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Top 20 Short Runtime TV Series on Netflix 2026
This selection focuses on the best short runtime TV series. Ideal if you want a strong show with fewer episodes or compact seasons.
How are the series charts created?
Rankings are based on real user ratings. The more votes a show receives, the more stable its chart position. When you rate shows yourself, your personal recommendations improve too.
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Series Charts: Top 20
2. Death Note
(9/10 stars)When a Japanese high schooler comes into possession of a mystical notebook, he finds he has the power to kill anybody whose name he enters in it. more
3. One Piece
(9/10 stars)The adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his pirate crew in order to find the greatest treasure ever left by the legendary Pirate, Gold Roger. The famous mystery treasure named "One Piece". more
4. Rick and Morty
(9/10 stars)Follows the misadventures of an alcoholic scientist Rick and his overly nervous grandson Morty, who split their time between domestic family life and intergalactic travel. Often finding themselves in a heap of trouble that more often than not is created through their own actions. more
5. Avatar - Der Herr der Elemente (2005)
(8/10 stars)With the Fire Nation on the brink of global domination, a young boy reawakens after a hundred-year absence. To save his war-torn world he must accept his destiny as the Avatar before it's too late. more
6. Brooklyn Nine-Nine
(8/10 stars)The lives of an eclectic group of detectives in a New York precinct, including one slacker who is forced to shape up when he gets a new boss. more
7. Der Tatortreiniger
(9/10 stars)Heiko "Schotty" Schotte is a man whose work begins where others pass in horror: he's a contract cleaner, sent to sanitize crime scenes after the police have finished their investigations. An everyman who loves football, fast cars and good beer, Schotty frequently encounters friends, f... more
8. Naruto Shippuden
(8/10 stars)Naruto Uzumaki, is a loud, hyperactive, adolescent ninja who constantly searches for approval and recognition, as well as to become Hokage, who is acknowledged as the leader and strongest of all ninja in the village. more
9. Türkisch für Anfänger
(8/10 stars)In Berlin, a single mother of a teenage daughter, begins a relationship with a widowed Turkish father and his two teenage children. Will they be able to live together in harmony? more
10. Archer
(8/10 stars)At the International Secret Intelligence Service (ISIS), a fictional New York-based intelligence agency, eight dysfunctional secret agents attempt to solve global crises while simultaneously screwing each other over. The team is made up of the narcissistic Sterling Archer; his emotionally distant mo... more
11. Naruto (2002)
(7/10 stars)In another world, ninja are the ultimate power, and in the Village Hidden in the Leaves live the stealthiest ninja in the land. Twelve years earlier, the fearsome Nine-Tailed Fox terrorized the village and claimed many lives before it was subdued and its spirit sealed within the body of a baby boy. ... more
12. Arrested Development
(8/10 stars)Level-headed son Michael Bluth takes over family affairs after his father is imprisoned. But the rest of his spoiled, dysfunctional family are making his job unbearable. more
13. Cowboy Bebop (1998)
(8/10 stars)In the year 2071 humanity has colonized the entire Solar System through the use of "Phase Difference Space Gates". A catastrophic accident occurred during the development of the Gates, damaging both the Earth and the Moon, heavily irradiating the surface, and forcing most of mankind to eva... more
14. The Seven Deadly Sins
(8/10 stars)When a kingdom falls into the hands of tyrants, the deposed princess sets out on a quest to find a group of ancient evil knights to help her take back the kingdom. more
15. Akame ga Kill
(8/10 stars)In a fantasy world, fighter Tatsumi sets out for the Capitol to earn money for his starving village, and finds a world of unimaginable corruption, all spreading from the depraved Prime Minister who controls the child Emperor's ear. After nearly becoming a victim of this corruption himself, Tats... more
16. H2o: Just Add Water
(8/10 stars)Season One: The lifes of three girls living on the Australian Gold Coast are changed forever. When Cleo, Emma and Rikki stumble upon a pool inside the dreaded Mako Island, a full moon transforms them and the next day they start turning into super powered mermaids! With the help of friend Lewis, the ... more
17. Adventure Time
(6/10 stars)Adventure Time follows two best friends: Finn (a 12-year old boy) and Jake (a wise 28-year-old dog with magical powers), and the surreal adventures undertaken by the duo as they traverse the mystical Land of Ooo. A world built for adventure, Ooo is filled to the brim with various landscapes for the ... more
18. Office, The (US)
(8/10 stars)A mockumentary on a group of typical office workers, where the workday consists of ego clashes, inappropriate behavior, and tedium. more
19. Stromberg
(8/10 stars)‘Stromberg’ is the sitcom about “normal office madness”. At the centre of the show is a boss you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy: Bernd Stromberg. He is sarcastic to the core, egocentric without equal, single-minded to the tips of his hair - especially when it comes to his own interests. more
20. Grace and Frankie
(9/10 stars)Elegant, proper Grace and freewheeling, eccentric Frankie are a pair of frenemies whose lives are turned upside down - and permanently intertwined - when their husbands leave them for each other. Together, they must face starting over in their 70s in a 21st-century world. more
Why these charts are worth it
These charts help you discover strong TV shows on Netflix faster. Combine genre, runtime and status filters to reduce the list to the series that really fit your taste and viewing habits.
Because streaming catalogs change regularly, a filtered provider page is one of the fastest ways to identify relevant recommendations without scrolling through the full charts.
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FAQ
What are short runtime TV series?
Short runtime TV series are shows with a shorter episode length or an overall more compact format. They are a strong fit if you want quality storytelling with less time commitment.
Do short runtime TV series always have only a few episodes?
No. A short runtime TV series does not automatically mean only a few episodes. The key factor is the shorter runtime and the more compact viewing experience.
Who are short runtime TV series ideal for?
They are ideal if you do not have much time but still want strong TV shows with a good story, a clear structure and a faster entry point.