Top 10 2023 TV Shows You Need To Binge
#10: “Silo” (2023-)
Season 1
A sci-fi epic with Rebecca Ferguson? Sign us up! Based upon a buzz-worthy book series, “Silo” follows a woman who begins to question why society is forced to live underground. And that’s really all we can say without diving straight into spoiler territory. Trust us; this is the kind of show you want to go into knowing as little as possible. Watching the tightly-written mystery slowly unspool episode after episode is downright addictive. Throw in top-tier production values and hard-hitting political commentary, and it’s no wonder “Silo” is so mesmerizing. After all, it’s saying something when ten, hour-length episodes still don't feel like enough.
#9: “Sex Education” (2019-23)
Season 4
Four seasons in, the awkward hijinks of Otis Milburn haven’t gone limp yet. If anything, it’s only gotten better with age. Thanks to the show’s tendency to push the envelope, “Sex Education” bows out with all the heart, humor, and promiscuity that viewers have come to expect. The only real issue is trying to savor it. With just eight episodes a season, “Sex Education” feels like it’s made to be watched in bulk. Especially this final batch. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and before you know it, you’ll already be watching the credits for the last time.
#8: “Harley Quinn” (2019-)
Season 4
Being bad has never been so good. Then again, at this point, is anyone surprised? “Harley Quinn” spent three seasons becoming one of the most delightfully entertaining programs on the market, and season four is no different. That’s not to say nothing’s changed, though. On the contrary, this new run of episodes shakes up the series’ status quo with exceedingly hilarious results. Don’t worry, it’s still as unapologetically raunchy as ever. But, there’s a newfound sense of progression to go with all the blood-stained violence. Suffice it to say, this season of “Harley Quinn” is the joke that keeps on giving.
#7: “Abbott Elementary” (2021-)
Season 2
Class is officially in session - and we couldn’t be happier. Airing the latter half of its second season in 2023, “Abbott Elementary” continues to be A+ sitcom entertainment in every single metric. Do you like well-rounded characters? Optimistic storylines? How about well-meaning comedy? “Abbott Elementary” has it all, meaning there’s always a reason to tune back in. Assuming you have the willpower to hit pause in the first place. There’s truly no other show out there, comedy or not, that scratches the same joyful itch as “Abbott Elementary.” Just be warned: if you binge too fast, you’ll be left waiting for more episodes like the rest of us.
#6: “One Piece” (2023-)
Season 1
To put it nicely, live-action anime adaptations don’t have the greatest reputation. But, despite the odds, Netflix proved everyone wrong with a compulsively watchable trek to the high seas. “One Piece” successfully translates the tone of its source material into the live-action space, complete with staggering set design and slam-dunk casting. For those who can’t commit to an anime with a thousand episodes and counting, this is a worthwhile toe in the water. But, Netflix’s “One Piece” isn’t just brief in comparison. It’s genuinely engaging from start to finish. Whether you’re a longtime fan or setting sail with the Straw Hats for the first time, “One Piece” has you covered.
#5: “Jury Duty” (2023)
Season 1
The verdict is in: this is your next weekend binge. “Jury Duty” consists of one season with eight, half-hour episodes. If that’s not a recipe for a lazy Friday night on your couch, we don’t know what is. The series is about Ronald Gladden showing up for, you guessed it, jury duty. The catch? Unbeknownst to Ronald, everyone else, from the jurors to the bailiff to the judge, is a paid actor. From there, the show evolves into an off-kilter romp that really has to be seen for itself. Part meta-comedy, part reality show, and part court-room drama, you can rest easy knowing “Jury Duty” never overstays its welcome.
#4: “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” (2022-)
Season 2
There’s nothing “strange” about it; “Star Trek” is back and better than ever. Taking place a decade before the original series, “Strange New Worlds” brings back Pike, Spock, and Number One for some good, old-fashioned self-contained adventures. That’s right, there’s no overly-complicated ongoing narrative, and that’s a good thing. In fact, the show’s commitment to episodic storytelling is exactly what keeps us coming back for more. Each episode is its own mini-movie with the breathing room to really dig into its themes and conflicts. Since it’s constantly changing its formula, too, “Strange New Worlds” is the rare “Stark Trek” show that’s tailor-made for back-to-back viewings.
#3: “Beef” (2023)
Season 1
What starts as a bout of immature road-rage transforms into a propulsive dark-comedy about love, pettiness, and red-stained vengeance. In a nutshell, that’s “Beef” for you. Without giving too much away, the show it starts as is not the one you end with. But, discovering how it gets from A to Z is half the fun. Well, that, and the infectious chemistry between leads Steven Yeun and Ali Wong. Anytime they’re on screen together is positively electric. Combine that with a story designed to keep you on your toes, and it’s no surprise that many opted to eat all of “Beef” in one go.
#2: “Only Murders in the Building” (2021-)
Season 3
Throw the pitch away; this cast list should be all the convincing you need. In season three, Selena Gomez, Martin Short, and Steve Martin return as the Arconia’s resident murder investigators. But, this time, they’re joined by Paul Rudd and Meryl freaking Streep, and they both chew scenery like there’s no tomorrow. That’s without even mentioning this season’s gruesome murder. As per usual, it’s twisted, fun, and just absurd enough to work. Then, whenever the case starts to stall, “Only Murders” drops a cliffhanger guaranteed to leave your jaw on the floor. Take notes, everyone. This is the prime example of a series that always leaves you craving one more.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson” Season 3 (2019-)
It’s Six Episodes of Unhinged Comedic Genius; Need We Say More?
“Shrinking” (2023-)
Come for the Star-Studded Cast, Stay for the Heartwarming Storytelling
“The Other Two” Season 3 (2021-23)
This Criminally Underrated Comedy Exits With Lots of Laughs
“Blue Eye Samurai” (2023)
This Beautifully-Animated Actioner Goes by Faster Than You Can Say “Samurai”
“Elite” Season 7 (2018-)
Several Years In, “Elite” Continues to Be the Epitome of a Captivating Teen Drama
#1: “The Fall of the House of Usher” (2023)
Despite being presented in bite-sized installments, this is less of a miniseries and more of an eight hour horror film. As such, it practically demands your attention all the way through. That’s true whether you’re a fan of the original short story or not. In a brilliant creative swing, “The Fall of the House of Usher” layers in easter eggs and plot points from Edgar Allan Poe’s other famous works. All together, it turns what could’ve been an average fright-fest into a deeply enthralling saga. You may need to watch through your fingers, but “The Fall of the House of Usher” won’t have you reaching for the remote, that’s for sure.
Which 2023 show did you binge the fastest? Let us know in the comments below!