Top 10 Hidden Gems on Netflix You’re Probably Missing in 2025

199 Views

ten gems netflix

We all know the big Netflix blockbusters like Stranger Things, The Crown, and Squid Game. Beneath the surface, however, Netflix hides dozens of shows and films that rarely make headlines but are worth every minute of your time. These “hidden gems” often slip under the radar due to limited promotion or regional restrictions.

Here is our curated list of ten underrated titles you probably have not seen yet.

How We Selected These Gems

  • Lesser-known titles with strong audience or critic ratings

  • Unique storytelling and engaging characters

  • Variety across genres, including drama, comedy, documentary, and international titles

Dark (Germany)

  • IMDb rating: 8.7/10

  • Genre: Science fiction, Mystery, Thriller

  • Release date: December 1, 2017 – June 27, 2020 (3 seasons)

  • Main cast: Louis Hofmann, Lisa Vicari, Karoline Eichhorn, Maja Schöne, Oliver Masucci, Jördis Triebel

  • Synopsis: In the small German town of Winden, two children vanish under strange circumstances, triggering a search that unearths hidden secrets. As four families become entangled in the mystery, timelines begin to intersect through an unsettling time-travel conspiracy. The series delves into questions of fate, free will, and the cyclical nature of history.

The Half of It

  • IMDb rating: 6.9/10

  • Genre: Coming-of-age, Comedy-Drama

  • Release date: May 1, 2020

  • Main cast: Leah Lewis, Daniel Diemer, Alexxis Lemire, Enrique Murciano, Wolfgang Novogratz, Becky Ann Baker

  • Synopsis: Ellie Chu, a quiet and intelligent student, agrees to help her classmate Paul win the heart of Aster by writing letters on his behalf. While pretending to play matchmaker, Ellie discovers her own feelings for Aster, complicating the arrangement. The film explores themes of friendship, identity, and unexpected love.

Midnight Mass

  • IMDb rating: 7.7/10

  • Genre: Horror, Drama, Mystery

  • Release date: September 24, 2021

  • Main cast: Zach Gilford, Kate Siegel, Hamish Linklater, Samantha Sloyan, Rahul Kohli, Henry Thomas

  • Synopsis: A small island community experiences strange events after the arrival of a charismatic priest. As miracles turn into horrors, the residents are forced to confront questions of faith, redemption, and fear. The series blends supernatural terror with deep philosophical undertones.

Derry Girls

  • IMDb rating: 8.5/10

  • Genre: Comedy

  • Release date: January 4, 2018 – May 18, 2022 (3 seasons)

  • Main cast: Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Louisa Harland, Nicola Coughlan, Jamie-Lee O’Donnell, Dylan Llewellyn, Siobhán McSweeney

  • Synopsis: Set in Northern Ireland during the 1990s, the story follows a group of teenage girls navigating school, family, and growing up during the Troubles. Full of humor, awkwardness, and charm, the series captures both the absurdity and resilience of youth in a divided society.

The Platform

  • IMDb rating: 7.0/10

  • Genre: Thriller, Sci-Fi, Horror

  • Release date: November 8, 2019 (Spain), March 20, 2020 (Netflix release)

  • Main cast: Iván Massagué, Antonia San Juan, Zorion Eguileor, Emilio Buale, Alexandra Masangkay

  • Synopsis: In a vertical prison, food is delivered floor by floor on a descending platform, leaving the lower levels starving. A prisoner attempts to change the brutal system but faces unimaginable challenges. The film is a chilling social commentary on inequality and survival.

Giri/Haji

  • IMDb rating: 7.8/10

  • Genre: Crime, Thriller, Drama

  • Release date: October 17, 2019

  • Main cast: Takehiro Hira, Kelly Macdonald, Yōsuke Kubozuka, Will Sharpe, Sophia Brown, Charlie Creed-Miles

  • Synopsis: A Tokyo detective travels to London in search of his missing brother who is linked to a Yakuza murder. Caught between loyalty and justice, he becomes entangled in a dangerous web of crime and family ties. The series mixes action, suspense, and heartfelt drama.

Unorthodox

  • IMDb rating: 8.0/10

  • Genre: Drama

  • Release date: March 26, 2020 (mini-series)

  • Main cast: Shira Haas, Amit Rahav, Jeff Wilbusch, Alex Reid, Delia Mayer, Dina Doron

  • Synopsis: Inspired by true events, the story follows a young woman who escapes her ultra-Orthodox Jewish community in Brooklyn to start a new life in Berlin. Struggling with freedom, identity, and belonging, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery.

Love, Death & Robots

  • IMDb rating: 8.4/10

  • Genre: Animation, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Horror

  • Release date: March 15, 2019 – 2022 (3 volumes)

  • Main cast: Varies per episode, including Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Topher Grace, Samira Wiley, Gary Cole

  • Synopsis: This animated anthology brings together short stories that span science fiction, fantasy, horror, and comedy. Each episode presents a unique style and narrative, from dystopian futures to surreal adventures. It is bold, experimental, and visually stunning.

I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore

  • IMDb rating: 6.9/10

  • Genre: Comedy, Crime, Drama

  • Release date: February 24, 2017

  • Main cast: Melanie Lynskey, Elijah Wood, David Yow, Jane Levy, Devon Graye, Christine Woods

  • Synopsis: After being burglarized, a depressed woman teams up with her oddball neighbor to track down the thieves. Their amateur investigation quickly spirals into chaos. The film blends dark humor with offbeat action and a sense of justice gone wrong.

The Innocents

  • IMDb rating: 6.3/10

  • Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

  • Release date: August 24, 2018 (1 season)

  • Main cast: Sorcha Groundsell, Percelle Ascott, Guy Pearce, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Sam Hazeldine, Lise Risom Olsen

  • Synopsis: Two teenagers run away from home only to discover that one of them possesses a mysterious shapeshifting ability. Their journey for freedom soon turns into a dangerous adventure as they uncover a hidden world of secrets. The series explores love, identity, and supernatural power.

Honorable Mentions

If you still want more, here are a few extra titles that deserve recognition:

  • Calibre (gritty thriller)

  • Cargo (emotional zombie drama starring Martin Freeman)

  • High Score (documentary on video game history)

How to Find More Hidden Gems on Netflix

Netflix’s algorithm often promotes popular titles, which means underrated shows are harder to find. To uncover them:

  • Use Netflix’s secret category codes

  • Explore international catalogs by changing your region settings

  • Check the “More Like This” recommendations on titles you already enjoy

Many households still balance between live television and on-demand content. For example, families that rely on DISH TV for sports or news often turn to Netflix for these hidden gems in their downtime.

Streaming vs Traditional TV

Traditional TV remains popular, especially for live events. At the same time, modern streaming services allow viewers to dive into niche stories and international titles that might never appear on mainstream schedules. Together, they create a complete viewing experience.

Conclusion

The next time you find yourself endlessly scrolling on Netflix, give one of these hidden gems a chance. From thrilling mysteries to heartfelt dramas, these titles prove that some of the best entertainment is not always in the spotlight.

Which hidden gem have you discovered on Netflix? Share your favorite in the comments below so other readers can add it to their watchlist.

Written by Mickel Clark

Mickel is a streaming aficionado who loves nothing more than to pen down his thoughts about the movies, anime and TV shows he has watched and likes sharing hacks on how to stream them online.