10 Best TV Shows and Movies to Stream on Netflix This Winter (Besides Making A Murderer)

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1. Welcome To Me- Kristen Wiig’s post-SNL career is something to really marvel at. After penning and starring in the now classic Bridesmaids, Wiig has been very specific with the roles she’s chose to work on. Mostly sticking to Indie movies, Welcome To Me really shows off Wiig’s commitment to playing characters that have a very different pathos and way of thinking about the world. Wiig plays eccentric Alice, a mentally unbalanced woman who wins the lottery and decided to self-produce her own talk show ala Oprah that is all about herself. What you would expect to be interesting about the movie is the satire on talk show itself but that’s not the case. Alice’s relationship with the show and how it helps her as a person is far more interesting. This movie is a doozy, but it is well worth it by the end.
1. Welcome To Me- Kristen Wiig’s post-SNL career is something to really marvel at. After penning and starring in the now classic Bridesmaids, Wiig has been very specific with the roles she’s chose to work on. Mostly sticking to Indie movies, Welcome To Me really shows off Wiig’s commitment to playing characters that have a very different pathos and way of thinking about the world. Wiig plays eccentric Alice, a mentally unbalanced woman who wins the lottery and decided to self-produce her own talk show ala Oprah that is all about herself. What you would expect to be interesting about the movie is the satire on talk show itself but that’s not the case. Alice’s relationship with the show and how it helps her as a person is far more interesting. This movie is a doozy, but it is well worth it by the end.
1 of 10
2. The Overnight- This witty sex-comedy premiered at last year’s Sundance Film Festival to fantastic reviews for writer-director Patrick Brice and it’s loveable cast that includes Parks and Rec alum Adam Scott and everyone’s least favorite inmate on Orange is the New Black Taylor Schilling. Scott and Schilling star as a couple that set up a play date with their young son’s new best friend and his parents. The two couples seem to be having a normal evening until the boys pass out, and of course, wild hilarity ensues. The film plays with what our expectations are when we meet new people and what surprises arrive on a situation that seems casual at first. Definitely a great movie to watch.
2. The Overnight- This witty sex-comedy premiered at last year’s Sundance Film Festival to fantastic reviews for writer-director Patrick Brice and it’s loveable cast that includes Parks and Rec alum Adam Scott and everyone’s least favorite inmate on Orange is the New Black Taylor Schilling. Scott and Schilling star as a couple that set up a play date with their young son’s new best friend and his parents. The two couples seem to be having a normal evening until the boys pass out, and of course, wild hilarity ensues. The film plays with what our expectations are when we meet new people and what surprises arrive on a situation that seems casual at first. Definitely a great movie to watch.
2 of 10
3. Master of None- Aziz Ansari has been spitting comedy truth for a couple years now, but this Netflix original series is the perfect wheelhouse for Ansari to get his point of view to a larger and broader audience. Master of None is very much like FX’s Louis, where Ansari plays a semi-autobiographical version of himself and how he sees the world around him. His character, named Dev, is a struggling actor who explores his heritage, Indian actors and how they’re portrayed in Hollywood, and finding love in this messed up world. The show seems to be a culmination of a lot of the things Ansari has been talking about in his stand-up, but the show is so beautifully written and produced that it’s nice to see all of it in one series. Plus, there are only 8 episodes so it’s an easy show to binge.
3. Master of None- Aziz Ansari has been spitting comedy truth for a couple years now, but this Netflix original series is the perfect wheelhouse for Ansari to get his point of view to a larger and broader audience. Master of None is very much like FX’s Louis, where Ansari plays a semi-autobiographical version of himself and how he sees the world around him. His character, named Dev, is a struggling actor who explores his heritage, Indian actors and how they’re portrayed in Hollywood, and finding love in this messed up world. The show seems to be a culmination of a lot of the things Ansari has been talking about in his stand-up, but the show is so beautifully written and produced that it’s nice to see all of it in one series. Plus, there are only 8 episodes so it’s an easy show to binge.
3 of 10
4. Galaxy Quest- The shock that beloved actor Alan Rickman has left us is still fresh in our minds, and thankfully Netflix has one of his most underrated comedic performances available to stream. Galaxy Quest came out in 1999 (17 years ago?!?!) and is just as funny, and even now a little more poignant since Star Trek and Star Wars are back on everyone’s mind. If you don’t remember, the film is about the cast of a 1970’s sci-fi show (Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver) who have a little reunion for a comic-con like convention and are somehow beamed up by aliens who actually believe these C-list celebrities are actual space fighters. It’s a total satire on the genre, and kind of every Trekkie’s wildest dreams coming true. Nerds, unite!
4. Galaxy Quest- The shock that beloved actor Alan Rickman has left us is still fresh in our minds, and thankfully Netflix has one of his most underrated comedic performances available to stream. Galaxy Quest came out in 1999 (17 years ago?!?!) and is just as funny, and even now a little more poignant since Star Trek and Star Wars are back on everyone’s mind. If you don’t remember, the film is about the cast of a 1970’s sci-fi show (Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver) who have a little reunion for a comic-con like convention and are somehow beamed up by aliens who actually believe these C-list celebrities are actual space fighters. It’s a total satire on the genre, and kind of every Trekkie’s wildest dreams coming true. Nerds, unite!
4 of 10
5. Wet Hot American Summer and Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp- This is a two for one deal, and how great of a deal it is. If you ever went to summer camp, worked at a summer camp, or even had a friend who went to summer camp, this movie PLUS the prequel mini-series that came out this summer will bring you so much nostalgia you won’t be able to deal. The now cult-classic movie came out in 2001 and starred soon-to-be super stars like Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Amy Poehler, and Bradley Cooper. The film follows the counselors and campers of Camp Firewood on their last day of camp. Netflix jumped in last year and brought us a 6-episode mini series of the first day of camp, and its just as great and nostalgia inducing. The fact that these actors were in their late twenties/early thirties playing teenage counselors was hilarious, but with the reboot seeing a 40 year old Bradley Cooper pretend to be a ripe 18 year old is just too good to not watch. Long live Camp Firewood!
5. Wet Hot American Summer and Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp- This is a two for one deal, and how great of a deal it is. If you ever went to summer camp, worked at a summer camp, or even had a friend who went to summer camp, this movie PLUS the prequel mini-series that came out this summer will bring you so much nostalgia you won’t be able to deal. The now cult-classic movie came out in 2001 and starred soon-to-be super stars like Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Amy Poehler, and Bradley Cooper. The film follows the counselors and campers of Camp Firewood on their last day of camp. Netflix jumped in last year and brought us a 6-episode mini series of the first day of camp, and its just as great and nostalgia inducing. The fact that these actors were in their late twenties/early thirties playing teenage counselors was hilarious, but with the reboot seeing a 40 year old Bradley Cooper pretend to be a ripe 18 year old is just too good to not watch. Long live Camp Firewood!
5 of 10
6. Chelsea Peretti: One of the Greats- If you’re unaware of who comedian Chelsea Peretti is, then you need to become aware. Peretti is a series regular on FOX’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine and has guest starred on such shows like Parks and Rec and The Kroll Show, but her Netflix comedy stand-up special is something to behold. Peretti is obviously hilarious, witty, and the perfect kind of feminist that you’re been missing in your life. She tackles such topics as the stereotypical male comics who pretend the microphone is their dick, over-confident people who own scary looking Pit bulls (“he’s friendly, he’s friendly!”) and why women shouldn’t care how they eat a banana.
6. Chelsea Peretti: One of the Greats- If you’re unaware of who comedian Chelsea Peretti is, then you need to become aware. Peretti is a series regular on FOX’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine and has guest starred on such shows like Parks and Rec and The Kroll Show, but her Netflix comedy stand-up special is something to behold. Peretti is obviously hilarious, witty, and the perfect kind of feminist that you’re been missing in your life. She tackles such topics as the stereotypical male comics who pretend the microphone is their dick, over-confident people who own scary looking Pit bulls (“he’s friendly, he’s friendly!”) and why women shouldn’t care how they eat a banana.
6 of 10
7. Chelsea Does- When Chelsea Handler announced that she was leaving her late-night talk show Chelsea Lately on E! and moving to Netflix, no one really knew what her format was going to be like in any capacity. Netflix debuted Chelsea Does this month and it’s an interesting hybrid of talk show/documentary/reality TV/stand-up that is fantastic for fans of the comedian and those who are not. Handler tackles subjects that have influenced her life (marriage, racism, drugs), and explores how she -- and the world at large -- deals with these issues. It’s a breath of fresh air to see Handler set aside the “Chelsea Handler” persona and sort of just be herself.
7. Chelsea Does- When Chelsea Handler announced that she was leaving her late-night talk show Chelsea Lately on E! and moving to Netflix, no one really knew what her format was going to be like in any capacity. Netflix debuted Chelsea Does this month and it’s an interesting hybrid of talk show/documentary/reality TV/stand-up that is fantastic for fans of the comedian and those who are not. Handler tackles subjects that have influenced her life (marriage, racism, drugs), and explores how she -- and the world at large -- deals with these issues. It’s a breath of fresh air to see Handler set aside the “Chelsea Handler” persona and sort of just be herself.
7 of 10
8. John Mulaney: The Comeack Kid- Comedian John Mulaney has had an interesting past couple of years. He was a promising writer on SNL who helped create fan-favorite Stefan, and then he landed a pilot for FOX called Mulaney. The show had so much potential, but ultimately never really clicked with viewers and critics. But doesn’t our best work come after failure? It makes sense because his newest comedy special is a work of art. Mulaney reminds audiences why he had so much promise from the beginning. His boyish charm and unique perspective will have you in stictches the entire time.
8. John Mulaney: The Comeack Kid- Comedian John Mulaney has had an interesting past couple of years. He was a promising writer on SNL who helped create fan-favorite Stefan, and then he landed a pilot for FOX called Mulaney. The show had so much potential, but ultimately never really clicked with viewers and critics. But doesn’t our best work come after failure? It makes sense because his newest comedy special is a work of art. Mulaney reminds audiences why he had so much promise from the beginning. His boyish charm and unique perspective will have you in stictches the entire time.
8 of 10
9. Bojack Horseman- Cartoons like Family Guy, American Dad, and anything on Adult Swim always straddle the line of surreal comedy with a small dose of humanity and wit, but no other cartoon does this quite like Netflix’s Bojack Horseman. Bojack is a talking horse-actor (once again, stay with us) who lives in Hollywood where people live amongst anthropomorphic animals. Bojack (voiced by Will Arnett) used to be a TV show years ago, but has since done nothing except do drugs and make a fool of himself on talk shows and other public appearances. The show is out there, and I mean way out there, but the jokes are hilarious and the animation style is minimal and effective.
9. Bojack Horseman- Cartoons like Family Guy, American Dad, and anything on Adult Swim always straddle the line of surreal comedy with a small dose of humanity and wit, but no other cartoon does this quite like Netflix’s Bojack Horseman. Bojack is a talking horse-actor (once again, stay with us) who lives in Hollywood where people live amongst anthropomorphic animals. Bojack (voiced by Will Arnett) used to be a TV show years ago, but has since done nothing except do drugs and make a fool of himself on talk shows and other public appearances. The show is out there, and I mean way out there, but the jokes are hilarious and the animation style is minimal and effective.
9 of 10
10. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt- This Netflix original arrives from 30 Rock masterminds Tina Fey and Robert Carlock and is just as zany (if not more) than 30 Rock. Originally made for NBC, the network passed on it and Netflix came to the rescue to save this weird and adorable show. Kimmy Schmidt is rescued from a post-apocalyptic underground cult (yup) and decides that after living for years thinking that the world had ended she should move to New York City. Once there, she meets a colorful and charismatic cast of characters. Her older, gay, black roommate (“I’m a walking hate crime!”) Titus and her landlord teach her the ropes of surviving New York one day at a time. Even 30 Rock alum Jane Krakowski stars as Kimmy’s Upper East Side troll of a boss. Start Season 1 now because Season 2 comes back on April 15th!
10. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt- This Netflix original arrives from 30 Rock masterminds Tina Fey and Robert Carlock and is just as zany (if not more) than 30 Rock. Originally made for NBC, the network passed on it and Netflix came to the rescue to save this weird and adorable show. Kimmy Schmidt is rescued from a post-apocalyptic underground cult (yup) and decides that after living for years thinking that the world had ended she should move to New York City. Once there, she meets a colorful and charismatic cast of characters. Her older, gay, black roommate (“I’m a walking hate crime!”) Titus and her landlord teach her the ropes of surviving New York one day at a time. Even 30 Rock alum Jane Krakowski stars as Kimmy’s Upper East Side troll of a boss. Start Season 1 now because Season 2 comes back on April 15th!
10 of 10