Let’s be honest – Netflix is a great way to unwind after work, pass time at home, or just to relax in general. Netflix has been producing tons of great shows, documentaries, and movies lately. Here’s a list of 20 Netflix shows I recommend you binge-watch next!
1. Black Mirror
Black Mirror is one of Netflix’s most popular shows. Each episode is a stand alone, with a variety of topics being discussed. Typically it focuses on technology, social media, and the issues within society. Some episodes are dark, but others are more positive and make you feel better inside. Some of my favorite episodes are “Hang the DJ,” “San Junipero,” and “Nosedive.”
2. Cheer
If you are interested in cheerleading or are even someone that doesn’t believe it is a sport, watch Cheer. I watched this show within 2 days and during the final run-through of the routine, I cried because I was so involved. We can. We will. We must – watch.
3. The Circle: A Social Media Competition
Lately, Netflix has been putting out some competition like shows that have been great! There are a few on this list that I obviously recommend! The Circle focuses on social media and the contestants are trying to be the most liked, or ranked, individual in “The Circle” without ever meeting each other. Some people choose to be themselves, others choose to be a catfish. Even being their true selves, people would overthink what they post and what it would mean and everything. Just crazy!
4. Dead to Me
When this show first came onto Netflix, I thought it was a horror show. But I decided to give it a try and I got sucked in immediately. Jen’s husband was killed in a hit-and-run and, while dealing with her grief, she meets Judy at a support group. The two become friends through their grief and, as the season continues, you start to learn their dark secrets that can impact each other’s lives.
5. Designated Survivor
Designated Survivor began on AMC, but then Netflix picked it up later. It’s a political what-if situation where we watch the United States build itself back after a terrorist attack that destroys nearly the entire political system – President, Cabinet, and Congress. There’s spies, drama, politics, and other aspects that come into play that leave you sitting on the edge of your seat each episode!
6. Diagnosis
This show was one that I began because I was bored, but I found it super interesting. A doctor reaches out to patients that have not had their illnesses identified and crowdsources their symptoms through a column in the New York Times. The show follows these patients as they go through tests and determine which diagnosis fits best, or in most cases, is correct!
7. The End of the F***ing World
I won’t lie – this show is weird. There are points where you are watching and you think, “What am I watching?” However, it’s a show that shows teenagers struggling through life. The second season came out this year, and I honestly can’t say which is better, they both were so good!
8. Evil Genius: The True Story of America’s Most Diabolical Bank Heist
Out of all the crime documentaries and shows that are on Netflix, Evil Genius was the one that blew my mind. I was so interested in the story and the crime itself. It’s absolutely crazy and the show revealed a lot about the crime and those involved.
9. Girls Incarcerated
As a teacher and a female, I was really interested in this show that follows girls who are placed in a juvenile detention facility. The way that they think and process things helps me understand some of my students. And when one of them graduates – ugh, I cry.
10. Glow Up
Another Netflix competition show! This time, it’s a make up artist show. How much these people open up and the artistry that they demonstrate is amazing. It’s a unique show and I can’t wait to watch another season!
11. I Am a Killer
This is my current binge-watch. My favorite aspect of this show is how they take different perspectives of the story and weave them together. There are some crazy stories for sure, but there are some that make you question the justice system’s efficiency. If you like murder documentaries or crime shows, this one is different, but good!
12. Love is Blind
Alright, I just finished Love is Blind and it is WILD! While watching the show, it was so dramatic and crazy, I just couldn’t turn it off. The purpose of the show is to find if love is truly blind, where you go on blind dates, where you never see the person unless they PROPOSE TO YOU!! Then they live together and have like 4 weeks to prepare for the wedding. You start to cheer on certain couples and once the finale comes, it’s shocking!
13. Making a Murderer
One of Netflix’s originals. It follows Steven Avery’s crime and trials, after he was originally in jail for 2 decades for a crime he didn’t commit. Shortly after he’s released, he is accused of murder and the show follows the timeline past his conviction. I have yet to watch Season 2, as I want to rewatch Season 1 to remind myself of what had previously happened. But this is another crime series that makes you question the legal system.
14. On My Block
On My Block is a coming-of-age story, but it’s different than most. It follows 4 high school students as they navigate their lives in their Los Angeles high school. But these students have to worry about more than just popularity and dating, they also have to worry about drugs, gangs, and shootings within their neighborhood.
15. Queer Eye: More than a Makeover
If you ever need a happy show to make you feel better, Queer Eye is the show for you. Each episode focuses on 5 gay guys giving someone a makeover. There’s always an emotional moment, where you tear up a little bit, and then the reveal is always AMAZINGGGG!
16. Rhythm & Flow
This show is another one of Netflix’s competition shows! This Netflix show focuses on finding the next biggest rapper. It has Tyler the Creator, Cardi B, and T.I. as the judges. They each go back to their home cities and choose their top from there. Each episode is a new challenge that the rappers have to push through, and someone gets eliminated! Like American Idol, but for rappers.
17. Stranger Things
When it comes to Stranger Things, I have only watched the first season and I know I’m missing out. I just have to pump myself up to keep watching cause it freaks me out so much! But even though I haven’t watched all of it yet, it is one that I remember so vividly because it’s so different and spooky!
18. Spinning Out
This show just came out at the beginning of the year, and I really enjoyed it. Unfortunately, it didn’t get renewed for a second season. It focuses on a skating family, some of whom have bipolar disorder, and how they are dealing with life and the competitive aspect of figure skating!
19. Unbelievable
Unbelievable is based on a true story, about a serial rapist that understands that police precincts are not communicating. There are two story lines, one following a young teen who reports her rape, but family and the police do not believe it. In another state, two female detectives are looking into separate rapes, until they realize they are very similar. This is dark and hard to watch at times, but really shows the aspect of PTSD and rape culture well.
20. You
Oh, You. There’s two seasons and I have to say, season 2 was crazy to me. Good, but crazy. We have Joe Goldberg who is a bookstore manager, who is a serial killer, and when he falls in love with girls, he becomes very obsessed. It follows his relationships with two women, and the things he does for them in the name of love is psychotic for sure. You started on Lifetime, but now that Netflix has taken it over, it has quickly become one of the most popular Netflix shows!
