It is 9 p.m. You have just fought bravely through a never-ending onslaught of homework, with a break for dinner. You are all packed up for school tomorrow, and you flop on your bed. We all know this feeling: the rare, precious commodity of free time. How free time is spent is different for everyone. Some people will read. Some people will sleep. However, the most popular free time activity of students today is watching shows and movies on the media-streaming service known as Netflix.
The service’s original shows and new releases often draw the most viewers. In late 2016, Netflix released their original series Stranger Things. The 1980’s setting, likeable characters and suspenseful plot line resonated well with Netflix users, to say the least. Eight thrilling episodes later, Netflix has announced the much-anticipated release of the show’s second season, to be released some time in 2017.
Netflix Originals
Every year, users are gifted with shows produced by Netflix known as “Netflix Originals.” These shows are either continuations of shows that have been pulled off the air, such as Arrested Development and Trailer Park Boys, or completely new, never-before seen shows such as House of Cards, Daredevil and Stranger Things. Netflix has announced plans for many of their original shows to be released throughout the year.
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Lemony Snicket’s beloved series of books is finally being adapted into a TV show. Set to be released on January 13, the show’s star-studded cast includes the likes of Neil Patrick Harris, Malina Weissman and Louis Hynes. The first season of the show will include eight episodes, but it is unclear whether each episode will be a recreation of the 13 books in the series or if each season will only represent one of the books.
13 Reasons Why
Another series adapted from a book, 13 Reasons Why chronicles the events of Jay Asher’s 2007 novel by the same name. Dylan Minnette will play Clay, a boy who receives a box of cassette tapes that were owned by Hannah, Clay’s classmate and crush, before she took her own life. Each tape contains roles her peers played in her suicide and 13 reasons that influenced her decision. Netflix has not announced when the show will be released, but they have revealed that Selena Gomez will be the show’s producer.
El Chapo
With help from Spanish-speaking TV network Univision, Netflix will tell the life story of the famous Mexican drug lord Joaquin Guzmán, more commonly known as “El Chapo.” Netflix has yet to reveal its release date.
Bill Nye Saves The World
Bill Nye the Science Guy’s new show will appeal to the elementary school scientist in all of us. Every week, Nye will explore a different scientific topic and debunk popular myths in the world of science. Users will start seeing the bow-tied genius all around Netflix in the spring of 2017.
Non-originals
Netflix can only produce so many shows, so the majority of its content is made by other developers.
The Office
What could be funnier than an office that sells paper? An office that sells paper run by ridiculous employees, of course. Steve Carell, Ed Helms, Rainn Wilson and many others comprise a cast of pranksters, workaholics and slackers that make up the Scranton, Pennsylvania branch of the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. A Netflix binge-watch classic, The Office will appeal to high-school students everywhere.
Breaking Bad
Walter White is going through some tough times. Bryan Cranston’s character is a high school chemistry teacher who can barely afford to make ends meet, his wife has just given birth, his teenage son has cerebral palsy, and on top of all of that, White finds out he has terminal cancer. In a desperate attempt to scrape together some funds for his family, White does the logical thing for anyone with cancer: he becomes a drug dealer. This intense, dramatic show is certainly worth the watch, but only if you can handle the dark and disturbing content.
How I Met Your Mother
Arguably the most popular show on Netflix, How I Met Your Mother follows the life of Ted Mosby, a New York City architect who has decided that he wants to get married. The story is narrated by a middle-aged Ted, as a story to his children. The show is hilarious at some times and tear-jerking at others. It is, quite simply, legendary.
The West Wing
If a fictional character were ever to become president, many would hope for that character to be Josiah “Jed” Bartlet of the political drama The West Wing. The show follows Bartlet and his staffers as they endure an eight-year stay in The White House marred with controversy, international tension and the struggle to cater to as many of the needs of the United States as they can. For viewers who have had a sudden interest in politics sprout from recent events, The West Wing is a must-watch.
Netflix is, without a doubt, one of the greatest inventions of the 21st century so far. For only eight dollars a month, a vast collection of comedy, drama, horror and suspense is only a couple of clicks away. Just make sure not to binge-watch your way through an entire night, most high schoolers should get at least seven and a half hours of sleep every night.
