3 Netflix Shows You Need to Binge This Weekend (June 20

Whether you like stylish animations or dark comedies, Netflix has something for everyone, but sometimes it’s a struggle to decide precisely what to watch.

That’s why I’m here to lend a hand, with three shows I’ve enjoyed that are perfect for a weekend binge. You can easily watch these beginning to end over the course of a few days, so hit play, sit back, and enjoy!

3

Lockwood & Co.

After Joe Cornish’s strong directorial debut Attack the Block in 2011, a sci-fi comedy horror notable for a breakout performance from John Boyega, I was expecting to see lots more from the filmmaker. But he’s had a relatively quiet career, which is why I was pleased about the arrival of Lockwood & Co., a show he developed based on the books by Jonathan Stroud.

Lockwood & Co. is set in a world where deadly ghosts have risen. To make matters even trickier, only children can sense them, which is why many teens end up working for agencies tasked with hunting the threats. These agencies are typically overseen by adults, but orphan Anthony Lockwood runs his own business from his family home in London. Along with his friend George and newcomer Ruby, the trio make a formidable team; much of the joy comes from their dynamic and the tricky—and spooky—situations they find themselves in.

The show is aimed at young adults, but the paranormal adventures can be appreciated by older folks too. The performances are charming, the dialogue is funny, and the production design is solid. It’s just a shame that Netflix decided to cancel it after one season.

2

Arcane

League of Legends is an immensely popular video game, though I confess that it’s not really my jam. That’s why I approached the animated Arcane, which is based in that universe, with some hesitation, despite the rave reviews. I need not have worried. While the show will undoubtedly please franchise stalwarts, it’s equally welcoming to newcomers, even if the gaming term “multiplayer online battle arena” means nothing to you.

Arcane has a large cast of characters, but it revolves mainly around two sisters, Violet (Hailee Steinfeld) and Powder (Ella Purnell). The pair care deeply for each other, but everything they know is thrown into a disarray when a conflict breaks out between their city’s rich and deprived. Steinfeld and Purnell are wonderful, voicing their characters with believable vulnerability and passion.

The standout feature of the show is undoubtedly its animation, which blends 2D and 3D elements together to create a world that is incredibly detailed and feels lived in. It’s simultaneously gritty and colorful, with punchy action sequences that are exhilarating, all complemented by a top-notch soundtrack.

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1

Beef

You may have experienced or been on the receiving end of road rage, but hopefully it’s never spiralled out of control in the way it does in Beef. Starring the excellent Steven Yeun and Ali Wong as Danny and Amy respectively, this ten-episode show tells the tale of two people who have an altercation that neither are willing to let pass. It has chaotic effects on every aspect of their lives—Danny manipulating his way into Amy’s home and urinating on the floor is only the beginning of their hilarious yet dangerous feud.

Danny and Amy are, on the surface, entirely different. The former is a down-on-his-luck handyman who lives with his brother in a cramped motel, while the latter is on the brink of selling her business and has an expensive home with her husband and daughter. Both are united by their rage, but it also goes deeper than that. It’s difficult to pin Beef down, but it’s part comedy, part drama, and goes to some dark and unexpected places.

Beef tells a complete tale, making it an ideal weekend binge. If you enjoy it, you’ll be pleased to know that a second season is on the way, though it’s becoming an anthology show. That means an entirely new story and cast await us, including the always-great Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan.

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If you want to get the most from your Netflix subscription, see if you can binge all of these shows this weekend, then take advantage of other features like the secret search codes to discover new content—try searching “1365” for some action and adventure, for example!