It can be hard trying to figure out something that is short, yet captivating or something fun for a friendly get-together to watch on Netflix, popular streaming platform. With new Netflix movies and series being released daily, choosing something that enthrals without turning you into a slave of your television set might be a really huge task.
Here’s a list of ten of such series that are short, captivating and would be worth your while;
Never Have I Ever
In this comedy-drama created by Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher, an Indian-American teen just wants to climb the social ladder but friends, family and feelings do not make it easy for her.
Devi tries to escape the status of being “uncool” as she begins the life of a high schooler. She struggles with her identity as an Indian and as a young girl. With only two seasons in, Never Have I Ever has made its way to the top 10 of everyone’s list, and should be on yours too.
Lupin
Starring Omar Sy – who won the 42nd Cesar Award for Best Actor in 2017 for his leading role in the French biopic “Chocolat”- the action-packed thriller, Lupin, is a retelling of the classic French story about Arséne Lupin, a gentleman thief and master of disguise, created in 1905 by French writer Maurice Leblanc. The mystery and adventure driven series will keep you glued to your screens.
Bojack Horseman
In this animation created by Raphael Bob-Waksberg, a humanoid horse – Bojack Horseman – lost in a sea of contempt, self-loathing and booze, decides to come back to showbiz after retiring. Being a former sitcom star in the 90s, Bojack with the help of his human sidekick and feline ex-girlfriend who happens to be his agent, set out to reclaim Bojack’s dignity.
This series is one of the realest animations put out by Netflix. It tackles real life situations and makes the characters, as fictional as they are, very relatable. The show has received over forty nominations and has won many awards. Why shouldn’t this be in your top 10?
Bridgerton
Too Hot to Handle
They certainly are too hot to handle even with a 100,000 dollars at stake! In this Netflix original reality TV series, a group of the hottest people sign up for a retreat, only to get the biggest surprise of their lives. In exchange for 100,000 dollars, these hotties are expected to abstain from any form of sexual activity, including self gratification.
How are they to survive when everyone is just too hot to handle? With an android – Lana – watching their every move, the members of the group are forced to build deeper connections, friendships and even love, they are taught to see their peers beyond the surface….and they get some money too so that’s a bonus!
Castlevania
Inspired by the iconic video game “Castlevania”, this anime is a fantasy series that follows the story of the last surviving member of the Belmont clan, Trevor Belmont, and the destruction of Eastern Europe by the Vampire king, Vlas Dracula Tepes. Dracula, after sparing humanity due to the love found with his human wife, Lisa.
Her death served as Dracula’s motivation to wage war on humanity. As Dracula and his army wage war on mankind, Trevor Belmont, Alucard and Syphia work on how to stop him. It’s a must watch.
The Queen’s Gambit
In this historical fiction, starring the award-winning Anya-Taylor Joy, an orphaned chess prodigy struggles with her addiction in the quest to become the best chess player in the world.
After growing up in an orphanage since she was 9, Beth Harmon develops an addiction for chess and makes it her coping mechanism as well as her dream to become the best chess player there is. The series has been nominated for a series of awards and has won a golden globe.
The Umbrella Academy
Former child star, famous for his role as Ricky in the Nickelodeon show “Nicky, Ricky, Dicky and Dawn”, Aidan Gallagher, plays the role of Number five in this action-packed thriller.
In The Umbrella Academy, 43 infants are born with no explanation to random women who showed no signs of pregnancy prior to the births. Seven of these superhuman children are adopted by billionaire industrialist Sir Reginald Hargreeves, who creates the Umbrella Academy and prepares his “children” to save the world. Due to certain situations, the family fractures and the team disbands.
The six surviving members of the clan reunite upon the news of their “fathers” passing and try to work together to solve the mystery of their father’s death. The series is based on a collection of comics and graphic novels created and written by My Chemical Romance lead singer Gerard Way.
Sex Education
Otis is a socially-awkward teenager in high school with little to no experience in….well sex. His mother, Jean, however, has all the experience and expertise as embarrassing as it is, so he’s well educated on the topic despite his lack of experience.
Elite
In this Spanish drama, three working class, average teenagers enroll in a high class high school, a school for the Elite, which leads to a clash between the students resulting in a murder.
As the secret behind the murder unfolds gradually, there are unforseen developments in the personal relationships between the working class and the Elite. The series was created by Carlos Montero and Dario Madrona.
By Okpor Elishama
