The Top 20 Things to Watch on Netflix

Netflix LogoI 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 peaksTwin 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.

eternal sunshine of the spotless mindEquilibrium – 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]

21 Comment responses

  1. Avatar
    July 26, 2013

    Nice Post. I still think Netflix is the best bang for your buck as far as the internet streaming world is concerned. “Orange is the New Black” is probably the only show that my wife and I find hilarious at the same time. Very well written however, it does have a lot of foul language and unneeded nudity.

    For the financial analyst in all of us: Just noticed Netflix has started adding sales taxes to their monthly fee. If you happen to live in one of those states that recently approved at internet sales tax be sure to look out for that. I need to move out of Taxesota soon.

    Reply

    • Avatar
      July 26, 2013

      No doubt Taylor. Netflix is an insane value. I’ve heard awesome things about “Orange is the new Black.” I’m gonna have to check that out ASAP. And good tip on the sales tax. I hadn’t heard of that.

      Reply

  2. Avatar
    July 26, 2013

    I think Netflix is a best internet streaming service provider. I like the range of video collection Netflix have and their urgency of adapting new and demanding movies or videos to their server. It’s really an amazing way to impress their consumers and I’m quite pleased to become a member of Netflix community just recently. My favorite shows are dozens on Netflix but I really like to watch movie there more than any other thing. Thanks for good recommendations. I’ll definitely look around those programmings.

    Reply

  3. Avatar
    July 26, 2013

    My favorite? The entire Star Trek universe, uncut and commercial free!

    Reply

    • Avatar
      July 26, 2013

      Star Trek isn’t my cup of tea but I’m glad you dig it Kevin.

      Reply

  4. Avatar
    July 27, 2013

    House of Cards is a good TV series. Another good one that I think is new to Netflix is New Girl, I am surprised at how much I enjoy that show.

    Reply

    • Avatar
      July 27, 2013

      My wife is a big New Girl fan. I’ll watch it with her but it isn’t really my thing. That guy Schmidt should have his own TV show though. He’s hilarious.

      Reply

  5. Avatar
    August 03, 2013

    Dr Who.

    50 year anniversary is this year. Moffat (from Sherlock) directs later seasons.

    New Doctor announced tomorrow!

    Reply

    • Avatar
      August 11, 2013

      I know a bunch of people who love Dr. Who. I’ve never seen it. I’ll have to check it out soon.

      Reply

  6. Avatar
    August 09, 2013

    Some nice picks there. While I have seen quite a few, there are some I haven’t which I intend to check out.

    Reply

  7. Avatar
    August 10, 2013

    Snatch isn’t available on NF.

    Reply

  8. Avatar
    August 20, 2013

    Dude, I just discovered your blog today. Good stuff. This list is great. We seem to have a lot in common. We should be friends more.

    Reply

    • Avatar
      August 21, 2013

      Yeah we should! You are going to be a busy man over these next few months. But lets get together for a beer and catch up – maybe even talk some Breaking Bad.

      Reply

  9. Avatar
    August 30, 2013

    How i met your mother is something to check out

    Reply

    • Avatar
      August 31, 2013

      Thanks for the tip Ruben. I’ll check it out. I’m always up for a good comedy.

      Reply

  10. Avatar
    September 24, 2013

    You’re of Nordic descent and you left off Wallander? That’s a big omission.

    Reply

    • Avatar
      September 24, 2013

      I hang my head in shame. I’ve never even heard of it until now! But that doesn’t mean I can’t binge watch it extremely soon. I’ll let you know what I think.

      Reply

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