Special Report
Most Binge-Worthy Series You Can Stream Right Now
Published:
While many states have begun lifting restrictions that have kept Americans at home, social life is still far from normal. As a result, many Americans continue to spend an abnormal amount of time at home. Thankfully there is a great number of top-rated television series that are currently available to stream.
With so many streaming providers ready for use, the overall pool of content available to stream may be bigger than ever before. Even if people do not have access to every platform, they should be able to find something to their liking.
To help viewers navigate the many options available, 24/7 Tempo has identified the most binge-worthy series you can stream right now. We ranked these acclaimed series based on audience ratings from the Internet Movie Database (IMDb).
Many of these programs were released just recently and therefore may be fresh in the minds of television fans. “Westworld,” “Stranger Things,” and “Chernobyl” are some examples of highly lauded shows that lend themselves to marathon viewing.
Other series were first released decades ago but can offer just as much to viewers. David Lynch’s mysterious “Twin Peaks” elevated the soap opera-era cliffhanger to new heights. HBO’s “The Sopranos” drew millions of viewers during its initial television run.
These shows and more are now available for on-demand streaming. For those who have already burned through these series, these are the best shows that were just recently released on streaming platforms.
Click here to see the most binge-worthy series you can stream right now.
To determine the most binge-worthy series you can stream right now, 24/7 Tempo identified all of the shows available for streaming based on data from website JustWatch. We then ranked the series based on their Internet Movie Database average user ratings, weighted by the number of votes each series received.
25. Twin Peaks (1990)
> Total No. of seasons: 2
> Starring: Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean, Mädchen Amick
> Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
> Available on: Apple iTunes, Vudu, Amazon Video, FandangoNOW, Google Play Movies, Netflix, Showtime, CBS All Access Amazon Channel, Showtime Amazon Channel, fuboTV, DIRECTV
The surreal mystery television series created by Mark Frost and David Lynch premiered in 1990 and eventually gained a cult following. The show is about an FBI agent who goes to the town of Twin Peaks to investigate the death of teen Laura Palmer. There he discovers things aren’t exactly what they seem. Critics on Rotten Tomatoes gave the quirky series a Freshness rating of 89%, and 88% of audiences enjoyed the series. The series has an 8.8 rating out of 10 among IMDb users. Lynch resurrected his characters in 2017 for an 18 episode reboot.
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24. Westworld (2016)
> Total No. of seasons: 3
> Starring: Evan Rachel Wood, Jeffrey Wright, Ed Harris
> Genre: Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi
> Available on: Apple iTunes, Vudu, Amazon Video, FandangoNOW, Google Play Movies, HBO Now, HBO Go, Microsoft Store, HBO Now Amazon Channel, DIRECTV
HBO’s “Westworld” portrays a dystopian world based around robot-filled theme parks where guests can indulge in their wildest fantasies. The sci-fi series recently concluded its third season with a total of 28 episodes to binge. “Westworld” currently has an overall rating of 8.7 out of 10 on IMDb.
23. House M.D. (2004)
> Total No. of seasons: 8
> Starring: Hugh Laurie, Omar Epps, Robert Sean Leonard
> Genre: Drama, Mystery
> Available on: Apple iTunes, Vudu, Amazon Video, FandangoNOW, Google Play Movies, Amazon Prime Video, Microsoft Store, NBC, USA Network, DIRECTV
Hugh Laurie won two Golden Globes as the blunt-speaking and devoted Dr. House, who uses unconventional methods to diagnose conditions of patients while dealing with his own physical pain. The show ran for eight seasons and holds a 90% Freshness rating among critics on Rotten Tomatoes. Among audiences on the site, the approval is even higher at 96%. “House M.D.” has an 8.7 rating out of 10 among IMDb users.
22. When They See Us (2019)
> Total No. of seasons: 1
> Starring: Caleel Harris, Ethan Herisse, Marquis Rodriguez
> Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
> Available on: Netflix
Ava DuVernay’s provocative series is based on the story of five minority teenagers wrongly convicted of raping a white female jogger in Central Park in Manhattan, and the criminal justice system that seems to be stacked against them. The limited series holds a 96% Freshness rating among Rotten Tomatoes critics, and 91% of audiences liked the series. IMDb users gave it 8.9 out of 10.
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21. Seinfeld (1989)
> Total No. of seasons: 9
<> Starring: Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards
> Genre: Comedy
> Available on: Apple iTunes, Vudu, Amazon Video, FandangoNOW, Google Play Movies, Hulu, Microsoft Store, fuboTV, DIRECTV
One of television’s most successful sitcoms was about the misadventures of four neurotic New Yorkers. “Seinfeld” was among the top-rated television shows during its nine-season run, winning 10 Emmys. Its finale was the third-highest series-ending episode of all time, behind “Cheers” and “M*A*S*H.” “Seinfeld” has an 88% Freshness rating among critics on Rotten Tomatoes, and 95% of audiences liked the show. IMDb users gave it a rating of 8.8 out of 10.
20. House of Cards (2013)
> Total No. of seasons: 6
> Starring: Kevin Spacey, Michel Gill, Robin Wright
> Genre: Drama
> Available on: Redbox, Apple iTunes, Vudu, Amazon Video, FandangoNOW, Google Play Movies, Netflix, CW Seed
Political drama “House of Cards” was highly popular prior to concluding in 2018, winning a total of seven Emmy awards. Following sexual misconduct allegations against lead actor Kevin Spacey, Netflix canceled the series after its sixth season. That final season — which did not include Spacey — was poorly received among fans, with the final episode receiving a rating of 2.5 out of 10 on IMDb compared with the series’ overall rating of 8.7. In this case, the ride is more enjoyable than the destination.
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19. Dexter (2006)
> Total No. of seasons: 8
> Starring: Michael C. Hall, Jennifer Carpenter, David Zayas
> Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
> Available on: Apple iTunes, Vudu, Amazon Video, FandangoNOW, Google Play Movies, Netflix, Showtime, Microsoft Store, Showtime Amazon Channel, fuboTV, DIRECTV
Serial killer series “Dexter” broke the record for viewership of a Showtime series by its series finale in 2013 with 2.8 million viewers tuning in. The show is centered around the titular protagonist, a Miami crime scene analyst who spends his nights murdering other criminals. The show won two Golden Globe awards and four Emmys.
18. Narcos (2015)
> Total No. of seasons: 3
> Starring: Pedro Pascal, Wagner Moura, Boyd Holbrook
> Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
> Available on: Netflix
“Narcos” is the three-season series about the brutally violent Colombian cocaine kingpins, among them Pablo Escobar, in the 1980s, and their corrupting influence over all aspects of Colombian society. The series also raises questions about the culpability of the United States in the narcotics trade. The no-holds-barred series has an 89% Freshness rating among Rotten Tomatoes critics, and 94% of audiences liked “Narcos.” IMDb users gave the series a rating of 8.8 out of 10.
17. The Civil War (1990)
> Total No. of seasons: 1
> Starring: David McCullough, Sam Waterston, Julie Harris
> Genre: Documentary, History, War
> Available on: Apple iTunes, Vudu, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, Amazon Prime Video, Hoopla, fuboTV
Ken Burns’ deeply moving and groundbreaking series about America’s bloodiest conflict became one of the most celebrated programs on public television. The series features the narration of noted historian David McCullough (“John Adams,” “The Great Bridge”), and actors such as Sam Waterston, Jason Robards, Morgan Freeman, and Julie Harris voice historical figures. The Emmy-winning series holds a 100% Freshness rating among critics on Rotten Tomatoes, and at 9.0 out of 10 among IMDb users.
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16. Fargo (2014)
> Total No. of seasons: 4
> Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Martin Freeman, Allison Tolman
> Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
> Available on: Redbox, Apple iTunes, Vudu, Amazon Video, FandangoNOW, Google Play Movies, Hulu, DIRECTV
“Fargo” is a four-season anthology series inspired by the Coen brothers’ film of the same name about murder and intrigue in a small Minnesota town. The Golden Globe and Emmy-winning series star Oscar-winner Billy Bob Thornton and comedian Chris Rock. “Fargo” has a Rotten Tomatoes Freshness rating among critics of 96%, and 93% of audiences liked the series. “Fargo” received an 8.9 rating out of 10 among IMDb users.
15. The Office (2005)
> Total No. of seasons: 9
> Starring: Steve Carell, Jenna Fischer, John Krasinski
> Genre: Comedy
> Available on: Apple iTunes, Vudu, Amazon Video, FandangoNOW, Google Play Movies, Netflix, Microsoft Store, Comedy Central, fuboTV, Sling TV, DIRECTV
The sitcom about quirky office workers in Scranton, Pennsylvania, that is told in documentary style is based on the British series of the same name. The show ran for nine seasons. The series helped make Steve Carell a major star and put John Krasinski on the path to stardom. Critics on Rotten Tomatoes gave the series an overall Freshness rating of 81%, and awarded the series a Freshness rating of 100% for three of its seasons. Audiences on Rotten Tomatoes gave it a score of 93%. “The Office” received an 8.9 rating out of 10 among IMDb users.
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14. Firefly (2002)
> Total No. of seasons: 1
> Starring: Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk
> Genre: Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi
> Available on: Redbox, Apple iTunes, Vudu, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, Hulu, Microsoft Store
Sci-fi series “Firefly” was created by Joss Whedon (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “The Avengers”) and ran for just one, 14-episode season on FOX. Despite being canceled early on, the show about a renegade crew on a spacecraft in the future was a huge hit among fans, garnering a rating of 9.0 out of 10 on IMDb and positive reviews from 97% of audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. It would later result in the 2005 movie “Serenity,” which continued the “Firefly” story.
13. Stranger Things (2016)
> Total No. of seasons: 3
> Starring: Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Winona Ryder
> Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Horror
> Available on: Netflix
Three seasons of this Netflix series, which was inspired by the ’80s era small town adventure and horror works of Steven Spielberg, Stephen King, and others, have been released to date. The show has been hugely popular and won six Emmys thus far. According to a 2016 report from Netflix, viewers were generally hooked on the series after watching the second episode.
12. True Detective (2014)
> Total No. of seasons: 3
> Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Colin Farrell, Mahershala Ali
> Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
> Available on: Apple iTunes, Vudu, Amazon Video, FandangoNOW, Google Play Movies, HBO Now, HBO Go, Microsoft Store, HBO Now Amazon Channel, Hoopla, FlixFling, DIRECTV
This HBO anthology crime series consists of three standalone seasons, offering viewers the opportunity to watch in three separate binge sessions. Oftentimes dark and brooding, the show has won five Emmys and currently has a rating of 9.0 out of 10 on IMDb.
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11. Our Planet (2019)
> Total No. of seasons: 1
> Starring: David Attenborough
> Genre: Documentary
> Available on: Netflix
David Attenborough’s nature documentaries offer both entertainment and education in a beautifully produced package. The recently released “Our Planet” is no different, exploring Earth’s natural diversity over eight engrossing episodes. The mini-series currently has an exceptional rating of 9.3 out of 10 on IMDb.
10. Friends (1994)
> Total No. of seasons: 10
> Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow
> Genre: Comedy, Romance
> Available on: Apple iTunes, Vudu, Amazon Video, FandangoNOW, Google Play Movies, Microsoft Store, fuboTV, Sling TV, DIRECTV
The series about six friends living in New York made stars out of all six actors. The sitcom ran for 10 seasons and received 62 Emmy nominations. The show’s finale drew 52.5 million viewers in May 2004 and was one of the top-rated television finales. Critics on Rotten Tomatoes gave it a Freshness rating of 78%, while audiences gave it more love, with a 95% score. “Friends” holds an 8.9 rating out of 10 among IMDb users.
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9. Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey (2014)
> Total No. of seasons: 1
> Starring: Neil deGrasse Tyson, Stoney Emshwiller, Piotr Michael
> Genre: Documentary
> Available on: Apple iTunes, Vudu, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, Microsoft Store
This Neil deGrasse Tyson-led reboot of the famed Carl Sagan series explores human understanding of the universe in 13 45-minute episodes. The documentary series has a rating of 9.3 out of 10 on IMDb with more than 105,000 users casting their votes.
8. The Sopranos (1999)
> Total No. of seasons: 6
> Starring: James Gandolfini, Lorraine Bracco, Edie Falco
> Genre: Crime, Drama
> Available on: Apple iTunes, Vudu, Amazon Video, FandangoNOW, Google Play Movies, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, HBO Now, HBO Go, Microsoft Store, DIRECTV
The crime drama that centers around the home and “business” life of a fictional New Jersey organized crime boss (James Gandolfini) is considered among the greatest television series in history. “The Sopranos,” which ran for six seasons, won 21 Primetime Emmy Awards out of 111 nominations. In 2004, it became the first cable network show to win an Emmy for Outstanding Drama. More than 277,000 IMDb users gave the series an excellent score of 9.2 out of 10. Among audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, 98% liked the series.
7. Rick and Morty (2013)
> Total No. of seasons: 4
> Starring: Chris Parnell, Spencer Grammer, Justin Roiland
> Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
> Available on: Apple iTunes, Vudu, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, Hulu, Microsoft Store, Hoopla, fuboTV, Adult Swim, DIRECTV
The animated fan-favorite about a genius alcoholic scientist and his anxious grandson has a rating of 9.2 out of 10 on IMDb. Episodes of the show’s current fourth season are continually being added to streaming platforms, with the season finale scheduled to air May 31.
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6. The Wire (2002)
> Total No. of seasons: 5
> Starring: Dominic West, Lance Reddick, Sonja Sohn
> Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
> Available on: Apple iTunes, Vudu, Amazon Video, FandangoNOW, Google Play Movies, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, HBO Now, HBO Go, Microsoft Store, DIRECTV
“The Wire” is a gritty 60-episode series that ran from 2002 to 2008. It tells the story of the mean streets of West Baltimore through the lives of drug sellers, police, government bureaucrats, and the news media. Entertainment news site Vulture called “The Wire” the “greatest drama of the past 25 years.” The Emmy-nominated series has a 9.3 rating out of 10 on IMDb. It holds a Rotten Tomatoes Freshness rating of 94% among critics and 97% among audiences.
5. Sherlock (2010)
> Total No. of seasons: 4
> Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman, Una Stubbs
> Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
> Available on: Apple iTunes, Vudu, Amazon Video, FandangoNOW, Google Play Movies, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Microsoft Store, PBS, DIRECTV
Benedict Cumberbatch brings a quirky and manic interpretation to the role of literature’s most famous sleuth told in modern times. Users on IMDb awarded “Sherlock” a score of 9.1 out of 10. On Rotten Tomatoes, critics gave it a Freshness score of 78%, and 83% of audiences liked the series.
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4. Band of Brothers (2001)
> Total No. of seasons: 1
> Starring: Scott Grimes, Damian Lewis, Ron Livingston
> Genre: Action, Drama, History
> Available on: Apple iTunes, Vudu, Amazon Video, FandangoNOW, Google Play Movies, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Now, HBO Go, Microsoft Store, DIRECTV
The acclaimed 10-episode war drama that ran in 2001 follows the experiences of Easy Company as they fight their way across France, liberating villages and eventually death camps. The visually stunning and often brutally violent series was based on the book of the same name by noted historian Stephen E. Ambrose. More than 352,000 IMDb users awarded the series 9.4 out of 10. Critics on Rotten Tomatoes gave it a Freshness score of 94%, and 98% of audiences applauded the series.
3. Chernobyl (2019)
> Total No. of seasons: 1
> Starring: Jessie Buckley, Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgård
> Genre: Drama, History, Thriller
> Available on: Apple iTunes, Vudu, Amazon Video, FandangoNOW, HBO Now, HBO Go, HBO Now Amazon Channel, fuboTV, DIRECTV
The riveting HBO limited series “Chernobyl” dramatizes the efforts of Soviet citizens to avert disaster after the 1986 accident in the Chernobyl nuclear power plant that threatened to devastate Europe. The five-part drama holds 9.4 rating out of 10 among almost 460,000 IMDb users, received 19 Emmy nominations, the most for a miniseries or limited series in 20189. Critics on Rotten Tomatoes gave it a Freshness score of 96%, and 98% of audiences liked the series.
2. Game of Thrones (2011)
> Total No. of seasons: 8
> Starring: Emilia Clarke, Peter Dinklage, Kit Harington
> Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama
> Available on: Apple iTunes, Vudu, Amazon Video, FandangoNOW, Google Play Movies, HBO Now, HBO Go, Microsoft Store, HBO Now Amazon Channel, DIRECTV
An adaptation of author George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” book series, “Game of Thrones” is among HBO’s biggest hits. The fantasy series won an impressive 59 Emmy Awards over its eight seasons, for elements ranging from acting to costumes to visual effects. The show has had such a cultural impact that thousands of people have named their children after some of the show’s characters, such as Arya and Khaleesi.
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1. Breaking Bad (2008)
> Total No. of seasons: 5
> Starring: Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn
> Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
> Available on: Redbox, Apple iTunes, Vudu, Amazon Video, FandangoNOW, Google Play Movies, Netflix
“Breaking Bad,” about a high school chemistry teacher who begins producing and selling methamphetamine after learning he has terminal cancer, is one of the most critically acclaimed television series of all time. It won 16 Emmys over its five seasons, which culminated in its finale, which was the most-watched original broadcast in television history at the time. “Breaking Bad” currently has a rating of 9.5 out of 10 on IMDb with more than 1.3 million ratings, and a Freshness rating of 96% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and 98% from users on the site.
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