I love dark shows (and movies). Give me a compelling thriller, or a chilling horror, and I’m usually happy. But on occasion, I find myself in the mood for something a little lighter. And particularly during the dreary and dragging month of January, when the weather outside is cold, and natural daylight a precious commodity, I turn to a stable of reliable Netflix comfort-watches.
If you also find yourself feeling the seasonal blues around this time of year, then I’m here to offer up three Netflix shows that can bring a little bit of sunshine to your streaming watchlist. There’s nothing overly complex here, no twisting plots or adrenaline-fueled action, just a selection of enjoyable comfort-watches full of chuckle-worthy humor and likeable characters.
These are the comforting Netflix shows I’m enjoying this month to battle the drab winter. If you need some simple but satisfying entertainment, I definitely recommend adding them to your Netflix watchlist now.
‘Love’
In the world of Netflix, “Love” is practically ancient. This original series debuted a decade ago next month, which makes me feel very old (I was still in college back in 2016). In those 10 years, I’ve rewatched this Netflix show more than any other, and even after multiple run-throughs, its charms have not worn off. It packs two likeable, but deeply flawed, characters expertly played by Paul Rust and Gillian Jacobs. However, my MVP of the series is definitely Claudi O’Doherty as Bertie, a ray of sunshine in human form.
Like the majority of rom-com series, “Love” centers on a “will-they-won’t-they" dynamic between two on-the-surface ill-fitting personalities. You have Gus (Rust), a neurotic and needy tutor with dreams of writing his own screenplays, and Mickey, a wildcard with an addictive personality and no filter. On paper, they shouldn’t even be friends, let alone a couple, but after a chance encounter and unexpected sparks, they explore the possibility of a grown-up relationship.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 94%
Season count: 3 (34 episodes)
Watch "Love" on Netflix now
‘Derry Girls’
I definitely have a personal bias when it comes to “Derry Girls.” Pretty much my whole family is from Northern Ireland, with my Dad’s side of the tree actually from Derry. But putting my love of anything related to Northern Ireland aside, “Derry Girls” is a hugely acclaimed series for a reason. Not only does it explore an important period in history (it’s set during The Troubles) through the eyes of a group of Catholic schoolgirls, but it’s so darn quotable that listing all my favorite lines here would see this article swell to near enough novel size.
The premise is simple: “Derry Girls” sees a group of teens navigating adolescence among the political turmoil of 1990s Northern Ireland. All the familiar coming-of-age tropes are here, along with some uniquely Irish cultural touchstones. What stands out the most is how lovable the core cast are, and even better, “Derry Girls” isn’t afraid to shoot for emotional sincerity on occasion (and it always lands, too). “Derry Girls” creator Lisa McGee’s new show, “How to Get to Heaven from Belfast,” arrives on Netflix next month, so now is a great time to get acquainted with this beloved series before then.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 99%
Season count: 3 (19 episodes)
Watch "Derry Girls" on Netflix now
‘Younger’
“Younger” is a Netflix show that’s pretty new to me, even though it debuted in 2015 and wrapped up in 2021. I only stumbled upon this glossy comedy because my mom forced me to watch it over the holidays. I was initially snarky about its quality, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that after a couple of episodes, I found it a bit of a guilty pleasure. I even put down my Nintendo Switch 2 to watch it properly, which is an impressive feat in my books.
For binge-watchers, it’s now concluded run comprises seven seasons, so if you’re looking for a winter comfort-watch that will last you through until spring, it’s a great choice. The show centers on Liza Miller (Sutton Foster), a recent divorcee struggling to adjust to being single at 40. To land a competitive job at a publishing company, she pretends to be 26 years old and then has to stick to the charade long-term. It’s an admittedly silly setup, but with gentle humor and just the right amount of melodrama, much as I wanted to declare “Younger” trash television, I can’t deny it's no-frills fun.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 97%
Season count: 7 (84 episodes)
Watch "Younger" on Netflix now
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