The Best TV Shows To Start This Summer
With classes out of the way, summer is the perfect time to unwind. And what better way to relax than to marathon a TV show you love? If you’re looking for more shows to add to your watchlist, I can help you. Here are seven shows you won’t stop binging this summer:
1. Only Murders In The Building (2021-current)
Fans of the movie Knives Out will love this TV show. It’s witty, charming, and oh-so intriguing. In the first season, we follow an eclectic, multi-generational group of tenants living in a New York apartment. They team up to solve a murder in their building, using their knowledge of true crime podcasts. The best part of the show for me is the cast. Selena Gomez, Steve Martin, and Martin Short are an unlikely pairing, but they have so much chemistry on screen. You’ll fall in love with their characters. Hulu is currently releasing episodes from the second season, so now is the perfect time to get started!
2. Stranger Things (2016-current)
Unless you’ve been living under a rock (or in the Upside Down…see what I did there?), you’ve probably noticed a lot of hype surrounding this TV show. I think Stranger Things deserves all the attention it’s receiving (and has been receiving since it first aired). Though I didn’t grow up in the 80’s, Stranger Things somehow feels so nostalgic. Beyond all the monsters, alternative universes, and government secrets, it’s just a show about kids being kids, and I love it for that. I guess now I should say “teens being teens,” as the cast has grown up since the first season. Every actor does a fantastic job portraying their characters, the story is gripping, the soundtrack is great, and wow…you’ll cry when you least expect to. With season four having just dropped on Netflix, I urge you to start this series now, if you haven’t already. #ProtectSteve
3. What We Do In The Shadows (2019-current)
This TV show is absurd. There’s no better way to describe it. What We Do In The Shadows is completely outrageous and hilariously unhinged. Once I explain the premise, you’ll agree with me. What We Do In The Shadows is a mockumentary style series about four vampires living in Staten Island. There really isn’t any plot besides that, so you can jump into the show whenever. I’m pretty picky when it comes to comedies, but I instantly loved What We Do In The Shadows. The characters are what makes this show so great, and there are plenty of laugh-out-loud and surprisingly tender moments. Think The Office meets Dracula. The fourth season comes out soon on FX (July 12th), but you can also keep up with the show on Hulu.
4. Bob’s Burgers (2011-current)
Bob’s Burgers has been my comfort show since middle school. Unlike a lot of other adult cartoons, the family in Bob’s Burgers genuinely love each other. Though they’re an odd group of characters, they’re never malicious towards each other, and I like that. Every episode manages to be equal parts heartwarming and hilarious. There are a ton of summer themed ones to choose from, like “Bob Fires The Kids,” “It Snakes A Village,” and “Housetrap.” Other favorites of mine include “Christmas In The Car,” “Tina-Rannosaurus Wrecks,” and “Boyz 4 Now.” Though really, you can’t go wrong with any episode. Now is the perfect time to get into Bob’s Burgers, seeing as the movie just came out. I’ve seen the movie twice already, and I can confirm that it’s just as good as the show (maybe even better).
5. Sex And The City (1998-2004)
I’ll admit, a lot of aspects of this show have not aged well. I’ve literally written an essay where I discussed how problematic Sex and the City can be. That being said, I recommend watching this show with a critical eye. You can acknowledge and have rhetoric on Sex and the City‘s issues while still enjoying (most of) it. If you’re looking for a show you can turn your mind off to—and I mean that in a positive way—this one’s for you. Yes, the characters make horrible decisions and are, at times, borderline unlikeable. But sometimes it’s fun to watch them fumble through dating, their careers, and everything else that comes with life in New York City. Plus, the outfits are killer. Say what you will about Carrie Bradshaw, but you have to agree, she knows how to dress. You’ll likely have more time this summer to binge a long-ish show than you would during school. So why not plow through all six seasons of Sex And The City?
6. Fleabag (2016-2019)
Now that we’re on the topic of TV shows that center around an unreliable, messy main character, let’s talk about Fleabag. Though this show was short-lived, it’s incredible. Phoebe Waller-Bridge is a comedic genius, and though her character, Fleabag, makes mistake after mistake, she convinces us to love her. The writing is top-notch and, for lack of better words, interactive. Fleabag breaks the fourth wall throughout the series, making the show more engaging and her character more relatable. Basically, Fleabag says what we’re all thinking, and that’s one reason why I love her so much. If you’re busy working this summer, I recommend you watch Fleabag. There are only two seasons, so it won’t be too much of a challenge to get through.
7. Black Mirror (2011-current)
OK, so maybe you have a lot of time on your hands. There’s nothing wrong with spending your summer in front of the TV. If you’re finished with Stranger Things and need something to fill that void, try Black Mirror. Black Mirror is less like a TV show, and more like a series of unrelated movies. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this show, each episode is completely different from the last, featuring a new cast. While some of the episodes are skippable, usually on account of them being too disturbing (cough cough, the first episode), most of them are gems. At its core, Black Mirror warns us about the not-so-distant future. Though there’s an element of sci-fi to each episode, the scenarios all feel very real, very familiar. It’s eery, captivating, and incredibly well-done, both in terms of acting and production. Crossing my fingers that Netflix drops another season soon!
This summer, prioritize self-care. Watching your favorite series is pretty much the same as practicing self-love. Don’t let me keep you from starting your shows. Happy binging!
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Feature image source: https://pin.it/VUrThOO
