This Netflix series could be your next binge-watch. There are few feelings more satisfying than stumbling upon a television series so gripping that it consumes your evenings entirely – the kind of show that makes you cancel plans, lose track of time, and immediately start the next episode before the credits have finished rolling.
For years, Game of Thrones occupied that space for millions of viewers around the world. The sprawling HBO fantasy epic, which aired from 2011 to 2019, became a genuine cultural phenomenon, celebrated for its enormous scale, shocking plot twists, and deeply intricate storytelling. But for all its greatness, the divisive final series left a portion of its audience feeling short-changed – and many of those viewers have since gone looking for something to fill the void. This comes after Prime Video fans claimed they had the “greatest show ever written” on their platform.
It turns out that something may already be waiting on Netflix. Dark, a German science fiction mystery thriller, made history when it launched on the streaming platform in 2017 as Netflix’s first-ever German-language original series.
When the question of whether to watch Dark or Game of Thrones first was put to viewers on Reddit, the response was striking – with fans declaring that Dark was not just comparable to the HBO giant, but outright “better”.
The Reddit user behind the post was clear that they planned to watch both series, but simply wanted guidance on where to begin. Although the shows are not the same genre, they shouldn’t really be compared, many commenters were eager to share their opinions on both programmes.
They wrote: “I want to start a new series, which should I watch? Dark or Game of Thrones? First, let me make it clear I am not comparing them, and yes, I’ll be watching both of them. However, I was confused about which one I should watch first.”
The thread attracted a wide range of opinions, though those rallying behind Dark were particularly vocal – especially given the original poster’s desire to feel “hooked on it” from episode one.
One viewer said: “Dark will give you better satisfaction when you finish the whole series.”
Another was even more emphatic, writing: “Dark first for sure! It’s the best show I’ve seen in the last decade, and I watch a lot of TV. Please seek out the original German version with subtitles, not the English dub.”
A third went further still: “Dark is the best TV show of the last 20 years.”
Not everyone was ready to hand the crown to Dark, of course. Plenty of commenters stood firmly in Game of Thrones’ corner, arguing that the George R. R. Martin adaptation boasts the “best storyline” of any programme they’ve ever watched, while others felt its vast ensemble cast and richly layered sub-plots made for a superior overall viewing experience.
What is Dark about?
Dark ran for three seasons between 2017 and 2020 and centres on four interconnected families living in the fictional German town of Winden. When a child goes missing, the community is plunged into a desperate search for answers — one that gradually reveals a deeply unsettling time travel conspiracy spanning multiple generations.
Themes of fate, free will, and the cyclical nature of time run throughout, lending the show a philosophical weight that sets it apart from most mainstream drama.
Dark earned widespread critical praise for virtually every aspect of its craft, from its performances and direction to its writing, visual style, and haunting musical score. In 2021, the BBC ranked it the 58th greatest television series of the 21st century.
The series stars a large ensemble cast, but is led by Louis Hofmann, who plays a character named Jonas Kahnwald. Because of the time travel storyline, multiple actors play the same characters at different stages of their lives, and with so many interlinking plots, things can quickly become confusing if you’re not paying enough attention.
What to know before watching Dark
There is one important caveat worth bearing in mind before you dive in, however. This is not a series to put on in the background while you’re scrolling through your phone. The narrative is extraordinarily intricate, and if you’re watching with subtitles, as many fans strongly recommend, your full and undivided attention is essential.
As one viewer put it: “Dark is great, but you need full attention with the subtitles if you don’t speak the language.”
Another added: “I would recommend watching Dark. Whenever you do, though, know that this is not a series that you can half-watch while scrolling on your phone, so be prepared to concentrate, and even then, it may take a rewatch as there are a lot of moving parts within it.”
Dark is available to stream now on Netflix.