With nearly 240 million subscribers worldwide, Netflix is one of the most popular streaming networks of our time (do you actually know someone who doesn't have a Netflix account?). While the streaming service offers a very wide range of iconic movies and shows, its original content continues to wow audiences, with many featuring some of the biggest A-listers around.
Unpredictable storylines and incredible editing surely make for a great show, but the talented celebs that take on these roles are what set apart mediocre shows from those everyone is talking about.
Now that Fall is in full swing (and spooky season is upon us), there's no better time to start binge-watching. Below is a list of the Best Shows on Netflix with the biggest A-list stars available to stream right now.
31 Jenna Ortega — Wednesday (Season 1)
While she got one of her earliest roles as the young Jane in the hit series Jane the Virgin, Jenna Ortega has become a household name as of late. Since the early days of her career, she's gone on to star in tons of hit movies and TV shows, including You, X, The Fallout, and multiple Scream films. And in 2024, she'll star in the highly anticipated Beetlejuice 2.
Perhaps Ortega is most recognized for her role of the iconic Wednesday in the latest show about the creepiest family around. The show was very well-received by audiences and critics alike, and it's been announced that a second season is in the works, expected to air sometime in 2024. The show also features Christina Ricci, the actress who played Wednesday back in 1991's The Addams Family. There's no doubt that the upcoming 2nd season of Wednesday will also be featured on our list of the Best Shows on Netflix featuring A-List actors.
30 Winona Ryder — Stranger Things, Season 4
Winona Ryder, originally hailing from Minnesota, is no stranger to the spotlight. In fact, she's been gracing our movie screens for decades, starring in huge hits, like Heathers, Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, Girl Interrupted, and much more. The actress has also had her fair share of negative attention after she got in trouble with the law following a shoplifting incident back in 2001.
Now, on Netflix's hit series, Stranger Things Ryder has garnered a whole new demographic of fans, as she plays the mother of a young boy who gets caught up with a monster from another dimension. While Netflix hasn't revealed a release date, season five of the show will likely air in late 2024 or even 2025.
29 Johnny Depp — Depp v. Heard (Season 1)
When it comes to celebrities, it doesn't get more A-list than Johnny Depp. The actor has starred in countless popular blockbusters over the course of his career, including Edward Scissorhands, What's Eating Gilbert Grape, Chocolat, Finding Neverland, Sleepy Hollow, and many more. He is also the face of the popular Pirates of the Caribbean film series. He's garnered many award nominations over the years, and won his first Golden Globe for her performance in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
As many fans already know, Depp's private life is almost as interesting as his on-camera life, notably his tumultuous relationship with actress Amber Heard. In the Netflix series, Depp v. Heard, viewers will have the chance to see both testimonies side by side for the very first time and gain a better understanding of the trial that shook Hollywood in 2022.
28 Henry Cavill — The Witcher, Season 3
The British-born actor has become a household name in The States, not only because of his role in the hit Netflix series, The Witcher. Fans came to know Henry Cavill as Charles Brandon on The Tudors and, more recently, as Superman on the silver screen in the DC Extended Universe.
This will be Henry Cavill's final season as Geralt of Rivia on The Witcher, as the show enters its third season on Netflix in the summer of 2023. Laim Hemsworth is set to take over the role in season 4, and the success of the show remains to be seen.
27 Manuel Garcia-Rulfo — The Lincoln Lawyer (Season 2)
Originally from Mexico, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo is becoming more and more recognizable on the Hollywood scene. He appeared in his first American feature film as one of the leading characters, Uncle Pedro, in Bless Me Ultima before starring in the remake of The Magnificent Seven. He also appeared in 2017's Murder on the Orient Express, an adaptation created by actor Kenneth Branagh.
Perhaps Garcia-Rulfo is most recognized for his role in the Netflix series, The Lincoln Lawyer. The show's second season follows defense attorney Mickey Haller, played by Garcia-Rulfo, as he navigates the oftentimes complicated legal system. Unlike the first season of the show, its second season appears in a two-part format, which changes the viewing experience a bit. The show also stars Neve Campbell, Becki Newton, and Jazz Raycole.
26 David Beckham — Beckham (Season 1)
One of the biggest soccer stars in the world, it's hard to find someone who hasn't heard of David Beckham. The soccer star made his initial debut at age 17 with Manchester United, winning multiple accolades. He then went on to play with Real Madrid before signing a five-year contract with LA Galaxy, eventually becoming the first UK soccer player to play 100 UEFA Champions League games, eventually retiring in May 2003. Beckham has also been a UNICEF ambassador since 2005 and launched the 7: The David Beckham UNICEF Fund in 2015.
One of Netflix's newest docu-series, Beckham, explores the soccer stars most exciting and controversial moments of his career, giving viewers a real glimpse into what his life has really been like. From the Academy Award-winning director, Fisher Stevens, this four-part docu-series will give insight into the soccer star's career as well as his very famous family life, which includes his wife, the former Spice Girl and designer, Victoria Beckham.
25 Salma Hayek — Black Mirror, Season 6
The critically-acclaimed dystopian drama kicked off its sixth season with a celebrity-loaded premiere episode, "Joan is Awful." One of its biggest stars was Mexican-American actress Salma Hayek. With an impressive array of films under her belt, including 2002's Frida, many fans were surprised to see Hayek in this dark Netflix series playing herself.
According to a Radio Times report, Hayek described the role in Black Mirror as “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play an interpretation of myself." Unlike other roles the actress has played over the course of her career, Hayek viewed this role differently, explaining, “I got to explore the concepts and clichés people have about me and be self-deprecating."
24 Annie Murphy — Black Mirror, Season 6
Starring alongside Hayek in Black Mirror's "Joan Is Awful" is Annie Murphy, the former breakout star of the cult-favorite series, Schitt's Creek, which became popular in America after it was released on Netflix in 2017. The actress got to show off her comedic chops in the twisted Netflix series' premiere season six episode as Joan.
The actress claims she took the role offered to her in Black Mirror before knowing anything about the character or script, simply because she was such a big fan of the show, according to a Collider report. But it's clear she made the right choice, given that the episode earned rave reviews online, including a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes.
23 Kim Cattrall — Glamorous (Season 1)
Kim Cattrall is most famous for her role in Sex and the City as the sex-positive Samantha Jones. And while she played that role for six seasons, it's certainly not all she's done over the course of her career. Since then, she's starred in Crossroads, Sensitive Skin, and Ice Princess.
In Glamorous, an aspiring beauty influencer lands a job for an iconic makeup mogul and former model, Madolyn Addison, played by Kim Cattrall. You can expect to see some fabulous outfits and lots of Samantha Jones-esque attitude in Cattrall's character, as the show has its funny and heartfelt moments. While the show has been well-received by viewers, a second season has yet to be announced.
22 Aaron Paul — Black Mirror, Season 6
While Black Mirror doesn't always feature A-list celebs, its sixth season is full of recognizable faces, including that of Aaron Paul. Fans may recognize the actor from AMC's Breaking Bad, a show that skyrocketed him into fame. Since then, he's starred in different shows and films, including the popular HBO hit, Westworld.
Recognized as one of the best episodes of Black Mirror's sixth season, Aaron Paul's episode, "Beyond the Sea," also featured '00s star Josh Hartnett. The episode explores the idea of doppelgängers, as Paul's character goes to space as a robot version of himself.
