The Best TV Shows Everyone Should Binge-Watch
There are certain TV shows that are best watched all at once because waiting in between episodes isn't always satisfying. This has become a lot easier to do with the numerous online streaming platforms that offer thousands of popular TV shows in an instant. They have everything from classic sitcoms, true crime docu-series, heartwarming dramas, and more. Those who are stuck inside and need something to keep them occupied and take their mind off everyday stress should consider binge-watching these great TV shows.
Parks and Recreation Is All About Its Ensemble Cast
Parks and Recreation aired on NBC from 2009 to 2015, but actually rose in popularity when it was added to online streaming sites. It features an ensemble cast with actors including Amy Poehler, Nick Offerman, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Pratt, Aziz Ansari, Adam Scott, Rashida Jones, and Rob Lowe.
The 125-episode series followed a group of colleagues who worked at a fictional Indiana Parks and Recreation office where viewers enjoyed their unique dynamics, wacky storylines, and memorable side characters. Each episode is under 22 minutes, which makes it easy to digest. The show still has hard-core fans who hope the series will be revived in the future.
The League Isn't All About Football
Even those who aren't familiar with football will be able to follow the hilarious plot points of The League. Each episode is focused on a group of old friends (Mark Duplass, Paul Scheer, Nick Kroll, Katie Aselton, Stephen Rannazzisi, and Jonathan Lajoie) who compete against each other in a fantasy football league.
Some fans of the show may not know that it's almost entirely improvised with only summaries of each scene given to the actors before the cameras start rolling. Those with tight-knit groups of friends will be able to relate to the on-screen chemistry between each of the actors.
Catastrophe Is A Unique Twist On The Boy-Meets-Girl Story
All four seasons of the Amazon Prime original series, Catastrophe, can easily be watched within the span of about six hours. The show begins with an American man (Rob Delaney) on a trip to Europe who has a fling with an Irish woman (Sharon Horgan). As the pilot progresses the two realize they are going to have a baby with a person who's practically a stranger.
Even though their relationship starts with a baby the two prove they can still fall in love with each other as time passes. It's humorous, dramatic, and clever and is one of the quickest shows to binge-watch.
Arrested Development Has Been Around For Almost 20 Years
Over the span of almost two decades Arrested Development has become one of the top shows with a cult following. It started on Fox in 2003, but after low ratings, it was canceled. Later, it was revived by Netflix with the original cast reprising their iconic roles.
The show stars some of Hollywood's most famous stars such as Jason Bateman, Portia de Rossi, Will Arnett, Michael Cera, and Tony Hale as a dysfunctional family who loses everything when their father is sent to prison. There are numerous ongoing gags and hilarious one-liners and it's all narrated by actor/director Ron Howard.
Boy Meets World Had Important Lessons To Teach Its Young Viewers
Boy Meets World was one of the most popular TV sitcoms of the 1990s and ran for 158 episodes. The show revolved around adolescent boy Cory Matthews (Ben Savage), and his struggles and triumphs with love, friendship, and personal growth.
In almost every episode the characters would receive insightful advice from their teacher Mr. Feeny that a lot of young people took to heart. Almost 15 years after the show ended it was revived by Disney Channel as a series called Girl Meets World and followed Cory and wife Topanga as they were raising their children in New York City.
The Office Is Still Streamed By Fans Around The World
When it was announced that The Office would be removed from Netflix at the end of 2020, fans of the hit NBC sitcom were very outraged. It still manages to be one of the most streamed shows of all time and its less than 22-minute episodes are perfect for binge-watching.
This sitcom has one of the most memorable ensemble TV casts with Steve Carell as the wacky and carefree boss, Rainn Wilson as his outlandish assistant, and John Krasinski as the straight-face guy who gives hilarious side-eye to the camera. The show was on from 2005 to 2013, but many fans agreed that when Carell left the show it started to go downhill.
Do You Remember The Wonder Years?
The Wonder Years premiered after the Super Bowl in 1987 but was set 20 years prior. It starred Fred Savage as the precocious Kevin Arnold who did everything he could to win the heart of girl-next-door Winnie Cooper (Danica McKellar). The show lasted about six years and ended as Savage aged out of his role.
A lot of fans praised the show for the nostalgic 1960s and 70s songs that would play in the background. The idea for the show was formed after the release of 1984's A Christmas Story and the show's creators kept the tradition of having the protagonist's older self be the narrator.
30 Rock Is A Show Within A Show
Tina Fey was inspired to create the NBC sitcom 30 Rock after her experience working as the head writer for Saturday Night Live. 30 Rock is a show within a show as Fey worked alongside her boss and mentor, Alec Baldwin, and two larger-than-life co-stars Tracy Morgan and Jane Krakowski.
The series lasted longer than expected at 138 episodes and each are under 22 minutes in length. A large percentage of the episodes feature famous guest stars such as Oprah Winfrey, Matt Damon, Jon Hamm, Steve Martin, and Elizabeth Banks.
Glee Was A Musical For A Generation
During the first half of the 2010s millions of people tuned in to watch the musical comedy Glee. Each week the cast would perform covers of top 40 hits weaved into original storylines about a high school glee club. There were extravagant costumes, complex dance moves, and notes that were belted as if life depended on it.
After six seasons the show was ready to end the characters' journeys because each one of them had tremendously changed over the course of the series. Those who still want more Glee content after binge-watching should listen to cast members Jenna Ushkowitz and Kevin McHale's podcast where they talk about their experience on the show.
How Stranger Things Became A Worldwide Phenomenon
One of Netflix's most-watched shows of all time is Stranger Things. The series takes place in the 80s in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana. It's comprised of a mainly young cast who spend almost every episode trying to defeat phantasmal creatures who have come to destroy them.
Since this is a show that takes place in the 1980s many of the episodes and characters are inspired by popular movies of the time such as ET the Extra Terrestrial, Stand By Me, Back to the Future, and Ghostbusters. One thing that really makes the show worth watching is the award-winning special effects.
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Isn't Over Yet
There hasn't been another show quite like Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. The series follows a recently freed Kimmy Schmidt (Ellie Kemper) who moves to New York City after being trapped in an underground bunker for many years. She soon meets a few eccentric friends (Carol Kane, Tituss Burgess, Jane Krakowski) with whom she leans on as she tries to figure out the modern world.
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt doesn't try and take itself too seriously, but fans kept watching for the great chemistry between the actors and the character-driven story arcs. Although the show has ended, Netflix is set to release a TV movie very soon.
Fleabag Is Actually Only 12 Episodes Long
Even though the entire series of Fleabag is only 12 episodes long it still managed to earn several prestigious awards. The show centers around Phoebe Waller-Bridge and her strained relationships with both her family and love interests as she's living in London.
Not only does Waller-Bridge star as the lead, but she also created, wrote, and produced the show. Fleabag saw a rise in popularity after the second season because of her undeniable chemistry with Andrew Scott as the "Hot Priest." Something special to notice in the show is that Waller-Bridge constantly breaks the fourth wall and talks directly into the camera about what's going through her head.
You Can Finish Watching Russian Doll In No Time
The first season of Netflix's Russian Doll can easily be binge-watched in less than a few hours. Natasha Lyonne plays a woman who keeps reliving the same day over again on her birthday and she goes to great lengths to figure out why.
Viewers would most likely have a better experience watching the first season all at once, rather than spacing it out because the storylines continuously flow into the next episode. After only eight episodes Russian Doll earned numerous awards such as Emmys and Golden Globes. The second season is expected to drop sometime in 2020.
The Good Place Is Perfect If You're In Need Of A Good Laugh
The Good Place recently aired its series finale, but that doesn't mean viewers can't go back and watch the show as many times as they want. Kristen Bell, William Jackson Harper, Jameela Jamil, and Manny Jacinto play four unlikely friends who are brought to a fictional version of the afterlife and are working toward going to the "good place."
It's done by the same creators of The Office and Parks and Recreation as a feel-good, lighthearted comedy with characters who are able to tackle any challenge that comes their way.
Atlanta Shows A New Side Of Donald Glover
After mainly working in comedy Donald Glover switched it up by acting, creating, writing, directing, and producing FX's Atlanta. The show has Glover in a more dramatic role working with his cousin to skyrocket his rap career. Each episode touches on pivotal economic and societal topics including race, poverty, parenthood, relationships, and more.
Since the show centers around a rap star, there are plenty of great songs played in the background to heighten the story. The first two seasons are available to watch with Glover not sure when the upcoming third season will be released.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Has Award-Winning Actors
Those who aren't familiar with Amazon's The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel should know that Rachel Brosnahan plays a mid-20th century housewife who starts to find her purpose in life after performing stand-up comedy. Most of her success wouldn't have come without the help of her wise-cracking manager Susie Myerson (Alex Borstein).
Many of the actors on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel won awards for their performances and the series has become one of the most watched shows on Amazon Prime. There are currently three seasons available to stream with the fourth set to release sometime in 2020.
The Brady Bunch Was As Wholesome As It Got
The Brady Bunch is one of many TV shows that did much better when it was left for syndication. The show is synonymous with being clean-cut, wholesome, and all-American, which makes it a good choice for the whole family to enjoy. Those who grew up watching The Brady Bunch can now share it with their kids or grandchildren.
After 117 episodes and several TV and movie spin-offs fans often remember certain iconic quotes that still keep them laughing almost five decades later. All members of the Brady family were able to solve their problem within the span of 21 minutes, but it didn't take away from the true heart of the show.
The Big Bang Theory Was On For Over A Decade
One of the longest-lasting sitcoms of all-time was The Big Bang Theory, which ran for 281 episodes. This ensemble comedy focused on a group of scientists as they navigated friendships, relationships, and their careers. The actors on the show were so heavily needed that they ended up being some of the highest-paid stars in TV history.
Although the series ended in 2019 fans can always go back and watch the show at any time. CBS is also airing a spin-off version called Young Sheldon that is a prequel about Sheldon Cooper's childhood.
Freaks and Geeks Is A Cult Classic
Freaks and Geeks has become a cult classic even though the creators didn't expect anyone to remember it. It lasted a total of 18 episodes from the span of 1999 to 2000 and was consistently given low ratings when it initially aired.
When people started to discover it years later they realized the story of a sister and brother coming of age in late-70s/early-80s America was something that was relatable and worth watching. Many of the actors had their first job on the show and have gone on to become some of Hollywood's most famous faces.
Watch Schitt's Creek From Start To Finish Before It's Over
The Canadian original series, Schitt's Creek, will air its series finale in 2020, but that doesn't mean it's impossible to catch up from the very beginning. The show stars real-life father/son duo Eugene and Dan Levy, along with Catherine O'Hara and Annie Murphy as a family who loses everything and is forced to move to a small town called Schitt's Creek.
This situation comedy is mainly character-driven with eccentricity across the board as the audience follows their daily experience living in a town in the middle of nowhere. Each episode is less than 22 minutes and the show will be ending with 80 episodes total.