16. Freaks and Geeks
Here’s a cult TV show, as dubbed by Netflix itself. Freaks and Geeks aired for one brief season in 1999, and then it disappeared from the airwaves, but not from many people’s hearts. This teen drama features a lot of really young versions of actors you might recognize: Linda Cardellini (ER, Bloodline), John Francis Daley (Bones), James Franco (11.22.63), Seth Rogen (who has now mostly transitioned into film), and more. Paul Feig and Judd Apatow worked behind the scenes.
Although the series aired in 1999 and 2000, the show’s actually set in 1980, which makes it even more retro. Cardellini plays Lindsay Weir, and Francis Daley plays her younger brother, Sam. Both attend the same high school, but they have two very different groups of friends: the freaks for Lindsay, and the geeks for Sam. Having friends doesn’t always make it easier to fit in, though, as always seems to be the norm in high school.
Due to its cancellation, only 15 episodes originally aired before the last three appeared on a later run on Fox Family. However, Netflix has all 18 original episodes for you to watch. It’s a teen show, which means even the teenagers who may be hanging around might sit down and enjoy an episode or two with you.
As we’ve already mentioned, there are just 18 episodes available at around 45 minutes each. In other words, it’s a medium to medium-high commitment level, but without much suspense.