Top shows and movies

While Netflix offers a host of third-party TV shows, the platform’s main draw is its original series: dramas and cartoons you can’t find anywhere else. It is perhaps most famous for the series Stranger Things, which it first began streaming in 2016. The 80s pastiche draws on influences from many sources, including The Goonies and E.T., and it has developed a cult-like following. The show is rich in nostalgia, combining several sci-fi concepts to create an all-round entertaining show.

As Netflix is not restricted to family-oriented content, its streaming library is by nature more varied. For instance, in 2019, the platform began airing The Witcher, a TV series based on the popular book series from Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. The episodes follow the life of Geralt of Rivia, a monster slayer who will rid people of their “demon infestations” for a price. The show introduces viewers to adult themes which can’t be found on Disney’s tamer platform.

BoJack Horseman, an animated series that ran from 2014 to 2020, is another popular show on Netflix. The cartoon puts a comedic spin on the issue of depression as it follows the tale of Bojack Horseman, a man with the head of a horse. Again, you can expect risque humor, hilarious gags and smart dialogue that will leave you in stitches after each episode. Interestingly, the writers balance all the silliness with serious scenes that make you reconsider your own life.

For those looking for something a little more high-brow, Netflix offers The Crown, a series based on the life of Queen Elizabeth II. The series features actors such as Claire Foy as the monarch herself, supported by big names like Matt Smith who play Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The series offers viewers an incisive insight into the lives of the royals as they go about their daily activities. The directors have considered every aspect of the set in meticulous detail, from the costumes to the beautiful, aristocratic locations. What’s more, the writers shirk many political talking points, instead focusing on what their audiences really want – a soap-like portrayal of the inner workings of one of the world’s most prestigious families.

Finally, Netflix offers viewers some light relief in the form of I Think You Should Leave With Tim Robinson. The show, which began in 2019, definitely packs a punch. The genius of the show is its ability to transform the seemingly mundane into scenes that will leave you in stitches. It makes ample use of current, widespread memes, and delivers them seamlessly while deploying inspired jokes. There’s a refreshing goofiness about the entire series, making it one of the most binge-worthy offerings currently on the platform.

If you’re a fan of George Lucas, then Disney Plus is the place to be, with not one, but several titles from which to choose. The Mandalorian is perhaps the most successful Star Wars show currently on the platform, following the saga in a new, refreshing way. Episodes are around forty minutes in length, offering some of the best live-action scenes we’ve seen on any streaming service to date. The first series gives you a binge-worthy eight episodes in total.

Disney Plus also hosts Star Wars: The Clone Wars, a series that probably only exists due to a fan campaign. You can think of it as a prequel to the Star Wars prequels, made possible by Disney’s Lucasfilm buyout. It attempts to put right everything that the movies got wrong, providing a revised and, hopefully, more consistent account of events in the Lucas universe.

Disney Plus also has the advantage of being able to offer titles from the Marvel universe. Marvel’s Runaways, for instance, is a three-season epic that follows the tale of a bunch of teens with nascent superpowers. How precisely this series fits into the broader Marvel canon isn’t entirely clear, but that won’t matter once you get stuck into the episodes.

Forky Asks A Question is perhaps one of Disney Plus’s most interesting Pixar-related offerings. The animated series follows the spork from Toy Story 4 as he asks the kind of questions most of us consider at some point – such as “what is cheese?”

Finally, Simpsons fans will love Disney Plus. The platform airs all 30 seasons, including episodes from the golden era of the show – seasons 3 to 10. This is made possible by Disney’s buyout of 20th Century Fox. While the Simpsons is nothing new, it is a series that provides daily comfort to millions of people all over the world. Getting the whole library for a low monthly fee will strike many as excellent value.

Therefore, Netflix is the place to go for an edgy, no-holds-barred and experimental experience – while Disney Plus provides a whole host of popular content, including massive franchises such as Star Wars and Marvel.