Finding truly good shows to watch right now feels like digging through an avalanche of content sometimes. I get it - last weekend I spent 45 minutes scrolling through Netflix and Hulu before giving up and rewatching The Office again. Not that there's anything wrong with Michael Scott's antics, but come on, there's got to be fresh stuff worth our time.
After tracking release schedules, testing dozens of shows, and chatting with fellow binge-watchers at my local coffee shop (shoutout to Grounded Brews crew), I've curated this constantly updated guide to what's actually worth watching this month. No fluff, just shows that'll make you forget to check your phone.
The Absolute Must-Sees This Month
These three blew me away recently. Like, "cancel-plans" level good:
Shōgun (FX/Hulu)
Historical drama done right. Set in feudal Japan, it follows a shipwrecked English sailor caught in political warfare. The production quality is insane - those costumes! The last time I saw this much detail was in Game of Thrones' early seasons. Episodes drop weekly on Hulu (Tuesdays). What surprised me? The Japanese dialogue isn't subtitled when English characters don't understand - genius immersion technique.
Historical Drama FX/Hulu Editor's Pick
The Gentlemen (Netflix)
Guy Ritchie's film turned series about aristocrats mingling with criminals. It's got that signature snappy dialogue and dark humor. Theo James as Eddie Horniman? Perfect casting. Eight episodes all available now. Warning: The boxing gym scene in episode 3 had me laughing so hard I scared my cat.
Crime Comedy Netflix Full Season Available
Fallout (Prime Video)
Video game adaptations usually disappoint, right? Not this one. Set in post-apocalyptic Los Angeles, it nails the games' dark humor and retro-futurism. Ella Purnell as Lucy carries the show. Full season streaming now. My gamer friends approve - and they're tough critics.
Sci-Fi Action Prime Video Based on Game
| Show | Platform | Genre | Episodes | Release Pattern | Perfect For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shōgun | Hulu/FX | Historical Drama | 10 (ongoing) | Weekly (Tuesdays) | Visual spectacle fans |
| The Gentlemen | Netflix | Crime Comedy | 8 (complete) | Binge-ready | Guy Ritchie fans |
| Fallout | Prime Video | Sci-Fi Action | 8 (complete) | Binge-ready | Gamers & dystopia lovers |
| X-Men '97 | Disney+ | Animated Superhero | 6 (ongoing) | Weekly (Wednesdays) | 90s kids |
| Baby Reindeer | Netflix | Psychological Drama | 7 (complete) | Binge-ready | True story enthusiasts |
Hidden Gems You Might've Missed
These slipped under most people's radar but deserve attention:
Girls5eva (Netflix)
A 90s girl group reunites decades later. Surprisingly sharp satire about fame and aging. The musical numbers? Weirdly catchy. All three seasons available. My wife forced me to watch this and I ended up binging it alone later. Shh.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith (Prime Video)
Forget the Brangelina version. Donald Glover and Maya Erskine have explosive chemistry as spies in a marriage of convenience. Only eight episodes but each feels like a mini-movie. That silent fight scene in episode 4? Chef's kiss.
Why they're overlooked: Limited marketing budgets and crowded release schedules mean great shows get buried. I found these through film festival connections - lucky break!
Critically Acclaimed Heavy Hitters
These dominated awards season but might've fallen off your radar:
The Bear (Hulu)
Season 3 drops June 27th. If you haven't experienced the chaotic genius of Chef Carmy's kitchen, binge seasons 1-2 now. Warning: You'll crave Italian beef sandwiches constantly. Personal confession - I actually tried making the omelet from season 2. Let's just say mine looked like scrambled eggs.
True Detective: Night Country (Max)
The Jodie Foster season breathed new life into this anthology. Frozen Alaska setting provides incredible atmosphere. All episodes available. Mixed opinions online but I loved the supernatural hints. Didn't love the ending though - felt rushed.
| Show | Rotten Tomatoes | IMDb | Awards Buzz | Commitment Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Bear (S1-2) | 100% | 8.6 | 10 Emmy wins | Medium (18 eps) |
| True Detective: Night Country | 92% | 7.3 | Limited series contender | Low (6 eps) |
| Succession (Complete) | 95% | 8.8 | 19 Emmy wins | High (39 eps) |
| Hacks (S3) | 100% | 8.2 | Leading comedy contender | Medium (24 eps) |
Quick Binge Checklist by Mood
What are you in the mood for tonight?
- Need laughs?
• Abbott Elementary (Hulu) - Mockumentary about Philly teachers
• Jury Duty (Freevee) - Reality experiment gone hilariously right - Craving mystery?
• Bodies (Netflix) - Four detectives, one body, multiple timelines
• Mare of Easttown (Max) - Kate Winslet's career-best work - Want escapism?
• 3 Body Problem (Netflix) - Epic alien contact saga
• Percy Jackson (Disney+) - Better than the movies, fans agree - Feeling nostalgic?
• X-Men '97 (Disney+) - 90s revival done right
• Avatar: The Last Airbender (Netflix) - Surprisingly faithful adaptation
What's Releasing Soon?
Mark these dates:
- The Boys Season 4 - June 13 (Prime Video)
- House of the Dragon S2 - June 16 (Max)
- Severance Season 2 - Late 2024 (Apple TV+)
- The White Lotus Season 3 - Early 2025 (Max)
Pro tip: Set calendar alerts for premiere dates! I missed the Severance return announcement and only caught it because my barista mentioned it. True story.
Where to Stream Everything
The streaming maze simplified:
| Service | Price | Free Trial | Top Shows Right Now | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix | $6.99-$22.99/mo | None | Baby Reindeer, Ripley, 3 Body Problem | Variety & originals |
| Hulu | $7.99-$17.99/mo | 7 days | Shōgun, The Bear, Only Murders | Next-day network TV |
| Max | $9.99-$19.99/mo | None | House of Dragon, Hacks, True Detective | HBO quality |
| Prime Video | $8.99/mo (or free w/Prime) | 30 days | Fallout, Mr & Mrs Smith, The Boys | Book adaptations |
| Disney+ | $7.99/mo | None | X-Men '97, Percy Jackson, Shōgun | Family & franchises |
Money-saving hack: Rotate services monthly based on what you want to watch. I only keep two active at once.
Reader Questions Answered
Here are actual questions from my newsletter subscribers:
"Which good shows to watch right now have complete seasons?"
Binge-friendly options:
- Beef (Netflix) - 10 episodes of rage-filled brilliance
- Poker Face (Peacock) - Natasha Lyonne solves murders Columbo-style
- Blue Eye Samurai (Netflix) - Animated revenge tale with stunning visuals
"What's actually worth paying for Apple TV+?"
Their quality-over-quantity approach works. Must-sees:
- Severance (mind-bending office thriller)
- Silo (post-apocalyptic mystery)
- Slow Horses (spy comedy with Gary Oldman)
Worth the $9.99/month if you watch 2+ shows.
"Any good shows to watch right now under 30 minutes?"
Short-attention-span specials:
- Fargo S5 (Hulu) - 45 min episodes but worth it
- Jury Duty (Freevee) - 30 min reality-bending comedy
- What We Do in Shadows (Hulu) - 22 min vampire mockumentary
"How do I find good shows outside algorithm traps?"
My method:
1. Follow showrunners, not studios (Mike White, Christopher Storer etc)
2. Check film festival buzz (SXSW, TIFF)
3. Trust niche critics over mainstream
4. Ask friends with similar taste - text three people before scrolling
Personal Recommendations Beyond Trends
Some personal favorites that aren't getting enough love:
- Reservation Dogs (Hulu) - Indigenous teens in Oklahoma. Funny, moving, authentic. Series finale wrecked me.
- Scavengers Reign (Max) - Animated survival sci-fi. Like Alien meets Hayao Miyazaki. Canceled too soon but still worth it.
- Colin from Accounts (Paramount+) - Australian rom-com with injured dog subplot. Sounds weird, works perfectly.
Why I recommend these: They took risks. Reservation Dogs hired Indigenous writers room. Scavengers Reign has no dialogue for entire sequences. Colin from Accounts embraces awkward silence better than any show since The Office.
Final Thoughts for Finding Good Shows to Watch Right Now
The secret? Stop scrolling and start watching. Pick one from this list that matches your mood tonight. I update this monthly based on what I'm actually enjoying - not what studios pay me to promote (they don't).
Last tip: Give shows 2-3 episodes before quitting. Shōgun's slow start almost lost me - glad I stuck with it. Except Velma. Quit that immediately.
What amazing shows did I miss? Email me your hidden gems - I'll add the best to next month's update. Happy binging!
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