Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
Not all television shows are created equal. Some programs are inherently more binge-worthy than others. While Netflix allows you to binge their original programs on the day they’re released, you have to exhibit a bit of patience if you want to curl up and knock out six or sixteen episodes of Veep or Better Call Saul on a blustery winter night. Did this factor into our Top 16 Binge-Watches of 2016 rankings here at Decider headquarters? Sure. But quality programming still outweighs convenience.
Every TV binge is a unique experience. You may have been riveted by the newest season of Black Mirror while at the same time not wanting to dedicate countless consecutive hours to Charlie Brooker’s dystopian universe. Keeping with our ideal binge aesthetic, shorter television shows — both in length and in episode count — received a small bump over longer episode orders, because, you know, we’re all about that efficient binge life. But hour-long TV luminaries like Stranger Things and ESPN’s O.J.: Made in America documentary still landed near the top of our lists because, um, well, they’re freaking awesome.
Let’s celebrate this incredible year in television by looking at the top 16 television shows of 2016 that mastered the delicate art of the binge!
'Fleabag'
Described as a “brilliant, raunchy look into the mind of the modern woman,” Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag is a daring comedy not to be missed.
The six-part series follows a young woman, “Fleabag,” gamely attempting to come to terms with a recent tragedy. Audacious and unflinchingly honest, Season 1 is a breezy two and a half hour binge!
'Better Call Saul'
Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould’s signature brand of audacious storytelling is once again on display in AMC’s addictive Better Call Saul.
While the theatrical Swiss Army Knife known as Bob Odenkirk receives most of the (deserved) acclaim, Rhea Seehorn, Michael McKean, and Jonathan Banks have combined to make this crime drama one of the most enjoyable shows of 2016.
'Luke Cage'
Our latest Netflix superhero obsession, Luke Cage joins Daredevil and Jessica Jones in Marvel’s absorbing slate of small-screen superhero shows.
As much as the compelling drama and thrilling action sequences will make you want to click next episode, Luke Cage is not a binge experience to be undertaken by a novice. With the thirteen Season 1 episodes ranging from 46 to 66 minutes in length, you need to carve out some time to enjoy Mr. Cage, but trust me, it’s well worth the effort.
'Togetherness'
If you haven’t had the pleasure of watching Mark and Jay Duplass’ emotionally intimate HBO series Togetherness, prepare yourself to feel the full spectrum of emotions. The under-appreciated series (cancelled after just sixteen episodes), delves deep into the emotional abyss of life, love, and vocational aspirations as you approach your forties.
'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt'
In terms of pure joy, there was no better binge-watch in 2016 than Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. Bursting with ebullience, this charming Netflix Original wears its optimistic heart on its sleeve. Sharp dialogue, rapid-fire jokes, and outstanding all-around performances from the show’s stellar cast have catapulted this two time Outstanding Comedy Emmy-award nominee to the top of many must-see lists.
'Red Oaks'
Red Oaks, Amazon Prime’s wonderful coming-of-age series, is just so much damn fun. It will make you nostalgic for those fleeting years between childhood and the real world where bad decisions were imminent and possibilities seemed endless. Craig Roberts, and really Red Oaks as a whole, evokes a plethora of pleasant memories.
'The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story'
When I hear the term “smoldering chemistry,” I think of Sarah Paulson and Sterling K. Brown on The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.
The theatrical prowess demonstrated by these two as they portrayed Marcia Clark and Christopher Darden was mesmerizing. On a series rightfully lauded for its writing, acting, and directing, Paulson and Brown provided next-level magnificent performances.
'Catastrophe'
Catastrophe is a television series made to be binge-watched.
Created by and starring the devilishly delightful duo of Rob Delaney and Sharon Horgan, this British sitcom, which is available to stream on Prime Video, provides an authentic, hilarious look at the tumultuous rollercoaster known as love and marriage. Got an extra two and a half hours? That’s all you need to enjoy the second season of Catastrophe!
'Atlanta'
As much as I enjoyed the inaugural season of FX’s Atlanta, I yield this space to Decider’s resident ATL expert/blurb enthusiast Kayla Cobb, who referred to the series as the best comedy of 2016.
“The characters of Atlanta are several things — detailed, impulsive, often desperate — but more than anything else, they feel believable. Atlanta brings to the screen a better scripted version of a recognizable real life, something that is struggling and messy while simultaneously being ridiculous and beautiful.”
'The Grinder'
Now that Rob Lowe and I have moved on from our Hollywood feud, I can emphatically state that The Grinder, which is available to stream on Netflix, is one of my favorite comedies of the year.
Fred Savage and Rob Lowe are pure magic together and the silly meta humor adds a whole new layer to an already enjoyable series. The Grinder may have been cancelled, but it will never truly rest its case as one of the best shows of the year.
'Veep'
Perennial Emmy darling Veep entered Season 5 with a lot of questions. Could new showrunner David Mandel keep up the exceptional level of quality series creator Armando Iannucci provided during the first four seasons? Short answer? Yes! Long answer? Hell yeeeeeeeees.
From Selena’s presidency to Catherine’s documentary to every single scene featuring Jonah and Richard, Veep once again delivered an extraordinary season of television.
'You're the Worst'
There’s no sitcom I look forward to watching more than You’re the Worst.
Stephen Falk’s acerbic series once again tackled myriad real-life subjects with a nuanced combination of humor and depth while continuing the saga of the complicated connection between Gretchen and Jimmy. If you possessed the willpower to wait to binge Season 3, you were rewarded with one of the best 13-episode runs of the 2016 television season.
'Casual'
The series: Casual. My affection for this show: Serious.
An incredible mix of acting, writing, and humor, Casual brilliantly captures the everyday struggle of just living life. It’s funny, sad, possesses a killer soundtrack, and is a beautiful reminder that it’s okay to fail. Casual is the cool kids table of sitcoms, and I can’t wait to sit down next to them (and then be promptly asked to leave) for Season 3.
'Stranger Things'
No “best of 2016” list is complete without a journey into the puzzling realm of the Upside Down!
The Duffer Brothers’ Netflix series is the textbook example of the phrase “just one more episode.” An homage to the halcyon days of ’80s cinema while adding their own unique twists to the genre, Stranger Things took social media by storm on its way to becoming one of the most popular shows of 2016.
Also… Barb.
'ESPN's 30 For 30: O.J. Made in America'
Living through the insanity that was the O.J. Simpsons hullabaloo of 1995, I thought I knew pretty much everything there was to know about the “trial of the century.” I was wrong. Dead wrong.
ESPN’s absorbing five-part documentary series was equal parts riveting and informative as it delved into one of the most compelling criminal cases in modern history. After the second installment aired, the entire series was made available on WatchESPN, which I of course consumed in one magnificent night.
'Search Party'
Congratulations, Search Party! You’ve been named Decider’s top binge-watch of 2016!
Last month, I extolled the theatrical virtues of leading lady Alia Shawkat, but the entire cast delivered A + performances in this captivating series that delighted and enthralled from minute one. Created by Sarah-Violet Bliss, Charles Rogers, and Michael Showalter, the exceptionally-written sitcom follows a group of self-absorbed millennials who begin searching for a missing girl they vaguely remember from college.
You can binge the entire series on the Watch TBS app or on TBS.com.
