20 TV Shows For When You Don’t Know What to Watch (2024)

We’ve all been there. Grabbing the remote and spending hours and hours trying to decide what show to watch. You surf through all the platforms, both the paid ones and the free ones. And still, you can’t find a potential TV show to binge. There’s a very high chance you’ll give up and go to bed without making a decision.

But worry not. It happens to everyone, given the huge number of shows that are available to watch. However, a decision like this shouldn’t require too much thinking. It’s not exactly rocket science because it could simply go well or not. It’s about subjectivity and the beauty of different tastes. And yes, some of them are surefire choices, but others are definitely not.

In the end, it's always about time. Time that’s already wasted trying to decide on a show, but also time that you could spend watching a show that you end up abandoning because it’s not engaging. Following recommendations today is a double-edged sword.

Luckily, we are here to help with that. The following is a compilation of shows that you can watch whenever you don’t know what to watch, or you’re not sure if starting the adventure of an entire show will be as appealing to you as it is to the rest. So grab that remote again and start populating your watchlist, as you may need more than a few days to go through all these.

20 Friends (1994 - 2004)

Friends

Release Date

September 22, 1994

Cast

Jennifer Aniston , Courteney Cox , Lisa Kudrow , Matt LeBlanc , Matthew Perry , David Schwimmer

Main Genre

Comedy

Seasons

10

The adventures of six friends living in modern New York City were enough of a concept to give life to a sitcom that calling it a modern classic is an understatement. Friends is the ultimate TV show with enough seasons to make for a solid rewatch every couple of years, and although it hasn’t aged flawlessly, its fanb ase is one of the most faithful in TV history.

A Modern TV Classic for Binging

‘90s sitcoms were easy to watch. And even though Seinfeld may be an audience favorite from a critic’s perspective, Friends is simply easier to approach. Its stories are fresh and light and play like turn-off-your-brain fun most of the time. There’s a very low chance you haven’t watched Friends, but if you have, try using it as "background," and you’ll see how much fun you end up having. You can start your holiday binge today.

Stream on Max

19 Luther (2010 - 2019)

Luther

Release Date

May 4, 2010

Cast

Idris Elba , Dermot Crowley , Michael Smiley , Ruth Wilson , Patrick Malahide , Enzo Cilenti

Main Genre

Crime

Seasons

5

The thriller series starring Idris Elba, Luther, tells the story of John Luther, a London-based detective whose methods are anything but traditional. Luther gets into enough trouble to make you wonder how he’s still there, but after a couple of episodes, you’ll see the villains call for a workaround, and Luther actually gets punished at some point.

One of the British TV Thrillers in History

The seasons are short, and fortunately, the show never takes the direction of a repetitive procedural. It seems risky from a showrunner’s point of view, but every season saw him progress into a different man, clouded by his demons and suffering from the world he was forced to always face. The pilot is very, very good and will convince you to give the show a go with its ending. If police procedurals are your fix, this British gem will be your cup of tea.

Stream on Tubi

18 The Office (2005 - 2013)

The Office (U.S.)

Release Date

March 24, 2005

Cast

Steve Carell , Jenna Fischer , John Krasinski , Ellie Kemper , Rainn Wilson , Angela Kinsey , Melora Hardin , Rashida Jones , Mindy Kaling , Creed Bratton , B.J. Novak , Ed Helms , Brian Baumgartner

Main Genre

Comedy

Seasons

9

In The Office, the employees of the paper-selling company Dunder Mifflin are the subject of a mockumentary in which their daily, mundane lives are documented. And not much else. They’re led by manager Michael Scott, a man so vile and disgusting that you won’t believe he can actually be so kind and innocent at some point. The Office was based on the show from the U.K. with the same name.

You Will Restart The Office as Soon as It Ends

It’s safe to say The Office is already part of pop culture. And if not, it’s on its way to become just that, given how many reruns are available in syndication all the time. You don’t even have to stream it, as regular old TV will take care of that. It’s also convenient that continuity is not really a thing in the show, so unless you want to learn by memory all the character arcs, you’re good to go to start with any episode.

Stream on Netflix

17 Sex and the City (1998 - 2004)

Sex and the City

Release Date

June 6, 1998

Cast

Sarah Jessica Parker , Kim Cattrall , Cynthia Nixon , Kristin Davis

Main Genre

Comedy

Seasons

6

In Sex and the City, Miranda, Carrie, Samantha, and Charlotte are four New Yorker women whose friendship is consolidated by how they perform in a sexually-obsessive society. The very funny dramatic comedy by HBO still feels all too relevant considering how restricted the world outside cable television is. Inside HBO, anything could be said, and this show proved it.

Humor for Grownups that Goes By in a Flash

It was inevitable that sex would be talked about very openly on TV at some point. The positive thing about Sex and the City is that its treatment feels fresh, compelling, and smartly written to engage people in observing how present and important the sexual aspect of society is. You can start watching this one on any day, at any time, and the result will be the same: absolute comedy bliss by iconic TV characters.

Stream on Max

Related: The 23 Best TV Shows of 2023, Ranked

16 Mare of Easttown (2021)

Mare of Easttown

Release Date

April 18, 2021

Cast

Kate Winslet , Julianne Nicholson , Jean Smart , Evan Peters , David Denman , Neal Huff , Guy Pearce

Main Genre

Mystery

Seasons

1

In the HBO miniseries Mare of Easttown, a town is struck by a horrific murder involving a teenage mother. It takes Mare, the town’s detective, to the past, when she wasn’t able to solve an eerily similar case. But this isn’t Mare’s only problem. Her disconnection from her family dynamics is a huge burden to carry as well.

Family Drama and Crime Thriller, All in One

Kate Winslet is extraordinary in Mare of Easttown, and she should be reason enough to watch the show. But Mare of Easttown is also a great show to watch anytime because it isn’t exactly set within four walls of dread and darkness, like Nordic crime shows. This miniseries is curiously easy to watch, and it’s due to its very well-written character arcs that feel logical and quite honest. If you have a thing for miniseries, this is it.

Stream on Max

15 Prison Break (2005 - 2017)

Prison Break

Release Date

August 29, 2005

Cast

Wentworth Miller , Dominic Purcell , Sarah Wayne Callies , Paul Adelstein , Rockmond Dunbar , Robert Knepper , Amaury Nolasco , Augustus Prew

Main Genre

Action

Seasons

5

In Prison Break, Michael Scofield can’t do much to get his brother out of prison. He’s sure Lincoln is innocent and shouldn’t be there. So he puts himself to the test. He gets himself imprisoned and uses all his intelligence to break him and Lincoln out. The problems are too many, as they will face the wrath of other inmates who also want in on the deal.

Care for Cliffhangers? This is What You're Looking For

Prison Break was the show that presented audiences in the 2000s with a cliffhanger element. Similar ones like 24 and even Lost also made good use of this narrative tool, but Prison Break cleverly included it in just about every episode. If you’re in the middle of a selection panic, Prison Break will satisfy your craving for good genre TV that, fortunately, has commercial cuts. Otherwise, the tension would be too much to bear.

Stream on Hulu

14 The Afterparty (2022 - 2023)

Created (and sadly cancelled) by Apple TV+, The Afterparty is a quick comedy watch that centers around a murder that occurs after a party. To Detective Danner, everyone’s a suspect until proven otherwise, and they all have to remain inside the home where the crime scene is. The show is told using a Rashom*on style of narration, in which every partygoer provides their own version of the events.

Murder Mystery Comedy Done Right

The murder mystery show is very clever and provides laughs non-stop from the very beginning. Both seasons are led by Tiffany Haddish and Sam Richardson in stellar comedic performances that will impress every viewer who’s not familiar with their work. Given how effective and well-adapted the premise is, both seasons of The Afterparty are the quick watch you didn’t know you could count on.

Stream on Apple TV+

13 The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017 - 2023)

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Release Date

March 17, 2017

Cast

Rachel Brosnahan , Alex Borstein , Michael Zegen , Tony Shalhoub , Marin Hinkle , Bailey Buntain , Zachary Levi

Main Genre

Comedy

Seasons

5

Prime Video's The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel tells the story of Miriam "Midge" Maisel, a Jewish woman living in 1950s New York City. Midge's husband leaves her and their two kids, and she's forced to make ends meet by using any talent she has. Suddenly and unexpectedly, the mother of two discovers she has a natural ability for stand-up comedy, and she tries to do it against all odds.

Witty and Clever Comedy that's Also Endearing

Contrary to what people expect from it, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel isn't formatted as a sitcom. No 20-minute episodes, and no single camera with a laugh track. This one looks like drama, but it's exactly the opposite. It's a light-hearted modern comedy led by a natural comedian who checks every item on the list to become a memorable performer. In the case of a feel-good show with relevant themes, you can't go wrong with the adventures of Midge.

Stream on Prime Video

Related: The 15 Best Female-Lead TV Series of the 2010s

12 The Simpsons (1989 - Present)

The Simpsons

Release Date

December 17, 1989

Cast

Dan Castellaneta , Julie Kavner , Nancy Cartwright , Yeardley Smith , Hank Azaria , Harry Shearer

Main Genre

Comedy

Seasons

35

The television classic The Simpsons is the longest-running show on the list, and there is a reason. The animated sitcom created by Matt Groening in the late '80s tells the story of a family in Springfield dealing with just about every issue the dumb husband and father can come up with. So far, it's the most important piece of animation in television history.

The Classic Animated TV Show for the Whole Family

It's hard to find a show that's currently so embedded in pop culture. The Simpsons makes for a great watch to distract you from anything that may be going on because of its usual structure of the family overcoming every problem they get into. It's also great to play in the background while you do something else, but Homer's extremely idiotic shenanigans are incredibly magnetic and distracting. Don't say we didn't warn you.

Stream on Disney+

11 Rick and Morty (2013 - Present)

Rick and Morty

Release Date

December 2, 2013

Cast

Chris Parnell , Spencer Grammer , Sarah Chalke

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

7

While we're in the animated world, let's continue with Rick and Morty, the modern animated TV show for adults that tells the story of Rick Sanchez, a mischievous scientist who gets into all sorts of trouble alongside his more naive grandson Morty. When we mention "trouble," we're probably understating what the scientist and his inventions can do. From traveling to other dimensions for his own benefit to altering the course of history because he's just too drunk to make things right.

A Very Creative Journey Without Limits

The very popular Rick and Morty is especially appealing to sci-fi and '80s fans because of how excessive it is when winking at pop culture. It's the reason for its existence, and the extremely absurd storylines become secondary as the show progresses. It has only a handful of seasons, so you will probably finish it quickly, although you might want to take your time with it.

Stream on Netflix

10 House (2004 - 2012)

House

Release Date

November 16, 2004

Cast

Hugh Laurie , Omar Epps , Robert Sean Leonard , Jesse Spencer , Peter Jacobson , Odette Annable , Charlyne Yi

Main Genre

Drama

Seasons

8

House is a medical drama that tells the story of Dr. Gregory House, a genius working at Plainsboro Teaching Hospital. He leads a team of diagnosticians as they are forced to come up with an explanation for medical mysteries that often require House’s ability for analysis in order to save a patient’s life. It ran for eight seasons of absolute drama involving its central, mean-spirited character.

Clever Medical Show with Compelling Characters

When it comes to medical dramas, everyone goes for Grey’s Anatomy. It surely has drama to it, and the show has managed to satisfy its fan base for countless seasons. The thing is that House feels like a smarter and more grounded option for the subgenre. The character of House constantly evolves, and while he’s always a questionable man, there’s no denying his magnetic personality. The continuity is not very important with this one, so you can jump-start at any point, although it’s good and entertaining enough to start at the very beginning.

Stream on Hulu

9 Veep (2012 - 2019)

Veep

Former Senator Selina Meyer (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) has accepted the call to serve as Vice President of the United States. The job is nothing like she imagined and everything she was warned about. Veep follows Meyer and her staff as they attempt to make their mark and leave a lasting legacy, without getting tripped up in the day-to-day political games that define Washington. Meyer's inner circle includes: her chief of staff Amy (Anna Chlumsky), longtime press spokesperson Mike McClintock (Matt Walsh), right hand and body man Gary (Tony Hale) and secretary Sue (Sufe Bradshaw) all of whom often do battle with Dan Egan (Reid Scott) an ambitious interloper and smug White House liaison Jonah (Tim Simons).

Release Date

April 22, 2012

Cast

Julia Louis-Dreyfus , Anna Chlumsky , Tony Hale , Reid Scott , Timothy Simons , Matt Walsh , Kevin Dunn , Gary Cole

Main Genre

Comedy

Seasons

7

HBO's political satire comedy Veep is the story of Selina Meyer (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), the Vice President of the United States, as she tries to do her job while surviving a political scene that isn’t very friendly to her or her team. Dreyfus’ performance as Meyer is considered to be the best of her career, and it was good enough to make her win countless awards.

Hilarious Politics in the Hands of a Great Entertainer

This is the kind of show that’s inherently funny and doesn’t require much thinking, even if it takes place inside a subgenre that’s often associated with complex plots. The comedy element in politics is naturally relatable to today’s disastrous state of affairs. You can’t help but imagine what would happen if Meyer existed in real life. You can land in the world of Veep at any time, and laughs will instantly appear from day one.

Stream on Max

8 What We Do in the Shadows (2019 - Present)

What We Do in the Shadows

Release Date

March 27, 2019

Cast

Kayvan Novak

Main Genre

Comedy

Seasons

6

Inspired by the mockumentary of the same name, What We Do in the Shadows tells the story of a group of vampires living on Staten Island in modern times. Lazslo, Nadja, Nandor, Colin Robinson, and their familiar Guillermo try to make ends meet as a documentary crew records every aspect of their lives. What We Do in the Shadows is the best horror comedy show in recent history, and in some ways, it has managed to surpass the film that inspired it.

Horror Comedy that's More Appealing Than You'd Imagine

Even though it’s a niche show that not many people are supposed to like because of its premise, it’s just too darn funny to automatically discard because it’s about funny vampires. Continuity isn’t exactly a thing in the series, and you can pick it up on any episode as it’s narratively formatted like a sitcom, with a new story being presented and solved in the same episode. It has some of the funniest characters on modern television.

Stream on Hulu

7 Sharp Objects (2018)

Sharp Objects

Cast

Amy Adams , Patricia Clarkson , Chris Messina , Matt Craven , Henry Czerny , Madison Davenport , Miguel Sandoval , Elizabeth Perkins

Main Genre

Drama

Seasons

1

Sharp Objects is based on the Gillian Flynn book of the same name, and it tells the story of Camille Preaker (Amy Adams in an outstanding role as usual), a reporter with some personal issues who’s forced to return home to investigate a recent crime that has shaken the community. Camille also reconnects with her mom, and their estranged relationship perhaps has many demons of its own.

Nail-Biting Thriller Led by a Masterful Actor

Directed by Jean-Marc Vallée, Sharp Objects is very similar to other HBO productions by the Canadian filmmaker, who always managed to hit a nerve with well-built characters and the ordeal they went through when the mundane turned into a horrific rendering of the worst outcome for compelling characters. Sharp Objects, as disturbing as it is, is exceptionally well-written, and it’s one of the Max miniseries to watch at some point.

Stream on Max

6 Family Guy (1999 - Present)

Family Guy

Release Date

January 31, 1999

Cast

Seth MacFarlane , Alex Borstein , Mila Kunis , Seth Green

Main Genre

Comedy

Seasons

22

Family Guy is the story of the Griffin family as they navigate through the dynamics of Quahog in an animated TV show that’s anything but family-friendly and has been deemed so offensive in the past that it was actually canceled at some point, only to be brought back sometime later. When it comes to animated shows, Family Guy is one of the best, and it has rewatchable jewels. Just put the kids to sleep before.

The Classic Animated TV Show Not for the Whole Family

It's blatantly similar to The Simpsons, but it’s all for a good reason. It’s politically incorrect, to say the least, and its winks at pop culture are spread throughout the entire series that’s been going for more than 20 seasons. This means that if you decide to jump on the wagon of a very different animated show from the rest, there’s plenty for you to enjoy.

Stream on Hulu

Related: The 15 Best Psychological Thriller TV Shows of All Time

5 That '70s Show (1998 - 2006)

That '70s Show

Release Date

August 23, 1998

Cast

Mila Kunis , Mark Brazill , Laura Prepon , Wilmer Valderrama , Debra Jo Rupp , Kurtwood Smith , Don Stark , Tommy Chong

Main Genre

Comedy

Seasons

8

That ‘70s Show tells the story of six teenage friends living in Wisconsin in the late ‘70s. The show also expands towards their relationship with parents, particularly Eric Forman’s. They became so important and iconic, that the show constantly drifted in their direction, especially in the last seasons. It’s a modern classic by all standards, and a very easy show to watch.

One Vastly Underrated Sitcom that Hasn't Aged One Bit

For eight consecutive years, we went back to the ‘70s with a very peculiar sitcom that wasn’t afraid to adapt easily digestible stories in a setting that most would have deemed too controversial. But perhaps that’s the reason why That ‘70s Show works. It doesn’t deny the most controversial aspects of such a decade, but it doesn’t dig deep into it. It’s all circ*mstantial as the sitcom revolves around well-built characters, and not the effects of the ‘70s culture. We could call it turn-off-your-brain fun, but it feels like a comment heavily associated with the show’s portrayal of drug use, so we’ll just leave it at “it’s really fun!”

Stream on Peaco*ck Premium

4 The IT Crowd (2006 - 2013)

The IT Crowd

Release Date

February 3, 2006

Cast

Chris O'Dowd , Richard Ayoade , Katherine Parkinson

Main Genre

Comedy

Seasons

4

The IT Crowd is an underrated multicamera sitcom that ran for four seasons on British television. It tells the story of Maurice and Roy, two IT specialists working for the IT Department of Reynholm Industries. The problem is that, as it commonly happens in the real world, a manager is put on top to supervise them, and Jen knows absolutely nothing about technology. The show is considered a modern cult classic of television.

It's Funny Because it's Real

Even if the show's obnoxious characters can get on your nerves at some point, it never stops delivering laughs to anyone watching it because of its resemblance to reality. Maurice and Roy, as awkward geeks as they may be, want nothing but to make the world understand that some things are obvious, and they will do anything to show it. You can jump in at any time, given the show's lack of continuity and fixed storylines.

Rent on Prime Video

3 Ted Lasso (2020 - 2023)

Ted Lasso

Release Date

April 14, 2020

Cast

Jason Sudeikis , Juno Temple , Brett Goldstein , Jeremy Swift , Hannah Waddingham , Nick Mohammed

Main Genre

Comedy

Seasons

3

Ted Lasso tells the story of an American football coach who gets recruited to lead a losing team in England’s Premier League. As absurd as it sounds, Ted accepts the gig, and alongside his best friend and assistant coach, they head over to a whole new country while not knowing American football isn’t soccer. In reality, the team’s owner wants AFC Richmond to fail because she has spite for her ex-husband, who owns the team. Only Ted has other plans.

Sports Comedy that Feels Too Close to Home

The show is a modern fairy tale starring Jason Sudeikis in a life-changing performance. It’s heartwarming and full of hope, and Ted’s continuous winks at pop culture make it a very fun watch. This one has continuity, so be aware that if you decide to watch it, start from the beginning. Perhaps a sports comedy doesn’t sound very interesting, but Ted Lasso is truly one of the great TV shows to come out in recent history. It’s won many awards since its conception, but this wasn’t enough for Apple to produce more seasons, and so far, we saw the last of Lasso in 2023.

Stream on Apple TV+

2 The Bear (2022 - Present)

The Bear

Set in a Chicago sandwich shop, The Bear follows Carmy Berzatto, a young professionally trained chef who returns to take over his family business after the unexpected death of his brother. At odds with many of the shop's employees due to his culinary training, Carmy struggles to maintain order and keep the shop from failing entirely. Jeremy Allen White stars as Carmy alongside Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Ayo Edebiri.

Release Date

June 23, 2022

Cast

Jeremy Allen White , Ebon Moss-Bachrach , Ayo Edebiri , Lionel Boyce , Liza Colón-Zayas , Abby Elliott , Oliver Platt

Main Genre

Comedy

FX’s The Bear takes us to Chicago, where world-renowned chef Carmen Berzatto is forced to get away from the spotlight to manage the kitchen of a sandwich shop that belonged to his late brother. Unfortunately, the current status of the kitchen is absolute chaos, and Mikey left the shop with too many debts. Will Carmy make it to the end, or will he surrender to the disaster that managing a restaurant can bring? The Bear is undoubtedly one of the best shows on modern television.

The Bear is Frantic, Interesting, Alive

The show is an extremely tense journey through the world of modern gastronomy, as seen through the eyes of the troubled Carmy, a man whose talent is proportional to his inability to cope with his current reality and grief. The Bear is a nerve-racking experience that has the ability to break your heart, but also to put it back together with its extraordinary character buildup.

Stream on Hulu

1 The Handmaid’s Tale (2017 - Present)

The Handmaid's Tale

Release Date

April 26, 2017

Cast

Elisabeth Moss , Yvonne Strahovski , Joseph Fiennes , Ann Dowd , O.T. fa*gbenle

Main Genre

Drama

Seasons

5

The Handmaid’s Tale is Hulu’s adaptation of the dystopian book by Margaret Atwood about a new America. In Gilead, fertile women are slaves to the new world leaders, and they perform cold-blooded acts where they must get pregnant. The story is told from June’s perspective, a handmaid who was actually separated from her husband and her daughter during the installation of the new state.

Powerhouse Drama that Feels Extremely Relevant

While it’s not exactly an easy show to watch, Elisabeth Moss’ performance is worth indulging in for the several seasons the show has had so far. It’s also a fascinating survival thriller that feels incredibly relevant considering today’s social standards. This one is kind of disturbing but very bingeable because there’s no filling throughout its entire run.

Stream on Hulu