Before the tryptophan from the turkey kicks in, check out TheWrap’s list of shows you can binge in four days over your Thanksgiving weekend.
“Stranger Things” Season 1
If you missed the “Stranger Things” bandwagon last year, Netflix will gladly welcome you aboard. Season 1 is only eight episodes, and the cliffhanger endings will have you hitting “play next” every time.
“Freaks and Geeks”
Judd Apatow’s cult classic series is only one season long, so you can probably fit it in somewhere between Black Friday shopping and leftover turkey sandwiches. It’ll take you back to Thanksgiving breaks in high school when you were just as awkward as the kids in the show. Available on Netflix.
“Riverdale” Season 1
The CW sensation is in the midst of Season 2, but you have time to catch up. The teen murder mystery will keep you hooked, and familiar characters from the Archie comics just might draw in some folks from the older crowd, too.
“This Is Us” Season 1
Bring out the tissues. Maybe your family has a Thanksgiving tradition as specific as the Pearson family’s. Regardless, you should add this NBC tear-jerker to the rotation.
“Parks and Rec”
Sometimes you just need a little humor amid the family gathering chaos, and Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) delivers. “Parks and Rec” is one of those half-hour comedies you can sit and binge, but it doesn’t have to be in any particular order or season to enjoy.
“30 Rock”
You might not have time to binge all seven seasons, but hey, you do you. The short episodes and silly humor make “30 Rock” way more digestible than dry turkey.
“The Office”
With plenty of holiday episodes to choose from, the lighthearted antics of the Dunder Mifflin team is the perfect Thanksgiving weekend binge. Plus, Jim and Pam’s romance will give you all of those warm fuzzies you crave during the holidays. Available on Netflix.
“The Night Of”
This HBO drama is only eight episodes, so you can definitely finish in four days. The Emmy-winning mystery about a young man locked up for a murder he can’t remember will have you hooked.
“Friday Night Lights”
Clear eyes, full hearts, fuller stomachs. Did we get that right? With all that NFL you’re going to watch over the weekend, balance it out with the high school drama about the Dillon Panthers. Though no longer on Netflix it’s worth the purchase on Apple TV or Amazon.
“Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life”
If you were a fan of the original series, you might just love this Netflix reboot. It’s only four episodes (one for each season), and is chock full of coffee, snarky remarks and heartwarming Lorelei-Rory moments.
“The Defenders”
Instead of watching all four of Netflix’s street hero series, watch Season 1 of “The Defenders.” It does a good job of catching viewers up on the backstory, so you won’t be confused if you haven’t watched “Jessica Jones,” “Daredevil,” “Luke Cage” or “Iron Fist.” Plus, it’s just a fun time watching these guys defend New York City.
“Bloodline”
Family drama will be at your Thanksgiving dinner anyway, so why not bring in Kyle Chandler and the Rayburn family in for some more? On Netflix.
“Atypical”
This Netflix show will warm your cold heart during the holidays. It’s a story about a teenage boy with Autism learning how to navigate dating, right along with his sister and parents. Plus, it’s only one season of half-hour episodes. You’ll be able to finish it before your return flight from your parents’ house.
“Good Girls Revolt”
This is a truly underrated show, and once you watch it, you’ll understand why. It’s like a feminist version of “Mad Men.” Sadly, it was canceled by Amazon after only one season, but only 10 episodes means you can definitely get through it in a weekend.
“The Confession Tapes”
This docu-series follows the stories of people convicted of murder who say their confessions were coerced, involuntary or false. If you love the true-crime genre, you’ll be enthralled with this look at injustices in the judicial system on Netflix.
“Making a Murderer”
If you haven’t hopped on the “Making a Murderer” bandwagon, now is the perfect time to do so. Netflix made a splash on the true-crime scene with this enigmatic mystery, filmed over a 10-year span.
“Ozark”
You’ll hardly recognize Jason Bateman in this dark Netflix drama. The “Arrested Development” alum plays a dad who uproots his family from Chicago to the Ozarks of Missouri to keep a drug kingpin happy by diving deeply into the underworld of money laundering. Look out for a standout performance by Julia Garner.
“Big Little Lies”
OK, if you missed the BLL phenomenon earlier this year, here’s your chance to play catchup. The Emmy-winning HBO series covers the upper crust world of Monterey, California, where drama and secrets run as high as the beachfront floor-to-ceiling windows. Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman and Shailene Woodley star in this girl-powered drama based on Liane Moriarty’s novel of the same name.
“American Vandal”
Everyone’s favorite new parody is easily digestible thanks to the hilarious cast and its joking take on the true-crime genre. After bingeing this on Netflix, you’ll be asking yourself, too: “Who drew the dicks??”
“Legion”
FX’s foray into the X-Men universe is a delight, but prep yourself for some scares, too. Dan Stevens stars alongside Rachel Keller and Aubrey Plaza in a take on superheroes like you’ve never seen before.
“Master of None” Season 2
If you watch nothing else this weekend, watch the second season of “Master of None” on Netflix. There’s not much that hinges on having seen the first season beforehand. Just know that Aziz moved to Italy following a bad breakup. And if you can’t bring yourself to binge the whole season, at least watch Episode 8, “Thanksgiving.” It’s a thoughtful and poignant coming out story for which Lena Waithe and Aziz Ansari won an Emmy.
