5 top Netflix shows to watch over this long weekend (Jan. 16–19)

Long weekends are the best, aren’t they? Those little pockets of freedom where you can ignore all the usual chaos and just breathe. Sure, there’s probably a pile of laundry staring at you, or a few emails that definitely need attention.

But let’s be real, those can wait. This is your time. Time to flop on the couch and get lost in something way more fun than your inbox. And the best part? You don’t have to spend a second deciding what to watch. We’ve rounded up five top Netflix shows that are perfect for this long weekend, and shared them right below.

Bridgerton (2020-)

If you haven't watched Bridgerton yet, I need you to understand something very important. You are missing out on one of the most addictive shows on Netflix. This is not just a show you put on in the background. This is the kind of series that slowly and completely takes over your free time. You start one episode out of curiosity, and suddenly you’re three seasons deep, emotionally invested in every storyline. With three installments out so far, you have plenty to catch up on before the highly anticipated fourth season premieres on Jan. 29.

Based on Julia Quinn's bestselling book series, the hit period drama centers on the affluent Bridgerton family, following eight siblings as they navigate love, heartbreak, and the rigid expectations of Regency-era London society. Each season focuses on one sibling’s journey to find romance while managing family obligations and societal pressures, all under the keen eye of the mysterious gossip columnist, Lady Whistledown.

The Lincoln Lawyer (2022-)

The Lincoln Lawyer is easily one of the best legal dramas on Netflix. Forget the stiff offices and monotone speeches. Mickey Haller, the show’s brilliant and charming criminal defense attorney, runs his entire practice out of the back seat of his Lincoln Town Car. Throughout the series, we watch as he weaves through the hectic streets of Los Angeles while tackling high-stakes cases that are as risky as they are unpredictable.

Each season is based on one of Michael Connelly’s bestselling novels. Season 1 is based on Connelly’s 2008 novel The Brass Verdict, while season 2 adapts his 2011 novel The Fifth Witness. The third season, which is the latest installment, is based on the 2013 novel The Gods of Guilt. The upcoming fourth season adapts the 2020 book The Law of Innocence. The Lincoln Lawyer season 4 is set to be released on Netflix on Feb. 5. Don't forget to save the date!

Love is Blind (2020-)

There are so many dating shows out there, but Love is Blind isn’t just another swipe-right reality series or dramatic first-date fiasco. It’s a bold social experiment that asks a question we’ve all wondered about. Can love truly blossom without ever seeing the person you’re falling for? And the answer, it turns out, is unpredictable.

The show starts in a series of mysterious “pods,” where singles are completely cut off from the outside world. They can talk, laugh, cry, and share their deepest thoughts. But they can’t see the person on the other side. Some connections spark instantly, while others take time to grow. Then comes the twist that makes the whole experiment both thrilling and terrifying. A few brave participants propose marriage before ever meeting face-to-face.

From there, everything changes. Once engaged, couples move into real-world situations where love is put to the ultimate test. There are currently nine seasons of Love is Blind streaming on Netflix, with a tenth season confirmed to come out on Feb. 11.

One Piece (2023-)

There are plenty of shows about pirates, but Netflix’s One Piece is on a whole different level. Based on the manga series of the same name by Eiichiro Oda, this isn’t just a story about treasure hunting and daring adventures. Yes, there’s treasure. Yes, there’s epic action. But at its heart, it’s about dreams, friendship, and the kind of unstoppable optimism that makes you believe anything is possible.

At the center of it all is Monkey D. Luffy, a fearless, endlessly determined young man who wants to become the King of the Pirates. But Luffy’s journey isn’t a solo mission. Along the way, he gathers a crew of misfits, each with their own dreams, talents, and quirks. Together, they form the Straw Hat Pirates. The unlikely family sails across the Grand Line, facing impossible challenges side by side.

There's only one season of the live-action One Piece series so far. However, the second season is scheduled to drop on Netflix on March 10.

Beef (2023-)

There are plenty of shows about grudges, but Beef turns a simple clash into a full-blown obsession. What starts as a simple road rage incident between Danny Cho, a contractor struggling with life, and Amy Lau, a small-business owner under pressure, quickly turns into something much bigger.

It all starts at a Los Angeles hardware store. Danny accidentally almost backs his truck into Amy's SUV while leaving a parking spot, and from that moment, neither of them can let it go. What follows is a tense, darkly funny spiral of escalating retaliation. Each minor annoyance snowballs into outrageous schemes and personal attacks as Danny and Amy push each other to the edge. That's what the first season of Beef is about. A Beef season 2 is set for an April 16 release on Netflix.

You can stream all five of these Netflix shows right now.