10 Lesser-Known Series on Netflix That Deserve A Spotlight

1. Dark Tourist

Traveling isn't always about sandy beaches or picturesque landscapes. Journalist David Farrier explores the world's most unusual, eerie, and often morbid tourist spots. From a radioactive city to a voodoo festival, his destinations are anything but conventional. Every episode uncovers the dark allure that draws people to these places. Is it curiosity, catharsis, or something darker? Dark Tourist peeks into the shadowy corners of tourism. For, sometimes, it's the offbeat that beats all.

2. Anne with an E

Avonlea's quiet life is upturned when the Cuthberts adopt a chatty orphan named Anne Shirley. Not the boy they expected, but Anne's vibrant imagination quickly ensnares all. Through her eyes, everyday life becomes an adventure, and Green Gables turns magical. She tackles societal norms, challenging every 'should' and 'shouldn't'. Friendships, school rivalries, and first loves; Anne's journey is an ode to growing up. A story about finding one's place, it whispers the power of being "utterly different".

3. Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories

In the heart of Tokyo, a diner opens from midnight till dawn. Its chef, known only as 'Master', cooks whatever the guest desires. Through delectable dishes, the lives of his nocturnal visitors unfold; every meal tells a tale. From romance to regret, hope to heartbreak, a mosaic of urban life simmers here. It's an anthology, a menu of human emotions served a la carte. One might say, the soul of Tokyo can be tasted in this very diner.

4. Kingdom

Hunger grips the Joseon period of Korea, but not just for food. A mysterious plague reanimates the dead, turning them into ravenous monsters. Crown Prince Lee Chang, framed for treason, seeks the truth behind this undead calamity. Corruption, politics, and hordes of the undead stand in his way. Can a prince outrun rumors and zombies alike? In a world of palaces and provinces, it's a race against sunrise. Because, in this tale, the monsters don't just lurk outside the walls.

5. The Toys That Made Us

Nostalgia alert! Dive into the histories of iconic toy lines like Barbie, He-Man, and LEGO. How did mere concepts turn into cultural phenomena? This series pulls back the curtain, revealing the drama, creativity, and commerce behind toy empires. Every episode is a trip down memory lane, a reminder of simpler times. Turns out, toys aren't just child's play. They shape, reflect, and sometimes even steer cultural currents.

6. Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency

Dirk Gently doesn't solve mysteries in the usual way. No magnifying glass, no logical deductions; he believes in the "interconnectedness of all things". Cue in wild capers, time-travel, and body-swapping corgis. Every clue, no matter how ludicrous, forms a jigsaw piece in his grand tapestry. Sidekicks, reluctant heroes, and villains, all waltz to Dirk's eccentric tune. Is it mad? Absolutely. But in Dirk's world, madness is just another form of genius.

7. Ares

Rosa, an ambitious Dutch student, joins the secretive Ares society to climb Amsterdam's social ladder. But elite circles demand a price. Behind opulence lurks a horrifying secret, an ancient demonic force binding members to unspeakable acts. As Rosa delves deeper, her very sanity is tested. Power, privilege, and paranormal – this isn't your typical college drama. Are some doors better left unopened? In Ares, darkness wears a golden mask.

8. The OA

Prairie Johnson, blind since childhood, goes missing, only to return seven years later with her sight restored. She calls herself The OA now. Through night-time gatherings, she shares her story: kidnappings, near-death experiences, and inter-dimensional travels. Is she a miracle, a madwoman, or something far more mysterious? In a tale that spans dimensions, The OA blurs the lines between belief and skepticism. Every narrative layer asks – how far can faith take you?

9. Atypical

Sam, an 18-year-old on the autism spectrum, decides he wants a girlfriend. His journey into dating, much like Antarctica's ecosystem he's obsessed with, is complex and captivating. Family dynamics shift as Sam seeks independence. Elsa, his overprotective mother, faces her own identity crisis. Meanwhile, his sister Casey navigates high school challenges. Amidst humor and hurdles, Atypical celebrates life's quirks. After all, isn't everyone a little atypical?

10. The Last Kingdom

Step into England, before it was truly England. Uhtred, born a Saxon but raised by Vikings, finds himself torn between two worlds. While kingdoms clash and allegiances shift like the North Sea tides, his aim remains: to reclaim his ancestral home. But can a lone man change the course of history? With cunning lords, fierce shield-maidens, and battles aplenty, the narrative weaves the very making of a nation. It's gritty, it's raw, and it's an epic tale of legacy and identity.