Here’s What To Watch (And Binge-Watch) On Netflix, HBO, And Hulu Right Now

Netflix + chill. Netflix + wine. Netflix + puppy cuddles. These are three things I do on a regular basis. Which means I’ve seen my fair share of binge-worthy shows. You know how you get attached to characters in a show and you feel like they’re your best friend? There’s one episode left and you already feel the sadness that comes when you realize they are gone forever. And just when you think the world is about to end, you find another show that you get attached to even more.

I’ve seen countless Facebook statuses from my friends that usually say something along the lines of, “I just finished my show! Lemme hear your Netflix recommendations!” So, here they are:


NETFLIX

New Girl

New Girl HBO Netflix Hulu
New Girl (YouTube)

5 seasons, 21-minute episodes ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I was hooked on this show immediately. I’ve also seen the first four episodes about 12 times because I keep trying to get people to watch it. (P.S. Episode 4 is my absolute favorite.) This show is short and incredibly funny.


The Office

The Office HBO Hulu Netflix
The Office (YouTube)

9 seasons, 22-minute episodes ⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tons of people I know have spoken so highly about The Office. I had seen clips and it looked boring—basically just conversations inside of an office. I could watch this show over and over again. It’s so funny and easy to love, and the characters are perfect. The bantering, the relationships, the pranks—it’s a must-watch show.


How I Met Your Mother

How I Met Your Mother
How I Met Your Mother (YouTube)

9 seasons, 22-minute episodes ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I watched this show right after I finished The Office, because it was another one of those shows that I felt like everyone had seen but me. I think this is the most attached I’ve ever been to characters in a show. It’s short and I would consider it a feel-good show—it’s just great all-around.


Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce

Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce HBO Hulu Netflix
Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce (YouTube)

3 seasons, 42-minute episodes ⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I decided to watch this show on a whim by myself (it’s definitely chick-flicky), and I grew to love it very quickly. It shares the character’s real-life personal struggles, and also their huge wins! They are all super wealthy, so I guess that part isn’t that real-life, but Season 3 just got added on Netflix, so go check it out!


Orange Is the New Black

Orange Is the New Black
Orange Is the New Black (YouTube)

5 seasons: 60-minute episodes ⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Every year I get more and more excited for Orange is the New Black to be released. Even better, all the episodes are released all at once! Thank you, Netflix! I also may or may not have watched all of Season 5 in less than 24 hours….. Seriously guys, this show is just that good. I will admit, it does take 3-4 episodes to get into the show during the first season. Just stick with it—you won’t regret it!


House of Cards

House of Cards HBO Hulu Netflix
House of Cards (YouTube)

5 seasons, 50-minute episodes ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This one’s a real mind twister. I’ve never been into politics, but I actually really enjoyed this show. Season 5 is eerily similar to certain things regarding Trump. If you’re looking for a show to make you laugh, this isn’t it. But if you’re looking for a show with some dirty details, watch House of Cards.


Shameless

Shameless HBO Hulu Netflix
Shameless (YouTube)

7 seasons, 50-minute episodes ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Based in Chicago, the oldest daughter of a drunk takes care of her five siblings. This show’s got a little bit of everything. Humor, heartbreak, struggles, family. I would highly recommend it.


The Blacklist

The Blacklist HBO Hulu Netflix
The Blacklist (YouTube)

4 seasons, 43-minute episodes ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mysterious and compelling is how I would describe this show. I could not get enough of this show! Elizabeth’s connection to Reddington continues through all the seasons, and it’s so captivating! I haven’t finished the entire series yet, but it is so good! It’s kind of a mix between House of Cards and CSI.


Nurse Jackie

Nurse Jackie HBO Hulu Netflix
Nurse Jackie (YouTube)

7 seasons, 28-minute episodes ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I got super into Nurse Jackie. It’s about a Nurse (Jackie), and almost everything in her life turns upside down so she becomes addicted to drugs. She’s amazing at her job, and the new intern, who actually ends up being a huge part of the show, looks up to her so much. I really enjoyed the characters in this show. The episodes are pretty short, so it’s easy to watch a few each night!


Breaking Bad

Breaking Bad HBO Hulu Netflix
Breaking Bad (YouTube)

5 seasons, 48-minute episodes ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Okay, is there anyone on planet Earth that hasn’t seen Breaking Bad already? No? Good! I know y’all know this show is bomb.com. It was great to see Hal back in action after his Malcolm in the Middle days. Also, they literally could not have picked a better actor to play Jesse Pinkman! Definitely a must-watch!


CSI: Miami

CSI: Miami HBO Hulu Netflix
CSI: Miami (YouTube)

10 seasons, 43 minute episodes ⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I binge-watched CSI: Miami throughout college, and the sad thing is that I feel like no one else has seen this show! I suppose it’s not up everyone’s alley, but if you watched Dexter (which I tried to watch after I watched CSI but couldn’t get into it because it just wasn’t the same), you’ll probably like this show. What’s not to like about crime scene investigation?


Limitless

Limitless HBO Hulu Netflix
Limitless (YouTube)

1 season, 43-minute episodes ⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Watch. This. Show. It’s incredible in every way and captures your attention so easily! I’m so sad there is only one season, and unfortunately a second season isn’t very likely. Pro Tip: Watch the movie first, then the show!


Friends

Friends HBO Hulu Netflix
Friends (YouTube)

10 seasons, 22-minute episodes ⭐ ⭐⭐⭐
Now who doesn’t love this show? I grew up watching episodes here and there on TV, so I was familiar with the show, but I never really followed the plot. I decided to watch it from start to finish once it appeared on Netflix and I’m glad I did! Friends is truly a timeless show. Also, Jennifer Aniston definitely does not age.


Santa Clarita Diet

Santa Clarita Diet HBO Hulu Netflix
Santa Clarita Diet (YouTube)

1 season, 28-minute episodes ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Although it’s a little gruesome, Santa Clarita Diet is super funny! It was great to see Drew Barrymore shine again (and Carlos from Desperate Housewives!) I definitely recommend this show—I’ve even seen the series twice!


Gossip Girl

Gossip Girl HBO Hulu Netflix
Gossip Girl (YouTube)

6 seasons, 42-minute episodes ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The show that every girl in the whole world needs to see! Everyone needs Blair and Serena in their life. When I went to NYC I just had to go to the Met AND the outside lobby where Serena lived. It was really cool seeing it in real life.


Stranger Things

Stranger Things HBO Hulu Netflix
Stranger Things (YouTube)

1 season, 50-minute episodes ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is another show I feel like everyone has watched. It was a major hit and I can’t wait for season 2. It’s a very 80’s style show, and kinda weird, but super good.


Bob’s Burgers

Bob's Burgers HBO Hulu Netflix
Bob’s Burgers (YouTube)

7 seasons, 25-minute episodes ⭐⭐⭐⭐
One of those shows that you don’t have to really pay attention and it doesn’t 100% matter which episode you’re on. It’s just always funny! P.S. Follow ‘Tina’ on Facebook!


Grace and Frankie

Grace and Frankie HBO Hulu Netflix
Grace and Frankie (YouTube)

3 seasons, 30-minute episodes ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I chose this show after feeling like I’d seen them all. It’s based on two older couples that have been married for over 40 years, and the husbands fall in love with each other. Quite a plot, huh? Jane Fonda definitely kills it in this one. It’s cute and funny!


Master of None

Master of None HBO Hulu Netflix
Master of None (YouTube)

2 seasons, 30-minute episodes ⭐ ⭐⭐
This show is short and sweet. I enjoyed it, but it wasn’t the best show I’ve ever seen.


Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt HBO Hulu Netflix
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (YouTube)

2 seasons, 30-minute episodes ⭐⭐⭐
Kimmy is a little too much for me, but she is certainly a sweetheart. It’s a fun show to watch and quite an interesting scenario.


Schitt’s Creek

Schitt's Creek HBO Hulu Netflix
Schitt’s Creek (YouTube)

2 seasons, 21-minute episodes ⭐⭐⭐
About a very wealthy family that lost everything in the blink of an eye—except the town he bought as a joke years ago. It’s actually a really cute show, something a little different.


Black Mirror

Black Mirror HBO Hulu Netflix
Black Mirror (YouTube)

3 seasons, 60-minute episodes ⭐ ⭐⭐
The first two seasons of Black Mirror are a British series, but the third season was made in the US. Season 3 is actually the only season I’ve seen, and there are only six episodes. This show messes with your mind so much, but it is so good! The first episode is super weird, but really makes you think. Check it out!


HBO GO


The Leftovers

The Leftovers HBO Hulu Netflix
The Leftovers (YouTube)

2 seasons, 54-minute episodes ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
OMG OMG OMG. Season 1 of this show was SO good. Season 2 was pretty decent, too. And uhh…do I even have to mention Justin Theroux? If there’s only one reason to watch this show, it would be for him. This show is only two seasons long—no more will come out. I did appreciate that I wasn’t left with any questions at the end. They pretty much answered it all!


Westworld

Westworld HBO Hulu Netflix
Westworld (YouTube)

1 season, 60-minute episodes ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A major hit in our household. By the end you’ll be sayin’ “Whaaaaaaat!?!!” So good. So good.


Big Little Lies

Big Little Lies HBO Hulu Netflix
Big Little Lies (YouTube)

1 season, 54-minute episodes ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, and Shailene Woodley make an incredible combination. The finale of Season 1 might have been the best season finale I’ve ever seen. I watched this season twice because I wanted to go back and try and notice all the foreshadowing. Must watch show.


Silicon Valley

Silicon Valley HBO Hulu Netflix
Silicon Valley (YouTube)

4 seasons, 30-minute episodes ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This show constantly has me laughing. The struggles of a startup are too real in this show. Another must-watch!


Divorce

Divorce HBO Hulu Netflix
Divorce (YouTube)

1 season, 30-minute episodes ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I surprisingly didn’t binge-watch this show because it was so new at the time all the episodes weren’t out, but I certainly would have liked to!


HULU


Desperate Housewives

Desperate Housewives HBO Hulu Netflix
Desperate Housewives (YouTube)

8 seasons, 44-minute episodes ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
All right, I’m bringing it way back. This is the first show I ever binge watched—DVD style! Netflix has the DVD, but Hulu is the only service I could find that has it available for streaming. Desperate Housewives is a classic, and I’d say it’s still one of my favorite shows.


Body of Proof

Body of Proof HBO Hulu Netflix
Body of Proof (YouTube)

3 seasons, 43-minute episodes ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Dana Delaney is a rock star in this show. I love forensic shows, so if you’re into that sort of thing, I’d highly recommend it. Episode 2 is the best episode in the entire series.


The Golden Girls

Body of Proof HBO Hulu Netflix
Golden Girls (YouTube)

7 seasons, 25-minute episodes ⭐ ⭐⭐⭐
I haven’t watched every season of Golden Girls, but I do love it! My friend Amber and I used to watch it after school every day. Definitely worth a binge!


Speechless

Speechless HBO Hulu Netflix
Speechless (YouTube)

1 season, 21-minute episodes ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is such a cute show! I love the growing bond between the characters, and it’s great that the show sheds light onto cerebral palsy. Thought Catalog Logo Mark


About the author

Kristen Vanderwerff

Kristen has started a wedding planning company in addition to her blog, Polished on Purpose.

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