We have all been there: you have finally finished that new show you were indulging in, and now, you are left with nothing new to watch other than Friends(1994-2004) and The Office(2005-2013) reruns. We all know how difficult it can be to find that perfect show that fits exactly what we want.

Here are some movie and TV show suggestions, categorized by their description, to help you find your next binge-watch or movie night film.

Emotional movies and TV shows:

Miracle in Cell No.7(2013)

A father with an intellectual disability is separated from his daughter, and must prove his innocence after he has been sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit. This is a Turkish movie, and is honestly, really good. 

A Silent Voice(2016)

A former bully reaches out to the deaf girl he used to torment in elementary school. In elementary school, the tormenting was too much, and she eventually left. After that, he becomes the victim of  torment, turning the tables on the situation. He feels unworthy of being forgiven, but tries to make things right, seeking out the girl and forming a friendship. This anime movie is adapted from a Japanese comic. I loved this movie so much, and the character development was captivating.

Paper Lives(2021)

Mehmet, a waste warehouse worker, is kind, he helps everyone in need, especially homeless children and teenagers; since he used to be one as well. Mehmet takes in a boy who seems to have a rough childhood, and soon, Mehmet must confront his own traumatic childhood. The movie had an unexpected plot twist, but I think it did a very good job in portraying the life and mental health of the main character. It was a very sad, but good, Turkish movie. 

Mystery/Sci-fi movies and TV shows:

Elite(2018-)

Three working-class teens enroll in an exclusive private school in Spain. The clash between the working-class students and the wealthy students leads to the emergence of a murderer. This Spanish show is one of my favorites, and the actors did a great job portraying realistic teenagers. There will be a fourth season coming in June. 

Control-Z(2020-)

A hacker begins exposing all the students’ secrets to the entire school. The isolated, but observant, Sofia brings it upon her to discover the hackers identity. It is a captivating mystery show, and easy to binge-watch in an entire day or two. I really enjoyed this Mexican show, and I would say it is similar to Elite since they are both searching for culprits. Consequently, if you liked one–chances are, you will like the other too.

The Umbrella Academy(2019-)

A dysfunctional family of superheroes are united by their father’s death, and they discover shocking family secrets, as well as a roaming threat to humanity. This series is a must watch. It is based on the comic books written by famous musician, Gerard Way.

Dramatic movies and TV shows:

The OA(2016-2019)

A young woman returns home after a seven year disappearance, and things have changed. Her return is already a miracle itself, but everyone is shocked to know: the once blind woman is no longer blind. Having returned with newfound abilities, she recruits five strangers for a secret mission. This show is very mind blowing–yet confusing–it is easy to move and get enveloped in. It is very slow-paced at first, but once you give it time, it gets really good and more involved. Sadly, the second part ends in a cliffhanger, and it is rumored that there will be no third part to the series.

The Baker and The Beauty(2020)

A baker and superstar try to make their romance work despite their differences, and have to face jealous exes, prying family members, and the invasive paparazzi. This is the United States version of Israeli romantic comedy series, The Baker and the Beauty(2013-). This show is very enjoyable and a fantastic choice for a more light-headed drama, it is currently one of Netflix’s top ten. 

Switched(2020)

Two high school girls swap bodies, and after the unattractive girl switched with a cute popular girl, she refused to switch back.  This J-Drama is based on a Japanese comic book series. This show is a quick watch; it has six episodes ranging from 33-45 minutes. The plot is very interesting, and makes it a perfect candidate for a quick binge-watch if you are looking for something light-hearted and entertaining.

Action/thriller movies and TV shows:

What Happened to Monday(2017)

In a future with a strict one-child policy, six sextuplets must live avoiding the government. The six sisters go by the names Monday-Sunday in order to determine the day they go out, taking turns each day, but sharing a single identity. Things go awry when Monday goes missing. This movie is even captivating to those with short attention spans and those who lose interest easily, so if you are on the hunt for something that can actually keep you entertained, What Happened To Monday(2017) is it.