As seasonal temperatures rise and the desire to leave the cool comforts of home falls, it’s easy to enjoy the hottest months of the year inside, scrolling through endless TV show options. The hard part? Choosing what to watch! Luckily, we have compiled a list of shows guaranteed binge-worthy from start to finish, from sitcoms and dramedies to fantasy and speculative fiction. Regardless of your taste in shows or streaming platform preference, sit back, relax, and browse this lineup of diverse and bingeable series accessible through Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO’s Max.
On Netflix (Sci-Fi, Adventure, Drama)
Black Mirror
Calling all who enjoy futuristic sci-fi, think pieces, and maybe being a little creeped out, this British anthology series might be a perfect choice for you! Through episodes with different storylines and characters, Black Mirror explores humanity’s toxic relationship with technology, and its constant progression contributing to a character’s ultimate downfall. As discussed on CBR.com: “…Perhaps the most obvious theme throughout Black Mirror revolves around the relationship between humanity and technology.” The series is notorious for leaving viewers at the edge of their seats with mind boggling plot twists, while continually interesting a wide range of audiences with a variety of narratives. If you still feel the need to scroll, visit episode one of season one, titled “The National Anthem”, a scenario so absurd and shocking, it’s referred as one of Black Mirror’s darkest episodes. Six seasons await on Netflix for those who prefer their seemingly regular shows with a side of horrific existentialism.
Stranger Things
When Will Byers goes missing, three young boys team up with a mysterious, telekinetic girl sporting a distinct buzzcut and an undying passion for toaster waffles, unknowingly uncovering a supernatural secret in their small Midwestern town. With the help of the missing boy’s mother and a disgruntled town sheriff, the group fights to bring their friend home, unknowing of a rip in their reality. This Netflix science fiction horror original exudes everything 80’s, from Dungeons and Dragons to teased hair and old-school tunes. Staying true to the time period is essential to setting the scene, and is observable from the opening titles, as the fonts mimic the film grain and look of authentic 1980’s television series. Set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, a labyrinth of government secrets and mysteries seeps through all four seasons of this series. Stranger Things sets itself apart from other shows within its bracket by showcasing loveable characters, riveting storylines, and clever quips to refresh from the thrilling suspense. Holding an astounding 92% from Rotten Tomatoes, an 8.7/10 from IMDb and a 4/5 from Common Sense Media, it’s clear to see why Stranger Things is a series many are waiting to watch again.
Shameless
Absent and alcoholic father Frank Gallagher (William H. Macy) avoids his parental responsibilities, leaving street smart and eldest sister Fiona Gallagher (Emmy Rossum) to assume the role of caretaker for her five younger siblings. Fiona elbows her way through life to provide for herself and her family in the lower-income areas of Chicago’s South Side, juggling responsibility and the stereotypical temptations of young adult life. Based on an adaptation of the original British BAFTA award winning show of the same name, this urban dramedy boasts controversial themes, and melds harsh realities of poverty, gentrification with clever hijinks, plucky characters and raunchy comedy. Eleven seasons spanning from 2010 to 2021 garnered an impressive 82% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, showcasing the beauty and pain in the Gallaghers journey into adulthood. Watching this dysfunctional family grow up on screen is guaranteed to make you laugh, cry, and everything in between.
On Hulu (Comedy, Drama,)
PEN15
The 2000’s are back, and not just as a fashion trend rampant amongst Gen Z and Millennials. Put on your butterfly hairclips, find that CD player, and get ready to relive middle school through the lens of two actresses portraying their pre-teen selves. Accurately described as “Cringe Comedy,” BFF’s Anna (Anna Konkle) and Maya (Maya Erskine) are attached at the hip and pushed outside of their peers’ social circles, depicting the unwatchable, yet relatable familiarities of junior high. The gag is an adult duo playing 13-year-olds, further exemplifying the obvious: that they just don’t -and didn’t- fit in with their peers. While this Emmy-nominated Hulu feature contains only two seasons, each episode is littered with hilarious nostalgia, leaving audiences of all ages revisiting the painful, lovable and laughable periods of the past.
Atlanta
The city of Atlanta is one of the best places to catch a big break and Earn (Donald Glover) could really use one. Navigating his on-again-off-again relationship with the mother of his child and occasional girlfriend, Van (Zazie Beetz), is tumultuous, and working at the airport after dropping out of his Ivy-League university wasn’t part of his life plan. When his cousin Alfred (Brian Tyree Henry), who goes by the alias ‘PaperBoi’, starts blowing up on social media as an up-and-coming rapper, Earn sees a way to use his talents, and becomes his manager. Alongside the duo is Darius, (LaKeith Stanfield), whose whimsical nature compliments the crew as they navigate the often unfamiliar, unpredictable, and uncanny world of rap and hip hop of Atlanta and beyond through an Afro-surrealist lens. Glover’s Hulu original was praised by Rolling Stone and ranked 9th out of “The 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time,” stating “No show should be able to do so many radically different things as well as Atlanta does routinely.” All four seasons are available to stream on Hulu.
The Great
Huzzah for Hulu’s Award-winning satirical historical comedy! The Great is a loosely adapted depiction of the life of Catherine the Great, starring Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult as newlyweds Empress Catherine II and Emperor Peter of Russia III. Following 1700’s royal marriage customs, the couple wed unbeknownst to each other’s true personalities behind familial interference, and clash from the start. While boorish and immature Peter continues to neglect his duties as monarch and (faithful) husband, erudite and seemingly optimistic Catherine channels her growing distaste of Peter’s ignorance into bringing Russia towards a period of Enlightenment. Season 3 debuted May 23rd, adding another 10 episodes chock full of murder conspiracies, affairs, and palace secrets into an entirely bingeable and entertaining series. Smithsonian Magazine touches on the connections between the Hulu original and actual history of Catherine the Great, stating “The Great” revels in the absurd, veering from the historical record to gleefully present a royal drama tailor-made for modern audiences.”
Amazon Prime Video
The Summer I Turned Pretty
Jenny Han’s New York Times best-selling book trilogy transforms into a refreshed, coming-of-age romantic series, centering on 16-year-old Isabel “Belly” Conklin’s summer love triangle. The Conklin family spend the summer season at the beach with their longtime friends, the Fishers, whose two sons, Conrad and Jerimiah, have been the object of Belly’s desire since she was 10. As the Fisher brothers come to recognize Belly isn’t just an annoying kid-sister anymore, they both develop mutual feelings for her, serving as the catalyst of a magical, heartbreaking, and love-induced summer. The Summer I Turned Pretty dishes some multi-generational entertainment as well, entering the never-been-seen before lives of Belly’s mother Laurel, and mother of the Fisher family, Susannah. This breezy, feel-good series serves as the perfect binge-worthy content this season accessible through Amazon Prime Video, suitable for all age groups.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Miriam nicknamed “Midge” Maisel (Rachel Brosnahan) is the picture-perfect wife with a picture-perfect life: Two adorable children, her college-sweetheart turned husband, Joel, and a classy upscale apartment in 1950’s of New York’s Upper-West side. When Joel bombs his stand-up comedy stint, he enters a life crisis and exits their marriage, forcing Midge to figure out the realities of divorce and the discovery of her comedy career! With the help of first time, but no-nonsense manager Susie (Alex Borstein), Midge works her way through clubs and gigs in pursuit of her goal: to star as a comic on the ‘Tonight Show”. From the same minds behind Gilmore Girls, Amy Sherman Palladino and Daniel Palladino produce all three seasons of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel with similarly quirky characters, fast-paced dialogue, witty comedy, guest star cameos and the occasional musical number.
(HBO) Max
House of the Dragon
Fantasy fans unite! As both a spin-off and precursor of HBO’s Game of Thrones (GOT), viewers can indulge in the long-awaited and turbulent history of the Targaryen dynasty in House of the Dragon, set approximately 200 years before the events of Thrones and 172 years before the birth of ‘The Mother of Dragons’ herself, Daenerys Targaryen. Unlike GOT, House of the Dragon is based on Author George R.R Martin’s “history” book, Fire & Blood. The series kicks off with the concern of the succession of Fifth Targaryen Ruler, King Viserys I, and the possibility of it being his only living heir, Rhaenyra. As the show progresses, Rhaenyra’s succession comes further into question, developing intense conflict, not only from kingdom civilians unwilling to accept a woman ruler, but from her own family separated by loyalty and traditionalism. The future of the throne renders unpredictable as viewers are introduced to new family members, dragons, drama, and more. To witness the story unfold, House of Dragon can be streamed on Max.
Living Single
In a Brooklyn brownstone, six African American 20-somethings come together after graduating from university, entering their new personal and professional lives in the 90’s of New York City. Living Single focuses on of four women and two men, as the group experiences loves, laughs, and losses over five seasons running from 1993-1998. This throwback show is still receiving new notoriety from young fans today! Featuring Queen Latifah, Kim Coles, Erika Alexander, Kim Fields, T.C Carson, John Henton and a slew of celebrity guest stars, the sitcom received raving reviews. The series became a smash hit for Fox as one of the most influential shows of the ‘90s, and is frequently referred to as the blueprint for Friends. Outside of stringing together a perfect portrayal of characters, the cast got along on set, serving up some real-world chemistry. Coined as an “unexpected” hit, Entertainment Weekly states, “Instead of a clash of egos, Fox got a spunky, harmonious quartet.”
Regardless of if you’ve already streamed them, or if you’ve never seen them, these shows are guaranteed to keep your eyes glued to the screen. Do our picks make your list? Looking forward to watching them later? Maybe you’re already on your way to finding them on your streaming platform! We’d love to hear from you…but maybe when you’re done binging these series!
