Quarantine Got You Down?
Check Out These Insanely Watchable Streaming Shows to Lift Your Spirits

Being quarantined is starting to wear pretty thin for most of us, but it’s essential for our safety. If you’ve gotten to the point where you’ve just about had it with staying inside, we’ve got a list of TV shows and movies that just might make being stuck indoors bearable again.

Grab your jammies, settle into your favorite spot on the couch, and check out these beauties. You’ll be glad you did.

Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness (Netflix)

Unless you’ve been under a (virtual) rock, there’s no way you’ve escaped the fervor that is Tiger King fandom right now. From Facebook groups to blowing up Twitter, this series is a runaway hit!

Tiger King delivers, and lives up to every word of its name. Prepare yourself for seven hours of twists, turns, and some of the most unexpectedly catchy music you’ll ever hear. Just don’t blame us when “Here Kitty Kitty” becomes your new favorite song – you’ve been warned.

Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker (Netflix)

Alright, fellow bosses! This pick’s for you. Based on A’lelia Bundle’s book about her great-grandmother, Self Made is a tale of triumph in a world where powerful, Black women weren’t always welcome. The story follows Madam Walker’s rise to prominence as an entrepreneur, and is full of “yasssss, sis!” moments.

Be forewarned: if you’re a historical purist, this retelling of Madam Walker’s life may frustrate you. The studio took some serious license, and it’s resulted in quite a bit of controversy. If you can see past the inaccuracies, you’ll find a story that draws – and keeps – your attention.

The Banker (AppleTV)

The Banker is a story made for the big screen. It follows the (real) lives of  Joe Morris (Samuel L. Jackson) and Bernard Garrett (Anthony Mackie) as they create a real estate and banking empire by having a white man play the front man of their companies.

The pair face obstacles galore, and the fall of what they built is spectacular. If you’re looking for a movie that spans the emotional gamut, this is it. Nia Long appears as the wife of Garrett and pulls off a noteworthy performance.

Originally set for a December release in theatres nationwide, the film’s debut was derailed by off-screen scandal involving the family of one of the subjects. We’re glad it was eventually released on AppleTV, though the launch received little fanfare. Give it a watch. Totally worth it!

Star Trek: Picard (CBS All Access)

If you’ve got a heart for sci-fi, Star Trek: Picard is a fabulous watch. The series chronicles the later life of one of the franchise’s most beloved captains, Jean-Luc Picard, played by Sir Patrick Stewart.

The events pick up some 15-20 years after those of Start Trek: The Next Generation, and a 90-something year old Picard is determined to save the Federation one last time.

This hero’s journey sees him assemble a motley crew – some familiar faces among them – to take to the stars again. From the plot to the special effects, this one’s a winner! The whole season is available to binge now, and you can do so for free with CBS’s All Access 30-day trial.

For Life (Hulu)

Inspired by the life of Isaac Wright, Jr., For Life chronicles the story of a wrongly accused nightclub owner who becomes an attorney – while in prison – in order to help others and fight for his release.

Main character Aaron Wallace is determined to prove his innocence by going toe to toe with a corrupt justice system. From episode one, the hero finds himself in peril, and everything’s he’s worked for in jeopardy. This is a definite yes if you dig crime stories. Dive in!

What Are You Watching?

Got a bingeworthy show to share? Drop down in the comments and give us a little something to wile away our socially distant hours.

Love (or hate) one of our picks? Share that in the comments too! Happy watching.