There is nothing quite like binge-watching a good series. With so many streaming platforms, gems can easily be overlooked. Here are 10 series you should be binging already.
Streaming has made viewing TV series more effortless than ever before. If you missed an episode back in the day, you had to wait for reruns at some point. There is always a show to discover with the wide variety of streaming services. I collected a mixture of old and new shows for this list. You may have heard of some of these shows, but hopefully, you will discover something new here. Let’s dive into my list of ten shows you should be watching now.
10 Series You Should Be Binging Already
Yellowstone – Peacock
Starting this list with a show many have been binging recently, my wife and I included. Now is the perfect time to jump into this insane series. Currently available are 4 Seasons and a spinoff prequel series, 1883. Yellowstone follows a powerful family that you get invested in immediately. This show keeps its viewers on the edge of their seats with constant threats around every corner. Kevin Costner plays John Dutton, who has more power than one man should have. His control over everything and his children’s constant issues makes this series a must binge. A twist occurs when you think you have a good sense of where this show is heading, throwing off your predictions. This shows writing is on another level; give Yellowstone a shot, and trust me, you won’t regret it.
The Orville – Hulu
I will be the first to admit that The Orville didn’t give a great first impression with its first trailers before the show premiered. However, I quickly forgot about that as I started watching the series. With 2 Seasons currently available on Hulu and the third on the way this summer. Now is the time to dive into this wacky and heartfelt series. Instantly you are hit with the Star Trek parody vibes, but once you continue with the series. It quickly finds its footing and grows into a series that rivals some of the better Star Trek shows. Balancing tones is hard for a series like this, where comedy and sci-fi mesh together. However, Seth MacFarlane, along with the writers, has allowed the stories to be the focus, and the humor will come when needed. Give The Orville a shot as you will begin relating to the variety of characters right away, and the subjects they cover will surprise you.
Dead To Me – Netflix
Dead To Me feels like a straightforward show with some humor thrown in on the surface. However, you quickly realize that isn’t the case at all. My wife and I clicked on it one day, and the first episode hooked us. The mystery set within Season 1 continues throughout and slowly reveals itself. Season 2 also manages to do the same and sometimes outdo itself compared to its first season. Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini play off each other so well in this series, and you care deeply for both of them. It would work well if Dead To Me were a straight mystery series, but the layered humor adds more depth to the story that is being told. This show, unfortunately, isn’t getting the attention it so rightfully deserves. The third season will be dropping on Netflix in 2022, so start binging now.
Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – Disney+
Switching to an animated series, I want to mention a series any MCU fan should check out. Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes is the most incredible Avengers animated series to date. There is so much ground covered within its two seasons in terms of characters and storylines. I was blown away by the writing and how these heroes developed over time. Don’t ignore this entry because it is animated. I looked forward to watching this show each week more than most other shows when I watched it for my YouTube channel a while back. I had ignored it for a time, and I regret that choice. Marvel fans should give this series a shot. Even if you aren’t the biggest fan of comic-book-related properties, this show is worth checking out for its appreciation of these characters and focusing on the story over anything else.
The Originals – Netflix
When it comes to vampire-related series or films, I tend to steer clear of them. One of the exceptions is The Originals, and the more I think about it. I realize just how crazy the show got through its 5 Seasons. Originally airing on The CW, The Originals follows the Mikaelson family, and they are the original vampires within this world we are watching. Klaus, played by Joseph Morgan, is impatient, charismatic, powerful, and downright scary at times. Klaus’ brother Elijah, played by Daniel Gillies, is the opposite of his brother. He is calm, level-headed, and thinks before he makes a choice. With this dynamic and a power struggle amongst the variety of characters we follow. The Originals are always uping the threat level each season, and I wish we had more of this show to watch.
Falling Skies – HBO Max
I am a sucker for alien invasion stories, and Falling Skies checks all my boxes for this kind of story. The series takes place after an invasion that has killed most of the human population. We follow a group of characters led by Tom Mason, played by Noah Wyle. Falling Skies brings severe tension at times, heartwarming moments, and the powerful story reveals that make the 5 Season binge worth it. There are moments where the show’s pace does slow down, but I appreciated it as this show has a lot of ground it covers. I couldn’t get enough of this show and wish we had more stories set within this world. Falling Skies is your next show if you are a fan of post-apocalyptic stories or science fiction.
The Great – Hulu
We jump into another comedy-drama series that follows Catherine the Great, the Empress of All Russia. Elle Fanning plays the lead alongside Nicholas Holt in this series. With 2 Seasons available and the third on the way, it is now a great time to dive into this series. The Great loosely follows Catherine’s rise to power, and it’s a riveting show to binge through, even though it’s not historically accurate. The acting is excellent, as well as the comedy that is added. Traditionally period piece series or films are drama-focused, but The Great is willing to be different. I hope that more people discover this show over time as it is underrated and deserves more attention. We need more series like The Great, with its genre meshing working as well as it does more than ever.
Dota: Dragon’s Blood – Netflix
Based on Dota 2, a Multiplayer Online Battle Arena style game, Dota: Dragon’s Blood delivers on its fantasy storytelling, and this animated series isn’t for kids. The Dota series tailors towards me, but I’m not familiar with the game. I thankfully listened to friends who recommended it and thanked them for convincing me. We follow a handful of characters in a world full of monsters and secrets that significantly affect the world they inhabit. The lead hero we follow is Davion, who goes through so much during its 2 Season run. It’s his life-altering moment we witness right away that changes the course of the show. Dota: Dragon’s Blood is bloody, relentless, heartbreaking, and full of chaos. I hope we hear of it being picked up for a third season, but no word on that just yet.
The Strain – Hulu
I’m winding down the list, and this selection is the only horror pick from me. The Strain may hit close to home to some as it involves a new viral infection from an airplane. This new virus is revealed as an ancient virus tied to vampirism. This series, thankfully, doesn’t become a gorefest, as the storytelling takes center stage as the world descends into chaos. What I appreciated most about The Strain is each character serves a purpose, no matter how big or small they appear in the show. The world is coming to an end if nothing is done, and I feel the writers’ approach to this series was the right choice. The Strain ran for 4 Seasons, and this series went through some changes that had fans talking. Even if you aren’t a horror fan, I believe The Strain is worth checking out.
Young Justice – HBO Max
The final series I want to talk about is one of my personal favorites. Young Justice went through a cancelation and was brought back due to fans demanding its return. This show’s power and fanbase should tell you this is worth your time. This DC-Comics-based series has covered so many storylines and characters, and the beauty is that there is still much more ground to cover. We are currently seeing new episodes of Season 4, and the show is showing no signs of slowing down. We constantly learn new things and are introduced to new characters within this ever-expanding world of heroes and villains. Like my praise earlier for the Avengers series, Young Justice is one of the best DC-related shows ever created. You will go through a wide variety of emotions watching Young Justice, and you will grow attached to so many of these characters. Don’t let this series go unwatched; get on it now.
I tried to have my list of ten series have a variety of genres and tones. I hope there was at least one show you weren’t aware existed. I can easily make another list for sure. If only there were more time in the day. Then we could spend it watching all the fantastic shows out there waiting to be discovered.
NEXT: Severance Season 1 Review: A Chilling Slow Burn
