Top 10 Shows You Can Binge in One Day
#10: “I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson” (2019-)
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With no connecting story-lines and most segments lasting around five minutes, sketch shows are designed for a relaxing afternoon TV marathon. Netflix's "I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson” takes the former "SNL" alumni’s brand of abrasive comedy and removes the restraints. The segments chiefly take relatively familiar situations – like attending a focus group or traveling on an airplane – and throws in a dose of the absurd. More often than not, there is one outlandish character who ends up dragging everyone down with them, and the routine never ceases to be funny.
#9: “11.22.63” (2016)
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An adaptation of a Stephen King novel, "11.22.63" is a miniseries with eight episodes and an enticing central premise. So, a time portal to 1960 is found and Jake Epping – an unspectacular English teacher – travels back in time to try and prevent the assassination of JFK. Along with being a race against time, "11.22.63" is also quite an engaging character study, as Jake becomes increasingly more invested in his life in the 1960s. "11.22.63" has all the trademarks of a classic Stephen King story – a sense of mystery, excellent pacing, and Maine.
#8: “Band of Brothers” (2001)
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A dramatization of "Easy" company's experiences during World War II, beginning with the group's training at Camp Toccoa and going through several important battles leading to the conclusion of the Pacific War, "Band of Brothers" is a war drama with few equals. Although the series does not shy away from depicting the worst aspects of war, the focus is more on the brotherhood that develops between the members of "Easy" Company. While some creative liberties were taken with the historical events, "Band of Brothers" works brilliantly as a tribute to the soldiers who fought during the war and a beginner's course to the European Theater.
#7: “Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!” (2007-10)
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Ready for a dose of insanity? Often venturing into anti-humor territory, "Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!" is not for everyone and requires some familiarity with public access television to be completely appreciated. However, the sketch comedy series is a trail-blazer when it comes to discovering new and exciting ways to make everyone feel incredibly awkward. Featuring a ton of celebrity guest stars, "Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!" lasted for five seasons, but the sketch-nature of the series makes it an ideal candidate for a single-day binge watch.
#6: “American Vandal” (2017-18)
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Hanover High School is the location of an unprecedented criminal spree that saw the defilement of more than two dozen staff cars, leading to the expulsion of a known student troublemaker named Dylan Maxwell. Although the faculty was quick to blame Dylan, Peter Maldonado – a sophomore and fledgling investigator – believes there is more to this story than meets the eye. "American Vandal" chronicles the aftermath of this criminal event, unveiling that everyone in Hanover High School has something to hide. A true crime mockumentary, "American Vandal" manages to be just as gripping as many of the real deals.
#5: “The OA” (2016-19)
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The master of the binge-watch, Netflix seems designed to keep users glued to the couch for 12 hours straight. Compared to other projects, "The OA" is certainly ambitious, although the mystery series' blend of spirituality, lucidity, and science fiction are equally as likely to frustrate as enthrall. To avoid giving too much away – after disappearing seven years prior, a blind woman named Prairie resurfaces with renewed eyesight and a strange story to tell, with four students and a teacher serving as her audience. From there, "The OA" flip-flops between the present and the far more fascinating past, as Prairie's tale gets increasingly more fantastical.
#4: “When They See Us” (2019-)
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When done well, true crime miniseries can be near impossible to put down. "When They See Us" centers around 1989's Central Park assault case that led to the wrongful conviction of five teenagers, with the youngest being 14 and the oldest 16. The miniseries dramatizes the Central Park Five's lives before the case, the infuriating trial, the group's time in prison, and their eventual release in 2002. "When They See Us" is a harrowing and all too real series that frames a tragic injustice in a larger social and racial context that makes its themes just as relevant today as they were in 1989.
#3: “Fleabag” (2017-19)
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Soaked in that quintessential British black humor, "Fleabag" is a hilarious and frequently touching story about a woman dealing with a personal tragedy through emotionless one night stands. Phoebe Waller-Bridge – who also wrote the show – stars as the visceral and chaotic Fleabag and the actress is nothing short of a sensation. "Fleabag" gets progressively more daring, often at the expense of the fourth wall, but the central themes of trauma and grief are explored thoroughly over the comedy series' 12 episodes, as the protagonist attempts to reach some form of self-forgiveness.
#2: “Chernobyl” (2019)
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Want to feel angry for around five hours? Then, "Chernobyl" is the perfect miniseries for you. HBO's series dramatizes 1986's Chernobyl nuclear disaster, focusing on the incident itself, its aftermath, and the handling of the situation by those in charge. "Chernobyl" explores the political and social climate that facilitated the spread of misinformation at the cost of human life, while also dedicating time to the people on the ground floor that were directly impacted by the nuclear meltdown. At just five episodes, "Chernobyl" is a quick, albeit far from easy, sit. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Russian Doll” (2019-) “Alias Grace” (2017) “Big Little Lies” (2017-) “Love Death + Robots” (2019-) “Freaks and Geeks” (1999-2000)
#1: “Firefly” (2002)
The fact it is mathematically possible to completely watch "Firefly" and its subsequent movie, "Serenity," in a single day is maddening. Following the crew of the Serenity spaceship, Joss Whedon's space western has action, comedy, suspense, and a cast that oozes charisma. The episodes are mostly self-contained adventures, although there is a wider narrative that connects the chapters. Despite lasting just 14 episodes, the characters feel fully realized, with many even going through some noticeable growth. With the movie, "Firefly" takes around 12 hours to complete, even if the show does not feel that long.
