The five best series on Netflix that demand a second watch
Some people rewatch to chase threads they once dropped, others rewatch to wrap themselves in a narrative nostalgia like a favourite hoodie pulled from the back of the trunk. But let’s be clear, rewatching is not a sign of weakness. It’s a ritual, a return, and a second slice of a story too rich for just one bite. And on Netflix, you may find many such titles.
Maybe it’s unfinished business, a subplot dangling like a cliffhanger. Or maybe, it’s a closure just to feel the final bow again. Sometimes, it’s not even about the story. It’s about the vibe. The characters who feel like next-door neighbours. The inside jokes you now get.
And let’s not forget the labyrinths we’re thrown into. Twisty timelines, hidden Easter eggs, arcs layered like a mille-feuille, and the thrill of spotting foreshadowing you missed the first time around. In cases of shows, multi-year gaps between seasons can also cause daze and disorientation.
While creators love spinning webs, viewers enjoy getting caught over and over again. Then there are also unicorns, which get better with each rewatch – timeless and iconic. So, if you’re here for any of those reasons, here are the five best series on Netflix that demand a second watch.
The five best series on Netflix that demand a second watch
Breaking Bad (Vince Gilligan, 2008-2013)
Only those living under a rock can remain oblivious to the landmark showbiz phenomenon, Breaking Bad. And we have every reason to believe you aren’t one of them. Set in New Mexico, the neo-Western crime drama follows an over-qualified high-school chemistry teacher, Walter White, grappling with a recently diagnosed stage-three cancer, who turns to a life of crime to leave his family better than they are.
Breaking Bad has often been regarded as one of the greatest series of all time. The show is planted with callbacks and clues that pay off later on. On a rewatch, you’ll catch a ton of those shades you probably missed the first time. Even in terms of visual storytelling, it’s one of the best that’s out there. From stunning framework to colour symbolism, everything feels richer the second time.
In fact, Breaking Bad is one such show, even if you know what’s coming, the suspense remains the anchor of these episodes. In case you’ve watched Better Call Saul, streaming Breaking Bad is even more fruitful. While there’s always the phenomenal delivery, courtesy of Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, the character arcs also haunt you more on repeat viewing.
The Blacklist (Jon Bokenkamp, 2013-2023)
A show’s length may matter in the case of rewatches. But some shows are so gripping that even an extensive rewatch feels rewarding. In The Blacklist, James Spader is the heart of the show. So, if you are a fan of his monologues and mannerisms, The Blacklist indeed is worth a second watch. The NBC show is not without its twists and turns. But there are so many secrets and hidden agendas that a rewatch allows you to grasp the motivations driving the characters even better.
A few Blacklisters were convincing enough to have their own standalone thrillers. From in-depth character developments to a second chance at re-experiencing the soundtrack that speaks, a rewatch has a lot to offer. And the highlight? This time, you don’t have to wait for weekly releases for a binge-worthy marathon.
Dark (Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese, 2017-2020)
Daze and disorientation are a must if you’re a first-time viewer of Dark. The show takes place in the fictional town of Winden in Germany, where dysfunctional characters race against time to unravel a generational conspiracy following a child’s mysterious disappearance. Dark was undoubtedly the most-watched title during the pandemic period, and between the season gaps, it sparked theories and conversations as if there was no tomorrow.
For the first time around, the trippy time jumps, coupled with multiple timelines, can be difficult to track. What’s more confusing is following the characters across different ages. Viewers can also find the concepts of the bootstrap paradox, time loops, and quantum entanglement overwhelming. But once you return for a second watch, it won’t feel like such a brain freezer. You’ll connect the dots easier and perhaps realise how tightly plotted they really are – every character, every event, every item.
A rewatch also allows viewers to trace the foreshadowing overlooked the first time, from the significance of the coin to the intricacies of the Sic Mundus prophecy. Even the mirror imagery the creators used starts making more sense. But most importantly, the idea of “The beginning is the end and the end is the beginning” will suddenly start clicking. And that alone is a moment of enlightenment.
Black Mirror (Charlie Brooker, 2016-Present)
Credited for reviving the anthology format single-handedly, Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror is another Netflix series worth a second watch or more. Since the episodes are self-contained, rewatching Black Mirror doesn’t require a full series commitment. Set mostly in near-dystopian settings, the show takes inspiration from The Twilight Zone, focusing on technology and media to provide social commentary on contemporary issues.
In the case of Black Mirror, fans are free to revisit episodes they loved the most or the ones that went over their heads the first time around. But what makes Black Mirror a perfect choice for rewatch is not leniency. It’s the possibility of growing newer perspectives over time in accordance with technological evolution or personal overview.
‘Nosedive,’ ‘San Junipero,’ ‘Hang the DJ,’ ‘White Christmas,’ and ‘Fifteen Million Merits’ are a few episodes worth gaining fresh relevance on repeat viewing. Additionally, rewatching allows an aerial point of view, letting you in on the clues that eventually connect the universe.
The Big Bang Theory (Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, 2007-2019)
Lastly, if you’re aching for a comfort throwback, watch The Big Bang Theory a second, third, or the nth time because no matter how many times you do, that magic doesn’t fade. Once upon a streaming era, the sitcom was a staple for every household. And even now, you can catch a glimpse of Sheldon Cooper on Netflix in countries including the UK, India, and Italy.
While it may reek of predictable humour, nothing topples The Big Bang Theory from the comfort watchlist of millennials worldwide. It’s easy to watch. And returning to the familiar characters almost feels like home. From pack-a-punch dialogues to the rhythms of physical comedy, the show captures geek culture at its best. And if you return once, the chances of recoiling go to zero. So, happy streaming!