By Cassidy Peterson
Staff writer
As the holidays are just around the corner and the weather starts to shift, most of us turn to our TV, phones, and laptops for entertainment. Movie theaters offer little entertainment especially after the strikes, so it is really up to our streaming services to occupy us during this colder season.
With that being said it can be hard to find what you want to watch when there are so many options. Hulu, Netflix, Disney+, Amazon, AppleTV, Peacock, Paramount+; how are you ever supposed to choose?
I know I have spent many nights scouring Netflix and not ever making up my mind, in the end I just rewatch a series I have already seen. That is why sometimes recommendations are what you actually need.
Here is a short list of shows and one movie series that are entertaining and worth watching. It is likely you have not heard of some of these shows, but that just means they are hidden gems that are worth discovering.
Show: “Shrinking”
Platform: Apple TV
Year Released: 2023
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 10
Total binge time: It took me seven days.
Actors/Actresses: Harrison Ford, Jason Segel, Jessica Williams
Critics say: “Shrinking”has darker ideas on its mind than its earnest approach can often translate, but Jason Segel and Harrison Ford’s sparkling turns make these characters worth close analysis.”
-Rotten Tomatoes
Why you should stream it: “Shrinking” tells the story of a recently widowed therapist, who starts being honest with his patients. It is a comedy that pulls at your heartstrings as Jason Segel’s character starts over and tries to reconnect with his daughter, while also struggling with daily parts of life. From bawling while riding a bike to being punched by a patient. This show is sure to make you laugh a lot.
Show: “The Wilds”
Platform: Amazon Prime
Years: 2020-2022
Seasons: 2
Episodes: 18
Total binge time: It took me about 12 days
Actors/Actresses: Sophia Ali, Shannon Berry, Jenna Clause, Mia Healey, Reign Edwards
Critics say: “An addictive thriller that also captures the complex lives of teenage girls, The Wilds is worth getting lost in.”
-Rotten Tomatoes
Why you should stream it: “The Wilds” is a mix between “Lost” and “The Lord of the Flies”. It gives you two different groups of teens to follow, both of which were in airplane crashes and are stranded on an island in the middle of nowhere, although there is more going on than the teens realize. The show is full of twists and turns that you do not see coming, but it also gives off a few laughs, and the realization that the characters are just teenagers.
Show: “Lost in Space”
Platform: Netflix
Years: 2018-2021
Seasons: 3
Episodes: 28
Total binge time: It took me 15 days
Actors/Actresses: Molly Parker, Toby Stephens, Parker Posey, Maxwell Jenkins
Critics say: “But with the addition of strong production values, the grit of good stuntwork in hardscrabble locations, a fine cast, a hatful of decent directors, here is a buoyant commitment to Saturday-morning serial, edge-of-the-sofa thrill for thrill’s abundant sake.”
-Empire Magazine
Why you should stream it: “Lost in Space” follows the Robinson family as they explore outer space in order to find a new home. Nothing can go smoothly for the Robinsons but at least they have each other and their trustee Robot. This show is great to watch with your family or on your own. It is full of action and science fiction.
Platform: Netflix
Year released: 2018
Seasons: 5
Episodes: 50
Total binge time: It took me 30 days
Actors/Actresses: Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, Xolo Maridueña, Peyton List
Critics say: “A high energy showdown for youth in revolt, alongside a never-more-sensitive portrayal of middle-aged reminiscence. It reaffirms Cobra Kai as one of the cleverest reboots in our nostalgia-drunk era.”
Why you should stream it: “Cobra Kai” is perfect for those who love the 1980s movie series “The Karate Kid” or just want to have a good laugh. This show follows Johnny Lawrence, a struggling sensei who strives to help his students and become the best dojo in the area. “Cobra Kai” shows that rivalries never die and new ones can be created with younger generations. Strike first, strike hard, no mercy.
Movie Series: “ The Hunger Games”
Platform: Hulu
Years released: 2012-2015
Movies: 4
Total binge time: It took me a couple days
Actors/Actresses: Katniss Everdeen, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson, Liam Hemsworth
Critics say: “….darker than ‘Harry Potter,’ more sophisticated than ‘Twilight‘.”
– Newsday
Why you should stream it: “The Hunger Games” series offers a sense of nostalgia even if you have watched the movies a thousand times.The movies follow Katniss, who has to fight to the death against other teenagers in “The Hunger Games” and later to fight for what is right. This series will bring you chuckles, romance, and act
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