14 Best TV Shows To Binge-Watch On Netflix This Summer

Just because summer is here doesn’t mean you have to spend all of your time out in the sun. For those who prefer to spend their days on the couch surrounded by blissfully cool air-conditioning. Netflix is the perfect place to get caught up on some of the biggest shows out there. Here are 14 great options to kick off your summer binge list.

“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend"(Seasons 1-4)

In this series, Rebecca Bunch (Rachel Bloom) realizes she’s not happy in New York and decides to follow her ex-boyfriend, Josh Chan (Victor Rodriguez III), to West Covina, California, where she builds a new life and confronts some long-buried issues in her quest to find what truly makes her feel satisfied.

Why You Should Watch: The series, which ended its run on the CW this past spring, is both quirky and offbeat with fun and breezy musical numbers, but also manages to take a hard look at how mental illness can take a toll on a person and affect their life and decision-making. Despite the name, which makes it seem easier to dismiss as another romantic comedy show aimed at teams, it’s a smart series that also manages to complete a full story arc in the process, meaning viewers will also be satisfied from start to finish.

“The Crown” (Seasons 1-2)

This drama follows the political rivalries and romance of Queen Elizabeth II’s (Claire Foy) reign and the events that shaped the second half of the 20th century.

Why You Should Watch: Royal intrigue has been at a high since Meghan Markle joined the family, making this fictionalized story about the early years of Queen Elizabeth’s life and reign something that’s sure to delight.

“Dead To Me” (Season 1)

A hotheaded widow (Christina Applegate) searching for the hit-and-run driver who mowed down her husband befriends an eccentric optimist (Linda Cardellini) who isn’t quite what she seems.

Why You Should Watch: Whenever Netflix debuts one of those shows that would have been designated as a “water cooler” series prior to social media, it becomes almost compulsory to watch. This one is not only worth watching so you know what everyone else is talking about, but because it is also that good.

“GLOW” (Seasons 1-2)

In 1980s LA, a crew of misfits reinvents themselves as the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling.

Why You Should Watch: Season 3 of this series premieres August 9, making the earlier part of the summer the perfect time to get all caught up.

“The Good Place” (Seasons 1-2)

When Eleanor (Kristen Bell) dies and winds up in an afterlife paradise reserved for only the most ethical people, she realizes she’s been mistaken for somebody else. To stay, she embarks on a quest with Chidi (William Jackson Harper), Jason (Manny Jacinto) and Tahani (Jameela Jamil) to become a better person, though not everything is quite what it seems. Ted Danson and D’Arcy Carden also star as Michael and Janet.

Why You Should Watch: This comedy series, which will return for a fourth and final season on NBC this fall, is one of the best shows on TV with its quirky and irreverent humor, as well as a tendency to make viewers ask philosophical questions about themselves as well. If you have not yet given this show a chance, then doing so this summer on Netflix is the perfect opportunity to see what’s so special.

“Narcos” (Seasons 1-3)

DEA agents and other drug lords interact with Pablo Escobar (Wagner Moura), who became a billionaire kingpin in the 1970s and 80s by manufacturing cocaine.

Why You Should Watch: This gritty series set in the late 1980s chronicles the rise of the cocaine trade in Colombia during that time and also details how all of the different entities involved in the effort, including legal, political, police, military and civilian forces, all found themselves conflicted as a result. This series won’t be a light-hearted watch, but it is one that will keep you riveted.

“The Office” (Seasons 1-9)

A documentary is filmed featuring the employees at Dunder-Mifflin paper company in Scranton, Pennsylvania and chronicles their lives—and there might be people who remind you of your own co-workers.

Why You Should Watch: Not only are the characters on the show truly relatable in terms of the people viewers may know from their own workplace, but the show is a genuine laugh-out-loud riot of moments where you really find yourself questioning if they can really think and act the way they do.

“One Day At A Time” (Seasons 1-3)

Penelope (Justina Machado), a newly single Army veteran and nurse navigates the ups and downs of life with her Cuban-American family. With two strong-willed children, Penelope looks towards the help of her old-school mother (Rita Moreno) and building manager (Todd Grinnell), who has become an invaluable confidant.

Why You Should Watch: Though it was canceled this year, this show is a great watch because it’s a rare case of true representation that is worth getting some love throughout the summer.

“Parks and Recreation” (Seasons 1-7)

An employee with a rural Parks and Recreation department is full of energy and ideas but bogged down by bureaucracy.

Why You Should Watch: Anyone who likes “The Office” will also like this show, which has a very similar feel.

“Riverdale” (Seasons 1-3)

While navigating the troubled waters of sex, romance, school and family, teen Archie () and his gang become entangled in a dark Riverdale mystery.

Why You Should Watch: The show is seriously addictive for good reason, and gives a great dark spin on the Archie comics.

“Santa Clarita Diet” (Seasons 1-3)

Joel (Timothy Olyphant) and Sheila’s (Drew Barrymore) marriage get a jumpstart when Sheila debuts a truly killer new personality and an anything-goes menu. And they used to be so normal.

Why You Should Watch: Sadly, this series has since been canceled, so fans may not get the satisfying ending they hoped for. Still, it’s such a great comedy which brings out there situations and genuine conflict, but never without truly hilarious moments that just make you laugh.

“Schitt’s Creek” (Seasons 1-4)

After video store magnate Johnny (Eugene Levy) and his soap opera star wife Moira (Catherine O’Hara) suddenly find themselves completely broke, they and their two children David (Daniel Levy) and Alexis (Annie Murphy) are forced to take up residence in a small town called Schitt’s Creek, which they brought years earlier as a joke.

Why You Should Watch: This comedy is one of the most hilariously off-beat ones out there and is a delightful binge that also doesn’t take too much time—making it perfect for the person who wants a summer binge, but doesn’t want to spend the entire summer streaming.

“Stranger Things” (Seasons 1-2)

It’s the fall of 1984, about a year after Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) was found, and he has been plagued by seeing visions of the Upside Down featuring a more dangerous monster. Meanwhile, Nancy (Natalia Dyer) deals with survivor’s remorse over the death of best friend Barb (Shannon Purser), and a new sinister entity threatens the Hawkins residents who survived the year-earlier events,

Why You Should Watch: Season 3 debuts July 4, making now the perfect time for a quick catch-up of this addictive sci-fi series.

“You” (Season 1)

A charming first encounter quickly turns into something more nefarious when bookstore manager Joe (Penn Badgley) takes a very strong liking to grad student Beck (Elizabeth Lail).

Why You Should Watch: This show is a seriously thrilling good time that will keep you on the edge of your seat as you watch the events unfold. Not only is it creepy, but it’s also weirdly addicting. Viewers can catch up on the first season, which originally aired on Lifetime, before tuning in for an eventual second season.