BY: CHRISTOPHER BROWN

 

Streaming is the new cable. It’s hard to keep up with all the different streaming services available and know which ones are worth subscribing to. With so many options to choose from, there’s an abundance of outstanding shows to stream. We all know the obvious ones, like Game of Thrones, Squid Games, and Yellowstone, but what else is out there?

 

Here are eleven shows that you should binge-watch on streaming services right now and how you can watch them.

 

 

Shōgun – FX/Hulu

 

 

Shōgun is a historical drama series about an English sailor who becomes shipwrecked in Japan in the early 16th century. He finds himself thrust into an unfamiliar culture and becomes entangled in Japanese warfare. The acting and storytelling are phenomenal and the show beautifully portrays what the atmosphere of 16th century Japan and its culture may have been like. In 2024, it won 18 Emmys, the most ever received wins for a single season of a TV series. This show is an absolute masterpiece and a must-watch.

 

 

 

Landman – Paramount+

 

 

Billy Bob Thornton stars in the new drama as an oil company crisis executive in West Texas. The story follows multiple characters during a boom in the oil industry and both the professional and personal struggles that come along with it. At first, I didn’t think I’d like this show but the first episode quickly put me in a chokehold. It’s crude (pun intended), full of emotion, grit, topical, and is shot beautifully to show the desolate West Texas landscapes. Those who like shows like Yellowstone will love this. There’s only one season but it’s already been renewed for a second.

 

 

 

Dark – Netflix

 

 

 

Dark is a mind-bending sci-fi/thriller series about a small German town where the disappearance of two children uncovers a complex web of time travel, secrets, and a dark conspiracy that spans generations. This show kept my jaw on the floor, my mind melted, and my fingers selecting “next episode”. There are a total of three seasons. The original audio is in German but you can watch it with English subtitles or dubs. Thumb tacks and red yarn are highly recommended.

 

 

Killing Eve – Netflix/

 

 

 

The final season of Killing Eve was aired three years ago, but I feel that this show has been a bit slept on. Starring Sandra Oh from Grey’s Anatomy and Jodie Comer, Killing Eve is a dark comedy/thriller about an obsessive special agent and charismatic psychopathic killer who play a game of cat and mouse with one another. Jodie Comer delivers a brilliant performance that takes the show to a whole other level. It’s full of charm, dark humor and is witty and maniacal. I binge-watched this show alone the first time and binged it a second time with my wife. There are a total of four seasons and if you don’t have Netflix, every season can now be streamed for free on Tubi.

 

 

 

Severance – Apple TV+

 

 

Severance is the first show produced and directed by Ben Stiller. Adam Scott stars in this dystopian thriller about employees of a mysterious corporation who undergo a surgical procedure that separates their work and personal memories, blurring the lines between identity, control, and free will. The plot of Severance is minimalistic, disturbing, and deeply interesting. It’s undoubtedly one of the best shows on TV right now. Season two is now streaming on Apple TV.

 

Workin’ Moms – Netflix

 

 

Workin’ Moms has also been out for a while, but I feel like it’s a hidden gem on Netflix that often gets overlooked. It’s a comedy/sitcom about moms who are trying to find a balance between motherhood and their professional work lives. It’s hilarious, emotional, and relatable all at once. It’s hard to believe this show spans seven seasons because it’s so enjoyable that it feels like it’s over in the blink of an eye. It’s one of those feel-good shows that you don’t want to miss.

 

 

Beef – Netflix

 

 

Beef is about beef. Not the kind that hamburgers are made of, but the kind that’s a conflict between two people. Ali Wong and Steven Yuen star in a show about two strangers who get into a simple traffic altercation and take their beef way too far. This show is well done (pun intended), from the way it’s shot to the storytelling. It’s funny, intense, and relatable. This show won eight Emmy awards, three Golden Globes, and more. It’s absolutely worth watching. Netflix just announced that season two is already in the works with a whole new beef.

 

Alice in Borderland – Netflix

 

 

If you like Squid Games, you’re going to want to watch this one. Alice in Borderland is a Japanese sci-fi thriller about a group of strangers forced to compete in deadly games in an abandoned Tokyo to survive. This show is a constant nailbiter that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It’s in Japanese but you can use English subtitles or a dub. There are currently two seasons on Netflix. Season three is projected to be released sometime this year.

 

 

 

 

The Last of Us – HBO

 

 

The Last of Us is an adaptation of the popular video game series. It’s a post-apocalyptic drama about a hardened survivor (Pedro Pascal) and a teenage girl (Bella Ramsey) who journey across zombie-infected America to find hope. The zombies in this show are far from typical. They’re controlled by a fungus instead of a virus but they’re just as terrifying, if not more. Bella and Pedro deliver outstanding performances. The cinematography, story writing, dialogue, and character development are all brutally beautiful. I watched the first season twice back-to-back and loved every minute of it. In 2024, it won 8 well-deserved Emmy Awards. There is only one season of the show at this time but season two is currently in production.

 

 

 

 

The Boys – Amazon Prime Video

 

 

I’m not one that usually goes for superhero movies or shows, but The Boys isn’t your average superhero story. The Boys is about a group of ordinary people who team up to fight against corrupt superheroes who abuse their superpowers for fame. It’s a combination of awesome, captivating, gory, violent, vulgar, and topical. This show is NOT for kids. It’s a must-watch, even if superheroes aren’t usually your thing. There are currently four seasons of The Boys on Amazon Prime Video. The fifth and final season is set to release in 2026.

 

Yellowjackets – Showtime/Paramount+

 

 

One of the most unsettling shows you’ll ever watch. Yellowjackets is a psychological thriller about a high school girls’ soccer team whose plane crashes in the wilderness. They’re forced to survive while unraveling the lasting impact of the trauma decades later. This show WILL make you uncomfortable and it’s worth every disturbing second. Season one is available on Netflix while season two is on Showtime/Paramount+. Season 3 releases this February.

 

 

Mr. and Ms. Smith – Amazon Prime Video

 

 

Mr. & Mrs. Smith is an award-winning spy comedy/action/drama series where two strangers, John (Donald Glover) and Jane Smith (Maya Erskine), are recruited by a secret spy agency to act as a married couple while going on covert missions and navigating their new developing relationship. The show is a super fresh take on the classic movie. It’s fast-paced and full of action but is perfectly balanced out with laughs and romance. There’s only one season of Mr. and Mrs. Smith right now but it’s been renewed for a second season.

 

 

The Bear – FX/Hulu

 

 

The Bear is a drama/comedy about a young, talented chef (Jeremy Allen White from Shameless) who returns home to run his family’s struggling Chicago sandwich shop while he deals with chaos in the kitchen, personal loss, and the pursuit of excellence. If you’re interested in the culinary world or liked Shameless, you’re going to love The Bear. Jeremy Allen White puts on a masterclass performance and the supporting cast is fantastic. It’s so well-written, emotionally gripping, and INTENSE. This show is the pinnacle of great television. There’s no doubt why it has won 21 total Emmy Awards. There are currently three seasons of The Bear and season four is coming June 2025.

 

 

Honorable Mentions: The Penguin (HBO), Silo (Apple TV), The Marvelous Ms. Maisel (Amazon Prime TV), Glitch (Netflix), Please Like Me (Hulu), Shrinking (Apple TV+), Night Agent (Netflix)

 

 

 

About the Author:

 

– Christopher Brown is a freelance writer for Digital Wax. He grew up in West Virginia and works primarily as a dental hygienist in Charleston. His wife tells him that he has too many hobbies; a musician, hip-hop head, football fanatic, beer brewer, frequent traveler, & master home chef.