Clear your schedules — here are the best shows to binge, and where to find them.
The way we consume our media has seen a fundamental paradigm shift over the last decade. It happened in incremental steps — TiVo, VOD, the rise of streaming networks; those advances and many more are all pivotal steps in restructuring the way we approach serialized storytelling formats. At the same time came the rise of smartphone and tablet culture, and the opportunity that comes when most people have a screen in front of their faces for the majority of their waking hours. Naturally, soon after came the rise of binge-watching.
This isn’t to suggest, of course, that people haven’t been bingeing television for decades. 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. Netflix, in particular, is known for crafting binge-worthy shows in a way that compels viewers to digest the whole narrative in one or two sittings and, as a result, often blurs the lines between film and television story formats.
But 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 handy list of our favorite shows to binge-watch below on Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max,Disney+, and Prime Video.
Editor’s Note: This article was last updated April 2023 to include The Night Agent.
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You (2018-present)
Image via Netflix
Creator: Greg Berlanti, Sera Gamble
Cast: Penn Badgley, Elizabeth Lail, Victoria Pedretti, Tati Gabrielle
From creators Greg Berlanti (Riverdale) and Sera Gamble (The Magicians), You stars Penn Badgley(Easy A) as a charming, well-read serial killer who is quick to develop an unhealthy obsession with the women he meets. With each season introducing a new object of his desire, You seamlessly adapts the story to new locations, from New York to Los Angeles to Europe, populated with interesting new characters played by unbelievably attractive actors. You deliciously weaves steamy soap threads, tying them uncomfortably to graphic violence and alluring an audience into an unsettling yet captivating viewing experience. – Yael Tygiel
Watch on Netflix
The Night Agent (2023-present)
Created by: Shawn Ryan
Cast: Gabriel Basso, Luciane Buchanan, Fola Evans-Akingbola, Sarah Desjardins
Based on the novel by Matthew Quick, this thrilling action series follows Gabriel Basso as Peter Sutherland, an FBI agent who works at the White House as a Night Action phone operator. When he finds himself in the middle of a conspiracy about a mole in the highest levels of the government, however, he must track down the traitor. The show is sure to have you on the edge of your seat, making it impossible not to binge. The excellent performances by Luciana Buchanan and Oscar nominee Hong Chau take this tense drama to the next level. — Taylor Gates
Based on true historical events and inspired by the Penny Marshall movie, A League of Their Own is a beautifully queer comedy series co-created by Will Graham with star Abbi Jacobson. Shining a light on the World War II All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, A League of Their Own gingerly chronicles not only the formation of the iconic Rockford Peaches, revealing fictional storylines heavily influenced by the stories of real women, but also pointedly focuses on the Black ballplayers of the time. Starring an overwhelmingly talented cast, like Chanté Adams, D’Arcy Carden, Gbemisola Ikumelo, and Kelly McCormack, A League of Their Own is a fantastic series worth watching again and again. – Yael Tygiel
Watch on Prime Video
Poker Face (2023-present)
Creator: Rian Johnson
Cast: Natasha Lyonne, Benjamin Bratt, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Barkin, Adrien Brody
A glorious love letter to murder mysteries in general — and Columbo in particular — Poker Face stars Natasha Lyonne (Russian Doll) as the charming Charlie, a savvy woman with a gift for sniffing out the truth. Created by modern mystery maestro Rian Johnson (Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery), Poker Face beautifully builds an anthology of sorts while maintaining a throughline for Charlie that keeps her moving from case to case. Filled with a slew of guest appearances from incredible actors, including Benjamin Bratt, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Adrien Brody, and Ellen Barkin, Poker Face is more than a celebrity cameo machine — it’s a captivating journey in each episode so cleverly crafted viewers can’t help but come back for more. – Yael Tygiel
Watch on Peacock
Swarm (2023-present)
Image via Prime Video
Created by: Donald Glover, Janine Nabers
Cast: Mezi Atwood, Dominique Fishback, Damson Idris
Atlanta’s Donald Glover and Watchmen’s Janine Nabers team up as co-creators of Swarm, a new series that combines comedy, drama, and even some horror and suspense. Parodying the intensity of stan culture, Swarm follows a young woman named Dre (Dominique Fishback) as she does anything and everything to get close to her favorite popstar Ni’Jah, who has a huge following that’s not dissimilar to that of Beyoncé. The seven surreal episodes will have you on the edge of your seat, laughing, cringing, and gasping all the while. – Taylor Gates
Watch on Prime Video
The Last of Us (2023-present)
Image via HBO
Creator: Neil Druckmann, Craig Mazin
Cast: Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Anna Torv
Writer/director Craig Mazin (Chernobyl) and original game director Neil Druckmann (The Last of Us) join forces to bring the iconic video game to life in a new medium. In a cinematic series exploring love and loss, The Last of Us takes place in a post-apocalyptic world devastated by a voracious fungus that takes control of human hosts to spread. Pedro Pascal (The Mandalorian) and Bella Ramsey (Game of Thrones) take on the classic lone wolf and cub dynamic as Joel and Ellie, who must travel across the country together while trying to survive infected monsters, raiders, and the fascist military organization FEDRA. The Last of Us is a beautiful, heartbreaking, and terrifying story that expands the lore of the games to perfectly fit the long-form serialized TV format. – Tauri Miller
Jesse Eisenberg stars in Fleishman Is in Trouble as a divorced man suddenly abandoned, with his two children, by his ex-wife (Claire Danes). Adapted by Taffy Brodesser-Akner from her novel, Fleishman Is in Trouble is a blend of dark comedy and weird drama with a story that evolves from a mid-life crisis to a thoughtful spotlight on mental illness. Although hard to characterize the series, Fleishman Is in Trouble can be commended on the star-powered cast who supports Eisenberg, including Lizzy Caplan, whose character narrates the series, as well as Adam Brody and Josh Radnor (Hunters). – Yael Tygiel
A follow-up series to the beloved sitcom That ’70s Show, That ‘90s Show comes from Bonnie Turner, Lindsey Turner, and Gregg Mettler. Once again taking place in Kitty and Red’s cozy home in Point Place, WI, That ‘90s Show reunites Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith, who reprise their roles, while following the life of their granddaughter, Leia Forman (Callie Haverda), and her new friends. All grown up, Topher Grace and Laura Prepon play Leia’s parents and also appear in the sequel series, along with sporadic cameos from original cast members like Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher returning to the roles that made them household names. – Yael Tygiel
A wonderful addition to the Star Wars universe, Andor is a prequel to the action-packed movie Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Created by Rogue One writer Tony Gilroy, Andor takes place five years prior to the film, building a rich backstory for an ensemble of characters who would become the Rebel Alliance, including a thief named Cassian Andor, with Diego Lunareprising the role. Rounding out the cast are Kyle Soller,Adria Arjona, Fiona Shaw, and Stellan Skarsgård(Thor: Love and Thunder), who allow Andor to delve into the formation of the opposition group, as well as the intricacies of the Galactic Empire, thoroughly enriching the expansive Star Wars universe. – Yael Tygiel
Watch on Disney+
Emily in Paris (2020-present)
Creator: Darren Star
Cast: Lily Collins, Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, Ashley Park, Samuel Arnold, Lucas Bravo
Emily in Paris is an addicting series from creator Darren Star (Younger). With decades of experience telling stories about young, professional women, Star’s latest adventure has taken him to Europe with a fantastic cast led by Lily Collins. Emily in Paris follows Emily (Collins), a naive midwesterner working in the social media space who is thrust into the whirlwind world of luxury marketing in the most romantic city on the planet where she doesn’t speak the language. Although Emily in Paris amusingly focuses on Emily’s consistent faux pas, the true highlights of the series are her new friend Mindy (Ashley Park) and her smart, sexy girlboss Sylvie (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu). – Yael Tygiel
Watch on Netflix
Three Pines (2022-present)
Image via Prime Video
Creator: Emilia di Girolamo
Cast: Alfred Molina, Rossif Sutherland, Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers, Sarah Booth, Anna Tierney
Three Pines is a mystery series about inexplicable murders in an idyllic Canadian town. Starring Alfred Molina (Spider-man: No Way Home) as the chief inspector, Three Pines explores how an investigator can uncover secrets about his case as well as himself. Co-starring Rossif Sutherland (Reign) and Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers, Three Pines has earned critical praise and comparisons to beloved shows like The Killing and Mare of Easttown. With a haunting mystery that unravels over the first season, Three Pines reveals a lot about humanity, as it dives into themes of truth and loyalty. – Yael Tygiel
Watch on Prime Video
The Recruit (2022-present)
Image via Netflix
Creator: Alexi Hawley
Cast: Noah Centineo, Katharine King So, Alexandra Petrachuk, Vondie Curtis-Hall
From the cleverly creative mind of creator Alexi Hawley (The Rookie: Feds), The Recruit is another action-filled comedic thriller. Starring Noah Centineo (Black Adam) as a CIA newbie, The Recruit follows as the agency lawyer (Centineo) inadvertently stumbles into the high-stakes world of international espionage. Supporting Centineo in The Recruit are Angel Parker (The Rookie), Kristian Bruun (Orphan Black), and Colton Dunn (Superstore), who flawlessly brings Hawley’s signature comedic style to the screen. Together, Hawley and Centineo build a fun and explosive-filled series that allows the young star to explore his skills in the stunt-heavy world of spy adventures. – Yael Tygiel
Watch on Netflix
Bad Sisters (2022-present)
Image via Apple TV+
Creators: Brett Baer, Dave Finkel, Sharon Horgan
Cast: Sharon Horgan, Eve Hewson, Sarah Greene, Eva Birthistle, Claes Bang
Surprisingly not created by a couple of sisters, Bad Sisters comes from the minds of Brett Baer, Dave Finkel, and Sharon Horgan (Housebroken), who also stars in the comedy series with Eve Hewson, Sarah Greene, and Eva Birthistle. InBad Sisters, Horgan, Hewson, Greene, and Birthistle play the close-knit sisters who are suspected of murder when life insurance investigators suggest one of them might be responsible for their brother-in-law’s death. Finding humor in the macabre as well as ordinary, everyday situations allows Bad Sisters to shine as a charmingly uproarious female-fronted series. – Yael Tygiel
Watch on AppleTV+
Tell Me Lies (2022-present)
Image via Hulu
Creator: Meaghan Oppenheimer
Cast: Grace Van Patten, Jackson White, Catherine Missal, Spencer House
Stemming from the suspenseful book by author Carola Lovering, Tell Me Lies stars Grace Van Patten (Nine Perfect Strangers) as the complicated Lucy, whose life and secrets unravel through the series, which spans eight years. At the earliest moments of the series, Lucy is just your average beautiful young woman, but when she begins an intoxicating relationship with Stephen (Jackson White), their complex entanglement leads to twisted and messy secrets. Produced by Emma Roberts, Tell Me Lies is a romance exploring themes of infatuation, obsession, and codependency. With intriguing and dark characters reminiscent of You, Meaghan Oppenheimer (Queen America) creates an addictive mystery with Tell Me Lies. – Yael Tygiel
The Addams Family has been through many iterations, from a TV show in the 60s to popular family films in the 90s to a musical in 2010. The newest take on this timeless kooky family is Wednesday, which centers on a teenage Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega). The show sees her attend her parents’ alma mater Nevermore Academy, a school for outcasts. Though Wednesday would rather be anywhere else, she soon finds herself on a mission to look into the mysterious murders happening around campus, using her wit, deadpan delivery, and new supernatural visions to solve the crimes. – Taylor Gates
Watch on Netflix
House of the Dragon (2022-present)
Image via HBO
Creators: Ryan J. Condal, George R.R. Martin
Cast: Rhys Ifans, Matt Smith, Fabien Frankel, Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke
Explore the rich Game of Thrones mythology created by author George R.R. Martin as he and Ryan J. Condal dive deep into the Targaryen family with House of the Dragon. Set nearly 200 years before the birth of Game of Thrones’ breakout Khaleesi, Daenerys Targaryen (ACTRESS), House of the Dragon explores the traditions and turmoil of the family during the height of their reign. Highlighted by an incredible cast of talented actors, including Rhys Ifans (The King’s Man), Matt Smith (Doctor Who), and negroni sbagliato with prosecco advocates Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke, House of the Dragon elevates the fantasy genre with complex lore drenched in relationships, politics, and suspense. – Yael Tygiel
Gilmore Girls is one of the coziest, funniest, and all-around best shows of all time. The show centers around Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham), a sarcastic and witty young mom raising her academically talented daughter Rory (Alexis Bledel). When Rory needs money for a private school, however, Lorelai must get back into contact with her rich but strict parents Emily (Kelly Bishop) and Richard (Edward Herrmann). In addition to the lead performances, Gilmore Girls has some of the best supporting characters of all time, including Melissa McCarthy as Lorelai’s best friend Sookie and Liza Weil as Rory’s demanding classmate Paris. There are also the eclectic townspeople of Stars Hollow and several love triangles that are still highly debated to this day. – Taylor Gates
Watch on Netflix
Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story (2022)
Image via Netflix
Creators: Ian Brennan, Ryan Murphy
Cast: Evan Peters, Richard Jenkins, Molly Ringwald, Niecy Nash
Although highly controversial, Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story is a thorough retelling of the horrifically tragic killing spree perpetuated by serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. Critically acclaimed, though triggering to some victims’ families, Dahmer, created by Ian Brennan and anthology series royalty Ryan Murphy (American Crime Story), stars a magnetic and enigmatic Evan Peters (X-Men: Days of Future Past) as the titular monster. Infused with a slew of star-power and dramatic license, Dahmer is a fascinating attempt to salaciously capture the terror caused – and perhaps even reveal a sliver of humanity in the inhumane. – Yael Tygiel
Watch on Netflix
The White Lotus (2021)
Created by: Mike White
Cast: Murray Bartlett, Connie Britton, Jennifer Coolidge, Alexandra Daddario
An Emmy-winning anthology series, The White Lotus is a truly wild ride from start to finish. The first season follows various guests and employees of a fictional resort – all of whom find themselves entangled in complex relationships with one another. From Armond (Murray Bartlett), the manager who’s struggling to stay clean, to Tanya (Jennifer Coolidge), an eccentric guest grieving her mother’s death, demanding newlywed Shane (Jake Lacy) to cynical college student Olivia (Sydney Sweeney), the group is ripe with conflict. It makes for endless compelling TV. – Taylor Gates
Watch on HBO Max
Ms. Marvel (2022)
Image via Disney+
Created by: Bisha K. Ali
Cast: Iman Vellani, Matt Lintz, Yasmeen Fletcher, Zenobia Shroff, Mohan Kapur, Saagar Shaikh, Laurel Marsden, Azhar Usman
Ms. Marvel is an excellent addition to the MCU. Featuring breakout star Iman Vellani as its first Muslim superhero, the show sees Kamala Khan both deal with the typical trials and tribulations of high school as well as the decidedly atypical fact that she’s a superhero. Vellani’s performance has gotten well-deserved rave reviews, as she grounds the series with the perfect blend of youthful wonder and refreshing confidence. Ms. Marvel masterfully combines a relatable coming-of-age tale with the grand suspense and action we’ve come to expect from Marvel. – Taylor Gates
Dustin Huang is a 24ssports U.S. News Reporter based in London. His focus is on U.S. politics and the environment. He has covered climate change extensively, as well as healthcare and crime. Dustin Huang joined 24ssports in 2021 from the Daily Express and previously worked for Chemist and Druggist and the Jewish Chronicle. He is a graduate of Cambridge University. Languages: English. You can get in touch with me by emailing: dustinhuang@24ssports.com.