I posted about cutting the cord recently. There are great financial benefits for you and some major lifestyle benefits as well. As added motivation I’m posting some of the best things that you can find to watch on Netflix – at least according to a tall skinny 29 year-old of Norwegian descent. Here are the top 20 things to watch on Netflix – in no particular order.

Breaking Bad – My favorite TV show of all time. You should start watching it now. Even if you are at work. Just do it.

Super Troopers – Absolutely hilarious. I couldn’t stop laughing the first time I watched this.

Sherlock – This is the best offering from the BBC on Netflix. There are some really interesting story lines. The episodes are super long though.

Arrested Development – The best television comedy ever to hit the airwaves. Seinfeld was pretty good too.

Jiro Dreams of Sushi – I love a good documentary. This one was shot beautifully and Jiro was an amazing subject. If you want to be great at something watch this and be inspired.

Ken Burns: Baseball – What did I just say? I like a good documentary. And what could be better than 20 documented hours  on the history of our national pastime by the master himself, Ken Burns.

The Walking Dead – I’m not normally into zombie shows but this one is too good to pass up.

Mad Men – AMC’s first major hit. The set and costume design are superb. You really feel like you’ve been transported back into the 60’s. I’m a sucker for the mid century style and culture.

Twin Peaks – Eery and beautiful. A cult classic. It’s kind of like a soap opera based around a murder in the great Pacific Northwest.

House of Cards – I told you that Netflix’s original programming is fantastic. This was their first go at producing a made for internet show and they hit a home run with this political thriller. Check out “Orange is the New Black” too. It’s getting rave reviews.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind – This is a classic Charlie Kaufman flick. I love it when comedy actor’s pull off a drama. Jim Carrey was spectacular in this one.

Equilibrium – Like “The Matrix” but better. Seriously. Loved this Sci-Fi thriller.

The Artist – No words are uttered until the very last scene. I thought I would be bored. I was enthralled. Amazing movie.

Parks and Recreation – Quick wit and great acting in this NBC comedy.

Exit Through the Gift Shop – Another documentary. This one is just as enthralling as “Jiro Dreams of Sushi.”

The Return (Vozvrashchenie) – I’ve gotta throw a foreign film in here. This one is a gem from Russia. A father comes back home after a 12 year absence to take his boys on a trip and get reacquainted. Beautiful scenery and incredibly emotional. I love a good foreign flick and this one is up there with the all-time greats in my opinion.

Mary and Max – An incredibly cute claymation movie. A middle aged New Yorker with Asperger’s syndrome and an 8 year-old Australian girl become pen pals.

Donnie Darko – I like a few weird movies. This one enters that category. Another cult classic. Plus, the soundtrack is 80’s gold.

Sons of Anarchy – Can you tell I like gritty yet? This FX show is about a biker gang in California. Great acting and a really interesting cast of characters.

Memento – One of the best directing jobs I’ve ever seen. A man with short term memory loss trying to find his wife’s killer. Definitely an all time great.

There are a lot of honorable mentions that could have easily made the cut. Pulp Fiction, Punch Drunk Love, 30 Rock, That 70’s Show, and The Pianist.

I hope this programming list of things to watch on Netflix helps you start to think more and more about cord cutting. What are some of your favorite Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Hulu shows?

[photos courtesy of quiche and zoooma]