Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to enjoy the company of family and friends. Once your belly is filled with far too much turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie, it’s time to relax in front of the TV. If you want something other than football, there are some great shows on all the top streaming services that are perfect for binge-watching over the weekend.
Some of them have multiple seasons, so it’ll probably take the entire weekend to get through them. But with shorter episodes and tempting cliffhanger endings in each one, they’re easy to power through and too irresistible not to binge. Others are single-season shows you can get through in six or so hours. With new seasons coming soon for some of them, it’s the ideal time to be ready for the continuation of the stories.
10
‘Cobra Kai’ (2021–2025)
6 Seasons, 65 Episodes Streaming on Netflix
Corny as it is, there’s something delightfully addictive about Cobra Kai. It appeals to every generation, so it’s something you can watch with older kids (be mindful of some violence and sexual innuendos, though). A follow-up to The Karate Kid, the connecting storyline sees Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) reunite and reignite their longstanding feud by running rival dojos. But it’s also about the new set of high school students and aspiring martial artists.
Why ‘Cobra Kai’ Is Easy to Binge
Cobra Kai is a nostalgia and teen coming-of-age story rolled into one ridiculously silly but also heartfelt plot. Yes, there are six seasons. But many episodes are just over 20 minutes long, so powering through a season in one day is totally doable (believe me, I’ve done it!) The series has a satisfying end, arguably one of the best I’ve seen this year. It manages to pull off the tall task of wrapping up not only the show but also 30-year-old storylines.
9
‘All Her Fault’ (2025)
1 Season, 8 Episodes Streaming on Peacock
A new mystery thriller, All Her Fault, is an eight-episode series following Marissa (Sarah Snook) and her husband, Peter (Jake Lacy), as they become desperate to find their missing five-year-old son. Marissa arranged a playdate by text, only to arrive at the address and find that the mother and boy didn’t live there. The story pivots into soapy territory as we learn more about the family, extended family, and friends, and who took Milo (Duke McCloud).
Why ‘All Her Fault’ Is Easy to Binge
There’s a massive twist at the end, along with a series of misdirects and mini-twists throughout to keep you guessing. I binged this series in two days. You’ll find it tough not to press play on the next episode after watching each one, desperate for a resolution for these aching parents and this little boy.
8
‘The Beast in Me’ (2025)
1 Season, 8 Episodes Streaming on Netflix
Another new show I binged over three days, The Beast in Me follows Aggie Wiggs (Claire Danes), an author who becomes linked to her new neighbor, Nile Jarvis (Matthew Rhys). Nile is a wealthy man suspected of killing his wife five years earlier, though her death was ruled a suicide.
Why ‘The Beast in Me’ Is Easy to Binge
A psychological thriller with an intense plot, the dynamic between Aggie and Nile is captivating. He is like a dog with a bone, and she is a Yorkie, terrified by his presence yet intrigued by what lies beneath the surface. The incredible cast more than makes up for the story’s weaker parts. Overall, The Beast in Me is cleverly written with a nicely wrapped-up ending. It sheds light on the impact of trauma, manipulation, and caged anger in ways you won’t see coming.
7
‘Emily in Paris’ (2020–)
4 Seasons, 50 Episodes (So Far) Streaming on Netflix
With a new season coming on December 18, it’s the perfect time to catch up on the first four seasons of Emily in Paris. It sounds like a lot, but the episodes are relatively short. The storyline is so lighthearted and fun, it’s breezy and relaxing to watch, too. Why not imagine yourself in Paris, taking in the fashion, food, and language, living vicariously through Emily (Lily Collins) from your couch or bed?
Why ‘Emily in Paris’ Is Easy to Binge
Emily, the title character, is a young woman who takes a temporary job in Paris to help a newly acquired company with their social media strategy. While there, she falls in love with the culture and more than one man, and finds herself both messing up and hitting it out of the park at work. It’s the perfect show to help you unwind from the grind.
6
‘Cross’ (2024–)
1 Season, 8 Episodes (So Far) Streaming on Prime Video
Returning February 11, 2026, with a second season, Cross‘ inaugural season had fans falling in love with Aldis Hodge’s interpretation of the James Patterson character, Alex Cross, based on his novel series. He’s a detective and forensic psychologist with a talent for diving into the minds of killers and criminals. His use of interrogation tactics is on display in the opening scene of the series, setting the stage for what he’s capable of and his ability to manipulate killers to get the information he needs.
Why ‘Cross’ Is Easy to Binge
From there, the story shifts to his obsession with finding the person who killed a local Black Lives Matter activist, as he remains unsatisfied with his boss’s belief that the case is open-and-shut. He can’t shake the feeling that something isn’t right. The eight-episode first season also explores Alex’s personal trauma, grieving the murder of his wife a year prior, and being haunted by not being able to solve her case. It’s gripping all the way through, Hodge keeping your attention alongside other captivating actors like Ryan Eggold and Juanita Jennings.
5
‘The Pitt’ (2025)
1 Season, 15 Episodes (So Far) Streaming on HBO Max
If you have a weak stomach, The Pitt might not be for you. But as a medical drama, it’s one of the most realistic, heart-wrenching, wonderfully acted series you will ever see. Each episode covers one hour of an intense 15-hour shift for doctors, nurses, residents, and other staff in the emergency room of a trauma center. Real-life doctors have praised the show’s accuracy and noted that watching was like working a shift themselves.
Why ‘The Pitt’ Is Easy to Binge
The series covers the dynamic between senior attending physician Dr. Robby Robinavitch (Noah Wyle) and his senior residents. Patients come in with all types of ailments as the residents try to show their skills while dealing with the pressures of the job. It’s the weight on Robby’s shoulders that really gives viewers pause. The show sheds light on the inner workings of an emergency room and the challenges doctors and nurses face with staffing, funding, loss, guilt, and sometimes, patients who think they know better. With a second season coming on January 8, 2026, it’s a good time to watch now to continue the story soon after.
4
‘Shrinking’ (2023–)
2 Seasons, 22 Episodes (So Far) Streaming on Apple TV
It’s two seasons and 22 episodes, but Shrinking is worth every moment of watching. The comedy drama deals with heavy subject matter but in a lighthearted and hilarious way. Shrinking follows Jimmy (Jason Segel), a therapist grieving the loss of his wife in a car accident. He’s trying his best to move on with the help of his friends, co-workers, and teenage daughter. But he doesn’t always make the right decisions.
Why ‘Shrinking’ Is Easy to Binge
The show is about healing, and Jimmy isn’t the only one dealing with grief. The supporting cast is tremendous, including Harrison Ford, Jessica Williams, Lukita Maxwell, Luke Tennie, Michael Urie, Christa Miller, Ted McGinley, and, in Season 2, Brett Goldstein. Season 3 is coming January 28, 2026, so investing the time now to binge will get you up to speed for the new season. You’ll be laughing hysterically through everything from Harrison’s moments of deadpan humor to Miller’s scene-stealing one-liners.
3
‘The Residence’ (2025)
1 Season, 8 Episodes Streaming on Netflix
Though it was canceled after one season, The Residence was well received, and its premise and episode structure are tailor-made for binging. Cordelia Cupp (Uzo Aduba) is a quirky but fiercely talented consultant who is called to the White House when they discover the dead body of White House Chief Usher A.B. Winter (Giancarlo Esposito). Since a state dinner is underway, Cupp won’t let anyone leave until she has a chance to question everyone, one by one. Her signature weird style has people puzzled about whether she’s actually accomplishing anything, but her reputation precedes her, so the authorities let her do her thing.
Why ‘The Residence’ Is Easy to Binge
Like an episodic, gender-flipped version of Knives Out and Benoit Blanc, The Residence is a silly and funny mystery comedy that will keep you guessing from one episode to the next, convinced each time that you know who did it. With just eight episodes, you’ll get through the entire show quickly and will feel satisfied enough not to care that it wasn’t renewed.
2
‘The Studio’ (2025–)
1 Season, 10 Episodes (So Far) Streaming on Apple TV
The Studio is downright hilarious; it’s a 10-episode first season you’ll laugh heartily through. Seth Rogen, who also co-created the satirical cringe comedy series, is Matt Remick, a long-time studio executive who finally gets promoted to studio head. But he finds it challenging to balance his desperate need to be liked by actors, directors, and others with the need to make decisions that may upset them at times.
Why ‘The Studio’ Is Easy to Binge
The show earned massive Emmy accolades, including 23 Emmy nominations, breaking the record for the most-nominated comedy debut in history. It went on to win 13, including Outstanding Comedy Series, breaking the record for the most wins by a comedy in a single season. Renewed for a second season, The Studio skewers some of the most common Hollywood stereotypes, from the arrogant studio head to the eccentric actor and the profit-obsessed CEO. The season finale is one of the best I’ve seen this year, with scenes featuring Bryan Cranston that almost literally had me fall off my chair laughing so hard.
1
‘Hijack’ (2023–)
1 Season, 7 Episodes (So Far) Streaming on Apple TV
Hijack is tense throughout its seven episodes as corporate business negotiator Sam Nelson (Idris Elba) uses his skills to negotiate with hijackers on a plane he’s on. He becomes a liaison of sorts between them and the people on the ground, trying to notify air traffic control of what’s happening while maintaining order and protecting innocent lives in the air.
Why ‘Hijack’ Is Easy to Binge
Elba is captivating as the lead, alongside Archie Panjabi as DCI Zahra Gafoor on the ground, trying to balance politics with respect for human life. While the concept sounds like it’s not repeatable, Hijack has been renewed for a second season, set to premiere January 14, 2026. For now, the first episode presents like a seven-hour action movie you’ll have a tough time not watching in one sitting.
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