Harlan Coben has become Netflix's go-to thriller author, with multiple adaptations that share a common DNA: suburban secrets, devastating twists, and the question "how well do you really know the people you love?"
Here's our definitive ranking of every Coben Netflix show, from the ones we'd skip to the ones we'd rewatch immediately.
The Complete Ranking
7. Stay Close (2021) - The weakest entry, with twists that feel more contrived than shocking. Still entertaining, but forgettable.
6. Hold Tight (2022) - Polish production with strong atmosphere but pacing issues. The teenage subplot drags.
5. The Woods (2020) - Another Polish adaptation. Moody and well-acted, but the mystery resolution disappoints.
4. Safe (2018) - Michael C. Hall elevates material that might feel generic otherwise. The gated community setting is effectively creepy.
3. The Stranger (2020) - The one that proved Coben could work on Netflix. Hannah John-Kamen is magnetic, and the twists land.
2. Fool Me Once (2024) - Michelle Keegan carries a propulsive mystery with genuine surprises. The ending actually satisfies.
1. Run Away (2025) - The most emotionally resonant Coben adaptation. The addiction storyline grounds the thriller elements in real stakes.
Why Run Away Tops the List
Run Away succeeds where other Coben shows stumble because it earns its emotions.
Real Stakes: A missing daughter struggling with addiction isn't a puzzle to solve—it's a nightmare every parent fears. The thriller elements serve the emotional truth rather than overshadowing it.
Restraint: The twists are surprising but not absurd. Everything that happens could happen. That makes it scarier.
Performance: The lead performance grounds everything. When Simon falls apart, we feel it.
The Ending: Without spoilers, Run Away's conclusion provides closure without being neat. Life doesn't tie up perfectly, and neither does this show.
Viewing Order Recommendations
For Coben beginners: Start with The Stranger or Fool Me Once to see if you vibe with his style.
For thriller fans: Go straight to Run Away—it's the best showcase of what Coben does well.
For completists: Watch in release order to see the adaptations improve over time.
Key tip: These aren't connected universes. Each show is standalone. Watch in whatever order interests you.