Seeing as though we now have a two-week-long spring break and are being encouraged to practice social distancing, now is a better time than ever to lay on the couch, snuggle up with your surplus of toilet paper and watch T.V. I’ve compiled a list of my 10 best movies and shows on Netflix, in no particular order, that are definitely worth checking out in your newfound free time.

1. “Jane The Virgin”

This five-season show will leave you wanting more at the end of every episode. Based off of a telenovela — a Latin American television soap opera — there is no shortage of romance, murder and mystery. Gina Rodriguez, who plays Jane Villanueva, does an impeccable job of portraying a family-oriented, hard-working woman who aspires to be a romance writer. Although Jane wants to save herself until marriage, a medical accident leaves her artificially inseminated with a stranger’s sample and pregnant; this is the catalyst for a multitude of new problems Jane will have to face.

2. “You”

If you have not gotten around to watching this show yet, you simply must. The main character Joe Goldberg, played by Penn Badgely, depicts a not-so-sane man who becomes infatuated with a woman named Beck upon their first encounter. Season one follows a series of events of Joe and Beck’s extremely complicated relationship that eventually gets tangled up with the police. In season two, Joe finds a new objective. I don’t want to give away too much, though.

3. “The People v. O.J. Simpson”

If law interests you, then this 10-episode series is for you. It’s a historical-fiction depiction of the events following the murder of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman for which former Buffalo Bills football player Orenthal James (O.J.) Simpson was accused. Against heaps of evidence and matching of blood samples from the scene, O.J.’s “Dream Team” chose to focus on racism within the Los Angeles Police Department in trying to prove his innocence. Spoiler alert, they were successful; O.J. was found innocent, and this murder case is still debated to this day. Actors portraying the defense team include John Travolta (Robert Shapiro), David Schwimmer (Robert Kardashian) and Courtney B. Vance (Johnnie Cochran) among others. 

4. “Girlboss”

Starring Britt Robertson as Sophia Amoruso, this series is based on a true story of a young Amoruso trying to start her own business by selling thrifted pieces on her eBay store. The business evolves into NastyGal, a clothing line that remains successful to this day. Sophia’s character is very charming and unfiltered, making her a perfect personality to set the tone for the show. It watches quickly and is definitely the kind of show you can watch in one sitting; Sophia’s internal struggles with herself and with her relationships are all-too-relatable.

5. “I Am Not Okay With This”

With seven episodes at 20 minutes apiece, the first season of “I Am Not Okay With This” is another one that is easily watchable in a single sitting. The two main characters, depicted by “It” co-stars Sophia Lillis and Wyatt Oleff, struggle to find a way to deal with Sydney’s newfound supernatural powers. In addition to this, Sydney tries to find a way to fit in with the pressure of no longer having her dad around and her best friend getting a new boyfriend. When I first heard about the plot of this show, I was hesitant, but the personable characters changed my mind immediately.

6. “Blow”

This 2001 movie is an oldie but a goodie. It is based on the true story of George Jung — played by Johnny Depp — who was a major player in the U.S. cocaine trade of the 1970s and 80s. He rises from poverty to having apartments filled with boxes upon boxes of cash. However, when the cocaine business begins to take a toll on his relationship with his wife (played by Penélope Cruz) and, later, his daughter, he meets his downfall. The graphic depiction of the realities of the cocaine business in this era is both shocking and intriguing.

7. “Cheer”

This Netflix original series documents a highly-renowned cheer team based out of Navarro College in Texas. It shows the realities of how the cheerleaders balance school with extensive cheer practice and other aspects of their lives. Although cheerleading isn’t a primary point of interest to everyone, this show provides a new perspective about the sport that is worth watching.

8. “Marriage Story” 

A title that was seen re-occurring in the 2020 Academy Awards this year, “Marriage Story” tells the story of a separating couple. Actors such as Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver and Laura Dern are particularly successful in displaying feelings of heartbreak and frustration in the midst of a divorce with a young child. Whether you can relate to this situation or not, this movie is a great pick. 

9. “Someone Great”

In this comedy, journalist Jenny Young (played by Gina Rodriguez) is shaken by the break up of her nine-year relationship. Before she moves from New York City to San Francisco to follow a job offer, Jenny wants to have one last adventure with her two best friends. There is a person in this movie for everyone to relate to, and although the premise is sad, Jenny’s journey is riddled with comedy and uplifting moments from her two best friends. This is the perfect movie to watch with your closest girls, but in light of recent events, maybe you could all just watch it individually and Facetime or something. 

10. “Everything Sucks!”

This show follows freshman Luke O’Neil (played by Jahi Di’Allo Winston) as he tries to impress sophomore Kate Messner (played by Peyton Kennedy), who happens to be the principal’s daughter. While Luke develops a crush on Kate, their young relationship becomes complicated when Kate comes to terms with the fact that she’s a lesbian. Because Kate isn’t comfortable with coming out to her dad or anyone else, she continues to date Luke. Overall, this show is simply endearing. Luke’s young love is sweet, and Kate’s journey with herself and her identity concludes on a positive note in the season finale.