Netflix Adds Overlooked Show With Perfect Rotten Tomatoes Score

The dark comedy series "Search Party" finds new life on Netflix after premiering on TBS in 2016.

Feb. 7, 2026 at 12:07pm

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Netflix has added the critically acclaimed dark comedy series "Search Party" to its platform. The show, which originally premiered on TBS in 2016, has a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes for its first season and maintained a near-perfect 96% critics score over its five-season run. Despite the show's popularity, it struggled to find a wide audience until it was picked up by HBO Max, where it was able to explore more experimental genres in its later seasons. The show was recently added to Netflix as part of a broader licensing agreement between the streamer and HBO's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery.

Why it matters

The addition of "Search Party" to Netflix highlights the streamer's ability to breathe new life into overlooked shows that may have struggled to find a wide audience on their original platforms. The show's critical acclaim and ability to evolve over its five-season run also demonstrate the value of giving creative teams the freedom to take risks and push the boundaries of their storytelling.

The details

"Search Party" is a dark comedy series that follows the disappearance of Chantal Witherbottom, a spoiled millennial played by Clare McNulty, and the reluctant search efforts of her Brooklyn-based friends. The show smartly integrates millennial stereotypes into its narrative, with characters like the flamboyant show-off Elliott, the flighty actress Portia, Dory's passive boyfriend Drew, and her ex-boyfriend Julian, a journalist whose blunt nature often brings him into conflict with others.

  • The first season of "Search Party" debuted on TBS in 2016 and scored a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.
  • The second season improved on the first, earning a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
  • "Search Party" was picked up by HBO Max for the remainder of its run, allowing it to explore more experimental genres in its later seasons.
  • The show ended in 2022 after five seasons and 50 episodes, maintaining a near-perfect 96% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes.
  • All five seasons of "Search Party" were added to Netflix on Thursday, February 2, 2026.

The players

Search Party

A dark comedy series that debuted on TBS in 2016 and follows the disappearance of a spoiled millennial and the reluctant search efforts of her Brooklyn-based friends.

Clare McNulty

The actress who plays the role of Chantal Witherbottom, the spoiled millennial whose disappearance is the central focus of the show.

HBO Max

The streaming platform that picked up "Search Party" for the remainder of its run after the show's initial success on TBS, allowing it to explore more experimental genres in its later seasons.

Warner Bros. Discovery

The parent company of HBO, which recently reached a licensing agreement with Netflix to add "Search Party" and other content to the Netflix platform.

Netflix

The streaming giant that has added "Search Party" to its platform as part of a broader licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery.

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What’s next

The deal between Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery to add "Search Party" and other content to the Netflix platform is still subject to regulatory scrutiny, as well as a potential hostile counter-bid from billionaire David Ellison's Paramount Skydance. If the deal is approved, it could mean that Max titles like "Search Party" will remain on Netflix for a long time to come.

The takeaway

The success of "Search Party" on Netflix demonstrates the value of giving creative teams the freedom to take risks and push the boundaries of their storytelling. Despite initially struggling to find a wide audience, the show's critical acclaim and ability to evolve over its five-season run have earned it a new lease on life on the streaming platform.