Whether you’ve had a hard day at work, or have a quiet weekend to yourself; whether you have plenty of time on your hands, or you might not and just love the thrill of staying up late and watching just one more episode — whatever the case is, it’s hard to deny in this day and age that everyone loves to binge a great TV show.

This isn’t suggesting, of course, that we all love the same genre; from horror and comedy, to rich period dramas and captivating true crime, there’s something for everyone, and there’s always something out there with the ability to have us in its grasp until we binge all the way through. There’s nothing like snuggling up on the sofa and clicking ‘next episode’ when Netflix asks you if you’re still watching; so let’s take a look at some fantastic TV shows that are short enough as of writing to binge-watch with stay-at-home glee and start right now.

Euphoria

Euphoria is an emotional rollercoaster for sure, following a group of teenagers who deal with high school, relationships, and finding themselves and their identity, and if that’s not enough stress already, best to throw some addictive drug use, sexual experimentation, and abuse in there too. Euphoria focuses particularly on main character Rue (Zendaya), a young woman recovering from substance use disorder and trying to find her place in a very wild world. While the popular HBO series feels relatable in some way through its depiction of the cheating, backstabbing, and regrets that we all experience in high school, it also touches on some very serious subjects and makes a loud statement about mental health, substance us, and abusive relationships.


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While the show has been questioned and critiqued about its dramatization and possible glorification of drug abuse, it still portrays a very important and quite saddening message. Despite the show being very serious, it is also completely binge-worthy; as the drama unfolds and tensions are high, we can’t help but click that button for the next one to start and yearn for the storylines to be resolved. The show became extremely popular but if you’re late to it and want a taste, you can stream it on HBO Max.

Dare Me

Based on the novel of the same name by Megan Abbott, the single-season teen drama Dare Me is definitely a TV show to you’d want to binge. Following the dramas, dynamics, and friendships between a team of competitive high school cheerleaders, we follow the rise and fall of two best friends after a new cheer coach arrives and stirs up the town. The secrets this new coach is hiding, and the sudden realization of big stakes and how quickly things can go wrong, have the potential to ruin the characters’ lives.


The tense and surprising show explores jealousy, loyalty, and friendship, and even what people are willing to do in times of a crisis; it’s an underrated, canceled-too-soon coming-of-age sort of drama, and even partly a murder mystery. If you’re looking to be shocked, get hooked on cliffhangers, and delve into a short mystery that you can try and solve yourself, all ten episodes of Dare Me is available on Netflix.

Spinning Out

Spinning Out follows a highly skilled figure skater who after suffering a disastrous fall, contemplates giving up her skates. Created by Samantha Stratton, who also happens to be a former competitive skater, we follow Kat who has big decisions to make — does she shut down on a life-changing career moment?

When she’s at risk of exposing a deep secret that could change her life, she is determined to prove that she can be the best, so with eyes on the prize, she’s against very unnerving obstacles. The single-season Spinning Out is on Netflix, so there’s easy access to the daunting, nerve-wracking TV show that keeps us on edge all throughout (and might even spark some desire to learn to figure skate).

Daybreak

Who doesn’t love a post-apocalyptic survival battle? The Netflix show Daybreak provides everything we look for in a zombie outbreak and teen comedy show; when the world has suffered a crash, zombie-like creatures (referred to as Ghoulies) take over. Josh must find his way through the city (preferably alive), and find a way to reunite with his girlfriend after they became separated. It’s tense, it’s entertaining, it’s full of blood and guts, and it’s the perfect binge-worthy show, as Daybreak was unfortunately canceled by Netflix after only one unique season. It’s a fun but suspenseful horror comedy that’s an easy binge-watch on Netflix.

The Queen’s Gambit

If you’re a fan of chess, or even if you’re not for that matter, The Queen’s Gambit is the perfect example of binge-worthy television; a short limited series that’s critically acclaimed and endlessly watchable, this period drama centers around the competitive world of chess and a self-destructive progeny making her way through it. Based on the 1983 novel from the late Walter Tevis and set through the 1950s and ’60s, The Queen’s Gambit follows Beth Harmon on her mission to become an elite chess player and champion, but it becomes hard as she attempts to manage her struggles with mental health, drugs, and alcohol.


The series became one of the biggest and most-watched Netflix hits only four weeks, whether because of its compelling plot, intellectual use of chess and emotional use of character development, or the brilliant acting from Anya-Taylor Joy. The actress did receive great praise for her work, and the chess community also commented on how it was a perfect representation of the high stress, highly competitive championships, and it even sparked more interest into the game. So, if you missed the hype, or you’re looking at getting into chess, or maybe you just love period dramas, either way, The Queen’s Gambit can be found on Netflix and binged in a day.

Unbelievable

True crime is beloved for its ability to shock and compel; no matter what it is, it has the potential to be compelling and captivating, usually because it’s real life. Those who watch Unbelievable, the dramatized miniseries based on the true stories of the serial rape cases from Washington and Colorado in 2008, will not take their eyes off the screen for the entire eight episodes. It follows a young woman who turns up to a police station claiming to have been assaulted, but to viewers’ shock, she is charged with lying about it.


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Nevertheless, there’s something not right about the whole case, and two female detectives decide to take a second look. With a difficult and complicated string of clues and plot twists, the unimaginable and disturbing truth behind the crimes is more heartbreaking and eye-opening than anyone would have ever expected. Raising serious topics and expecting the audience to question everything, it has to be on the list for the most binge-worthy shows and viewers can find it on Netflix.

Anne with an E

As a society, we just can’t get enough of these period dramas, and this adaptation of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s classic work of children’s literature in 1908, Anne of Green Gables, has to be one of the easiest, most binge-worthy shows of recent years. Anne with an E is addictive, heart-warming, and a beautiful coming-of-age story. Following a young orphan, Anne, whose only hope in life is to be loved and accepted for exactly who she is, we watch as she endures years of abuse in the orphanage she grew up in and being in and out of stranger’s homes, retaining her optimism and charm throughout.

Eventually, Anne gets told that she will be sent to a new home, and is extremely hopeful about it. Although, what she doesn’t know is that siblings Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert are expecting a boy. Yet, Anne’s bright spirit and loving nature transform the Cuthbert’s lives, and we follow three seasons of love, drama, and friendship. Three seasons fly by so quickly when we’re presented with such a binge-worthy story, and Anne with an E will always be one we find ourselves coming back to. It’s available on Netflix.