IT'S SUMMA TIME!!!!!!!!!! Congrats, guys. We made it. For some of you, this is the first summer out of college. For others, this is the summer all your friends are studying abroad and you got left behind (I promise I'm not that jealous...) or it's the summer you got a job while your friends are off gallivanting around the world doing awesome things! (Okay maybe I'm a little jealous)
No matter what summer this is for you, you will undoubtedly have time to watch Netflix--we're millennials, Netflix runs in our DNA. With all of Netflix's new, original content, it may be a little overwhelming to pick a show to watch. To assuage that indecision, I present a guide to the best 15 shows on Netflix right now. So, without further ado and in no particular order: 15 Netflix Shows to Watch This Summer.
Chelsea
Chelsea Handler recently made the bold move to stream her popular late night show right to viewers on Netflix. Chelsea left her show, Chelsea Lately, and the E! network a few years back. Since then she has partnered with Netflix to produce a lot of great content. The comic has a standup special and miniseries on Netflix, as well as this fun new talk show. If you're a fan of late night shows, I recommend trying hers out!
Anthony Bourdain | Parts Unknown
If all your friends are studying abroad and you miss them, this is a great show to help you through that. Bourdain travels to exotic places all over the world to explore their culture and food. If you really miss your friend, you could even try to find the city they're in or will be visiting. That way, when they What'sApp you later about it, you can act like you totally get it when they say "idk how to describe it, but it was so quintessentially Parisian." Sure, okay Sarah, yah. With six seasons of destinations, Parts Unknown will let you travel the world on your broke college student budget and from the comfort of your bedroom.
Criminal Minds
While this might not be the *best* show to watch if you're home alone all summer, it is certainly the one that you will watch nonstop. Each episode is so dark and twisty that you will honestly begin to feel a little unsafe in your own home. If you're trying to get rid of the summer blues, this show is definitely the answer.
Okay, I'm sorry but were you even a early 2000s tween if you didn't watch this show? If your parents didn't let you because of the ~mature~ topics, then you at least had friends who watched it, right? I'm sure you're upset about missing out on the cultural phenomenon, so now is your chance!!! Catch up before they release all the little movie, miniseries things they're going to do! (Yes, I know that "little movie, miniseries things" is not a technical term, but let me live)
Breaking Bad
This is another one of those shows you have to see if you want to understand 50% of pop culture references today. If you want to be in the conversation, you've got to catch up. I promise you that you will not regret watching this show and going on the emotional journey that is Breaking Bad.
Narcos
Okay, so if you liked Breaking Bad you should try out Narcos. It's crazy. I don't really know how else to describe it but it's actually crazy. And good. Just watch.
House of Cards
If Breaking Bad makes up 50% of pop culture references, then this makes up the other 50%. It's Kevin Spacey at his finest. If you've managed to stay away from spoilers for this long, I definitely recommend watching it because the twists and turns will keep your head spinning for days. Even if you know what happens because a friend or significant other RUINED it for you (yah, I'm a little salty at this one), still watch!! You're only denying yourself the pleasure of experiencing the topsy turvy world of Kevin Spacey's Washington D.C.
West Wing
West Wing was the original political drama. It's awesome. It's vintage, but it's awesome. You wouldn't have any of the semi-political shows you love without it. So, sit down and relax as Aaron Sorkin takes you on a journey to the White House from 1999 to 2006.
I know the math doesn't check out on this, but The Office also is about 50% of pop culture references. It's just one of those shows you have to watch. Michael, Jim, Pam and Dwight will suddenly become your favorite people in the world. You won't realize it at first, but you'll slowly become so engrossed in this show that you won't care about any of your friends or family. Why? Because the staff of the Scranton Branch of Dunder Mifflin will be your family now. If there is one show on this list that is a must see, this might just be it.
Parks and Recreation
This show has laughs, it has heart, it has Chris Pratt. What's not to love? Amy Poehler and the team from Parks and Rec are hilarious and some of the best comedic actors on television. If you finished watching The Office and were immediately distraught because you don't know how to live your life without those characters, then Parks and Rec is just what the doctor ordered. They are similar in the best ways, but completely different where it counts. Leslie Knope, April Ludgate, Andy, Chris or Ben will make you sit there and yell "OMG THIS IS SO ME" at your laptop. Parks and Recreation sadly just ended, but all season are available so GET TO WATCHING.
Master of None
If you wanted to see what Aziz Ansari did after Parks and Rec finished, check out Master of None. The show is beautifully shot and a great look at modern relationships, both with friends and with significant others. The humor isn't as out right as it is in other shows, but it's there. Master of None will take you on an emotional roller coaster that will leave you questioning pretty much every modern, romantic relationship you've had. 10/10 would recommend.
One Tree Hill
If early 2000s teen dramas are your thing, then check out OTH if you haven't already. This show has everything a teen drama needs: hot teens, unreasonable amounts of drama, a weirdly likable villain and ghosts. Did I mention there are also episodes of alternate realities? Because there are. Just check it out.
Vampire Diaries
If you love your teen dramas but wish they had a little more supernatural in them, then Vampire Diaries is the show you've been looking for. The Elena/Damon/Stefan triangle will have you on the edge of your seat the entire time. You most certainly will be either pro Damon or pro Stefan, but be prepared to change your mind at least twelve different times. Like any good vampire show, you will learn that the supernatural world doesn't stop with them. Get ready for a summer of vampires, witches and werewolves, oh my!
Archer
This hilariously inappropriate cartoon is underrated by a lot of people. With it's sharp humor and borderline dark comedy, this spy show is one of the funniest shows on television right now. It's set in a weird 70s meets modern day era that allows them to simultaneously talk about snapchat and the KGB. If you like animated adult comedies this is a must see.
Bob's Burgers
Bob's Burgers is a more family friendly cartoon that is still funny. The show follows the Belcher family as they run their burger joint. Bob, Linda, Tina, Gene and Louise make up one, big dysfunctional family. Bob and Linda try their best to parent their three kids and their failures to do so create hilarious situations that the kids find themselves in. The kids, often led by Louise, end up in very adult situations, like running a speakeasy out of their basement. You can honestly break down your friend group by describing them as one of the characters. It's all fun and games until someone thinks they're a Louise when they're a definite Linda.
