landscape. With the initial release on February 1, 2013, the star-studded series immediately gained widespread popularity because of the gripping plot. After the consecutive success for six seasons, the series ended on November 2, 2018. This Netflix-acquired series remains in the top spot till today.
Stranger Things
Directors: The Duffer Brothers combine all the essential elements–horror, sci-fi, drama, and coming-of-age genres in Stranger Things. Set against the backdrop of a fictional town, Hawkins, Indiana, in the late 1980s, the series centres on a missing boy named Will Byers. His disappearance unveils a network of mysterious activities involving supernatural powers. This series features an ensemble cast, but in the lead roles are Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, and Millie Bobby Brown.
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As the season progresses, the plot intensifies with the addition of new characters, highlighting the impact of these events on the town and its residents, and how they confront dreadful monsters from another universe called the “Upside Down”. Each episode can captivate the audience through its suspense and compelling story. This series premiered on July 15, 2016, and upon its release, it gained wide attention from critics and audiences because of the characteristic performance by actors, background score, writing, and directing. The series’ last season is yet to be released in 2025.
All of us are dead
It is a South Korean coming-of-age genre series focusing on a group of friends, Park Ji-hu, Yoon Chan-young, Cho Yi-hyun, Lomon, Yoo In-soo, Lee Yoo-mi, Kim Byung-chul, Lee Kyu-hyung, and Jeon Bae-soo, struggling to overcome the zombie outbreak in high school. Set against the backdrop of a fictional city of Hyosan, South Korea, the directors Chun Sung-il, Lee Jae-kyoo, and Kim Nam-su have drawn from a webtoon with the same name. The series premiered on January 28, 2022, and led to further character development because of the compelling storyline and plot twists.
Till today, it holds a special place in the audience’s mind and top spot on Netflix.Metaphorically, House of Cards is referred to as a situation that is at risk and about to collapse. Embedded in this theme, filmmaker Beau Willimon highlights the life of politician Frank Underwood, as a Congressman from South Carolina, along with his wife Claire, to embark on a political scheme to pursue his dream.
The series delves into the themes of manipulation, betrayal, and the corrupting influence of power within the political landscape. With the initial release on February 1, 2013, the star-studded series immediately gained widespread popularity because of the gripping plot. After the consecutive success for six seasons, the series ended on November 2, 2018. This Netflix-acquired series remains in the top spot till today.
Wednesday
It is not a day, it is the name of a person, Wednesday Addams, played by Jenna Ortega as the star of the series, in the American supernatural mystery comedy TV series “ Wednesday”. The story unfolds the special qualities of Wednesday in school, who has psychic powers to solve the murder mysteries. All the actors received accolades, especially Jenna for her exceptional portrayal. Upon its release on November 23, 2022, it reached the top spot on Netflix. However, till today, Wednesday has sustained the popular spot.Â
Written By: Tejaswini Prasad