20 Top-Rated Netflix Series, New Releases & Malaysian Shows To Get You Through MCO 3.0 & Hari Raya

Jacey Hen

Last updated 13 May 2021

Netflix series to watch during MCO & Raya

MCO 3.0 & Raya Lockdown Survival Mood: Netflix

We're once again back in lockdown with a third MCO this Raya holidays and while it's far from what we'd hope for, it really is for the best right now. As much as we're all itching to head back out into the sun, all those plans of yours will need to take a back seat for now.

If you're looking for a new show or movie to pass time during this lockdown, check out our list of 15 top-rated Netflix series, as well as some local films, that will help you get through MCO 3.0! We've included a mix of new releases on Netflix, together with some older shows that we loved, all from across a variety of genres to cater to different preferences. Come on, go through and pick one for tonight!

Stay Home & Send Raya Gifts To Your Loved Ones This Year!

15 Netflix Series Perfect For Getting Through MCO 3.0

1. Shadow & Bone

Dominating Netflix's Global Top 10 list for the first 2 weeks since its debut, the fantastical series that is Shadow & Bone unsurprisingly also shot up to the top of our favourites. Set in a world where nations are at war and the Ravkan country is left to survive with a dark and dangerous Shadow Fold, we follow Alina who discovers she has the power to summon light and may be the miracle to finally end their nation's suffering. This 8-episode series is jam-packed with magic, espionage, action and romance, and will tick all the boxes for any fan of fantasies with complex worlds and unique magic systems.

IMDb Score: 7.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 86%
Genre: Fantasy, drama, mystery
Country of origin: United States of America
Episodes: 8

2. Vincenzo

Since its premiere in February this year, Vincenzo has become the latest K-drama series to take over Netflix and has been steadily ranking at the top of Malaysia's list. The show has just recently wrapped up and if you've been waiting to binge-watch it, now's the time! Song Joong-Ki stars as a Korean-Italian mafia lawyer who sets out to Korea in the search of riches, but soon, his goals start to take a turn as he goes against Babel, a conglomerate with evil intentions.

IMDb Score: 8.5/10
MyDramaList Score: 9/10
Genre: K-drama, dark comedy, action, law
Country of origin: South Korea
Episodes: 20

3. Jupiter's Legacy

Based on an American comic book series of the same name, Jupiter's Legacy is the latest superhero show on Netflix, that explores the dynamics of familial relationships, power and loyalty. Follow a team of second-generation superheroes as they struggle to live up to the legendary feats and rigid ideals set in place by their parents, who have since kept the world safe for nearly a century.

IMDb Score: 6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 50%
Genre: Drama, science fiction, action
Country of origin: United States of America
Episodes: 8

4. Tale Of The Nine Tailed

For those of you who prefer fantasy over contemporary K-drama, Tale Of The Nine Tailed might just be the show for you. It may be a love story, but it's also offers much more than just romance - based on a Korean folklore, this is an epic drama following the story of a nine-tailed fox who left his duties as a guardian mountain spirit to search for the reincarnation of his first love. However, after living in the city for centuries, his secret is soon discovered as he becomes entangled with a TV producer.

IMDb Score: 7.8/10
MyDramaList Score: 8.3/10
Genre: Drama, fantasy, romance, horror
Country of origin: South Korea
Episodes: 16

5. Ginny & Georgia

Sometimes all we need is to unwind on a weekend with a feel-good drama comedy and that's exactly what you'll get with Ginny & Georgia. We follow Ginny and her family, who after years on the run have finally settled down in a picturesque town to begin a better life there. The sensational modern-day story has brought the show up the global Netflix charts and it's no wonder, especially with the show's lovable and dynamic characters.

IMDb Score: 7.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 68%
Genre: Comedy, drama
Country of origin: United States of America
Episodes: 10

6. Sisyphus: The Myth

Sisyphus: The Myth is a thrilling science fiction K-drama that follows a genius engineer, thrown into an unfathomable sequence of events after he saves a plane from crashing, leading him towards an attempt to uncover a dangerous secrets truth behind his older brother's death. However, he soon meets a mysterious woman who travelled back in time to save him, as well as stop him from potential world destruction. The show is definitely as action-packed and nail-biting as it sounds!

IMDb Score: 7/10
MyDramaList Score: 7.8/10
Genre: Action, science fiction, thriller, mystery
Country of origin: South Korea
Episodes: 16

7. Who Killed Sara?

With Season 2 right around the corner, we definitely recommend watching Who Killed Sara? if you haven't already. The binge-worthy Mexican series focuses on a revenge and murder mystery plot, as we follow a man named Alex released from prison, after 18 years for a crime he never committed. Hell-bent on exacting revenge, he sets out to find the real culprit behind his sister's murder.

IMDb Score: 6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 86%
Genre: Thriller, mystery, crime, melodrama
Country of origin: Mexico
Episodes: 10

8. Girl From Nowhere

The second season of the critically-acclaimed Thai TV series, Girl from Nowhere, is finally out and Chicha Amatayakul returns once again as the iconic Nanno. The plot revolves around mysterious and clever girl who transfers to different schools to use her ability to expose everyone's lies and misdeeds. Inspired by true incidents, the series aims to retell stories ofschoolgirls who have been victimised, but now reversing the destiny from victim to victor, in this satisfying revenge drama.

IMDb Score: 7.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 75%
Genre: Mystery, fantasy, crime
Country of origin: Thailand
Episodes: 13 (Season 1), 8 (Season 2)

9. Bridgerton

Released in December 2020, Bridgerton was a sparkly historical romance series that quickly became a global pop culture phenomenon and is now one of Netflix's biggest series ever. The drama centers around the powerful and influential Bridgerton family set against the backdrop of Regency-era England. Based on the bestselling Bridgerton series of eight romance novels by Julia Quinn, you can definitely expect captivating storylines filled with romance and dramatic flair.

IMDb Score: 7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
Genre: Period drama, romance
Country of origin: United States of America
Episodes: 8

10. Lupin

Earlier this year, the French heist drama Lupin successfully stole its way to the top of Netflix's charts and became the most watched series on Netflix for the first quarter of 2021. The show just announced that Part 2 will be dropping next month *squeals* so it's time to catch up on the first season now, if you haven't already! Follow Assane Diop, a professional thief who sets out to seek revenge for his father using his charisma, mischief, and mastery of thievery - it's definitely an enjoyable watch for those who enjoy a crime series with some good twists and mystery.

IMDb Score: 7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 98%
Genre: Crime, mystery, comedy-drama
Country of origin: France
Episodes: 5

11. Stranger Things

Stranger Things was first released in 2016, and fans have been impatiently waiting for the release of the fourth season since mid-2019. Well, we've got good news - Netflix has finally started dropping teasers and that probably means Season 4 will release real soon! Set in the 1980s in the fictional town of Hawkins, the series begins with the disappearance of a young boy amid supernatural events occurring around the town. Follow the lives of a group of kids as they forge friendships, uncover mysteries, and battle monsters.

IMDb Score: 8.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
Genre: Science fiction, horror, mystery-thriller
Country of origin: United States of America
Episodes: 8 (Season 1), 9 (Season 2), 8 (Season 3)

12. Start-Up

The hype on Start-Up may be long over, but if you didn't manage to watch it yet, MCO 3.0 is your chance. The K-drama revolves around the life of Seo Dal-Mi, a woman who has dreams of becoming a CEO, and her love triangle with two men, both of who play important roles in her entrepreneurship journey. Set in South-Korea's fictional Silicon Valley called Sandbox, it also provides a glimpse into the life, struggles, and successes of individuals in the world of startup companies. If you're looking for a light-hearted show that will tug on your heartstrings a bit, add Start-Up to your watch list!

IMDb Score: 8.2/10
MyDramaList Score: 8.1/10
Genre: Drama, romance
Country of origin: South Korea
Episodes: 16

13. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

You've probably seen or heard the recent hype over the Demon Slayer film back when cinemas reopened, but if you're part of the crowd who have no clue on what it's all about, now's a good time to catch up with the Japanese anime! In Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, we meet a boy who finds his family slaughtered and his sister cursed after a demon attack, which then pushes him to go on a quest to fight demons and save his sister. Despite a simple storyline, fans have claimed to have fallen in love over the anime's excellent animation, great soundtrack and epic scenes.

IMDb Score: 8.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
Genre: Adventure, dark fantasy
Country of origin: Japan
Episodes: 26

14. Kim's Convenience

We were so sad to hear the recent announcement that the award-winning Kim's Convenience series wraps up in Season 5, but this definitely warrants a rewatch of the entire show! For those of you who enjoy funny and heartfelt comedies, you should definitely add this widely-loved sitcom onto your Netflix list. Follow the Korean-Canadian Kim family who runs their convenience store in Toronto, as they deal with customers and each other's antics.

IMDb Score: 8.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 85%
Genre: Comedy, drama
Country of origin: Canada
Episodes: 13 (Season 1), 13 (Season 2), 13 (Season 3), 13 (Season 4), 13 (Season 5)

15. Castlevania

Netflix’s popular anime Castlevania is finally concluding the series with the release of their fourth and final season. Since its debut in 2017, the anime has gained immense praise and if you're into dark medieval fantasy, this one's for you! The series follows the last surviving member of the disgraced Belmont vampire clan as he gangs up with a misfit group of comrades in their attempt to save humanity from extinction at the hands of a sinister vampire war council.

IMDb Score: 8.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 92%
Genre: Adventure, dark fantasy, horror, drama
Country of origin: United States of America
Episodes: 4 (Season 1), 8 (Season 2), 10 (Season 3), 10 (Season 4)

5 Local Movies To Watch At Home This Raya Holiday 2021

1. Raya Tak Jadi!

At the top of our Raya movie list is Raya Tak Jadi! - the title a literal depiction of the current lockdown. But while we can't celebrate this year by visiting open houses, you can spend time with your loved ones at home watching this local film! Watch as a comedic plot unfolds while two siblings journey back home during Ramadan. Upon encountering a man in the back of their taxi, the duo suddenly becomes involved in a kidnapping plot, throwing off their plans for Raya in this chaotic scenario.

IMDb Score: 4.2/10
Genre: Comedy
Duration: 1 hour 27 minutes

2. Upin & Ipin: The Lone Gibbon Kris

Upin and Ipin, featuring our favourite Malaysian twins, have always been our country's most successful animation globally, especially in Southeast Asia. This Raya, join the twins and their friends in the 2019 film, Upin & Ipion: The Lone Gibbon Kris, as they venture out of Kampung Durian Runtuh and into the fantastical land of Inderaloka, where they have to save the kingdom from its evil king.

IMDb Score: 7.7/10
Genre: Animation, adventure, fantasy
Duration: 1 hour 39 minutes

3. Senario Lagi

We absolutely love classic local comedies especially for Raya, and Senario Lagi is an old-but-gold one. A sequel to Senario The Movie, we follow a man named Azlee who sets out on a vacation with his family in a used car that he just purchased, not knowing that it was stolen. A wild journey awaits them as they travel, with many bumpy encounters along the way, making it a truly comedic story that will give you a good laugh this season.

IMDb Score: 6.9/10
Genre: Comedy
Duration: 1 hour 58 minutes

4. The Malay Chronicles: Bloodlines

Looking for something with a little more action and an epic plotline? The award-winning film The Malay Chronicles: Bloodlines, also known locally as Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa, may just be what you need. This Malaysian historical war epic narrates the early history of Kedah, set against the backdrop of ancient Malay, Roman and Chinese civilisations. Following the journey of Merong Mahawangsa who escorts a Roman prince to wed a Chinese princess, the tale combines vibrant elements of romance and adventure, paired with thrilling scenes of hand-to-hand combat and martial arts.

IMDb Score: 3.7/10
Genre: Adventure, action, history
Duration: 1 hour 44 minutes

5. I Know What You Did Last Raya

For those who love a little thrill, I Know What You Did Last Raya is a classic horror-comedy that's entertaining as much as it is spine-tingling. It's the eve of Raya and a mysterious event occurs in a kampung. Upon their return home to the village, Dr. Mira and her friends accidentally hit a goat and a man, leading up to terrifying consequences.

IMDb Score: 4/10
Genre: Comedy, horror
Duration: 1 hour 31 minutes