Netflix is one of the top places for audiences to find their next series to binge, and these ongoing shows are perfect picks. Although completed series come with a major appeal — viewers never have to worry about their stories going unfinished — there’s something special about getting caught up in a TV show’s fan base as it unravels. It allows viewers to immerse themselves in the online theories and discussions surrounding a certain title, and the suspense makes for a more memorable viewing experience overall.
A number of Netflix’s most bingeable titles have come to an end in recent years, from blockbuster shows like Stranger Things to hits like Ozark and The Umbrella Academy. Fortunately, there are still plenty of ongoing series that can scratch that itch, and many of them are already renewed for their next chapters. From a live-action adaptation that promises to be Netflix’s next heavy hitter to a drama closing out this month, there’s an ongoing show for everyone. Netflix subscribers only need to know where to look.
Why You Should Trust Me: I’ve been writing about television for a decade and recently served as a TV editor at ScreenRant. I’m well acquainted with which shows are currently available on streaming, and I love a good binge. Netflix is also one of my most-used streaming services.
‘One Piece’
With Stranger Things over and done, Netflix’s live-action One Piece is shaping up to be one of its biggest ongoing titles. It’s not hard to see why. So many live-action takes on anime fail to capture the heart of their source material, but One Piece is impressive in that regard. Nothing will top Eiichiro Oda’s original story, or the anime based on it, but Netflix’s iteration conveys a passion for the Straw Hats and their antics that makes it a nice complement. It’s also a fun entry point for those unfamiliar with One Piece, delivering a blend of action, humor, and seafaring adventures that’s impossible to put down.
Watch This If: You’re a fan of the anime, are interested in the anime (but also overwhelmed by it), or just enjoy a fantasy adventure with a good mix of humor and serious moments.
Skip This If: More grounded fantasy is your preference. One Piece is energetic and over the top at times.
‘Ginny & Georgia’
Ginny & Georgia is three seasons into its run, and the Netflix dramedy still doesn’t get the love it deserves — but it really does make for a perfect binge. Frequently pitched as Gilmore Girls, but with murder, the series has a killer premise. It follows the titular mother-daughter duo as they move to a wealthy community in Massachusetts under the guise of a new start. As it turns out, they’re running from something darker. The show has the snappy dialogue and humor of Gilmore Girls, along with plenty of interpersonal drama. Those things make it a breeze to get through, but the larger twists surrounding Georgia’s backstory are what properly cement this as the ideal binge.
Watch This If: You love quick and clever dialogue and want a darker spin on the standard small-town drama.
Skip This If: You’re looking for a dramedy with characters who are easy to root for, or something more grounded and believable.
‘Wednesday’
Magic boarding schools always make for a fun time, but add in the Addams Family, and you’re in for a truly interesting ride. That’s what Netflix does with Wednesday — and while the series gets its fair share of criticisms surrounding its portrayal of the iconic family, it’s still an engaging watch throughout. Jenna Ortega is fantastic in the role, allowing viewers to get fully invested in her character and her time at Nevermore Academy. The school itself is a backdrop audiences will want to fall headfirst into, and the supernatural elements and mysteries that loom over each season make Wednesday a no-brainer to binge.
Watch This If: You love magic school stories, supernatural dramas, and mysteries. (And Wednesday Addams, obviously!)
Skip This If: School settings and a mostly teen cast don’t sound up your alley.
‘The Lincoln Lawyer’
The Lincoln Lawyer is approaching its fifth and final season, so now’s the right time to catch up on the Netflix adaptation of Michael Connelly’s books. Following a defense attorney who operates out of his car, The Lincoln Lawyer embodies all the things viewers love about legal dramas. It has a compelling lead, intense field investigations and courtroom moments, and plenty of mysteries to solve. These things are enough to consistently hook viewers, and those who catch up now will be ready whenever the last chapter arrives.
Watch This If: You’re looking for a new spin on legal dramas, and you love main characters with charisma.
Skip This If: Legal dramas and crime shows aren’t your thing — or you’re really attached to the standard formula.
‘Bridgerton’
For fans of romance — and especially historical ones — the appeal of Bridgerton is hardly a secret. However, those who aren’t caught up on the series have four seasons of bingeable content to get through. And Bridgerton Season 5 is confirmed and on the horizon. Despite having low stakes compared to some of the shows on this list, the romantic tensions and upper-society scandals make it all too fun to watch. It’s escapism at its finest, which can make it difficult to put down.
Watch This If: A historical backdrop that feels modern and familiar sounds like a draw, or if you love shows with secrets and scandals threatening to spill out.
Skip This If: Historical settings aren’t your thing, or if you’re just not that into high-society drama.
‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’
Netflix’s live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender doesn’t function quite as well as an adaptation as One Piece, but it’s still an entertaining watch — and at just two seasons, it’s a good way to pass a weekend or two. The series does benefit from the same immersive world as the Nickelodeon cartoon, and the effects make the bending and action thrilling. The visuals are enough reason to dive in, but Season 2 does a decent job of juggling the high stakes and hopeful tone of the original series. Those going in expecting a 1:1 adaptation won’t be thrilled, but those looking at it as its own thing will find highlights. And there’s one more outing left, so now’s the time to catch up.
Watch This If: Action and well-done visuals are high on your list of priorities at the moment.
Skip This If: You won’t be able to get past the changes to the original Nickelodeon show or Season 1 taking time to find its footing.
‘3 Body Problem’
Netflix 3 Body Problem currently sits at just one season, so it’s a series subscribers can make it through quickly. And there are two more seasons coming down the pike, adapting the remainder of Cixin Liu’s source material. It gets weirder and better, which is more incentive to catch up early. The bizarre sci-fi concepts present a story that’s actually better consumed in quick succession, as it allows viewers to fully absorb everything without getting lost. The pacing doesn’t always lend itself to a quick viewing experience, but those captivated by the existential and unique first-contact story probably won’t mind.
Watch This If: Hard science-fiction stories with bigger mysteries and themes are compelling.
Skip This If: You prefer sci-fi stories that aren’t as heavy on the science, or you’re searching for something with breakneck pacing.
‘All of Us Are Dead’
All of Us Are Dead premiered back in 2022, and it’s understandable if newcomers are reluctant to give the series a try; after all, fans of the show have been waiting for Season 2 for a while. But with the zombie series reportedly wrapping filming on the next outing back in February (via What’s on Netflix), it looks like Season 2 could be here soon. That’s a perfect excuse to prioritize Season 1 as an upcoming binge. And with All of Us Are Dead‘s fast pacing, heavy action and suspense, and cliffhangers, it’s ideal for that. It’s also one season, so it’s not a massive commitment.
Watch This If: Fast-paced survival stories are a draw, especially when zombies are present.
Skip This If: You’re not into gore, frustrating characters turn you away from a story, or you’d prefer the apocalypse without high school storylines.
‘Nobody Wants This’
Rom-com lovers probably already know of Nobody Wants This — if they haven’t powered through it already — and it’s deserving of its reputation. Starring Kristen Bell and Adam Brody, the show offers the perfect combination of serious, thoughtful drama and humor. Nobody Wants This sees its leads tackling realistic relationship challenges while also featuring the witty banter that makes well-written television a delight to watch. At just two seasons so far, Nobody Wants This should be on every romantic’s radar.
Watch This If: You’re a huge rom-com fan and love well-written dialogue and character moments.
Skip This If: Rom-coms aren’t really your cup of tea.
‘Outer Banks’
Outer Banks will soon fall under the list of completed Netflix series, but for the time being, it’s an ongoing show with enough treasure hunts and adventures to make it bingeable. It returns for its fifth and final season on August 20. And after the emotional walloping at the end of Outer Banks Season 4, it’s going to be a hot topic of discussion upon its return. Dedicated binge-watchers still have time to get caught up, and the show’s mix of teen drama, treasure hunting, and conspiracies will make it easy to plow through.
Watch This If: A teen drama with a unique twist, like hunting for treasure, sounds like fun.
Skip This If: You find it difficult to suspend disbelief while watching TV shows.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
