Top 11 shows to binge on during quarantine

Since the start of quarantine, people have been trying to figure out how to occupy their time. Some really got into their spring cleaning, did some arts and crafts, or maybe even finally picked up that book they had been meaning to read ages ago. But for those I spoke to, most caught up on their favorite shows and movies. But what happens after you finish those shows? What else is there to watch? After reviewing several streaming platforms, I’ve compiled a list of eleven shows from various different genres so that everyone can find something to binge on during this quarantine lockdown!

1. stranger things

One of the biggest hits of the last two years strange things, a horror/sci-fi crossover genre starring Winona Ryder, David Harbor and a talented cast of child actors, remains inventive and nostalgic even after three seasons. Set in Indiana in the 1980s, middle schooler Will Byers disappears at the same time as a mysterious young girl with psychokinetic powers arrives. Not only is it replete with iconic 80s pop culture references, but the series also has a Cold War background lingering in the shadows. With 210 nominations from various award shows, all you have to do is to have to come visit Hawkins, Indiana (and the Upside Down!).

Broadcast on: netflix

2. buffy the vampire slayer

Considered one of the most iconic teen dramas of all time, buffy the vampire slayer stands the test of time. Starring Sarah Michelle Gellar as the title character, Buffy is a woman from a long line of slayers: women destined to find and destroy vampires, demons, and other evil supernatural creatures. With the help of her friends in Sunnydale (their town which sits on a demon realm), Buffy Summers establishes a group to help continue protecting their town. Not only was the initial broadcast a success, but it also spawned spin-offs (Angel), comic books, novels, and video games, which fans have dubbed the “Buffy-verse”.

Broadcast on: Hulu

3. A tree hill

Set in the fictional town of Tree Hill, A tree hill follows the lives of two half-brothers, Lucas and Nathan Scott, who not only compete for positions on the basketball team, but also for the romances of their lives. Along with being one of the most commercially successful young adult shows, it also boasts one of the most loyal fanbases of all time. Plus, it happens to be one of my favorites, because all nine seasons were filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina, my own hometown.

Broadcast on: Hulu

4. It’s us

From the mind behind Kinship and Crazy, Stupid, Love, and with around 175 show nominations, comes It’s us. Jack prepares for the arrival of his triplets with his wife Rebecca; Kate has lost all direction in her life and decides to start a new weight loss journey; Kevin is an actor who grows weary of his bachelor lifestyle. Randall decides to find his biological father after being abandoned in a fire station at birth. Although their lives seemingly couldn’t be more different, it all intertwines effortlessly.

Broadcast on: NBC, Hulu, YouTubeTV

5. Grey’s Anatomy

Grey’s Anatomy has proven to be a household name season after season over the past sixteen years. As of July 2020, it’s not only the longest-running American medical drama, but also ABC’s longest-running primetime scripted show. The show follows intern Meredith Gray and her various colleagues as they venture into the dramatic and ever-changing world of modern medicine. Oh – and there’s a lot of romance to be had too. Launching the careers of stars like Ellen Pompeo, Sandra Oh, Patrick Dempsey and Katherine Heigl, the show has been nominated for over thirty Emmy Award nominations in various categories.

Broadcast on: ABC, netflix, Hulu, YouTubeTV

6. Schitt’s Creek

After gaining a cult following over the years, Schitt’s Creek has recently emerged into the public eye and people LOVE it. The show follows the once wealthy Rose family (mother, father, son, and daughter) as they attempt to survive their fall from grace. With everything else gone in their name, the family must now make use of their one remaining asset: the small town of Schitt’s Creek. The show’s cast is mixed with upcoming starlets such as Dan Levy (also one of the show’s driving creative forces) and Annie Murphy, with household names like Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara. I recently started binging this show and I’ll tell you it Is Live up to the hype!

Broadcast on: netflix, Hulu, YouTubeTV

seven. I have never

From one of the queens of comedy, Mindy Kaling, comes I have never. Partially based on Kaling’s own childhood, I have never was one of the biggest hits of the quarantine. We follow Devi, a first-generation Indian-American teenager, as she tries to bounce back from a devastating and transformative first year. The show has been praised by critics and fans alike for breaking with Asian stereotypes, LGBTQ+ representation, and simply showing what it’s like to be a teenager these days. The show was recently renewed for Season 2 and I have a feeling this relatively new cast will be one for the books.

Broadcast on: netflix

8. Love is blind

As someone who has never been a big fan of reality shows, Love is blind was my only exception. Asked “Is love really blind?”, several Atlanta singles sign up for a month-long dating experience where they try to fall in love with someone without ever seeing what they are like . For those who truly believe they have found their soul mates, the couples see each other for the first time and must overcome many obstacles before saying “yes”. Oh yes – you heard it right! If all goes well, the couples will be married at the end of the experience. While many fictional shows, movies, and books attempt to portray true, unconditional, and blind love, Love is blind does it with real people.

Broadcast on: netflix

9. The society

Maybe it’s just me but I feel like there aren’t enough people talking about it The society. I mean, it answers the old age question: what if young adults were in charge? Returning from a field trip, a group of teenagers realize that everyone in their town has disappeared. A forest has surrounded their town, the outside world has disappeared, and no one can be contacted by phone or the Internet. With no guidance or end in sight, these teenagers must learn to survive on their own with their limited resources and conflicting ideologies. Although there is only one season currently on Netflix, season 2 has been ordered. May the West Ham mysteries continue!

Broadcast on: netflix

ten. The right place

Of the mind behind shows like The office, parks and recreation, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, the good place is an almost guaranteed success without even looking at it. Featuring comedy legends Ted Danson and Kristen Bell, The right place answers the question of the afterlife. After Eleanor (Bell) is introduced to “The Good Place,” a very selective utopia, she realizes she’s not meant to be there because she wasn’t necessarily the best person in her lifetime. Chaos and laughter ensue, but it’s the heart of the show that keeps viewers coming back: what really makes a person good or bad?

Broadcast on: NBC, netflix, Hulu, YouTubeTV

11. new girl

“Who is this girl?” It’s Jess! new girl, one of the most underrated comedies of the last decade, is a fan favorite for many. The show revolves around Jess (Zooey Deschanel), an eccentric teacher who has just broken up with her boyfriend who then decides to move in with three male roommates. You don’t just become an adult when you leave college and new girl prove. Its warm humor, stellar characters, and sharp wit allow viewers to binge-watch the series and never tire of it, which only the classics seem to be capable of.

Broadcast on: netflix, Hulu

While this list could probably go on for centuries, these are some of the ones I and the company hold dear. When everything seems to be dark and gray on the outside in the real world, sometimes all you need is a throwback to the characters who will never let you down…at least in the long run. Stay safe, keep social distance and wash your hands!