The Best TV Shows and Movies I Watched in 2024

from someone who doesn't watch TV every day

As someone who doesn’t watch TV every day, I’m always surprised at just how many TV series and movies I’m able to squeeze into a year. I’ve narrowed down my watch list to the best TV shows and movies I watched in 2024 and would recommend to you. To make it easier to seek these out, I’ve added the streaming service I used to watch each one. These are also in chronological order of when I watched them since I track them using a simple Notion template I created.

TV

The Crown Season 6 (Netflix) — The last season of The Crown focuses on Princess Diana’s death, William’s coming of age, Charles and Camilla’s wedding, and the deaths of Princess Margaret, The Queen Mother, and The Queen. It was somber and a bit clumsy at times. The producers tried to squeeze so much into the last season but by the end, it felt like a love letter to The Queen.

Ted Lasso Seasons 1-3 (Apple TV+) — Ted Lasso is an American college football coach hired to manage an English Premier League team despite knowing nothing about soccer. Ted’s charisma and optimism allow him to drive change in the players and the people around him. It’s a show filled with humor and warmth. A must-watch when you need some feel-good TV.

All the Light We Cannot See (Netflix) — In this miniseries based on the book by Anthony Doerr, a blind French teenager and young German soldier cross paths in occupied France, and the two form a unique bond to survive the destruction of WWII. It’s a beautiful story and the cinematography is brilliant.

Death and Other Details (Hulu) — A whodunnit series about a murder on a luxury ocean liner that’s perfect for fans of Agatha Christie novels and the Knives Out movie series. It was comedic and engaging and I’m devastated it was cancelled after just one season.

One Day (Netflix) — Bring on the tissues if you decide to watch this romantic drama. Emma and Dexter meet for the first time on the night of their graduation from the University of Edinburgh and spend the next 14 years chasing each other. It’s raw and heartbreaking. I want to see more from these two young actors.

Masters of the Air (Apple TV+) — Based on the book by Donald L. Miller, this action-packed drama miniseries shows the aerial wars of WWII through the stories of the enlisted men of the Mighty Eighth Air Force of the United States Army Air Forces. It was produced by Steven Spielberg so you know it’s good.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith (Prime Video) — Donald Glover and Maya Erskine shine in this take on Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Their work puts both their skills (or lack thereof) as spies and their new relationship to the test. The writing, directing, and cinematography make this unique twist on a thriller romance worth watching.

Palm Royale (Apple TV+) — Kristen Wiig’s performance in this period drama surprised me. It is one of the most original new shows I’ve seen. While a few episodes were a bit far-fetched, it kept me highly entertained. Best watched while wearing your best Vera Bradley and Lilly Pulitzer.

The Gentlemen (Netflix) — When aristocratic Eddie inherits the family estate, he discovers that it's home to an enormous weed empire — and its proprietors aren't going anywhere. It’s funny, gritty, and smart. You could cut the tension between Eddie and Susie with a knife. I’m still hopeful they get together in Season 2.

Maxton Hall (Prime Video) — Ruby unwittingly witnesses an explosive secret at Maxton Hall; as a result, the arrogant millionaire heir James Beaufort has to deal with the quick-witted scholarship student for better or worse. I loved the tension between Ruby and James. Just a heads up, it’s German so it’s dubbed with subtitles.

Bodkin (Netflix) — I love a dark comedy thriller. In this show, a group of podcasters sets out to investigate the mysterious disappearance of three strangers in an idyllic Irish town. If you enjoyed Will Forte in The Last Man on Earth, this is even better!

Dark Matter (Apple TV+) — Based on the book by Blake Crouch, Professor Jason Dessen is abducted into an alternate version of his life. In a labyrinth of alternate realities, he embarks on a torturous journey to get back to his true family and save them from a version of himself. It’s a dark show (both visually and thematically) that will leave you with questions. I’m not sure I really “got it” until the end.

My Lady Jane (Prime Video) — If you liked the Princess Bride, you’ll fall in love with this outlandish historical fantasy show. Lady Jane Grey and her husband Guildford live during the reign of Edward, son of Henry VIII. She unexpectedly finds herself crowned queen overnight and becomes the target of criminals who want to dethrone and behead her. Best for fans of Drunk History.

Eric (Netflix) — Vincent, a grief-stricken father whose son goes missing, finds solace through his friendship with Eric, the monster that lives under Edgar's bed. It’s dark, griping, and though-provoking and Vincent battles his own demons in the gritty 1980s New York setting. Like IF, but for adults.

Deadloch (Prime Video) — The town of Deadloch, Tasmania, is preparing for its Winter Feastival when a local man turns up dead. Two detectives and an eager junior constable are sent to investigate the crime. Another comedy/parody show for fans of Bodkin.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (Netflix) — Pip is unsure whether her schoolmate Andie Bell was killed by her lover Sal Singh five years ago; they must see how far they will go to protect Pip from learning the truth if he turns out not to be the murderer. I loved the cozy British setting of this one and I’m eager to go back and read the book to see how the change in setting influences my enjoyment of the story.

A Discovery of Witches Seasons 1-3 (Netflix) — One of those rare shows you can’t stop watching. I’ve also heard it’s better than the books. Set in a world where witches, vampires, and daemons live amongst us... hiding in plain sight. Diana Bishop discovers she’s part of a powerful coven of witches and falls in love with Matthew, a vampire, which is strictly forbidden by the Covenant.

Nobody Wants This (Netflix) — For anyone who still has a teenage crush on Adam Brody from his days on The O.C., say hello to Hot Rabbi. An agnostic sex podcaster falls for a newly single rabbi and has to discover if their relationship can survive their wildly different lives and meddling families. In a word… addictive.

Severance (Apple TV+) — A team of office workers whose memories have been surgically divided between their work and personal lives; when a mysterious colleague appears outside of work, it begins a journey to discover the truth about their jobs. Start this one soon so you can watch the next season because it ends on a massive cliffhanger.

Movies

Foe (Prime Video) — Foe is set in the near future and is about a couple living on a remote farm whose lives are thrown in turmoil when a stranger arrives with a proposal to fix their failing marriage. It made me feel as desperate to escape Earth’s misery as Hen and Junior. Difficult to watch at times, and it will make you think. If you like reading speculative fiction, you’ll enjoy this movie.

Love at First Sight (Netflix) — On their flight from New York to London, Hadley and Oliver fall in love with each other. When they lose each other at customs, the possibility of ever meeting each other again seems unlikely but fate has other ideas. I was instantly charmed by this rom-com and enjoyed that it centered around true love and putting each other first.

Love Again (Netflix) — Another rom-com that was an unexpected delight. Coping with the loss of her fiance, Mira Ray sends a series of romantic texts to his old cellphone number, not realizing it was reassigned to journalist Rob Burns. Rob becomes captivated by the honesty of her words in the beautifully constructed texts. When he's assigned to write a profile Celine Dion, he enlists her help to figure out how to meet Mira in person. The whole Celine Dion storyline was a bit far-fetched but I still loved her cameo.

Wonka (HBO Max) — I am not a big fan of musicals so I was surprised at how much I enjoyed Timmy’s acting in Wonka. It was funny and refreshing! A really wholesome version of Wonka’s history as a chocolatier that’s appropriate for the whole family.

Taylor Swift: Eras Tour (Disney+) — No notes. Just sad I didn’t make it to see her in person.

Napoleon (Apple TV+) — This movie got horrible reviews but I actually loved it. If there’s only one Joaquin Phoenix fan, it’s me. The timeline was a little clunky (you have to pay attention to the subtitles to see the jumps) but it focused a lot on Napoleon’s love for Josephine and helped me understand his motives.

Migration (Netflix) — This was just the cutest kids movie. A family of ducks decides to leave the safety of a New England pond for an adventurous trip to Jamaica. However, their well-laid plans quickly go awry when they get lost and wind up in New York City. The mishap inspires them to open themselves up to new friends.

Argylle (Apple TV+) — If you need a silly, off the wall mystery that pokes fun of itself, this is it! Elly Conway writes best-selling spy novels about a secret agent named Argylle who's on a mission to unravel a global spy network. When the plots of her books start to mirror the actions of a real-life spy organization, the line between fiction and reality begin to blur. Are we still thinking Taylor Swift wrote this?

Turtles All the Way Down (HBO Max) — If John Greene is going to do anything it’s going to be make you boo hoo watching a film adaptation of his novels. The story is about Aza, a teen navigating OCD while trying to be a good daughter, friend, and student. When she reconnects with Davis, her childhood crush, Aza is confronted with fundamental questions about her potential for love, happiness, friendship, and hope.

Dune: Part II (HBO Max) — This movie covers the 2nd part of Dune by Frank Herbert where Paul Atreides unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a path of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. It’s gorgeous, visually thrilling, and expertly acted. The tension between Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya is amazing and I can’t imagine a better casting choice.

Anyone But You (Netflix) — Why did I wait so long to watch this movie? No one told me how laugh out loud funny it is! Bea and Ben's first date is a flop. When they unexpectedly find themselves at a destination wedding in Australia, they pretend to be the perfect couple to keep up appearances.

Inside Out 2 (Disney+) — The movie we all needed as teens! Watch it and weep. Anxiety, Embarrassment, and Enui are perfect additions to Riley’s emotional dashboard.

The Boys in the Boat (Amazon Prime) — During the height of the Great Depression, members of the rowing team at the University of Washington get thrust into the spotlight as they compete for gold at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. It’s formulaic but I enjoyed the acting, story, and cinematography.

Oppenheimer (Prime Video) — I was surprised that this film told more of the political history of Robert Oppenheimer. It can feel long at times but it’s visually stunning and worth the time to watch.

The Wild Robot — One of my favorite movies we saw in theaters this year. Shipwrecked on a deserted island, a robot named Roz must learn to adapt to its new surroundings. Building relationships with the native animals, Roz soon develops a parental bond with an orphaned gosling and not a single mom in the theater had a dry eye.

Dead Poets Society (Prime Video) — John Keating is the new English teacher at an all-boys prep boarding school that is known for its ancient traditions and high standards. He uses unorthodox methods to reach out to his students, who face enormous pressures from their parents and the school. It’s funny, educational, heartbreaking, and left an emotional impact on me.

New in 2024 Holiday Movies

That Christmas (Netflix) — Or as my daughter described it, “the movie where they get stuck on the bus”. It's an unforgettable Christmas for the townsfolk of Wellington-on-Sea when the worst snowstorm in history alters everyone's plans, including Santa's. It’s cliche but charming, cozy, and very British.

Our Little Secret (Netflix) — If you need a classic Christmas rom-com that’s a step up from a Hallmark movie, this is my recommendation! Don’t take it too seriously. I’m just happy to see Lindsay Lohan have a glow up.

Red One (Prime Video) — A predictable but thrilling and action-packed Christmas movie where Santa gets kidnapped before Christmas Eve. The Rock is the star so I feel like you know what you’re signing up for. I enjoyed it aside from the Krampus twist.

I think 2025 is going to be just as good of a year for television. I’ve been watching Dune: Prophecy but I’m curious what you think I should watch next!

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