Today, there are dozens of options to stream movies and TV shows. Between massive streaming services like Hulu and Prime Video, as well as the more niche services like CBS All Access and DC Universe, there are more than enough content to keep people entertained.
One of the first streaming services, however, was Netflix. Netflix originally just allowed people to stream movies and TV shows from other studios, but eventually, Netflix started to develop its own original content. The first Netflix original series was House of Cards in 2013, but since then they have created hundreds of TV shows and movies under their banner.
Netflix no doubt still gets people tuning in for the Hollywood blockbusters that eventually come out on their platform, but several of their shows have also become critically acclaimed and highly anticipated over the years. While their first original show was mostly a political drama, their comedy section has also grown considerably since Netflix was founded in 1997.
While some of their comedies have done incredibly well with fans and critics, others have gotten horrible reviews. Here are 15 Netflix Original Comedies With 100% on Rotten Tomatoes (And The 15 Worst).
Best: Master Of None? (100%)
The first season of Master of None was released in 2015 and now four years later, there is still only two seasons on Netflix. Parks and Recreation star Aziz Ansari stars in Master of None as Dev Shah; a 30-year-old actor living in New York. The show simply follows his personal and professional life, but was praised by fans and critics upon its release.
The first season takes place in New York, while the second season sees Dev traveling to Italy. Both seasons of the show have gotten a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, and it’s not hard to see why.
Worst: The After Party (0%)
Last year, Netflix released a comedy called The After Party. The movie centers around a rapper who after going to an after party in New York City, gets the chance to relaunch his career. The film was directed by Ian Edelman, who previously had only directed one film called Puerto Ricans in Paris.
While hiring up and coming directors can sometimes be a good thing for Netflix, it seemed to backfire with Edelman. Reviews for The After Party were less than favorable and the title currently has a 0% on Rotten Tomatoes. Not only that, but people reeling from epilepsy criticized the movie for not accurately depicting people with their disorder.
Best: Big Mouth (100%)
Cartoons have always been a part of American culture, but not all cartoons are suitable for younger audiences. There are several animated series that are geared towards adult audiences, much like Netflix’s Big Mouth. Big Mouth follows a group of teenagers in Middle School who are going through puberty.
The show stars some big-named comedians such as Nick Kroll, John Mulaney, Fred Armisen, Jordan Peele, and Maya Rudolph to name a few. Netflix has currently released two seasons and a Valentine’s Day special, all of which have earned a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Worst: The True Memoirs Of An International Assassin (0%)
Kevin James has had some memorable roles like Paul Blart from Paul Blart: Mall Cop and Doug Heffernan from The King of Queen, but the actor hit an all-time low in 2016. In 2016, James’ only film was True Memoirs of an International Assassin.
In the movie, James plays Sam Larson, an author who is thrown into the life of one of his characters named Mason Carver. The film was absolutely destroyed by critics, leading to a 0% on Rotten Tomatoes and a pitiful 43% Audience Score.
Best: Chris Rock: Tamborine (100%)
While Netflix has comedies in the form of movies and TV shows, they also have their fair share of comedy stand-up specials. One that has a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes is Chris Rock: Tamborine. The special obviously stars Chris Rock, but what’s more interesting is that it was directed by Bo Burnham, who is known for his stand-up specials what and Make Happy.
Chris Rock jokes about fatherhood and hot-button topics, but his special was memorable partly because it was his first stand-up special in 10 years.
Worst: The Ridiculous 6 (0%)
Adam Sandler was once a profitable comedian who starred in popular films like Happy Gilmore and Billy Madison, but lately he has been the star of several lackluster projects. One of these projects was The Ridiculous 6, which was released on Netflix in 2015.
Besides Sandler, the film stars Terry Crews, Jorge Garcia, Taylor Lautner, Rob Schneider, and Luke Wilson. All of these actors play the sons of a bank robber, played by Nick Nolte. Despite the film having some notable actors and director Frank Coraci, who directed films like The Waterboy and The Wedding Singer, The Ridiculous 6 didn’t go over well with anybody.
Best: Aggretsuko (100%)
Another sub-genre that Netflix has included in their titles is anime. Aggretsuko Retsuko was originally a Japanese anime centering around an anthropomorphic red panda, who works as an accountant during the day and goes to sing heavy metal in a karaoke bar at night.
Last year, Netflix developed their own series with the character Retsuko, which received just as much praise as the original series. So far, only one season and a Christmas special have been released, but the second season is expected to air sometime this year.
Best: Crazy Head (100%)
Not everyone can effectively combine comedy and horror, but the creators of Crazyhead did just that. Released as a mini-series in 2016, Crazyhead stars Cara Theobold (Amy) and Susan Wokoma (Raquel) as two 20-year-olds who fight demons.
The series was created by the same guy who created Misfits, Howard Overman, so it wasn’t much of a surprise when Crazyhead did well with fans and critics both. While Misfits ran for five seasons, Crazyhead only got one season with a total of six episodes. Needless to say, Netflix could benefit from giving Crazyhead another season.
Worst: Father Of The Year (0%)
Much like his frequent co-star Adam Sandler, David Spade has had some hits and misses in his career. He has starred in films like The Emperor’s New Groove and Tommy Boy, but films like Joe Dirt and Father of the Year are also in his filmography.
In the film, two college graduates argue over whose dad would win in a fight. Spade plays the washed-up drinker, while Nat Faxon plays the role of the other father. The film may have been memorable, but only memorable for how bad it truly was.
Best: Hannah Gadsby: Nanette (100%)
When it comes to stand-up comedy, it can either be a hit or a miss. Netflix has a lot of stand-up comedy routines online, but among the best is Hannah Gadsby: Nanette. Hannah Gadsby is an Australian comedian who has been working in the business since 2006.
She has appeared in shows like The Librarians, Underbelly, and Please Like Me, but stand-up is where she shines. Nanette is not only her newest comedy special, but it is one of her most popular with the title receiving a 100% Tomatometer score and a 65% audience score.
Worst: The Do-Over (10%)
Yet another Adam Sandler movie to make this list is called The Do-Over. While some of Sandler’s movies have gotten a 0% on Rotten Tomatoes, The Do-Over got a 10%, which honestly isn’t that much better. The Do-Over stars Sandler and David Spade, who start their lives over with new identities.
The director of the film, Steven Brill, has worked with Sandler on several occasions, but The Do-Over was critically one of the worst movies he’s done with the actor. That being said, he did also direct the stand up special Adam Sandler: 100% Fresh, which wasn’t really 100% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes but did well with an 89%.
Best: Dear White People (99%)
While not receiving a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, Dear White People does currently hold a 99% rating. The first season of the show scored a 98%, while the second season scored a perfect 100%. The series is set in a white Ivy League college and centers around black students who are discriminated against.
The series stars Logan Browning, Brandon P. Bell, DeRon Horton, and Antoinette Robertson and was created Justin Simien; the director of the 2014 film, Dear White People.
Worst: Insatiable (12%)
Debby Ryan has come a long way from her days on Barney & Friends, but her newest show doesn’t seem to be much better than her first acting gig. Ryan’s latest show is called Insatiable, which is based on a New York Times article called “The Pageant King of Alabama”.
Ryan stars as a teenager who seeks revenge on her bullies, who made fun of her for being overweight. The show itself has gotten mainly negative reviews with a 12% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The series also faced a lot of criticism for seemingly promoting fat-shaming, as well as making jokes about sensitive topics and stereotyping various groups of people.
Best: One Day At A Time (98%)
One Day At A Time was a sitcom that ran from 1975 to 1984 for a total of nine seasons. In 2017, the series was remade on Netflix and revolved around three generations of a Cuban-American family. The original series got mostly positive reviews and so has the new series.
Season 1 of One Day at a Time started off with an impressive 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, but season 2 and 3 raised that score to 100%. The series may have ended this year, but that doesn’t take away from how well received it was during its short run.
Worst: The Kissing Booth (18%)
Directed by Vince Marcello, The Kissing Booth focuses on a young girl who must choose between her high school crush and her closest friend. The film didn’t do well with critics, mainly because it was filled with romantic comedy clichés.
The film stars Joey King, Joel Courtney, and Jacob Elordi, and Molly Ringwald, but even The Breakfast Club star can’t save this film. Even though the film didn’t do well critically, it did well enough to warrant a sequel, which is set to be released next year.
Best: American Vandal (98%)
American Vandal was another comedy on Netflix, but this show doubled as a mockumentary. Each season acts as a parody of crime documentaries. The first season deals with a high school prank done wrong where several vehicles in the school’s parking lot are left with phallic images.
The second season focuses on an investigation at a Catholic School where someone pulled a prank that left several students pooping themselves. As ridiculous as the plots for each season sound, American Vandal did very well with fans and ended up earning a 98% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Worst: Game Over, Man! (20%)
Adam Devine, Blake Anderson, and Anders Holm made people laugh for six years with their show Workaholics on Comedy Central. A year after that show ended, the trio appeared in a Netflix original movie called Game Over, Man! In the movie, the three main characters are video game developers who have to save their benefactor from terrorists.
The film was even directed by Workaholics veteran Kyle Newacheck, but people just couldn’t get into the movie. Currently, Game Over, Man! only has a 20% on Rotten Tomatoes, which is significantly lower than Workaholics.
Best: The End Of The F***ing World (98%)
Released in 2017, The End of the Fing World follows two teenagers, James and Alyssa, who embark on a journey to find Alyssa’s father; with James only agreeing to accompany her so that he can attempt to end her life. The End of the Fing World is based on a comic book by Charles Forsman and stars Jessica Barden and Alex Lawther.
The series is rather short, with the first season only having ten 30-minute episodes, but it sure does pack a punch. The End of the F***ing World received stellar reviews upon its release and has even been renewed for a second season.
Worst: Disjointed (22%)
Kathy Bates has had some memorable roles in her career, spanning from Misery, Titanic, and American Horror Story. While Bates has become a renowned actress, especially after winning an Academy Award for Misery, she has also starred in some forgettable content.
In 2017, Bates took on the role of Ruth Whitefeather Feldman, a dispensary owner who employs her grandson and a handful of young adults. Unfortunately, this show didn’t take off and sits with a rotten 22% on Rotten Tomatoes. With that in mind, the audience score for the show is 82%, so there were some people who enjoyed the series.
Best: Lady Dynamite (97%)
Comedian Maria Bamford stars in Lady Dynamite, which is a comedy about her life as an actress and comedian. The series debuted in 2016 and got mainly positive reviews, earning a 94% on Rotten Tomatoes.
As if the show couldn’t get any better, Lady Dynamite season 2 was released in 2017 and did even better with critics, earning a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Even though the series seemed to only be going up in quality after season 2, the show was inevitably canceled by Netflix last year.
