As someone who went to the movie theater every Saturday before quarantine started, I would say I’m a pretty big movie enthusiast. However, since the pandemic, I’ve had to start watching movies elsewhere: Netflix. As someone who has finished everything on Netflix, here are the top shows and movies to watch on Netflix.

GLEE

I’ll admit, we’re off to a pretty basic start on this list. But, honestly, I’m never NOT watching this show. It has music, comedy, drama, and some heartfelt friendships. It’s a perfect combination of genres and while it is cringe at times, this show holds a special place in my heart and definitely worth the watch (except season six… we don’t talk about that). Trigger warning: Matthew Morrison!

SHAMELESS

Wow. The most perfect word to describe this show is “wow.” In this show, we follow a single father, Frank Gallagher, and his kids. While Frank spends most of his free time at bars, the eldest of the children, Fiona, raises the rest of the kids. This show exposes issues with systemic poverty, as we follow a family living in South Side Chicago. This show will make you laugh, cry, and at some point hate each character at least once. If you haven’t seen this show yet, stop wasting time, go ahead and watch it!

THE SOCIETY

Literally the most underrated show on Netflix! I binged this show in pretty much a day and a half. A group of high school students head to the mountains for a camping trip, but are forced to come home due to a storm. However, once they arrive back home, the teens quickly realize all of the adults are gone and they must find a way to survive, figure out what happened to them, and get back home. It’s basically Lord of the Flies, but with teenagers.

This show will make you incredibly frustrated (in a good way) towards the characters and towards the plot,  as you try to figure out what happened to these teens alongside them. Nonetheless, Netflix recently canceled the second season out of the blue (boooo!) so if you don’t want to face the heartbreak of never knowing what truly happened to these kids, maybe don’t give it a watch. 

THE IMPOSSIBLE

I watched this movie when it first came out in theaters and it was the first movie I’ve ever cried to. This movie is based on a true story and follows a family of five vacationing in Thailand for the winter. But the day after Christmas turns into a nightmare when the family is separated due to a huge tsunami. This is an inspirational and heartbreaking movie. Knowing this is a true story and this family ACTUALLY went through this tragedy makes it all the more sad. Plus, Tom Holland is in this movie if you like him (who doesn’t like Tom Holland?), and he showcases his incredible acting skills at such a young age. 

THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT

I think pretty much everybody has seen this show, considering it was on the Top 10 list for months. But in case you haven’t, definitely give it a watch! I mean there’s probably a reason it was on the Top 10 for a while right? It follows orphaned chess prodigy, Beth Harmon, her struggle with addiction, while attempting to become the best chess player in the world. It doesn’t sound too interesting when I  put it like that, but it is an incredible show. It stars with amazing actors including Anya Taylor-Joy and Thomas Brodie-Sangster who have breathtaking scenes that will make your jaw drop. 

HOLLYWOOD

Another underrated show! I was surprised to find out a lot of people haven’t even heard of this show considering its cast. It stars Darren Criss, Queen Latifah, Jim Parsons, Laura Harrier, Patti Lupone, Paget Brewster, and  many more incredible actors. After World War II, aspiring actors and filmmakers will do virtually anything to make their dreams come true. Again, vague summary, but this show is phenomenal and deserves a lot more recognition than it got. Highly recommend this show!

MIRACLE IN CELL NO. 7

This movie quite literally broke my heart. This movie follows a father with an intellectual disability who was wrongfully imprisoned for the death of a commander’s child. He must prove his innocence and get back home to his young daughter who can’t stand being separated from her father. I cried pretty much the whole movie and that’s not an exaggeration. Not just a few tears, I was full-on sobbing!  If you’re looking for a good movie to cry to, then this is the movie for you. Although it is in Turkish, there are English subtitles that don’t diminish from the movie. You can follow along clearly and still have a good cry session.

GENTE-FIED

I wish more people would talk about this incredible show! This comedy-drama series follows three Mexican-American cousins in Los Angeles chasing the American dream. Soon this ‘dream’ threatens their neighborhood, their immigrant grandfather, and the family-owned taco shop. This portrays the real struggle of gentrification and how it affects families and neighborhoods. It’s definitely worth the watch. 

ONE DAY AT A TIME

One of my favorite shows on Netflix, it was undeservingly canceled after a few short seasons. This series follows single mother, Penelope, and her Cuban-American family. This show is surprisingly realistic and shows how family can help you through both good times and bad times. 

WHEN THEY SEE US

This heartbreaking limited series follows five Black and Brown young teens, known as “The Central Park Five,” who were wrongfully charged for a crime in 1989. This series is a true story. It’s only four episodes, but each episode focuses on a particular aspect and flaw of the justice system, and how it disproportionately impacts Black and Brown kids. If you’re an ally to the POC community, this is a show you cannot miss (Grace agrees). It’s one of the best on Netflix and not enough people talk about it. This empowering and harrowing show is definitely worth the watch.

If you’re looking for a show or movie to watch for a Netflix watch party, what more are you waiting for? Check out these great films today!