Forget Zero Day, These 5 Political Thrillers With Better RT Scores Are Your Next Watch

Political thrillers are never out of style, and even divisive reviews for Netflix ’s new show can’t prove otherwise. Released around a week ago, Zero Day stars Robert De Niro, Lizzy Caplan and Jesse Plemons pushed into an investigation of massive zero day cyberattacks that caused several disasters across the country.

The series’ action-packed plot and star-packed leading cast didn’t bring Zero Day its imminent critical success as the show is currently holding an average score of 54% on Rotten Tomatoes.

However, Zero Day is also Netflix’s biggest hit so far, and those who can’t have enough of something similar might want to check some other options (they even hold better scores on RT).

Designated Survivor — 71% RT

Released back in 2016, the show ran for 3 seasons first on ABC before eventually moving to Netflix in 2019.

Starring Kiefer Sutherland in the leading role, Designated Survivor follows Housing and Urban Development Secretary Tom Kirkman who becomes the US’ new President after a fatal explosion kills the previous president and most of his successors.

Having never imagined that his governmental position would at some point reach the Oval Office, Kirkman starts his new job with a mission to prevent the imminent outburst of violence and instability.

The show is available for watching on Netflix.

The Americans — 96% RT

Just like in Zero Day, The United States are falling apart in this show too, though here it has something to do with Russian spies.

The Americans follows Elizabeth and Philip Jennings, undercover spies whose arranged marriage soon starts feeling like something they wouldn’t mind after all. However, the hardships of their challenging professions take their toll on the couple’s lifestyle, especially when it comes to protecting their American-born children from all the dangers the family undercover might bring along.

The show can be found on Hulu.

Homeland — 85% RT

While Zero Day has a new destructive terrorist attack to deal with, Homeland is a not less compelling story about CIA agent Carrie Mathison finding out that a recently released prisoner of war might be linked to the 9/11 events.

Putting the entire national security at risk, Carrie embarks on a cat-and-mouse game, searching for answers about whether there’s something even more catastrophic the US might experience in the near future.

The show is currently available for watching on Hulu.

24 — 87% RT

Starring Kiefer Sutherland in yet another politically entangled story, 24 is an exceptional show that received universal acclaim for its narrative and structure.

Each of 8 seasons follows just one day in the life of counterterrorism agent Jack Bauer who gets into big fights with bad guys and tries to prevent assassination attempts, nuclear attacks, bioterrorism and other catastrophes from happening.

24’s success was so overwhelming its creators just couldn’t let the story go, coming up with a made-for-TV movie 24: Redemption and a follow-up series 24: Live Another Day.

24’s all seasons are currently streaming on Hulu.

Years and Years — 89%

Led by Emma Thompson, Years and Years harshly resonates with everything the world is experiencing in 2025 as the show follows an alternate version of the UK slowly brought down by fascistic views of its leader Vivienne Rook.

However, what the series does take a closer look at is how these political games influence normal people’s lives, with some of them being the Lyons, an ordinary British family.

The show comprises just 1 season and is available for watching on Max.