Binge-Worthy Box Sets for Cold Winter Nights
Nov 17, 2022
By Imogen
Is anyone else looking for an excuse to curl up on the sofa with a cuppa, or if you’re feeling cheeky, maybe even a glass of wine? Us too! A binge-worthy box set is all we need to help pass the time so we can look forward to all the festivities that are on the way. We’ve put together the ultimate Binge-Worthy Box Set guide for those cold, winter nights and we’ve got a genre for everyone. So go grab your popcorn and get comfy, it’s showtime!
- Stranger Things (Netflix)
Supernatural, Thriller, Drama, Mystery
Kicking it off, we have Stranger Things. By this point, everyone and their mother has heard of this series and for good reason! Split into 4 seasons and set in the fictional town of Hawkins, a girl named Eleven escapes the strange and secretive Hawkins Lab where a man called Papa runs tests on children that have magical powers. In her escape, Eleven finds herself unexpectedly meeting four young boys and before they know it, they are all best friends. However, where Eleven goes, danger follows. The children must fight with Eleven to defeat the monsters that haunt them whilst trying to keep Eleven hidden from Papa and Hawkins Lab.
Stranger Things is a favourite for us at Joe Browns, we love the intense storylines and can't get enough of the characters. The thing that really hooks us into the story is seeing these children literally grow up on the screen, series by series - think Harry Potter style. Milly Bobby Brown, who plays Eleven, started in series one at only twelve years old and finished in season four as an eighteen-year-old! It's crazy looking at the comparison from when she started to how she has evolved as an actress now. We also have a soft spot for the crazy 80’s outfits and brilliant 80’s music choices. Trust us when we tell you Stranger Things will have you in the attic digging up your Walkman and your shell suit. They really do have you feeling like you’ve travelled back in time!
Seasons: 4
Episodes: 34
Image Credit: RollingStone
Watch the trailer here
- Haunting of Hill House (Netflix)
Horror, drama, supernatural fiction
Next up we have a series for all you horror fans, trust us when we say this series is terrifying! The Haunting of Hill House follows the Crain family, but the Crain's are no average family. The parents, Olivia and Hugh are house flippers, so the family is used to packing up and moving when a new job arises. When they see that Hill house is on the market, they can’t help but feel the need to purchase the home and renovate it into a beautiful mansion. The family soon starts to see that not everything is quite what it has cracked up to be with Hill House, except Olivia, who is glued to the idea of making Hill House their “forever home”. The series has a huge focus on the five Crain siblings and alternates between the past and the present. You will be immersed in the story of when the Crain family lived in Hill House and the events that led to one fateful night in 1992 when they had no choice but to flee the house and never look back. Watch as the demons they grew up with follow them into adulthood and prepare for some major jump scares! Here’s a tick list of things you may need either during or after watching this series: A blanket to hide your eyes, a queue of funny videos to distract yourself from the fact you are terrified, feel-good snacks because who doesn’t love cheeky bag of crisps and – most importantly – working light bulbs so you can sleep with the lights on. If you have any other ideas on how to recover after watching something scary, let us know!
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 10
Image Credit- IMDB
Watch the trailer here
- Clarkson’s Farm (Amazon Prime)
Documentary
Our next recommendation is a light-hearted and entertaining series that is great if you’re looking for something humorous. Clarkson's Farm is the perfect series for you to just slouch into the sofa and have a good laugh. It’s all about Britain’s loveable Jeremy Clarkson and his farm in the Cotswolds. Watch as Jeremy documents his attempts at running the 1,000-acre farm with no previous farming experience. You’ll see Jeremy face awful weather conditions, disobedient animals, unresponsive crops and a very unexpected pandemic! This series is seriously funny, go check out the reviews and see for yourself or watch the advert on the link below.
Seasons: 1
Image Credit: Amazon prime
Episodes: 8
Watch the trailer here
- The Boys (Amazon prime)
Superhero fiction, Dark comedy, Action
Next up is an action-packed dark comedy for all superhero lovers. The Boys is a fictional series set in a universe where the public view people with superpowers as heroes – however, not all heroes are good. These so-called superheroes are called The Seven and they work for Vought International, the company that markets and monetizes them. Outside of the public eye, the members of The Seven are overcome by their celebrity status and their corruption and arrogance infuriate a group of vigilantes called The Boys. The Boys look to take down The Seven and Vought International to seek revenge and prevent The Seven from causing any more danger and harm to the people and the planet. The Boys is a series fuelled with unexpected graphic violence and comedy, there are also some adult themes throughout this series so make sure the kids aren't around if you decide to give this one a watch!
Seasons: 3
Episodes: 24
Image Credit: Rotten Tomatoes
Watch the trailer here
- Peaky Blinders (BBC)
Historical fiction, crime, drama
Next on the list is Peaky Blinders. We’re fairly sure that everyone has heard this title at some point. The Peaky Blinders are a gangster family that live in Birmingham in 1900s England. Tommy Shelby is an extremely dangerous man and as the ringleader of the Peaky Blinders crime gang, Tommy also controls the city of Birmingham through his intimidating and vicious nature. Tommy wants to take his business empire further and he’s not afraid to take down anyone who gets in his way. If you’re a fan of crime and violence (in TV shows, not real life!) then you will love this gripping six-season extravaganza of gangs, violence, family and ambition.
Seasons: 6
Episodes: 36
Image Credit:NME
Watch the trailer here
- Line Of Duty (BBC)
Drama, Action, Thriller
For our next recommendation we have a series that got everybody, and I mean everybody, talking. Line Of Duty is a six-season series that focuses on police corruption. Detective Sergeant Steven Arnott, a former firearms officer, is the focus of the series. Steve mistakenly shot and killed an innocent man in an operation to catch a terrorist intending to detonate a bomb. Steven refused to take part in the cover-up of the mistake, and he was transferred to AC-12, a unit tasked with rooting out corruption within the police. Each series focuses on different corrupt officers and unveils their links to horrifying and disturbing gangs and operations. Line Of Duty is an eye-opening series that delves into corruption and deception from those we are meant to trust the most. So, if you’re looking for something that'll have you on the edge of your seat, Line Of Duty is the show you want to be watching. Take it from us, the suspense is worth it!
Seasons: 6
Episodes: 36
Image Credit: Wpage
Watch the trailer here
- The Kardashians (Disney Plus)
Reality TV
Next up we are going to talk about one of the most famous families in the world. Yep, it’s the Kardashians. The Kardashian/ Jenner clan have just released a new series called The Kardashians. It’s an update of their previous TV show called Keeping Up With The Kardashians. This family of reality TV superstars are back gracing our screens with their crazy, unimaginable lives. Follow Kris, Kim, Kourtney, Khloe, Kendall and Kylie as they navigate through their hectic lives of fame, motherhood, career goals and a whole lot of drama! We just love watching the craziness these women get up to! PS. Are any of you Blink-182 fans? You may want to keep your eyes peeled...
Seasons: 2
Episodes: 15
Image Credit: TVinsider
Watch the trailer here
- The Walking Dead (Disney Plus)
Horror, Thriller, Apocalyptic, drama, zombies
Next on our list is The Walking Dead. Be sure to use surround sound for this one, you won't regret it! Sheriff Deputy Rick Grimes wakes up from a coma to learn that the world is a wreck, and a zombie apocalypse has taken over his home. Rick quickly finds himself as the leader of a group of survivors who are trying to find food and a safe place to live. Although they need to be constantly on the move as they aren’t the only living beings on the hunt for food – those who used to be their neighbours are now trying to eat their brains! The group needs to find a way to survive, however their personal conflicts and other communities over the world pose more of a danger to their survival than the zombies that walk among them.
Seasons: 11
Episodes: 147
Image Credit: TVInsider
Watch the trailer here
- 7. Modern Family (Disney Plus)
Sitcom, comedy, mockumentary
Our next recommendation on the list is Modern Family. Modern Family is an American sitcom that follows the open, often hilarious lives of three families who are all related through Jay Pritchett; Claire and Mitchell's father. Parents Phil and Claire dream of having an open and honest relationship with each of their kids. But with a teenage drama queen who thinks she's older than she really is, a daughter who is way too smart for her own good and a younger scatter-brained little boy, it makes life challenging. Jay and his new Latina wife Gloria are raising her son, Manny together, a smart yet socially awkward young boy. Due to Jay and Gloria’s age difference, people sometimes mistake Jay for being Gloria's father (awkward!). Jay’s other son, Mitchell and his partner Cameron have adopted baby Lily from Asia and are living through the struggles of becoming first-time parents. One big happy, slightly weird, family!
Seasons:11
Episodes:250
Image Credit: ABC
Watch the trailer here
- The Midnight Club (Netflix)
Horror fiction, thriller
Up next on our list of binge-worthy series is The Midnight Club. From the same man responsible for the Haunting Of Hill House (number fourteen on our list) The Midnight Club is a horror set in the 90s about terminally ill young adults that live in Brightcliffe Hospice. Compared to some of the other horrors we have on this list, The Midnight Club is less scary and easier to watch if you’re not a fan of being spooked. However, that doesn't mean that The Midnight Club isn’t frightening. The first episode won a world record for having the most jump scares! A whopping 21 jump scares were recorded in the first episode, and they were pretty much flowing one after another in a hilarious yet hair-raising way. Brightcliffe Hospice is an old manor with a mysterious history. It is where terminally ill young adults go to feel at peace with their illnesses. As soon as the clock strikes midnight, eight of the patients go down to the library and come together for the midnight club. Each night, they tell each other scary stories and promise that they will send a sign from beyond the grave if they die. But during their time at Brightcliffe, haunting secrets about the hospice are revealed and they find that it's not all that it has cracked up to be.
Seasons:1
Episodes:10
Image Credit: Radio Times
Watch the trailer here
- Ghosts (BBC)
British Sitcom
Our next recommendation is Ghosts. Ghosts is an iconically British comedic sitcom from the BBC and it's nowhere near as scary as it sounds! When a young couple inherits a rickety, old mansion in the middle of the countryside, they dream of renovating it and turning it into a luxury hotel. When the couple moves into the mansion, they suddenly realize that they are not alone in the house... It’s already occupied by many ghosts from different periods in time. The ghosts are very against the idea of the couple turning their home into a hotel and they go to great – and knee-slappingly funny – lengths to try and get rid of the couple forever. Ghosts is a hilarious adaptation of your generic scary film and it's got a few familiar faces in it too! Fans of Horrible Histories will love this one.
Seasons: 4
Episodes: 26
Image Credit: BBC
Watch the trailer here
- The staircase (Sky Atlantic)
True Crime
Next up we have something for all you true crime lovers! The Staircase tells the story of Michael Peterson (Colin Firth), a crime novelist who is accused of killing his wife, Kathleen Peterson (Toni Collette) when she is found at the bottom of a staircase in their home in North Carolina. During the investigation, the whole family is thrown into a severe legal battle and Michael must fight to prove his innocence. Throughout the series, we find out many disturbing facts about Michael and his past. Things are not always how they seem with the family and Michael quickly finds himself in hot water with the authorities. Is he innocent or is he guilty? You be the judge! We love this series as it constantly has you questioning and wondering what actually happened.
Series: 1
Episodes: 8
Image Credit: Express
Watch the trailer here
- Game Of Thrones (Sky Atlantic)
Drama, Thriller, Fantasy, Medieval
Of course, we had to include the infamous Game Of Thrones. Would it even be a binge-worthy box set guide without it? If you don't know what Game Of Thrones is, keep reading because you don't want to miss this series! Nine noble families from the continent of medieval-inspired Westeros fight bitterly to gain power over the seven kingdoms and the Iron Throne. However, an ancient enemy rises and threatens them all. A sense of doom swarms the continent of Westeros and the battle for the Iron Throne gets more twisted and darker with every episode. When you play the Game Of Thrones, you either win or die. Game Of Thrones is a story of nobility, treachery, conquest and triumph. The magnificent sets, costumes and special effects make this show incredibly compulsive. It’s no surprise that in 2016 Game Of Thrones became the most-awarded series in Emmy Awards history, with a total of 38 wins. What do you think about Game Of Thrones? We can confirm that we love it!
Seasons: 8
Episodes:73
Image Credit: Cinema Blend
Watch the trailer here
- Money Heist (Netflix)
Crime, Thriller, Drama
Next up we have Money Heist. Money Heist is an intense Spanish crime drama that had us on the edge of our seats the whole way through! The main protagonist of the series is a man who goes by the name of The Professor. The Professor is a criminal mastermind who has a plan to make billions of euros by invading the Royal Mint of Spain and printing as much money as he possibly can before the police find a way to stop him. To pull off the biggest heist in Spanish history, he recruits eight people, all with one thing in common; they have nothing to lose. After months of seclusion and studying the perfect plan, they are finally ready to take on the Royal Mint of Spain and are not afraid to go to huge lengths to make this the most perfect robbery in Spanish history. Be prepared to laugh, cry, and maybe even scream during this exceptionally gripping series. The sudden changes and turns in the story completely catch you off guard guaranteeing you’ll be captivated and wanting to watch more. Even the cast didn't know what the scripts were going to be until the day of filming which makes watching this series even more incredible! Fun fact about Money Heist, it is a Spanish series, but it has been dubbed in English so there's no need for subtitles if you don't feel like it!
Seasons:5
Episodes: 23
Image Credit: Ecranlarge
You can watch the trailer on Netflix, subscription is required.
I
- You (Netflix)
Psychological Thriller
Our next recommendation is a series that really makes your hairs stand on end. How far is too far in the name of love? Joe Goldberg is a bookstore manager in New York City. He has a fascination that he just can’t shake, a fascination with Women. One Woman in particular, Guinevere Beck. Beck is an aspiring writer who majored in Literature and moved to New York to get her master’s in Fine Arts. When Joe and Beck cross paths, she finds common ground with Joe as a fellow book lover. Joe’s charming yet eerie crush becomes sinister when Beck becomes his obsession. Joe will stop at nothing to get closer to Beck, even if that means murder. This psychological thriller is full of gritty, uncomfortable scenes and it definitely has its fair share of gore, so watch at your own risk! We're half joking, it's not that bad-however, we wouldn't recommend this if you're squeamish.
Seasons:3
Episodes: 30
Image Credit: Digital Spy
Watch the trailer here