Instant Alert: The 16 best Netflix original shows of 2016, according to critics

MANAGE SUBSCRIPTIONS   |   UNSUBSCRIBE   |   VIEW ONLINE   The 16 best Netflix original shows of 2016, according to critics by Nathan McAlone on Dec 29, 2016, 2:33 PM Advertisement Netflix is pumping out so many shows these days, it's hard to keep track of which ones are worth your time. To help out, we put together a list of the best Netflix series that released new episodes in 2016. This list included old favorites that had new seasons this year, like "Orange Is the New Black," or blockbuster newcomers like "The Crown." It left off some popular Netflix shows that are still going but didn't get any updates in 2016 — "Marvel's Jessica Jones" for instance. How did we construct the ranking? To get a sense of how Netflix's 2016 shows stacked up against one another, we turned to the reviews aggregator Metacritic, which pulls in critic (and audience) reviews from all over the world. We looked only at dramas and comedies Netflix had originated (not co-produced or taken over). Then we picked 16 ones that got the best combined critics ratings. There were a few surprises in the data. Cult mega-hit "Stranger Things" was only in the middle of the pack, while "Lady Dynamite," which has relatively little buzz, was a critical darling. Here are the shows that made the cut, along with their rating, and a description: SEE ALSO: Hackers are selling lifetime access to stolen Netflix accounts for less than $1 No. 16: 'The OA' — 61/100 Average critic score: 61/100 Audience score: 7.0/10 Netflix description: Seven years after vanishing from her home, a young woman returns with mysterious new abilities and recruits five strangers for a secret mission. No. 15: 'Sense8' — 63/100 Average critic score: 63/100 Audience score: 8.2/10 Netflix description: Their gift of telepathic communication made them targets for extermination. But it's the one thing keeping them alive. Note: Sense8's first season came out in 2015, but Netflix released a Christmas special so it was eligible. No. 14: 'Bloodline' — 67.5/100 Average critic score: 67.5/100 Audience score: 8.1/10 Netflix description: The Rayburns seem to have the perfect life in their lovely Florida town. But nobody's perfect — especially the Rayburns. See the rest of the story at Business Insider   Share the latest business news with your network:    Email sent to:   |   Manage your email preferences   |   Unsubscribe Terms of Service   |   Privacy Policy Business Insider. 150 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011