It’s easy to get caught up in the go-go-go mentality and waves of wanderlust I often feel pulling me through the summer season— the classic brunch with the girls turn lounging by the pool, turn ‘a casual patio barbecue’, turn moonlit dance party…and the beat goes onnn. Safe to say I’ve never been one to shy away from drinking all the #yolo Kool-Aid summer has to offer. It’s easy to seize these longer days with a ‘pool hair don’t care’ attitude, but fact is – it’s eventually going to leave you (and your liver) pretty burned. Sometimes, we need to say no to others, and yes to us more often. And by us… we mean the couch.
Choosing to anchor down in front of the TV with the AC turntt’ up is one of our team’s favorite ways to recharge, cry a little, and laugh a lot, so all of us at the #CSBungalow compiled our top picks of the best Netflix shows to binge watch this summer.
photo via Collider
The Staircase
The Staircase follows the indictment, trial, and conviction of Michael Peterson, a crime novelist who is arrested for the murder of his wife after she is found dead at the bottom of a staircase in their Durham, North Carolina, mansion, from an assault or a fall. “This show managed to keep me on the edge of my seat for all 13 episodes — the plot twists are INSANE! Out of all the true crime docs I’ve watched, this one was the most addictive and truly weirder than fiction.” —Camille
photo via Steve Hoffman
Wild Wild Country
Documentary series about the controversial Indian guru Bhagwan, his assistant Sheela, and their community of 2,000 followers that left India to build a new Utopia on a ranch in eastern Oregon. Things quickly heat up between the conservative town locals, and it escalates into a full national scandal. Wild Wild Country is worth a watch if you’re looking for a documentary that’s story-telling style, with a side of crazy history.
photo via IMBd
Fauda
A top Israeli agent comes out of retirement to hunt for a Palestinian fighter he thought he’d killed, setting a chaotic chain of events into motion.
photo via IMBd
The Crown
The British Empire is in decline, the political world is in disarray, and Queen Elizabeth II takes the throne as a 25-year-old newlywed faced with the daunting prospect of leading the world’s most famous monarchy after the death of her father, King George VI. The Crown follows the political rivalries and romances of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, and the events that shaped the second half of the 20th century. This is a drama-packed look into the coveted world of power and privilege behind locked doors in Westminster and Buckingham Palace.
photo via loggado
Queer Eye
Five adorable gay men with different professional talents try to improve the lives and confidence of straight men by giving them personal makeovers, home improvements, and life advice. The ‘Fab 5’ make even the toughest Marine cry at his transformation and newfound confidence. Queer Eye is great if you’re not looking to follow a series storyline, since every episode is a different transformation.
photo via the best of netflix
Friends
When it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month, or even your year… this oldie but goodie will always be thereeee for youuu.
photo via YouTube
Chef’s Table
Chef’s Table goes inside the personal lives and professional kitchens of the world’s most renowned international chefs. Each episode focuses on a single chef and gives an inside look at their lives, talents, and unique approaches to cooking. The cinematography alone in this series is culinary gold, and each episode will inspire even the most inexperienced cooks to let loose in the kitchen.
photo via the Verge
GLOW
Meet the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling: GLOW— a glittery, hilarious, and empowering take on the world of women’s wrestling in Los Angeles the ’80s. Strap on your leg warmers, stretch it out, and step into the ring for the ladies’ dramatized weekly throw-downs. Bonus: each episode is 30-35ish minutes, so it won’t eat up your whole weekend.
photo via public desire
Gossip Girl
you know you love me. xoxo.
photo via Celia Cruz
Celia
This show was created as a made-for-tv telenovela, and ended up being so good it finally made it’s way to Netflix. It’s an 80 episode series based on the true life story of Cuban singer, Celia Cruz. It stars Jeirmarie Osorio as Celia, and her voice will literally give you chills. “I love this show for the incredible music, scenery, and for the fascinating history of Cuba revealed through a very personal story.” –Jenn Rose Smith
photo via Fandom
Peaky Blinders
Peaky Blinders is an epic gangster drama set in the lawless streets of post-war Birmingham on the cusp of the 1920s. The show follows the Shelby Family gang, led by fierce Tommy Shelby, who is set on moving up in the world, no matter the cost. The Shelbys are kicking doors and taking names faster than their haters can say ‘pour me another bourbon.’
photo via atrl
Ozark
Conservative financial planner Marty Byrde (who also happens to be the top money launderer for the second largest drug cartel in Mexico) is forced to quickly relocate his family from a Chicago skyscraper to a small community in the Missouri Ozarks after a money laundering scheme goes wrong, and he must pay off a large debt to a Mexican drug lord. When they arrive, they become entangled with local criminals (who are, IMO, even more intimidating than the drug cartel) and dig themselves into a hole you never think they’ll be able to get out of.
