Looking BackThe Best Netflix Originals From 2019

‘Carmen Sandiego’

Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard led his voice to this animated action series, which first hit the streaming service on January 18, 2019. According to Netflix, the show follows a master thief who uses her skills for good while traveling the world and foiling V.I.L.E.’s evil plans — with help from her savvy sidekicks.
An origin story for the mystery video game franchise of the same name, the show brought together the elements of adventure and education for a totally binge-worthy series.

‘Extremely, Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile’

This movie featured High School Musical star Zac Efron like no one’s ever seen him before! The movie — which was released on January 26, 2019 — follows a single mother named Liz, played by Lily Collins, who falls for notorious serial killer Ted Bundy. The film chronicles their relationship and how Liz refused to come to terms with the crimes her lover had committed.

The 32-year-old totally deserved all the awards for his role in this must-watch.

‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’ Season 1, Part 2

Kiernan Shipka reprised her role as Sabrina the Teenage Witch in the highly-anticipated second part of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina‘s inaugural season which dropped on April 5, 2019. Featuring McKenna Grace as young Kiernan, the new episodes also brought new characters to Greendale —  and continued right where the first part left off. With Harvey and Sabrina’s relationship still up in the air, the witch got to explore her relationship with Gavin Leatherwood‘s swoon-worthy character, Nick.

“I would say that it’s fiercer, the stakes are higher, the relationships are more charged and overall it’s this bigger, better, scarier season! The first season was the introduction to everything but this second season is really twisted and a lot more lives are in danger,” the show’s 20-year-old star told Girlfriend.

‘The Perfect Date’

Netflix brought back the king of the romantic-comedy with this Noah Centineo film that premiered on April 12, 2019. Also starring Laura Marano and Camila Mendes, this adorable flick follows high schooler Brooks who creates a dating app to raise money for college. Throughout the movie, he pretends to be a “stand-in” boyfriend for anyone who may need a date and ends up falling head-over-heals in love with his dream girl, Shelby. For those in need of a total chick flick, this one is a must-watch.

“It was really fun. I love Noah, I love Laura. The first day we met, we all stayed up in our hotel room until 8 in the morning. We were talking about everything, and it was such a beautiful conversation, just a great way to get to know each other,” Camila told Teen Vogue while sharing behind-the-scenes secrets about the movie.

‘No Good Nick’

A hilarious family comedy starring Melissa Joan Hart, Sean Astin, Siena Agudong, Lauren Lindsey Donzis and Kalama Epstein, what could be better than that?! This series hit the streaming service on April 15, 2019 and followed a family whose lives were totally turned upside down when a mysterious girl shows up on their doorstep and claims to be a distant relative.

“It’ll be binge-worthy not only because every episode ends with a cliffhanger, but because viewers will care about the characters, their relationships and their secrets,” Lauren told J-14 exclusively about why Netflix watchers should tune into the show.

‘The Last Summer’

Riverdale‘s KJ Apa and Good Trouble‘s Maia Mitchell totally took over the hearts of binge-watchers everywhere with this rom-com that dropped on May 3, 2019. Also starring Tyler Posey and  Audrey Grace Marshall, the flick followed a group of high school seniors as they celebrate the last summer together before leaving for college. From romance to coming-of-age moments, this movie was a total feel-good film.

“The cast dynamic was great. Everyone got along really well. It was more like a family feeling than a working feeling. Even though I was the youngest one on set, I still felt like an equal,” Audrey told J-14 exclusively about working on The Last Summer set.

‘The Society’

The ultimate teen drama series released in 2019, The Society showed what happened to the teenagers in West Ham after all the adults mysteriously vanish and are left to survive on their own. Since it dropped on May 10, 2019, the show — starring Kathryn Newton, Gideon Adlon, Sean Berdy and more — was arguably the most-talked about Netflix show, ever!

‘Malibu Rescue’

Malibu Rescue starring Breanna Yde and Ricardo Hurtado, was this summer’s ultimate beach flick. Not only did it have viewers wanting to learn to surf, but even sparked its own spin-off series on the streaming service. The movie, which premiered on May 13, 2019, followed a group of misfit lifeguards from the Valley — Tyler, Lizzie, Eric, Gina and Dylan — as they set out to prove that they belong in the Malibu Junior Rescue Program. They worked hard to compete against the snobby kids of Malibu for bragging rights and the ultimate tower on the beach.

On November 7, 2019, Netflix announced that a sequel was set to premiere in Summer 2020!

‘When They See Us’

The most moving original series of 2019, When They See Us premiered on May 30, 2019 and was based on a true story. Starring Asante Blackk, Caleel Harris, Ethan Herisse and more, it followed five teens who were falsely accused of committing brutal attack in New York City’s Central Park.

‘Malibu Rescue: The Series’

Almost a month after the movie premiered — on June 1, 2019 — fans got to see their favorite lifeguards protect the beach in the Malibu Rescue series. “It’s about a group of lovable kids who are lifeguards and face new challenges and adventures in each episode,” the show’s star, Breanna, told J-14 exclusively. “I think viewers will really love getting to know them.”

This series is exactly what binge-watchers need during the winter months!

‘Stranger Things 3’

Everyone’s favorite kids from Hawkins, Indiana returned on July 4, 2019 for the third season of Stranger Things. Millie Bobby Brown, Sadie Sink and the gang came face-to-face with the Mind Flayer once again when they discovered that the upside-down had been reopened.

Said to be the series best season yet, these eight action-packed episodes were a binge-watcher’s dream.

’13 Reason Why’ Season 3

The third season of 13 Reasons Why not only brought back everyone’s favorite characters, but introduced viewers to a new character, Ani. Having moved on from Hannah Baker’s tragic death, this season — which premiered on August 23, 2019 — followed the major mystery of who killed Bryce Walker.

Dylan Minnette, Christian Navarro, Brandon Flynn, Justin Prentice, Miles Heizer, Devin Druid, Alisha Boe, Ross Butler, Timothy Granaderos, Anne Winters, Steven Weber, Brenda Strong and Amy Hargreaves all returned for the dramatic third season.

‘Tall Girl’

Sabrina Carpenter, Paris Berelc and Ava Michelle starred in this heartfelt Netflix movie which, dropped on September 13, 2019. This coming-of-age romance followed a 6-foot-1 girl named Jodi who is constantly bullied for her height. After she fell head-over-heels for the new exchange student at her school, Jodi learns how to embrace her differences.

With the star-studded cast and unique plot, this movie was, no doubt, one of the best from 2019.

‘The Politician’

Pitch Perfect crooner Ben Platt starred in this brilliant series which premiered its first season on September 27, 2019. Also starring Zoey Deutch, the series followed rich kid Payton who had big dreams to become President of the United States. However, before he gets there, he must navigate the most treacherous political landscape of all: high school.

‘Daybreak’

A post-apocalyptic teen comedy, Daybreak stars Colin Ford as Josh Weeler who is living his best life in Los Angeles while searching for his missing girlfriend and taking on mindless ghouls and cliquish gangs.

The series dropped on October 24, 2019 and quickly became a fan-favorite.

‘Let It Snow’

Starring Hollywood’s biggest actors and actresses, including Kiernan Shipka, Descendants star Mitchell Hope, Dora the Explorer alum Isabela Merced, Dumplin’ star Odeya Rush, Anna Akana, Shameik Moore, Liv Hewson and Spider-Man: Homecoming actor Jacob Batalon, this holiday flick follows a group of high school students as a snowstorm hits their town on Christmas Eve. According to Netflix, their “love lives collide thanks to a stranded pop star, a stolen keg, a squad of competitive dancers, a mysterious woman covered in tinfoil and an epic party at the local Waffle Town.”

The movie dropped on November 8, 2019 and J-14 caught up with the cast who described the film as “very real” and even called it “a teen, American version of Love Actually.”

‘The Knight Before Christmas’

High School Musical sweetheart Vanessa Hudgens and British actor Josh Whitehouse starred in this instant holiday season classic, which dropped on November 21, 2019. The romantic comedy follows a gallant English knight, named Sir Cole, who seeks out his true quest after a sorceress inadvertently sends him from the medieval era to present day. While there he soon finds himself falling for a caring high school science teacher, named Brooke, who is disillusioned by love. Despite being skeptical of Cole’s time travel claims, Brooke finds herself with feelings for the knight as she helps him return home.

“What I love about it is that there are so many different scenes to relate to that no matter who you are I think that there’s something in this for you that you’ll relate to or connect to and just allow you to grow as a person and build more empathy and at the end of the day, feel joy in the Christmas spirit,” Vanessa revealed when talking to J-14 about how The Knight Before Christmas differs from every other Christmas movie.

‘You’ Season 2

On November 11, 2019, Netflix announced that You season 2 will premiere on December 26, 2019. Starring Penn Badgley, Ambyr Childers, Victoria Pendetti, Jenna Ortega, James Scully, Robin Lord Taylor and Charlie Barnett will also star in the second season and it’s sure to be oh-so-amazing!