I’m always on the hunt for binge-worthy shows. For me, TV is an escape after the kids go to bed and I get some “me” time.
It’s been a year, hasn’t it? Between virtual school and in-person learning, working from home with kids around, ordering groceries for pickup or delivery, and maybe, just maybe, a glimmer of life returning to normal, it’s A LOT.
Moms don’t get enough credit for bearing the entire mental load of the home. And with Summer basically here, I’m guessing you could use a break.
Sometimes, we just need a little escape. However, an actual getaway from your home and kids just isn’t feasible. But you can escape with a little help from your TV and favorite streaming service. So say goodnight to the kids, grab your favorite adult beverage and snack, and settle into the couch for a little summertime escape.
Best Binge-worthy Shows on Netflix
Bridgerton
If you haven’t watched Bridgerton yet, you better get on it! It’s a period piece brought to us by the creator of Grey’s Anatomy, Shonda Rhimes. Set in London in 1813, it follows the aristocratic Bridgerton family as the eldest daughter, Daphne, enters the marriage market. She finds favor with Queen Charlotte and she meets Simon, the Duke of Hastings. It’s definitely a series you can binge and you should watch after the kids have gone to bed, with the door closed and locked. (Ahem, there are some steamy scenes and since it’s Netflix, it’s a lot more than what they can show on network TV!) Between the costumes and the casting, it’s a feast for the eyes.
Ginny & Georgia
This series has definite Gilmore Girls vibes but on a different level. It’s the story of Georgia, a 30-year-old mom, and her 15-year-old daughter, Ginny, and 9-year-old son, Austin, who move to a small New England town. It’s clear that Georgia is running away from something, but what exactly, we don’t know. There’s a little bit of mystery, a lot of mother/daughter drama, and it’s super binge-able.
Firefly Lane
This is the story of Tully and Kate who became friends as young girls living on the same street, and blossomed into lifelong best friends of 30 years throughout the ups and downs of life. It’s based on the novel Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah. After watching this, I felt nostalgic for my own friendships that I’ve held for over 20 years and picked up my phone to call my best friend.
The Queen’s Gambit
This limited series follows the life of Beth Harmon, an orphaned chess prodigy who becomes one of the best chess players in the world. As someone who doesn’t play chess, I was fascinated to see how the chess masters memorize strategies and can effectively predict an opponent’s next move. It got a lot of people interested in chess again after it came out on Netflix.
Dead to Me
If you’re into dark comedy, Dead to Me is about the unlikely friendship of Jen and Judy who meet in a grief support group. Jen’s husband was killed in a hit-and-run accident and Judy says she is mourning the loss of her fiance. There’s definitely a plot twist as Jen tries to figure out what exactly happened to her husband and Judy’s secrets are revealed. It’s both funny and dark and full of “I didn’t see that coming” moments.
Behind Her Eyes
This is a British supernatural psychological thriller that will keep you wondering until the last episode. I’ll be honest, I was confused and had a lot of questions during the first three episodes, and let’s just say that if you arrive at the final episode there is a twist that you won’t see coming. This series follows a single mother, Louise, who becomes involved in an affair with her boss and somehow also becomes friends with her boss’s wife. Louise finds herself in the middle of a web of secrets that she never saw coming.
Emily in Paris
If you’re looking for something light and fun, then I’d recommend Emily in Paris. It’s about a young ad exec who gets sent to Paris to help a French ad agency. It’s a little cringe-y because she’s the typical American who needs to learn French etiquette and French culture, but as someone who studied abroad in France back in the day, I loved all the on-location scenery.
Best Shows on Hulu to Binge Watch
Younger
This series is a fun escape from reality because it follows Liza Miller, a 40-year-old divorcee, who lies about her age (she says she’s 26) to get a job in publishing when she can’t get an interview using her actual age. It’s a fun show set in the world of book publishing, though sometimes you may find yourself saying, “Really?! How does anyone believe that?!” I know I did. It’s made by the same creator as Sex and the City, Darren Star.
The Handmaid’s Tale
I’ll admit, I wouldn’t categorize The Handmaid’s Tale as a “fun” show. But, if you’re into dystopian stories of what life could be like if something terrible happened, you may like The Handmaid’s Tale. It’s dark and disturbing, and at times it’s also hard to watch, but I can’t stop watching it. It’s in its final season on Hulu and I need to know what happens to June and the other handmaids.
Little Fires Everywhere
If you like family dramas or have read the book Little Fires Everywhere, you’ll like the series of the same name. Kerry Washington and Reese Witherspoon give amazing performances as two moms from completely different echelons of society and how their paths cross and become entangled.
Binge-worthy Shows on HBO Max
The Flight Attendant
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started watching The Flight Attendant, but it turned out to be a good choice. It follows Cassie, played by Kaley Cuoco, an American flight attendant who drinks too much and often engages in reckless behavior who wakes up next to the dead body of the man she went out with the night before. She tries to retrace her steps to figure out what happened to him, but it’s all fuzzy from drinking too much. It’s a little bit thriller and a little bit mystery, and one of those binge-worthy shows that will keep you guessing.
The Undoing
This is a psychological thriller that follows Grace and Jonathan Fraser (played by Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant) a successful New York couple whose life becomes undone when a young woman is found dead and Jonathan is accused of the murder. There are some definite twists and turns and keeps you wondering who did it until the final episode.
Big Little Lies
This is a limited series based on the book of the same name that tells the story of five moms involved in a murder investigation following a gala at their children’s school. It’s a little bit of mystery, a little bit suspenseful, a little bit of humor, and a lot of drama. If you liked the book, or even if you haven’t read the book, this series is great. Season 1 follows the book. Season 2 is a new storyline with the same cast of characters.
What’s your favorite binge-worthy show? Maybe a guilty pleasure show?
Looking for other bingeable shows? Check out this list of classics.
