The best Netflix shows to fall asleep is a roster that's comprised of a mixed bag of documentaries, classic sitcoms and television shows, reality series, and similar other content. They're not necessarily boring shows, and some are even highly compelling and insightful. Found among both the lowest and highest-rated Netflix series, what these shows have in common is that they're all conducive to play in the background while audiences try to sleep, which has become an increasingly common way for subscribers to use the streaming platform.
While many of the best TV shows on Netflix such as Narcos, The Witcher, or Beef typically offer high-intensity action and drama, this isn't always what subscribers need. Sometimes, viewers just want to relax, and Netflix has several shows that can be as soothing and relaxing as ASMR or simple white noise videos. From docies like The Great Robbery Of Brazil's Central Bank and Night on Earth, to beloved sitcoms like Seinfeld and Community, there's no shortage of shows that can easily serve as background noise while audiences drift off to sleep. For those looking for the perfect series to stream as they lie sleepless in bed, here are 50 of the best Netflix shows to fall asleep to.
For more streaming recommendations, be sure to check out the best TV shows on Netflix.
50 Tour De : Unchained (2023-present)
Tour de : Unchained is a docies about the most famous and prestigious endurance road bike race in the world. It's an in-depth look at the athletes and teams that compete in the Tour de , revealing the preparation and sacrifice necessary to even be eligible for participation. All this makes it one of the best Netflix shows to fall asleep to for viewers completely uninterested in endurance sports, or even those who prefer mountain bikes over road bikes. In addition, audiences who need to read the subtitles for when athletes and coaches speak in French may find Tour de : Unchained especially sleep-inducing.
49 Arnold (2023)
On one hand, Arnold tells the compelling story of Arnold Schwarzenegger's rise from bodybuilding champ to A-list Hollywood celebrity and politician - a deep dive into how the man became a household name. On the other hand, Arnold is one of the best Netflix shows to fall asleep to for its overall relaxed tone and intimate feel. Even when combined with scenes from Arnold Schwarzenegger action movies or his most controversial moments, Schwarzenegger's deep and monotonic voice as he tells stories and spouts motivational wisdom may prove to be the ultimate sleep aid for some viewers. This is especially true for those who don't really find the lives of celebrities to be particularly interesting.
48 Physical 100 (2023)
Physical 100 is a reality show that takes 100 of South Korea's most driven athletes and makes them face off against each other in a series of individual and team competitions, with each succeeding challenge more physically and mentally difficult than the last. The reason why Physical 100 is among the best Netflix shows to fall asleep to is because of its middle episodes, where the sheer number of participants results in montages of repeated challenges. Moreover, after one team already shows how a seemingly impossible task can be accomplished, viewers will be tempted to just fast-forward to the results for the other teams - if they can do it before falling asleep.
47 Formula 1: Drive To Survive (2019-2023)
Formula 1: Drive To Survive is all about the fastest cars in the world, the drivers and teams that race them, and their families. It's actually a pretty exciting docies about the coolest motorsport on the planet. Documentaries like Formula 1: Drive To Survive are some of the best Netflix shows to fall asleep to for audiences with zero interest in car racing. Moreover, while the sights and sounds of car engines can be thrilling to some, others may find them to be the perfect bedtime ASMR. While it's peppered with scenes showing the dangers of F1 racing, even this can have a similar effect as when viewers play true-crime documentaries to sleep.
46 The Last Dance (2020)
The Last Dance is an inside look at how Michael Jordan ran the Chicago Bulls with an iron fist and cemented a legacy that remains unchallenged in the world of professional basketball. Hailed by many as the greatest sports documentary ever, it may seem counterintuitive to watch The Last Dance for falling asleep. However, it's one of the best Netflix shows to fall asleep to for those nostalgic about the NBA in the '90s. Though intense at times, The Last Dance is also filled with heartfelt moments that look back at the era with fondness. To the right viewer, this documentary can be the perfect sleep companion.
45 McGregor Forever (2023)
McGregor Forever is an inside look at how the controversial MMA star fell from grace, as well as his rise back to the top of the UFC's roster. To those who love the sport, Conor McGregor's narration of his journey and notable events in his career can be exhilarating, as McGregor is known for his engaging banter. However, McGregor Forever actually doesn't include much of the man's trademark trash talking and witty remarks. Rather, even amid the bright lights and wildest reveals in McGregor Forever, it's actually a somewhat somber meditation on greatness and how McGregor navigates being the ultimate heel, which gives it a place alongside the best Netflix shows to fall asleep to.
44 Roman Empire (2016-2019)
Each of the 3 seasons of the docudrama Roman Empire focuses on a different emperor: Commodus, Caesar, and Caligula. All seasons of the show are also filled with blood and political intrigue. At the same time, however, the combination of talking heads discussing Ancient Rome with dramatized historical events makes Roman Empire one of the best Netflix shows to fall asleep to. The sets are epic and impressive, but also dark, gloomy, and relaxing to the eyes. Moreover, with the respective futures of each infamous emperor known to history, there aren't any real cliffhangers to keep viewers awake, despite most events in the series being hyper-dramatic.
43 How To Get Rich (2023)
Finance expert Ramit Sethi spends time with real people in order to teach them the best strategies for saving, accumulating, and keeping wealth. How To Get Rich is an educational and entertaining series that's all about financial management. It's also one of the best Netflix shows to fall asleep to because of its main topics: credit card debt, real estate, retirement, multi-level marketing schemes, and everything in between. Though the start of each episode is always exciting, the predictably positive endings give How To Get Rich a decidedly sleep-friendly vibe throughout.
42 Our Universe (2022)
Narrated by actor Morgan Freeman, Our Universe combines wildlife footage and CGI depictions of cosmic events to give viewers a stunning look at the planet's natural history. This includes events like the birth of our sun, the rise of certain species on Earth, and how our planet was changed by meteors. Our Universe is definitely one of the most awesome and best space documentaries on Netflix. However, while the execution is unquestionably epic, Our Universe is also one of the best Netflix shows to fall asleep to, particularly for how it combines Freeman's hypnotically deep voice with gorgeous and relaxing visuals of natural occurrences.
41 How To Change Your Mind (2022)
Michael Pollan, the New York Times best-selling author of "The Omnivore's Dilemma" and "This Is Your Mind On Plants" is also the host of How To Change Your Mind. The docies' four episodes are each centered on a mind-altering drug, namely LSD, psilocybin, MDMA, and mescaline. How To Change Your Mind explores not only the history of these substances, but also the huge potential of psychedelics in of improving mental health. Combining trippy visuals, archive footage, and traditional documentary storytelling techniques, How To Change Your Mind is one of the best Netflix shows to fall asleep to. Its optimistic outlook may be particularly helpful to those suffering from insomnia as a symptom of mental health problems.
