17 Must-Watch Movies and Series: Your Ultimate Guide to Unforgettable Binge-Watching Adventures

1. The Acolyte 2024，IMDB Rating: 3.9, IMDB Votes: 108547, ID: 12262202
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The Acolyte, part of the Star Wars universe, struggled to maintain its initial viewer interest despite the buzz surrounding its release. While it may not have captured the audience’s hearts, it certainly sparked lively debates and discussions among dedicated fans.
2. Those About to Die 2024，IMDB Rating: 6.4, IMDB Votes: 5844, ID: 10569934
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Those About to Die is a sword-and-sandals epic starring Anthony Hopkins. Despite its clichéd plot, the series is described as dumb, pulpy fun, making it a light-hearted watch.
3. Bad Boys: Ride or Die 2024，IMDB Rating: 6.8, IMDB Votes: 40647, ID: 4919268
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Bad Boys: Ride or Die checks all the boxes of a movie like this in a way that feels depressingly half-hearted. However, the chemistry between Will Smith and Martin Lawrence keeps the film engaging.
4. Lady in the Lake 2024，IMDB Rating: 6.0, IMDB Votes: 1150, ID: 14022668
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Lady in the Lake is a compelling, but ultimately unrewarding murder mystery thriller. Despite its intriguing premise, the series fails to sustain any suspenseful tension.
5. Presumed Innocent 2024，IMDB Rating: 7.8, IMDB Votes: 20584, ID: 17677860
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Presumed Innocent is a drama about South Korean society and some aspects, such as economic inequality, the struggles of the working class, and the dark side of capitalism. Despite mixed reviews, it’s considered an important show of 2024.
6. Sunny 2024，IMDB Rating: 7.1, IMDB Votes: 1234, ID: 18070898
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Sunny is a surprisingly accomplished and hard-to-pin-down show of 2024. It’s a defiantly strange program that refuses to be put in a traditional genre box, blending elements of thriller, comedy, relationship drama, and science fiction into something that feels new.
7. Stranger Things 2016，IMDB Rating: 8.7, IMDB Votes: 1361443, ID: 4574334
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Stranger Things has taken the world by storm since its debut in 2016, becoming a cultural phenomenon that keeps viewers glued to the screen. With its thrilling storyline and nostalgic 80s references, it promises endless entertainment that will leave you wanting more.
8. Arcane: League of Legends 2021，IMDB Rating: 9.0, IMDB Votes: 281667, ID: 11126994
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Arcane: League of Legends is a highly acclaimed series with a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It explores the origins of two iconic League champions, set in the utopian Piltover and the oppressed underground of Zaun.
9. Blood of Zeus 2020，IMDB Rating: 7.5, IMDB Votes: 23596, ID: 10009170
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Blood of Zeus is an enthralling series that masterfully blends Greek mythology with anime-style action, offering a fresh take on timeless tales. While the world-building and plot development are commendable, some viewers felt that the character depth could have been improved for a more engaging experience.
10. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2022，IMDB Rating: 8.3, IMDB Votes: 83312, ID: 12590266
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Cyberpunk: Edgerunners offers a satisfying return to Night City, with impressive world-building and animation. Despite its juvenile splatterfest, it’s praised for its iconic imagery and familiar genre beats.
11. Carol & The End of the World 2023，IMDB Rating: 7.2, IMDB Votes: 5386, ID: 29629770
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Carol & The End of the World is a smart and meditative series that explores what it means to be a person living among others. Despite some criticisms about the season finale, it’s praised for its clever and approachable spin on the apocalypse.
12. The Dragon Prince 2018，IMDB Rating: 8.3, IMDB Votes: 27873, ID: 8688814
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The Dragon Prince is an adventurous series filled with captivating characters and an intriguing plot that keeps you hooked from start to finish. Although there are some concerns regarding its pacing, many viewers appreciate its commitment to diversity and its insightful critique of human greed.
13. The Witcher 2019，IMDB Rating: 8.0, IMDB Votes: 577065, ID: 5180504
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The Witcher stands out as a high-quality drama that artfully combines gripping action with a strong narrative. While some may find its humor hit or miss, it is widely celebrated for its intense dramatic flair that keeps you invested in the characters’ journeys.
14. Ozark 2017，IMDB Rating: 8.5, IMDB Votes: 352236, ID: 5071412
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Ozark is a tense and twisty series that explores the life of a financial planner entangled in a money-laundering scheme. Despite some criticisms about its season finale, it’s praised for its masterful creation of tension and phenomenal acting.
15. Peaky Blinders 2013，IMDB Rating: 8.8, IMDB Votes: 663652, ID: 2442560
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Peaky Blinders is a powerful drama that follows the life of the Peaky Blinders gang in post-war Britain. Despite some criticisms about its middlebrow approach, it’s praised for its smart weaving of feminist critique throughout its narrative.
16. Bridgerton 2020，IMDB Rating: 7.4, IMDB Votes: 189425, ID: 8740790
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Bridgerton serves as a delightful twist on Regency romance, skillfully blending modern sensibilities with classic storytelling. Even though its anachronistic elements have drawn some criticism, the show is lauded for its clever incorporation of feminist themes within its marriage-centered plot.
17. The Crown 2016，IMDB Rating: 8.6, IMDB Votes: 259908, ID: 4786824
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The Crown is a lavish and visually stunning drama that offers a deep dive into the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II. For someone like me, a retired engineer who appreciates history, it provides an enlightening portrayal filled with personal intrigues, romances, and political challenges that shaped her legacy.