7 Great Recent Netflix Shows You Can Binge In One Weekend

As a total cinema and TV devotee, I have to say Netflix completely changed how we watch things. It used to be all about waiting each week for the next episode, but now it’s all about instant access. This has led to incredible, sprawling shows like Stranger Things, The Witcher, and Orange Is the New Black. What’s amazing is how these shows really take advantage of streaming, letting them tell these huge, multi-year stories. They’re the kind of shows you really get lost in, and honestly, you need to commit a lot of time to follow everything that’s happening with the characters and the world they live in. But, if you’re just trying to find something new to watch, all those seasons can be a little intimidating!

Unlike shows that require a long-term commitment, many viewers appreciate stories that can be enjoyed in a shorter amount of time. Sometimes, we just want a compelling story with a satisfying conclusion that doesn’t take weeks to unfold. Luckily, Netflix offers a great selection of limited series and shorter seasons that are ideal for watching over a weekend.

7) Boy Swallows Universe

Number of episodes: 7 | Average episode length: 50 minutes | Average binge hours: 6 hours

Inspired by Trent Dalton’s novel, Boy Swallows Universe is a captivating story that mixes the realism of a coming-of-age drama with the atmosphere of an Australian gothic mystery. The series centers on Eli Bell (Felix Cameron), a bright young boy growing up in 1980s Brisbane with a complicated family of both criminals and those who chase their dreams. Eli’s world is filled with danger – from drug dealers to escaped prisoners – and made even more unique by his brother who communicates without speaking, using gestures in the air. The show beautifully portrays the feel of ordinary Australian suburbs while telling a story that is both deeply sad and surprisingly magical.

“Boy Swallows Universe” tackles difficult themes but remains surprisingly hopeful and captivating, largely due to Cameron’s powerful performance. The story follows Eli as he navigates a dangerous criminal world and tries to understand the flawed adults around him. It blends the suspense of a crime thriller with the perspective of childhood, offering a fresh alternative to typical dark dramas. Despite the tragic events, the series is ultimately uplifting, and its six-hour length feels fast-paced thanks to its emotional depth and nostalgic 1980s setting.

6) Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

Number of episodes: 10 | Average episode length: 25 minutes | Average binge hours: 4.5 hours

Many video game adaptations fall flat, but Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is a thrilling exception, arguably even better than the game it’s based on. This anime is set in the gritty, futuristic city of Night City and follows David Martinez (voiced by Zach Aguilar), a young man trying to make a living as an edgerunner—a tech-enhanced mercenary. Studio Trigger’s distinctive, fast-paced animation style brings the story to life with stunning visuals and intense action, perfectly capturing the chaotic energy of a world obsessed with technology and body modification.

Despite all the fast-paced action and violence in Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, it’s a surprisingly sad story about how chasing your dreams can be devastating when people are seen as expendable. The connection between David and the mysterious hacker Lucy (voiced by Emi Lo) adds a powerful emotional center to the show’s exciting visuals. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is a short, thrilling experience that stays with you long after it ends, proving that a story doesn’t need to be long to be both complete and heartbreaking.

5) Blue Eye Samurai

Number of episodes: 8 | Average episode length: 45 minutes | Average binge hours: 6.5 hours

The animated series Blue Eye Samurai has set a new standard for adult animation, delivering a stunning revenge story with a unique visual style. Set in Edo-period Japan, the show follows Mizu (voiced by Maya Erskine), a skilled swordswoman of mixed heritage, as she seeks vengeance on the four white men who could be her father. Blue Eye Samurai is visually captivating, combining 2D and 3D animation to create scenes reminiscent of traditional Japanese woodblock prints, all filmed with the polish and scope of a major Hollywood movie.

Beyond its stunning visuals, Blue Eye Samurai delves into complex themes of identity, gender roles, and the strict social classes of feudal Japan. The main character, Mizu, is captivating – she must disguise herself as a man to survive in a world that seeks to harm her, and her relentless pursuit of revenge makes her a truly compelling anti-hero. The show’s action is both intense and beautifully crafted, but it always enhances the story and Mizu’s personal journey, rather than simply being for show.

4) Beef

Number of episodes: 10 | Average episode length: 35 minutes | Average binge hours: 5.5 hours

What begins as a minor parking lot dispute quickly escalates in Beef, a darkly funny series about the hidden frustrations of modern life and the risks of holding in anger. The show follows Danny Cho (Steven Yeun) and Amy Lau (Ali Wong), two people from very different backgrounds whose impulsive clash takes over their lives. As their rivalry grows from small acts of annoyance to serious sabotage, they begin to tear each other’s worlds apart, exposing the underlying unhappiness fueling their conflict. The captivating chemistry between the two lead actors is central to the show, as they move between intense animosity and a strange, shared understanding.

Beyond its central conflict, Beef delves into difficult topics like the stress of social class, the lasting effects of family trauma, and the intense pressure to achieve success. Each episode escalates the tension, turning a minor disagreement into a gripping thriller that leaves you wondering just how far these two troubled individuals will go. The series concludes with a surprisingly strange yet deeply moving finale, solidifying its place as one of the most innovative shows on television in recent years.

3) Ripley

Number of episodes: 8 | Average episode length: 55 minutes | Average binge hours: 7.5 hours

Andrew Scott delivers a compelling performance as Tom Ripley in a new series that offers a darker take on the classic story. Unlike previous adaptations, this version of Ripley emphasizes suspense and psychological tension, filmed entirely in black and white. The show follows Ripley as he’s sent to Italy to persuade a man to return home, but he quickly becomes entangled in lies, theft, and murder. The series unfolds at a deliberate pace, reflecting Ripley’s calculated nature and focusing on the chilling void beneath his charming exterior, rather than the allure of his con artistry.

I was completely captivated by how Ripley looks – every single shot feels like a stark, beautiful photograph, and it instantly creates this incredibly unsettling mood, even during normal conversations. Andrew Scott is phenomenal as Ripley; he doesn’t play him as someone faking being human, but as someone truly chillingly devoid of it. It’s true the show asks you to really pay attention, but it’s so worth it – the suspense is overwhelming, and it’s a fascinating, disturbing look inside the mind of a sociopath. I found myself completely drawn in.

2) Adolescence

Number of episodes: 4 | Average episode length: 60 minutes | Average binge hours: 4 hours

The British crime drama Adolescence, which premiered in early 2025, quickly captivated both audiences and critics with its raw and powerful storytelling. The series centers around Jamie Miller, a 13-year-old boy (played by Owen Cooper), and the aftermath of his arrest in connection with a teenage girl’s murder. What makes Adolescence truly unique is its bold filming style: each of the four episodes is presented as a single, unbroken shot. This immersive technique draws viewers into the harrowing situation, forcing them to witness the devastating impact of the accusation on Jamie’s family, particularly his father, Eddie (Stephen Graham), as they struggle to cope.

As a film and TV fanatic, I was completely blown away by how Adolescence is shot. It’s done in one continuous take, which isn’t just a stylistic choice – it makes you feel like you’re in the scene with them, almost like live theater. There’s no editing to break the tension, so every conversation and every emotional beat hits you incredibly hard. Plus, Graham gives an amazing performance as a dad who’s really struggling to connect with his son, all while battling a legal system that feels stacked against them. Honestly, the show’s short length is perfect; it keeps that intense, anxious feeling going strong from beginning to end – something a longer series probably couldn’t have pulled off.

1) Baby Reindeer

Number of episodes: 7 | Average episode length: 30 minutes | Average binge hours: 4 hours

Netflix’s Baby Reindeer quickly became a cultural phenomenon, and it’s a tough watch. The show, created by and starring Richard Gadd, is based on his real life. It centers on Donny Dunn (Gadd), a comedian trying to make it, who offers a simple kindness – a cup of tea – to a woman named Martha (Jessica Gunning) who is upset. This seemingly small gesture leads to a consuming obsession that pushes Donny to deal with his own painful past and his deep desire to be accepted.

Netflix’s Baby Reindeer is a difficult show to define – it unexpectedly jumps between uncomfortable humor and genuinely frightening psychological horror, constantly keeping viewers on edge. The series also thoughtfully examines what it means to be a victim and how easily people can become involved in unhealthy, abusive relationships. Jessica Gunning delivers an incredible performance as Martha, portraying a character who is both scary and deserving of sympathy, and Richard Gadd’s honest portrayal of his own imperfections makes the story deeply disturbing. Though you can watch the whole series in an afternoon, its unsettling themes and questions about personal boundaries and mental health will stay with you long after, prompting important conversations.

Looking for a great Netflix show to watch this weekend? Tell us your recommendations in the comments and share your thoughts in the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/essential-netflix-originals-stranger-things-narcos-ozark/embed/#

2025-12-10 21:18