What do Breaking Bad, Hannibal and The Americans have in common? Sure, they're all high-quality shows that deserve all the awards they've been presented with, but they're also dark, heavy, and hard to watch when you're stressed or have a lot on your mind.
Sometimes you just want to come home, sit on the couch, and watch a palate-cleansing show to help you unwind. For that, you'll want to watch these relaxing Netflix shows.
PLEASE NOTE: You won't find traditional sitcoms or stand-up comedies on this list. We're rummaging through the most unusual corners of Netflix in search of real relaxation. If you think laughter is the best medicine, check out our articles on the best Netflix comedies. The 15 best comedies you can watch on Netflix. The 15 best comedies you can watch on Netflix. Sometimes it's nice to sit back, unwind and wipe the tears from your eyes while laughing maniacally. That's why we've compiled a list of the best sitcoms to watch on Netflix. Read More The 15 Best Netflix Comedies You Might Have Missed. The 15 Best Netflix Comedies You May Have Missed. Everyone knows the big-name comedy shows --- The Office, Friends, Arrested Development, etc., but there are some lesser-known comedies to watch on Netflix that you may have missed by now... Read More Netflix Top 10 Comedy Specials on Netflix Top 10 Comedy Specials on Netflix You may not have the time to watch every stand-up on Netflix. So to help you sort the wheat from the chaff, here are the 10 best comedy specials on Netflix right now. Read more.
Imagine a talk show hosted by comedian Jerry Seinfeld, where each guest is one of his comic friends, and it takes place inside a coffee shop and during the drive there. There are no scripts. Not self promotion. It's completely authentic, genuine, and absolutely hilarious.
Just look at the name of the show, it says it all:Comedians on Cars Getting Coffee. The episodes are between 15 and 20 minutes long, and each one features a vintage car chosen by Seinfeld himself to match the personality of the episode's host.
It's the best show for when you want to turn off your brain and just laugh.
Watch comedians in cars drinking coffee on Netflix
Bob Ross:Beauty Is Everywhere is basically the same as The Joy of Painting, but the episodes are taken from the show's 1991-1992 seasons, and not all the episodes are there.
But who cares? Nothing beats the feeling of seeing Bob Ross paint yet another scenic masterpiece, complete with his soothing voice and gentle encouragement. Looking for a show you can fall asleep to? Look no further.
Watch Bob Ross:Beauty Is Everywhere on Netflix
Have you seen Jiro Dreams of Sushi? If you did and you liked it, then you really should check out Chef's Table. Directed by the same person (David Gelb), Chef's Table is one of the best Netflix documentaries for foodies 10 Tasty Netflix documentaries for foodies everywhere 10 Tasty Netflix documentaries for foodies everywhere sides Netflix is home to some truly amazing documentaries. This list recommends 10 Netflix documentaries made for anyone serious about their food. Foodies, in other words. Read more.
Each episode focuses on the life and kitchen of a world-class Michelin-starred chef, highlighting the human element often missing from food documentaries.
But if that sounds boring, think again. Chef's Table is not only one of the most beautifully shot shows, it is deeply fascinating and even inspiring. The hours will fade as you watch. There's nothing like it.
Watch Chef's Table on Netflix
Watch Chef's Table France on Netflix
While Explained is a Netflix show, it seems more suited to a YouTube series as each episode is approximately 15 minutes long, educational, entertaining, and completely independent of a single theme per episode.
As of the date of this article, there are explained episodes for:cryptocurrency, K-pop, sports, the stock market, cricket, longevity of life, and more. It's enough to give you a general understanding of the history and importance of a topic, and it's presented in a primarily unbiased way that's engaging and surprisingly relaxing.
See explained on Netflix
Also known as The Great British Bake Off, this show is perhaps the healthiest reality TV competition you've ever seen (rivaled only by MasterChef Junior).
The Great British Baking Show has amateur bakers duking it out in a series of elimination rounds until there is a winner. But best of all, it's devoid of the gritty competitive spirit that sustains most American reality shows. It oozes with friendliness, humor and great food. What could not be loved?
Watch The Great British Baking Show on Netflix
Watch The Great British Baking Show:Masterclass on Netflix
Have you ever wanted to see Big Brother or Real World but without the manufactured drama or scripted narratives? Well, that's Terrace House for you.
Six strangers get together to live in a shared house for a month, with hidden cameras everywhere. But this is a Japanese reality show, and there is a different culture and atmosphere than you normally see on American reality shows. He's soft, he's polite, and he's a joy to watch.
The original Terrace House (Boys &Girls Next Door) was available for three years in Japan, but Netflix revived it in 2015 with Boys &Girls in the City. This was followed by the sequels Aloha State and Opening New Doors. Only those produced by Netflix are available on Netflix.
Watch Terrace House:Boys &Girls in the City on Netflix
Watch Terrace House:Aloha State on Netflix
Watch Terrace House:Opening New Doors on Netflix
Planet Earth is the third highest rated show on IMDb. The first show on that list? Planet Earth II.
These two shows comprise the most amazing nature documentary experience currently available. Using cutting-edge technology, they capture some of the most secret moments of all wildlife. In the case of Planet Earth II, everything is captured in 4K.
Each episode took years to produce, and you can tell. There's a reason Planet Earth is at the top of our list of the best BBC documentaries on Netflix.
Watch Planet Earth on Netflix
Watch Planet Earth II on Netflix
Samurai Gourmet is a light-hearted show that follows a recently retired Japanese man who wanders around his neighborhood and explores the rich culinary offerings therein..
In a word, Samurai Gourmet is refreshing. Few shows are as easy to watch as this one, and it demands nothing of you.
See Samurai Gourmet on Netflix
Aggretsuko is a Japanese anime, but don't let that turn you away. It's ultra cute, but it's not a kid's show. The cuteness contrasts with the main character's mundane and frustrating office life, as well as his secret love of death metal karaoke..
The episodes are short and only 15 minutes long, so you can use them when you like the main character, feel like you need to blow off some steam.
Watch Aggretsuko on Netflix
This show is a little weird on this list, but I enthusiastically support it.
In each episode, Curious &Unusual Deaths explores three different unusual deaths that actually happened in the past, and investigates how these strange deaths came about. Deaths are often thematically related (for example, trapped to death).
Despite the morbid subject matter, Curious &Unusual Deaths is downright fun to watch because the deaths are so weird. . Not to mention how cheesy the narration is. Each kill is wrapped in a groan-inducing pun, and that adds to the experience.
Watch curious and unusual deaths on Netflix
The “slow TV” fad seems to have come and gone, but you can still find some beautiful slow TV shows on Netflix. Notable titles include Art in Motion, Fireplace for Your Home, and Bergen to Oslo Train Journey.
I've never heard of slow TV before? To cut a long story short, it is a kind of realism where images are played back in real time as they were recorded. Using the example above, watching a recording of a fireplace counts as slow television. It doesn't have any drama, so it's perfect for when you just want to get away from the stresses of everyday life.
Find out more in our quick guide to Slow TV Netflix and Really Chill:A Quick Guide to Slow TV Netflix and Really Chill:A Quick Guide to Slow TV Slow TV is a strange phenomenon that you may not understand, with people watching hours of Videos boring activities It's weird, but is it worth it? Let's find out… Read more .
