Scrolling through Netflix can be great, but it’s not usually as rewarding as actually picking something great to watch. The trouble is, while there are lots of great shows on Netflix, it can be hard to discern the great ones from the stinkers.
That’s where we come in. We’ve pulled together this list of three excellent shows to carry you through this weekend. Each of these shows is reliably excellent in one way or another, and while all three may not be for you, we’re confident that at least one of them will be.
When you’re done here, check out the best new shows to stream this week, as well as the best shows on Netflix, best shows on Hulu, best shows on Amazon Prime Video, and best shows on Disney+.
UnREAL (2015-2018)
A brilliant examination of how reality TV gets made, UnREAL is set on a show that closely resembles ABC’s The Bachelor, but focuses primarily on the show’s behind-the-scenes production team. As the series unfolds, we come to understand the way contestants on a show like this are put at the mercy of producers who manipulate their emotions for their own ends, selling an idea of romance that doesn’t exist anywhere in the real world.
UnREAL is riveting, and you might find yourself pulled into the reality TV drama, even as you’re repulsed by everything that you know goes into its creation.
You can watch UnREAL on Netflix.
Good Girls (2018-2021)
A brilliant crime comedy with great leads, Good Girls tells the story of three normal women who decide to take control of their lives by holding up a grocery store. As they plan and then execute their heist, each hoping to earn money they desperately need, they realize that being criminals is not as easy as it might seem, even when you get away with the crime you commit.
Thanks to great central performances from Mae Whitman, Christina Hendricks, and Retta, Good Girls feels both relatable and fun in a way that few shows have ever managed to achieve.
You can watch Good Girls on Netflix.
White Collar (2009-2014)
A modern classic from the golden age of the USA cable network, White Collar tells the story of an elusive white collar criminal who comes to a unique arrangement with the FBI agent who’s been chasing him: Instead of spending all their time playing with each other, they can team up to catch some of the most sought-after criminals in the world.
A light, frothy crime drama that knew how to occasionally get serious, White Collar excelled in part thanks to the immense charms of lead star Matt Bomer, and in part because the show’s writing was zippy and witty in a way that writing about smart people often struggles with.
You can watch White Collar on Netflix.
