Summertime means time to kick back, relax and enjoy the months off of school. For many, it’s time to catch up on their shows and explore new ones. This is a list of the top five shows to binge watch on Netflix and Hulu.

The Office (Netflix)

This show is a classic and is one of the few shows that hit their mark with dry humor. The show is a mockumentary of the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company branch in Scranton, Pennsylvania. All nine seasons are available on Netflix. The characters of the show make The Office such a quintessential piece in TV history. Let’s do a quick role call, Michael Scott is the regional manager at Dunder Mifflin and is played by the great Steve Carell. Scott is the most enthusiastic in the office and makes rash decisions like when he almost jumped off a three story building to demonstrate depression. Dwight Schrute, played by Rainn Wilson, is the assistant to the regional manager and is by far the quirkiest. When Dwight isn’t running his Beet Farm Bed & Breakfast with his cousin Moze, he is leading the branch in sales. Jim and Pam, played by John Krasinksi and Jenna Fischer, are the couple that the show follows along with. Throughout the series and through all their ups and downs, the two are relationship goals. This show is a must for anyone who likes humor and good screenwriting.

Parks and Recreation (Netflix and Hulu)

Parks and Rec follows along the same type of genre as The Office. The series is a mockumentary but this show focuses on the fictional city of Pawnee, Indiana’s Parks and Rec Department. All seven seasons are available on Netflix and Hulu. Leslie Knope, played by Amy Poehler, is the main character and is the Deputy Director of Parks and Rec. Knope is always positive and strives to make Pawnee the best town to ever set foot in. The town of Pawnee is in poor shape, having raccoon problems and is the fourth most obese town in the nation. The best character in many fan’s opinions is the Director of Pawnee’s Parks and Rec department, Ron Swanson, played by Nick Offerman. Swanson is the ultimate “man’s man” with his Swanson Pyramid of Greatness and love of breakfast food. Ironically, Swanson is a libertarian who can’t stand the Government and loves to attend budget meetings where he encourages others to slash city funds. Tons of other characters can be listed but the bottom line is that Parks and Recreation is a fun watch that has heart and is so good that it makes viewers feel for a fictional mini-horse named Lil’ Sebastian.

The Flash (Netflix)

Normally, DC’s superhero movies and shows make viewers look the other way, but The Flash will change your minds. All five seasons are available on Netflix. Barry Allen, played by Grant Gustin, is a forensic scientist that gains super speed after a particle accelerator accident in the fictional Central City. Throughout the series, The Flash faces new villains based off the comics and his team at S.T.A.R. Labs helps him defeat the villains. DC is known to carry a dark mood in their films but the Flash is a fun watch because of the dialogue between characters and has a family feel. This show airs on the CW so the acting might not be top tier but the action scenes will have any superhero fan tuning in.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Hulu)

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is a semi-scripted comedy and is based on a bar in South Philadelphia called Paddy’s Pub and their workers that get into constant hijinx, they’re known as the gang. The gang includes Dennis (Glenn Howerton), Frank (Danny DeVito), Mac (Rob McElhenney), Dee (Kaitlin Olson), and Charlie (Charlie Day). The show is currently going on 13 seasons based purely on the fact that the improv is next level (12 of the 13 seasons are available on Hulu). The most infamous episode for most fans is when Charlie and Mac try to get jobs for a corporate company and Charlie delivers an incredible monologue on the conspiracy of the business and how there is no “Carol”. This is another comedy but viewers will feel attached to the show because of the solid character development.

Stranger Things (Netflix)

Fans of 1980’s pop culture and science fiction will appreciate Stranger Things, a Netflix original.  The show is based in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana in the 1980’s. After one of the members of the show gets caught in the “upside down”, the show centers around the alternate dimension that tries to invade Hawkins. Members of the show include Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Joyce (Wynona Ryder), Hopper (David Harbour), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin, and Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown). Eleven is arguably the best character in the show and her supernatural powers are a major piece in the show. Let’s not forget that her affinity for Eggo Waffles broke the internet with endless memes. Currently all three seasons are available on Netflix and season four will be out on July 4. Stranger Things is a must watch for some horror and adventure. Don’t forget to replay the episodes to find easter eggs from 1980’s pop culture that will make you feel quite nostalgic.

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