Sense8 (2015)

TV Rating: TV-MA

My Rating: Sleep? You’re not going to need that.

Sense8 follows the lives of eight seemingly different people from eight separate parts of the world: London, Mumbai, Berlin, San Francisco, Seoul, Nairobi, Chicago, and Mexico City. If you’re looking for a diverse cast of characters outside of Glee and Orange is the New Black, you’ve come to the right place. Sense8 features actors like Tuppence Middleton (The Imitation Game), Aml Ameen (The Maze Runner), and Tina Desai (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel). That’s a lot of movies that start with “The.” Season one features 12 hour-long episodes and season two is scheduled to debut May 5th, which is sadly way after break. Not really a spoiler alert, but the author cried while watching this, then proceeded to eat about half of the kitchen.

Stranger Things (2016)

TV Rating: TV-14

My Rating: Try not to take too many bathroom breaks. Or look behind you.

Admit it. All your friends have recommended it to you, and you haven’t watched it yet. You’ve just been “so busy with all your work” or simply “forgot.” On break, there are no more excuses (unless you’re headed to your grandparents’ house that doesn’t have wifi). With only eight episodes that last 50 minutes apiece, you’ll feel refreshed and ready to pester your friends to watch it. Actors featured in this show have names like Finn Wolfhard, who hasn’t been in a lot of movies or shows but looks suspiciously like the lead singer of Chvrches. Google it. It’s scary.

Other actors are Winona Ryder (Heathers, Beetlejuice), Millie Bobby Brown (NCIS), and David Harbour (The Equalizer). Season two is scheduled to drop on October 31st. If you don’t already like waffles, you will after binge-watching season 1.

Degrassi: Next Class (2014)

TV Rating: TV-PG

My Rating: Buy some Spot Shot because you’re going to be spilling tea all over your carpet.

If you’re out of high school drama show episodes, you won’t be when you start Degrassi: Next Class. It’s like Glee, but without the musical talent you say you watched it for. Episodes last about 25 minutes apiece, and it’s a perfect show to watch if you can’t sleep. None of the actors have been in other notable media, unless you count Monro Chambers’s role in Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure as particularly notable. With three seasons on Netflix so far, season four is scheduled for July 2017.

Bojack Horseman (2015)

TV Rating: TV-MA

My Rating: Horse noise.

If anthropomorphic animated horses with hands are what you dig, Bojack is the show for you. The intro theme is excellent and its combination of wavy synth beats and smooth saxophone tones can soothe away all your problems every 25 minutes. This old former TV star horse is oddly relatable despite having such a long face. So far there are three seasons with 12 episodes apiece, so it would take you only 15 hours to watch all of it. Some notable voice actors are Will Arnett (Arrested Development), Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad), and Alison Brie (Mad Men, Community). The track from the credits is by the rock band Grouplove, who are well known for their hits “tongue Tied” and “Ways to Go.” Season four is scheduled to be released sometime this summer.

Trailer Park Boys (2001 and 2014)

TV Rating: TV-MA

My Rating: More than a mediocre mockumentary.

With 85+ episodes and 10 seasons, Trailer Park Boys is a successful show. It’s similar to It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia with its raunchy humor and improbable shenanigans. With 30 minutes per episode and a documentarian twist on filming, it’s easy to understand how this Canadian-based show has three movies as well. The camera crew follows around Julian and his neighbors at the trailer park, like Ricky and Bubbles. Actors featured on this show include John Dunsworth (Haven) and Jonathan Torrens (Wipeout Canada, Mr. D). If 10 seasons just isn’t enough for you, season 11 is set to stream on Netflix on March 31.

Of course, there are loads more good things to watch on Netflix like Malcolm in the Middle, The Great British Baking Show, The OA, 3%, My Name is Earl, Bates Motel, Narcos, and The Magicians. Please go outside as well and get up off your chip-crumb-laden sofa once in a while.