20 Bingeworthy Netflix Shows (No Spoilers)

I see people asking for Netflix recommendations all the time, and I always seem to recommend the same shows, and then I realise I missed half of the ones I loved. I thought I would put this list together for anyone who is looking for their next show.

I love Netflix, but their write ups about what shows are about leaves a lot to be desired. It’s sometimes like they go out of their way to make everything sound as bad as they can and for that reason I’m always on the look out for good recommendations too.

Here are my 20 favourite Netflix shows that I can binge watch over and over again:

Black Mirror

I love anything with a twist to it, especially one I don’t see coming and Black Mirror always delivers on this. Each episode is a stand alone episode, like a short movie, that explores various aspects of technology and the consequences of the advancements we might just make in the not too distant future. I enjoyed nearly all of the episodes, and Nosedive in particular felt awfully close to being a reality.

Gossip Girl

Centring around Manhattan’s elite, Gossip Girl follows a group of the worst, most ruthless teenagers I’ve ever seen. They back stab each other, knock each down to get to the top and ultimately show their true colours time and time again. While it should make the average person shake their heads, it’s so addictive with each episode ending in a way that you just have to watch the next one.

House of Cards

This shows follows the Underwoods as they attempt to work their way up through the political ranks with the end goal being Frank landing the president’s role. They will stop at nothing to get what they want, and the things they do are both shocking and scarily plausible. While their motives are questionable, and their actions are beyond just questionable, you can’t help but root for them, and I think Clare is fantastic.

You

Psycho stalker? Check. Victim? Check. Murder? Check. When you watch this show, even before the first episode is done, you should be screaming at Beck to avoid Joe at all costs, but somehow, and I still don’t know how, there is a part of you that will be rooting for the psycho stalker.

When I first watched the show, I thought “whoever write this hates men” as I can only think of one main male character who isn’t problematic in some way (not including Paco who is only a kid). As it went on, I began to think they actually hated people, because there’s really only one female character who isn’t problematic too.

None of the characters are particularly likeable except, strangely, the actual sociopath, but it’s still so gripping at every step of the way.

The Haunting of Hill House

Usually when a show is over hyped, it turns out to be rubbish. Now I do think this show is somewhat over hyped when it’s describing as terrifying. There are maybe two jump scares through the whole season, and the atmosphere is kind of creepy, but it really isn’t terrifying.

But it is one hell of a show all the same. The characters are brilliant and you can’t help but love them, even though they’re all so screwed up. The setting is fab as is the atmosphere in Hill House, and the whole mystery surrounding what really went on in Hill House is gripping. And when the mystery of the red room is finally revealed, it’s a genuine shock.

Prison Break

I have never watched a show where there is so much going on all of time. There isn’t a single slow episode across any of the five seasons, and the twists and turns are perfect. Arguably, it’s a bit far fetched in places, but you get so immersed in the story that you genuinely don’t care.

I love Michael. I love how he constantly questions the morality of some of the things he has to do, and he never loses touch with the goodness inside of him and I can’t see how anyone could watch this and not be rooting for him the entire time. Strangely, I have to admit for having a kind of soft spot for T-Bag too – he is everything that’s wrong with humanity, but I always found myself looking forward to him making an appearance all the same. He’s that character we all love to hate.

The Vampire Diaries

I must admit I was sceptical of the idea of this. Day walking vampires, teenagers involved in love triangles – in theory, it has everything going on that I generally hate in vampire based stuff. But then I decided to give it a chance, and somehow, they make all of this stuff work without it being a total cliché.

I pretty much fell in love with the show during the first season and I was gutted when it ended (The Originals just didn’t live up to it in my opinion, although everyone seems to disagree with me on that one). There is one major plot hole that still bothers me so long after first watching the show, but other than that, it’s brilliant. Plenty of action, not too much romance, but enough to keep it interesting, and some brilliant characters.

Like Prison Break, there’s always something going on and with the exception of one episode (the one with the Hell stone for any that’s seen it – seriously, I felt like I’d been trapped in it myself by the end of the episode) I could easily watch these over and over again.

For the record, I’m #TeamDamon all the way.

The Goodwife

I love a good legal drama, and this is up there with the best of them. Alicia finds herself returning to work as a woman in her forties as a first year intern. The series follows her as she climbs the career ladder and makes friends and enemies along the way. Although she is so wet at times, her story is worth watching, and the cast of characters around her keep her from being too annoying most of the time.

Although Alicia is the main character, Will and Diane make this show what it is.

Jack Whitehall: Travels with My Father

Watching Jack and his father, Michael, travel together is hilarious. They’re at completely opposite ends of the scale on their opinions about pretty much everything and their bickering is so funny. I do think a bit of it is exaggerated for comedy value, but it’s still funny and it’s still definitely a good choice if you want something laid back and funny to chill with.

Suits

Suits is a mix of drama and comedy. Set in a law firm, it follows Harvey, an ambitious, cut throat lawyer who employs Mike as an associates despite the fact he didn’t go to law school and didn’t sit the bar exam. The relationship between the two of them is fantastic and if Harvey doesn’t motivate you to go out there and kick ass, then I don’t know who or what will.

I could never mention Suits without mentioning Louis Litt. He’s such a strange character, one who you will love one minute and hate the next, but he sure does keep things interesting.

The Good Place

I love The Good Place. It’s funny and in some parts, kind of touching. It has a really unique concept that is executed brilliantly. Eleanor dies and finds herself in The Good Place, the show’s version of heaven. She quickly works out there’s been a mix up and she shouldn’t be there. She decides to roll with it and keep her spot in The Good Place with disastrous and hilarious results. Particularly when she ropes her eternal soul mate into helping her keep her secret and fit in.

Orphan Black

Orphan Black starts out following Sarah, a petty criminal who doesn’t like following the rules. She witnesses a suicide and realises the person who died is the absolute double of her. She promptly steals the dead woman’s identity and begins living her life. She soon finds herself mixed up in something that goes way above and beyond anything she’s ever had to deal with before.

The twists and turns in this one are fantastic and it will keep you on the edge of your seat. The more information is revealed, the more questions it throws up.

Orange is the New Black

There is something seriously addictive about this show. It gets kind of far fetched at times, but it doesn’t matter. The characters and the story lines still deliver and you find yourself wanting to keep watching and watching. Piper, the main character, is her own worst enemy and I found myself repeatedly wanting her to just sit down and shut up, but that’s part of the show’s appeal.

It’s mostly kind of light hearted considering it’s set in a prison, but it also tackles some very real issues and for the most part, it does it well.

How to Get Away with Murder

This legal drama follows lawyer and university lecturer Annalise Keating and the five students she chooses to work alongside her as interns at her law firm. Each season opens with a short, teasing flash forward that we then work towards the answer to as the season progresses. Each episode throws up more questions and more red herrings, but the pay off is always worth it.

Call the Midwife

This is another show I was a bit sceptical about. I didn’t really think it was “me” as I’m not usually a fan of shows set in the past. But within the first episode, I was hooked. The midwives and nuns soon grow on you, and it’s a fascinating look into life back in the 40s, 50s and 60s.

There are so many times that I felt angry about the way women were treated back then, and more than once, I found myself shouting and swearing at some of the things that happened to some of these women, but at the same time, the show has a real feel good factor as the community constantly come together to look out for each other.

Shadow Hunters

When Clary turns eighteen, she finds out her whole life has been a lie, and she’s actually a Shadow Hunter (a person who is tasked with protecting humanity from Demons and evil supernatural forces). She has to learn to live her new life and adapt to life as a Shadow Hunter. It is full of clichés; the clueless hero, the guy who instantly wants to help her, the alpha male who detests her, the geeky best friend, the secrets and lies of her childhood, but somehow, it all works.

The Big Bang Theory

This show shouldn’t be funny, but it is. In the first season, the characters are a bit too stereotyped, but as it moves through the seasons, the stereotypes fade a little and the characters become a lot more rounded. Sheldon is absolutely hilarious for all of the wrong reasons, and it’s just a really good feel good show for when you want something easy watching.

Bad Education

Hilarious, ridiculous and strangely addictive, Bad Education follows a group of teenage misfits being taught by someone who alternates between world’s worst teacher and that teacher every kid needs at some point in their lives. I think what makes it so good is despite the fact Alfie is a terrible teacher for the most part, he genuinely cares about each and every student in his class.

Once Upon a Time

Based on real life versions of Disney characters, at first this one is a bit “huh?” but it works really well, and if you fancy a fantasy show that’s not all about quests to find lost objects and wizards, it’s a great watch. It doesn’t really get going until the second season, but when it does, it’s worth the wait.

Jane the Virgin

Having never watched a telenovela, I had no idea what to expect from this, but the premise of the show – a pregnant virgin – sounded decent enough that I decided to try it. It’s camp and funny and over the top, but that’s all part of it’s appeal. It’s meant to be far fetched and over dramatic, but beneath all of that, it’s full of interesting characters with a genuine love for each other and you can’t fail but be pulled into their stories.

And that’s it! Phew. Twenty bingeworthy Netflix shows. Some of you might be wondering why Pretty Little Liars isn’t on this list as it seems to be on everyone’s must watch list. I enjoyed the first couple of seasons of this, but it got old quick, and I was bored a long time before the final season. I think I lasted till around season four, and then I’d had enough.

Have you seen any of these? Did you enjoy them? Which shows are on your must watch list? Let me know in the comments 🙂

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