If there’s one thing we’re all relying on right now, it’s our streaming services. As much as I love them, I feel like it’s often a struggle to find something good to watch. Will and I always find ourselves scrolling mindlessly through several platforms and thousands of titles, only to settle on Parks & Rec for the 16th time. Because of this issue, and the fact that I have truly nothing else to do during quarantine, I spent WAY TOO LONG compiling the ultimate TV & movie guide for y’all.
Below you’ll find a compilation of the latest & greatest content across the major streaming platforms, organized by TV shows vs. movies, then by genre, and further broken down by platform. No, I have not consumed all of these programs (yet) because I’m not a psychopath (yet), but also went off recommendations and what looked intriguing. Underneath each guide, I have highlighted a few of my favorites and/or what I’m looking forward to watching.
Please also note that there are tons of repeats across platforms, so what we usually do is use the voice command feature on our Apple TV to search for the title, then it tells you which service(s) it’s available on. You can also Google it and it will show you 😊
Now without further ado, grab some popcorn and let’s get into it.
Dirty John: If you loved the podcast and didn’t catch the show when it aired, it’s now on Netflix! Connie Britton plays Deborah, so like need I say more?
Ozark: I don’t know how Will and I were so late to the game on this show, but it was the first thing we binged during quarantine and now we’re addicted. Season 3 was just released last weekend, so perfect timing to start it!
Stranger Things: If you haven’t hopped on the Stranger Things bandwagon, it’s time. Season 1 is unparalleled, but the Americana feel of season 2 is also just SUCH a vibe. ✌️
Little Fires Everywhere: Based on the book by Celeste Ng that I have avoided because it’s been regarded as surprisingly lackluster, the TV version is pretty lit (LITerally 🔥). Watchers beware, however: you *will* want to punch Kerry Washington.
Gossip Girl: Whether you’re rewatching or embarking on the first time (omg I’m so jealous), this show will always be in my TV hall of fame.
Hart of Dixie: This is one I’ve watched a couple times, and it always heals my soul. It’s kind of like if Summer Roberts got lost in Stars Hollow (but with better guy options), and is just perfectly mindless and happy.
The Bold Type: I’ve heard great things about this semi-cheesy series inspired by the life and career of former editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan magazine, Joanna Coles. Apparently it’s pretty unrealistic but is fun and cute, so I’m down.
Desperate Housewives: I don’t know about you guys, but I only watched the first few seasons of this when I was probably too young to understand a lot of it, so I’m REALLY excited to revisit it as my next guilty pleasure binge.
Greek: I devoured this series when I moved to Charleston and had no friends lol, so my friends on Greek became my besties. You think it’s going to be really dumb (and it like kind of is), but it’s insanely addictive and has a lot of heart ❤️
One Tree Hill: I don’t know who I thought I was, but I use to talk mad shit about OTH and refused to watch it for years. But jokes on me, ladies, because I finally binged it a few years ago and it skyrocketed into my top 10 (maybe even top 5??) favorite TV shows ever.
The OC: If there was a diagram of what my heart is comprised of, at least ~20% would be this show 😂 Like honestly I have goosebumps even thinking about it.
Younger: If you’ve been sleeping on this gem, it’s time to WAKE THE EFF UP! This upbeat NYC-centered series by Sex and the City creator Darren Star has made me rethink age, want to work for a publishing company, and accidentally fall in love with someone else. Charles Brooks is the only man other than my husband who can give me butterflies, and you think I’m kidding but sadly I am not. 😅
The Simple Life: If you haven’t revisited this since you had crimped hair, you’re going to love taking a walk down memory lane with American icons Paris and Nicole. Kyle Richards is also in the first episode, giving us the crossover we didn’t know we needed right now.
New Girl: I’m about to say this show and the next few are my all-time favorites, so I don’t want it to lose meaning haha! This gem will make you lol and will also comfort you, which we all need right now.
The Office: If you’re one of those people who think it’s cool to say “I just don’t get the humor of The Office! I don’t think it’s funny!”, you’re basically holding up a sign that says I DON’T HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR. Oops sorry, too harsh? Coming from someone who had similar sentiments back in the day, you just need to change your mindset and give it a shot. It is a smart and hilarious work of art.
Parks & Rec: As soon as you’re done with The Office, move right along to Parks & Rec. We’ve been putting it on in the background and at night before bed, and it’s just so happy (and “sunny” as Will says longingly). It feels like a big hug for the soul.
Schitt’s Creek: Wow, this category is FIRE. Another absolute fave, also filed under smart, happy, hysterical, and comforting. You’ll find a new bestie in David and will dream of breakfast at Café Tropical (just me??).
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: Somehow we haven’t gotten around to watching this, but the Emmy awards speak for themselves. Can’t wait to start!
Cheer: Coronavirus may have taken away our dreams of a second season due to the cancellation of Daytona – honestly that was the last straw for me – but you know what it can never take away? Jerry’s mat talk. Let Jerry and the whole Navarro crew bolster you through this uncertain time.
Queer Eye: Also in the “hearts of gold” category, the Fab Five will become your family, and your soul/mind/body will be nurtured. Also you’ll cry. A lot.
Making a Model: This model competition show is hosted by Yolanda Hadid (with special appearances by Gigi and Bella), and has been one of the highlights of my quarantine. I literally couldn’t take my eyes off the TV.
Vanderpump Rules: K what’s the opposite of hearts of gold? 😆 For some reason I resisted the VPR wave for a while, but I finally binged it a few years ago when I was sick… and I’ve never been the same. It is without a doubt one of the best reality shows I’ve ever seen. The drama and the shocking twists & turns will leave you speechless, and the producers deserve many awards for the editing.
Summer House: The first two seasons of this show are nothing to write home about, but in season 3 they finally got their groove with the cast and show layout. I like to think I’m friends with Paige/Amanda/Hannah IRL and was seriously planning a Hamptons trip before all this chaos, so beware that the show could become a very real obsession.
Floribama Shore: If you need to turn your brain to mush after an anxiety-inducing news segment, this show is for you. It’s like Jersey Shore but with wonderful, hilarious self-proclaimed rednecks who are somehow even wilder than their predecessors.
Tiger King: Hey all you cool cats and kittens! This docuseries has taken the internet by storm so there’s not much else for me to say, except that Carole Baskin definitely killed her husband.
The Case Against Adnan Syed: Did we know that the wildly popular podcast Serial had made it to TV?? I sure didn’t, and you better bet I’m going to give this a watch.
McMillion$: We’ve watched the first couple episodes, and it’s a pretty fascinating story. Although the layout of the doc can be a little confusing to follow, FBI agent Doug Mathews is a STAR and is reason enough to watch. That, and it will make you crave french fries (a blessing and a curse).
Lorena: I’m slightly embarrassed to admit that I was irrationally excited upon discovering that Queen Lorena Bobbitt is featured in a new documentary about her glorious crime in the 90s. If you aren’t familiar, after enduring horrific abuse at the hands of her husband, she cut off his wiener while he was asleep and threw it in a field. Ugh, icon. Wait, is this an unpopular opinion?? 😂 #lorena4prez
Nailed It: Inspired by the “Pinterest fail” popularity a few years back, this cooking competition show gets regular people to (attempt to) replicate professional desserts – and spoiler alert: they suck. But thanks to host/comedian Nicole Byer and funny celeb guests, it’s super entertaining.
Tidying Up: I haven’t been able to watch past the first 30 minutes of this show because it stresses me out about my cluttered ass closet/life, but if there’s ever been a good time to get organized, it’s now.
Fixer Upper: Whether you need a calming home reno marathon on a Saturday afternoon or just something to have on in the background that isn’t the news, Fixer Upper is always a good idea.
Making the Cut: Hosted by Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn, this competition show features 12 designers competing in challenges that test their design skills and abilities to run a business. I haven’t watched yet, but I’ve heard fantastic things.
Secret Obsession: Widely considered to be one of the worst movies on Netflix, you better bet I’m still going to give this one a try. It’s a thriller featuring none other than Brenda Song (aka London Tipton), and I heard the plot holes are laughable. But sometimes that’s exactly what the doctor ordered, you know?
Shutter Island: I don’t know how I haven’t watched this, because everyone says it’s incredible. Also Leo is my day one, so I’m MORE than happy to stare into his eyes for 2 hours and 19 minutes.
A Simple Favor: Based on the thriller novel, this movie was transformed into a quirky dark comedy by director Paul Feig (Bridesmaids, Spy, Ghostbusters 2016). Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick bring it to another level, making it seriously enjoyable from beginning to end.
Marvel Movies: A few summers ago (before Disney+ existed, mind you), Will and I found a list of all the Marvel superhero movies in order, tracked them all own on various platforms, and watched 1-2 every week. It was really fun, we didn’t have to think about what to watch for a few weeks, and I didn’t realize how many I hadn’t seen!
Step Brothers: When I watched this movie with my mom for the first time, I wished that I laughed at anything as much as she was giggling at this, haha! If you’re looking for big belly laughs and some of Will Ferrell’s best work, give it a (re)watch.
Big Time Adolescence: Pete Davidson stars in this comedy about drug-dealing college dropout who becomes a mentor to his straight-laced friend. I’m a big Pete guy, so I’m really excited to see this one.
Book Club: Being a huge fan of older lady movies (no offense, older ladies!), opting for this on the plane back from Hawaii was a no-brainer. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I don’t think it’s just because I was stuck on an 8 hour flight.
Brittany Runs a Marathon: Funny gal Jillian Bell plays a partier who tries to break out of her unhealthy habits by running a marathon. I haven’t gotten a chance to check it out yet, but the reviews are pretty stellar.
Late Night: Another movie I chose to pass time on my Hawaii flight, Late Night was really funny and feel-good. Mindy Kaling + Emma Thompson + girl power = yes.
To All the Boys (1&2): If you’re having a bad day, grab a snack and some wine and watch these babies back to back. Nothing can turn a frown upside down like a cheesy high school movie, let alone one with a sequel!
John Tucker Must Die: Ugh, a classic. Despite the extremely uncalled for (and untrue) 28% Rotten Tomatoes rating, this ultimate chick flick still slaps, and forever will.
She’s the Man: Another absolute favorite with the sorely missed old Amanda Bynes, this film will stand the test of time. I’m a genius, shh!
Love, Rosie: I haven’t tried this one yet, but let me just leave you with the brilliant movie description: “Best friends Rosie and Alex are suddenly separated when Alex and his family move from Dublin to America. Can their friendship survive years and miles? Will they gamble everything for true love?” Enough said.
10 Things I Hate About You: One of my desert island movies, for sure. I could watch this movie every day and it would never get old. The music, the romance, the 90s nostalgia – A+ all around.
It’s Complicated: Like I said, I love older lady movies, and this one is the cream of the freaking crop. Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, and even a few appearances by my lover John Krasinski make it one to watch again and again.
My Best Friend’s Wedding: Another romcom classic! If it’s been a while since you last watched, just be careful, because Dermot Mulroney will burn a damn hole through your TV. 🥵🔥
Crazy Stupid Love: Potentially also on my desert island movie list (still working out some logistics there lol), this movie will forever give me all the feels. Steve Carrell and Ryan Gosling make for a combo that we honestly don’t deserve.
Love, Actually: Didn’t want to get too much into Christmas movies, but I’ve heard too many people say they’ve never seen this masterpiece that it had to be included. Prepare for some serious warm fuzzies, you guys.
Little Italy: Ignoring the comically low Rotten Tomatoes score, I can’t wait to feast my eyes on this treasure. If a movie with Emma Roberts and Hayden Christensen can be wrong, I don’t want to be right.
Space Jam: If your kids haven’t seen this classic yet, I know what y’all are watching tonight! This reminds me, why don’t they make human/cartoon crossovers anymore?!
Mrs. Doubtfire: There’s never a bad time to honor the late great Robin Williams with a rewatch of this family fave. It will stick with your children forever, even when they’re 28 and are reminded of the face mask scene every night when they use their foaming cleanser (anonymous).
Charlotte’s Web: My nephew just watched this for the first time and LOVED it. With all of the cheesy kids programs today, sometimes you just gotta go old school and show them the power of a good classic.
The Parent Trap: Absolutely on my desert island list, this is a movie that has shaped my life (kidding, kind of). I quote it literally every day and I still don’t know how Lindsay convinced the world that there were two of her. Can the Academy revisit this??
Smart House: Oh, wow. As if I even need to convince you to revisit Ryan Merriman in his glory days! This imaginative prediction of the future is rumored (by me only) to have inspired virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa, taking a page out of Pat’s book – without the psychotic tendencies. Copyright infringement, anyone??
Toy Story (1-4): Because there’s no better opportunity than being stuck inside for weeks at a time to convince your children that all their toys come alive when they’re not looking.
Homecoming: Don’t kill me, but I haven’t seen this one yet 😬 But I’ve heard that it is truly spectacular, so it’s at the top of my list! Also, if you can’t find the motivation to work out in quarantine, this should do it.
Miss Americana: Still on the fence about Taylor Swift? Please, please give this a watch. I wasn’t a fan until recently, and this doc made me love her even more. It’s not so much her life story, but more about her finding her voice in a very stifling industry, and it is positively inspiring.
Alive from New York: Again, I’m a huge Pete guy, so this got a watch right when it was released on Netflix. It’s pretty chill and probably won’t go winning any awards, but it was very funny and he can do no wrong in my eyes, so of course I loved it.
Free Solo: I haven’t really felt like skyrocketing my stress levels with this dangerously close look at professional rock climber Alex Honnold’s journey to potentially plummet to his death – and my palms are sweating just typing this – but maybe soon idk!
Bombshell: This was the most recent new release Will and I watched, and we were big fans. It chronicles the 2016 implosion at Fox News spearheaded by Megyn Kelly, and is inspired by all true (shocking) events.
Hustlers: If you don’t want to get inspired to be a stripper, don’t watch Hustlers. Lol all joking aside, I was super entertained by every minute of this movie, especially the special appearances from my faves (Cardi B, Lizzo, Usher, need I say more?).
Knives Out: We watched this murder-mystery comedy a few weeks ago, and I definitely understood what all the fuss was about! If you’re looking for a different kind of movie than what you usually get, I’d highly recommend.
Little Women: I’m usually not great with period pieces (blame it on the ADD, baby), but I have to say this remake was an exception. Saoirse Ronan is pure magic, and if you’re into Timothée Chalamet – we do not have that in common, sry – then you’ll be a happy camper. Also, Amy is the WOAT.
The Invisible Man: Since movie theaters are closed, Amazon just came out with Amazon Prime Cinema, which is the coolest thing! Through your Prime account, you can access titles that are still in theaters, long before they make it to DVD. People have been obsessing over sci-fi thriller The Invisible Man, and it seems like the perfect movie to watch when I never have to leave the house again and worry about getting murdered! 🤷♀️
Phew! Hopefully y’all enjoy my picks and that these guides can help keep you busy during this time. I also post what I watch throughout the week on my Instagram, so follow me over there and check out my highlight to stay updated on those!
PRO TIP: In my unnecessarily extensive research, I stumbled upon a really helpful site that I also wanted to share. Obviously I could only break down a small percentage of the endless titles and streaming platforms, but there’s a site called Reelgood that searches across all the content imaginable. You can indicate that you’re looking for a comedy TV show on Hulu, and it will give you a list of every single one. You can even make an account where you select the streaming services that you have, and it will just search those! Genius!!!
What are your TV/movie recommendations? Did I miss one of your faves? Comment below or DM me on insta!
Outfit/Home Details:
Sweatshirt: Target | Joggers: Target | Slippers: Amazon | Chair: Amazon | Blanket: Amazon | Pillow: Etsy | Fur Throw: Amazon | Copper Mug: West Elm | Bowl: Williams Sonoma
