When it comes to my spare time, I typically choose to read a book rather than watch television at this point in my life. Back before I was married with a kiddo, I had all this extra tv time and I would watch cable from pretty much the moment I got home from work until bedtime.
Of course, nowadays we don’t even HAVE cable television. Instead, we have a few streaming services: Netflix, Amazon, Discovery + and Disney +. Without fail, I watch whatever new Marvel show is on Disney +, but other than that… it’s really sporadic.
All this to say, I’ve been watching a bunch of shows lately! Within the past month or so, I’ve actually binged FIVE different shows, so I thought I’d share my recommendations in case you’re looking for something new to watch.
Show #1: Wednesday, stream it on Netflix
Of course, you’ve heard of Wednesday – it’s currently the number one show streaming on Netflix. I watched the first episode this past Friday on my lunch break, which then turned into binging the entire series over the weekend. Jack joined in on episode three and we finished out the season together (with Travis joining in for the last few episodes too). The premise is that Wednesday from The Addams Family goes to a boarding school and has her adventures. I LOVED the entire show and can’t wait until they announce that they’ll be doing a season two. Jack also very much liked it, but a few parts were a little scary for him (so he hid his eyes behind my arm).
Show #2 Warrior Nun (season 2), stream it on Netflix
Here’s the synopsis: After waking up in a morgue, an orphaned teen discovers she now possesses superpowers as the chosen Halo-Bearer for a secret sect of demon-hunting nuns. Yes, it’s quite out there but if you like a female-led show with some badass fighting, this might be a good fit for you. I watched the first season with my friend Lindsey when it came out back in 2020. I was really excited to see that season two came out in November and I immediately watched the entire show. This is one that I watch alone, as the fighting and demon scenes would be too much for Jack to handle.
Show #3: Upload (season 2), stream it on Amazon
The premise of Upload is that in the future rather than dying, you can upload your consciousness into a virtual afterlife. The first season came out in 2020, the second season launched in March 2022 and it has been renewed for a third season. I really enjoyed the first season when I saw it, but then I totally forgot about the show and figured it hadn’t gotten renewed. I was very pleasantly surprised that the second season was out when I googled it, so I binged those seven episodes within a few days. This one is not appropriate for kids, as I realized a bit too late in the first episode. Oops.
Show #4: Julie & The Phantoms, stream it on Netflix
Yes, this is totally a kid appropriate show. It’s a musical-comedy about a trio of ghosts who come back into the world of the living to make a band with a teenage girl. I know, ridiculous. I watched it when it first came out in 2020 and then again with Jack a couple weeks later. When I had Covid over Thanksgiving, I needed a feel-good show that I could kind of pay half-attention to while I was sick and this one was perfect. And it totally reminded me to add some of the songs to my Spotify playlist. I don’t care if it’s corny, they’re dang catchy! Unfortunately, this show wasn’t renewed for a season 2.
Show #5: Grace & Frankie (season 7), stream it on Netflix
The series stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin as Grace and Frankie, two aging women who form an unlikely friendship after their husbands reveal they are in love with each other and plan to get married. I’ve been watching this show since the beginning, but never got around to finishing the last season. And to be completely honest, as much as I enjoyed the show’s previous seasons, I did skip a few episodes in season 7. The last episode though – the finale – had me in tears. Such a great ending to a super awesome show.
Bonus Movie: The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, stream it on Disney +
I love all things Marvel, so as soon as James Gunn posted on his Instagram account that he was making this holiday special, I made a note to hunt it down once it came out. It’s available for streaming on Disney + and it’s super adorable. And the soundtrack is really great too, in fact I added a few holiday songs to my Spotify Holiday Tunes playlist! Travis, myself and Jack all enjoyed this movie and we especially laughed at the random ‘swole’ Groot.