Telenovelas aren't just Latin soap operas; they're cultural narratives of ambition, struggle, and spirit. What sets them apart are the dramatic plots, set within rich Latin traditions, and definitive story arcs. They often chronicle underdog journeys from hardship to prosperity, resonating deeply with viewers. Now, with Netflix streaming these stories, they're reaching global audiences, uniting us in shared emotion. Pick any series from our selection of the finest telenovelas on Netflix and discover why they've enthralled generations.
Read more about the best movies and shows on Netflix:
The Best Movies on Netflix Right Now
The Best Netflix Shows and Original Series to Watch Right Now
The Best Drama Movies on Netflix Right Now
'Elite' (2018-)
Director: Carlos Montero, Darío Madrona
Cast: María Pedraza, Jaime Lorente, Itzan Escamilla, Miguel Bernardeau, Ester Expósito
Las Encinas, Spain's most exclusive private school, becomes a hotbed of drama when three working-class students are admitted. Differences in class, love triangles, and hidden secrets intermingle, leading to a shocking murder. Watch as Elite dives deep into society's upper class and the lengths they go to protect their image.
'La Reina Del Sur' (2011-)
Director: Mauricio Cruz, Walter Doehner
Cast: Kate del Castillo, Humberto Zurita, Alejandro Calva, Carmen Navarro, Cristina Urgel
In La Reina Del Sur, Kate del Castillo (Ingobernable) stars as Teresa Mendoza, a woman who rises from poverty to become one of the world's most powerful drug traffickers. Navigating a dangerous life, Teresa balances criminal politics with love and life. Inspired by Arturo Pérez-Reverte's novel, La Reina Del Sur is a thrilling insight into the cartel underworld. The USA Network series Queen of the South is an adaptation of this beloved telenovela.
'Dark Desire' (2020-2022)
Director: Kenya Marquez, Pitipol Ybarra
Cast: Maite Perroni, Alejandro Speitzer, Erik Hayser, Jorge Poza, Regina Pavón
Alma (Maite Perroni) is a prestigious lawyer and college professor. She finds herself entangled in a web of passion and lies after a weekend away from her husband. Relationships, trust, and self-awareness are tested in this provocative and sensuous drama. Dark Desire is an intoxicating blend of love and betrayal.
'The Marked Heart' (2022-)
Director: Camilo Vega
Cast: Michel Brown, Ana Lucía Domínguez, Sebastián Martínez, Valeria Emiliani, Moisés Arizmendi
The Marked Heart thrusts viewers deep into the treacherous underground world of organ trafficking, where hearts are more than symbolic – they're commodities. When Simón's wife (Valeria Emiliani), tragically murdered for her heart, becomes the life-saver for the wealthy Camila (Ana Lucía Domínguez), the depths of despair and vengeance know no bounds for Simón (Michel Brown). Don't miss the emotional roller-coaster that The Marked Heart offers. Dive into a tale where love, revenge, and the very essence of life beat in every frame.
'The House of Flowers' (2018-2020)
Director: Manolo Caro
Cast: Verónica Castro, Aislinn Derbez, Cecilia Suárez, Darío Yazbek Bernal, Paco León
In a seemingly successful flower business, this dark comedy unravels the dysfunctional lives of the De La Mora family. Scandals emerge as each family member's facade begins to crumble. Directed by the talented Manolo Caro, The House of Flowers is a beautiful bouquet of chaos and laughter.
'The Mafia Dolls' (2009-2019)
Director: Fernando Gaitán
Cast: Amparo Grisales, Andrea Gómez, Diego Vásquez, Yuly Ferreira, Alejandro Martínez
In the brutal world of the Medellín Cartel, women find themselves playing pivotal roles in holding the empire together. This dramatic series chronicles the lives of Brenda (Amparo Grisales), Olivia (Andrea Gómez), and Renata (Virginia Fernández) as they navigate love, power, and danger within the cartel's clutches. The Mafia Dolls offer a rare window into the lives of women embedded in the infamous world of Columbian druglords from the late 1970s to the early 1990s.
'Ingobernable' (2017-2018)
Director: Epigmenio Ibarra, Verónica Velasco
Cast: Kate del Castillo, Erik Hayser, Fernanda Castillo, Álvaro Guerrero, Alberto Guerra
The First Lady of Mexico, Emilia Urquiza (Kate del Castillo), has big dreams to improve the country. But when a tragedy strikes and she finds herself implicated, a dramatic whirlwind ensues. Emilia must harness her inner strength, resilience, and intelligence to navigate a treacherous political landscape. Ingobernable forces viewers to contemplate the boundaries between personal matters and politics while blurring the distinctions between right and wrong.
'Rosario Tijeras' (2016-2019)
Director: Diego Ramírez Schrempp, Mauricio Cruz
Cast: Bárbara de Regil, José María de Tavira, Antonio Gaona, Sofía Garza, Mario Loría
Based on the novel by Jorge Franco, Rosario Tijeras is a story about the tumultuous life of Rosario (Bárbara de Regil), a beautiful hitwoman working in the drug-infested streets of Mexico. As she navigates her dangerous profession and personal tragedies, Rosario faces moral dilemmas and deadly enemies.
'Who Killed Sara?' (2021-2022)
Director: José Ignacio Valenzuela
Cast: Manolo Cardona, Ginés García Millán, Carolina Miranda, Eugenio Siller, Alejandro Nones
Alex Guzmán (Manolo Cardona) has spent 18 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit. Upon release, he's determined to uncover the truth about his sister Sara's mysterious death and expose the real culprits. Alex will stop at nothing to clear his name and bring Sara's killers to justice. Dive into Who Killed Sara? and embark on a quest for the truth.
'The Surrogacy' (2023-)
Director: Araceli Guajardo
Cast: Shani Lozano, Fernanda Borches, Luis Ernesto Franco, Leticia Calderón, and Marcela Guirado
The Surrogacy unearths the morally complex world of surrogacy, setting its tale in Mexico's elite business scene. When a desperate woman, portrayed by Shani Lozano (Yeni), agrees to be a surrogate for a Mexican business family, she is thrust into a world of deceit. The story takes a mysterious twist when, post-delivery, she is handed a baby with a disability. As years fly by, she is drawn back into her past, pushing her to unravel the truth.
'High Heat' (2022)
.jpeg "The Best Telenovelas on Netflix Right Now (11)")
Director: José Ignacio Valenzuela
Cast: Eduardo Capetillo, Esmeralda Pimentel, Iván Amozurrutia, Giovanny Camarena, Humberto Busto
In the drama High Heat, when Poncho Quiroga's brother tragically dies, the only leads pointing to his killer are connected to a local fire brigade. Poncho (Iván Amozurrutia) joins the fire team, diving head-first into a world of danger to unveil the truth. As he gets closer, he unexpectedly discovers love with Olivia Serrano (Esmeralda Pimentel), further complicating his true intentions. Meanwhile, the menacing serial killer operates from the shadows whose motives run deeper than anyone could imagine.
'Blood Ties' (2022)
Director: Juan Carlos Aparicio and Mateo Stivelberg
Cast: Shany Nadan, María José Vargas Agudelo, Estefania Piñeres, Rodrigo Poisón, Charlotte de Casabianca
Set in 1800s Colombia, Blood Ties is the story of three aristocratic sisters: Carolina (Shany Nadan), Isabela (María José Vargas Agudelo), and Leonor Villamizar (Estefania Piñeres). Their privileged lives take a tragic turn when their mother's is killed before their eyes. Burning with revenge and determination, the sisters transform into spies to aid rebels in their struggle against oppressive Spanish rule.
'Her Mother's Killer' (2020)
Director: Clara María Ochoa
Cast: Carolina Gómez, George Slebi, Brian Moreno, Rebeca Milanés, Géraldine Zivic
In Her Mother's Killer, Analía (Carolina Gómez) is driven by a single mission: avenge her mother's death. Unraveling a maze of political deceit, she positions herself close to the presidential candidate, Guillermo León Mejía (Brian Moreno), the man she believes is responsible. As she becomes an integral part of Mejía’s campaign, Analía plots to expose him for his corrupt past, but more secrets await in a thrilling twist.
Rebelde (Netflix 2022 adaptation)
Director: Pedro Damián
Cast: Andrea Chaparro, Franco Masini, Lizeth Selene, Jerónimo Cantillo, Azul Guaita
A reimagining of the beloved 2000s Mexican telenovela, this fresh adaptation dives into the lives of students at the Elite Way School, a prestigious boarding school in Mexico City. As they navigate friendships, love, and music, they grapple with societal pressures, family legacies, and their dreams. With catchy songs and heartfelt drama, this modernized version of Rebelde promises nostalgia for old fans while creating a connection with new ones.
