10 Bingeworthy Netflix Originals That You Can Watch Right Now

By Amelia Woolard

Between studying for finals, finishing lingering assignments, and potentially moving apartments, it’s safe to say that your life as a busy college student has gotten even busier during these last few weeks of the school year. Seriously, it seems like just yesterday that you were gearing up for yet another year of collegiate living, and now, you’re staring down a calendar full of due dates and final presentations.

But, no matter how hectic things may seem right now, there’s always time for a bit of relaxation – and by relaxation, we mean plenty of streaming sessions. If you ask us, nothing puts our mind at ease like a few hours – or days! – spent getting wrapped up in the storyline of a new series. And what better place to look for an awesome, new show than Netflix?

The company, which originally started as a DVD rental service, has introduced an impressive catalog of original content over recent years. This is great news for those of us seeking next-level entertainment, but with so many titles to wade through and so little time, you might need a helping hand when it comes to feeding your next Netflix obsession. That’s why your friends here at uCribs have already done the leg work for you and selected 10 Netflix Originals ripe for the binging. Let the streaming commence!

#1: One Day at a Time

Unless you’re a time traveler from another dimension, you definitely weren’t around when One Day at a Time made its television debut in the 1970s. That’s okay, though, because the family sitcom re-introduced itself to Netflix audiences in late 2017 with a spunky, Cuban-American family as its cast.  As they spend their days navigating the complexities of modern life, the characters and plot lines of One Day at a Time truly offer something for everyone. There’s the single mother working hard to make ends meet, the live-in grandmother keeping the family’s Cuban heritage alive, and the daughter coming to terms with her sexuality. All in all, the show presents a strikingly real portrait of a contemporary, mixed-heritage family. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry… and you’ll probably call Mom to tell her how much you appreciate her after all of these years. Don’t worry, the latter is pretty normal.

#2: GLOW

It’s a fact of life: some days, you come home to your off-campus apartment wanting nothing more than to body-slam your insane to-do list, or well, yourself against the hardwood floor… college life is rough sometimes, am I right? But, before you cause any irreparable damage to your home or belongings, we recommend living vicariously through one of our favorite Netflix original series, GLOW. Inspired by a real, all-female wrestling program that premiered in the ‘80s, GLOW follows a cast of actresses, who must bring the heat to the television screen for a professional wrestling promotion. What follows next is plenty of cat fights and killer, throwback costumes, but don’t get it twisted – GLOW is about way more than neon Spandex. Addressing of-the-moment topics like feminism, sexual assault, and socioeconomic barriers, GLOW is as thought-provoking as it is fun to watch.

#3: Tidying Up with Marie Kondo

Whether you’ve already conquered spring cleaning, or you’re too terrified to begin, it’s safe to say that we could all use a bit of encouragement when it comes to maintaining an orderly apartment. That’s why Tidying Up with Marie Kondo is like a breath of fresh air in your usual TV binging regimen. You likely already know who Kondo is: a best-selling author, who’s turned her knack for tidying up into a hugely successful enterprise, and now, a Netflix series. But, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo is so much more than a collection of cleaning tips. It’s a home makeover show with heart, in which Kondo encourages clients to choose items that “spark joy” over hordes of unused— and for a lack of better word— un-joyful belongings. It might sound a little hokey, but once you watch one episode, you’ll see why Kondo is the queen of neat living. And, let’s be real: as a college student, you could probably learn a thing or two about that—in fact, we think your folks will be very pleased.

#4: Ozark

If you still reminisce about the days of Breaking Bad, you’ll love Ozark, a nail-biting drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire way through. The story goes like this: financial planner, Marty Byrde, moves his family from the Chicago suburbs to a resort community in Missouri after getting tangled up in a botched money laundering scheme. To rectify the situation, he agrees to set up a larger laundering operation in the Ozark Mountains and pass on the profits to the Mexican drug cartel threatening his family. Of course, this is easier said than done, and when his family encounters seasoned, local criminals, they discover that their road to redemption will be much, much longer than they had anticipated. Needless to say, Ozark is one of those shows that will definitely make you thankful for your humble lifestyle as an everyday college student.

#5: You

As a young adult, you likely harbor a few secret crushes – and there’s nothing wrong with that! Let’s just hope that your Prince (or Princess) Charming is nothing like the lead character in this spine-tingling Netflix Original, though. Originally a Lifetime series but now a popular addition to Netflix’s original content roster, You is a creepy drama about an innocent crush turned full-blown obsession. When a bookstore manager crosses paths with an attractive, aspiring writer, he sets out to win her affections, using the most disturbing methods possible. We won’t give away any spoilers, but let’s just say that You expertly blends a 21st century love story with a true crime thriller, and the results are downright haunting… so haunting that we might even suggest watching it with your special someone! Hey, it gives you an excuse to cuddle up, at the very least.

#6: The Umbrella Academy

In need of new comic book-based entertainment now that the Avengers movies have run their course? The Umbrella Academy puts a new spin on the tried-and-true superhero storyline. The series follows seven children, who were all born on the same day to unsuspecting mothers. After being adopted by an eccentric billionaire and trained to harness their supernatural abilities for good, the kids are released to lead “normal” lives. But, being raised as a young superhero has its pitfalls, resulting in utter confusion for the seven kids when it comes to joining the real world. Filled with wacky subplots and incredible visuals, The Umbrella Academy is sure to delight any fan of the superhero genre. Plus, the series was just recently renewed for a second season, giving you plenty of time to catch up on past episodes and look forward to what’s to come.

#7: BoJack Horseman

Ever wondered what it’d be like to be a rich and famous… horse? Probably not but bear with us here. BoJack Horseman, a Netflix Original about an egotistical actor – who just so happens to be a horse – blends comedy and tragedy for an insightful look into Hollywood’s darker underbelly. Unlike other comedies featuring happy-go-lucky characters, BoJack Horseman doesn’t shy away from character complexities. In fact, most of the show’s allure comes from its treatment of sticky subjects, like addiction, mental illness, and racism. But, don’t worry, there’s also plenty of satire surrounding the entertainment industry and life in general – not to mention a sizable cast of human-like animals. So, even if you’re not a famous horse-man battling depression, you can still laugh at the ridiculousness of fame and all of the dogs, cats, and tree frogs trying to make it to the top of the film industry food chain.

#8: Mindhunter

It may be hard to fathom now, but there was once a time when “serial killers” were unheard of – not because they didn’t exist, but because there was little research surrounding the phenomenon of mass murder.  Thankfully, all of that changed when a small team of agents began building the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit in the late 1970s. This forms the backbone of the Netflix Original, Mindhunter, a crime-drama like no other you’ve seen—yes, really! Unlike numerous crime series, Mindhunter doesn’t just get by with a creepy storyline. It goes much deeper into the science behind modern-day criminal profiling, allowing you to draw parallels between the FBI agents’ obsession with serial killers and the serial killers’ infatuation with their victims. If that doesn’t make the hair on your arms stand up straight, we honestly don’t know what will!

#9: Salt Fat Acid Heat

No matter where you fall on the spectrum of culinary ability, it’s likely that you harbor a fascination with cooking shows. Shows like Master Chef and Chopped raised most of our interest in home cooking from a 2 to a 10— not only providing ample in-the-kitchen inspiration but also granting us with a glimpse into the lives of both widely acclaimed and everyday, at-home chefs. Told though the perspective of James Beard Award-winning author and noted New York Times food journalist, Samin Nosrat, Salt Fat Acid Heat is a perfect blend of accomplished and approachable, making her Netflix Original series so darn appealing. Watch as this instantly likable chef travels the world, meets new people, and – of course – prepares some amazing food along the way.

#10:  Orange is the New Black

Rounding off our list of binge-worthy Netflix series is one of the platform’s first, and most watched, original content efforts. Orange is the New Black follows Piper’s journey as she does hard time at a women’s prison for a crime committed ten years earlier. As she navigates a corrupt corrections system, Piper forms unlikely friendships with her prison mates, learning their various stories and, ultimately, why each is now behind bars. With its unflinching take on the culture surrounding imprisonment, Orange is the New Black is hilariously bold programming, but what really makes the show worth watching (or re-watching) all these years later is its influence on Netflix’s original content as we know it. After all, if it weren’t for the success of this groundbreaking series, Netflix may have never released the other standout titles on this list!

Share this article: