Our summer of favorite things wouldn’t be complete without talking movies and TV shows. These recent favorites include family and grown up shows to entertain from new releases to Netflix and Hulu favorites.
While this isn’t a super spiritual post, it is the kind of thing I chat with my friends about (and that means YOU!)
I really do enjoy watching TV. I know that’s not the cool answer, but I can’t be the only one given the number of options out there. Here are a few of my faves, plus the best way to watch!
Disclaimer: You need to decide what content you are comfortable with. Some of these shows are definitely for mature audiences. (Some even have parts I fast forward through.) You know what’s best for you. Always pay attention to that.
With My Honey
The hubby and I love to relax together and watch something at night. The key word here is TOGETHER. These are shows we only watch together. We look forward to snuggling up on the couch after the kids are in bed (although that is trickier now that they are teens!)
In the Dark — This was the most surprising random show choice I’ve made in a long time. On Netflix, it it follows the story of Murphy as she tries to solve the murder of her best friend. But there is a twist.
Handmaid’s Tale — This award-winner is a bit frightening, yet surprisingly relational. It keeps me asking the question “could this really happen?” A fascinating look at the complexity of people in hard situations this Hulu original is captivating.
Friends — This has been a favorite since we were dating, and it always provides a laugh. It’s like putting on your most comfortable sweatshirt in the fall. Netflix has them all right now (although I heard that won’t be the case in 2020.)
Life in Pieces — Because laughter is important, we watch this incredibly quirky family and their odd interactions. Balancing the beauty of family with the challenges, this multi-generational crew always makes us laugh.
With the Family
My kids are 11-14 years old. These choices reflect those ages. We’ve always loved watching things together. And again, that is the key: TOGETHER. An addition to this list is basically any food related or competition show.
Captain Marvel — We watched this recently and we all loved it. As we are making our way through the Marvel movies because I won’t watch the most recent one without the backstory. We’re more than halfway through. Another favorite was this one.
Ellen’s Game of Games — Silly fun, this show always gets my people excited and laughing.
Northern Rescue — A family drama on Netflix, this one is deep and has a hard subjects. But they’re good things to talk about and the characters are beautifully flawed.
Incredibles 2 — A great animated movie, this one made us all laugh and gave us that feeling that family is great, even if it is a bit odd.
Favorite movies & TV shows to enjoy on your own, with your honey or with your teens! Click To TweetOn My Own
There are shows my hubby doesn’t really like, so when he works late or has a fire department meeting, I use that as a chance to watch something just for me.
A Million Little Things — A recent discovery, this one is all about relationships and how this group of friends carries on after the sudden death of one member of the group. Thoughtful with a bit of suspense, I watch this on Hulu and hope to be caught up when season 2 starts this fall.
Grey’s Anatomy — I hate that I still watch this. Honestly. But I feel like I’ve followed it this long I want to see how they will eventually end it. I don’t watch live, but wait for episodes to show up on Hulu or at the end of the season on Netflix. My hubby hates this one because he works in the medical field and claims it’s not even close to accurate. (I love it but kind of hope it ends soon!)
What shows and movies are you loving right now?
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Where do you watch Life in Pieces?! I think I’d love that one! I just finished up Fuller House and it was super cute 🙂
Life in Pieces has a season on Netflix, but Hulu has all of them, I think. It’s a CBS show.
What about This is Us? I try not to watch shows that are predictably sweet and gut wrenching (I also LOVE Grey’s anatomy but want it to end already lol) but Al and I looked forward to watching that when it came on. A Million Little Things is way too uncomfortable for me right now but I am hooked so I watch anyway!
This Is Us is good. It’s another one I watch on my own. It’s great that you have those simple, sweet things to remember about watching a show with Al. I love the simple sweet parts of life. (And I’m glad I’m not the only one wanting Grey’s to end.)
I’m still mourning the end of Poldark and hoping for another season soon.
I haven’t watched it! What’s it about?
Hey Rebecca, I’m not much of a TV person and not familiar with any newer shows. But I do have favorite shows, mostly oldies, we watch on Netflix because we no longer have cable. My husband and I like “King of Queens” and “Everybody Loves Raymond” and even “The Andy Griffith Show.” And I have the Hallmark Movies Now App on our smart TV’s…I’m such a sucker for a good Hallmark movie. 🙂 They drive my husband crazy, though. My favorite movies of all time is “Pride and Prejudice” and loved the book as well.
We loved “Everybody Loves Raymond!” Is that on Netflix? I’d love to watch with my kids!
I love Life in Pieces!!!! It makes me laugh so hard. A million little things is one we watch too. laurensparks.net
We laugh through it too! It’s great. But I heard it’s not being renewed 🙁
I have heard of a few of those and some are new to me! I enjoy lists like this because it can be such a great way to find interesting things to watch. My husband and I enjoy watching Comedians in Cars (language warning on some episodes) and we really like Jamie Oliver’s Quick and Easy Meals. Both are less than half an hour and perfect when you just need a little something but not a full on show or movie. We’ve also started Turn which is a dramatic series set in the American Revolution. The kids enjoyed Stranger Things although we will be more cautious moving forward on that one…as with a lot of shows the themes can become more graphic and mature each season.
One of our (me and the hubs) favorite shows on NetFlix is called River. A British cop show with a bit of a twist.
Oooohhh — I haven’t heard of River. I will have to watch. We loved Sherlock and Bodyguard. And I agree about the shows kids watch. It can be tricky for sure!
I had not heard of In the Dark and as a fan of mysteries, I’ll have to check it out.
Friends is my go-to, even if I only have 10 minutes.
My tween daughter and I enjoy the Aurora Teagarden mysteries on Hallmark, plus When Calls the Heart–in small doses. It’s pretty sappy, so sometimes when we end up giggling at the story too much and we know it’s supposed to be serious, we switch to Friends.
Cobra Kai season 2 is still on my watch list. Season 1 was awesome, if you like the original Karate Kid movie.
Visiting from #happynow!
Friends will always make me smile! I’ve showed my kids parts of a few episodes (the Thanksgiving ones are awesome!)
So funny story… the first episode I ever watched of Grey’s Anatomy was the one where Derek dies. And then I decided to watch the entire series… from the beginning! I’m all caught up but it took me nearly a year and a half to do so! My list of shows “with my honey” is looong- Grey’s, Handmaid’s Tale, A Million Little Things, Station 19, The Good Doctor, OITNB, Top Chef, Food Network Star… I could go on and on! Love this post- I’m always so intrigued to see what others are watching (and not!).
Isn’t it funny how interesting it is to see what people are watching?! You have a few on your list that I haven’t watched 🙂
I loved A Million Little Things and I got my husband to watch Grey’s, Life in Pieces, and Northern Rescue with me. Right now we’re watching Breaking Bad and I just started a new to me show on Hulu called Brothers and Sisters that I am really enjoying (though I’m only on episode 2).
I haven’t watched Brothers and Sisters, but I’ve heard of it. Maybe I’ll check it out!
I do enjoy Life in Pieces; it’s quite funny! I LOVE A Million Little Things and I can’t wait for that to come back on. I always love watching Psych – all the seasons are on Amazon Prime. As for movies, Captain Marvel really was awesome!!
-Lauren
I haven’t watched Psych. That may be a good one to add to my list!
We always laughed out loud at Life in Pieces. I’m sad that it won’t be coming back this fall. A new show to us this year was New Amsterdam. I don’t typically like medical dramas, but this has been a good one.
I’m sad it won’t be coming back too!
I’ve heard good things about New Amsterdam. I’m not sure I can convince the hubby to watch with me, but I’ll give it a shot!
My husband says the same exact thing about all medical shows. He is a Pediatrician and critiques everything they do. I also have to watch these kinds of shows when he is not around. A good list, though. We enjoy watching several shows as a family. So much so that if one is missing, we DVR and wait to the next night to watch.
I’m glad my hubby isn’t the only one! LOL And it is fun to watch things together as a family. I love that you DVR and watch together!
Super fun! I’m always on the lookout for a “new” movie or series to binge. Thank you for sharing.
Hope you enjoy some of these!
I enjoyed this little glimpse into your entertainment life, Rebecca! Our together TV watching mostly consists of HGTV shows, although my husband and I are slowly working our way through the past episodes of “This is Us.” As a family, we just recently watched both the Ant Man movies and I have to say, they were a lot better than I expected. 🙂
I felt the same way about the Ant Man movies!
Hi, Rebecca! Thanks for sharing these. Our household has been TV free for more than 14 years so I am not very knowledgable of TV shows. Mostly I watch BBC stuff online. Hence I am looking forward to seeing the new Downton Abbey movie next month. Blessings to you and yours!
I’ve heard great things about Downton Abbey. I don’t know why I haven’t given it a try yet!
I started watching “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” when we visited my sister. We watched all 3 seasons and now have to wait until November to see new shows, but we all loved it. I think I have to check out “A Million Little Things”. Thanks for the recommendation.
I haven’t watched that yet. Maybe a new one to add to the list!
I always enjoy seeing what other people watch and picking up recommendations. Somehow I missed A Million Little Things and Life in Pieces. I’ll have to look them up.
As a family we loved the Lost in Space remake on Netflix. Two seasons so far, and very intense. But so good. Mostly about a dysfunctional family rebuilding itself in extreme circumstances. We also enjoy America’s Funniest Home Videos. I used to watch it just whenever I thought of it, but since quarantine, I look forward to that bit of laughter every week.
My husband and I enjoy New Amsterdam, too. We also watch Bull (courtroom drama, but with a switch–the main character is a trial scientist). I like NCIs– he tolerates it. 🙂
I LOVE the Marvel movies! I have not seen Guardians of the Galaxy (couldn’t get past the talking racoon. I don’t know why. I’ve seen other films with talking animals). I haven’t been able to find AntMan but did see Ant Man and the Wasp. I loved EndGame. I did the same thing–caught up on the rest before seeing the last two.
I enjoy watching something while riding my bike to make the time seem to go faster. I usually watch then things that my husband wouldn’t be interested in. I just finished what I think will be one of my all-time favorite movies: This Beautiful Fantastic. It’s on Amazon Prime and YouTube. I also enjoyed Saving Mr. Banks. If you like period dramas, Doctor Thorne was really good–in 3 or 4 parts. Made by the same man who made Downton Abbey (I’d recommend that one, too!)
SO many great ideas! I’m so glad you shared. I will have to check out this Beautiful Fantastic
I am with you on Life in Pieces. Funniest show I’ve watched in a long time. We also love A Million Little Things.
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Life in Pieces. I really miss it!
In the Dark sounds intriquing….what would you say it is “rated”?? Just curious. Thanks for the list! Always needing suggestions….
I would say PG-13. There is some sexual content, drugs and violence, but nothing is shown too much. It airs on the CW network so it is on a mainstream tv network.
Rebecca, my husband and I enjoy Blue Bloods and Father Brown. We appreciate hearing what others enjoy. Thanks for the list.
We love Bluebloods, too!
I’ve never watched Blue Bloods, but I’ve heard good things. Isn’t it fun to see what everyone likes? I always loved West Wing (I can’t believe I left it off my list!)
My husband and I love British crime shows. We’ve watched quite a few. Right now our go-to is Murder in Paradise. We appreciate the fact that there have been no sexually explicit scenes (at least so far), no bad language, and the violence is not shown. Just a good who-done-it.
That sounds like a great one to check out! I loved Sherlock. I think that was a BBC show.
Rebecca. I loved your comments about Grey’s Anatomy: you hate that you still watch it and you love it but you kind of hope it ends soon! That cracked me up. 😀 Can’t think of one now, but I know I’ve had that feeling before about something I was watching.
Thanks, friend! It’s good to know I’m not the only one who has had that feeling!