MomSkoop
There’s nothing quite like wrapping yourself in a blanket, grabbing some snacks, and settling in for a good TV show marathon. When the weather turns chilly or you simply need an escape, the right series can transport you to different worlds without leaving your couch. Finding your next binge-worthy show can be overwhelming with so many options available, so I’ve put together this list of unforgettable series that deserve your attention.
1. Stranger Things
Set in the 1980s, this sci-fi phenomenon follows a group of kids in small-town Hawkins as they encounter mysterious government experiments and terrifying creatures from another dimension. The synthesizer soundtrack and vintage aesthetics create an authentic throwback vibe that appeals to viewers of all ages.
What makes Stranger Things special is its perfect blend of horror, adventure, and heartwarming friendship. The young cast delivers incredible performances, especially Millie Bobby Brown as the telekinetic Eleven.
With four seasons available and a fifth on the way, this series offers the perfect balance of monster mayhem and emotional storytelling that will keep you hitting “next episode” well into the night.
2. Breaking Bad
Walter White’s journey from mild-mannered high school teacher to ruthless drug kingpin remains one of television’s most compelling character arcs. Diagnosed with terminal cancer, Walt uses his chemistry knowledge to cook methamphetamine, initially to secure his family’s financial future.
Creator Vince Gilligan masterfully crafts a slow-burn narrative where each decision pulls Walt deeper into a moral abyss. Bryan Cranston’s performance is nothing short of magnificent, showing the subtle evolution of a desperate man into someone unrecognizable.
Five perfectly paced seasons build toward an unforgettable conclusion with no wasted episodes or storylines. The desert landscapes of Albuquerque provide a stunning backdrop for this modern American tragedy.
3. The Crown
Queen Elizabeth II’s reign comes alive in this lavish historical drama that peels back the curtain on Britain’s most famous family. Starting with her early days as a young monarch, the series chronicles the personal struggles and public responsibilities of ruling during rapidly changing times.
The attention to detail in costumes and set design creates an immersive experience that makes you feel like a royal insider. Each season features different actors portraying the aging royals, with standout performances from Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, and Imelda Staunton as the Queen.
Political crises, family scandals, and historical events intertwine to create a fascinating portrait of power, duty, and the human cost of wearing the crown.
4. Ted Lasso
An American football coach with zero soccer experience gets hired to manage an English Premier League team in this feel-good comedy that became a pandemic-era comfort watch. Jason Sudeikis shines as the mustachioed Ted, whose relentless optimism slowly wins over even the most cynical characters.
Beneath the sports comedy exterior beats a thoughtful heart that explores themes of mental health, divorce, and finding connection in unexpected places. The supporting cast is equally stellar, particularly Hannah Waddingham as team owner Rebecca and Brett Goldstein as the gruff but lovable Roy Kent.
Famous for its quotable wisdom and biscuit-baking scenes, Ted Lasso proves that kindness can be compelling television. The show’s warmth is like a hug for your soul.
5. The Mandalorian
A lone bounty hunter traverses the outer reaches of the galaxy in this visually stunning adventure set after the fall of the Empire. When he encounters a Force-sensitive child (affectionately known by fans as “Baby Yoda”), his mission transforms into a quest to protect the adorable green infant from nefarious forces.
Even viewers unfamiliar with Star Wars lore can appreciate the show’s gorgeous cinematography and straightforward storytelling. The Mandalorian himself, played by Pedro Pascal, manages to convey tremendous emotion despite rarely removing his helmet.
Each episode feels like a mini-movie with its high production values and blend of practical effects with cutting-edge technology. The series captures the essence of classic westerns while expanding the beloved Star Wars mythology.
6. Succession
Money can’t buy happiness in this razor-sharp satire about the dysfunctional Roy family and their global media empire. As patriarch Logan Roy contemplates retirement, his children scheme, backstab, and jockey for position to take control of the company.
The dialogue crackles with wit and venom, delivered by an ensemble cast at the top of their game. Brian Cox is magnificent as the tyrannical Logan, while Jeremy Strong, Sarah Snook, and Kieran Culkin bring depth to his damaged, privileged offspring.
Despite focusing on obscenely wealthy characters doing terrible things, the show’s brilliant writing makes their power plays and emotional wounds surprisingly relatable. The series offers a scathing critique of wealth and power while delivering some of television’s most deliciously awkward family dinners.
7. Schitt’s Creek
The formerly wealthy Rose family loses everything and relocates to their only remaining asset – a small town they once purchased as a joke. Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy shine as eccentric parents Moira and Johnny, while Dan Levy and Annie Murphy complete the family as their spoiled adult children.
What begins as a fish-out-of-water comedy gradually transforms into a heartwarming story about personal growth and finding happiness in unexpected places. Moira’s outrageous wigs and bizarre accent provide consistent laughs, but the show’s emotional depth sneaks up on you.
The series builds to one of television’s most satisfying finales, with character development that feels earned rather than forced. It’s a masterclass in how comedy can be both hilarious and deeply moving.
8. Yellowjackets
A high school girls’ soccer team’s plane crashes in the remote wilderness, forcing them to survive for 19 months by any means necessary. The show brilliantly alternates between their harrowing experience in 1996 and the present day, where the survivors harbor dark secrets about what really happened out there.
Part survival thriller, part supernatural mystery, and part character study, Yellowjackets defies easy categorization. The dual timeline allows for fascinating exploration of how trauma shapes lives, with excellent performances from both the teenage cast and their adult counterparts.
The series keeps viewers guessing with its steady drip of revelations and hints of cannibalism, cult behavior, and possibly supernatural forces at work in the woods. Its blend of horror and dark comedy creates an addictively unsettling viewing experience.
9. Only Murders in the Building
Three strangers united by their love of true crime podcasts decide to create their own show when a murder occurs in their upscale Manhattan apartment building. The unlikely team consists of a washed-up TV actor (Steve Martin), a Broadway director (Martin Short), and a mysterious young woman (Selena Gomez).
The generation gap between the older men and their younger partner creates both comedy and surprising emotional depth. The show lovingly parodies podcast culture while crafting genuinely compelling mysteries that keep viewers guessing.
Each season introduces a new murder while building on the characters’ backgrounds and relationships. The Arconia building itself becomes a character, with secret passages, eccentric residents, and hidden histories that unfold like layers of an onion.
10. The Good Place
Eleanor Shellstrop arrives in a heavenly afterlife only to realize she’s been sent there by mistake. Kristen Bell perfectly embodies the selfish Eleanor as she tries to hide her true nature and become a better person with help from her assigned soulmate, ethics professor Chidi.
Creator Michael Schur delivers a rare combination of laugh-out-loud comedy and genuine philosophical inquiry. The show tackles complex ethical questions in accessible ways without sacrificing entertainment value or emotional resonance.
With constant twists and reinventions across its four seasons, The Good Place never grows stale or predictable. Few shows manage to be simultaneously this funny, thought-provoking, and ultimately moving in their exploration of what it means to be human and how we relate to one another.