If you’re anything like me, you’ve experienced the pain of opening Netflix, searching for The Office, and remembering that it’s gone. And if you’ve ever scrolled through streaming subscriptions for an hour just to watch the same two shows on repeat, then you’re in the right place. I recently had a conversation with my mom that started with a simple proposition: Cancel all of your subscriptions except Peacock. 

Why? I noticed that Peacock has so many shows and classic titles we all like, so it wouldn’t be worth keeping the others. She and my sister whipped their heads back in shock. Their immediate response was, “No! There are so many shows we love on Netflix. We can’t get rid of that!” 

Fair enough.

So I sat and did some research, or as we call it, binge-watching, and now I’m here to tell you what Netflix shows are worth the watch and give you some recommendations that might just make keeping that subscription worth it. 

1. Beef (2023)

If I could recommend only one show, I’d go with Beef. I tore through it in two days while recovering from a sprained ankle, and honestly, I believe it sped up my recovery. Pure adrenaline and excitement are what got me out of bed to tell the family about it. Whenever I find a show that I can’t turn away from, it’s like Mardi Gras in my house. Everyone is going to hear about it. 

This comedy-drama follows Danny and Amy, two extremely unhappy strangers whose moment of road rage explodes into a life-altering, destructive feud. The actors, especially Ali Wong and Steven Yeun, were phenomenal, and their depiction of the realities of family life made the show even more relatable. While Beef is heavy on drama, its characters are painfully human and must deal with issues we all face: money, family, and simply being broken. Beef is hilarious, uncomfortable, and at times, surprisingly beautiful. Most importantly, it is a nice reminder that anything can happen, and even the smallest encounter can change the trajectory of your life. 

2. The Midnight Gospel (2020) 

At first glance, The Midnight Gospel looks like some out-of-this-world, acid-induced fever dream. This adult animated series is stunning on its own, with intense, bright animation. But to get to the meat of the show, really listen to the conversations ensuing in the background. It visually takes us through time and space, following Clancy Gilroy as he travels through simulated universes to interview bizarre people for his spacecast. As your eyes sink into the surreal and often chaotic visuals, you will hear real conversations pulled from Duncan Trussell’s podcast, The Duncan Trussell Family Hour. They discuss topics ranging from drugs and meditation all the way to a dog’s thoughts on death. 

It’s odd, yet beautiful, and occasionally confusing. And that’s exactly why I love it! This is simply such a unique show, something I don’t see too often, so I highly recommend giving it a watch.

3. Big Mouth (2017-2025)

This one is pretty self-explanatory, but if you have that raunchy, sometimes out there-humor, then Big Mouth is for you. Are you going through puberty and feeling weird about your body? Watch some Big Mouth. Having a bad day and need a good laugh? You can’t go wrong with this show. 

This adult-animated coming-of-age musical sitcom follows a group of teenagers as they navigate puberty, sex, hormones, friendships, and the general nightmare that is growing up. Nick Kroll, one of the creators and kings of comedy, voices multiple characters, proving one person can create enough voices for an entire cast. Even if the comedy isn’t for you, we’ve all experienced these awkward moments, and now we can literally watch them back and get a good chuckle. 

4. Hunting Wives (2025)

Imagine if Desperate Housewives and a Southern drama had a scandalous baby. Featuring Brittany Snow from everyone’s favorite movie, Pitch Perfect, this drama series will have you on the edge of your seat as you slowly learn the secrets of an elite clique down in East Texas. 

This series follows Sophie, who moves from Massachusetts to East Texas with her husband and finds herself pulled into the world of a group of women whose glamorous lives come with more skeletons in the closet than she was ready for. Based on the novel of the same name by May Cobb, this show will have you on the edge of your seat, and you may find yourself getting attached to characters who truly cannot be trusted. 

5. The Society (2019)

I will never shut up about this one. The story follows a group of high school students who come home from a class trip to an empty town, only to discover that everyone they know and love has vanished. Lord knows what happened or where they went, but I like to imagine several ways this story could have played out. And I have to, since they never renewed the show! 

After an epic first season, The Society ended its run, leaving us staring at a black screen, wondering what happened to these teenagers and where to watch the next season. Although the story is not officially complete, it was still a great watch, especially if you enjoyed William Golding’s 1954 novel, Lord of the Flies. While the series isn’t directly based on the novel, it clearly nods to the story and its themes, telling a tale of conflict and exploring how we respond when survival is at stake. Without the adults, rules, and civilization they once relied on, these teenagers must rebuild and sustain their own society, navigate relationships and alliances, and establish a hierarchy. 

6. Search Party (2022)

Although I just started watching this show, it already has me hooked. 

Our main character, Dory, is very nosy, like a lot of us. After seeing a missing-person poster for a woman she went to college with, she decides it is now her job to find her. And no, minding your business was not an option here.

Yes, another mystery show I know. That is what initially pulled me in, but the characters are what kept me watching. Dory’s friends and boyfriend, Portia, Elliot, and Drew are an incredible bunch of questionable decisions and over-the-top personalities. They will have you pissing your pants and remind you of some insane people you might have in your own life. 

7. Kill Tony Specials (2025-2026)

If you are a comedy lover, you already know that Netflix is filled to the brim with comedians and stand-up specials. But if you want something a little more unpredictable, Kill Tony is definitely worth checking out.

Unlike traditional specials, Kill Tony puts the comedians in the audience in the spotlight! Hosted by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, the show features a panel of comedians who act as judges. Audience members can put their name in a bucket to be chosen, and they are randomly selected to come onstage and perform a one-minute comedy set. 

One minute. That’s it! 

You never know if the performer will be hilarious, terrible, or somewhere in between. That’s what makes it so fun! The best part is that even if the set was bad, Tony interviews and critiques them, which is often funnier than the original set. You can also watch Tony do this show on YouTube, so you get a fresh batch of comedians every week!