You know the feeling…it’s Friday night, and you’re good and ready for some Netflix + chill. …literally, Netflix and chilling. 😉 But ain’t nobody got time to spend endlessly scrolling without knowing if it’s worth the watch or not! Stranger Things 3 dropped yesterday, so you know everyone and their mom spent the good part of America’s birthday on a binge. Netflix has been dropping a new original movie every week anymore, and they’re all pretty top notch (Adam Sandler + Jennifer Aniston were in the latest, and it was GREAT).
I’ve got a running list below that I’ll try and update every so often to account for changes in the Netflix catalog, especially with new originals coming out that would likely be more permanent in their rolodex (versus box office hits that may only be on for a shorter stint). When How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days was on, I had it playing in the background every day. Same with Legally Blonde + Legally Blonde 2.
I’ll include the title, followed by the one-liner description from Netflix, as well as any groundbreaking/relevant thoughts of my own to chime in.
NETFLIX SHOWS:
- 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. J + I started watching this series after everyone and their mom recommended it to us as a laugh-out-loud, while Olivia was in the NICU. We were both depressed with absurdly long nights of driving, and needed a 20-30 minute reprieve to unwind and smile…and this did the trick. Absolutely lovelovelove the dialogue in this series.
- Parenthood – Four grown siblings juggle parenthood, relationships, careers and more as they cope with life’s ups and downs in this drama set in Berkeley, California. We binged this series years ago – it’s like an entire phase of our life together as a couple was defined by Parenthood. We couldn’t stop watching. Truly GREAT character development, great script, real life drama.
- Glee – Amid relationship woes and personal attacks from a wicked cheerleading coach, a teacher fights to turn underdog glee club members into winners. Defined my high school experience.
- Breaking Bad – A high school chemistry teacher dying of cancer teams with a former student to secure his family’s future by manufacturing and selling crystal meth. One of the best television series ever. Seriously. Another one that defined a period of my life with J from our binging. (He had watched the series once before, and he HATES rewatching things – so that fact that he rewatched it all with me says something).
- Riverdale – While navigating the troubled waters of sex, romance, school and family, teen Archie and his gang become entangled in a dark Riverdale mystery. Definitely a darker teenage drama – or, at least, my own high school experience wasn’t laden with steamy sex, undercover alcohol, a drug ring, and multiple mass murderers.
- Stranger Things (1, 2…and 3!) – When a young boy vanishes, a small town uncovers a mystery involving secret experiments, terrifying supernatural forces and one strange little girl. I remember when Stranger Things first came out…it shook the online world. No one could stop watching. I’d say season two might’ve been a bit lackluster in comparison to one, but season three drops next week (on the 4th of July!), and they’re contracted for I think six seasons total? Definitely a fun, crazy watch if you’re into action thrillers with alien-esque influence.
- Orange is the New Black – A privileged New Yorker ends up in a women’s prison when a past crime catches up with her in this Emmy-winning series from the creator of “Weeds.” If you’re on Netflix, chances are, you’ve binged OITNB at some point or another. You know the drill.
- Master of None – Dev tries to jump-start his acting career and elevate his dating game with help from his eclectic group of friends in this award-winning series. Co-written by and starring Aziz Ansari, and said to be written loosely based off of his own life experiences. Lighthearted for a laugh!
- NCIS – Follow the quirky agents of the NCIS — the Naval Criminal Investigative Service – as they track down terrorists and other high-profile criminals. 15 seasons in and it still never gets old. Lovelovelove turning it on in the background while I work!
- Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt – When a woman is rescued from a doomsday cult and lands in New York City, she must navigate a world she didn’t think even existed anymore. Definitely a specific sense of humor here, but good when you’re in the mood for it!
- Gossip Girl – When two once-close friends become rivals, their battle for power is publicized to their entire prep school thanks to Gossip Girl’s dirt-dishing blog. I hadn’t watched GG growing up, so I went CRAY with it in one particular season of life and watched all six seasons.
- Friends – This hit sitcom follows the merry misadventures of six 20-something pals as they navigate the pitfalls of work, life and love in 1990s Manhattan. OK OK, I’m ashamed to admit…I’ve never seen all of Friends. I KNOW, PLEASE DON’T BE MAD AT ME. It’s like a sin of 21st century television I think, but I’m working on it. 😉 Rumors are always flying as to when it’ll come off of Netflix, so binge while you can!
- Tidying Up with Marie Kondo – In a series of inspiring home makeovers, world-renowned tidying expert Marie Kondo helps clients clear out the clutter — and choose joy. SO satisfying. Only watch on a day when you’re OK feeling completely inspired to Marie Kondo the ish out of your own life afterwards. You’ve been warned. 😉
- The Office – This hit comedy chronicles the foibles of disgruntled office workers — led by deluded boss Michael Scott — at the Dunder Mifflin paper company. A great one to put on in the background, or to watch before bed. Nothing beats unwinding with a little Dwight Schrute amiright??
- Dexter – By day, mild-mannered Dexter is a blood-splatter analyst for the Miami police. But at night, he is a serial killer who only targets other murderers. Another one that J + I bingewatched before Netflix days. A twisted premise, sure, but so well done + great if you’re into crime shows!
MOVIES:
- Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants – Four best friends buy a mysterious pair of pants that fits each of them despite their differing sizes and makes whoever wears them feel fabulous. I mean…CLASSIC.
- Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 – The famed sisterhood lives on while Bridget, Lena, Tibby and Carmen scatter across the country for their first year of college. Classic Part 2.
- Get Smart – When the identities of secret agents are compromised, hapless Maxwell Smart teams with far more capable Agent 99 to thwart an evil terrorist group. When I saw this in theaters way back when, I laughed until I cried and nearly peed myself.
- Black Panther – T’Challa, the superpowered new leader of the hidden, highly advanced African nation of Wakanda, strives to protect his home from enemies old and new. A Marvel masterpiece.
- National Treasure – Modern treasure hunters search for a chest of riches rumored to have been stashed away by George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin. Everyone rakes on Nicholas Cage, but I mean COME ON, PEOPLE. You’re lying if you secretly don’t lovelovelove this piece of classic American heritage. 😉
- Star Wars: The Last Jedi – As the remnants of the Resistance flee Kylo Ren and the First Order, Rey seeks out Luke Skywalker — but he wants nothing more to do with the Force. Star Wars is classic, too, so I’m hoping more episodes hit Netflix in the future!
- Bird Box – Five years after an ominous unseen presence drives most of society to suicide, a survivor and her two children make a desperate bid to reach safety. TBH, I thought I was going to hate this movie because your girl is NOT into horror in any way, shape, or form. But turned out, it’s more of a psychological thriller and…loveloveloved. So much so that I’ve watched it more than once.
- To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before – When her secret love letters somehow get mailed to each of her five crushes, Lara Jean finds her quiet high school existence turned upside down. This was a genuinely *sweet* feel-good rom com that I already need to rewatch!
- The Last Summer – High school graduates wrestle with love and friendship during their final summer together before heading off to college. Archie from Riverdale stars in this adorable rom com, so once you can shake the fact that it’s him and see him as another character, it’s really cute and worth the watch.
- Always Be My Maybe – Reunited after 15 years, famous chef Sasha and hometown musician Marcus feel the old sparks of attraction but struggle to adapt to each other’s worlds. J + I loveloveLOVED this one. Comedian Ali Wong stars, and quite a few other well-known faces make appearances – including Keanu Reeves starring as…Keanu Reeves. It’s a laugh-out-loud rom com – another one I’d watch again!
- Murder Mystery – On a long-awaited trip to Europe, a New York City cop and his hairdresser wife scramble to solve a baffling murder aboard a billionaire’s yacht. We loveloveloved this one, too – I wish I didn’t know what happens at the end so that I could watch it again with the same sense of thrill. It’s like real-life Clue, starring Jennifer Aniston + Adam Sandler (talk about big names, Netflix – way to go). Funny, and legitimately hard to debunk until the end. Put on your Nancy Drew hat…
- Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile – Single mother Liz falls for Ted Bundy and refuses to believe the truth about his crimes for years. A drama based on a true story. I thought I would HATE this movie, because I lovelovelove Zac Efron + hate anything, well, wicked, evil, and/or vile. Serial killers ain’t exactly my cuppa television tea. But I thought Zac’s acting was fantastic, and genuinely enjoyed watching it. It got my hooked on the case, too, so much so that I binged the Ted Bundy documentary tapes right after!
- About Time – When Tim learns that the men in his family can travel in time and change their own lives, he decides to go back and win the woman of his dreams. A blockbuster hit romantic starring Rachel McAdams that WILL make you cry. You’ve been warned.
- Walt Disney Short Films Collection – This collection of 12 short films from Disney includes “Frozen Fever,” the Mickey Mouse short “Get a Horse!” and Oscar winners “Paperman” and “Feast.” A must-watch for any Disney fans in the house!
- The Princess Switch – When a down-to-earth Chicago baker and a soon-to-be princess discover they look like twins, they hatch a Christmastime plan to trade places. My FAVORITE Netflix Christmas original. Vanessa Hudgens is so cute in it – I rewatch even when it’s not Christmas. #SorryNotSorry.
- A Christmas Prince – Christmas comes early for an aspiring young journalist when she’s sent abroad to get the scoop on a dashing prince who’s poised to be king. Right up there right behind The Princess Switch as a Netflix Christmas original favorite. Starring Rose McgIver from iZombie (another show J + I lovelovelove!).
COMEDY:
- Nate Bargatze – Comic Nate Bargatze touches on air travel, cheap weddings, college football, chocolate milk and the perils of ordering coffee in this stand-up special. It’s not often that I bust an actual gut laughing out loud at a stand-up comic, because a lot of times, I don’t find stand-up THAT funny. Frankly, because sometimes it just feels forced to me, or with predictable topics + punch lines based on what society thinks is laughable, and it’s often just not my cuppa comedy tea. But Nate defied that for me – and I knew he dwould be different when his six-year-old daughter did his intro on stage. His jokes were CLEVER and his comedy is clean, folks! I cried and had a margarita come out my nose, so there’s that.
- John Mulaney (his first special) – Stand-up comedian John Mulaney tackles such red-hot topics as quicksand, Motown singers and an elderly man he once met in a bathroom. Another LOL-worthy one for me, but really only in his first special. His later/newer specials got a bit too political/socieal for my personal liking, but his first one felt pretty raw + real and hit my funny bone hard.
- Adam Devine – Frenetic comic Adam Devine talks teen awkwardness, celebrity encounters, his “Pitch Perfect” audition and more in a special from his hometown of Omaha. You’ve seen him in Pitch Perfect as Bumper – and he’s worth the watch on the comedy stage. Granted, he’s different than other stand-up comedians I’ve seen; he feels more like the class clown from high school that was handed a Netflix stage, but in the best sense. He laughs at his own jokes and doesn’t take himself too seriously.
- Miranda Sings – Viral video star Miranda Sings and her real-world alter ego Colleen Ballinger share the stage in a special packed with music, comedy and “magichinry.” This one is hit-or-miss depending on whether or not you know her from YouTube. Obviously I do, which you know if you’ve caught my Miranda Sings impressions accidentally slip out on Instastories at one point or another. 😉 I had no clue what to expect from her Netflix special and, frankly, I didn’t expect to like it. But I actually thought it was really well-done and was thoroughly impressed with the cleverness of her jokes, especially in the beginning.
DOCUMENTARY:
- Social Animals – This documentary follows a trio of teens — a daredevil photographer, an aspiring model and a lonely Ohio girl — and Instagram’s impact on their lives. This was especially interesting to me given my job. 😉 But it was fascinating to see social media from other lenses like this. Would love to see it expanded as a series!
- Being Elmo – Whoopi Goldberg narrates Elmo creator Kevin Clash’s remarkable journey from a working-class Baltimore neighborhood to Jim Henson’s “Sesame Street.” Wild for any Elmo fans in the house!
- Blue Planet – David Attenborough narrates this definitive exploration of the marine world, from the familiar to the unknown, revealing the sea and its communities. Fun fact about me: I loveloveLOVE this series. The nature documentaries narrated by David (he’s got the best voice for the job) are SO INSANELY COOL to me. I could watch for hours. It’s what I turn on late at night if I need to relax with something that wont my brain hurt or mind spin. It’s just cool.
- Blue Planet 2 – This sequel to the award-winning nature series “Blue Planet” dives beneath Earth’s oceans to reveal the dazzling vistas and amazing creatures there. Part 2 of the coolness there. Obviously Blue Planet is all ocean-themed, and seeing as I used to want to be a marine biologist, it’s right up my alley.
- Planet Earth – This landmark series transports nature lovers from the Himalayan Mountains to the depths of the ocean and everywhere in between. Not as ocean-centric as Blue Planet, so it’s interesting in a different way. Still just as fascinating!
- Planet Earth 2 – In this sequel to the Emmy-winning “Planet Earth” series, viewers are treated to rich and intimate views of the natural diversity of our planet. And David’s voice is PERFECT for the job. I believe I read somewhere that these were filmed over a five year timespan to get all of the incredible footage. And I believe it!
- The Pixar Story – Go behind the scenes at Pixar Animation Studios with this Emmy-nominated documentary tracing the creation and history of the groundbreaking company. Perfect for the Pixar fans.
- Top 10 Secrets & Mysteries – This series investigates mysteries that persistently elude scientific explanation, such as mythical creatures, UFOs, sacred sites and more. A wild watch if you’re in the mood for mystery!
- Gaga: Five Foot Two – Follow pop provocateur Lady Gaga as she releases a new album, preps for her Super Bowl halftime show, and confronts physical and emotional struggles. I watched this shortly after seeing Gaga on tour, so I was totally into it. I’m a BIG Gaga fan, too – seeing behind-the-scenes of her life was a nice intimate touch.
- The Ted Bundy Tapes – Present-day interviews, archival footage and audio recordings made on death row form a searing portrait of notorious serial killer Ted Bundy. I binged these after watching the Zac Efron movie – if you’re into true crime, it’s riiiiiight up your alley.
What are your favorite and best things on Netflix right now?
What should we add to our watch list? Any goodies that I missed that you’d recommend? Let me know in a comment below!