Among other things, the holiday break is also the perfect time to binge-watch some of the best TV shows Netflix has to offer. Make the most of your subscription and consider our curated list of TV series for an entertaining stay-at-home Christmas vacay.
Light Comedies
For a quick and easy watch, check out the shows below.
Merry Happy Whatever
A series literally made for the holidays, Merry Happy Whatever contains the Disney-alumni team-up we didn’t know needed, a.k.a. Ashley Tisdale (High School Musical, Suite Life of Zack and Cody), and Bridgit Mendler (Lemonade Mouth, Good Luck Charlie) playing supportive sisters. With Dennis Quaid taking the lead, the show follows his strong-willed character Don Quinn as he ushers his family through the stress of the holiday season when his daughter brings her boyfriend home for Christmas. Sounds like the ideal family show to pass the Yuletide.
Starring: Dennis Quaid, Ashley Tisdale, Bridgit Mendler
Atypical
Atypical broke through social media with its third season last November thanks to its infectious LGBT storyline, but at the core of this dynamic show is a teen on the autism spectrum named Sam. Deciding he’s ready for romance, Sam steps out of his comfort zone to brave through life the way he sees fit, much to the worry of his parents. This light but heartfelt Netflix original is equal parts funny and profound with an ensemble cast of complex characters to boot.
Starring: Keir Gilchrist, Bridget Lundy-Paine, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Fivel Stewart
The Good Place
The Good Place follows a deceased Eleanor Shellstrop who finds herself in heaven despite having lived a morally corrupt life. After finding out that she’s only there due to a case of mistaken identity, Eleanor makes sure that no one finds out about the truth. Now, if you weren’t around for the collective internet meltdown caused by the show’s first season ending plot twist, we can assure you that The Good Place is more than meets the eye.
Starring: Kirsten Bell, Jameela Jamil, Ted Danson, Manny Jacinto
One Day at a Time
Inspired by a 1975 series of the same name, One Day at a Time follows a Cuban-American family as they go through life’s curve balls while trying to keep their household in one piece. This sitcom with mounds of genuine heart is sure to have you both laughing and crying by the end of every episode.
Starring: Justina Machado, Rita Moreno, Isabella Gomez
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
If you’re up for an outrageous high-energy binge, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’s just the show for you. Kidnapped at a young age by a cult and kept in an underground bunker for 15 years, Kimmy decides to live her life with wide-eyed enthusiasm after finally being rescued. She’s reintroduced into modern life by a gay wannabe Broadway actor who takes her up in his scrappy apartment, and the two end up making an unlikely pair as they cause all kinds of shenanigans in the streets of New York.
Starring: Ellie Kemper, Tituss Burgess, Carol Kane
Riveting Dramas
Spend the holidays catching up on these popular Netflix originals.
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
Netflix’s adaptation of Sabrina the Teenage Witch is nothing like the original and we’re here for it. A diabolically dark coming-of-age series, it features Sabrina Spellman attempting to reconcile her human life with her responsibilities as a witch, at the risk of offending the dark lord and constantly putting her loved ones in danger.
Starring: Kiernan Shipka, Ross Lynch, Gavin Leatherwood
Lucifer
Lucifer has dominated the charts as the most binge-watched TV series for weeks on end, which means that it should definitely be part of your watch list this holiday if you aren’t addicted just yet. The series’ intriguing premise follows the demon Lucifer who escapes hell to live amongst humans on Earth. When his reckless ways land him in a crime scene, the devil himself ends up solving cases with the local police with the help of his devious tricks.
Starring: Tom Ellis, Lauren German, Kevin Alejandro
Living With Yourself
Down on his luck and having given up on life, a man undergoes a mysterious treatment promising to make him better, only to find out he's been cloned and replaced by a perfect version of himself.
Starring: Paul Rudd, Aisling Bea
The Politician
Up for a bit of melodrama? Netflix’s The Politician can be of service. A guilty pleasure binge, the show centers on Payton Hobart, a wealthy private school student who will stop at nothing to one day become the president of the United States. But first he must win as student body president and survive the ruthless political climate of his high school.
Starring: Ben Platt, Lucy Boynton, Zoey Deutch
Explained
If you’d rather spend your holiday working up your brain cells, consider watching Explained. A partnership between Netflix and Vox, the docuseries goes in depth with today’s topical issues including why diets fail, the world of K-pop, political correctness, and the possibility of living forever.
