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8 Shows to Add to your Summer Netflix and Chill List

8 Shows to Add to your Summer Netflix and Chill List

Summer really stands for live on Netflix and binge watch all the shows, right? Well, those of us who know no moderation when it comes to Netflix sometimes cry in front of the screen begging them to just release the next season of… (insert favorite show here) already. With a fast fading summer, you shouldn’t have to waste time searching the digital archives of Netflix’s streaming services to find something decent to watch. That’s why we’ve put in the time and are happy to share our list of 8 shows to add to your summer Netflix and chill list right here. I’ve personally binged on all of these. It is both my hope, and my humble opinion, that the list will help you find at least one show to obsess over, or to at least check daily to see when the Netflix gods will add more episodes.

Food

If you have been keeping up with our Mission to Munch vlogs, then you know I love food! There are plenty of food shows to watch on Netflix, but it can be hard to find the ones that inspire. These are my picks for the summer.

I’ll have What Phil’s Having/Somebody Feed Phil

Ok, these are actually two different shows on Netflix, but both feature Philip Rosenthal, the creator of the hit sitcom, “Everybody Loves Raymond”. Both shows follow a similar format and are essentially the same, with “I’ll Have What Phil’s Having” being a PBS show, and “Somebody Feed Phil” as the Netflix original continuation of the PBS show, which is why I’ve lumped them together.

Summary: Phil takes viewers on a goodwill eating tour of the world. Joined by friends and family Phil visits cities that include Tel Aviv, Mexico City, New Orleans and Bangkok to get a taste of the local cuisine and culture at each stop on his journey.

Why you should watch it: If you’re a foodie, especially one that likes to travel for food, then you’ll love this. What really sets this apart from other travel eating shows, however, is Phil himself. He’s perhaps overly expressive and a little goofy for INTJ taste, which can be jarring at first, but then something about him is so good-natured. He’s human. He loves meeting new people, learning about culture, and of course, eating. Unlike other shows I’ve seen, I feel like these two shows capture things about the countries he visits that other shows miss. Phil’s no snob. He not only talks to international chefs, but also to local chefs. He tries both fancy restaurants and street foods. When you watch the show, you feel like you’ve come to know a culture better not just through learning about its food, but also through Phil’s interactions with the people he meets.

Bonus points: Part 2 of Somebody Feed Phil just came out today, July 6th, so… it will take just that much longer before you’re restlessly waiting for the next season of this show!

Rotten

Part true crime drama mixed with fascinating food supply chain, this is a must watch even if you’re not a foodie.

Summary: Rotten focuses on the food supply chain. Each of the 6 episodes follows the supply chain of a different ingredient, covering popular foodstuffs such as honey, garlic, and chicken.

Why you should watch it: It is educational, interesting, and important to know where your food comes from. More than any other aspect of daily life, food affects our health and wellness. Being more informed about our food supply chains is vitally important, especially given the atmospheric rise in food allergies. I happened to start watching this series while I was taking a fashion supply chain class. For me, at times, it felt more like homework than entertainment. Later, I watched an episode of this series in a finance class and realized that it’s not meant to be entertainment. It’s vital information, but it’s not boring, my initial perception notwithstanding. While definitely not as light-hearted as Somebody Feed Phil, the lessons you’re learning are more impactful on a personal level. Additionally, there is a crime aspect to the show that adds a layer of unexpected suspense, especially if you watched the show without knowing what Rotten was really about. There are food criminals, who knew? While supply chain and food crime can seem like a surreal topic, this show proves just how closely everything is related. On a personal note, I was shocked to find out I had been affected by Chinese honey scammers while living in Hong Kong (it really didn’t taste the same), and that’s just episode one.

Documentary

Something Ventured

Venture capitalism is a strange and mysterious world, that, if completely foreign to you won’t be demystified by this film. Even so, the documentary still offers an interesting history on venture capitalism and many of the highlighted companies are ones with which we are all familiar.

Summary: Venture capitalists played a crucial role in the founding and growth of such companies as Intel, Apple, and Atari.

Why you should watch it: Even if you could care less about finance, the historical look behind the funding of major companies is fascinating. For entrepreneurs and/or business owners, this film offers a great behind the scenes look at how companies, though the companies covered in this documentary are primarily tech, got their start. While this film is from 2011, it’s still valuable and even a little inspirational.

The Toys that Made Us

Documentaries don’t have to be bore-fests, they can also be geeky fun!

Summary: Most of us have a favored and well-loved toy from our childhood. Some of these toys are intellectual properties that go on to become iconic as multiple generations of children discover and come to love them. Some of these become (or even begin as) collectibles, not considered playthings at all, rather they are iconic and hallowed representations of well-loved entertainment programs. Whatever the case, toy or collectible, there is always a backstory. This series takes a look at the backstories of some of America’s greatest toy franchises, including the people and companies that created them. The stories share the rise — and, sometimes, fall — of toys that can be worth billions in revenue to a company. Some of the featured toys are original creations, such as Barbie, while others are based on pop-culture entertainment franchises, such as “Star Wars”.

Why you should watch it: This is the perfect show to watch with family because the multi-generational history of toys is sure to interest the whole family. Even if you aren’t familiar with a certain toy franchise, the history behind how the toys were produced can be fascinating to learn. As children playing with toys, we rarely think about the toy manufacturer, nor do we consider how toys get made. We just want to play. Filled with unbelievable business decisions, wacky stories, and so much nostalgia, The Toys that Made Us is a pleasant trip down memory lane, whether you watching with a group or on your own. Beware… you may get unexpectedly emotional, gooey, warm feelings about the toys from your childhood. It’s just so nostalgic!

Fantasy

Looking for a world away from home? Then these fantasy/sci-fi shows are ready to take you away to your summer escape.

Lost in Space

Based on an old 60’s era television show, this adaptation breathes new life and modern sensibility into a nostalgic property.

Summary: It’s 30 years in the future and the Robinson family has been chosen to start a new life in a space colony. On the way to what they believe will be a better world, the Robinsons’ ship is abruptly thrown off course. They are cast into a dangerous alien environment. Now light-years from their original destination, they must forge new alliances and work together to survive. Stranded with the Robinsons are the charismatic Dr. Smith and roguishly charming Don West, two outsiders who are thrown together by circumstance and a mutual knack for deception.

Why you should watch it: First things first. There are some plot hole issues that bothered me. The family isn’t all that endearing. The show, which you’d expect to be about Will Robinson, tends to focus more on the mom. Also, it often substitutes monologue for action. The family is lost in space, for heaven’s sake. It often feels more like they’re lost in the Nevada desert. Those flaws aside, Dr. Smith, played by Parker Posey, is so frighteningly talented at gas-lighting, there is a tendency to watch just to see what she will do next. If you’re interested in psychology and personality, it is the show’s resident villainess who steals all the scenes. At the very least, she takes all the characters on a wild ride. Despite some boring episodes, the show manages to offer some reliable entertainment, even with the plot holes. Lost in Space is not top of the list entertainment, but it does make the list.

Trollhunters

I know. I know. Troll hunters is a kid’s show, but if you’re an adult, or a kidult, and/or a fan of stellar animation, Troll hunters is so well done, complex, and honestly, one of the most exciting things I’ve watched, I just had to include it on the list. Plus, it’s by the Academy Award winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro , so it has to be good!

Summary: After finding a mysterious amulet, a teen and his friends pursue an unlikely destiny and set out to save two worlds.

Why you should watch it: The final season just came out this past May. Watching it felt like a cinematic event. The animation is stunning. The story is amazing. The characters are great. Trollhunters really takes you for a ride. As the name implies, trolls are involved. Jim Lake, the main character, finds an amulet that turns him into the troll hunter, protector of both the troll world and the human world. While there are typical kid shenanigans, they are done in such a way that they don’t feel tired at all. Even though it’s for kids, this is one my whole family enjoyed watching together.

Global Vibes

If you can’t physically travel this summer, let your mind and imagination wander with our international selection of Netflix shows.

Call My Agent

This French tele-drama uncovers the behind-the-scenes lives of the agents of well-known actors. As a fun bonus, each episode stars famous French (and international) actors alongside the shows cast of agents. This is the show I’m most impatient about waiting for the third season.

Summary: At Paris talent firm, A.S.K, agents scramble to keep their star clients happy and their business afloat. Three agents: Mathias, Gabriel, and Andréa juggle one situation to another in circumstances that blend their personal and professional lives.

Why you should watch it: As someone who watches a lot of Korean dramas, it was refreshing to step into another culture. The plots are similar — secret children, hidden romances, unexpected deaths, and so on, but that’s where the similarities end. The French take on these topics is quite different. At the core of the Korean storytelling is the underlying theme that justice will win. The French aren’t concerned about justice, at least not in this series. They focus on very first world problems and that means survival (not of the fittest, just survival). Situations that would invoke a tears and melodrama in Korean drama are treated with humor and a stoic determination to succeed. And while succeeding at all costs can produce characters who are grimy and deceitful, the show doesn’t try to hide any aspect of the human condition, instead, they invite the viewer to examine the costs of success in a non-judgmental fashion. C’est la vie, such is life, they writers seem to say. Wallow in the anger and bitterness of betrayal, and you lose. For me, there was something fresh and fun about all the craziness of that world. I was drawn in from episode one and finished all two seasons over the course of 3 days. After the slow pacing of Lost in Space, this show is one with exceptional timing. The fact that there are well-known actors playing alongside the agents makes Call My Agent all the more binge-worthy. One caveat, there are a lot of situational and mature themes, so this isn’t a show to watch with young ones.

Aggretsuko

While it’s hard to pick a favorite show I’ve watched this summer, Aggretsuko may be one of my favorites. With episodes lasting about 15 minutes each, and 10 in total, it’s easy to squeeze in during a break, or to just watch the entire series in one day!

Summary: Retsuko enters her 5th year as an accountant at a large company, yet, as daily stresses add up, struggles to find the motivation to go to work. She relieves tensions by singing heavy metal at karaoke bars.

Why you should watch it: Don’t let the fact that this is a cartoon fool you, Aggretsuko isn’t for kids. It is a really a great show, especially for introverts and INTJs. While the main character, Retsuko isn’t an INTJ, she is an introvert and is relatable as she struggles to assert herself in an extroverted and demanding world. The show does a good job of capturing what it’s like to be a Millennial 20 – 30 something. While the summary sounds a bit dour, this is actually a comedy and very funny. The show has a great cast of characters, people we’ve all met in our own lives. Bonus points for an INTJ character, Finneko, Retsuko’s fox co-worker.

A special note: This show is available in both its native language Japanese, and with an English dub. While I usually recommend watching in the original language, in this case, I feel that the dub is better than the translation, as some of the jokes and nuances were lost in the translation. The English cast does a good job of bringing energy and liveliness to the show, so no worries. Also, if you’re a fan of the show, Aggretsuko makes a small cameo appearance on the Hello Kitty episode of The Toys that Made Us.

 

Hopefully this Netflix and Chill list gives you some ideas about what to check out next. What shows have you been bingeing on that weren’t included? I’d love to know!

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