Happy new year everyone! And welcome to another year of my top 7 favorite TV shows, music, movies, and books! I’m so excited to be on winter break and finally have time to sit down and write about some of the wonderful things I read, watched, and listened to this year. I hope you can find some new shows to enjoy. ❄️
#7—Shadow and Bone (2021)
This enthralling fantasy show based on a beloved book series captured the attention of many Netflix viewers in the summer of 2021. The show’s stunning visuals and talented cast propelled me into a fascinating world that I desperately want to learn more about. Although the show is very fast-paced and a bit convoluted at times, I appreciate the intelligent writing and the relationships among the characters—and I’m excited for season 2!
#6—Everest: Beyond the Limit (2006)
Mount Everest has been a subject of fascination for centuries, and my interest in the world’s highest mountain *peaked* in spring 2021. The show Everest: Beyond the Limit is a captivating documentary series that follows climbers from around the world and sherpa guides as they tackle Everest and all the mountain’s terrifying challenges. This suspenseful, beautifully-shot show portrays both the wonders and horrors of Everest in an easy-to-follow way.
#5—Cruel Summer (2021)
Whenever teen drama meets dark mystery, I am always a huge fan, and that is definitely the case with Cruel Summer. In this show, a young woman escapes her kidnapper and claims that another young woman saw her—but told nobody. Cleverly told across three summers running on parallel timelines, the show is an intoxicating binge watch that you truly can’t look away from. While the show may feel predictable at times, I encourage you to watch it through to the end—I guarantee your predictions are wrong.
#4—Squid Game (2021)
One of the year’s biggest if not the biggest show, Squid Game is a thrilling saga that follows several intriguing characters who are united by their desperate financial situations and their subsequent participation in a mysterious series of games for the chance to win an enormous cash prize. The catch? Losing these games proves deadly. The Korean thriller became a worldwide phenomenon with good reason, as the high-stakes drama leaves you on the edge of your seat. The gore and fast pace of this show is a bit extreme at times, but all in all it’s one of the most brilliant shows I’ve ever seen. It would definitely be higher on this list if I had finished watching it—I’m currently only on episode 7! The shame!
#3—Broadchurch (2013)
Oh my god, I can’t say enough about this show. Broadchurch is a murder mystery that takes place in a fictional British town, where two police officers are assigned to discover who killed a young boy, and as the show goes on the list of suspects only grows. This show will leave you wondering and guessing and even screaming at your TV when you discover what really happened. Although the second and third seasons don’t quite live up to the drama and suspense of the first, the wonderful work/friend dynamic between the two police officers (portrayed by Olivia Colman and David Tennant) shines throughout.
#2—Wandavision (2021)
2021 was a big year for Marvel fans, and it all began with Wandavision. I can confidently say Wandavision is unlike anything Marvel has ever done, which is precisely what makes the show so memorable. The show begins with Wanda Maximoff and Vision moving to a small suburban town, trying to conceal their superpowers from the rest of the world in a fashion reminiscent of a 50’s era sitcom. Each episode jumps to the next decade’s TV style, which is a delightfully fun twist. However, darkness lingers beneath the surface, and viewers soon discover there’s mysterious incidents, buried secrets, and all around more to the show than meets the eye.
#1—Ted Lasso (2020)
After months and months of people telling me I should watch this show (hi, Grandpa), I finally found the time to watch it over Thanksgiving break—and boy Ted Lasso did not disappoint. This show is hilarious and heartwarming every step of the way. Even when tackling more serious subjects, the show remains lighthearted and thoughtful. Pretty much any character could be called my favorite character on any given day, and I’m obsessed with the relationships that unfold onscreen. I cannot wait for season 3! Believe!!!
Honorable Mentions: The Comedy Lineup (Netflix), Fate: The Winx Saga (Netflix), The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (Disney), Big Shot (Disney), Baking Impossible (Netflix), Grand Army (Netflix)