The Top 8 Web Series on Netflix You Can't-Miss
In the past, when people wanted to watch television, they had to turn on their TV sets, sit through commercials and wait until their favorite shows came on. Nowadays, with streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime, people have more options than ever before to watch what they want, when they want it — and often at a fraction of the cost of cable or satellite packages. Thanks to these services, we’re seeing an increase in web series produced just for the Internet rather than on traditional media platforms like television networks. These are some of the best web series you can currently find on Netflix!
1) Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj
Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj is a hilarious weekly show that celebrates America and all of its quirks as only an immigrant can. Each week, host Hasan Minhaj brings his unique comedic voice and storytelling skill to explore the larger trends shaping our fragmented world. Every episode tackles a different topic, from technology and politics to pop culture and everything in between. With relatable comedy, Patriot Act proves that it’s possible to be both smart and funny. His show made its debut back in October of 2017 and quickly became one of my new favorite series on Netflix. He interviews some very interesting people for each of his episodes, so I would definitely recommend giving it a watch if you haven’t already!
2) Safe
A young black man learns that his childhood best friend is a cop and suspects he may be corrupt. Unwilling to believe him, he sets out to prove it by trying to set him up for a crime. But his plan backfires when he himself gets arrested, and only his best friend can save him from doing life in prison. Starring Michael Ealy, Tiffany Haddish, and Amy Smart, Safe arrives on August 4th on Netflix. We’ve got your exclusive first look at their new trailer! (Spoiler alert: they’re all safe.)
3) Another Period
Set in early 1900s Rhode Island, Another Period follows two upper-class sisters who will do anything to secure social status, including creating a fake servant out of their sibling. The parody makes fun of everything from celebrity culture to class issues and even slavery and women's suffrage. It's wildly offensive but also laugh-out-loud funny. It's meant to be watched with an open mind; try not to take it too seriously and enjoy each episode for what it is: an over-the-top look at American society in a different era.
4) Disjointed
Disjointed is a weed-themed web series, which makes it ideal for fans of the streaming service's signature brand of comedy. Starring Orange Is The New Black actress and comedian Kathy Bates, Disjointed follows Ruth Whitefeather Feldman, a woman who runs a medical marijuana dispensary while navigating life in Los Angeles. She is assisted by her son Travis (Aaron Moten), his ex-con friend Olivia (Elizabeth Alderfer), and their friend Doug (Dougie Baldwin). It features celebrity guest stars like Tisha Campbell Martin and Ed Begley Jr., but it also shines with its perfectly cast ensemble that always delivers fresh takes on stoner culture.
5) Grace and Frankie
Comedic relief is what Grace and Frankie are all about. The show follows two aging women whose husbands leave them for each other. As they both adjust to life after their marriages, they meet each other and form an unlikely friendship that viewers have fallen in love with. In Season 2, Grace (Jane Fonda) and Frankie (Lily Tomlin) head to Vietnam to find out more about their husbands' pasts. The series earned a 2016 Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (Tomlin). If you're looking for light-hearted comedy, then you don't want to miss Grace and Frankie. [Emmys]
6) 13 Reasons Why
In 13 Reasons Why, Hannah Baker’s posthumous narration explains that a few weeks before her suicide, she made cassette tapes containing 13 explanations for why she ended her life. Her friend Clay is one of those people mentioned in Hannah’s tapes and he listens as he tries to unravel what happened and make sense of her death. Although there are many dark episodes to binge through, they also cover tough topics such as bullying, rape culture, mental illness, and self-harm. While the subject matter may not be suitable for younger viewers (and it may trigger some), it’s one of those shows you need to watch just because it raises awareness about so many serious issues in society today.
7) The Ranch
If you're a fan of comedy and/or country music, you might want to give The Ranch a try. Partially filmed in Napa Valley, California, The Ranch will keep you laughing as Colt (played by Parks and Recreation's own Ashton Kutcher) returns home to help run his family's ranch after going semi-pro playing minor league baseball. With funny characters that deliver laugh-out-loud dialogue -- which is hard to find in most sitcoms --, there are many reasons why The Ranch is worth bingeing on Netflix when you've got some time off. Here are eight shows (in no particular order) that are just as funny as Kutcher's show.
8) Sense8
If you’re looking for action, comedy, romance, and mystery all in one series, Sense8 is your answer. Created by acclaimed director/writer Lana Wachowski (who helmed The Matrix trilogy) and J. Michael Straczynski (who created Babylon 5), Sense8 follows eight individuals from around the world who are connected in an inexplicable way that allows them to tap into each other’s thoughts, skills, and experiences. While it may seem a bit far-fetched at first glance, Sense8 has quickly become known for its unique storyline and dynamic characters. Not only that but it was recently announced that season 2 of Sense8 will be available exclusively on Netflix! So if you haven’t yet given Sense8 a try, what are you waiting for?
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