10 Best Things to Watch on Streaming Platforms Right Now

By Alice Frost

As the nights draw in and the temperature drops outside, crashing out at home on the sofa and binging the latest series or film has become all the more tempting. So, if you’re looking for a new series or film to get stuck right into, here’s a list of the 10 best things to watch on streaming platforms right now.

1. Dopesick (Disney+/Hulu)

Boasting an impressive cast including Michael Keaton, Rosario Dawson, and Kaitlyn Dever, Dopesick is an insightful, emotional, and frankly shocking portrayal of the devastating opioid crisis in America. What’s most shocking however is watching Perdue Pharma, the pharmaceutical company essentially at the helm of the crisis, exploit opioid users for so long. Don’t be surprised if this series ends up taking home big wins come TV’s awards season next year. Episodes are released weekly on Disney+ or watch the full series now on Hulu.

2. Maid (Netflix)

For weeks this series ranked number 2 on Netflix’s ‘Top 10 in the UK right now’ to the one show on everybody’s mind for the last month, the cultural phenomenon that is Squid Game. However, Maid deserves just the same acclaim for its tackling of a complex and often underrepresented issue, domestic abuse, but in the form of mental, emotional, and financial abuse. Margaret Qualley shines as Alex, the series lead intent on creating a better life for her young daughter.

3. Savage x Fenty Show Vol. 3 (Amazon Prime)

Musician, actress and now accomplished businesswoman Rihanna, has redefined what it means to be sexy ever since launching her lingerie brand Savage x Fenty. This year’s edition of the Savage x Fenty show which muses’ fashion, music and big names like Cindy Crawford, Gigi Hadid and Normani, is no less impressive or inclusive than its previous two volumes; featuring people of colour, plus sized and handicapped models, Rihanna’s show proves that there is no one, definitive format for sexy.

4. Leigh-Anne: Race, Pop & Power (BBC iPlayer)

Though released earlier this year in May, with the recent controversy surrounding Jesy Nelson and accusations of blackfishing and racial insensitivity, now seems like the perfect time to revisit this documentary and realise why it’s so important to call out these instances when they do happen. Little Mix’s Leigh-Anne Pinnock addresses in a powerful 60-minute TV documentary, what it means to be a woman of colour in the music industry, educating herself on issues including colourism along the way, as well as the audience watching. What’s more, you can watch for free without any kind of subscription on BBC iPlayer.

5. On the Edge short film series (All 4)

Back for a third series, On the Edge is a diverse anthology series of short films which tells three stories of modern life in the UK. Ranging from post-natal depression to hoarding, this year’s edition addresses various mental health issues in three 30-minute films. Due to their short run length, and being free to watch, this film series is well worth a watch. Additionally, as its subject matter remains prevalent in the UK, On the Edge encourages discussion and understanding of mental health, and what is essentially still such a difficult topic for many to address.

6. Big Mouth (Netflix)

Those seeking out a lighter watch should look no further than the latest series of Netflix’s popular animated, comedy series Big Mouth. The series approaches puberty in an albeit sometimes disturbing light but will for sure have you laughing all the way through. If only we all had our own hormone monster growing up, we would’ve been a lot better off for it… or, maybe not actually. Big Mouth features a talented voice cast of Nick Kroll (also series creator), Maya Rudolph, John Mulaney and Jordan Peel.

7. Passing (Netflix)

This film retells the novel of the same name by Nella Larsen, of two mixed race women in 1920s America, one of whom is ‘passing’ as white. In a directorial debut by actress Rebecca Hall, Passing is a film of many layers with an ending that’ll have you searching ‘Passing ending explained’ on Google. The film features two outstanding, and arguably career-defining performances, from Ruth Nega and Tessa Thompson which will for sure garner them some award nominations.

8. Nine Perfect Strangers (Amazon Prime/Hulu)

Though this series didn’t receive quite the same attention or acclaim as Big Little Lies – both being TV adaptations of novels by the same author Lianne Moriarty – the mystery, intrigue, dark undertones, and occasional comedic moments of Nine Perfect Strangers are just as captivating. And talk about an ensemble cast; it’s a rare treat to see the likes of Melissa McCarthy, Nicole Kidman and Michael Shannon share the same screen.

9. The Green Knight (Amazon Prime)

Fans of A24 and visually captivating films should add The Green Knight to their watchlist immediately. If you like a film with a clear, definitive meaning and ending maybe look elsewhere, but if you enjoy being challenged by a film (or you’re just a fan of Dev Patel) give this one a go; a medieval fairy-tale bought to life, littered with symbolism and magic, whilst questioning issues of mortality and identity.

10. Universe (BBC iPlayer)

We can always rely on the BBC to provide us with a mind-bending, life-evaluating documentary – usually in the format of a David Attenborough series. This time its Professor Brian Cox’s Universe which explores black holes, the sheer magnitude of the sun, the big bang and much more. This might send you into a “we’re just tiny little humans floating around on a tiny rock in one galaxy of billions of galaxies” spiral, but it’ll be well worth it.