Last Updated on August 3, 2021
It is Black Friday and you are either reading this in a turkey coma from your home or you are out braving the insane shopping sales at your favorite store. Either way, you are in store for an extended weekend and you probably need something to watch. If you aren't headed to the movie theater, take a look at our list of ten TV series perfect for binging this weekend. While none of these will give you a stomachache like too much cranberry sauce and stuffing, they are definitely satisfying in large quantities. If you think we missed a binge-worthy show or want to share your favorite, let us know in the comments below.
LOST
Lost is one of my all time favorite series and reset what a network genre show could be. Telling a massive story with a complex mythology, Lost frustrated some viewers and awed others. While JJ Abrams, Carlton Cuse, and Damon Lindelof's series may not have answered all of viewers' questions, it holds up as well a decade after it went off the air. In binge viewings, Lost's complex story works better than it did when aired over several weeks and the final episode works even better than when it initially aired. Of all the shows on this list, you likely won't finish this one over the holiday weekend, but it will definitely keep you engrossed while you binge on leftovers.
ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT
While the most recent seasons of Arrested Development were not as good as the original FOX run, the show is still a hlilariously unique sitcom. From Ron Howard's voiceover to the complex plots and quotable one-liners, there is always funny in this banana stand. Like The Office, Arrested Development is a series that can be watched sequentially or just enjoyed as standalone episodes. Put it on in the background and let it play all day like a comedy yule log. So many great episodes in such a short lived series, this would be a quick and fun binge.
THE OFFICE
NBC has had some hilarious sitcoms in recent years like 30 Rock and Parks and Recreation, but they all owe a debt to The Office. As much as I love the BBC version created by Ricky Gervais, the American edition showcased a wide ensemble of talent from Steve Carell, Jenna FIscher, Rainn Wilson, and John Krasinski all the way to the supporting players including Mindy Kaling and BJ Novak. With so many great comedians and writers aboard, even the weaker later seasons of the show still make me laugh to this day. Infinitely quotable and a lot of fun, The Office is light enough to binge without having to worry about which season. Just drop on any episode and enjoy.
BLACK MIRROR
Every holiday season, The Twilight Zone airs a massive marathon of the iconic series which are age appropriate for all viewers and still hold up half a century later. While Black Mirror is far more adult-oriented, the stories are just as timely and are a nice reminder during the Black Friday madness around us of just how slippery a slope technology can be. So if you want a dire and surreal binge, this is the series for you.
STRANGER THINGS
While the odds are everyone has already binged Stranger Things' three seasons the moment they premiered, the series works wonderfully as a binge watch on repeat viewings. In fact, I have come to appreciate the show more and more with each subsequent watch. Each season works like a standalone movie with the second and third working as satisfying sequels. While cliffhangers leave plot elements open for future seasons, you can enjoy these three runs almost like extended movies.
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA
SyFy's revival of Battlestar Galactica was a hit when it debuted and is often cited as one of the best series of the last twenty years, but the buzz has quieted as rumors of new series and films continues to pop up now and then. Still, the series lasted for four critically acclaimed seasons and produced a one-off prequel (Caprica) and a web-series (Blood & Chrome). So, if you have never watched the 2004 series, now is a great time for Ronald D. Moore's gritty and layered scifi epic.
SIX FEET UNDER
I toyed with putting Game of Thrones or The Sopranos on here, but those shows are so beloved and regularly watched by everyone, it felt like HBO's family drama deserved some recognition. A hit when it aired, Six Feet Under is an unconventional story of a dysfunctional family that features one of the best casts in TV history. While most of these actors went on to success in other series or projects, the arc of the Fisher family and their loves and lives is a 53 episode saga that never overstayed it's welcome. So many family dramas today owe a debt to this series and if you have never seen it, you need to check it out.
BREAKING BAD/BETTER CALL SAUL
Breaking Bad was one of the greatest television shows of all time. A spin-off should never have worked, but Better Call Saul is a worthy successor to the saga of Walter White. We even just got a sequel in the form of the feature film EL CAMINO centered on Jesse Pinkman. All together, this is one of the most accomplished feats of storytelling in any medium and you can watch them all. Whichever order you choose, chronological or release, this is still a damn good way to spend your time.
THE WEST WING
Whether you are a liberal or conservative, you have to enjoy politics that are more hopeful than divisive. While Netflix's House of Cards may have been a nice bit of counterprogramming during the Obama administration, these days it feels like watching something that will give us a feeling of confidence and pride in our nation is the way to go. So, perfect for following a national holiday, take a day and watch through NBC's great The West Wing. Sure, it is somewhat more liberal-leaning, but damn if it doesn't make you feel good to be an American when you watch it.
PLANET EARTH
If you are the proud owner of a newly purchased 4K TV, then I highly recommend you watch the various BBC nature documentaries like Blue Planet and Planet Earth. While you may not be a nature documentary fan, I guarantee you will be awed by the visuals captured in these series. They are the definition of stunning and with a high quality display, you will be blown away. Plus, you may learn something interesting you didn't know about the world and the animals that populate our planet.
Follow the JOBLO MOVIE NETWORK
Follow us on YOUTUBE
Follow ARROW IN THE HEAD
Follow AITH on YOUTUBE