10 Best TV Shows on Netflix for Summer Streaming

Netflix is the prime destination for a good summer binge. With the weather hotter and the UV index climbing higher, it’s the season of streaming and chilling. Whether you’re looking to take a break from the sun in the AC or looking to get in the summer mood, the streaming giant has you covered with a wide array of options for super-summery TV shows. You can feel the heat without having to set foot outside.

So, what makes an ultimate summer series? Obviously, it must celebrate the season — bright skies, beautiful beaches, summer solstice, bikinis. It can be a sun-soaked coming-of-age tale, a treasure-hunting adventure that takes place somewhere hot and humid, or a soapy coastal drama. For others, a good summer binge can be found in a mystery that unfolds in a small seaside town, or in a satirical comedy that takes place at a summer camp. Some might crave something set on an island, or in a decadent vacation destination.

Whether you’re looking for a horror, a thriller, something to make you laugh, or a story that will pull at your heartstrings, you’ll find it among these 10 Netflix summer TV shows.

10

‘Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp’ (2015)

This eight-episode limited series serves as a prequel to the cult classic comedy film Wet Hot American Summer, a spoof of summer camp films and teen sex comedies of the 1980s. Just like its predecessor, it takes place over the course of 24 hours. Only this time, it follows the first day of Camp Firewood. As a revival, the show is tethered to the movie, so make sure to watch it before enjoying First Day of Camp.

A Showcase of Comedic Talents

Reprising their roles are Michael Showalter, Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Amy Poehler, Janeane Garofalo, Christopher Meloni, Molly Shannon, and more. New characters are introduced, who are played by an impressive group of actors that include John Slattery, Kirsten Wiig, John Hamm, Chris Pine, Lake Bell, and Jason Schwartzman. The newcomers mesh seamlessly with the returning cast. At only four hours long in its entirety, this makes for perfect viewing on a sizzling-hot summer afternoon when you just want to cool off inside and wait for the sun to set.

9

‘Slasher: Solstice’ (2019)

Slasher is a deliciously twisted horror anthology series that doesn’t shy away from the gore. Each season focuses on a different masked killer, taking classic horror tropes and twisting them into something unique to unravel a mystery. Solstice begins with the brutal murder of party boy Kit Jennings (Robert Cormier) outside his apartment complex on the eve of Summer Solstice, as residents stand by and do nothing to help him. One year later, someone wearing the same Druid costume as his killer begins killing his neighbors.

A Summer Show for Horror Fans

Drenched in bloodshed, the eight episodes take place over the course of 24 hours. The season delves into important societal issues like oppression, racism, homophobia, bystander complicity, and social media culture. Its ending does a good job of subverting the expectations of viewers. All seasons are worth watching, but this one makes for perfect summer viewing. Slasher: Guilty Party, which focuses on the reunion of a group of former summer camp counselors, might be another good option, but with an alternate timeline, it switches back and forth between summer in the past and winter in the present.

8

‘Outer Banks’ (2020 – Present)

In Outer Banks, local John B. (Chase Stokes) and his friends (“the Pogues”) clash with the wealthy seasonal residents (“the Kooks”) of their North Carolina seaside town. Tensions rise when he develops a romance with a popular girl from one of the richest families, Sarah Cameron, played by Madelyn Cline. When John B. decides to investigate his father’s disappearance, his partners-in-crime and new girlfriend join in. Discovering that his dad’s vanishing is linked to a $400 million treasure from an old shipwreck, the gang goes on a hunt for the gold.

Intense Drama and Nonstop Action

Each season of the sun-soaked Outer Banks focuses on a treasure adventure. Later seasons see the group of friends in the Bahamas, South America, and Morocco, but they always spend time at home. The series is equal parts mystery and teen drama. This is a great choice if you’re craving both action and romantic moments. At its core, it’s a show about friendship, so you can’t go wrong with watching.

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7

‘White Lines’ (2020)

white lines

Release Date

2020 – 2019

Network

Netflix

Directors

Nick Hamm, Luis Prieto

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  Francis Magee

  Clint Collins

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  Nuno Lopes

  Boxer / Duarte Silva

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• 

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A DJ’s body is discovered two decades after his disappearance in Ibiza. Laura Haddock stars as his sister, Zoe Walker, who travels to the sunny, decadent summer party destination to identify him. She decides to stay to do some investigating of her own, crossing paths with the eccentric and shady friends her older sibling had at the time of his death. As she uncovers clues, she’s led into the island’s destructive underworld of drugs, sex, raves, and deception. The episodes have flashbacks to the ’90s, which show what led to her brother’s demise.

A Crime Drama You Can Escape Into

This stylish Spanish-British single-season Netflix original is a colorful whodunit that totally goes off the wall. Think about it like reading a good popcorn thriller by the poolside, except you visually experience the story playing out. Some might call it a guilty pleasure, but you won’t want to get off this wild ride.

6

‘Summertime’ (2020 – 2022)

Summertime is set against the gorgeous backdrop of the Adriatic coast of Italy in the resort town of Cesenatico, home to high school senior Summer (Rebecca Coco Edogamhe) and her best friends Edo (Giovanni Maini) and Sofia (Amanda Campana). When Ale (Ludovico Tersigni), a famous, bad-boy biker, arrives from Rome, a romance blossoms between him and Summer, but they run into many issues along the way.

A Scenic Teen Romance

While it revolves mainly around Summer and Ale, every character in this young adult story experiences love in their own way. Watching the sweet teen drama is like sipping on a cold (alcohol-free) mojito on the sand or taking a dip in the sea. The beautifully shot coastal series truly makes you feel like you’re at the beach. If you’re looking for something light and airy to watch, then look no further.

5

‘Two Summers’ (2022)

Two Summers is one of several Belgian treats Netflix has in store. The miniseries follows a once-tight-night group of friends who reunite on a private island for a lavish weekend. Trapped with nowhere to go, they’re forced to reckon with the past when they’re blackmailed with footage of a monstrous crime. Three decades earlier, the men of the group sexually assaulted one of their female friends while vacationing on that very same island.

A Gripping Depiction of Toxic Rape Culture

Flashing back and forth between 1992 and 2022, it plays like a whodunit, only the mystery lies with whom the victim is. With beautiful cinematography, each episode has plot twist after plot twist. While it makes for a heavy, difficult watch, it’s also an important one. The tale depicts how rapists are hardly ever held accountable, and how often victims are silenced because the perpetrators victimize themselves.

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4

‘High Tides’ (2023 – Present)

Set in the coastal Belgian town of Knokke, High Tides takes place over the course of one summer. It follows a privileged, wealthy group of friends, which includes “It” couple Louise (Pommelien Thijs) and Alex (Willem De Schryver). When newcomer Daan (Eliyha Altena) arrives with his mother to find work for the season, he shakes up the group, developing both a friendship with Alex and a romance with Louise, making for one sizzling love triangle.

A Messy Love Triangle

The story also includes the mystery of the disappearance of Daan’s aunt and Alex’s parents’ involvement. As incredibly clichéd as many of the plot tropes are, the show is highly addictive. It doesn’t just follow the teen drama, but also that of their parents. With a seaside setting, beach bars, and sun to spare, it makes for a great summer binge.

3

‘The Perfect Couple’ (2024 – Present)

Based on Elin Hilderbrand’s best-selling novel of the same name, this drama mystery is set in Nantucket. Greer Winbury (Nicole Kidman) is supposed to host the wedding of the season for her son Benji (Billy Howle) and his bride-to-be Amelia (Eve Hewson). It is to take place in her family’s Summerland mansion by the water. But when a murder takes place, what was supposed to be a lavish celebration soon becomes an investigation, and everyone in the wedding party is a suspect.

A Murder Mystery Filled With Dark Humor

The Perfect Couple entices the audience by immersing them in the ruthless world of the rich. Although it had mixed reviews, it makes for a soapy, entertaining watch. At only six episodes, it’s also a breezy one. It was launched as a limited series, but drew enough interest that there’s now a second season in the works, with Netflix turning the show into an anthology.

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2

‘Bandidos’ (2024 – Present)

Bandidos, which translates to Bandits, is another solid choice for those who love an exciting treasure adventure. The Mexican heist series follows a motley crew of characters, each with their own set of skills — ringleader Miguel (Alfonso Dosal), Lilí (Ester Expósito), Lucas (Juan Pablo Fuentes Acevedo), and Citlali (Andrea Chaparro) — who, after stumbling upon a mysterious map, come together to hunt down a long-hidden treasure in the Riviera Maya. An illegal artifact dealer is also after treasure, and will have anyone killed to get his hands on the final prize.

A Treasure Worth Streaming

This may sound like your average treasure excursion tale, but it’s so much more, combining elements of drama, comedy, thriller, and even romance. Each misfit member of Miguel’s gang adds something special to the mix, creating an utterly captivating, vibrant group of characters. The chemistry between them is palpable, and it also extends to the villains, making for a sizzling rivalry.

1

‘Adoration’ (2024)

Adoration

Release Date

2024 – 2023

Network

Netflix

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Loosely based on the novel of the same name by Alice Urciuolo, the Italian six-episode series Adoration is a coming-of-age story that doubles as a murder mystery. In a small town on the coast of Agro Pontino, summer has just begun when the disappearance (and eventual murder) of 16-year-old Elena (Alice Lupparelli) rocks her close-knit community. Her friends and family try to piece together what happened. The show follows her best friend Vanessa (Noemi Magagnini) as she pursues the truth and navigates the emotional terrain of loss.

A Standout Among Teen Dramas

As the investigation unfolds, secrets lurking beneath the village’s facade come to light. Different interconnected stories weave the narrative together. The show unfolds like a crime drama, while also delving deep into teenage psychology and bringing to life a tale of self-discovery.