Overwhelmed by the sheer number of TV shows available on Netflix? Here are the top ten to get you started.
Stop all your plans, cut off your telephone: Netflix Australia has launched, and all you need is a laptop, an internet connection, and hours of uninterrupted Netflix viewing time.
Want all the TV shows and movies? You can get a free trial with each of the streaming internet tv providers below:
1. House of Cards
All the hype you've heard about House of Cards is true. The Primetime Emmy Award winning, Netflix-produced show about the devious machinations of US politics is television at it's best. It's conniving, it's clever, and it will change the way you watch the news. Oh, and Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) is the anti-hero you've been waiting for since Walter White left our screens.
2. Orange is the New Black
C'mon, you knew this would be number two, right? OITNB, as it's affectionately called, is loosely based on the real-life prison experiences of Piper Kerman. Basically can be surmised by: WASP goes to prison, thinks it will be fine because she's white and middle class, turns out she was very much mistaken. The exceptional ensemble cast is what really drives this show, and it's attracted equal praise for telling the stories of African-American and Hispanic women, while at the same time criticism for needing a white woman leading the show to do it.
You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll vaguely wonder about committing a minor crime so you too can go to prison and write about it.
Catch up on seasons one and two, ahead of the launch of season three's global premier on June 12.
3. Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Whoever let Adam Sandberg produce and star in a TV show is a genius. He's the hard working but verging on ADHD Detective Jake Peralta at the Brooklyn Nine-Nine police precinct, and everybody who works with him is either a) badass, b) tragic, or c) a functioning hot mess. Just. Watch. It. If you don't like it, that's 20 minutes of your life you won't get back, but trust me – it ain't likely.
4. The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Tina Fey's new show follows the tale of titular character Kimmy (Ellie Kemper), who spent 15 years in an underground bunker thanks to a doomsday cult, and is now living in New York City. Her mission? To pursue a normal life. Tina Fey's mission? To turn the tables on what we can mine for humour: cults, racism, the displacement of Vietnamese refugees in America...
Hey, it's the show everyone's talking about. If you want in on the conversation, better start watching.
5. Bloodline
Another Netflix original – this time produced in a partnership with Sony Pictures Television – Bloodline is the gripping drama following a family of "four adult siblings whose secrets and scars are revealed when their black sheep brother returns home."
It's gritty and mesmerising, and the entirety of season one was released on March 20 this year. Go forth and binge.
6. Goosebumps
You Must Be A 90s Kid If You Loved Goosebumps
Sorry, we won't subject you to that. Suffice to say Goosebumps is hot nostalgic property these guys (there's a Goosebumps movie being released later this year), so use this chance to catch up on all the old classics. Night of the Living Dummy, I'm looking at you.
7. Pretty Little Liars
Confession: I've never seen a single episode of this. Not one. But currently the internet is losing it's collective shit over some big reveal (WHO IS A? No really, I have no idea) so if you want to get in on the conversation, you better start watching.
The premise surrounds four high school girls after their queen bee Alison goes missing. It's one of those shows that everyone who's seen it insists it's fantastic viewing, so maybe get off those high-school-drama prejudices and give it a go? It's already on my list.
8. The IT Crowd
ONE OF THE GREATEST TV SHOWS TO COME OUT OF BRITAIN, EVER.
This is a fact, and is Non Negotiable. Watch it, and you will finally understand why the phrase "Have you tried turning it off and on again?" makes everyone around you burst into laughter. Stars Chris O'Dowd and Richard Ayoade have since gone on to bigger and better things (Bridesmaids and Girls for O'Dowd, directing Submarine and others for Ayoade), but for four too-short seasons they graced us with their characters of Roy and Moss, socially awkward but loveable IT-nerds.
And seriously, this show gave us friend face:
9. David Attenborough's Wildlife Specials
Is there anything more soothing than Sir David Attenborough's voice, as he takes you along the majesty and wonder of the great outdoors, all from the comfort of your couch? No, there is not. Rekindle your love for nature with his Wildlife Specials, and pay particular attention to a certain ex-Time Lord David Tennant narrating Polar Bear: Spy on the Ice (2010), Penguins: Spy in the Huddle (2013) and Dolphins: Spy in the Pod (2014).
10. Grace and Frankie
Mark this one in your calendars for May 8 this year. The comedy follows two former rivals – Grace and Frankie – who are brought together after their husbands decide to run off with one another. Starring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. It's one of the key pieces of content Netflix is pushing for their Australian library, so we reckon they're on to a winner. Clear your weekend, and commence the Netflix binge.
- Read this: Top 30 movies to watch on Netflix
- Read this: Complete list of Netflix TV Shows
- Read this: Complete list of Netflix Movies
- Read this: Netflix Australia vs Netflix US content libraries
- Read this: Netflix vs Stan vs Presto vs Quickflix
- Read this: How to set up Netflix
