To get through the stress of finals week, one of the only things keeping me sane is daydreaming about winter break and all the free time I will soon have. For a successful, relaxing winter break, it is integral to have the perfect viewing lineup ready. During the semester, schedules get crazy and you don’t always have time to watch everything you want to, so winter break is the perfect time to settle in on the couch and catch up on everything you’ve missed. This list is a combination of my recent watches that I recommend you add to your watchlist and shows and movies I look forward to watching myself.
My recommendations
- ) All Her Fault
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This is absolutely my number 1 must-watch for anyone who hasn’t seen it yet. It is the perfect binge-watch for relaxing at home. The show has eight episodes that are less than an hour each, and I would have watched it all in one day if I could have. It is a mystery thriller about a wealthy couple looking for their missing son, and the investigation reveals dark family secrets that change their lives forever. The twists keep you on your toes the whole time, the acting performances are incredible, and I just can’t recommend it enough. It does require a Peacock Premium Plus subscription, so I recommend just using a free trial. I guarantee you will have no problem finishing the show in a week.
- ) The Roses
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This is another recent watch of mine, as it just moved to Hulu, and it is a fun watch to enjoy with friends or family over break. It is a comedy about a couple whose career trajectories go in opposite directions, leading to tension and resentment, accompanied by classic British wit. This movie has big names with Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch as our main couple, and Andy Samberg, Kate McKinnon, and Allison Janney amplifying the comedy. It is smart, unexpected, and definitely worth the watch.
- ) Wicked: For Good
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While I’m sure you are all aware of this movie, I just can’t leave it out of my recommendations. I am a huge fan of Wicked, and while this movie has mixed reviews, I think it is equally as incredible as the first installment. While the added original songs are not the strongest, which is one of the main critiques of the movie, I still found them enjoyable, and they certainly don’t take away from the rest of the movie. The songs may not be as catchy or show-stopping as the first movie, but there is incredible lyricism and emotional performances in “Thank Goodness,” “No Good Deed,” and, of course, “For Good.” If you haven’t seen it yet, winter break is a great time to sit down and give it a watch.
My watchlist
- ) Nobody Wants This : Season 2
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This is one that just slipped through the cracks of a busy semester, and I haven’t gotten a chance to watch it yet. I loved the first season of this show, a romantic comedy about a rabbi and a podcaster trying to navigate their very different lifestyles, and was so excited for season two. Unfortunately, I have heard mixed reviews about the second season, which is probably why I haven’t made it a priority to watch, but I certainly want to give it a try for myself. I love all the actors in it and particularly enjoy the main character’s siblings, played by Justine Lupe and Timothy Simons, and I am curious to see how their storylines play out.
- ) A Man on the Inside : Season 2
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Keeping on the theme of Netflix comedies that I haven’t gotten to season two of yet, I have A Man on the Inside. I watched the first season over winter break last year with my mom, and we will definitely be tuning in to season two. It is a cute comedy with a mystery element, about a retired professor who works with a private investigator to go undercover in a nursing home. Ted Danson plays the main character, and he is as funny and charming as ever. It is surprisingly heartfelt and emotional, and I look forward to seeing where they take it in season two.
- ) Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
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This movie is by far the one I’m most excited to watch over winter break. This is the third installment of the Knives Out franchise, which stars Daniel Craig as world-class detective Benoit Blanc, who solves a new impossible murder in every movie. The first Knives Out movie is one of my favorite movies of all time, and I also really enjoyed the second one, so I have been patiently waiting for the next. This movie is about the murder of a monsignor, and it has good reviews so far, so I am looking forward to it. If you haven’t seen the first two movies, I suggest you watch those first to get ready for this release.
Craft Your Own Watchlist
While this list is rather tailored to my personal tastes, I think it has a little something for everyone, from dramas to mysteries to comedies. Even if you don’t watch anything directly off this list, I hope this inspires you to take advantage of your free time over break and try some new watches that you haven’t gotten a chance to tune into!