Get Ready To Binge: 10 Mini-Series You Can Watch In A Single Day

When They See Us (2019)

This Ava DuVernay-directed masterpiece tells the true story of the Central Park Five, a group of teenagers from Harlem wrongfully convicted of a brutal assault in New York City in 1989. It's a series that will leave you on the edge of your seat, anger you, and break your heart, all at the same time. It takes you on a roller coaster of emotions, from the initial incident, through the injustices of the trial, their years in prison, and their eventual exoneration in 2002, not to mention the $41 million settlement in 2014.

And you know what's even more astounding? The series was viewed by over 23 million Netflix accounts within its first month of release, and boasts a fantastic 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. If there's one miniseries that will stay with you long after the credits roll, this is it.

Chernobyl (2019)

HBO's five-part series Chernobyl brings to life the terrifying 1986 nuclear disaster in what's been called one of the most accurate portrayals of the event. With every episode, you're drawn deeper into the political intrigue and human drama that surrounded the calamity. There's something truly chilling about the authenticity of it all. The series sits comfortably with a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and it's hardly a surprise, given how compelling and tragically beautiful it is.

Despite the series being in English, the creators made a conscious decision to cast mostly British actors to keep the performances as authentic as possible, rather than having performers struggle with Russian accents. A wise choice, I'd say.

The Queen's Gambit (2020)

Chess? Sounds boring, you might think, but Netflix's seven-part miniseries The Queen's Gambit is anything but. Featuring the talented Anya Taylor-Joy as the orphaned chess prodigy Beth Harmon, this series truly makes the game feel like a thrilling, high-stakes battleground. And that's just the start – who would have thought that a series about chess could drive an uptick in sales of chess sets worldwide? Crazy, right?

Its Rotten Tomatoes score is a solid 96%, and honestly, I can't recommend this riveting series enough. Also, you'd be amazed to know that the series is based on a novel by Walter Tevis, not a true story as many mistakenly believe.

Years and Years (2019)

If you're in the mood for something that hits a bit too close to home, the six-part BBC miniseries Years and Years is the one for you. This gripping family saga imagines the world's socio-political future from 2019 to 2034 and, boy, is it a wild ride.

It's amazing how a series can make you care so much about a fictional family while simultaneously terrifying you with its all-too-believable future. Also, remember that epic monologue by Anne Reid in the final episode? The one that sent chills down your spine? That alone makes the series worth a watch. And let's not forget the glowing 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Unorthodox (2020)

Unorthodox, Netflix's four-part miniseries, is one of those shows that'll stick with you long after you've finished it. Based on Deborah Feldman's autobiography, it tells the story of a young woman escaping her strict Hasidic community in Brooklyn for a new life in Berlin, a tale that just gets under your skin.

The series earned an 8.0 rating on IMDb and a stellar 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, proof of its intense and captivating narrative. Shira Haas had to learn to speak Yiddish for her role. Now, that's some dedication, don't you think?

State of the Union (2019)

State of the Union is the SundanceTV series consisting of ten, ten-minute episodes, making it the shortest miniseries on our list. Now, who would have thought that a series about a couple's pre-therapy chats in a pub could be so engaging? Starring Rosamund Pike and Chris O'Dowd, each episode is a masterclass in tight, focused storytelling (the entire series was shot in just ten days, and it shows.) Rotten Tomatoes seems to agree, awarding it a whopping 94% score.

The Night Manager (2016)

The Night Manager is a six-part series based on John le Carré's novel of the same name. Starring the charismatic Tom Hiddleston as Jonathan Pine, a former British soldier-turned-hotel night manager, and the formidable Hugh Laurie as Richard Roper, an international arms dealer, the series is a thrilling cat-and-mouse game of intrigue and deception. It takes you from the luxurious hotels of Cairo to the inner circles of the British intelligence, with Pine going undercover to bring down Roper. All in a day's work, right?

But it's actually the performances that truly carry this series, and both Hiddleston and Laurie are absolutely magnificent. The series was acclaimed by critics, with an 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and it also swept up at the 2016 Primetime Emmy Awards, earning 12 nominations.

Sharp Objects (2018)

Sharp Objects is an eight-part miniseries based on Gillian Flynn's novel. It's a psychological thriller that tells the story of Camille Preaker, a troubled journalist played by Amy Adams, who returns to her small hometown to cover the murder of two young girls. And trust me, as she unravels the mystery, one dark secret and suppressed trauma at a time, you'll be hooked. And don't get me started on the twist ending. No spoilers here, but you'll be thinking about it for days.

Now, if that isn't enough to convince you, how about this? The series earned a respectable 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and Amy Adams received a Golden Globe for her performance. Need I say more?

The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst (2015)

Have you ever watched a series that leaves you questioning everything you thought you knew? The Jinx, a six-part HBO documentary miniseries, does just that. It examines the life of Robert Durst, an enigmatic real estate heir linked to three unsolved crimes, including the disappearance of his wife.

And I tell you, the series does more than just recount his bizarre life – it actually led to Durst's arrest on the eve of the finale's broadcast. As you delve into the convoluted maze of Durst's life, each revelation is more shocking than the last. And the series has certainly made its mark, with a 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Primetime Emmy Award to boot.

Fleabag (2016-2019)

This is a show that manages to be hilarious, heartbreaking, and deeply human all at once. The two-season, twelve-episode series, created by and starring Phoebe Waller-Bridge, takes you on a journey with its flawed but lovable protagonist navigating love, loss, and life in London. From her complicated family relationships to her doomed romances, and let's not forget the unforgettable Hot Priest, every moment in Fleabag's chaotic life feels real and relatable.

And it's not just me saying this – the series bagged six Emmy Awards for its second season, including Outstanding Comedy Series. With a 100% rating for its second season on Rotten Tomatoes, Fleabag is undoubtedly a series you can – and will want to – watch in a single day.