The Best Anthology TV Series on Netflix

Anthology TV shows, in which each new episode (or season) brings a different set of characters and circumstances that are usually connected thematically in some way, are not a new phenomenon. Despite how it might look from our vantage point, they have been around almost as long as television itself. One of the earliest iterations of the format was NBC’s Kraft Television Theatre, which would broadcast a different televised play every episode. Other similar programs include Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse, which was also on NBC, and Westinghouse Studio One on CBS. These shows featured the likes of James Dean and Grace Kelly before they found more high-profile fame.

More recently, the series American Horror Story has been credited for sparking a change to the anthology format in which the plot and characters are only overhauled between seasons rather than episodes. This has birthed shows such as the wildly successful The White Lotusand True Detective. Anthology series are great because they invite creativity by constantly switching up the premise. Moreover, they require low commitment as you can dip in and out whenever you have a moment, rather than having to wonder if you’ll make it through several seasons without losing steam. Netflix has become a go-to streaming service when it comes to anthologies, so let’s take a look at the best they have to offer.

11 Easy (2016-2019)

Easy is a simple anthology series based in Chicago that follows different couples and friends as they navigate their lives. The characters are loosely connected, so they sometimes appear in a few different episodes, but each episode focuses on a new person or couple. Some of the reoccurring characters are played by Zazie Beetz, Kiersey Clemons, and Dave Franco.

Tonally, the series is naturalistic, open, and subtle, which builds a wonderful atmosphere. Creator Joe Swanberg, who is the show’s only writer, has a knack for true-to-life dialogue, which is the show’s greatest strength. While it goes down easily, its impact is weighty.

10 Black Mirror (2011-Present)

One of the most notorious anthology series of recent years is Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror. While Easy is grounded in reality, Black Mirror explores a dystopian near-future, where technology has taken on an even more sinister edge. Over the years, they’ve had some incredible stars involved, including Daniel Kaluuya, Michaela Coel, and Andrea Riseborough just to name a few.

The stories being told range from posthumous romance to a chilling twist on reality TV and on to a feature-length choose your own adventure installment. Technology has always been what preoccupies the show most, so it’s fitting that they used the Netflix platform to push boundaries on what television can be.

Related: 10 Anthology Sci-fi Series to See Next If You Liked Black Mirror

9 Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings (2019)

Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings is a wonderful creation that takes eight of her most beloved songs and dramatizes them, starting with the all-important “Jolene.” The large cast features Sarah Shahi, Kathleen Turner, and Julianne Hough, with Dolly herself narrating the stories. Given that these stories are based on Dolly Parton songs, they’re obviously targeted at existing fans, so the series doesn’t have the broadest appeal. However, if this is your jam, then it will really work for you. It’s camp, glitzy, and full of life.

8 Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities (2022-Present)

Returning to the horror genre, Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities features “eight unprecedented and genre-defining sinister narratives meant to challenge traditional notions of horror,” as reported by Variety. Some of the directors del Toro recruited for the project are Catherine Hardwicke (Twilight, Thirteen), Jennifer Kent (The Babadook, The Nightingale), and Panos Cosmatos (Mandy).

There’s an impressive variety within the eight stories told here, ranging from truly terrifying to more absurd and comedic horror, which represents the breadth of the genre well. Del Toro has done something that other directors of his stature should take note of by creating space for less well known directors to get their work out there.

Related: The Scariest Episodes of Anthology Horror Series

7 Goedam (2020)

Continuing the horror theme, Goedam is another anthology series dedicated to the genre. This time, each episode is centered around a different urban legend about what happens after dark. As with most of these anthology series, there is a large cast to accommodate new characters each episode, and some of the stars include Song Chae-Yoon, Han Su-ah, and Shim So-Young.

What sets this series apart from other horror-based anthologies is that the episodes are only 10 minutes long. This means that these bite size installments really pack a punch. There’s no time for filler, so they get straight to the ominous point.

6 Criminal: UK (2019-2020)

Criminal is a unique crime drama in which all the action is set within one interrogation room. Each episode covers a different case, with a new person being interrogated by the detective team made up of Katherine Kelly, Lee Ingleby, Rochenda Sandall, and Shubham Saraf. Since the setting is restricted in this way, it’s essential that the writing and acting are top-notch, as there’s no action or scenery to hide behind.

Luckily for everyone involved, it’s incredibly well put together, building impressive tension despite the lack of physical combat that often arises in crime-based shows. David Tennant’s performance in the first season is a stand-out of the series, his subtle but piercing acting lends itself perfectly to this style of show.

5 The Haunting (2018-2020)

Mike Flanagan’s installments of The Haunting of Hill House and the following The Haunting of Bly Manor are not anthology series in the traditional sense of every episode telling a new story, but each season instead. Much of the same cast is used across both and there are definite thematic links tying the work together. Victoria Pedretti plays significant roles in both, as do Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Henry Thomas, and Carla Gugino.

Each season explores a new house that is haunted, whether it’s by a real ghost or the past or the characters themselves is the question. To that end, writing for Vulture about Hill House, Lindsey Romain argues, “Trauma builds walls around us, but The Haunting of Hill House shines a light on the exit.”

4 Love, Death + Robots (2019-Present)

The 13-time Emmy winner, Love, Death + Robots is an animated anthology series spanning comedy, drama, and horror. Similarly to Goedam, the episodes are short, only 15 minutes, so they act more like short stories in comparison with full-length anthology series. It comes from Tim Miller, director of Deadpool, and David Fincher, known for the likes of Fight Club and The Social Network.

The use of animation here is well done, with different styles used for each installment and this can range from photo-realism to more of a comic book style. By tailoring this to each story, there is a clear sense of intentionality and thoughtfulness behind them all. It’s bold and experimental and surprising in all the best ways, and with such short episodes, if one doesn’t suit your tastes, you can move right along.

3 Persona (2019)

Persona is a four-episode miniseries that features Ji-eun Lee in each story under a different persona. She is joined by Bae Doona, Kim Tae-hoon, and Park Hae-soo as she navigates the four scenarios which are simple but effective. One of the most impactful episodes is the final story where we just follow two people taking a walk together at night and having a conversation, and the fact that this is as engaging as it is makes it all the more impressive. Each episode has a different director and therefore different style, and it’s interesting to watch these different approaches.

2 Kaleidoscope (2023)

Even among some particularly unique and inventive shows, Kaleidoscope stands out from the crowd. It’s loosely based on a real heist in New York City, where $70 billion was stolen during Hurricane Sandy, but, of course, takes its liberties. The great central cast includes Giancarlo Esposito, Paz Vega, and Tati Gabrielle. Each episode tells a different story that takes place somewhere over a 24-year span leading up to the heist itself.

However, what is most significant here is that besides the first and last episodes, you can watch them in any order you like and have a different experience every time. While some might argue it’s a gimmick, it’s an incredibly fun one if it is, and it introduces a new way of approaching TV that hasn’t been much explored before.

1 Slasher (2016-Present)

As with The Haunting, Slasher is an anthology series that resets between seasons rather than every episode. Each story centers around a new killer, starting in season one with a woman who returns to her hometown only to find that a murderer is picking off residents one by one. Some frequently occurring actors in the series are Christopher Jacot, Paula Brancati, and Joanne Vannicola.

If you’re a horror fan, it will be hard to go wrong here. It may be trope-filled but only in the best ways that show the creators have a love of the genre. For eerie, bloody drama, look no further.