Finding a new show is difficult for a lot of different reasons, but starting a series and sticking to it with another person is a challenge many couples try their best to attempt. Date nights spent at home (however you define Netflix and chill) and lazy Sundays with your significant other are great for movie marathons and binge-watching shows, but when it comes to a whole series, there are a few things to consider: attention spans, interests, and time commitments.
Can you and your partner keep up with an hour-long episode, or is less than 30 minutes more your speed? Do the two of you need a decent blend of comedy and drama, or are you more interested in the sci-fi, fantasy, or horror genres? Lastly, consider how long the two of you are willing to stick to a series, because some shows have more than a few seasons.
With all these things in mind, Netflix has fortunately created different categories to make choosing a binge-worthy series easier, such as “Trending,” “Bingeworthy TV Shows,” and “Watch in One Weekend” just to name a few. If you and your partner find yourselves stuck in a rut, check out these 29 shows on Netflix that couples can successfully binge-watch together.
Updated by Rachel Johnson on Sep. 5th, 2024: This list has been updated with even more options for you to find the perfect date night binge.
29 Squid Game (1 Season)
It is hard to believe that it took the creator of Squid Game 10 years to find a company to take an interest in his idea. When Netflix released the show in 2021, it did not take long to hit the top of the charts. Millions of people easily binged the single season in one night or over the weekend, and they’ve been craving more ever since.
Pulse-Pounding Thrills
The concept is entirely unique and begs the question of how desperate average people have to be to literally risk their lives over a large cash prize. The South Korean survival series features 456 players as they battle to win a ₩45.6 billion grand prize, brutally fighting to the death and engaging in psychological warfare in their pursuit of the cash. A second season is currently set to premiere on Netflix on December 26, 2024.
28 Dexter (8 Seasons)
Michael C. Hall delivered a delightfully chilling performance as a blood splatter analyst and vigilante serial killer in the sensational crime drama Dexter, which takes audiences on a wild ride as they follow the Miami Metro Police Department forensic technician Dexter Morgan as he lives a double life and embraces his dark urges, targeting criminals who weren’t properly punished by the justice system and taking his own murderous revenge.
A Unique & Deeply Engrossing Crime Drama
Those who love a juicy psychological thriller need not look further than Dexter, which features the antihero protagonist taking on a new threat each season as he attempts to maintain his everyday man ruse while juggling his sociopathic tendencies. Couples will be able to binge all 8 seasons of the critically acclaimed hit, which won two Golden Globes and spawned a ten-episode miniseries revival Dexter: New Blood. Two other spin-offs are currently in development, and Hall will once again embrace his dark side when he returns as the character in the newly-announced sequel Dexter: Resurrection.
27 The Gentlemen (1 Season)
Netflix’s latest streaming knockout, The Gentlemen, was created by director Guy Ritchie and is a spin-off of his popular 2019 film of the same name, with the action comedy series starring Theo James as Edward “Eddie” Horniman, who must learn to navigate a complex and dangerous world full of nefarious criminals after he inherits his father’s lucrative weed empire. With the help of the brilliant and knowledgeable Susie Glass (Kaya Scodelario), Eddie must remain one step ahead of his competitors if he wants to safely extract his family from the business.
A Rip-Roaring Good Time
Audiences all across the world couldn’t get enough of James’ commanding performance as the resilient Eddie Horniman, and they loved how the show expertly blended crime and comedy while brilliantly capturing the essence of the original movie. The Gentlemen is full of juicy twists and turns and features the additional talents of stars like Giancarlo Esposito, Daniel Ings, and Ray Winstone, skyrocketing to Netflix’s Top Ten list and swiftly becoming a must-see streaming hit. A second season of the show is currently in the works, much to the elation of passionate fans.
26 The Umbrella Academy (4 Seasons)
Undeniably one of Netflix’s most exciting and massively entertaining original shows is the superhero dramedy The Umbrella Academy, an adaptation of the Gerard Way comic book series that centers on the highly dysfunctional Hargreeves’, a family of superhero siblings who were adopted by the eccentric billionaire industrialist Sir Reginald Hargreeves and trained to protect the world after becoming members of the titular academy. After years of separation, the heroes reunite to solve the perplexing death of the beloved patriarch.
An Imaginative Take on the Superhero Genre
With a stacked ensemble cast led by Elliot Page, Thomas Hopper, David Castañeda, and Emmy-Raver Lampman, The Umbrella Academy was streamed by a whopping 45 million viewers during just its first month of release and steadily attracted a devoted fan base throughout its four season-run. The imaginative and spellbinding series is perfect for fans of Marvel and comic books, and couples will find themselves engrossed by the unique characters, fascinating storyline, and electrifying visual effects.
25 Down to Earth with Zac Efron
Zac Efron has come a long way since being the beloved Troy Bolton in High School Musical, and one of his latest projects, Down to Earth with Zac Efron, involves him traveling around the world with a friend and getting to know more about different cultures. Efron and Darin Olien meet some amazing people on their travels who openly discuss different lifestyles, food and resources, and sustainable living.
An Intimate Docuseries
It’s truly inspiring to see how millions of people live very differently and are more in touch with their experiences than the hustle and bustle American life many of us are accustomed to. Efron received an Emmy Award for Outstanding Daytime Program Host for his work on the exciting series, and couples who enjoy traveling are able to live vicariously through the actor as he explores one place after the next.
24 The Witcher (3 Seasons)
If you and your partner are looking for something full of magic and drama, look no further than The Witcher. Henry Cavill, who is best known as DC’s Superman, has hung up the cape and now hunts down monsters in this medieval series. Destiny plays a big role throughout the storyline, but there is not a typical and-they-lived-happily-ever-after feeling to the plot.
A Spellbinding Fantasy Universe
As of right now, the series has been renewed for a fourth season, and Liam Hemsworth will replace Cavill in the titular role. Viewers who binged The Witcher will be happy to know that due to the massive success of the fantasy drama, both a prequel miniseries (The Witcher: Blood Origin) and an animated origin film (The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf) are available to watch as fans await the latest installment.
23 Santa Clarita Diet (3 Seasons)
Fans of the comedy horror genre are in for a tasty treat with Santa Clarita Diet, which features Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant as ultimate real estate dream team Sheila and Joel Hammond, who find their sunny California lives turned upside down when Sheila begins to transform into a zombie and starts to develop a craving for human flesh. Together, the couple must hilariously navigate their new reality as they attempt to keep her peculiar diet a secret, with amusing hijinks naturally ensuing.
Dynamite On-Screen Chemistry
Not only does Santa Clarita Diet brilliantly blend humor and horror, but watching Sheila and Joel’s lovable relationship and all-around shenanigans was a delight for viewers, and fans were left outraged when it was unceremoniously canceled after three seasons. Regardless, it remains a fun show that couples can breeze through and provides both gory goodness and plenty of laughter.
22 Narcos (3 Seasons)
Pablo Escobar was a well-known drug lord in the United States, but a few individuals thought his story was so interesting that it deserved to be told to the masses. The first two seasons of Narcos focus on Escobar’s earlier years and how he managed his corrupt success, and the third season centers around the aftermath of Escobar’s death and how the cartel continued the business.
An Engrossing Crime Drama
This series is binge-worthy if couples are looking to educate themselves as well as be entertained, and lead stars Wagner Moura and Pedro Pascal deliver some seriously spectacular performances as the notorious drug lord and the DEA agent attempting to hunt him down. If audiences fly through the show’s three seasons, they can always check out the companion series Narcos: Mexico.
21 You (4 Seasons)
Penn Badgley has put his Gossip Girls days behind him and adopted a few new identities within a single series. You follows Joe Goldberg (Badgley), a narcissistic murderer who cannot help but become severely attached to different women to the point of obsession. There are times when he meets his match, but fans still find themselves rooting for Joe to get away with everything.
Murder & Mayhem
Four exhilarating seasons, more than a dozen deaths, and one main culprit will have you and your partner screaming at the television for many different reasons. You became a breakout show on Netflix and has featured the additional talents of popular stars like Jenna Ortega and Victoria Pedretti, and a fifth and final season is slated to debut towards the end of 2024.
20 Ozark (4 Seasons)
Jason Bateman and Laura Linney star in the crime drama series Ozark, as a regular couple who just happens to make a living by laundering money for a Mexican drug cartel. Marty (Bateman) and Wendy Byrde (Linney) move their family to Missouri thinking they will escape issues and competition back home in Chicago, but they are sadly mistaken.
Intense Roller Coaster Ride
From personal drama to life-threatening professional conflicts, this show is filled with a lot of intensity as well as relatable moments. During its four-season run, Ozark also won numerous accolades including four Primetime Emmys and two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and the series truly showcased Bateman’s range as an actor and his ability to embrace a darker, more dramatic persona.
19 Stranger Things (4 Seasons)
Millie Bobby Brown has become a household name for just about anyone with a Netflix account due to her performance as the supernatural being, Eleven, in Stranger Things. This series is nostalgic as it is set in the 1980s, and the characters are lovable and relatable in their own unique ways. The main storyline follows Eleven and her friends as they try to save their town and loved ones from dark and evil forces and creatures.
A Little Something for Everyone
A fifth and final season is in the making, and what better way to prepare to say goodbye to the residents of Hawkins, Indiana than by binging the engrossing acclaimed series all the way through? Fans of horror, sci-fi, and good ole’ ’80s nostalgia will find themselves transported back in time, as they root for Eleven and her fearless pals to come out triumphant against nefarious foes.
18 Breaking Bad (5 Seasons)
More often than not, teachers in the United States feel overworked and underpaid. Walter White (played by Bryan Cranston) felt this reality for a while in Breaking Bad before he was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Instead of focusing on the good things in his life, Walter decides to take matters into his own hands and use his talents for something worthwhile. He recruits a former student, and the two go into the meth-making business together.
A Groundbreaking Television Experience
This series is more dramatic than comedic, but the commentary between characters and the sheer stupidity will leave you laughing and in tears. There’s a reason Breaking Bad is regarded as one of the finest television shows of all time, and both Cranston and co-star Aaron Paul delivered complex portrayals that remain unparalleled. Witnessing their tumultuous relationship unravel on-screen is also sure to keep audiences glued to the edge of their seats.
17 The Circle (6 Seasons)
Reality TV is not for everyone, but with social media being such a dominant aspect in many people’s lives, the premise of The Circle is actually very interesting. Players have to stay in a new apartment complex and interact with others who are a part of the experiment only through an app. In other words, they never meet face-to-face until someone is sent home.
Laid-Back Viewing
The goal is to be likable (whether that means being authentic or pulling off a great catfish persona) to earn higher ratings which eventually results in someone earning quite a bit of cash. This competition show is lighthearted and humorous, and it’s fun to play along with your partner from the comfort of your own home.
16 Lucifer (6 Seasons)
Some may think that Hell and Los Angeles are the exact same place, but for Lucifer Morningstar (Tom Ellis), the previous King of Hell, the two are vastly different. After growing tired of his expectations and torturous ways down under, he decides to open a nightclub in one of the most populated cities. Humored by the way humans live their lives, Lucifer ends up helping a detective solve crimes.
Humor & Heart
The supernatural aspect of Lucifer is a great gimmick, but the drama and highly anticipated love story will definitely bring you back again and again. Ellis is wickedly delightful as the restless ruler of Hell, and his amusing banter with the tough detective Chloe Decker (Lauren Graham) makes Lucifer a must-see viewing experience for couples of all ages.
15 Arrested Development (5 Seasons)
For couples who love some good, surreal humor and a side-splitting dysfunctional family, look no further than the fan-favorite sitcom Arrested Development. Jason Bateman appears alongside fellow stars like Will Arnett, Michael Cera, and Jessica Walter in the cult classic, which centers on the once-wealthy Bluth family as the kooky clan continue to live above their means despite failing to have the cash to back it up after their patriarch is sent to prison.
Trailblazing Comedy Gold
Arrested Development is jam-packed full of colorful characters and larger-than-life personalities, as straight-man Michael Bluth (Bateman) struggles to keep his wild relatives in line. The uproarious sitcom is easy-watching and is sure to deliver big laughs, and in the years since its release, Arrested Development has been regarded as one of the greatest comedies of all time and a major touchstone in 2000s television.
14 Black Mirror (6 Seasons)
The beauty of watching the sci-fi thriller Black Mirror is that you can pick and choose your episodes because it’s an anthology series. No two episodes deal with the same plot or characters, but after a couple of hours, you’ll quickly find that you want to watch all 28 crazy episodes and will fly through each and every one of them.
Thought-Provoking Content
Having a sense of dark humor or a healthy appetite for the wrongdoings in our society being exploited will definitely help when you and your partner start this series. Be prepared to have many stimulating conversations at the end of each episode, as they cover a wide array of social issues and do so in spectacular fashion.
13 Chef’s Table (6 Seasons)
Documentaries can be rather difficult for a binge session with someone else because personal preferences are so different. However, with Chef’s Table, the focus is on food (which everyone loves) and how a variety of chefs approach their dishes and feelings about people’s relationships with their meals.
Easy Casual Viewing
This is not styled like a reality show nor is it a competition. Each episode highlights a different successful chef as they talk about their personal philosophies with food and how they do things in their own kitchens. Audiences are taken on a delicious cuisine tour all across the world, from Argentina to Sweden and everything in between, and the series provides a fun and easy-viewing experience.
12 How to Get Away With Murder (6 Seasons)
Viola Davis is one of the most talented women in the entertainment business, and with her at the head of the classroom teaching college students how to get away with murder, a great storyline commences in How to Get Away with Murder. Anyone can guess that characters are going to personally get wrapped up in an actual murder case or two, but their motives and abilities to cover it up make fans never want to turn off the television.
A Trailblazing Performance
From secrets built upon secrets to the number of cliffhangers and head-scratchers, this mystery thriller is definitely worth the few binge sessions it would take to finish seven seasons. Davis serves up a powerhouse performance, and she made history when she became the first Black woman to take home the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.
11 The 100 (7 Seasons)
Post-apocalyptic shows are great because they make audiences question the “what if” scenarios. Eliza Taylor stars as Clarke Griffin in the popular series The 100, a seemingly regular teenager who wants to make peace and just live her life on the ground. However, the true “grounders” don’t like that her kind has invaded their lands, and battles and wars ensue.
Action & Romance Galore
From the violence to the love stories, these seven seasons and 100 episodes are easy to binge with just about anyone. The 100 is full of action, adventure, and romance, and is a perfect show for couples who love a bit of everything in the shows they binge-watch.
10 Suits (9 Seasons)
Much like medical and crime shows, there is something that pulls people in with drama series that focus on the legal aspect of things. To shake up the regular tropes, one college dropout, Mike Ross, manages to land himself a job with one of the most successful attorneys in the business. Mike has a leg up with his photographic memory, but he doesn’t disclose this to many people.
Streaming Sensation
From the acting to the storylines that focus on character growth, there is a reason Suits stayed on Netflix’s “Top 10” for quite some time and was watched for a total of 57.7 billion minutes in 2023, becoming the streaming service’s most-viewed show of the year. Due to its massive resurgence in popularity, the spin-off series Suits: L.A is now in production.
