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The 8 Best Netflix Original Shows of 2020

Congratulations are in order, because we’ve nearly made it to the end of 2020. One of the main reasons we’ve stayed (semi) sane is Netflix, which has blessed us with countless original shows over the past 12 months.

In honor of the New Year, we rounded up a list of the eight best Netflix original shows of 2020. From The Queen’s Gambit to Love Is Blind, here’s who made the cut.

best netflix original shows the queens gambit
Mark Mainz/Des Willie/Netflix

1. 'the Queen's Gambit'

During the Cold War era, a bright orphan named Elizabeth “Beth” Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy) discovers she’s a chess prodigy. Can she achieve her dream of becoming the world’s greatest Grandmaster?

best netflix original shows love on the spectrum
Courtesy of Netflix

2. 'love On The Spectrum'

This show follows seven young adults on the autism spectrum as they take on the dating world, one unpredictable relationship at a time.

best netflix original shows virgin river
Courtesy of Netflix

3. 'virgin River'

Meet Melinda “Mel” Monroe (Alexandra Breckenridge), a nurse practitioner who moves to the remote California town (Virgin River) to get a fresh start in life. Last month, Netflix released the show’s highly anticipated season two, which picked up right where we left off.

best netflix original shows haunting of bly manor
EIKE SCHROTER/NETFLIX

4. 'haunting Of Bly Manor'

Season two of the anthology series follows Danielle “Dani” Clayton (Victoria Pedretti), a young governess who is hired by a man to look after his niece and nephew. The problem? The grounds are haunted by a terrifying ghost named “The Lady in the Lake.”

best netflix original shows the crown
Courtesy of Netflix

5. 'the Crown'

This historical drama offers a look at the political rivalries and romances of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, along with the events that shaped the second half of the 20th century. There’ve been four seasons in total (with the most recent being released last month).

best netflix original shows away
Courtesy of Netflix

6. 'away'

Emma Green (played by Hilary Swank) is tasked with commanding the first manned mission to Mars. Since it will be the longest outer-space flight in history (three years!), she’s forced to leave behind her husband, NASA engineer Matt Logan (Josh Charles), and her teenage daughter, Alexis (Talitha Bateman).

cheer netflix
Aaron Poole/E! Entertainment/Getty Images

7. 'cheer'

Join the Navarro College Bulldogs Cheer Team who face injuries, setbacks and new tricks as they prepare for the National Cheerleading Championship.

best netflix original shows love is blind
Courtesy of Netflix

8. 'love Is Blind'

Love Is Blind is not your average dating show. Instead, singles attempt to find their perfect match without ever seeing the person face-to-face.

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greta

Senior Editor

Greta Heggeness is a California-based editor at PureWow and has been writing about entertainment since 2015. She covers everything from awards shows to exclusive celebrity...