The two most common posts I see on my feed in Facebook are these two questions:
What’s a good vacuum?
and
What should I watch on Netflix?
Luckily, I have very strong opinions on vacuums so I always chime in on that one. But the other question perplexes me a bit.
I currently have 1435 friends on Facebook and I can guarantee asking them what I should watch on Netflix will give me one of three reactions.
- Yep. Good choice. I’ve already seen that one.
- Never heard of that but it sounds good.
- You seriously watch that and think I would want to watch that too? You clearly don’t know me.
I feel the same way with book recommendations. It’s such a personal choice. I’d rather have a friend say (as one recently did) what they like and what else you think they might like.
For example, my friend Mitch of Gay NYC Dad did it perfectly:
Help! Looking for Netflix recommendations. I liked Travelers, Iron Fist, and the Magicians. Also Santa Clarita Diet. Finishing Grace and Frankie, then I will have nothing to get me through my 1/2 hour on the Stairmaster at the gym!
Unfortunately, I see people who just can’t follow simple directions. They recommend shows on Amazon Prime. They talk about what they love, not what they think Mitch will love.
What it comes down to, though, is that viewing choices are really personal. So instead of asking your friends what you should watch, I asked my friends what they’re watching. I know. I know. I titled this post “What Your Friends Are Watching on Netflix” but if you’re reading this, you’re probably a friend of mine or would make a good friend of mine and therefore would be interested in what my friends are watching too.
So here are the results of my information survey where I asked my friends what they’re watching on Netflix. (There’s a BONUS at the end too!)
What are the top 3 shows you give when someone (usually on Facebook) asks what they should watch on Netflix?
I got over 70 responses (some followed directions, some didn’t, but who cares?). Some actually weren’t on Netflix so they were excluded but as I was looking at the results I saw a few trends emerging. The most popular responses were Netflix Originals but there were also plenty of people who use Netflix to watch or re-watch other tv series. And then there were those that were kind enough to include some family friendly selections as well.
So to make it easy for you to follow along, I’ll give you three categories with shows ranked in order of popularity: Netflix Original, Other Shows, Family Friendly Viewing.
The Most Popular Netflix Original Recommendations
- House of Cards – 4 seasons
- Stranger Things – 1 season
- Orange is the New Black – 4 seasons
- Grace and Frankie – 3 seasons
- The Crown – 1 season
- Bloodline – 2 seasons
- The OA – 1 season
- Black Mirror – 3 seasons
- Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt – 2 seasons
- 13 Reasons Why – 1 season
- Mystery Science Theater 3000 – 1 season
- Narcos – 2 seasons
- The Get Down
- Abstract: The Art of Design – 1 season
- Iron Fist* – 1 season
- Longmire – 5 seasons
- Peaky Blinders – 3 seasons
- The Killing – 4 seasons
- Santa Clarita Diet – 1 season
- Sense8 – 2 seasons
- 13th – documentary
- Master of None – 1 season
- Dave Chapelle
- Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life – 1 season
- Marco Polo – 2 seasons
- Chef’s Table – 3 seasons
* While Iron Fist was the most commonly mentioned Marvel show, others were grouped into this general category of Marvel Netflix Originals like Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, and Daredevil.
Observations: My friends have pretty good taste. This is a pretty solid list. I’ve also marked in red those shows that are Fadra-approved, meaning I’ve at least watched some of it and can personally vouch for it. The rest? Well, I’ve just greatly increased the length of my Netflix queue.
Other Popular Recommendations on Netflix
- Shameless – 7 seasons
- Sherlock – 3 seasons
- Scandal – 5 seasons
- Gilmore Girls – 7 seasons
- Schitt’s Creek – 3 seasons
- Breaking Bad – 5 seasons
- Call the Midwife – 5 seasons
- Wentworth – 4 seasons
- The Walking Dead – 7 seasons
- The Blacklist – 3 seasons
- Prison Break – 4 seasons
- Broadchurch – 2 seasons
- When Calls the Heart – 3 seasons
- Young & Hungry – 4 seasons
- Velvet – 3 seasons
- The Night Shift – 2 seasons
- Life in Pieces – 1 season
- Archer – 7 seasons
- Parenthood – 6 seasons
- Haven – 5 seasons
- One Tree Hill – 9 seasons
- Leverage – 5 seasons
- Grey’s Anatomy – 12 seasons
- Mad Men – 7 seasons
- Dexter – 8 seasons
- How I Met Your Mother – 9 seasons
- Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey – 1 season
- Louie – 5 seasons
- Bomb Girls – 3 seasons
- Better Call Saul – 2 seasons
- F is for Family – 1 season
- Grand Designs – 2 seasons
There are a lot of great shows on this list. I found that some of my friend’s are discovering older shows they never watched while others are reliving their younger days while watching some of the shows they grew up with. I did mark the Fadra-approved shows on this list in red.
The Most Popular Family-Friendly Netflix Recommendations
- Once Upon A Time – 5 seasons, one of our family favorites
- Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events – 1 season, Netflix Original
- The Dick Van Dyke Show – 5 seasons
- Merlin – 5 seasons
- The Flash – 2 seasons, we’re huge fans of The Flash
- LEGO Ninjago – 5 seasons
- Pokemon XY – 2 seasons
- The Great British Baking Show – 3 seasons
- Trollhunters – 2 seasons, Netflix Original, read my Parent’s Guide to Trollhunters!
We always struggle for something we can watch as a family. Evan is beyond the kid shows (mostly) but way too young for some of the best content on Netflix. These shows are a good happy-medium for us. And red indicates Fadra-approved.
SO…
Did you find some new shows to watch on Netflix? Did you find some shows you absolutely hate and you can’t understand how someone could recommend them? Yeah, entertainment is a fickle beast. But I did think it was interested that almost everyone chose shows or series instead of movies. Either way, I know I’ve loaded up my queue. Now it’s just a matter of finding the time to watch it all.
This post is part of my monthly contribution to the Netflix Stream Team community.
Thanks for these lists!! So many great recommendations, can’t wait to watch! Max is a big fan of The Flash too and I love sharing your live tweets with him! 😊
Live tweeting during The Flash is one of my favorite uses of Twitter. It gives you that sense of community that we used to have!
So many great shows! We’re rounding out the Marvel bunch right now with Luke Cage. Didn’t really catch on that they were tied together in any kind of order (Daredevil S1, Jessica Jones, Daredevil S2, Luke Cage, Iron Fist) but we weren’t too confused. Daredevil is still my fave out of these though!
Um, I didn’t know that. I thought they were all independent shows! I bet Evan knows though. I know he wants to watch them but they’re all TV-MA and I assume they’re definitely MATURE.
They are. Even a bit dark for me!! Lots of blood and beating people to death. I’m ready for a break myself haha.
Hi Fadra
I love some of these rec! ( Some are ones I already watch and as for numerous others, they are reminders of shows that were on our list of must watch shows! SO thank you for this!
IDK if you’re fully aware of the implications of one of the shows on the rec list….. it’s a sensitive topic…..13 reasons why…… tragically, the topic explored in this show touches my family in a very personal way as we suffered a loss just under a year ago. The ripple effect of suicide is one that I never truly grasped until now. I have many thoughts, but tbh I just wanted to briefly mention that this might be a show that is recommended with caution……
Thank you Fadra….I always enjoy visiting..
Thanks for your input, Chris. I’m definitely aware of the sensitive nature of the show. I’m only a few episodes in but want to see it through. *Hopefully* people are smart enough to read the show descriptions (which is why I always link to them) and check out the ratings since many of these shows are TV-MA.
Regardless, I’m so sorry for you and your family. I hope that you find healing.
Gotcha xoxoxo Definitely understand where you’re coming from.
It amazes me that <> people think it’s a good idea to watch/discuss with the kids, and I can only assume that the creators and the ppl who are into this show are those who have not experienced the ripple effect of suicide, bc to me, why on Earth???? But that’s where I’m coming from. A year ago, I would not have given its “appropriateness” a second glance.
Also, Farda, your recommendations, overall…awesome. I’m def looking for a “new” show. Having just finished Brothers and Sisters & Parenthood not long ago ( took me a yer to comp both series!) Im looking for something in that style. So this is perfect.! Thanks my friend.xoxox
Loved your Take your “child to work as a blogger” of today too.xoxo
I just don’t have enough hours in the day to watch as many of these as I would like to.
I KNOW! You notice how many of these shows (which I know are supposed to be excellent) have been unwatched by me. I’m usually too tired or working after my son goes to bed to watch anything!