And while the same could be said about Australia's latest offering, aptly named 'Binge', it's definitely not your average streaming platform.
Besides the fact that it costs significantly less than its parent network Foxtel — it starts at just $10 per month for the basic package — it truly features some of the best shows and movies to have ever graced our screens (and has even secured some that are yet to, including the Gossip Girl reboot).
The Best TV Shows & Movies On Binge
Curious as to what you can catch on Binge right now? Check out the list below for marie claire's top picks from Australia's newest streaming service (and prepare to — pardon the pun — binge).
Sex and the City
Cosmopolitans, Manolos and iconic outfits? Yes, please. Catch all six seasons of the ground-breaking '90s show and relive the magic with Carrie and the crew.
Big Little Lies
Based on Lianne Moriarty's best-selling book of the same name, Big Little Lies is the story of five women in Monterey, California who become embroiled in a murder investigation. The series stars Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern and Zoë Kravitz.
Mrs. America
Boasting a star-studded cast led by top Australian actresses Cate Blanchett and Rose Byrne, the acclaimed series has been dubbed a "must-see trip into the past" for its retelling of the Women's Movement in the '60s and '70s through the era's most renowned feminist figures. Bonus? The cast and their real-life counterparts look freakishly alike.
Game of Thrones
Fancy devouring all eight seasons of arguably the greatest TV show in the history of the small screen? You'll find every epic moment of none other than Game of Thrones ready to be relived on Binge.
I May Destroy You
The most talked-about show of 2020, I May Destroy You tells the story of Arabella Essiuedu (Michaela Coel), a successful writer who finds herself feted as the ‘voice of her generation’ after a piece of writing garners internet acclaim. Overnight, her world is torn in two after she’s spiked with a date-rape drug beginning a radical exploration of self-discovery as she deals with the trauma that follows and begins to process the pain. Forced to access every aspect of her life: her career, her friends and even her family, Arabella’s journey is both confronting, and at times hilarious, as she finds herself in some surprising places – and controversial conclusions.
Friends
Does Friends even need an explainer? We think not! You can catch all 10 seasons of the show on Binge.
Veep
A highly acclaimed comedy series that's well worth a watch, Veep follows the personal life and political career of Selina Meyer (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), a fictional Vice President of the United States. Check out the trailer above to see more.
Downton Abbey
Banish the realities of everyday life by joining the aristocratic Crawley clan in the rolling English countryside, complete with crystal goblets and castle splendour! Consider it escapist viewing at its finest.
Catherine The Great
Billed as the Russian equivalent of The Crown, this series tells the story of Catherine the Great (played by Helen Mirren, who pitched the idea for the show herself), delving into the politically tumultuous and sexually charged court of the most powerful female monarch in history.
Chernobyl
Topping Game Of Thrones as the highest-rated TV show of all time, HBO's Chernobyl tells the story of scientists Valery Legasov (played by Jared Harris) and Ulana Khomyuk (Emily Watson) and politician Boris Shcherbina (Stellan Skarsgård) as they follow the aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, which is considered one of the worst man made catastrophes in the history of humankind.
30 Rock
When it comes to comforting comedy TV, it doesn't get much better than Tina Fey's 30 Rock. Fey stars as the beloved Liz Lemon, a head writer of a fictional sketch comedy show, who has to deal with an arrogant new boss and a temperamental new star, all while trying to run a successful TV show without losing her mind.
Noughts + Crosses
Equal parts controversial and captivating, Noughts + Crosses flips the script on systemic racism. The show depicts an alternate reality of modern day Britain, in which the country had previously been colonised by a host of countries in West Africa (forming the 'Aprican Empire'), and black people ('crosses') dominate the positions of power and wealth, long oppressing white people ('noughts') in the process. The reverse reality also features a forbidden star-crossed love story between wealthy politician's daughter Sephy (beautifully portrayed by Masali Baduza) and Callum (Jack Rowan), a white member of the underclass who were once slaves to the 'Crosses', the black ruling class of which Sephy is a member.
Bridesmaids
When Annie (Kristen Wiig) learns that her lifelong best friend, Lillian (Maya Rudolph), is engaged, she has no choice but to serve as the maid of honour. Though jaded and almost broke, Annie, nevertheless, winds her way through the bizarre and expensive rituals that come with with her job as the bride's right-hand woman. Determined to make things perfect, she gamely leads Lillian and the other bridesmaids down the wild road to the wedding.
Parks and Recreation
Easily one of the best 2000s TV shows, Parks and Recreation is witty, smart and revolves around Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler), the deputy director of the parks and recreation department in the fictional Indian town of Pawnee. After local nurse Ann Perkins demands a construction pit next to her house be filled in after her boyfriend fell in and broke his legs, Leslie vows to turn the pit into a park. Cue: resistance, amusement and a mismatched bunch of misfits who will make you laugh for seven seasons.
The O.C.
California, here we come! Throw it back to the good old days with Marissa, Summer, Ryan, Seth and The O.C. crew in what can easily be classed as one of the most rewatchable 2000s TV shows.
2 Dope Queens (Coming September 7)
Based on the hit comedy WNYC podcast of the same name, Jessica Williams and Phoebe Robinson bring their hilarious insights and laugh out loud banter to this series.
Lovecraft Country
Lovecraft Country is a ten-episode series based on Matt Ruff’s novel of the same name that follows Atticus Freeman (Jonathan Majors), as he journeys with his childhood friend Letitia (Jurnee Smollet) and his Uncle George (Courtney B. Vance) on a road trip from Chicago across 1950s Jim Crow America in search of his missing father, Montrose (Michael Kenneth Williams). Their search-and-rescue turns into a struggle to survive and overcome both a racist white America and the monstrous creatures that could be ripped from author H.P Lovecraft’s horror paperbacks that George devours.
Crazy Stupid Love
Cal Weaver (Steve Carell) is living the American dream. He has a good job, a beautiful house, great children and a beautiful wife, named Emily (Julianne Moore). Cal's seemingly perfect life unravels, however, when he learns that Emily has been unfaithful and wants a divorce. Over 40 and suddenly single, Cal is adrift in the fickle world of dating. Enter, Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling), a self-styled player who takes Cal under his wing and teaches him how to be a hit with the ladies.
Flack
A whizzy female-led drama, Flack stars Academy Award-winner Anna Paquin (True Blood) as Robyn, a cynical American PR spin doctor in London who will do anything to protect the badly behaved celebrities on her agency's books. Check out the trailer above for a sneak peek.
The entire Bridget Jones' franchise
Rejoice! The entire Bridget Jones movie franchise is available on Binge.
The Nevers
Move over Bridgerton, it looks like we've found our next great period drama to obsess over, only this one comes with an epic science-fiction edge and heavy mix of feminist themes spread throughout—need we say more?
The Flight Attendant
Fans of Dead to Me listen up, you're sure to be hooked by Kaley Cuoco's dark comedy series The Flight Attendant. The eight-episode series is based on the novel of the same name by New York Times best-selling author Chris Bohjalian. Cuoco plays Cassie, a flight attendant who wakes up in a bed with a dead man after a luxurious night out—but no recollection of what happened, telling the story of how an entire life can change in one night.
For more information about Binge and what else you can watch on the platform, head over here.
