Pictures courtesy of Netflix
As we barrel towards the midway point of 2025, we’ve already been looking back at the best new titles so far this year with recent articles covering the best new series and documentaries. Those are our picks, but what have critics collectively decided are the best new Netflix releases this year? Here’s a rundown of every single one with a certified fresh rating or 100% score so far in 2025.
At the time of publishing, Netflix has released 253 Netflix Originals so far in 2025. So, how many have gotten either 100% or a certified fresh rating? According to our count, 31 movies, series, and docs have been given a perfect score or the famed Certified Fresh rating.
That may seem low, but many of Netflix’s international releases are not reviewed by critics, at least not enough to warrant a score on RT anyway. This is almost certainly because Netflix is pretty selective with what titles get screeners, among other reasons. Of course, there are plenty of criticisms about using Rotten Tomatoes as a sign of quality, given the controversy surrounding the aggregator, but regardless, it’s an important metric in 2025.
Note: Titles listed below are in order of release (newest to oldest)
Netflix Series with 100%/Certified Fresh Ratings in 2025
- Love, Death and Robots (Volume 4) – Despite some pushback from fans of the show on social media, LD+R continues its track record of having a perfect score record with its latest 10 episodes featuring Mr Beast and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
- Secrets We Keep (Season 1)—This Danish murder mystery managed to capture the imagination of the critics who reviewed it, with a 100% score. Decider said the series is a “thriller that doesn’t try to distract viewers by sending them down too many dead ends, and tells a story about class, race, and wealth in the process.”
Picture: Netflix
- FOREVER (Season 1) – Certified Fresh 96% – The modern adaptation of the Judy Blume novel was a massive hit with critics and audiences as it turns out, with a season 2 renewal coming almost instantly after its arrival. Critics praised the cast for giving the beloved story a new spin.
- Blood of Zeus (Season 3) – 100% – Bowing out with its third and final season, Blood of Zeus continues its excellent streak on RottenTomatoes with yet another 100% rating. Critics praised the final season with some calling it a “showdown for the ages,” while another praised it as a “refreshing and remarkable accomplishment“
- The Four Seasons (Season 1) – Certified Fresh 77% – Another comedy that struck the right chord with critics as the remake/reboot of The Four Seasons with an all-star cast starring Steve Carell and Tina Fey, with the critical consensus calling it witty and wise. The show has been renewed for a second season.
- The Eternaut (Season 1) – 94% rating – We’ll make a slight exception to include The Enternaut given it’s pretty close to having a 100% score and certified fresh rating but falls short because Netflix was stingy with screeners. Praising the atmosphere, world-building, and acting, both audiences and critics were ultimately on board, leading to it getting a pretty speedy renewal.
- North of North (Season 1)—100% Certified Fresh -This YA comedy series, which follows a young Inuk woman looking to build a life for herself, received both a perfect rating and a certified fresh rating. It caught fire with critics, leading to a swift season 2 renewal. The critical consensus reads, “Warm as a winter coat and full of lovable characters from an interesting milieu, North of North is a sweet example of a show that doesn’t need high drama to be addictive.”
- Black Mirror (Season 7) – Certified Fresh 85% – Every season has been rated highly by critics, but most agree the show fully got its mojo back this season with an all-star cast and range of different stories. Most critics thought this season was a more humanistic take on the deeply depressing stories told.
- Devil May Cry – 96% rating – Not having quite enough reviews to warrant the certified fresh rating, most critics seemed to all love the new Adi Shankar animated series based on the hit video game.
- Survival of the Thickest (Season 2)—100%—Michelle Buteau’s return as Mavis Beaumont was once again considered a triumph by critics, with many praising a tighter second season with lots of “laugh out loud” moments.
- Everybody’s Live with John Mulaney (LIVE) – 100% – Over the course of 12 weeks, comedian John Mulaney has been presenting his “one-of-a-kind” talk show weekly on Netflix and most critics seem to agree it’s an excellent addition to the streamer.
Picture: Netflix
- Adolescence – 99% Certified Fresh – Arguably the most impactful show of the year so far for Netflix, the four-part mini-series from the UK swept with critics.
- When Life Gives You Tangerines – 100% – In March, Netflix launched the new K-drama romance series, and critics who reviewed it loved it, with many praising the performances of IU and Park Bo-gum.
- Toxic Town – 100% Certified Fresh – Getting positive reviews across the board (including one from us), the compelling mini-series telling the story of a disaster that led to dozens of babies being born with disabilities gripped critics around the globe.
- Running Point – 78% Certified Fresh – Kate Hudson’s return to the screen did enough to get enough critics out in force to give the show a good enough rating to garner the certified fresh rating. Many praised a tight and funny script, while others said the main cast members got them invested instantly.
- Cobra Kai (Season 6) – 91% Certified Fresh – Only the final part of Cobra Kai dropped in 2025, but reviews kept up the positivity expressed for the first two parts, with many praising the show for going out on a high.
- Melo Movie (Season 1) – 100% – Another Korean romantic drama that’s picked up a sweep of positive reviews, this one headlined by Choi Woo-Sik and Park Bo-Young.
- Sweet Magnolias (Season 4) – 100% – Although season 3 had a rotten 57% rating, that was upped with the most recent fourth season.
- Cassandra – 100% – From Germany, this sci-fi limited series managed to captivate critics with many praising its quirky design and fusion of multiple genres.
- The Snow Girl (Season 2 – The Soul Game) – 100% – While it didn’t exactly perform as well as the original, the second outing for this Spanish mystery thriller did enough to earn a smattering of positive reviews.
- Mo (Season 2) – 96% Certified Fresh – The comedy series starring Mo Amer once again impressed with its second and final season. The critical consensus for the final season reads, “Mo is still full of mirth even as world events weigh heavily on its shoulders in this second and final season, carrying the load with characteristic grace.”
- The Night Agent (Season 2) – 86% Certified Fresh – Although perhaps not quite as beloved as the first season, critics seemed to enjoy the second outing for Gabriel Basso as Peter Sutherland than the first.
- Asura (Season 1) – 100% – This Japanese period drama capture the minds of critics in January with the series following four sisters living coming together to uncover their father’s affair.
Notable mentions that don’t have a score but positive reviews: The Devil’s Plan, Asterix & Obelix: The Big Fight, Resident Playbook, The Glass Dome, The Residence, Apple Cider Vinegar, The Åre Murders, The Recruit (Season 2), XO, Kitty (Season 2), American Primeval
Netflix Movies with 100%/Certified Fresh Ratings in 2025
Picture: Netflix
- Nonnas – Certified Fresh with 80% – We gave the movie a 3/5 rating, saying it was a “family-friendly, sentimental homage to the power of mothers and the legacies they leave behind.”
- Cunk on Life – 100% – Diane Morgan returned as her fictional character to get to the bottom of what the point of life is, and according to critics, it provides plenty of chuckles.
- Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl – 100% Certified Fresh – Although not available on Netflix in the UK, this animated return for the dynamic duo was a hit with everyone who got to see it.
Notable mentions that it doesn’t have a score (or 100%) but mostly positive reviews: Karma
Netflix Documentaries/Reality Titles with 100%/Certified Fresh Ratings in 2025
- American Manhunt: Osama Bin Laden – 100% – Described as “informative”, “riveting,” and “insightful,” this docu-series covers the decade-long hunt to track down one of the most notorious terrorists of the 21st century with rare footage and interviews with CIA insiders.
- Turning Point: The Vietnam War – 100% – Continuing the Turning Point docu-series format, this one focuses on the long-term consequences of the Vietnam War. Critics praised its attention to detail, with one calling it dense but edited and delivered well.
- Gone Girl: The Long Island Serial Killer – 100% – Good crime docs always do well, but Gone Girl is particularly well executed, according to critics, with most praising the information presented.
- Offline Love – 100% – This Japanese reality series managed to get enough critics to review the title publicly and most loved it. Young singles spend ten days in a foreign country, relying on fate alone to fall in love; without any digital devices, will they be able to find the one?
- Surviving Black Hawk Down – 100% – War docs have done particularly well in 2025 with this one produced by Ridley Scott Associates picking up another 100% badge. The story follows US soldiers and Somali fighters who fought in the Battle of Mogadishu, famously captured in the movie Black Hawk Down.
- American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson – 100% – Dubbed the most comprehensive retelling of the crime that captured headlined for over a decade, this series was praised for its meticulous detail.
Notable mentions that don’t have a score (or 100%) but mostly positive reviews: Britain and the Blitz, Chef’s Table: Legends, Oklahoma City Bombing: American Terror, Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing, Million Dollar Secret, Con Mum, The Twister: Caught in the Storm, American Murder: Gabby Petito,
For a refresher on the 2024 series that received perfect scores, revisit them in the link provided. We also did the same for 2023.
What’s the best thing you’ve watched on Netflix so far in 2025? Let us know in the comments.
