We’re hurtling through the year and another weekend has arrived, which means it’s time to settle down on the couch and binge some Netflix shows. Not sure what to watch? That’s where I come in, since every week I have three top recommendations for your viewing pleasure.
If you don’t have time in the coming days, simply add these shows to your Netflix watchlist so you don’t forget about them and can enjoy them later.
The Walking Dead
The Walking Dead, based on the comics of the same name, quickly became a phenomenon when it first aired in 2010. It’s set in a version of our world that has fallen apart because of a zombie apocalypse, with survivors scattered and dealing with the new threat. At the center is former deputy sheriff Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), who we meet in the first episode—he wakes up in an abandoned hospital, discovers the horror outside, and goes to find his family. It’s a brilliant opening that perfectly sets the tone: unsettling, emotional, and character-focused.
While Rick is the protagonist and becomes a leader (whether he likes it or not), one of the show’s great successes is its talented ensemble cast. That includes Rick’s best friend Shane (Jon Bernthal), his wife Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies), and hunter Daryl (Norman Reedus)—and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. While there are some constant presences, fatalities are common with the undead roaming. You’re bound to become attached to the characters, many of whom develop in interesting ways, and it’s a gut punch whenever one departs. These people feel real, particularly in the early seasons, and you’re right there with them debating the morality of situations and wondering how you would survive.
For a show that lasted for so long (and continues to live on through many spin-offs), it naturally had highs and lows. Some people will disagree with me, but I think it remained thrilling throughout, with different locations and enemies thrown into the mix to keep things fresh. Besides, it’s not until the halfway point that fan favorite villain Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) controversially smashed into the series. Even if zombie media isn’t usually your thing, I urge you to give The Walking Dead a try.
Stranger Things
Considering it’s one of Netflix’s most popular shows, there’s little chance you haven’t heard of Stranger Things. But if you’ve never watched it, now is the perfect time to catch up before the fifth and final season lands later this year. The show follows the supernatural goings-on in Hawkins, a small town that is linked to a creepy alternative dimension called the Upside Down. The first season is about a young boy called Will who is abducted by a creature from the other world and the subsequent hunt by his mother, friends, and police to find him. From there, the stakes only get higher.
Stranger Things is set in the 1980s and leans heavily on nostalgia for that era, with clear influences from the movies of that time. The kids travel everywhere on bikes, use walkie-talkies, and have some dodgy haircuts. It’s part of what makes the show so appealing. The show also successfully juggles tones with ease. At times it’s genuinely unsettling; at others it’s funny and sweet. The young actors are great, and many have since become stars in their own right, like Millie Bobby Brown and Finn Wolfhard. They’re supported by some equally fantastic performances from the adults, including Winona Ryder and David Harbour.
Although the show is ending soon, the franchise isn’t going anywhere, so don’t be disappointed if you’re left wanting more once you’ve binged. An animated show called Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 is coming to Netflix in 2026, and a stage play called Stranger Things: The First Shadow is a huge success on the West End and Broadway.
The Witcher
Even if you’ve not seen The Witcher, you may already know it from the book series by author Andrzej Sapkowski or the video games by developer CD Projekt Red. This show is an adaptation of the former, set in a fantasy world where Geralt (Henry Cavill) is a monster hunter. It also weaves in the sorceress Yennefer (Anya Chalotra) and princess Ciri (Freya Allan), whose stories initially take place on different timelines.
The show is full of creepy monsters, great action sequences, and slick visuals. And while it can be dark, it’s not afraid of having a bit of fun, particularly when bard Jaskier (Joey Batey) is around. All the performances are great, but Cavill in particular is in his element here, in a role that he was born to play. I have to admit, I wasn’t convinced by The Witcher at first. I normally hate being told that I have to give a show a few episodes before it clicks, but it’s true here, so stick with it if you find yourself in the same boat.
The Witcher returns for a fourth season next month, though unfortunately Cavill has left the role of Geralt, apparently due to creative differences. He has been replaced by Liam Hemsworth; it remains to be seen how his take on the character stacks up. The main show aside, Netflix also has various animated takes on the series available to stream, including the great Nightmare of the Wolf.
These Netflix shows demand your full attention, so put down your phone, grab a snack, dim the lights, and enjoy the hours of entertainment ahead of you.
- Subscription with ads
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Yes, $8/month
- Simultaneous streams
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Two or four
Stream all of these brilliant shows, along with plenty more licensed and original programming, with a monthly Netflix subscription.