Let’s get real: there’s nothing quite as wonderful as discovering a TV show or miniseries so compelling that hours slip away from you before you even notice. Whether you’re in the mood for heavy drama, mind-bending science fiction, or belly-laughing comedy, the ideal series has a way of staying with you long after the credits come up. Here’s a countdown of the 10 best shows and miniseries you should be streaming right now—starting at number 10 and counting up to the absolute showstopper.
10. The Queen’s Gambit
Never has chess been so charged with drama. Anya Taylor-Joy is superb as Beth Harmon, a chess genius from an orphanage whose rise in the cutthroat chess world is as refined as it is soul-searing. Through seven episodes, the series deals with addiction, trauma, love, and triumph, so that each match becomes a battle for the heart in addition to the board.
9. Boy Swallows Universe
This crime drama coming-of-age follows 13-year-old Eli Bell as he is forced through a turbulent world of addiction, crime, and family turmoil in Brisbane. In a dark setting, the show exudes warmth and optimism and shows how far a person will go for the people they care about. It’s suspenseful, emotional, and full of Aussie charm.
8. Bodies
A thought-provoking British sci-fi crime drama, Bodies tracks four detectives as they examine the same murder in alternate time frames—1890 to 2053. With séances, time travel, and shocking plot turns, it’s impossible to look away. Genre-bending and unpredictable.
7. Baby Reindeer
Based on Richard Gadd’s solo show, this darkly humorous drama delves into trauma, fixation, and the nature of human relationships. Gadd plays Donny Dunn, tormented by his past and stalked by Jessica Gunning’s Martha. Intense, award-winning, and brutally honest, Baby Reindeer is a challenging but hard-to-look-away-from watch.
6. BEEF
Steven Yeun and Ali Wong lead this dark comedy about a road rage brawl that spills into a most consuming vendetta. Hilarious, sloppy, and unexpectedly deep, the series gets into rage, obsession, and life’s unchosen turns—all in binge-watching doses.
5. Adolescence
A dark British crime drama centering on 13-year-old Jamie, accused of murder. A single, uninterrupted shot creates a sense of heightened tension and intimacy as the show explores the “why” behind the crime. A visually stunning and emotionally distressing show co-created by Stephen Graham.
4. Toxic Town
Based on true events, Toxic Town is a genius at combining emotional depth and investigative journalism. The talented mixed cast gives performances for the ages, and the show avoids getting lost in the events and instead examines the human story behind them, leaving one in awe.
3. Wolf Hall
Back after a decade, Wolf Hall comes back to life with the presence of Mark Rylance and Damian Lewis. Clever, clever, and politically complex, it’s a masterclass in period drama that reminds us that some stories get better with age.
2. The Narrow Road to the Deep North
Directed by Justin Kurzel and starring Jacob Elordi, this brutal war drama enlivens the brutality of war with intellectual and emotional power. It’s a difficult, gritty watch, but the direction and performance are indelible.
1. Pee-wee as Himself
First on the list is a documentary that is eye-opening and heartwarming. With unflinching commentaries on Paul Reubens and Pee-wee Herman’s originator, the movie goes beyond nostalgia to engage with creativity, artistry, and humanity. Critics have found it a “revelatory glimpse” into the existence of a comic icon everyone loves.
Whether tracking prodigies, solving crime, or exploring history and human drama, these shows remind us why TV is the greatest storytelling tool. They get us laughing and weeping, and watching just one more episode—because a great story can never be forgotten.