17 Excellent Shows You Can Binge In Less Than A Day

Why spend weeks watching a lengthy show when you can knock one out in under 24 hours?

1. The End of the F***ing World

Courtesy of Netflix

In 16 short episodes across two seasons, The End of the F***ing World tells the story of two troubled teens who go on the run and get tangled up in murder and mayhem along the way. With stunning performances and visuals, it's dark, funny, and deeply moving.

2. Fleabag

Prime Video

Telling a complete story over two six-episode seasons, Fleabag is a smart and nuanced exploration of grief, family, love, and growth. Phoebe Waller-Bridge is incredible as both a writer and a performer on the show, and if you're worried that it won't live up to the hype — it definitely will.

3. The Queen's Gambit

Phil Bray / Netflix

A show about chess might sound boring, especially if you're not particularly into the game, but The Queen's Gambit is incredibly compelling, even if you've never played a game of chess in your life. The costumes are gorgeous, and Anya Taylor-Joy's performance as orphaned prodigy Beth Harmon is layered and riveting. It's a limited series of just seven episodes.

4. Ted Lasso

Apple TV+

A sports comedy that will appeal to even the most anti-sports people, Ted Lasso has one 10-episode season that tells the story of the titular American football coach, hired to work with a struggling English Premier League team. It's surprisingly warm.

5. Good Omens

Prime Video

Based on the novel by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman and featuring a stellar cast led by Michael Sheen and David Tennant, Good Omens follows frenemies Aziraphale (an angel) and Crowley (a demon) as they try to prevent the apocalypse. A limited series of only six episodes, it's a fun and quick ride.

6. Unbelievable

Beth Dubber / Netflix

Unbelievable is based on a true story of detectives investigating a serial rapist. It's heavy subject matter but dealt with sensitively across its eight episodes. The performances of Merritt Wever, Toni Collette, and Kaitlyn Dever are all remarkable.

7. The Duchess

Simon Ridgway / Netflix

Created by and starring Katherine Ryan, The Duchess is a sitcom about a thirtysomething single mother on a quest to conceive another baby with her terrible ex. (Note: She doesn't want to be with him; she just wants her daughter to have a sibling.) There are only six episodes out, and they are all clever and fun.

8. Julie and the Phantoms

Eike Schroter / Netflix

A teen musical dramedy, Julie and the Phantoms is full of infectious musical numbers and an endearing cast, with lots of funny moments and a great, big heart. Over nine episodes, it explores grief, first love, friendship, creativity, and ambition in one cute and comforting package.

9. The Wilds

Prime Video

A group of young women are on their way to an "empowerment retreat" in Hawaii when their plane crashes on a deserted island. As they try to survive together, they uncover secrets and learn that there may be more to their situation than a simple accident. It's a 10-episode thrilling ride, completely addictive from start to finish.

10. Never Have I Ever

Courtesy of Netflix

With one season of 10 episodes, Never Have I Ever is an easy-to-watch but heartfelt teen dramedy co-created by Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher. It follows 15-year-old Devi (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) in the aftermath of her father's death as she struggles with her grief while also trying desperately to become more popular and get the boyfriend of her dreams.

11. Derry Girls

Courtesy of Netflix

Derry Girls has two six-episode seasons, focusing on a group of girls (and one boy) in Northern Ireland during the Troubles of the 1990s. Both nostalgic and sharply appropriate for contemporary times, Derry Girls is one of the funniest shows of the last decade.

12. I May Destroy You

HBO

It's one of the most talked-about shows of the last year, and for good reason. Michaela Coel created, wrote, codirected, produced, and starred in the show, which is partially based on her own experience with sexual assault. It's brutal and tough to watch at times, but vital — and also infused with beautifully dark humor. It's a single season of 12 episodes.

13. Maniac

Michele K. Short / Netflix

The 10-episode Maniac is both deeply bizarre and compelling. Written by The Leftovers' Patrick Somerville and directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, it stars Jonah Hill and Emma Stone as two struggling strangers who form a complicated but close relationship during a psychedelic drug trial.

14. Russian Doll

Courtesy of Netflix

While a second season is happening, the first season of Russian Doll tells what feels like a complete story in itself over the course of eight episodes. Natasha Lyonne plays Nadia, a woman stuck in a Groundhog Day–esque time loop — only, like Happy Death Day, her time is reset whenever she dies. It might be a familiar concept, but it's a unique show, both hilarious and devastating.

15. Lovesick

Alan Peebles / Netflix

This British rom-com (originally titled Scrotal Recall) explores the lives and loves of three friends in Glasgow. The nonlinear framing device (each episode is centered on a different flashback) is fun, but it's the incredible characters and their warm relationships that will make you really fall in love. There are three seasons, but they add up to only 22 episodes, and since they're all under half an hour, you could definitely plow through it in a day (and you'll want to).

16. Gentleman Jack

HBO

Based on the true story of Anne Lister, Gentleman Jack follows the female landowner, impeccably played by Suranne Jones, as she tries to restore her estate and pursue the troubled Ann Walker (Sophia Rundle) in 1832 Yorkshire. There's a lot to love here, but the central romance is undoubtedly the best part.

17. Bridgerton

Netflix

If you're one of the few people left on the planet who haven't watched Bridgerton yet, now's a good time to get on board. Created by Chris Van Dusen and produced by Shonda Rhimes, it's a fun and frothy Regency romance. Season 1 consists of eight episodes, mostly focused on Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) as she strikes up a fake courtship with the Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page) and, of course, falls in love with him.