By this point in the school year, you might be sick of re-watching the same Netflix, Hulu or OnDemand series. It’s time for something different. Lucky for you, web series are increasing in popularity and quality. There are infinite options in every genre under the RGB sun, so if you’re overwhelmed, read on to learn about some of the most addictive shows out there.
If You Like Supernatural Romance: “Carmilla” (YouTube)
Lesbian vampire roommates? Sign me up. “Carmilla” is one of many web serials that modernize classic literature—you can find about 5,000 of these for “Pride and Prejudice” alone. But “Carmilla” draws inspiration from an eponymous 1870s novel, a work considered to be one of the earliest examples of vampire fiction. It even predates Bram Stoker’s “Dracula,” which is arguably the most famous piece of vampire literature. The web series focuses on the seeds of sexuality planted in the source material, emphasizing the theme by placing Carmilla and her all-too human prey in the same room.
If You Like Action: “RWBY” (RoosterTeeth)
Fast-paced fights. Magic powers. A kid-friendly spinoff that brings back all the characters mercilessly killed off in canon. That’s “RWBY” (pronounced “ruby”). For those of us who fantasize about slaying monsters and wielding scythes that are also guns, “RWBY” delivers with lovable characters and animation that (fortunately) is always improving. Get past the clumsiness of the earliest volume one episodes, and you’ll be swept up in high adventure with even higher stakes. And hey, volume six just began, so now’s as good a time as any to start watching!
If You Like Comedy: “My Brother, My Brother, and Me” (VRV)
At only six episodes total, the “MBMAM” web show is eclipsed by its older sibling, a 400+ episode podcast of the same name. Still, the three hours of content available for free on VRV is perfect for anyone who has wondered what would happen if three brothers returned to their hometown and gave some of the worst best advice. Some of the show’s highlights include a tarantula parade, the purchase of a haunted doll and a cameo by writer/musician/actor/general awesome person Lin-Manuel Miranda.
If You Like Pop Culture: Anything by Shane Dawson (YouTube)
If you’ve been on YouTube for a while, you’ve likely stumbled upon—or at least heard of—Shane Dawson. He’s run the gamut of videos, with his roots in sketch comedy developing into daily vlogs and, of course, slime tutorials. But his latest venture consists of professional-level docu-series about some of the platform’s biggest, most elusive names. Several hours of footage explore cosmetic tycoon Jeffree Star and controversial YouTube personality Jake Paul. While the series about Jake is almost as controversial as Jake himself, Shane’s dedication to uncovering the truth and showing all sides of complicated stories makes his videos enthralling.
If You Like Food: BrutalMoose’s Food Reviews (YouTube)
Even if you aren’t a master chef, you can likely appreciate a nice, home-cooked meal. But that’s not what BrutalMoose reviews. Those of us who have ingested whatever the heck is in Lunchables, Kids Cuisine or obscure meals from decades past can sympathize with Ian, aka BrutalMoose. His masterful editing makes the videos feel like real television episodes, and the odd collections of food will keep you watching.