5 Shows You Need to Binge-Watch on Netflix

Come summer, good TV can be hard to find. By now, you're probably done with Orange is the New Black and waiting for September to arrive — along with most of the network shows. You might think the TV landscape looks dire right about now, but you'd be wrong. Here are five shows on Netflix that will help you survive the summer slump.

The Get Down
August 12

Jaden Smith, Jimmy Smits, Justice Smith, and Shameik Moore star in this new drama series about a ragtag group of Bronx teenagers in the 1970s. Baz Luhrmann, the show’s creator, presents a picture of a New York fallen on hard times through a blend of disco, punk, and hip-hop. With drama, humor, and history woven together with Luhrmann’s striking style, The Get Down is one to watch.

Stranger Things
Streaming now

Winona Ryder stars as the single mother of a lost boy in this new suspense series set in the 1980s. Chock-full of references and tropes of the decade, Stranger Things is a love letter to '80s sci fi/horror flicks like E.T., Poltergeist, and The Goonies, so much so that it could be mistaken for one if you didn’t know better. The show has received approval via Twitter from thriller legends Stephen King and Guillermo del Toro. So horror fans and those interested in a healthy dose of nostalgia had better take a look.

Marco Polo 
Streaming now

Marco Polo has returned to Netflix for its second season, earning mixed reviews. The creators have made a number of improvements since season one, but not all the fans are on board. The biggest change seems to be a shift in focus toward the Khan and his people — and away from the title character. The intricacy and intrigue of Kublai’s court, along with the show’s continued high production value, have kept some viewers on board, while others have jumped ship. What will you decide?


Marcella
Streaming now

Marcella is Netflix’s newest British crime mystery, created by Hans Rosenfeldt. Starring Anna Friel as the title character, Marcella follows an ex-cop who returns to the police force after her divorce as she struggles to find a killer. Featuring a strong female lead, an unreliable narrator, and an epic murder mystery, Marcella is an excellent pick for any crime junkie.

Gilmore Girls
First seven seasons streaming now

As you may have heard, Gilmore Girls is coming back. The beloved early 2000s show aired for seven seasons, but never really had a satisfactory ending. So fans were ecstatic at the news that Netflix will revisit Stars Hollow with Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, with nearly the entire cast returning. While the new season won’t be released until November, it's been nine years since we last saw Lorelai and Rory. Which means there's a fair chance you've forgotten quite a bit. Now's the time time to refresh your memory and get excited for November by watching the entire thing all over again.