Healthy + Well writers: Christy Chadwick and Shruti Sathish
Photo via Unsplash
A list of some of our favorite shows and movies on Netflix that we encourage you to watch as you continue to stay home and practice social distancing :)
Comedy
-The Office
Although this is an old show that most people have already seen, it is a great one to watch again! A little background for those who are unfamiliar with the show: The Office surrounds the lives of employees at the Scranton branch of the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. Each character is unique and plays an integral role in contributing to the fun, crazy, and at-times chaotic work environment at Dunder Mifflin Scranton. This show will surely make you laugh. 5/5 stars.
-Parks & Recreation
Parks & Rec, like The Office, is an NBC workplace comedy, but unlike The Office, it hasn’t gotten the attention it deserves. This shows centers around employees at an Indiana Parks and Recreation Department and dives into the characters’ work and personal lives. Not only is this show great comedy, but it also has moments of drama and depth. You’ll start out watching for the laughs, but you’ll grow to love the characters as well! 5/5 stars.
-The Good Place
This show is a perfect mix of lighthearted comedy, exciting plot twists, and discussions of important topics. Taking place in the part of the afterlife known as “The Good Place,” this show revolves around the journey of four people through the afterlife and focuses on how they change throughout their lives and afterlives. If you’re looking for a bingeable sitcom to watch during quarantine, this is a great option! 4/5 stars.
Drama
-Outer Banks
If you enjoy teen shows packed with adventure and a hint of mystery, this is the show for you! Taking place in the Outer Banks, islands off the coast of North Carolina, the show surrounds main character John B and his friends’ search for treasure connected to his father’s disappearance. Only season one is currently available, but I LOVED this show and can’t wait for season two. 5/5 stars.
-Dynasty
This show is a reboot of the 1980s soap by the same name, but with its modernized plot, it feels more like a more adult version of Gossip Girl than a soap opera. Like Gossip Girl, this show is dramatic sometimes to the point of absurdity, but that's what makes it so fun! It primarily revolves around two wealthy families and the drama surrounding them and their businesses, but the plot branches off into so many different directions over the seasons that you’ll always be shocked by new twists. 5/5 stars.
-The Society
This show begins when a class of high school students, on their way home from a field trip, return to their town only to find that all the adults are gone. The rest of the first season follows the teens’ attempts to survive and maintain order in their new society while also seeking the truth about what happened in their town and where the adults have gone. Only one season is available so far, but there will be a season 2 where more of the mystery will be revealed! 4/5 stars.
Fantasy/Sci-Fi
-The Umbrella Academy
Based off a comic book and detailing the lives of siblings with superpowers, this show is a fresh, off-beat twist on the superhero shows and movies that are so popular right now. In the first season, the siblings work to stop an impending apocalypse, and chaos and hilarity ensues. This show is the perfect mixture of action and humor - and season 2 comes out at the end of July, so there’s plenty of time to catch up before then! 5/5 stars.
-The 100
The 100 is a sci-fi series that takes place three generations after a nuclear war killed all humans on Earth. Left behind was a group of survivors, who were living in space at the time and have been since due to the radiation remaining on Earth. The show details these peoples’ journey back to Earth and their struggles to survive there, build a new society, and eventually make peace with other groups of survivors they encounter. This show is a unique blend of science fiction, action, and war politics that is both exciting and thought-provoking. 4/5 stars.
-Black Mirror
This is a sci-fi anthology series based around exaggerated tales of the dangers of modern technology. It can be a bit dark at times, but it’s also exciting and intriguing. Since each episode features a different plot and different characters, it always keeps you on your toes and never gets boring. 4/5 stars.
Documentaries
-Coronavirus: Explained
This is the perfect documentary for anyone who would like to learn some basic information about the Coronavirus pandemic: how it originated, how viruses work, why COVID-19 is particularly deadly, and the importance of reaching herd immunity. As of now, there is only one episode available, and it is pretty short (about 27 minutes). 5/5 stars.
-Pandemic
This is a super interesting docuseries that educates you about pandemics while also telling many interesting stories along the way. Not only will you learn about how pandemics can originate and spread, but you’ll also get a glimpse into the lives and careers of various scientists, doctors, and others who work to prevent pandemics or cure diseases. If you’re looking for something educational but also exciting, this is a great show for you! 4/5 stars.
Long-Running Shows
-Supernatural
Supernatural starts out as a story about two brothers fighting various monsters and other supernatural beings, but it quickly grows to become more than that. As the seasons go on, more characters are introduced and the plot becomes more intricate and complex. This show is obviously great for fans of the fantasy genre, but it also has something for everyone - moments of happiness, sadness, comedy, action, drama, and even romance. It also has 15 seasons, so if you’re looking for a long show to binge during quarantine, Supernatural is a great option! 5/5 stars.
-Grey’s Anatomy
A medical drama series that focuses on the lives of a group of doctors at Seattle Grace Hospital, this is a show with a strong female lead and lots of action and emotion that will surely keep you entertained and may inspire you to pursue a career in medicine ;) There are sixteen seasons, and it is a very long show that I haven’t completely gotten through yet, but what I have seen so far has been pretty good! 4/5 stars