At the request of a friend and reader, here is a mid-year check-in summarizing everything I’ve watched so far in 2023.
I use a really basic Notion template to keep up with my watch list. I have one column of movies/tv to watch with a bookmark link to each IMDB page and another column to move the bookmark link to an archive for the year once watched.
I don’t even watch TV every day and sometimes go weeks without watching anything at all so I’m honestly very surprised by this list. If you’ve watched any of these shows, let’s discuss them! If not, I hope these descriptions give you some ideas of what to watch next.
Movies
Peter Pan & Wendy - Disney+ - 1 h 49 m
I was very impressed with this live-action remake of the classic Peter Pan animated movie. The story focuses on Peter Pan and Hook’s childhood and what led to their bitter rivalry. It’s a familiar story with a unique twist that helps the viewer realize that maybe Peter isn’t the golden boy and that Hook is human too. The pacing is perfect and the film doesn’t feel too long. I personally don’t understand the reasoning behind Disney’s straight-to-streaming releases so I hope this one gets the attention it deserves.
The Willoughbys - Netflix - 1 h 32 m
I’m starting to make a list of children’s books that have been turned into movies and this one was on the top of my list to watch. I really enjoyed the fun but slightly far-fetched story. The Willoughbys get into quite a few adventures trying to find a family that will love them. The animation is quirky and colorful and of course, the storyline has a happy ending.
The Bad Guys - Netflix - 1 h 40 m
We started this movie at our local library and finished it up at home. The story felt a lot like an Oceans 11 plot except with animals that typically get a bad wrap. There was a lot of slapstick comedy that is just plain fun. The Bad Guys is a great kid’s film about second chances, redemption, and not judging a book by its cover.
I actually saw a whole box set of this series at Costco over the weekend. I may have to go back for it for our home library.
Lyle, Lyle Crocodile - Netflix - 1 h 46 m
Another library feature that we had to finish at home! My kids are still a little too young to sit still for a feature film. This movie was so, so bad. Sadly, not even Shawn Mendes’ singing and voicing Lyle could save it.
Strange World - Disney+ - 1 h 42 m
I didn’t hear anything about this Disney release until I saw it pop up on Disney+ and it is one of my favorites for the year! I loved the climate activism element to it. It’s a sci-fi/fantasy/action/adventure animated movie about a family of farmers that have to change course to save their planet. It explores male fragility and the sometimes complex gender roles men feel the need to fill. There are three generations of men who have to sort through their own issues and issues with each other all while grappling with the high-stakes action in the film. It’s emotional and sensitive and incredibly well done.
Your Place or Mine - Netflix - 1 h 51 m
Sometimes you just need to cuddle up in bed with a cozy blanket, stuffed animal, and a cheesy Rom-Com. This is my recommendation if you’re craving that sort of self-care night. Reese and Ashton have really great on-screen chemistry. I love a second-chance romance, especially when it comes to older characters. These two MCs have their own issues but finally get together in a really cute friends-to-lovers storyline.
After Ever Happy - Netflix - 1 h 59 m
These movies are absolute TRASH. I remember texting my sister like wait, I just wasted TWO WHOLE HOURS watching this and there’s no resolution? I’m not saying the books were great but the drama had a hold on me in a way that the films fail to deliver. I’m not holding my breath that the next movie is going to be any better.
Murder Mystery 2 - Netflix - 1 h 29 m
This movie is obnoxiously silly. If you watched the first Murder Mystery film, you’ll be familiar with the formula. You could definitely watch this as a stand-alone film too. The story gives you enough detail to know what you’re in for. I loved the Indian wedding scene and the Paris backdrop!
TV
Outer Banks Season 3 - Netflix - 10 episodes - approx. 50 min/episode
This whole South American storyline got a little too far-fetched for me. Do the writers even know where they’re going with this show? I missed the sunny Charleston backdrop fiercely. But still, it’s a soapy teen drama and has that addictive quality to it so you know I’m going to keep watching.
Wednesday - Netflix - 8 episodes - approx. 50 min/episode
Well, this was not what I expected. I enjoyed it but it was more young adult than I anticipated. I was hoping for a little more horror akin to how the Sabrina reboot was done. We got a dark and moody show but nothing too scary. I adored the Vermont backdrop. I feel my best when it’s Fall so I’m definitely down with those vibes. I’m looking forward to a second season.
Dead to Me Season 3 - Netflix - 10 episodes - approx. 30 min/episode
This dark comedy wraps up with a heartbreaking diagnosis for Judy. I really enjoyed this unlikely friend duo and all the crazy escapades they got into but it felt like the right time for the series to end. Some of the twists were predictable and others far-fetched. I still have a lot of questions but I think sometimes it works to leave things up to interpretation.
Derry Girls Season 3 - Netflix - 7 episodes - approx. 25 min/episode
This series is hands down one of the funniest shows I’ve ever watched and I just don’t hear enough people talking about it. It’s set during the Irish Troubles at an all-girls Catholic School. There’s a big twist at the end that totally changes the tone of the whole show. It’s like the writers knew they weren’t getting renewed for a new season and had to figure out a way to wrap it all up. Unfortunately, that meant sacrificing some of the humor.
Outlander Season 5 - Netflix - 12 episodes - approx. 60 min/episode
I’m not a big fan of the America timeline. Period. Take me back to Scotland. I need all the romance between Jamie and Claire. There were some really tender moments between Roger, Brianna, and Jemmy when they decide whether they’ll stay or travel forward back to their time. Roger’s trauma in general is just really, really hard to watch in this season. So now I’m stuck waiting til 2024 or whenever Netflix decides to get Seasons 6 and 7 from Starz.
Sex Education Season 3 - Netflix - 8 episodes - approx. 50 min/episode
This season was really dynamic. It was a little more serious and poked less fun at the taboo aspects of sex than the first two seasons. I enjoyed all the new relationships that were explored. All of the characters have shown a lot of growth and I hope there’s a Season 4 to continue it. I’m a big fan of this quirky high school drama and all the real life lessons it has to offer.
The Crown Season 5 - Netflix - 10 episodes - approx. 60 min/episode
There were a lot of stylistic choices by the directors that didn’t resonate with me. In fact, there were 2 whole episodes I feel like you could have skipped. They gave some great background to the general timeline of the season but weren’t about the Royal family directly. Honestly, the seasons following Charles and Diana’s marital drama haven’t been my favorite.
Harry & Meghan - Netflix - 6 episodes - approx. 60 min/episode
I cannot recommend to you enough to watch this docuseries instead of reading Spare. You can see the joy and pain that Harry and Meghan have experienced so far in their relationship through their own lives. I think they have both learned a lot through their experience as part of the Royal family and have a lot more to learn. I’m looking forward to seeing what other humanitarian efforts these two collaborate on in the future.
Daisy Jones & The Six - Prime Video - 10 episodes - approx. 60 min/episode
It took me a good 3 episodes to get into this limited series but I was such a huge fan of the book that I wanted to see it through. I thought the actors did a great job capturing the tension and chemistry between Daisy and Billy. The casting was perfect, the music was groovy, and the scenery was dreamy. I felt transported to the 70s!
Transatlantic - Netflix - 7 episodes - approx. 50 min/episode
This wasn’t on my radar until I saw someone post about it on Bookstagram. It’s probably the first WWII era show I’ve seen that focused on the resistance but also on joy. You forget people still had real lives through the devastation of the war. I was an Art History major in college so I have immense appreciation for the art and artists that are featured in this story. Too bad it’s a limited series! I would have loved to see more.
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story - Netflix - 6 episodes - approx. 60 min/episode
Cue the tears! This is the Bridgerton story you didn’t know that we all needed. It is a prequel to the Bridgerton series that explores the love story between Charlotte and George. I learned a ton about history from this one which was a nice change of pace.
XO, Kitty - Netflix - 10 episodes - approx. 30 min/episode
Sometimes you just need to watch something fun and this was that show for me. I loved To All The Boys and this spinoff filled a void I didn’t know I had! XO, Kitty follows the youngest Covey sister as she follows her long-distance boyfriend/pen pal to Korea.
A Small Light - Hulu/Disney+/NatGeo - 8 episodes - approx 60 min/episode
I think we all know the harrowing story of Anne Frank but this show follows Miep Gies, her father’s secretary, who helped successfully hide Otto Frank and his family for two years prior to their capture by the Nazis in WWII. The way this story is filmed is so beautiful. The costuming deserves an award. Like Transatlantic, the thing I enjoyed most about this series was seeing the family create their own joy during an incredibly devastating time in history. Miep’s life and work should be a reminder to us all to stand up to injustice.
In my watch queue
There are a lot of movies I’m looking forward to watching in the coming months! Here’s my short list of things I’d like to see in theaters.
Oppenheimer
A Haunting in Venice
Elemental
Asteroid City
Dune: Part 2
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
I’m not as familiar with what’s coming to TV but I have a few show premieres noted on my calendar:
The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 2
Good Omens Season 2
What’s on your watch list? I’m always looking for things to add to my Notion page.