If you’re aimlessly scrolling through Netflix in search of something to plug the Tiger King-sized hole left in your heart, scroll no further. We’ve curated a list of all the recent heavy hitters you need to check out, like, yesterday. From spine-chilling true crime docos to feel-good musicals, we have you covered.
Plus, we’ve partnered with the entertainment-lovers over at Optus to bring you a binge-worthy series called The Download every Friday for the next month. From movies to music, games and podcasts, here’s everything you need to add to your rotation, stat. And the best part? Optus are helping you make it all happen, slinging unlimited data for a day of your choosing for only an additional $5—it’s time to hit play on these must-watch movies and shows.
Little Fires Everywhere
Amazon Prime Video
There are few things we love more than an epic book to TV series adaptation and this beauty, produced by Reese Witherspoon, ticks every box. Little Fires Everywhere takes place in the 90s in the placid town of Shaker Heights, Ohio where Elena Richardson (Witherspoon) thrives in her organised, predictable life. But everything changes when mysterious Mia Warren (Kerry Washington) arrives in town with her teenage daughter Pearl and rents a house from Elena. Soon the Warrens become so much more than just tenants and their lives become entwined with Elena and her kids.
Run
Binge
Written and produced by Vicky Jones, half-hour dark comedy series Run follows a woman whose humdrum life is thrown upside down when she receives a text from her college sweetheart inviting her to drop everything and meet him in New York to fulfil the pact they made 17 years previously. What unfolds is a nail-biting web of stories and secrets, leaving you on edge at the end of every episode.
The Lovebirds
Netflix
Two of our absolute faves in one flick make this Netflix movie an absolute must-see. It goes like this: Jibran (Kumail Nanjiani) and Leilani (Issa Rae) experience a defining moment in their relationship when they are unintentionally embroiled in a murder mystery. As their journey to clear their names takes them from one extreme and hilarious circumstance to the next, they must figure out how they, and their relationship, can survive the night.
Hamilton The Musical
Disney+
The multi-award-winning musical, created by Lin-Manuel Miranda, was initially due to head to our shores in March 2021. But with a little thing called COVID getting in the way, that's on the back burner for now. Fortunately, there's still a chance to see the ground-breaking hip hop musical because Disney+ have recently dropped it on the small screen. This version isn’t an adaption of Hamilton, but a live capture of a stage performance shot on Broadway with the entire OG cast including Miranda himself as Alexander Hamilton.
Down To Earth
Netflix
Prepare to see Zac Efron like never before. Actually, scratch that, he’s often shirtless and in his new show, Down To Earth, it’s no different—not that we have a problem with that. The docu-series will see Efron join wellness expert Darin Olien as the duo travel to the likes of France, Puerto Rico, Iceland, London, Costa Rica, Lima, Sardinia and Iquitos, to investigate the way people around the world are taking action towards a sustainable future.
The Outsider
Binge
Based on Stephen King’s best-selling novel of the same name, The Outsider begins with a seemingly straightforward investigation into the gruesome murder of a young boy. But when a supernatural force somehow edges its way into the case, it leads a seasoned cop and an unorthodox investigator to question everything they believe in.
Queer Eye
Netflix
In case you missed it, Queer Eye season five just dropped on Netflix and we’re not crying, you are. The (seriously) “Fab Five” embark on their ‘more than a makeover’ mission in Philadelphia this time, changing the lives of people in the community. Expect the usual sass from Tan, energy from Jonathan, design touches from Bobby, heartfelt convos from Karamo and a whole lot of food from Antoni. We’re so ready.
Mystery Road
ABC iView
Mystery Road is both a movie and a spin-off TV series that just dropped a second season. The movie and show follow Detective Jay Swan played by the supremely talented Aaron Pedersen, a proud Arrernte and Arabana man. Shot in the stunning top end of Western Australia, we follow Detective Swan as he’s tasked with everything from investigating the disappearance of two young farmhands on an outback cattle station, to a drug trafficking ring. The show and movie are packed with a stellar cast including Ernie Dingo, Tasma Walton and Madeleine Madden. If you want to watch the movies and TV show in the correct order (not essential but helpful), it goes like this: Mystery Road: the movie, Mystery Road: TV series season one, Goldstone: the movie and finish with Mystery Road: TV series season two which is currently on ABC iView.
Unsolved Mysteries
Netflix
If you, like us, have devoured every true-crime documentary on Netflix then we have some excellent news for your cold, creepy hearts—a chilling docu-series is coming and it’s putting you in the detective’s seat. From the producers of Stranger Things comes the reboot of 80s cult classic Unsolved Mysteries. The Netflix reboot has teamed up the shows OG creators, which means the format remains largely the same—trust us, this is a good thing. Each ep will focus on a different unsolved mystery from around the world, but rather than end with the case neatly wrapped up, you the viewer will be asked to send in any relevant info to help solve the crime.
Normal People
Stan
You would have to be living under a rock to have not heard the buzz about this show, and for good reason, it’s seriously good. Based on the best-selling novel of the same name, Normal People follows the tender but oh-so-complicated relationship between Marianne and Connell from the end of their high school days in a small Irish town to their university days in Dublin. While they couldn’t be more different from each other, they are also imperfectly perfect together. Going from friends to lovers to friends again, their intoxicating relationship will have you hooked from start to finish. The best bit? We’re about to score two bonus episodes, so stay tuned for when they're going to drop.
Hit play on these binge-worthy movies and shows with Optus, who are changing the game with their new Unlimited Data Day add-on for just an additional $5 so you can treat yourself and stream, watch and play all day. For use on mobile phone devices in Australia only. Fair Go Policy applies. Not for commercial use. Add on may be withdrawn from sale without notice. Full terms and conditions apply.
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Optus and proudly endorsed by Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.