The Best TV Shows to Binge Watch

When the weather forecast for the weekend is rainy or HOT, crank the air conditioning, grab a cocktail, and turn on the television. Today I’m sharing the best tv shows to binge watch and where to watch the shows. Note: Post originally written in June 2020, updated May 2021.

The Best TV Shows to Binge Watch

There are so many wonderful television series that it can be hard to pick a favorite. Over the last year I have watched A LOT of tv while having Covid, recovering from skin cancer, and hiding indoors from allergy season.

Must Watch Now

Bridgerton – If you haven’t watched this yet, stop reading and go put it on. This series, based on Julia Quinn’s novels, is set in the competitive world of Regency era London’s ton during the season, when debutantes are presented at court. It’s scandalous, steamy, and funny – everything you could want in a show. They are currently filming season 2. (Netflix)
Sopranos – Drama about an Italian Mob Boss and his family – hands down one of the best shows of all time – 6 seasons (HBO).

Funny TV Shows

1. Schitt’s Creek – Suddenly broke, the formerly filthy-rich Rose family is reduced to living in a ramshackle motel in a town they once bought as a joke: Schitt’s Creek. – 6 seasons (Netflix)
2. Workin’ Moms – Four very different thirty-something working mothers try to balance life, lots of crass humor – 4 seasons (Netflix)
3. Dead to Me – A widow befriends a free spirit with a shocking secret, lots of laughs and tears – 3 seasons (Netflix)
4. Never Have I Ever – Enter the complicated world of an Indian American Teenage Girl with boys (and sex) on her mind. This could be considered YA and is inspired by comedian Mindy Kaling’s own childhood. – 1 Season – New Season July 2021 (Netflix)
5. The Marvelous Mrs Maisel – Adventures of a wealthy housewife in the 1950s who decides to become a stand-up comic after her husband leaves her – 4 seasons (Prime Video)
6. PEN15 – The hilarious story of middle school seen through the eyes of two 7th grade best friends dealing with teenage awkwardness during late 1990s/early 2000s – 2 seasons (Prime Video)

Suspenseful TV Shows

1. Reckoning – Explore the psyche of two Dads – one a Homicide Detective and the other a school counselor – all while hunting for a serial killer – 1 season (Netflix).
2. Stranger Things – American science fiction horror show based on a missing boy and a scary unexplainable force/monster – currently 3 seasons (Netflix).
3. The Fall – Chilling murder mystery series with Jamie Dornan from 50 Shades of Grey. The show has been cancelled, but it’s totally worth binge watching – only 3 seasons (Netflix).
4. True Detective – American anthology crime drama television series with each season telling different story by a different cast – currently 3 seasons (HBO).
5. Big Little Lies – Based on the best-selling book, “Big Little Lies.” This comedy drama follows the seemingly perfect lives of upper-class mothers brought together by a prestigious elementary school and murder – 2 seasons (HBO).

YA Shows (in no particular order)

1. Vampire Diaries – An American supernatural drama set in Mystic Falls, VA following the life of high schooler Elena Gilbert as she falls in love with a 100 year old vampire posing as a fellow high schooler named Stefan. There are 8 seasons of this show and I loved *almost* every one! (Netflix)
2. Hollywood – A group of aspiring young actors and filmmakers in post-World War II Hollywood trying to make it big – no matter the cost – 1 Season (Netflix)
3. Sweet Magnolias – Focuses on three best friends in the South, struggling with motherhood, romance, and their careers – 1 Season (Netflix).
4. 13 Reasons Why – Follows teenager Clay Jensen, in his quest to uncover the story behind his classmate and crush, Hannah, and her decision to end her life. Heavy topics discussed – 4 seasons (Netflix).
5. Looking for Alaska – It centers around teenager Miles “Pudge” Halter as he enrolls in a summer-camp style boarding school to try to gain a deeper perspective on life. Heavy topics discussed – Mini series (Hulu).
6. Gilmore Girls – The dramedy centers around the relationship between a thirty-something single Mom and her teen daughter living in Stars Hollow, CT. The town is based off of my hometown! There are 7 seasons, plus a 4 episode revival (Netflix).
7. Riverdale – Ever hear of Archie from the comic books? Riverdale is about Archie and his gang solving Riverdale, their town’s mysteries, all while navigating the troubled waters of romance, school and family – 4 seasons (Netflix).
8. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina – A grown up version of Sabrina the Teenage Witch, lots of sex, bad words, and scariness, but so good. There are currently 5 seasons (Netflix)
9. The Society – A modern take on “Lord of the Flies” set in the CT suburbs, it’s definitely a YA show with enough adult content so all can enjoy it. 1 Season (Netflix)
10. Gossip Girl – Privileged teens on the Upper East Side can’t hide their secrets, romances, and scandals from society when a blogger, Gossip Girl, is always watching. One of my fav shows, discontinued after 6 seasons, but rumors of a revival are swirling. (Netflix)
11. Reign – A four season American historical romantic drama television series revolving around the life of Mary, Queen of Scots and her rise to power in the French court. (Netflix)

More Shows to Watch – Some Absolute Classics

1. The Handmaids Tale – Imagine a dystopian world in which women are subjugated to live in a heavily patriarchal society. It’s a total thriller, but can be disturbing (you’ve been warned!). – 4 seasons (Hulu)
2. Normal People – AMAZING! Based on Sally Rooney’s New York Times best-selling novel, Normal People tracks the romantic but complicated relationship of Marianne and Connell, from high school to college – 1 season (Hulu).
3. Succession – A peek into the very realistic world of a dysfunctional American global-media family – 3 seasons (HBO).
4. Parenthood – Realistic drama with comedic moments. Follow the lives of the Braverman Family, told through everyone’s point of view – 6 Seasons – (Netflix)
5. Little Fires Everywhere – “Little Fires Everywhere follows the intertwined fates of the picture-perfect Richardson family and an enigmatic mother and daughter who upend their lives.” (Hulu)
6. Outlander – A British nurse is accidentally and magically transported from 1945 to 1743. Lots of romance, history, and racy sex scenes – 6 Seasons (Starz/Hulu).
7. Ozark – A financial advisor drags his family from Chicago to the Missouri Ozarks, where he finds himself tangled in laundering money to appease a drug boss – 3 seasons (Netflix).
8. Little Fires Everywhere – The story explores the weight of secrets, the nature of art and identity, the ferocious pull of motherhood – Mini Series (Hulu).
9. Game of Thrones – So much more than a medieval fantasy, highly recommend if you like drama between powerful families – 8 Seasons (HBO)
10. Breaking Bad – Imagine if you discovered your Chemistry high school teacher was making Meth with to pay for his lung cancer treatments? Really intense, lots of violence, but amazing show – 5 seasons (Netflix)
11. Mad Men – Focuses on the most mysterious (but extremely talented) Donald Draper, an ad executive at New York’s most prestigious ad agency during the 1960s – 7 seasons (Netflix)

Don’t have cable? Not a problem. We haven’t had cable for a year, but stream Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, HBO and Showtime.