Buzz
While movies are stretching their runtime, TV series are leaning towards shorter formats. A decade ago, it was common for popular shows to release 22 or more episodes per season. Nowadays, this trend has faded, with only broadcast networks maintaining a regular annual schedule. Platforms like Netflix and Hulu, recognizing the appeal of binge-watching, are favoring concise, self-contained seasons that provide satisfying conclusions. If a show succeeds, there’s always room for more seasons.
What defines a binge-worthy series? It should be self-contained, offering a conclusion that feels rewarding. Most of the shows I recommend here have already ended; the few returning ones remain highly satisfying even if they didn’t continue. All of them can be enjoyed in a single day—or even in one sitting.
Schmigadoon! (2021, 6 Episodes)
Total runtime: 2 hours and 50 minutes
A quarreling couple loses their way during a hike and stumbles upon Schmigadoon, a whimsical town straight out of a vintage Hollywood musical. While the charm initially fades, they learn that escaping requires finding true love—something they lack. This clever tribute to musicals avoids shallow parody, thanks to a stellar cast featuring recent Oscar-winner Ariana Debose, Kristin Chenoweth, Alan Cumming, and Fred Armisen.
Where to stream: Apple TV+
Russian Doll (2019, 8 Episodes)
Total runtime: 3 hours and 28 minutes
Natasha Lyonne stars as Nadja, a video game developer in New York who becomes trapped in one of the most inventive time loops ever depicted. Lyonne delivers a stellar performance, and the series masterfully balances heartfelt moments with sharp, dark humor, defying easy genre classification. Even three years later, it stands as one of Netflix’s finest creations. While a second season is on the horizon, the first season concludes with such perfection that it feels complete on its own.
Where to stream: Netflix
It’s a Sin (2021, 5 Episodes)
Total runtime: 4 hours
Russell T. Davies, known for Doctor Who and Queer as Folk, brings to life the HIV/AIDS epidemic of the 1980s through the experiences of a group of gay men who relocate to London in 1981. This series avoids the typical tragic tone of AIDS dramas, instead focusing on the vibrant lives of its characters, who navigate love, fear, and loss during a tumultuous era. Their identities are shaped not by their diagnoses but by their resilience in the face of uncertainty.
Where to stream: HBO Max
Alias Grace (2017, 6 Episodes)
Total runtime: 4 hours and 25 minutes
Overshadowed by the popularity of The Handmaid’s Tale, another Margaret Atwood adaptation, Alias Grace delivers equally compelling storytelling in a more concise format. Loosely inspired by true events, it follows the enigmatic tale of an Irish maid who endures 15 years in prison, accused of complicity in the murder of her employer and his mistress. The series delves into themes of trauma and the erasure of women’s voices in a male-dominated world.
Where to stream: Netflix
When They See Us (2019, 4 Episodes)
Total runtime: 4 hours and 56 minutes
Ava DuVernay’s gripping miniseries sheds light on the harrowing ordeal of the Central Park Five, a group of Latino and Black teenagers wrongfully convicted of a brutal assault in 1989. The series confronts the systemic racism and media sensationalism that plagued their case, offering a raw and unflinching look at a justice system that remains flawed decades later.
Where to stream: Netflix
Fleabag (2016 – 2019, 12 Episodes)
Total runtime: 5 hours and 5 minutes
Phoebe Waller-Bridge writes, creates, and stars as the unnamed protagonist, a sharp-witted yet chaotic woman navigating her tumultuous life and romantic misadventures in London. The series is a masterful blend of dark humor, emotional depth, and sharp social commentary. (Waller-Bridge’s earlier series, Crashing, is also worth watching and available on Netflix.)
Where to stream: Prime Video
Maya and the Three (2021, 9 Episodes)
Total runtime: 5 hours and 12 minutes
Featuring a star-studded cast including Zoe Saldaña, Diego Luna, Gael García Bernal, Rita Moreno, and Queen Latifah, this visually stunning computer-animated miniseries didn’t receive the attention it deserved last year. Saldaña voices Maya, a fearless warrior princess who embarks on a quest to challenge the gods and save her family and the world from destruction.
Where to stream: Netflix
Only Murders in the Building (2021, 10 Episodes)
Total runtime: 5 hours and 17 minutes
Three unlikely true-crime enthusiasts (Selena Gomez, Martin Short, and Steve Martin) team up to investigate a murder in their New York apartment building. While the series is packed with humor, it also delivers a meticulously crafted mystery, with each episode peeling back new layers of intrigue. Though a second season is on the way, the first season wraps up its central plotlines satisfyingly.
Where to stream: Hulu
Chernobyl (2019, 5 Episodes)
Total runtime: 5 hours and 20 minutes
With renewed relevance amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has raised concerns over the safety of the Pripyat site, Chernobyl offers a gripping and insightful portrayal of the 1986 nuclear catastrophe. While it’s easy to interpret the series’ exploration of misinformation and political incompetence as a critique of Soviet leadership, its themes resonate far beyond that era, offering universal lessons.
Where to stream: HBO Max
Brand New Cherry Flavor (2021, 8 Episodes)
Total runtime: 5 hours and 40 minutes
A follow-up to Nick Antosca and Lenore Zion’s Channel Zero, Brand New Cherry Flavor amplifies the psychological horror, bold visuals, and chaotic energy of its predecessor. The series follows Rosa Salazar as an aspiring filmmaker who moves to Los Angeles to direct her debut film, only to find herself entangled in a surreal and sinister Hollywood nightmare where the lines between predator and prey blur.
Where to stream: Netflix
The End of the F***ing World (2017 – 2019, 16 Episodes)
Total runtime: 5 hours and 40 minutes
This darkly comedic romance centers on James (Alex Lawther), a self-proclaimed psychopath who plans to kill his rebellious classmate Alyssa (Jessica Barden). As they embark on a road trip across England, James’s scheme unravels in unexpected ways. The first season concludes so perfectly that a second seems unnecessary—yet the sequel surpasses expectations, delivering even more depth and intensity.
Where to stream: Netflix
I May Destroy You (2020, 12 Episodes)
Total runtime: 5 hours and 48 minutes
Michaela Coel, the creator, writer, co-director, and star of the series, portrays a social media influencer turned novelist who grapples with rebuilding her life after surviving a sexual assault. The show is a poignant, sometimes darkly humorous exploration of trauma and the journey toward healing and self-discovery.
Where to stream: HBO Max, Max Go
Special (2019 – 2021, 16 Episodes)
Total runtime: 5 hours and 48 minutes
Ryan O’Connell, the creator and star of this semi-autobiographical series, plays a gay man with cerebral palsy who reinvents his life after a car accident, attributing his disability to the crash. O’Connell delivers a compelling performance as a flawed yet relatable protagonist. With episodes around 15 minutes, the first season offers an easy entry point to this heartfelt and humorous story.
Where to stream: Netflix
WandaVision (2021, 9 Episodes)
Total runtime: 5 hours and 50 minutes
Marvel’s WandaVision assumes viewers are familiar with the Avengers, yet it manages to bewilder both die-hard fans and newcomers alike. The series follows a grieving witch who escapes into a sitcom-inspired fantasy, blending surreal storytelling with emotional depth. While it ties into the broader Marvel universe, it stands alone as a bizarre, heartfelt journey that even casual viewers can appreciate.
Where to stream: Disney+
The White Lotus (2021, 6 Episodes)
Total runtime: 5 hours and 50 minutes
Set in a luxurious tropical resort, this series explores the lives of privileged vacationers, gradually exposing their flaws and secrets. While it’s set in paradise, the show is anything but relaxing, offering a sharp critique of wealth and privilege. A second season is on the way, but with a fresh cast and storyline.
Where to stream: HBO Max
The Silent Sea (2021, 8 Episodes)
Total runtime: 6 hours
This gripping South Korean sci-fi thriller stars Bae Doona as part of a team sent to a deserted lunar base to retrieve a mysterious sample. As the mission unravels, it becomes clear that Earth’s authorities are hiding critical information. The series is a tense, unpredictable ride from start to finish.
Where to stream: Netflix
The Queen’s Gambit (2020, 7 Episodes)
Total runtime: 6 hours and 30 minutes
This unexpected cultural sensation of the pandemic features Anya Taylor-Joy as Elizabeth Harmon, a chess prodigy battling personal demons and societal biases in her quest to dominate the global chess scene. The series masterfully blends her emotional struggles with her rise to greatness.
Where to stream: Netflix
