For a very long time, television shows were held in much lower regard when compared to films. When it came to Indian TV shows, they were dominated by the same old mother-in-law versus daughter-in-law tussle or slapstick comedy where people make a mockery of crossdressers. However, there were also some treasured gems which truly understood comedy like Sarabhai vs Sarabhai and Khichadi. Now, we’re lucky to have TV shows from all over the world available with just one click. 

Today, the quality of writing, scale of production and attention to detail in television shows has gone up, blessing us with great content. Another thing that led to TV shows’ popularity is that the viewing experience changed--you no longer have to wait every week to watch the next episode because it’s all readily available on streaming platforms. In India, the biggest players are Netflix, Hotstar and Amazon Prime, which gives us a lot of options--the only downside being not being able to decide what to watch next. 

From drama and romance to comedy and thriller--this list has something for everyone! So open up that packet of chips, sip on a chilled beverage and get, set, binge...

We all love a good comedy sitcom, and it’s the go-to genre when you want to switch off your brain and just have a good laugh. We’re obviously starting off the list with everyone’s favourite--Friends--but if you feel like you’ve watched and re-watched the show too many times, then we’ve got some equally great shows you can watch instead. Say bye-bye to your sleep and hello to copious amounts of coffee because you won’t be able to help yourself and press the ‘next episode’ every time.

1. F.R.I.E.N.D.S
2. Brooklyn 99
3. That 70’s Show
4. New Girl
5. How I Met Your Mother
6. Big Bang Theory
7. Seinfeld 
8. The Office
9. Modern Family
10. The Good Place
11. Parks And Recreation 
12. 30 Rock
13. Arrested Development
14. The Mindy Project
15. Girls
16. Veep
17. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
18. Jane The Virgin

Romantic television shows are the best to watch with your girl gang during a sleepover. Dedicate your Saturday night to popcorn, wine, endless romantic tv series and sheet masks. Many of these you may have seen already but a cute episode of Gilmore Girls or binge watching another season of Sex And The City with your girlies is always a phenomenal idea. 

1. Sex And The City
2. Insecure
3. The L Word
4. Love
5. Vampire Diaries
6. Chewing Gum
7. You, Me, Her

If romance and comedy don’t get you riled up enough, thriller may be a genre you want to experiment with. What’s better than spending a weekend almost biting your nails off or riddled with the anxiety of what happens next? So gobble up these heart-pounding thrillers and press ‘Next Episode’ every time you’re left on a cliffhanger.

1. The Handmaid’s Tale
2. Jack Ryan
3. Narcos
4. Ozarc
5. Homeland
6. The Americans
7. Absentia
8. You

3...2...1… Boo! If you love watching scary movies, then horror TV shows will also be right up your alley. From dealing with supernatural to horror shows based on real-life incidents these TV series will scare the bejesus out of you. Keep the side lamp on through the night because you’ll probably be sleeping with one eye open.

1. American Horror Story
2. Hannibal
3. The X-Files
4. Walking Dead
5. Stranger Things
6. Supernatural
7. Bates Motel
8. Wayward Pines
9. Channel Zero
10. The Exorcist

Crime is another very popular genre to binge watch--to get into the mind of a criminal, to understand the brilliance (and heartlessness) of a serial killer and to also understand how they get caught. Finding clues, piecing them together and coming to the conclusion is thrilling. 

1. Sherlock
2. Mind Hunter
3. Breaking Bad
4. Line Of Duty
5. Peaky Blinders
6. Fargo
7. White Collar
8. Hannibal
9. Orange Is The New Black
10. Seven Seconds

If you ask me, this is my favourite genre to binge watch. Yes, I’m a 25 year old with real, adult problems--the electricity bill has been pending for the past 20 days so will that mean our light could get cut off soon. But watching teenage tv shows takes me back to a time where I had no responsibilities and no problems except my best friend and I not having similar outfits to twin in at parties or my boyfriend giving me grief. From the high drama of the elite society in Gossip Girl to more contemporary works like Sex Education, this list is perfect for the young adult deciding what to watch.

1. Riverdale
2. Sex Education
3. Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina
4. The End Of The Fucking World
5. Gossip Girl
6. Pretty Little Liars
7. Friday Night Lights
8. 13 Reasons Why
9. Glee
10. Emerald City
11. 90210
12. Beverly Hills 90210
13. One Tree Hill
14. The O.C.

Drama and TV shows are almost synonymous and we still love them. These aren’t like the K-serials we’re used to in India where the protagonist dies thrice but comes back to life each time. Great writing, beautiful shots and well-thought-out character development makes these dramas binge-worthy. From Shonda Rhimes’ classics like Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal to cult TV shows like Game Of Thrones, this list is drama, drama and more drama.

1. How To Get Away With Murder
2. Grey’s Anatomy
3. Game Of Thrones
4. The Crown
5. Big Little Lies
6. Mad Men
7. Newsroom
8. Fleabag
9. Chernobyl
10. When They See Us
11. Scandal
12. Gilmore Girls
13. Downton Abbey
14. This Is Us

Science fiction is a genre that’s been gaining a lot of popularity over the past few years with great shows like Stranger Things, Altered Carbon and Sense8 all exploring different aspects of the style. If this is something you enjoy and like to think of alternate realities and go into the depths of the ‘what ifs’ then here are some of the best sci-fi shows for you to veg out on.

1. Black Mirror
2. 3%
3. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
4. Westworld
5. Doctor Who
6. Orphan Black
7. Fringe
8. Stranger Things
9. Rick And Morty
10. Legion
11. Altered Carbon
12. Sense8
13. The OA

Obsessed with documentaries and docuseries? We’ve listed down our top picks. Get transported to the land where Osho’s peaceful cult armed themselves in order to wage a war against the system. Or gain insight into the notorious serial killer Ted Bundy and be cold with chills. History buffs, we’ve got lots of shows on this list that you’d love too.

1. Making A Murder
2. Wild Wild Country
3. The Jinx
4. Planet Earth II
5. The Story Of Diana
6. The Last Czars 
7. The Disappearance Of Madeleine Mccann
8. Conversations With A Killer: The Tapes Of Ted Bundy
9. The Staircase
10. Blue Planet
11. Cosmos: A Space Time Odyssey
12. The Vietnam War

If you live to travel and travel to live, these shows are tailor-made for you. Food, spice, travelling and everything nice will make you want to book your tickets and fly off to these exotic locations. They are also great to watch before planning your next vacay!

1. The World’s Most Extraordinary Homes
2. Street Food
3. Chef’s Table
4. Stay Here
5. Somebody Feed Phil
6. Nailed It
7. The Great British Baking Show
8. Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat

So are you ready to bid farewell to your sleep, social life and other commitments? Because after the extensive list we’ve given you, you’re going to be on your bed, glued to your laptop for hours, days or maybe even years!. Bookmark this article so that you always have recommendations for what to watch next. Let the binging begin!

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