The Best Shows & Movies You Should Be Watching

Friends sitting the couch and watching film          Canva

With the semester ending, graduation approaching, and summer just around the corner, you might be looking for something to do in your free time or maybe even just a way to unwind after a long day. If that sounds like you, don’t worry, I’ve got the perfect thing to tune into. Here’s a list of the best shows and movies I recommend you check out.

This time of year can feel very overwhelming. With finals approaching combined with the last few weeks of the semester, it always creates an overwhelming situation for students. Sometimes, we as students can experience burnout because we need to manage our finals while also taking care of our other responsibilities.

Personally, I manage my stress by taking breaks. I watch shows when I’m  studying late at night and then spend my weekends relaxing with movies.

TV shows and movies are actually my main method to disconnect from the world while I escape into another reality to relax my mind. If you’re in the same position as me, I really think having a good watchlist can make the rest of the semester a little easier to handle.

So, if you’re looking for something to watch, you’re in luck. A good TV series can be the perfect way to put the chaos on hold. These three shows have become my recent favorites, and I definitely think they are worth watching.

The first show on my list is “9-1-1.” The show broadcasts its episodes every Thursday at 7pm on ABC, and if you’re into action-packed, first responder dramas, this one is definitely worth watching. 

The show has become my favorite show because it has a lot of emotional episodes and plot twists that always keep me interested. In every episode you will see firefighters, paramedics, and police officers dealing with both their dangerous emergency situations along with their personal lives. 

One of the main things I love about it is how attached you can get to the characters without constantly worrying they’re going to die, which is very rare for shows like this. 

The second show on my list is “The Rookie.” The Rookie airs its new episodes every Tuesday at 8pm on ABC. After watching the last episode of “9-1-1,” I then started looking for new TV shows to watch. Usually, I would find a c-drama to watch, but I couldn’t find anything interesting. Then, I watched a TikTok of “the Rookie” and it made me watch the entire show.

The show reminds me a lot of “9-1-1”, and I think that’s why I enjoyed it so much. Every episode has nonstop action while maintaining constant excitement; it never gets boring. It’s one of those shows that makes you tune back in every Tuesday.

Now, The last show on my list is “Abbott Elementary.” The episodes usually air on Wednesdays at 7:30pm on ABC, or you can find it on Hulu. After watching shows like “9-1-1” and “The Rookie,” I needed something a little lighter  and Abbott Elementary was exactly that. 

The episodes are always funny. The characters are relatable, and it’s definitely the perfect way to relax and laugh after a stressful day. If you’re looking for something that’s funny and entertaining, then this is definitely worth adding to your watchlist.

Now that I’ve listed some of my favorite shows to watch and relax, let’s move to the movies. These movies are great for when you want to watch something over the weekend.

The “Hunger Games” franchise stands as my first selection among the movies. Personally, it matches my preference for action filled dramas.

The franchise stands out because Suzanne Collins included tension alongside action and emotional depth throughout her writing. The movies captivated me so much that I decided to read the books. Reading them actually provided me with a deeper understanding of the story, which I would recommend doing as well. These movies can also be found on Amazon Prime Video. 

The “Fast and Furious franchise” stands as my second movie selection. I absolutely love these movies. These movies are exciting, and there is never a dull moment. The crazy situations these characters experience is the main reason I continue watching these movies.

The characters manage to perform increasingly impressive stunts, and every time I think they can’t top the last stunt, they somehow do. The majority of the movies are available on Netflix, so if you are in the mood for non-stop action with a touch of importance on family, then this one is a must-watch.

“Hotel Transylvania” is my final movie choice. This movie has always been one of my favorites since I first watched it. The movie has both cuteness and humor while giving you a light-hearted experience whenever you need it.

The movie also works well for viewers of all ages and includes multiple movies, which means you can have a mini marathon whenever you feel like it. These can also be found on Netflix.

Bonus: If you’re into horror, you should keep an eye out for “Sinners,” this movie was released in theaters on April 18. The movie features Michael B. Jordan and Hailee Steinfeld as its lead actors, and from what I’ve seen, it looks like it’s going to be really good. I will be going to watch this movie for sure, so people looking for horror movies should consider going to see it.  

That being said, with finals coming up and the semester almost over, it’s important to take some time to relax. This watchlist has many show recommendations that can suit your taste for action, or comedy. Happy watching.