Best Russian TV Shows on Netflix and Amazon Prime (2020)

1. Silver Spoon (Мажор)

This unique crime drama, beloved in its home country, was the first Russian television show to be acquired by Netflix. Forced to become an apprentice cop, spoiled rich kid Igor finds he’s got a knack for police work. But his job soon takes him down a dark personal path.

Interesting commentary on the decadent lifestyle of the kids of Russia’s oligarchs as well as the country’s endemic corruption. Мажор is set in Moscow, but the first season was filmed in Kiev. The second season was filmed in St. Petersburg and Moscow.

Personal note: I saw star Pavel Priluchnyy filming on the streets of St. Petersburg in 2018, and he is even more handsome in real life! *swoons* 😉

Season 3 has been released on Russian TV but has yet to come to Netflix.

2. Better than Us (Лучше, чем люди)

This binge-worthy sci-fi epic is Russia’s first Netflix Original. A family on the brink of splitting up become the owners of a cutting-edge robot being sought by a corporation, homicide investigators, and terrorists.

3. The Method (Метод)

Slick serial killer crime show that’s a Russian adaptation of Dexter. This dark psychological thriller follows a brilliant young graduate who is elated when her idol takes her on as a trainee. But his methods are much more disturbing than she imagined…

4. Fartsa (Фарца)

This bright, energetic series suffers from an unfortunate name, but provides a colorful glimpse of Russia in the early ’60s. As four friends grow up, life, love, and the curse of success threaten to derail their dreams.

5. The Road to Calvary (Хождение по мукам)

6. Trotsky (Tроцкий)

7. Sparta (Sпарта)

^{Note: No English subtitles available for trailer, but there is not much dialogue}

The mysterious death of a teacher who throws herself out of a window at a St. Petersburg school attracts the attention of law enforcement. A local detective interrogates the students of the deceased and learns about the addictive high-stakes video game Sparta, which blurs the line between the real and the virtual world.

Did the teacher commit suicide or was she the victim of a teenaged Sparta player?

8. Locust (Саранча)

^{Note: No English subtitles available for trailer}

A torrid affair between a passionate lowborn poet and a wealthy Moscow heiress is engulfed by class difference, criminality and, eventually, murder.

9. Masha and the Bear (Маша и Медведь)

The simple dialogue is easy to understand, and there are lots of Russian cultural references. Be sure to change the audio (and possibly the subtitles) to Russian.

If you enjoy this adorable animated series, there are two additional spin-off shows on Netflix.

This fascinating Russian drama set in the Cold War era follows the meteoric rise of Regina Zbarskaya from a humble cleaner to the first Soviet supermodel. But who was the Red Queen? Was she queen of the catwalk or a KGB agent seducing foreign diplomats?

2. Gogol (Го́голь)

Intense fantasy-horror series based on the work of Ukrainian-Russian writer Nikolai Gogol, often compared to Edgar Allan Poe.

In this dark Gothic tale, Gogol, a law clerk and emerging writer, encounters brilliant detective Yakov Guro. They accidentally discover Gogol has a supernatural gift for communicating with the underworld, and set off to a remote village to investigate a series of murders aided by the writer’s crime-solving visions.

Gogol was born in Ukraine, and the series is based on his short story collection Evenings on a Farm near Dikanka, tales of peasant life laced with demonic and fantastical elements from Ukrainian folklore.

The series was originally released as a popular film trilogy in Russia. Filming took place in St. Petersburg and the Pskov region, where the village set of Dikanka was built.

Some gore and nudity.

3. Ancestral Land (Рідний берег)

An epic historical saga set in the Russian Urals centered on the Morozov family — Aleksey, Stepan, Aliona, and Varvara — two brothers and two sisters.

Miraculously, they all survive the slaughter of World War II, but not without learning some important lessons on the way, including the meaning of true love and how to cope with grief, leading them ultimately to a long-dreamed-of happiness.

4. Detective Anna (Анна -- Детективъ)

^{Note: No English subtitles available for official trailer -- watch alternative trailer with English subtitles}

Amazon has finally added all episodes of Season 1 of this 19th-century murder mystery about 19-year-old Anna, who unexpectedly discovers that she possesses supernatural powers. The spirits of the dead literally haunt her, begging for help.

Aided by her visions, Anna manages to investigate and solve a number of mysterious crimes that have baffled the police.

The series was filmed in the State History Museum-Reserve Gorky Leninskiye near Moscow, where an entire movie town was constructed with streets, shops, mansions, and a police station.

Also available on YouTube.

5. Run! (Беги!)

^{Note: No English subtitles available for trailer}

Update: No longer available on Amazon Prime US, but leaving it in the list because it’s available free on YouTube (no English subtitles).

This action-packed Russian crime thriller reunites co-stars Pavel Priluchnyy and Denis Shvedov from Silver Spoon (Мажор).

Suspenseful storyline with many twists and turns that follows a wrongfully imprisoned computer programmer forced to escape a Siberian penal colony to save his girlfriend and child.

6. The Day After (Выжить После)

^{Note: No English subtitles available for trailer}

Apocalyptic Russian zombie thriller.

A drug company, attempting to create a perfect human race, accidentally releases a deadly virus. People are dying by the thousands.

Meanwhile, 11 strangers wake up locked in a bunker with no memory of how they got there and find themselves responsible for saving mankind.

7. Ekaterina: The Rise of Catherine the Great (Екатерина)

Lavish production that traces the sensational rise of one of the most famous women in history, Catherine the Great.

Ekaterina begins her journey as an innocent young German princess who came to Russia to marry Peter III. Once she ascended the throne, this brilliant leader transformed the Russian empire. Spectacular sets and costumes.

Season 2 is available on Prime under its own page here.

8. Sophia (Софи́я)

This lush production does suffer from some factual inaccuracies and is best viewed as historical fiction.

9. Spies (Разведчицы)

10. Catherine The Great (Екатерина Bеликая)

11. Snow and Ashes (Снег и пепел)

^{Note: No English subtitles available for trailer}

Suspenseful four-part thriller set in 1942. With the Germans about to mount an attack, there is a dangerous saboteur in the Russian camp. It’s up to a KGB major and his team to expose the Nazi saboteur before it’s too late.

Also available on YouTube.

12. Night Swallows (Ночные Ласточки)

In 1941, Stalin issued a secret order forming the first female aviation unit, the 46th “Taman” Guards Night Bomber Aviation Regiment. The most highly decorated female unit in the Soviet Air Force, each pilot had flown over 1000 missions by the end of the war with 23 pilots awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union.

Similar in theme to Spies, although not quite as well-made.

Also available on YouTube.

13. Rasputin (Григорий Р)

Russophiles shouldn’t miss this series about the mad monk Grigoriy Rasputin, who became a hugely influential figure at the court of Tsar Nicholas II.

14. Margarita Nazarova -- Queen of the Tigers (Маргарита Назарова)

Margarita’s life path took her from the hardships of slave labor in Germany during WWII to the world fame of a tiger tamer and actress.

Tells the story of a brave woman called to an unusual profession, with a strong character and formidable talent who still commands respect among circus lovers today.

15. Russian Beauty (Королева красоты)

Katerina Panova became the face of Soviet fashion of the ’60s. Paris and Prague applauded the Russian beauty and the press called her “the national treasure of the USSR,” but at home Soviet reality, envy, intrigue, and tragic love awaited her.

16. Never Let Me Go (Только не Отпускай Меня)

This four-episode criminal drama follows Natasha, a hard-working nurse who lives a modest existence with her mother. Meanwhile, Lera, the daughter of wealthy parents, lives in another part of the city.

One day, when a desperate Lera is about to jump from her balcony, Natasha saves her life. Fate has thrown our two heroines together, giving them an opportunity to help each other.

Also available on YouTube.

17. Tatiana’s Night (Татьянина ночь)

Life seems great for 20-year-old university student Tanya as Moscow prepares to host the 1980 Summer Olympics, until one dark night when everything falls apart.

18. The Attackers (Истребители)

Important note: Amazon has accidentally split this series’ two seasons into separate listings, The Attackers (Season 1) and Attackers: The Last Flight (Season 2). Be sure to watch them in order.

World War II buffs will enjoy this series about two young air force pilots who arrive at flight training school only to find themselves going immediately to the frontline. Unfortunately the young pilots fail in their first mission, and are to be tried and executed.

On their way to the place of execution, however, the commander of the attacker wing petitions personally for their release, and our heroes are given one last chance. Now they become attackers and will have to courageously execute the most complex of orders without hesitation or fear for their own lives.

The Attackers (Season 1) and Attackers: The Last Flight (Season 2) also available on YouTube.

19. Once upon a Time in Odessa (Однажды в Одессе)

Russian series about the Jewish mafia set in Odessa, Ukraine during and after the czar. Mishka Yaponchik was a Ukrainian gangster, Jewish revolutionary, and Soviet military leader. Soviet Jewish writer Isaak Babel based his character Benia Krik in The Odessa Tales on this legendary criminal, Odessa’s Robin Hood.

Also available on YouTube.

20. Life and Fate (Жизнь и судьба)

^{Note: No English subtitles available for trailer}

Based on the famous 1960 novel by Vasily Grossman of the same name, once banned in the Soviet Union. Like the novel, the series presents an epic saga of life in the Soviet Union in World War II during the battle of Stalingrad.

Also available on YouTube.

21. The Dawns Here Are Quiet (А зори здесь тихие)

In late spring of 1942, the Great Patriotic War is in full swing. A long way off from the front line, the Germans make an air landing operation in an attempt to mount a surprise attack on Russian positions. The only thing in their way is the anti-aircraft artillery unit of Corporal Vaskov and five female anti-aircraft gunners.

22. Three Days in the Life of Lt. Kravtsov (Три дня лейтенанта Кравцова)

When 18-year-old Lt. Kravtsov reports for active duty as a platoon commander, the average survival time for this position is only three days. During this time, he must lead his troops in a hopeless attack. The question is, can he survive these three days?

Also available on YouTube.

23. The Golden Horde (Золотая Орда)

24. Irredeemables (Неисправимые)

In this engaging Ukrainian crime drama, Police Colonel Stadnik dreams of repeating the nineteenth-century experiment of legendary French detective Eugène Vidocq, who staffed a plainclothes police force with former criminals.

Once given the chance, Stadnik creates a special investigative unit of convicted felons who use their unique skills to solve baffling cases.

25. Anna Karenina (Анна Каренина)

26. Peter the Great: The Testament (Пётр Первый. Завещание)

^{Note: No English subtitles available for trailer}

Another lush Russian historical drama that charts 18th-century czar Peter the Great’s demise, as his ambitions to seize greater power and influence in Europe lead to the threat of warfare.

Based on the novel Evenings with Peter the Great by Daniil Granin.

27. Law of the Lawless (The Brigade) (Бригада)

This classic crime miniseries from 2002 was highly popular in Russia and the post-Soviet states. The story takes place from 1989 to 2000. It follows the transformation of four childhood friends from Moscow from petty thugs into a powerful gang.

While the series was criticized for glorifying violence and organized crime, it features great acting and an interesting soundtrack including classical music.

28. Love In Chains (Крепостная)

Tragic, engrossing melodrama set in 1850s Ukraine.

Kateryna was raised as a noblewoman, but to the rest of the world she’s a serf, property of the richest landowner in Nizhyn. She falls in love with a nobleman who knows nothing of her origins. The young bondmaid faces terrible trials in her search for freedom and love.

The sadistic abuse endured by the serfs may be too dark and depressing for some.

The story was inspired by popular Brazilian soap A Escrava Isaura.

Season 2 has been shown on TV and will hopefully be released on Amazon after English subtitles are complete.

If you enjoy this show, also try Life of a Mistress below.

29. Life of a Mistress (Вольная грамота)

^{Note: No English subtitles available for trailer}

Addictive period drama about Polina, born a lady but who becomes a slave.

After the death of her benefactor, Polina learns she is a serf and will be auctioned along with the other property of the deceased nobleman. The cruel and vicious Count Andrei becomes her new owner.

30. The Sniffer (Нюхач)

Fun Russian-language detective series shot in the Ukraine but set in an unnamed Russian city.

This popular show has been removed from US Netflix, but Season 1 is available for free with ads on Amazon. Seasons 2 and 3 are available ad-free on Prime Video.

An extraordinary sense of smell gives a crime investigator unique insight into solving mysteries, but his gift takes a toll on his personal life.

31. Neophyte (Отличница)

^{Note: No English subtitles available for trailer}

Well-acted police procedural set in 1957 Russia. Brilliant young law graduate Maria Krapivina starts working for the Leningrad criminal investigation office. None of her colleagues take her seriously, and Masha is ready to quit.

Suddenly, she discovers a criminal is working undercover in the department. Masha conducts a private investigation to bring them to justice.

Also available with English subtitles on YouTube.

32. Ash (пепел)

Compelling drama with excellent acting.

One fateful day, Igor Petrov, the commander of a Red Army unit, is forced to exchange ID papers with a thief known as Ash. The incident leads both men to start their lives completely anew. Within 10 years, one will achieve acts of bravery while the other becomes a violent outlaw leader.

Also available on YouTube (no English subtitles).