What to Binge on Netflix, HBO, Amazon and More as You Practice Social Distancing in the Coming Weeks
If you’re able to practice social distancing in the weeks ahead, as the coronavirus pandemic continues, chances are you’re going to blow through the leftovers on your DVR pretty quickly.
We’re here to help! Below, a list of all the new series and old favorites PEOPLE editors are binging while we ride the situation out from home.
New Girl (Netflix)
“There’s nothing better than bingeing a show about a gal living in an apartment with three guys while you’re stuck hanging out in your apartment … with your three guy roommates. It’s funny, relatable and reminds you that having roommates is kind of the best — especially when you can play a game of True American.” — Maggie Dickman, Associate Audience Editor
Soundtrack (Netflix)
“The Netflix romance series, from Gossip Girl executive producer Joshua Safran, got a bit buried when it was released during the holidays — so much so that plans for a second season were scrapped. But now is the perfect time to discover for the first time the magical 10-episode show, which follows Callie Hernandez and Paul James as star-crossed lovers navigating through the ups and downs of their relationship in Los Angeles. With a supporting cast featuring standouts Jenna Dewan and Megan Ferguson, it’s a show filled with twists, turns, and (as its title implies) a lot of music. In fact, each episode finds the characters all lip-sync along to songs from the soundtrack of their inner monologues, from artists like Sia, Bruno Mars, Kelly Clarkson, Amy Winehouse, Demi Lovato, Robyn, Katy Perry, Neil Diamond, The Weeknd and more. It’s a fabulous and fun convention that not leads to elaborate performance numbers, but also will make it impossible for you to not picture yourself doing the same thing every time your favorite song comes on.” — Dave Quinn, Writer/Reporter
Married at First Sight (Lifetime, but you can catch up on Hulu)
“It’s produced by the same people (Kinetic Content) who brought you Netflix’s Love Is Blind, so rest assured it is just as binge (and cringe, in the very best way possible)-worthy as LIB!” — Melody Chiu, Deputy West Coast News Editor
The Outsider (HBO)
“Opting for lighthearted escapism may be the go-to in times of stress, but there’s also something to be said about becoming consumed by woes worse than what’s going on IRL. With The Outsider — HBO’s recent 10-episode adaptation of the Stephen King novel of the same name, starring Jason Bateman, Cynthia Erivo and Ben Mendelsohn — viewers get a grounded, realistic take on a supernatural invader that tends to feed on tragedy. Sound like too much of a downer? The story of protagonists setting aside differences to combat a deadly unknown force with a united front is actually more relevant and encouraging than ever.” — Benjamin VanHoose, Digital News Writer
Hunters (Amazon)
“I recently started watching Amazon’s Hunters. Set in ‘70s New York, the series follows a wealthy Jewish man (played by Al Pacino) and his unconventional band of New Yorkers, working together to hunt down former Nazi soldiers who have taken cover in America since World War II. The Tarantino-like series is a little on the dark side, but it is also very witty and boasts incredible acting. Think 20 years after the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, but a lot heavier. You may need to binge two or three episodes then take a break with a lighter Arrested Developed-type show (which is what I have been doing!).” — Morgan Evans, Associate News Editor
Nathan for You (Hulu)
“Nathan Fielder’s under-appreciated Comedy Central series pretends to be a reality show about helping struggling business owners, a la CNBC’s The Profit. But what they don’t realize is Fielder is an absurdist comedian, not an entrepreneurial whiz. He’s trolling them with his dead-pan ‘suggestions,’ such as re-branding a sweet real estate agent as a ‘Ghost Realtor’ and installing a taxi device that asks passengers if they want to converse with the driver (and, if so, offers a variety of insane topics). Dumb Starbucks is his most high-profile prank, but stream Gas Station/Caricature Artist (season 1, episode 4) for his best work, as he creates the most impossible-to-fill, legal rebate in human history. Rest assured, he’s not overtly ridiculing the unassuming victims of his comedy; there’s a lot of heart in his awkward attempts to connect.” — Michele Corriston, Senior News Editor
Sherman’s Showcase (Hulu)“It’s a hilarious sketch comedy show that keeps you guessing about what’s next. Everything is beautifully directed from the dance numbers to fictional TV ads — and you’re guaranteed a great laugh.” — Darlene Aderoju, Editorial Assistant
Keeping Up with the Kardashians (Hulu)
“No matter how many times I’ve rewatched the reality series, it never fails to entertain me, especially when I’m having a bad day. And with 17 seasons and more than 250 episodes to binge, there’s more than enough content to keep you busy during your social distancing.” — Kaitlyn Frey, Assistant Style & Beauty Editor
High Fidelity (Hulu)
“This TV adaptation of a movie adaptation of a Nick Hornby book has it all: Zoë Kravitz as a Brooklyn record store owner who wears incredible outfits, plus heartbreak and romance in equally relatable doses and a spot-on debate over whether Rumours or Tusk is the superior Fleetwood Mac album. The only thing that could make that better is Thomas Doherty as a hot Scottish singer, and uh, yep, it’s got that, too.” — Rachel DeSantis, Human Interest Writer/Reporter
Sailor Moon (Hulu)
“An absolute classic that is still delightful in 2020 and will help take your mind off the seriousness of the news! In the name of the moon, we will defeat COVID-19!” — Amanda Retotar, Photo Editor
Any Classic Disney Movie (Disney+)
“Tuning into Disney’s beloved animated musicals, and singing along, has brought back memories of my childhood, which are, in turn, a big mood booster!” — Lindsay Kimble, Senior News Editor
Sex and the City and Curb Your Enthusiasm (Netflix and HBO)
“In tough times you need to escape into a fun light-learned world and both these shows transport you away and make you giggle.” — Dan Wakeford, Editor-in-Chief
Sex Education (Netflix)
“If you haven’t already watched season 1, I’m actually jealous: You’ll have double the delightful episodes to keep your spirits up. Sex Education follows a teenager named Otis (Asa Butterfield) whose mother, played by the magical Gillian Anderson, is a sex therapist. With everything he’s learned from the oversharing at home, Otis becomes the go-to guy for advice on sexual issues at his high school. The series is laugh-out-loud funny, while still full of heart, sensitivity to real issues, and loveable, layered characters. And don’t get me started on the quirky fashion!” — Breanne L. Heldman, Senior Editor, TV
Gilmore Girls (Netflix)
“Watching Gilmore Girls is my version of self-care. The characters are quirky, yet loveable, the dialogue is super-sharp and the setting (a fictional Connecticut town called Stars Hollow) is completely magical.” — Andrea Lavinthal, Style & Beauty Director
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You (Netflix)
“The sweetest teen romance since Sixteen Candles, with an independent heroine you can’t help but cheer for.” — Sam Gillette, Writer/Reporter, Books
The Office (Hulu)
“I’ve been binge-watching The Office over and over again to relax, basically!” — Charlotte Triggs, Deputy Editor, Digital
I Am Not Okay with This (Netflix)
“If you’re anything like me and feel guilty taking too many long breaks while working from home, this show works as a perfect self-timer. It’s only seven episodes, and each one caps at around 20 minutes, which gives you just enough time to reset your brain before getting back to work. Based on a Charles Forsman graphic novel, the show features superpowers, awkward coming of age stories and a whole lot of teenage angst. Think Stranger Things but with even more nods to John Hughes.” — Georgia Slater, Digital News Writer
Spirited Away (Prime Video)
“This is one of my favorite movies of all time. It’s all about moving from a place of fear into one of confidence and compassion. The protagonist is a resourceful little girl, which I love, and it’s so magical, beautiful and unique. I promise you’ve never seen anything like it, and if you’ve already seen it, watch it again — it just gets better.” — Sheila Baylis, Health Editor
Little Fires Everywhere (Hulu; premieres March 18)
“I loved the book and am obsessed with this entire cast (especially Joshua Jackson, as a lifelong Dawson’s Creek fanatic who will always be crushing on Pacey Witter). The book’s underlying messages about nature versus nurture, cultural-bias examination and what constitutes a family make for a lovely, slow burn (no pun intended). I can’t wait to see how that translates to the small screen.” — Jen Juneau, Parents Writer
For more binge-watching ideas, check out People Now‘s Jeremy Parsons on Today this week.
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