The Easter break is a natural moment to pause and assess the year’s standout shows we haven’t yet caught up with. Here is a practical list of ten essentials, chosen for their ease of viewing and broad appeal. The lineup spans everything from hopeful blockbusters to wild comedies, meticulous true-crime reconstructions to the bright energy of rom-coms. Sit back, watch, and enjoy.
Following the surge of ambitious storytelling after Game of Thrones, D. B. Weiss and David Benioff pressed on with a new project for Netflix, collaborating with Alexander Woo to adapt a famed science-fiction trilogy long deemed unfilmable. The result is a dense, enthralling blend of physics and cosmology, presented with visuals that push the boundaries of what audiences expect from screen science. Purists may contest certain shifts in character and chronology, but the experience invites surrender to a torrent of striking images and emotional intensity. A Netflix favorite in the making.
The first season of Kat Sadler’s project suggests it isn’t a debut so much as a late arrival on a long journey, perhaps more the fourth or fifth in a series. Starting strong from episode three, it serves up a steady stream of clever humor and self-aware satire, anchored by a fierce, funny feminism. It feels like an instant classic taking shape right before viewers’ eyes. Lizzie Davidson, known for stand-up and her sisterly rapport on screen, plays a daughter navigating life with a mother who remains determined to secure a rightful place in a world that often treats women unfairly. A movie-ready energy translates to television here, with the same bold spirit.
Twice a decade after a great tragedy, a grounded drama emerges that asks if a difficult event can still be examined with ethical restraint. The approach mirrors a documentary rigor, drawing on Manuel Jabois’s journalistic work and the poetry of careful camera work to tell a story that values the victims’ dignity. The 2024 Spanish series has built broad consensus and deserves a watch that respects its craft. It’s a must-see for those who value responsible storytelling. Disney+.
The era-defining debate around the Magdalene Laundries, institutions run by nuns that coerced many young women into forced labor, resurfaces in a gothic thriller universe. A film formerly opening Berlinale with Cillian Murphy anchors this thread, while another title, The Woman in the Wall, follows Ruth Wilson as a woman confronting her past to determine if she contributed to a crime. The tension and historical resonance make this a potent viewing experience on SkyShowtime, where the mood is consistently eerie and thoughtful.
This unforgettable miniseries retells a real-life case about retired professor Peter Farquhar and his neighbor Ann Moore-Martin, who were manipulated by a seductively benevolent young man intent on rewriting wills. Director Saul Dibb handles the true-crime material with a humane lens, honoring victims while avoiding sensationalism. The screenplay by Sarah Phelps, known for Dublin Murders and Tana French adaptations, lends a crisp, compassionate voice. A strong, cinematic portrayal available in this format.
A beloved novel adaptation finally makes its leap to a fully realized TV arc. The cast includes strong performers who breathe nuance into the relationships at its center, translating the book’s careful pacing and subtle interplays to screen with precision. The result is a series that rewards patience, letting time reveal the moments and the meaning beneath them. Netflix brings this thoughtful, character-driven drama to audiences who appreciate a measured, intimate story about love and growing apart.
After a creative peak like Atlanta, Donald Glover returns with a bold reinvention that blends action and romantic comedy in surprising ways. The project unfolds with a kinetic energy and a fearless sense of humor, complemented by a standout performance from Maya Erskine. The pair crafts a story that feels lived-in and personal, with enough twists to keep even seasoned viewers guessing. A true standout for the year, available on Prime Video.
Xavier Giannoli returns to a story of financial intrigue with a sharp, character-driven touch. The series dissects a carbon tax scam, telling how a handful of criminals amassed millions while adding moral complexity to each figure’s portrayal. Vincent Lindon delivers a steady, principled performance as the head of a national enforcement service, grounding the drama in realism. The series shines as a thoughtful, adult thriller with contemporary resonance. Available in cinemas and on streaming platforms.
Four generations merge on a single couch as screen legends and rising stars share the frame. The project appeals to families and cinephiles alike, with a sense of scale that nods to the era of Spielberg and Hanks while inviting fresh energy from a new wave of performers. Apple TV+ carries this cinematic family saga, inviting viewers to gather around the screen for a broad, cross-generational experience.
Director and screenwriter Lulu Wang continues to explore themes of uprooting and displacement through the intertwined paths of three American women in a Hong Kong framed by the Umbrella Movement. The fifth episode stretches the storytelling to a new depth, focusing on supporting characters in a way that marks a pivotal moment for 2024. Prime Video makes this heartfelt, contemplative drama accessible to a broad audience.