also Apple TV Plus and Disney Plus
After all the viewing tips from the past year, it is high time to look back. This was the best of Netflix 2020, including our favorites from Apple TV Plus and Disney Plus.
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The best of Netflix 2020: and more
At the start of each new month, we’ll give you tips on what to expect on Netflix, Apple TV Plus and Disney Plus that month. Now that the year is over, let’s look back. What was really the best thing about Netflix? And what should you not miss on Apple TV Plus and Disney Plus? We will list everything.
Best New Series on Netflix
Winner: The Queen’s Gambit
Netflix has unfortunately canceled a lot of series in 2020, but a number of new top series have also been added. Some of these, such as Unorthodox, only have a single season. Others, like The Haunting or Bly Manor, are kind of a sequel, but not.
The Queen’s Gambit probably falls into that first category, but the success is so great that we would not be surprised if Netflix wants to make a full series of this. The series is about a young woman with a drug problem and a great talent for chess. With good style, smooth editing and excellent acting you are on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
Runner-ups:
- The Haunting of Bly Manor
- Never Have I Ever
- Unorthodox
Best New Season on Netflix
Winner: The Crown Season 4
While we’ve enjoyed a ton of sequel seasons on Netflix, nothing can beat The Crown’s sheer quality. This season follows Margaret Thatcher and Princess Diana, both played super convincingly by two excellent additions to the already spectacular cast.
It is somewhat distracting that some actors are actually way too handsome for their roles. But if that turns out to be the biggest point of criticism, there is little wrong with this series. Every episode we are amazed by the sets, outfits and dialogues.
Runner-ups:
- Umbrella Academy season 2
- Sex Education season 2
- Lucifer season 5
Best Netflix Original Movie
Winner: The Old Guard
Netflix has always been better at series than movies and this year is no different. Still, we notice that the streaming service is doing its best. This year, several good films have been released. For example, Netflix managed to get Chris Hemsworth for a film with particularly tight action scenes and the service is going after Pixar in terms of animation.
However, the best Netflix Original movie this year is The Old Guard. In the film, you are introduced to a group of immortal warriors who do their best to protect the earth from evil. A film with good action, some cool twists and above all excellent work by a top cast, with Charlize Theron in the front.
Runner-ups
- Extraction
- Over the Moon
- I’m Thinking of Ending Things
Best reality or documentary on Netflix
Winner: Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness
What is the reality? Do you see it in the many reality series that Netflix has? This year, the streaming service went all out with Love is Blind, Too Hot To Handle and the slightly more cuddly (but no less impressive) The Big Flower Fight. Or can the hard really be found in beautifully made documentaries, such as David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet?
No, this year it was all about the documentary Tiger King. What really happened to Carol Baskin and her ex-husband is not even important, because this documentary series was enjoyable from start to finish. They couldn’t stop talking about it and that is special in a world where most series are lost after a few days.
Runner-ups:
- David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet
- The Big Flower Fight
- Love is Blind
The best of Apple TV Plus
Winner: Ted Lasso
Let’s face it: Apple TV Plus is not packed with content. If we were to divide these series and films into categories, there would not be much left. Still, there are a number of things that are more than worthwhile on the streaming service. For example, the excellent animated film Wolfwalkers was recently added. This year, however, we are especially pleased with the Ted Lasso series.
Ted Lasso is about an American Football coach, who will train a football team in England. Are you not into sports? No problem, because that’s not the whole point. Ted Lasso is a surprisingly warm, sweet and above all funny series that will hopefully continue for many more seasons. If you’re watching one thing on Apple TV Plus this year, let it be Ted Lasso.
Runner-ups:
- Wolfwalkers
- Visible: Out on Television
- Central Park
The best of Disney Plus
Winner: The Mandalorian Season 2
Do you regret your annual subscription to Disney Plus? There was not much to watch for adults in the past year. Great were the additions of the incredibly popular musical Hamilton and the Beyoncè film Black is King on the service. Ultimately, the subscription fee is all worth it for the second season of The Mandalorian.
What is special about this series is that it is fun to watch for both people who have nothing to do with Star Wars and big fans. In the second season, the viewer is clearly pushed more into the Star Wars lore, but that is not at the expense of the viewing pleasure for newbies. This unprecedented quality will hopefully hold up with the many Star Wars series that will follow.
Runner-ups:
- Onwards
- Black is King
- Hamilton
