2 best Netflix shows to watch (and 1 to skip) on election night 2024

On Tuesday, Nov. 5, Americans cast their votes for the next president of the United States, and after proudly placing their "I Voted!" stickers on their shirts, the real race begins. It's something we know all too well every four years: The stress of watching the results roll in and waiting to find out who won.

Maybe you plan to be glued to news coverage or refreshing social media and results updates all night long. But maybe you would also like to practice some self-care and escape into a comforting or thrilling Netflix show to pass them time until the results are finally in.

If you're looking for some counter-programming for election night 2024, we're sharing two Netflix shows you should definitely binge-watch to calm your nerves and one currently popular show that probably isn't the best choice for this particular occasion. Let's get started!

Nobody Wants This

Watch! Since its release on Sept. 26, Nobody Wants This has remained in the top 10 most popular shows on Netflix, which landed the show an early renewal for season 2. Kristen Bell and Adam Brody star in the series as mismatched couple Joanne and Noah, who can't seem to shake their connection in spite of their cultural differences and varied reactions from their families.

Simply put, Nobody Wants This was hands-down the most delightful new series of 2024. The burst of serotonin from every episode thanks to Bell and Brody's chemistry is indescribable. If you haven't yet tuned into the 10-episode first season, now's the literally perfect time. If you already watched, a rewatch to take your mind off of the election is a great choice.

The Diplomat

Skip! Don't get this twisted: The Diplomat as a whole isn't a skip. Not by a long shot! The political thriller is easily the best drama series on Netflix right now. From writing to acting and everything in between, it's a must-watch, even for viewers who think they aren't fans of political shows. You haven't seen Keri Russell in action as ambassador Kate Wyler yet then.

But on election night, watching a series just brimming with political discourse and turmoil isn't the smartest choice if you're hoping to not think about politics for a few hours. Netflix dropped season 2 on Halloween, giving fans just a few days to tune in before the election. But if you haven't watched, add The Diplomat to your watch list and save your binge for sometime next week.

Outer Banks

Watch! Where can you go to have a good time all the time? Outer Banks, of course! While the hit Netflix original teen drama series isn't what you would call "comforting," what with its pulse-pounding and life-or-death action sequences, but it's as escapist as shows come. And the release of season 4 part 2 is right around the corner two days after election day. It's time to catch up!

Outer Banks season 4 was released in two parts beginning in October, and the latest season has included some of the show's most shocking plot twists. The bombshell dropped at the end of part 1 leads right into the fast-paced part 2 as the Pogues continue the hunt for Blackbeard's treasure. Catch up before the new episodes arrive on Nov. 7 with the show's second-to-last adventure.