Every college student deserves a brain-break from reading, writing, and studying. What better way to relax than to binge-watch the best Netflix has to offer? Here are five shows every college student needs to have on their radar.
1. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Written by comedy queen Tina Fey, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is a Netflix original series focusing on a young woman’s move to New York City. The catch? Kimmy (Ellie Kemper) was recently rescued after being imprisoned for 15 years by a doomsday cult leader who convinced her that the world had been annihilated. Now she must navigate a world that is utterly foreign to her, along with the help of hopeless Broadway actor Titus Andromedon (Tituss Burgess). The first season (13 episodes) were released Mar. 6, and the show has already garnered a “cult” following.
2. Once Upon A Time
When the Evil Queen (Lana Parrilla) interrupts a wedding and casts a curse, fairytale characters are transported to Maine where they have been stripped of their memories and identities as fairy tale characters. This fantasy series follows the protagonist Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison) as she hopes to break the curse and restore memories of the people of a distant land. The episodes take elements of classic tales and films and modernize them to follow this war between good and evil. Like any good fairy tale, these characters are in search for their happy ending, and they just need a few seasons to find it.
3. Leverage
If you love suspenseful crime shows, Leverage better be your next choice. The humorous and thought-provoking TNT original is well worth the watch. Former insurance investigator Nate Ford (Timothy Hutton) and his team of thieves and hackers seek revenge on the corporate and government entities he used to protect. The team provides “leverage” for people who have been unjustly targeted and victimized by corporations that use money and power to make their problems go away. Each episode of Leverage takes the viewer on a journey of dismantling villains and procuring a victory for a client seeking revenge.
4. Friends
Though originally airing when most of us college students were too young to appreciate it, the hit sitcom Friends has made a comeback with the younger generations. The show follows the merry misadventures of six young adults in their 20s and 30s as they navigate the pitfalls of work, life, and love in 1990s Manhattan. This series will make you laugh, cry, fall in love, and forget about your homework. If you happen to like what you see, Netflix offers all 10 seasons you can stream over a pint of ice cream with your friends.
5. House of Cards
Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning Netflix original series House of Cards follows Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey), a ruthless politician who will stop at nothing to conquer Washington, D.C. He is encouraged by his equally corrupt, power-hungry wife (Robin Wright) to do whatever it takes. This political drama provides an inside look into the greed and corruption that surrounds American politics and well worth the watch. There are three seasons on Netflix so far, with more to come.