Tv Shows 2016 Netflix: The Classics Everyone Forgot About
- 01. The Definitive Guide to Netflix TV Shows Released in 2016
- 02. Why 2016 Was a Watershed Year for Netflix Originals
- 03. Top 16 Best Netflix Original Shows of 2016 (Critics' Rankings)
- 04. Key Shows That Defined 2016 Netflix Programming
- 05. Stranger Things: The Cultural Phenomenon
- 06. The Crown: Premium Historical Drama
- 07. Narcos: The Brazilian-Latin Connection
- 08. Notable 2016 Netflix Original Series by Genre
- 09. Why 2016 Netflix Shows Still Hit Different Today
The Definitive Guide to Netflix TV Shows Released in 2016
The top Netflix TV shows released in 2016 include Stranger Things, The Crown, Narcos, Orange Is the New Black (Season 4), House of Cards (Season 4), Daredevil (Season 2), Luke Cage, The OA, Sense8 (Christmas special), Lady Dynamite, Love, Easy, The Get Down, Bloodline (Season 2), and 3%. These programs defined Netflix's transformation into a global streaming powerhouse, with 31 original series released that year-roughly double the output from 2015.
Why 2016 Was a Watershed Year for Netflix Originals
2016 marked Netflix's unprecedented global expansion moment, when the service launched in nearly every country worldwide except North Korea, Syria, Crimea, and China. This strategic move coincided with a massive content investment, as Netflix committed to filling half its catalog with original programming. The company released three new TV series every other week throughout the year, maintaining momentum despite a midyear price hike.
Breakout hits like Stranger Things and Luke Cage drove subscriber growth while expensive productions like Marco Polo and The Get Down failed to resonate with audiences. Netflix CFO David Wells stated the company could "live with singles, doubles and triples, especially commensurate with their cost," reflecting a strategy focused on breadth rather than only home runs.
Top 16 Best Netflix Original Shows of 2016 (Critics' Rankings)
Using Metacritic's aggregated critic and audience scores, here are the 16 highest-rated Netflix original dramas and comedies that released new episodes in 2016:
| Rank | Show Title | Metacritic Score | Audience Score | Genre |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lady Dynamite | 85/100 | 6.7/10 | Comedy |
| 2 | Orange Is the New Black | 84.3/100 | 8.2/10 | Drama/Comedy |
| 3 | The Crown | 81/100 | 8.7/10 | Drama |
| 4 | Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt | 80/100 | 7.8/10 | Comedy |
| 5 | BoJack Horseman | 79/100 | 8.7/10 | Animation/Comedy |
| 6 | Marvel's Luke Cage | 79/100 | 8.3/10 | Action/Drama |
| 7 | House of Cards | 76/100 | 8.5/10 | Drama |
| 8 | Narcos | 76/100 | 8.5/10 | Criminal Drama |
| 9 | Stranger Things | 76/100 | 9.0/10 | Horror/Sci-Fi |
| 10 | Easy | 72/100 | 5.5/10 | Anthony/Drama |
| 11 | Love | 72/100 | 7.5/10 | Romantic Comedy |
| 12 | The Get Down | 69/100 | 7.6/10 | Musical Drama |
| 13 | Marvel's Daredevil | 68/100 | 8.9/10 | Action/Drama |
| 14 | Bloodline | 67.5/100 | 8.1/10 | Thriller |
| 15 | Sense8 | 63/100 | 7.9/10 | Sci-Fi Drama |
| 16 | The OA | 61/100 | 7.0/10 | Mystery/Sci-Fi |
Key Shows That Defined 2016 Netflix Programming
Stranger Things: The Cultural Phenomenon
Released on July 15, 2016, Stranger Things became Netflix's breakout megahit with a 9.0/10 audience score despite a 76/100 Metacritic rating. The show follows a small town uncovering supernatural mysteries when a 12-year-old boy vanishes, featuring a single mother named Joyce played by Winona Ryder. Its 1980s nostalgia, supernatural horror elements, and ensemble cast created unprecedented binge-watching momentum.
The Crown: Premium Historical Drama
The Crown premiered in November 2016 with an 81/100 Metacritic score, following Queen Elizabeth II's reign across several decades alongside political rivalries and romance. This high-budget historical production represented Netflix's commitment to prestigious original content that could compete with HBO's quality standards. The 10-episode first season established the show as a critic favorite with an 8.7/10 audience rating.
Narcos: The Brazilian-Latin Connection
Narcos maintained strong popularity in 2016 with a 76/100 Metacritic score and 8.5/10 audience rating, depicting the rise of Colombian drug cartels. This show exemplified Netflix's Latin American content strategy, which later expanded with "3%," the first series shot entirely in Brazil. Cinematographer Cesar Charlone, who worked on "City of God," brought authentic Brazilian production values to the thriller.
- Stranger Things (July 15, 2016) - Supernatural horror with 9.0/10 audience score
- The Crown (November 4, 2016) - Historical drama with 81/100 critic score
- Luke Cage (September 30, 2016) - Marvel superhero with 79/100 Metacritic
- Narcos (Season 2, September 2, 2016) - Crime drama with 8.5/10 audience rating
- Orange Is the New Black (Season 4, June 17, 2016) - Prison drama with 84.3/100 score
Notable 2016 Netflix Original Series by Genre
Netflix's 2016 programming strategy targeted diverse audience segments across multiple genres, from kids shows to stand-up comedy specials. The platform released 31 original shows, 30 kids shows, 12 documentaries, and 10 stand-up comedy specials according to their 2016 production pipeline.
- Sci-Fi/Mystery: The OA (December 9, 2016), Sense8 Christmas special, Travelers, Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia
- Superhero/Action: Daredevil Season 2 (March 18, 2016), Luke Cage (September 30, 2016)
- Comedy: Lady Dynamite (May 20, 2016), Love (February 19, 2016), Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Season 2
- Drama: Bloodline Season 2 (May 27, 2016), House of Cards Season 4 (March 4, 2016)
- International: 3% (Brazil, 2016), Fauda (Israel), Easy (Chicago anthology)
Why 2016 Netflix Shows Still Hit Different Today
These 2016 originals established Netflix's content legacy that continues defining streaming culture nearly a decade later. Stranger Things spawned multiple sequels and became a cultural touchstone for millennial nostalgia. The Crown won multiple Emmy Awards and set new standards for historical drama production values on streaming platforms.
Netflix's 2016 strategy of releasing complete seasons at once perfected the binge-watching model that changed how audiences consume television. The platform also introduced offline downloading by late 2016, allowing viewers to watch content on planes and in areas with poor connectivity. This innovation removed bandwidth Caps as a barrier to consumption.
By 2016, Netflix had cemented its place as a media giant with more customers and reach than any big-cable competitor. The company's global expansion meant these shows reached audiences in nearly every country simultaneously, creating worldwide cultural moments that traditional cable could never achieve.
What are the most common questions about Tv Shows 2016 Netflix The Classics Everyone Forgot About?
What were the best Netflix shows released in 2016?
The best Netflix shows of 2016 according to critics were Lady Dynamite (85/100), Orange Is the New Black (84.3/100), The Crown (81/100), Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (80/100), and BoJack Horseman (79/100), with Stranger Things leading in audience score at 9.0/10.
How many original Netflix shows were released in 2016?
Netflix released 31 original shows in 2016, roughly double their 2015 output, as part of a stated goal to fill half their catalog with original programming.
When did Stranger Things first release on Netflix?
Stranger Things premiered on July 15, 2016, becoming Netflix's breakout hit with a 76/100 Metacritic score and 9.0/10 audience rating.
Was The Crown released in 2016 on Netflix?
Yes, The Crown premiered on November 4, 2016, with 10 episodes following Queen Elizabeth II's reign, earning an 81/100 Metacritic score and 8.7/10 audience rating.
What was Netflix's first Brazilian original series?
"3%" was Netflix's first series shot entirely in Brazil, debuting in 2016 with director Cesar Charlone, who previously worked as a cinematographer on "City of God".
Did Netflix introduce offline downloads in 2016?
Yes, Netflix closed out 2016 by adding offline video downloading, allowing viewers to watch content on planes and in dead-signal areas, though licensing restrictions meant only部分 catalog was available.
