The FIFA World Cup officially kicked off this week, hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t still plenty of non-soccer content worth your time on streaming, in between the countless matches. From Stranger Things creators the Duffer Brothers’ new series The Boroughs, to the second season of The Four Seasons, and the true crime series Michael Jackson: The Verdict, you can’t go wrong with Netflix to help keep you entertained. But what exactly should you watch? To help you decide, here’s a list of three shows you should binge-watch on Netflix this weekend.
For more recommendations, check out our list of the best shows and movies on Netflix.
Disclaimer: These titles are available on US Netflix.
1
‘Sweet Magnolias’ (2020–Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 78% | IMDb: 7.3/10
Whether you’re a fan of Gilmore Girls or Virgin River, you simply can’t beat some small-town drama to help keep you hooked on a weekend. This past Thursday, one of the best Gilmore Girls replacements officially returned with its hotly anticipated fifth season, and there has been no better time to catch up than now.
Sweet Magnolias, created by Sheryl J. Anderson, follows three women, best friends since high school, as they look to balance careers, romance, and friendship in the small Southern town of Serenity. For indulgent drama and plenty of margaritas, you simply can’t go wrong with this effortlessly cozy hit series, and, with 50 episodes now available, there’s more than enough to keep you busy.
2
‘The Diplomat’ (2023–Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 92% | IMDb: 8.0/10
Another series returning in 2026, although we have yet to receive an exact release date, is The Diplomat, which starred as one of the best shows on Netflix last year with its third season. The series follows the Emmy-nominated Keri Russell as Kate Wyler, the newly appointed U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom, as she tries to balance international relations and public scrutiny in the midst of a high-profile crisis.
Created by Debora Cahn, The Diplomat is one of the smartest shows available on Netflix, bursting with clever dialogue and a gripping central plot. Add that to stand-out performances from the ever-brilliant Russell, Rufus Sewell, David Gyasi, Rory Kinnear, and more, and you have a recipe for unmissable, acclaimed television. 22 episodes of The Diplomat are currently available, with the hope that the show will return this October.
3
‘3 Body Problem’ (2024–Present)
Rotten Tomatoes: 79% | IMDb: 7.5/10
Rounding out a trio of Netflix shows set to return in 2026 is 3 Body Problem, Alexander Woo, David Benioff, and D. B. Weiss‘ adaptation of the Chinese novel series Remembrance of Earth’s Past. The series follows a Chinese astrophysicist who, after witnessing tragedy, is sent to a secret military base. Whilst there, and facing her demons, she makes a decision that will reverberate from the 1960s through to the present day.
Featuring pitch-perfect performances from the likes of Eiza González and Benedict Wong, this gem of a sci-fi series is expected to return for its second season later this year, making now an ideal time to catch up. Both entertaining and educational, 3 Body Problem was a big hit with critics in 2024, even earning six Primetime Emmy Award nominations, including in the Outstanding Drama Series category.
- Release Date
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March 21, 2024
- Directors
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Minkie Spiro, Derek Tsang
