We’ve all been there – scrolling through Netflix’s barrage of options, but never finding anything that suits our fancy, so we just end up watching our favorite TV shows or movies, rather than discovering something new. I’ve had this problem since first getting a Netflix subscription, many moons ago, and the problem isn’t subsiding. Blame the algorithm, the slew of new releases and additions every month or the growing amount of streaming services; it just seems like there are too many options.
Lucky for you, I’ve got five Netflix Originals that you should consider watching the next time you open the well-loved (and, at times, frustrating) streaming service. Some of these are TV shows, and some are movies, but none of them have gotten as much media attention as some of the other Netflix Originals, like Stranger Things or Bird Box. They might not be underground finds, by any means, but you probably haven’t been hit over the head with reference after reference to the show or movie, which can be quite refreshing.
Without further ado, here are five Netflix Originals that might breathe some fresh air into a streaming service (you think) you know like the back of your hand.
- Daybreak
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When I first saw the trailer for Daybreak, I thought, “Not another zombie show.” I’m tired of zombie content, and I didn’t watch the show until this past winter break. Surprisingly, I was hooked from the start. Daybreak is unlike most zombie-related TV shows or movies; it’s more fun than dire, and the majority of the characters are teenagers. Furthermore, many of the episodes switch character perspectives, making the show refreshing, fast-paced and addictive. The second half of the season also touches on double standards, consent and women’s empowerment! It’s a shame that the show got canceled after its first season.
- Greenhouse Academy
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Are you looking for a TV show that will let you shut your mind off for 20-ish minutes? Greenhouse Academy is your answer. Greenhouse Academy‘s primary demographic might be tweens, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t watch it. We’ve got relationship drama, larger conspiracies and basketball, which I know we all love at UNC! Also, the show is set in a presitigous academy. Sure, the acting might not be top-notch, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have a good time. The episodes, which are short and end on cliff-hangers, will leave you pressing that “Next Episode” button right as it appears. There are three seasons, which should last you a week, at most. I’m not exaggerating! I’ve watched each season in the span of a couple days; it’s compulsively watchable.
- Ibiza: Love Drunk
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Ever since I watched Ibiza: Love Drunk (also referred to as Ibiza), I’ve been yearning for more of my friends to watch it. It’s like a less sad, just as romantic, messier version of Someone Great, which I absolutely loved. If you want to watch a group of close-knit friends party, find themselves and possibly fall in love (with Richard Madden no less!), look no further. Ibiza is such a fun time, and it’s perfect for a solitary night-in or for a sleepover party with your friends.
- The Hookup Plan
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Here’s something you should know about me: I love anything with romance, and I’m someone who is perpetually single and perfectly content in single-dom, thankyouverymuch. If you’re like me and you love watching romance plots, especially with a core cast of female friends, then The Hookup Plan is a perfect match. This French TV series, comprised of 14 episodes spanning two seasons, is funny, relatable and such a realistic look at the modern dating scene, being a 20-something woman and becoming independent. Mark a day in your calendar to watch the series all the way through; it’s that good.
- I Am Not An Easy Man
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I just watched I Am Not An Easy Man a couple days ago, and I had to include it on this list. This French film follows Damien, a chauvanistic know-it-all who thinks he treats women well (he does not). When he bumps his head, he’s transported into another world, where women are the dominant gender. It’s a woman’s world! Not only is the film amusing, but it’s a wonderful example of how entrenched sexism is in our everday lives. As women, it’s easy to forget the micro-agressions and oppressions that become our everyday life, varying from the clothes at our disposal to the subtle (yet creepy) looks from complete strangers. I Am Not An Easy Man might be light-hearted, but it’s also a searing look at how women are constantly pushed down, all from a switched perspective. Prepare to be reincentivized for our fight for equal rights!
If you’re hesitant about watching a foreign-language film, think back to the recent Golden Globes. Critically-acclaimed director Bong Joon Ho said, “Once you overcome the 1-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.” Don’t hold yourself back or let your prejudices get in the way of watching such a fun and empowering film like I Am Not An Easy Man!
Not sure what to watch the next time you open Netflix? Well, refer back to this post and watch to your heart’s content. These shows/movies might not be as well-known as other Netflix Originals (I’m looking at you, Anne with An E or To All The Boy’s I’ve Loved Before), but they deserve to be watched and loved. Who knows? Maybe one of these shows/movies will become the next thing you watch on Netflix when you can’t find anything else.