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.
Editor's note: This article was updated January 2025 to include Younger.
‘Younger’ (2015 - 2021)
Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDb: 7.8/10
- Release Date
- March 31, 2015
- Cast
- Debi Mazar , Nico Tortorella , Hilary Duff , Miriam Shor , Peter Hermann , Charles Michael Davis
A series that, during its runtime, deserved much more attention and praise, Younger follows 40-year-old Liza (Sutton Foster), who suddenly finds herself at the bottom of the career ladder as a newly single mother. Frustrated with society’s treatment of someone her age in the working world, a chance encounter convinces Liza she can present as younger than she is, with the results simply astounding. A wonderfully delicate and brilliantly funny series with its roots firmly planted in social commentary, Younger is perfect for any woman — of which there will be many — who may find a relationship with the plight of the central character. With 84 episodes and 7 seasons available, this is the ideal next binge-watch. - Jake Hodges
‘Squid Game’ (2021 - Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDb: 8.0/10
Created, written, and directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk, Squid Game is a South Korean survival thriller series that revolves around a secret and lethal competition. Hundreds of contestants, all facing financial hardship, compete in a series of deadly children’s games, risking their lives for a chance to win a massive cash prize. The show features a large ensemble cast that includes Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Wi Ha-joon, and more.
Squid Game’s first season was released on Netflix in September 2021, receiving worldwide critical acclaim. The show became Netflix’s most-watched series of all time and won a number of accolades, including six Primetime Emmy Awards. A second season was released in December 2024, which has also received stellar reviews. The series presents some sharp social commentary combined with no-holds-barred brutality while retaining a surprisingly deep emotional core. And if you enjoy its first two installments, you’ll be happy to know the third and final season of Squid Game has already been filmed and is expected to be released sometime in 2025.
‘Somebody Somewhere’ (2022 - 2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 8.2/10
- Release Date
- January 16, 2022
- Creator
- Hannah Bos, Paul Thureen
- Cast
- Bridget Everett , Jeff Hiller , Mary Catherine Garrison , Danny McCarthy , Mike Hagerty , Murray Hill , Jane Drake Brody
This Peabody Award-winning comedy from Hannah Bos and Paul Thureen follows Bridget Everett’s Sam, a woman who struggles to fit in with her hometown of Manhattan, Kansas. Grieving the loss of her sister, Sam finds a like-minded community of other outcasts, and a journey to self-redemption begins. Painfully relatable and effortlessly funny, Somebody Somewhere is the favorite 2020s comedy of many. Boldly striking to the heart of grief and loneliness with sheer joy, Somebody Somewhere should definitely be top of your comedy watchlist. - Jake Hodges
‘Shameless’ (2011 - 2021)
Rotten Tomatoes: 82% | IMDb: 8.5/10
A scrappy, feisty, fiercely loyal Chicago family makes no apologies.
- Release Date
- January 9, 2011
- Cast
- William H. Macy , Jeremy Allen White , Justin Chatwin , Ethan Cutkosky , Joan Cusack , Emmy Rossum , Emma Kenney , Cameron Monaghan , Noel Fisher , Steve Howey , Shanola Hampton
Based on the successful British show of the same name, Shameless follows the Gallagher family of Chicago, headed by the alcoholic Frank (William H. Macy). Faced with socio-economic trouble, the family — and especially its glue, Fiona (Emmy Rossum) — battles day-to-day trouble with an undeniable spirit. Not many series are well translated from across the pond to US screens, but Shameless is one of the few that gets it right. Perfectly understanding the self-deprecating humor of the original but sprinkling in just enough optimism to keep levity, Shameless is more than worthy of its four Primetime Emmy wins. - Jake Hodges
‘No Good Deed’ (2024 - Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 76% | IMDb: 6.9/10
No Good Deed
- Release Date
- December 12, 2024
- Cast
- Lisa Kudrow , Linda Cardellini , Luke Wilson , Ray Romano , Teyonah Parris , Abbi Jacobson , Poppy Liu
- Creator(s)
- Liz Feldman
This new Netflix series from the mind of Liz Feldman follows a selection of different families, each looking to purchase the same Spanish villa. However, with desire comes competition, and with competition comes the realization that these families will stop at nothing to earn their dream house. A devilishly dark comedy, No Good Deed is both a satire on the housing market and an immersive dramedy. Featuring a central cast turning in memorable performances, No Good Deed is a neat addition to Netflix’s 2024 slate. - Jake Hodges
‘Black Doves’ (2024 - Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 7.1/10
Black Doves
- Release Date
- December 5, 2024
- Cast
- Keira Knightley , Sarah Lancashire , Ben Whishaw , Andrew Koji , Andrew Buchan , Omari Douglas , Kathryn Hunter , Sam Troughton , Ella Lily Hyland
- Creator(s)
- Joe Barton
Sporting the coveted 100% Rotten Tomatoes critical score, this brand-new spy thriller follows Keira Knightley’s Helen, a woman with a hidden identity whose secrets are compromised when she embarks on a dangerous romance. When her lover becomes embroiled with the criminal underworld, Ben Whishaw’s Sam is called in to save the day. In just six tightly-packed episodes, Black Doves delivers a plethora of intelligently crafted twists and turns, leaving viewers glued to the edge of their seats. Knightley and Whishaw are the duo we didn’t know we needed, with Black Doves the sort of spy series that will likely age like a fine wine — although you’ll want to jump on the bandwagon while it's still rolling. - Jake Hodges
‘Arcane’ (2021 - 2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 9.0/10
- Release Date
- November 6, 2021
- Cast
- Hailee Steinfeld , Ella Purnell , Kevin Alejandro , Katie Leung , Jason Spisak , Toks Olagundoye , Harry Lloyd , JB Blanc , Reed Shannon , Mick Wingert
This steampunk series set in the League of Legends universe follows the rise of two champions, with each set to face an uphill battle for supremacy and a fight against the odds within the rich city of Piltover and the poor underbelly of Zaun. Whether you’re a fan of the source material or not, Arcane is one of the most exhilarating animated series currently on streaming. From high-octane action to genuinely heartfelt character journeys, Arcane has something for everyone. There should be no surprise that the series has already won four Primetime Emmys, among many other high-profile awards and nominations. - Jake Hodges
‘Gilmore Girls’ (2000 - 2007)
Rotten Tomatoes: 88% | IMDb: 8.2/10
- Release Date
- October 5, 2000
- Cast
- Lauren Graham , Scott Patterson , Sean Gunn , Keiko Agena , Matt Czuchry , Alexis Bledel , Yanic Truesdale , Kelly Bishop , Melissa McCarthy , Edward Herrmann , Liza Weil , Jared Padalecki , Milo Ventimiglia
As fall rears its sepia-toned head, Carole King’s “Where You Lead” starts blasting around the world yet again, thanks to the iconic opening credits for Gilmore Girls. Starring Lauren Graham as young mother Lorelai and Alexis Bledel as her daughter Rory, the series follows the pair as they grow and evolve in the sleepy town of Stars Hollow, dealing with the highs, lows, and in-betweens of their cozy life. Shockingly only winning a single Primetime Emmy in seven impressive years, Gilmore Girls has aged like a fine wine and become one of the biggest cult hits of all time. Fast-paced and comforting, there’s nothing else quite like it — no matter how many shows have tried since. - Jake Hodges
'Silo' (2023 - Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 88% | IMDb: 8.1/10
Based on Hugh Howey’s novel Wool, Silo follows a terrifying future in which humanity survives underground within the claustrophobic titular silo. Set through the perspective of protagonist Juliette Nichols (Rebecca Ferguson), her innocuous investigation into the death of a colleague uncovers the frightening truth about the world in which they live, with Juliette suddenly having to face the consequences of being privy to such world-altering information.
Dystopian sci-fi with all the trimmings, Silo is a rollercoaster ride that doesn’t bog itself down with fantasy lore, instead thriving thanks to its drive for drama. A fascinating analysis of humans' sometimes ignorant desperation to survive, Silo is impressive in its storytelling and its CGI, with the show a perfect feast for the suspicious mind. - Jake Hodges
'A League of Their Own' (2022)
Rotten Tomatoes: 95% | IMDB: 7.6/10
- Release Date
- August 12, 2022
- Cast
- Abbi Jacobson , Chanté Adams , D'Arcy Carden , Gbemisola Ikumelo , Roberta Colindrez , Kelly McCormack , Priscilla Delgado
- Creator(s)
- Will Graham , Abbi Jacobson
Based on the iconic Tom Hanks movie of the same name, A League of Their Own is set in 1943 and depicts the birth of an All-American women’s baseball team called the Rockford Peaches. Documenting each of the team members’ journeys towards this moment, such as Carson’s (Abbi Jacobson) dream to play whilst her husband is at war and Maxine’s (Chanté Adams) desire to play the sport despite being racially discriminated against, the story follows the same heartwarming trajectory as the original, culminating in the final game of the Championship Series.
Full of fun and humor but never far from a moment of power, A League of Their Own is an inspiring tale of rising against the odds, taking everything that makes sports movies so successful and using them to tell a story of representation. Flying the flag for LGBTQIA+ representation, A League of Their Own towers above other shows thanks to both its technical qualities and significance to modern media. - Jake Hodges
‘The Penguin’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | IMDb: 8.8/10
- Release Date
- September 19, 2024
- Cast
- Colin Farrell , Cristin Milioti , Rhenzy Feliz , Michael Kelly , Shohreh Aghdashloo , Deirdre O'Connell , Clancy Brown , James Madio , Scott Cohen , Michael Zegen , Carmen Ejogo , Theo Rossi
Based on the titular DC Comics character, The Penguin is an eight-episode crime drama miniseries that’s a spin-off of 2022’s The Batman. Developed by Lauren LeFranc, the series is set after the events of the movie and stars Colin Farrell as Oswald Cobb (aka the Penguin), chronicling his rise to the top of Gotham City's criminal underworld. The show also stars Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz, Deirdre O’Connell, Clancy Brown, Carmen Ejogo, Michael Zegen, Mark Strong, and many more. Originally planned as a Max series, The Penguin premiered as an HBO Original on September 19, 2024. The series has received highly positive reviews from both critics and fans, with praise for its grounded narrative and stellar performances. While Colin Farrell’s take on the Batman villain has received praise ever since he first appeared in The Batman, Cristin Milioti’s Sofia Falcone is the real surprise hit of the show, with the actor delivering one of the best performances of her career. On the whole, The Penguin is a thrilling crime show inspired by classic gangster series and movies like The Godfather and The Sopranos.
‘Sweetpea’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 85% | IMDb: 7.2/10
Created by Kirstie Swain, Sweetpea is a dark comedy-drama series adapted from CJ Skuse’s eponymous 2017 book. The series stars Ella Purnell as Rhiannon, an admin assistant at a local newspaper. Bullied as a child, Rhiannon lives a quiet life, but when her father dies, it leads to an unexpected encounter that changes everything. Besides Purnell, the show also stars Nic?le Lecky, Jon Pointing, Calam Lynch, Leah Harvey, Jeremy Swift, Dustin Demri-Burns, Luke McGibney, Ingrid Oliver, Alexandra Dowling, Nitin Ganatra, and David Bark-Jones.
Released by Sky Atlantic in the UK and by STARZ in the US, Sweetpea premiered on October 10, 2024, receiving largely positive reviews from critics. The series has been praised for its suspenseful storyline and stylish cinematography, as well as for Ella Purnell’s brilliant performance in the title role. The experience of the show is further enhanced by its pop-fuelled soundtrack, which features tracks by Billie Eilish, Charli XCX, the Spice Girls, and more. A dark, thrilling, and playful series, Sweetpea is a thoroughly enjoyable and well-made revenge story that’s a bit predictable but no less exciting.
‘Agatha All Along’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 82% | IMDb: 6.9/10
The 24th entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Agatha All Along follows the titular Agatha (Kathryn Hahn), who is out of power and down on her luck when she is unexpectedly reinvigorated by a teenager (Joe Locke) who breaks her out of the spell. Together, the pair go on a treacherous journey on a magical gauntlet known as The Witches’ Road. Locke and Hahn are the pairing we never knew we needed in a show brimming with fun. A horror option for those tired of the jumpscares, this series is a neat breakaway from the normal MCU formula with a tale that’s more Hocus Pocus than Captain America. - Jake Hodges