Let’s face it: there are times that you stay up to watch a long-standing series that you can stay with for days, and then other times you simply want a show that shocks you and is done in one sitting (at least, one weekend). Fast, but impactful viewing is now where Netflix is the go-to place: brief, self-contained series that depict a complete story, and short features that pack all the intensity of a feature in half the time. The 10 shows that no longer dismissing the small things can be the most excellent, from the strange animation to the exciting true-life drama.
10. African Folktales Reimagined
This collection is a gem. Six African filmmakers retell timeless folklore with brilliant flair. From mythical creatures to worlds set in the future, every tale is a new take and a celebration of cross-cultural storytelling on a world stage. It’s gorgeous, daring, and unlike anything else available on the platform.
9. The House
A stop-motion fever dream in three acts, The House is both spooky and magical. Each of the anthology’s tales revolves around the same odd house throughout various periods, animated by celebrated indie animators. The result is strange, unnerving, and visually captivating—a must for those who love experimental animation.
8. Modest Heroes
From Studio Ponoc—the team that carries Studio Ghibli’s legacy forward—comes a trio of deeply human short films. Whether it’s an underwater family, a boy battling a severe food allergy, or a lonely invisible man, each tale mixes fantasy and emotion in that distinct Japanese animation style fans know and love.
7. Robin Robin
This sweet stop-motion Christmas special from Aardman veterans tells the story of a robin raised by mice, eager to prove she belongs. With felted characters, original songs, and plenty of heart, it’s a warm, family-friendly watch that feels destined to become a seasonal staple.
6. The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar
Wes Anderson adapts Roald Dahl’s short story into a 40-minute, effervescent, three-timer of a film starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Ben Kingsley, and Ralph Fiennes. It’s whimsical, nicely stylized, and suitable when you need Anderson’s trademark peculiarity in doses rather than committing to a feature film.
5. Love, Death + Robots
This Emmy-winning anthology series is a sci-fi, horror, and fantasy shorts kaleidoscope—all different in tone and style of animation. Some are dark and creepy, some dazzlingly gorgeous, but each episode feels like an isolated experiment in bending the boundaries of storytelling.
4. Baby Reindeer
Richard Gadd’s blistering limited series is based on his own real-life experience—and it’s not a comfortable watch. The series tracks Donny, an up-and-coming comedian, as he’s ruthlessly stalked by a woman called Martha, treading the fine line between sympathy and terror. It’s raw, darkly comedic, and unforgettably horrible—a series that gets under your skin.
3. Adolescence
This addictive British miniseries delivers a massive emotional wallop within just four episodes. Filmed partly in single, uninterrupted takes, it follows the trial of a 13-year-old murder suspect and explores the intricate family and social relationships involved in the case. Gripping, heartbreaking, and superbly performed, it will have you thinking about it for days to come.
2. The Queen’s Gambit
The series that made chess cool. Anya Taylor-Joy is exquisite as Beth Harmon, the orphaned chess genius whose intelligence is matched only by her addiction and trauma. With its striking images and compelling narrative, it’s an ideal binge that’s as much about survival and identity as strategy and pawns.
1. Bodies
This British sci-fi crime thriller is a genre mashup executed to perfection. Four detectives working in four eras—1890, 1941, 2023, and 2053—are faced with the same corpse in the same location. A mind-bending, twisty mystery ensues, incorporating history, sci-fi, and good old-fashioned detective work. It’s binge bait of the highest variety.
Whether you have half an hour or an entire weekend, these short films and limited series show you don’t need dozens of episodes to tell a phenomenal story. Netflix has assembled an incredible library of short, bingeable treasures—so the next time you’re not prepared to invest in a multi-season epic, dig into one of these and let the tale carry you off.