We know these are difficult times. In case you need something to distract you during quarantine or self-isolation — or if you just need something to do in between online classes, take a break and check these out!
Shows:
“Elite” (Netflix, three seasons) – This is a show that mixes “Gossip Girl,” “13 Reasons Why” and a murder mystery all in one! It’s originally in Spanish but has become so popular that dubbed versions are available in English, German and French. Season three recently premiered on March 13.
“The Story of God” (Netflix, three seasons) – Morgan Freeman explores spirituality across all different types of religions and cultures all around the world. This docu-series is now available to stream on Netflix.
“Zoe’s Extraordinary Playlist” (One season) – The perfect show for lovers of music/musicals and romantic comedies. It premiered earlier this year on NBC and can be streamed on Hulu & NBC’s streaming app.
“Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (Hulu & NBC, seven seasons) – Don’t miss Andy Samberg and Brooklyn’s favorite police squad and their adventures in this comedy! The most recent season came out on Feb. 6.
For fans of Anime, now’s the perfect time to finally watch one of those insanely long classics you’ve been putting off like “One Piece” (900+ episodes. and counting) or “Naruto” & “Naruto Shippuden” (over 700 episodes total.)
“Oldies but Goodies” Shows:
“Parks and Rec.”
“The Office”
“Friends”
“In Living Color”
“My Wife & Kids”
Other noteworthy shows:
“Star Wars the Clone Wars” (Disney Plus, seven seasons)
“Doctor Who” (11 seasons)
“Modern Love” (Amazon Prime, one season)
“Locke and Key” (Netlfix, one season)
“You” (Netflix, two seasons)
“Mr. Robot” (Hulu, three seasons)
“Sharp Objects” (Hulu & HBO, one season)
“Girls” (HBO, six seasons)
“Ozark” (Netflix, three seasons)
“The English Game” (Netflix, one season)
“Hunters”(Amazon Prime)
“Man in the High Castle” (Netflix & Amazon Prime, four seasons)
“Vampires” (Netflix, one season [French, dubbed in English])
Movies:
“Kung Fu Panda” (Amazon Prime)
“Oculus” (Hulu)
“Booksmart” (Hulu)
“Honey Boy” (Amazon Prime)
“The Interview” (Netflix and Hulu)
“A Quiet Place” (Hulu)
“Bird Box” (Netflix)
“Super 8” (Hulu)
“American Ultra” (Hulu)
“28 Days Later” (Hulu)
“Rango” (Hulu)
“Good Will Hunting”
“Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story”
“Alita: Battle Angel” (HBO Go)
“The Adjustment Bureau”
“Mr. and Mrs. Smith”
“Batman Begins” and “The Dark Knight” (Netflix)
“The Beach” (Amazon Prime)
“The Neverending Story” (Amazon Prime)
“Howl’s Moving Castle”
“Spirited Away”
Albums:
Pop:
“Heartbreak Weather” by Niall Horan
“VELVET” by Adam Lambert
“Silver Landings” by Mandy Moore
“Happiness Begins” by The Jonas Brothers
“Fine Line” by Harry Styles
“WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP WHERE DO WE GO” By Billie Eilish
R&B:
“3/15/2020” by Childish Gambino
“After Hours” by The Weeknd
“ALICIA” by Alicia Keys
“TREAT MYSELF” by Meghan Trainor
“Changes” by Justin Bieber
“Fresh Air” by HOMESHAKE
Hip Hop/Rap:
“Heaven or Hell” by Don Toliver
“The Carters” by Beyonce and Jay-Z
“Music to Be Murdered By” by Eminem
“Circles” by Mac Miller
Languages other than English:
“Colores” by J Balvin
“Impulso” by Dvicio
“Nieprzygoda” by Happysad (Polish Band, specifically the song “Milowy Las”)
“YHLQMDLG” by Bad Bunny
“X 100PRE” by Bad Bunny
“Sobrevolando” By Cultura Profetica
Rock/Metal/Post-Hardcore/Indie Rock:
“Metallica” by Metallica (Every Monday, Metallica will be live-streaming a performance, called “Metallica Mondays”)
“Brother, Sister” by mewithoutyou
“Sun Giant” by Fleet Foxes
“Antiphon” by Midlake
“Toxicity” by System of a Down
“This Old Dog” by Mac DeMarco
New Singles & Albums from Beloved Bands & Groups in 2020:
“Dance of the Clairvoyants” by Pearl Jam
“Persona non Grata” by Bright Eyes
“Strawberry’s Wake” by Dance Gavin Dance
“Swervin’” by Clams Casino
“Désolé (feat. Fatoumata Diawara)” by Gorillaz, Fatoumata Diawara
“Ordinary Man” by Ozzy Osbourne
“Ceremony” by Phantogram
Games:
Something New:
“Animal Crossing” (Nintendo Switch)
“Doom Eternal” (Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox & PC)
Something to kill lots of time:
“Minecraft”
“Sid Meier’s Civilization” V or VI
“League of Legends”
“Overwatch”
Good to play with friends and family:
“Mario Kart”
“Mario Party”
“Super Smash Bros.”
“Hearthstone”
Board Games:
“Settlers of Catan”
“Monopoly”
“Scrabble”
Podcasts:
“The Daily Show with Trevor Noah: Ears Edition” (Apple podcasts)
“Trevor Noah Podcast” (Luminary)
“Bon Appetit Foodcast”
NPR’s “More Perfect”
Activities:
Coloring
Going for a walk
Basic exercise without going to the gym
Brainstorm ideas on Pinterest
Catch up with the family
Spring cleaning
Mindfulness meditation
Learn something new: a language, Hula-hooping, an instrument
Make a list of things you’ve wanted to accomplish this year, and see how many you’ve already achieved
Baking or cooking
Gardening as the weather gets nicer
Books:
“Jurassic Park” by Michael Crichton – The Science Fiction book turned movie franchise is worth a read! Check it out and see if the movies lived up to the books that inspired them.
“The Martian” by Andy Weir – Another Science Fiction book turned movie was brought to life by academy award winner, Matt Damon. Let this book transport you to another planet and awaken your survival instincts!
“Sherlock Holmes” (series) by Arthur Conan Doyle – We can’t forget about the classics! The world’s most famous, genius detective and his adventures like “The Hound of the Baskervilles” and so many others can serve as an escape from our homes and quarantine.
Other Books to Consider:
“Eaters of the Dead” by Michael Crichton
“Micro” by Michael Crichton
“Dune” by Frank Herbert
“The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger” by Stephen King
“Fragile Things: Short Fictions and Wonders” by Neil Gaiman
“The Historian” by Elizabeth Kostova
“A Language of Thorns” by Leigh Bardugo
“Where the Mountain Meets the Moon” by Grace Lin
“Santa Evita” by Tomás Eloy Martínez
“A Throne of Glass” (series) by Sarah J. Maas
“A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” by Betty Smith
“Pathfinder” by Orson Scott Card
