Top picks: Must-see streaming series this spring

It's easy to get lost in the jungle of streaming new releases. Almost every day, new titles appear on various platforms, vying for viewers' attention. To make navigating the VOD services easier, we have prepared an overview of their offerings and pointed out a few series that, in our opinion, are worth watching. They will be a great choice for weekend viewing.

Because there are currently several global and many local, smaller streaming platforms available worldwide, it is hardly surprising that the domestic market is experiencing an "overabundance" of content. Few high-profile productions gain wider recognition, while dozens or even hundreds disappear into viewer forgetfulness. Instead of spending precious minutes or even hours anxiously browsing through the resources of Netflix or other services in search of an exciting option, check out our compilation. Watch the gallery and find out what you need to see this spring.

In the six-episode series "A Man in Full," we will follow the fate of Charlie Croker, a real estate tycoon from Atlanta, who suddenly faces bankruptcy. The attempt to save his empire from those looking to profit from his misfortune will lead to a conflict of interest at the intersection of business and politics. The cast includes Jeff Daniels and Diane Lane. The series has already sparked controversy due to a scene in which one of the actors appears on screen with an erection.

"Man with Principles" is available on the Netflix platform.

The South Korean production seems to draw from the hit "Squid Game." Eight people are locked in a mysterious, multi-story building and participate in a tempting but dangerous tournament, where the passage of time means more money in their accounts. Could this multi-episode thriller break the popularity record of the production from three years ago?

The eight-episode series "The 8 Show" is available on Netflix.

The series "Cooking Up Murder: Uncovering the Story of César Román" covers the criminal case involving a Spanish chef who made a career out of numerous lies and false identities. Everything began in 2018 when police found a human torso... in a suitcase. The trial led to the man mentioned in the title, an eccentric businessman commonly known as the "King of Cachopo" (a dish characteristic of the Asturias region in Spain).

In the three-episode series, we will learn more about the victim's history and her connections with the murderer, and we will hear his version of events, including the fateful night when the woman died. The documentary will also include recordings from the court trial that began in 2020, in which the accused himself claimed his innocence.

"Recipe for Murder: The Case of César Román" is available on Netflix.

And now, it is something for younger viewers, although some adults will also enjoy watching this production directed at teenagers. "Maxton Hall – The World Between Us" is a six-episode German series adapted from the bestselling novel by Mona Kasten. The production invites viewers into the heart of an English school, where Ruby uncovers a secret that could destroy the arrogant millionaire heir, James Beaufort. Moving from manipulation to unexpected attraction in the plot, this production explores power dynamics, exposes closely guarded secrets, and examines class clashes in an exclusive school.

"Maxton Hall – Two Worlds" is available on Amazon Prime Video.

Although the series' second season recently landed on VOD, nothing is stopping you from catching up on the first one right away. Highly rated on Rotten Tomatoes (85 percent positive critic reviews and 73 percent audience score), the production tells the story of a rancher fighting for his land and family who discovers an unfathomable mystery on the edge of the Wyoming wilderness.

The second part seems to intensify the tension even more than the first. The characters must maintain their position in the face of their granddaughter's disappearance and the growing threat from the gaping void on the pasture. The danger arises on several fronts. It's worth watching, if only for the cast, which includes Josh Brolin, Tom Pelphrey, Lili Taylor, and Imogen Poots.

Both seasons of "Outer Range" are available on Amazon Prime Video.

For fans of the BBC series that successfully aired for 17 years (2005–2022) and 13 seasons, the new version of "Doctor Who" may not sound encouraging. Will Ncuti Gatwa ("Sex Education," "Barbie") be able to match David Tennant (who, by the way, appears in the production)? It's worth finding out for yourself. So far, the series has received excellent reviews from critics (96 percent positive ratings on Rotten Tomatoes), but viewers do not favor it (only 34 percent on the same site).

The series was launched with a special episode that aired at the end of December last year. So far, three episodes have been released; the next five will appear on the Disney+ platform every Friday.

Among the new streaming releases, there is a treat for science fiction fans. In "Dark Matter," physics professor Jason Dessen is kidnapped and wakes up in an alternate reality where his life looks completely different. Trying to return to his former existence, the man stumbles upon a complex conspiracy. Along the way, he will have to face the most powerful and terrifying enemy he could imagine: himself. Joel Edgerton and Jennifer Connelly play the main roles.

Four episodes are already available on Apple TV+, with the next five releasing weekly on Wednesdays.

This is another perfect choice for true crime fans on our list. The three-episode series "Hollywood Con Queen" follows the story of a mysterious figure, the Con Queen, who impersonates influential women in Hollywood and entices her victims with the promise of a life-changing job. The production examines two fraud investigations independently conducted by a journalist and a private detective.

"Hollywood, the Land of Illusion" is available on Apple TV+.

The plot of "The Big Cigar" can be summed up in one sentence: Huey P. Newton (André Holland, "Moonlight," "The Eddy," "Bones and All"), co-founder of the Black Panthers, gains an unusual ally – Hollywood producer Bert Schneider – in his escape from the FBI to Cuba. The biographical series is helmed by Damon Thomas (director of several episodes of "Killing Eve") and features actor Don Cheadle, known from the Marvel universe.

The first three episodes are already available on Apple TV+, with new episodes releasing every Friday.

As you may have noticed, our lineup includes less obvious titles worth exploring, which might have gotten lost in the sea of VOD offerings. Recently, several high-profile and highly anticipated productions have also emerged, and it's hard not to have heard about them. However, if you feel like you're behind, check out the list of series you must catch up on.

First up, of course, is "Bridgerton" (Netflix) – the first half of the third season of this mega-hit recently debuted online (the second half will be released in mid-June). Another title earning deserved triumphs is "Fallout" (Amazon Prime Video), a great adaptation of the cult game. Much has already been written about "Baby Reindeer" (Netflix), but it remains one of the most essential and best offerings of recent months. Also worth noting is "Ripley" (Netflix), the new version of the story featuring Patricia Highsmith's mysterious, psychopathic book character.