As long as there have been nerds and a means of recording, people have been mass-consuming their favorite TV shows, whether on DVD or self-recorded VHS. But more recently, binge-watching has become not only something people do but a driving factor that shapes the way some entertainment is formed on a core level. Whether you’ve been binge-watching your whole life or recently slid into the habit, there are some shows that are just perfect to mainline as quickly as possible. If you’re scrolling through streaming and wondering “What show should I watch?”, the Collider staff has put together a handy list of our favorite shows to binge-watch below on Netflix, Hulu, Max,Disney+, and Prime Video.
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Editor’s note: This article was updated March 1st to include Love is Blind.
Love is Blind
Rotten Tomatoes: 57% | IMDb: 6.2/10
Love Is Blind
Release Date February 13, 2020
Cast Nick Lachey , vanessa lachey , Bartise Bowden , Micah Lussier
A social experiment dating reality show, Love is Blind comes from creator Chris Coelen, with real-life couple Nick and Vanessa Lachey hosting. Each season introduces a slew of single men and women, placing them on opposite sides of a wall so they can get to know each other without seeing what they look like. Contestants spend several days talking blindly and building a bond before being given the opportunity to propose. Should the other person accept, the couple is allowed to see each other. The rest of the season follows the engaged couples as they attempt to plan (and hopefully follow through with) a wedding.
Born of a truly creative concept, Love is Blind continues to attract audiences with a gorgeous cast who often hold the mirror to societal expectations of beauty and attraction. The first episodes of each season are arguably the most interesting, as the unique premise shines especially bright there, but once the storylines hook you, there’s no turning it off until the reunion concludes. – Yael Tygiel
Watch on Netflix
One Day
Rotten Tomatoes: 93% | IMDb: 8.2/10
One Day (2024)
Release Date February 8, 2024
Creator Nicole Taylor
Cast Leo Woodall , Ambika Mod , Amber Grappy , Brendan Quinn
Read Our Review
One Day, based on the David Nicholls novel of the same name, is a British television series that premiered in 2024 on Netflix. The show was ordered by the streamer in 2021 and tells the story of Emma and Dexter, who meet on the night of their graduation from university. The only problem is they have to part ways the next day, but they can’t stop thinking about one another. The year is 1988, but we get to watch Emma and Dexter over the next 20 years on the same day of every year: July 15.
The show stars Leo Woodall (The White Lotus) as Dexter and Ambika Mod as Emma. The series also co-stars Amber Grappy, Brendan Quinn, Johnny Weldon (House of the Dragon), and Tim McInnerny (Notting Hill). The series was praised by audiences for its romantic feel and ability to make us fall in love with Emma and Dexter. – Emily Cappello
Watch on Netflix
Mr. & Mrs. Smith
Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | IMDb: 6.9/10
Mr. & Mrs. Smith
Release Date February 2, 2024
Creator Francesca Sloane, Donald Glover
Read Our Review
Created by and starring Donald Glover (Community), Mr. & Mrs. Smith tells the story of two spies thrown together to work for a mysterious organization. The catch: they must pretend to be husband and wife while they do so. The show was co-created by Francesca Sloane, who was a writer on Glover’s hit show, Atlanta. Co-starring Maya Erskine (PEN15), Mr. and Mrs. Smith features fun appearances by Paul Dana (There Will Be Blood), Alexander Skarsgård (Big Little Lies), Sharon Horgan (Catastrophe), and Ron Perlman (Hellboy).
Mr. & Mrs. Smith is based on the 2005 film of the same name starring Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. When the original film premiered, it was a huge hit and was the biggest box-office success for both Jolie and Pitt. So far, Glover and Sloane’s take on the show is experiencing similar success, with audiences enjoying their take on the story. – Emily Cappello
Watch on Prime Video
The Traitors
Rotten Tomatoes: 95% | IMDb: 7.6/10
The Traitors (US)
Release Date January 12, 2023
Cast Alan Cumming , Kate Chastain , Cirie Fields , Arie Luyendyk Jr.
Read Our Review
Based on the Dutch series De Verraders, The Traitors is like a childhood game of “Mafia” to the max, as a small group of players within the bunch are secretly marked as “Traitors” and eliminate contestants one by one without revealing their deceit. Those who aren’t Traitors are “Faithfuls,” whose job it is to figure out who the Traitors are in order to win the grand prize.
The Traitors is one of the most stunning reality shows you will ever watch. From the setting to the fashion to the interior design of the set, it is, from start to finish, a feast for the eyes. Host Alan Cumming (Schmigadoon!) is perfect for the role of host who says everything with a foreboding tone of voice while looking absolutely fabulous, and he makes the show all the more watchable, even if you’re not familiar with the contestants, all of whom come from previous reality shows like The Bachelor and Survivor. – Emily Cappello
Watch on Peacock
The Great British Bake Off
Rotten Tomatoes: 87% | IMDb: 8.6/10
The Great British Bake Off is a phenomenon. Starting in 2010, the show’s growth can be proven through its channel hopping. Originally premiering on BBCTwo, the GBBO moved to BBC due to its popularity, then signed a three-year deal after its seventh season to move to Channel 4 in the UK. Each season of the show features a group of amateur bakers who compete against one another in different rounds, hoping to wow the two judges of the show. One by one, contestants are eliminated until there is one winner left. Like the show’s habit of changing channels, there has also been a continual rotation of judges. The current judges are Paul Hollywood, an English celebrity chef, and Prue Leith, a South African restauranteur and author.
The BAFTA Award-winning show is called The Great British Baking Show in the United States, as “Bake-Off” is owned by Pillsbury. The GBBO has also had its share of spin-offs, including Junior Bake Off for kids, the after-show recap series An Extra Slice, and Bake Off: The Professionals, which includes teams of pastry chefs. Fans across the world eat up this heartwarming series, and it’s not hard to see why. – Emily Cappello
Watch on Netflix
Life Below Zero
IMDb: 7.9/10
Life Below Zero
Release Date May 19, 2013
Producer Joseph Litzinger, Travis Shakespeare, Kevin Tao Mohs
Production Company BBC Studios
If you need to feel better about the winter weather in your state, National Geographic Channel’s Life Below Zero will certainly do the trick. Now in season 21, the show follows the lives of those living off the land in remote areas of Alaska. Produced by BBC, the show has had over 200 episodes. The show focuses on Sue Aikens, the only resident of the Kavik river camp; Glenn Villeneuve, who lives alone in Chandalar; Chip and Agnes Hailstone, along with their seven children as they live only nineteen miles from the Arctic Circle; Jessie Holmes, who is a hunter, fisherman, and dogsled racer who lives with no one but his forty sled dogs; Andy Bassich living with his twenty-five sled dogs; Erik and Martha Mae Salitain who live in Wiseman, Alaska; and Ricko DeWilde, who lives in a remote cabin in Husila, Alaska. Now, do you feel better about paying to turn the heat on when it’s cold out?
The show premiered in 2013 and has won several Creative Arts Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Cinematography in a Reality Program and Outstanding Picture Editing for an Unscripted Reality Program. Produced by Joseph Litzinger (Ice Road Truckers: Off the Ice), Kevin Tao Mohs (Gordan Ramsay: Uncharted), and Travis Shakespeare (Ice Road Truckers), it continues to be a staple on the Tuesday night lineup of National Geographic. – Emily Cappello
Watch on Hulu
Real Housewives of Atlanta
IMDb: 4.6/10
The Real Housewives of Atlanta
Release Date October 7, 2008
Cast Kandi Burruss , Cynthia Bailey , Kenya Moore , NeNe Leakes , Porsha Williams , Sheree Whitfield
Real Housewives of Atlanta (RHOA) premiered in 2008 as the third installment of the Real Housewives franchise. Created by Housewives creative Scott Dunlop, the show just aired its 15th season on Bravo, starring Shereé Whitfield, Kandi Burruss, Kenya Moore, Drew Sidora, Marlo Hampton, and Sanya Richards-Ross. RHOA became Bravo’s highest-rated program after its 2014 season and continues to be a guilty pleasure to fans around the country.
RHOA’s showrunner is Luke Nesalge, whose credits include other reality TV shows like Hype House, Basketball Wives, and Dancing with the Stars. Some notable RHOA alums include Kenya Moore, known for winning Miss USA in 1993, and NeNe Leakes, known for playing Roz Washington in the Fox show Glee. Acting credits among RHOA alums include Big Momma’s House, Scary Movie V, The New Normal, I Know Who Killed Me, and Drumline. – Emily Cappello
Watch on Peacock
Real Housewives of New York City
IMDb: 4.8/10
The Real Housewives of New York City
Release Date March 4, 2008
Cast Ramona Singer , Luann de Lesseps , Sonja Morgan , Bethenny Frankel , Dorinda Medley , Carole Radziwill
Real Housewives of New York City (RHONY) was originally titled Manhattan Moms but was then decided to be the second addition to the Housewives franchise, which had begun with The Real Housewives of Orange County. While the cast has shifted throughout its 14 seasons, the original cast included Bethenny Frankel, Luann de Lesseps (aka Countess Luann), Alex McCord, Ramona Singer, Jill Zarin, and Sonja Morgan. While the entire franchise has somewhat of its own cult following, RHONY’s longevity has produced three spinoff shows: Luann & Sonja: Welcome to Crappie Lake, Bethenny Ever After, and Bethenny & Fredrik — not to mention an Ultimate Girls Trip. Created by Scott Dunlop, RHONY airs on Bravo for its hoards of fans.
The 13th season of RHONY was poorly reviewed and was the first time in the franchise’s history that there would be no reunion show. In a shocking twist, it became the last season for its entire cast, with season 14 being completely revamped with new women front and center like former J. Crew president Jenna Lyons and model Uban Hassan. And the show was all the better for it, breathing life back into the series and solidifying its relevancy and entertainment for years to come. This is the perfect reality binge, so don’t be surprised if you sit down to watch a single episode and suddenly realize you “just one more”d yourself into watching half a season in one sitting. – Emily Cappello
Watch on Peacock
Law and Order: SVU
Rotten Tomatoes: 78% | IMDb: 8.1/10
Law and Order: Special Victims Unit
Release Date September 20, 1999
Premiering in 1999, Law & Order: SVU was the first spinoff to come from the original Law & Order. In 2019, it became the longest-running primetime live-action series on U.S. television. Created by Dick Wolf, who also created the original Law & Order, the show follows the Special Victims Unit, which is a squad of detectives in the NYPD who investigate sexually-related crimes. Lead actress Mariska Hargitay is the only cast member who has been around since the pilot episode of the series and stars alongside Kelli Giddish as Amanda Rollins, Ice-T as Odafin Tutuola, and Peter Scanavino as Dominick Carisi, just to name a few.
SVU can boast that it is number four in total episode count of a primetime scripted series, with The Simpsons at number one, Gunsmoke coming in second, and Lassie in third. Creator Wolf was inspired to create the show after the infamous trial of Robert Chambers, who claimed he accidentally strangled a woman during a consensual act; however, he was later convicted of murder. Wolf was intrigued by what would make a person behave this way, and thus, SVU was born. Now renewed for its 25th season, the show has no plans to slow down. – Emily Cappello
Watch on Peacock
The Office
Rotten Tomatoes: 81% | IMDb: 9.0/10
The Office
A mockumentary on a group of typical office workers, where the workday consists of ego clashes, inappropriate behavior, and tedium.
Release Date March 24, 2005
Cast Steve Carell , Rainn Wilson , John Krasinski , Jenna Fischer , Mindy Kaling , Craig Robinson , B.J. Novak , Creed Bratton , Angela Kinsey , Oscar Nunez , Ellie Kemper , Ed Helms
The Office: Comfort food for the eyes, The Office is a show I may or may not have been watching before writing this. The mockumentary sitcom, which ran from 2005 to 2013, was not only a hit when it was airing regularly on NBC but showed the power that streaming can bring to an older show, giving it a renaissance in its own right. Based on the UK show of the same name, The Office was created for the American audience by original UK creators Steven Merchant and Ricky Gervais, as well as newcomer Greg Daniels, whose previous credits involve being Conan O’Brien’s writing partner on Saturday Night Live. If you like catchphrases like “well, well, well, how the turn tables;” “I’m not superstitious, but I am a little stitious;” and “the worst thing about prison was the dementors,” then The Office is for you.
Starring the incomparable Steve Carrell as Michael Scott, the show is packed with now household names, thanks to its success. This impressive list includes John Krasinski (writer of the hit horror film The Quiet Place), Mindy Kaling (showrunner to hits like The Mindy Project), Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey (hosts of The Office rewatch podcast “Office Ladies”), Ed Helms (The Hangover), Ellie Kemper (The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Bridesmaids), and Rashida Jones (Parks and Recreation), just to name a few. With a weekly estimate of 5.7 million viewers, the show then became Netflix’s most popular show, with 57 billion minutes streamed in 2020, according to Variety. Now streaming on Peacock, the show is a staple in American television history and culture, and you will definitely see at least one person this week walking around in some Dunder Mifflin or other Office-themed garb. – Emily Cappello
Watch on Peacock
Friends
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 78% | IMDb: 8.9/10
Friends
Release Date September 22, 1994
Main Genre Sitcom
Seasons 10
Friends, a 10-season sitcom, was brought to life by the creative minds of David Crane and Marta Kauffman. The show centers on a group of six friends in their 20s and early 30s, all residing in the vibrant heart of Manhattan, New York City. Viewers embark on a shared journey with the characters through a vast array of life experiences, including love, marriage, divorce, parenthood, heartbreaks, conflicts, career changes, and various dramatic events.
Friends has earned a reputation for being a timeless and heartwarming show that continues to resonate with multiple generations of viewers. This enduring appeal is not only because of its humor, which is marked by numerous iconic quotes as well as consistent relatability and the valuable life lessons it imparts through the characters’ impulsive decisions. Furthermore, the distinct personalities of the characters, like Chandler’s (Matthew Perry) sarcasm, Phoebe’s (Lisa Kudrow) eccentricity, and Monica’s (Courteney Cox) perfectionism, are what make the show truly iconic. Also, Friends often evokes nostalgia and a journey back in time for people who came of age in the 1990s and early 2000s. Its iconic fashion choices and music continue to influence viewers even in the present day. – Jessie Nguyen
Watch on HBO Max
Succession
Rotten Tomatoes: 95% | IMDB: 8.9/10
Succession
The Roy family is known for controlling the biggest media and entertainment company in the world. However, their world changes when their father steps down from the company.
Release Date June 3, 2018
Creator Jesse Armstrong
Read Our Review
Spanning five years and four very successful seasons, Succession follows the now-famous Roy family, heads of the biggest media conglomerate in the world. Devoid of all redeeming qualities, the family will use anything within their reach to not just keep their names at the top but extend their lead. By fighting, cheating, and out-witting their opposition, can the Roy family ever be stopped in their malevolent pursuit to conquer?
Through tight scripts and superb ensemble acting, the heights of global business are scrutinized for all their worst values through a family thriving thanks to their lack of morals. With the likes of Brian Cox and Jeremy Strong excelling, the true charm of Succession arguably comes from just how morally bankrupt and unlikeable almost everyone is in the same sort of sadistic way horror movies keep you glued despite the terror. – Jake Hodges
Watch on HBO Max
Beckham
Rotten Tomatoes: 91% | IMDB: 8.2/10
Beckham
Release Date October 4, 2023
Seasons 1
One of Netflix’s most successful sports documentaries to date, Beckham documents the titular global icon’s rise to fame, from his childhood in East End London poverty to his success as a footballer all the way through his turbulent but ultimately loving marriage to one member of, at one point in time, the world’s most talked-about girl group.
Using archive footage and straight-talking interviews with some of Beckham’s family, friends, and former teammates, Beckham leaves no stone unturned in the pursuit of both uncovering the secret to his success and revealing some of the sad truths behind his most infamous controversies. Despite being a household name, many will finish Beckham and suddenly feel like they had never really known of the man behind the fame until now. – Jake Hodges
Watch on Netflix
The Fall of the House of Usher
Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDB: 8.0/10
Read Our Review
Inspired by the works of Edgar Allan Poe and named after one of his famous short stories, The Fall of the House of Usher follows the uncovering of a dark secret as the CEO of a pharmaceutical company faces his deepest regrets head-on after the deaths of children are linked directly back to him. In typical gothic horror fashion, the children are dying mysteriously, with sinister discoveries revealed at every turn.
Aesthetically striking, which comes as no surprise to fans of creator Mike Flanagan, the show manages to balance genuine terror with stylish storytelling, successfully pulling off a constant unwavering sense of unease. A fresh spin on the gothic genre, The Fall of the House of Usher still has time to respect its roots and pay homage to one of horror’s most influential writers. – Jake Hodges
Watch on Netflix
Sex Education
Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | IMDB: 8.3/10
Sex Education
A teenage boy with a sex therapist mother teams up with a high school classmate to set up an underground sex therapy clinic at school.
Release Date January 11, 2019
Seasons 4
Read Our ReviewOne of Netflix’s flagship shows, Sex Education follows teenager Otis (Asa Butterfield), who, following in the footsteps of his sex therapist mother (Gillian Anderson), sets up a sexual health help clinic at his school, putting him into first contact with the potential love of his life, the rebellious Maeve (Emma Mackey). Over four seasons, Otis and his friends navigate the trials and tribulations often associated with adolescent life as they go from anxious teens to full-fledged adults, culminating in their final year at school.
Over the course of four seasons, what was once a relatively unknown cast became household names thanks to incredible performances. Oozing with angst and bursting at the seams with comedy, Sex Education thrives by not just being a stand-out example of why teen dramas are so successful but also breaking boundaries in the discussion of sexuality, proving itself to be a trailblazer in modern media. – Jake Hodges
Watch on Netflix
The Other Black Girl
Rotten Tomatoes: 85% | IMDB: 6.8/10
The Other Black Girl
Release Date September 13, 2023
Cast Sinclair Daniel , Ashleigh Murray , Kate Owens , Karina Willis
Seasons 1
Creator Zakiya Dalila Harris, Rashida Jones
Read Our ReviewThe Other Black Girl is a Hulu original show that stars Sinclair Daniel as Nella Rogers, an ambitious editorial assistant at NYC publishing firm Wagner Books. After, as the title suggests, another black woman arrives at the company in the form of Ashleigh Murray’s Hazel-May McCall, Nella’s suspicion as to whether Hazel-May is a friend or enemy leads to the uncovering of a dark underbelly lurking beneath the business she works for.
Funny, twisted, and packed full of mystery, The Other Black Girl is one of Hulu’s freshest shows and is guaranteed to keep you hooked. From a great, relatively unknown cast to a superb script, the show has all the makings of top-tier television, which is why it has understandably drawn so much public and critical acclaim. With only one season currently available, the terrific cliffhanger ending is sure to bring more. – Jake Hodges
Watch on Hulu
Suits
Rotten Tomatoes: 91% | IMDB: 8.4/10
Suits
On the run from a drug deal gone bad, brilliant college dropout Mike Ross finds himself working with Harvey Specter, one of New York City’s best lawyers.
Release Date June 23, 2011
Seasons 9
Creator Aaron Korsh
Widely regarded as some of the 21st century’s best television, Suits follows college dropout Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams), who, after a drug deal goes horribly wrong, ends up accidentally landing a job interview with one of New York City’s best lawyers, Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht). Throughout the course of nine gripping seasons, Mike and Harvey’s unlikely winning formula shoots them to the very top of their game, with their newfound partnership not just bettering them professionally but as people. However, with success comes jealousy from other top-class businessmen intent on bringing them to the ground.
Oozing charm and wit, Suits made a name for itself as addictive at a time when binge-viewing wasn’t as mainstream as it is today. The chemistry between the main characters, particularly Mike and Harvey, is captivating, making every scene they’re in (which is a lot) absolute gold. Created by Aaron Korsh, Suits is quite simply must-watch television. – Jake Hodges
Watch on Netflix
The Summer I Turned Pretty
Rotten Tomatoes: 74% | IMDB: 7.3/10
The Summer I Turned Pretty
A love triangle between one girl and two brothers. A story about first love, first heartbreak, and the magic of that one perfect summer.
Release Date July 17, 2022
Cast Lola Tung , Christopher Briney , Jackie Chung , Rachel Blanchard
Seasons 2
Creator Jenny Han
Read Our ReviewTold from teenager Belly’s (Lola Tung) point of view, The Summer I Turned Pretty is initially a teen drama about two families who, over the course of a summer, experience a rollercoaster of drama that often centers on a love triangle at its core. As all good teen shows do, the highs and lows of adolescent firsts are presented in all their glory, as Belly has her first love, kiss, and, of course, heartbreak in one tumultuous season.
Based on the beloved books by Jenny Han, this series oozes the exact tone and style one would want from a teen drama. The ‘will they/won’t they’ triangle at the heart of the story is gripping enough on its own to keep you hooked, and that’s without mentioning the terrific and often heartbreaking family drama. Perfect for binging, the show is a great ode to coming-of-age stories that have come before it, with the young main cast growing in front of your very eyes. – Jake Hodges
Watch on Prime Video
Yellowstone
Rotten Tomatoes: 84% | IMDB: 8.7/10
Yellowstone
A ranching family in Montana faces off against others encroaching on their land.
Release Date June 20, 2018
Seasons 5
Creator John Linson, Taylor Sheridan
Read Our ReviewSparking somewhat of a renaissance in the Western genre, Yellowstone follows the now-famous Dutton family, who own the largest contiguous ranch in the US. Consequently, their land is always under threat from pillagers. With this society one that builds the foundation of its success on land ownership — whether it be politicians or oil corporations — everyone wants a slice of rich real estate. With murders and mysteries aplenty, almost nothing can surprise the Dutton family as they attempt to survive living on the new frontier.
Packed full of action and spectacle, Yellowstone excels thanks to its constant bombardment of drama, with a stellar leading cast working wonders with a jam-packed script. Led by Kevin Costner as a powerful patriarch paying homage to famous cowboys of a bygone era, Yellowstone has achieved so much success that it’s triggered one of the largest television franchises on air today, with its growth seemingly exponential. – Jake Hodges
Watch on Paramount+
Never Have I Ever
Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | IMDB: 7.9/10
Never Have I Ever
Release Date April 27, 2020
Cast Maitreyi Ramakrishnan , Darren Barnet , Poorna Jagannathan , Jaren Lewison
Seasons 4
Creator Lang Fisher, Mindy Kaling
Read Our ReviewA story inspired by creator Mindy Kaling’s own childhood, Never Have I Ever follows the pivotal years of high school for first-generation Indian-American Devi Vishwakumar (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan), who, with four seasons depicting four years of her adolescence, tries to navigate the tricky teenage tasks of falling in love, falling out with friends, and dealing with the loss of her father.
A touching ode to life’s most confusing time, Never Have I Ever shines as a beacon of representation not just for young Indian-American girls but also for every teen. Despite dealing with some terribly sad topics, the show never fails to put a smile on your face and finds comedy in the face of tragedy. Always endearing, Never Have I Ever is both a sweet tale of love and friendship as well as an honest depiction of teenage life, choosing not to fear some of adolescence’s most difficult challenges but instead face them head-on. – Jake Hodges
Watch on Netflix