Netflix Comfort Watches: 41 Shows Fans Can’t Stop Rewatching

You might have already seen some of these, but some might be new finds for you. Don't you just love it when you do come across a new one, right before the weekend, and now your plans for the night are all set? Well, that's what mostly happens with me.

However, I am no expert when it comes to understanding the things behind the screen, so Bored Panda got in touch with Akashneel Duttasharma—a director and writer—for an interview. Speaking about the recurring themes or storytelling techniques of the best Netflix shows, he said, "Let's be honest, the main theme across all successful shows across OTT leverage is 'binge-worthy.'"

"And some of the global successes of Netflix are just ridiculously bingeable. In pure storytelling terms, strong shows on Netflix always have an extremely strong 'hook' in their concept. Something that's referred to by writers as the 'Shiny Object'. It is a theme that is so captivating that the audience can't look away out of fascination."

When we asked our expert if there are any Netflix shows that he believes are overrated or underrated, he started with an apology. "Sorry to say to all the crazy fans, but I always thought Money Heist is overrated. I found the plot a bit contrived and the drama unnecessarily melodramatic. But hey, that's just me! Millions across the world disagree."

Meanwhile, speaking of an underrated one, Akashneel said that it'll always be The OA for him. He strongly believes that the creator, lead actor, and producer, Britt Marling, is a genius. The show has a mind-bending inter-dimensional mystery at its core while staying brutally emotional, he added.

I also wanted to understand the impact Netflix’s global content (e.g., Korean dramas, Spanish thrillers) has had on audience viewing habits. Akashneel quite beautifully narrated, "Just the other day on the bus, I saw a completely normal, middle-aged man watching Demon Slayer on his phone in Hindi (an Indian language). Audiences are just exposed to so much content across continents."

He explained that now they expect the same quality and storytelling from the Indian industry. For younger generations, he added, K-dramas are replacing Indian family-based soap operas, because it's more relatable. He also claimed that western series are captivating audiences across generations, so now the Indian industry has no excuse for lackadaisical content.

Lastly, we also wanted to know which show he finds binge-worthy, and Akashneel chose Squid Game. He narrated that they have managed to leverage the well-beloved hook of the Battle Royale, while showcasing how the emotional struggle for wealth and self-respect has become ubiquitous among younger generations.

"What makes a show binge-worthy is its ability to get you invested in the characters and their journey. You can't stop watching because you want to see where your favourite character goes," he concluded.

Well, our expert definitely gave us something to think about, didn't he? Anyway, that's it from our end, dear readers. Now you can scroll through the rest of the list to see if you will discover a few hidden gems. Don't forget to give an upvote to the ones you love. Also, if our list has missed out on anything, feel free to jot them down in the comments!

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