As the holiday season approaches, more time opens up in people’s busy schedules to settle down and relax, and what better way to do this other than by watching the entirety of a good TV show in one sitting? This list provides our top 10 TV show recommendations streaming on Netflix. So settle in with your seasonal treats and comfy clothes, because now is the perfect time to kick off your binge-watching era. 

#10 Atypical (2017)

Atypical is a four-season-long drama-comedy written and created by Robia Rashid, centering around penguin-obsessed main character Samuel “Sam” Gardner (Keir Gilchrist), an 18-year-old living in Connecticut on the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) spectrum. After self-reflection with his therapist, Sam decides during the pilot episode that he wants more independence and begins to search for romance. 

As Sam pushes himself out of his comfort zone, his family’s dynamic shifts dramatically. While the show raises awareness about individuals on the ASD spectrum, the series also ropes in viewers through the actors’ authentic and moving portrayals of each character. Despite the show’s heavier content, Atypical remains a short, light-hearted watch to end the day with on a positive note.

#9 Never Have I Ever (2020)

Inspired by the childhood of one of the show’s creators, Mindy Kaling, this four-season-long coming-of-age TV show about first-generation Indian-American teenager Devi Vishwakumar (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) captures the ups and downs of teenage romance and mother-daughter relationships. After Devi undergoes the sudden loss of her father she temporarily loses the function of her legs due to psychological trauma. After some unpacking in therapy and gaining back the function of her legs, Devi gains back some necessary confidence. Devi reenters Sherman Oaks High School with one main goal, getting a boyfriend. 

However, Devi quickly learns that keeping a boyfriend may be even harder than finding one, as she struggles to understand her feelings for a popular hottie, Paxton Hall-Yoshida (Darren Barnet) and her lovably neurotic enemy-turned-crush Ben Gross (Jaren Lewison). Yes, a love triangle may be a cliche plotline, but combined with the banter of Devi and her endearing friends, a carefully crafted soundtrack, and melodramatic plot twists, Never Have I Ever tackles difficult topics with just enough raunchy humor to keep the audience’s attention. This show is deserving of a night dedicated to watching the first season (or two).

#8  Lost (2004)

Created by J. J. Abrams, Damon Lindelof, and Jeffrey Lieber, and running for six seasons, this surreal drama turns the trope of being stranded on a mysterious island into an entertaining and vigorous plotline. Inspired by the 2001 film Cast Away, Lost follows the storyline of Jack Shephard (Matthew Fox) a spinal surgeon who, after Oceanic Airlines Flight 815 crashes, becomes an important member of the passenger crew assisting with the medical issues that occur on the island and helping discover a mysterious hatch that teaches them more about the island. 

Jack is stranded with 71 fellow passengers and a group of mysterious island inhabitants the castaways refer to as “the Others.” Throughout the series’ first seasons, there are flashbacks to many of the passengers’ previous lives before the crash integrated into each episode. Throughout the rest of Lost’s seasons, flashbacks become more sporadic, jumping forward and backward in time. Widely considered one of the best shows of all time, Lost’s dizzying plot and lovable romances make the series well worth a binge.

#7 The Mindy Project (2012)

Full of New York imagery and quirky humor, The Mindy Project ran for six seasons and is severely underrated. The Mindy Project follows the life of the main character, Mindy Lahiri (Mindy Kaling), a dedicated Ob/Gyn whose life (most of the time) revolves around her work and colleagues. 

As Mindy attempts to find love in the big city of New York, her coworkers’ well meaning commentary and “help” make Mindy’s life take turns for the worse, only adding to the hilarity of the show. The role of Mindy’s coworker RN Morgan Tookers (Ike Barinholtz) as the ditzy, overprotective friend paired with the gruff presence of Mindy’s coworker and potential love interest, Daniel ‘Danny’ Castellano (Chris Messina) makes for a dynamic and memorable cast. While the last few seasons digress into more haphazard plotlines, the creator, Mindy Kaling, once again manages to pull through with inventive plotlines spicing up this otherwise cliche medical romance TV show. The Mindy Project brings a unique feel to the medical TV show genre and is the perfect watch for a Friday night in with friends.

#6 The 100 (2014)

Directed by Jason Rothenberg and spanning seven seasons, The 100 takes Sci-Fi to the next level, with heaps of drama and suspense. Though the series takes substantial leaps from the book version written by Kass Morgan, it still manages to clinch the title of one of the best Sci-Fi series on Netflix. Protagonist Clarke Griffin is sent to Earth from a spacecraft called The Ark alongside 99 other criminals. However, everyone from The Ark is unaware if the planet is habitable due to the entire series being set 97 years in the future after an apocalyptic natural disaster wiped out civilization.

As Clarke and her fellow survivors brave it on Earth, they come across a series of challenges that make it difficult for the teenagers to successfully get along but more importantly, survive. Filled with romance and the occasional plot twist, The 100 makes for the perfect form of binge-worthy entertainment.

#5 Heartstopper (2022)

This touching TV show based off Alice Oseman’s beloved graphic novel series has mastered the art of comfort TV. Andy Newberry directed the show’s most recent season, while Euros Lyn directed seasons one and two. Despite taking on heavier topics surrounding mental health, and the series’ recent change in directorship, Heartstopper’s newest season remains in good standings with fans, sticking to its positive and heartwarming tone. 

Centered around the romance between teenage boys Charlie Spring (Joe Locke) and Nick Nelson (Kit Connor), the series’ eclectic cast and well developed script shine a light on LGBTQ+ communities. As Nick and Charlie’s high school romance grows, looming college decisions, Charlie’s health, and the future of their friends’ romantic relationships hang in the balance. Full of self exploration and relatable moments, Hearstopper is a perfect show to watch either with friends or on your own.

#4 Stranger Things (2016)

This horror series created by The Duffer Brothers quickly rose to cult classic status and perhaps is one of the most popular go-to binge watches on Netflix. With four seasons released and a season five on the way, this 80s-set Sci-Fi TV show thrillingly captures supernatural elements with continual undertones of comedy. Set in the small town of Hawkins, Indiana, the addictive series kicks off with young teenager Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) going missing after he and his friends play their usual game of Dungeons & Dragons. 

A mass search ensues for Will, but it’s his friends and small town Police Chief Jim Hopper (David Harbour) who start to uncover the disturbing truth about who, or what, took Will. The collaboration between Will’s friends and the relationship that develops between Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard), one of Will’s best friends, and the elusive Eleven (Millie Bobbi Brown), who happens to have telekinetic powers makes the show an even more enthralling watch. The dramatic acting of the Stranger Things ensemble cast effortlessly allows them to build off each other, making this series a must-watch.

#3 Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013)

Created by Dan Goor and Michael Schur, this eight-season-long masterpiece is a cop-based sitcom for the ages. Full of sarcasm, slapstick humor, and loveable character arcs, Brooklyn Nine-Nine is sure to make viewers laugh.  The show covers several mainstream issues in an engaging and hilarious way while following the storyline of Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg), a bad-at-adulting Brooklyn cop who makes nearly as many sarcastic comments a day as arrests. 

After a new Captain, Raymond ‘Ray’ Holt (Andre Braugher) takes over the 99th precinct, Jake and his colleagues must adapt to his stern leadership. As the detectives balance work, life, and romance, they grow closer, especially Jake and uptight Amy Santiago (Melissa Fumeros), whose ever-evolving relationship adds to the charm of the show. Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s on point casting and clever script perfectly complement each other, cultivating the perfect year-round binge.

#2 Grey’s Anatomy  (2005)

This wonderfully chaotic medical drama created by Shonda Rhimes is the perfect suspenseful and charming show to binge after a busy week. Following the life of a surgical intern, Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), the series has many twists and turns with new guest stars appearing in every episode. The TV show kicks off when Meredith, a young woman just starting her career in the medical field, discovers on her first day working at Seattle Grace Hospital that she accidentally started a relationship with someone that happens to be her boss. 

This romance between Meredith and Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey), more commonly known as “McDreamy,” is not the only illicit affair that happens throughout the series’ 21 seasons. However, it is one of the most beloved romantic plotlines. While the show kills off a few too many characters and delves into tropes that take things too far at times, part of its never-ending allure is its dramatized plotlines and way of incorporating relevant topics into the script. Grey’s Anatomy’s beginning seasons have a nostalgic 2000s feel (in part thanks to the show’s soundtrack) and are a perfect option for a watch party with friends.

#1 Nobody Wants This (2024)

Fresh to the scene, Nobody Wants This is full of charm and witty dialogue that never fails to be on point. Directed and created by Erin Foster, this down-to-earth Rom-Com took inspiration from Foster’s own life. The 10-episode series follows newly single “hot” Rabbi, Noah (Adam Brody) and sarcastic podcaster Joanne’s (Kristin Bell) unlikely love story. 

After Joanne meets Noah at a dinner party, she develops a surprise crush on him, and despite his family’s discouragement and societal norms surrounding the pair’s differing religious practices, or Joanne’s lack thereof, they start to date. As their romance blossoms, Noah and Joanne have to overcome more increasingly complex issues that go beyond regular couple disagreements during their relationship’s honeymoon phase, but through these challenges, their connection only grows stronger. With its laid-back LA setting, engaging banter, and Bell and Brody’s palpable chemistry, Nobody Wants This is an essential show to add to your watch list.