The Best Reality Competition Shows to Binge-Watch on Netflix Right Now

I don't know how much change you have in the crevices of your couch, but not all of us have the cashflow to afford Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Apple TV+ and/or whatever other streaming service subscriptions are out there. Sometimes you just need a simple freebie. And you know what? You deserve it.

Spring's in full gear, despite the snow in parts of the country and 90-degree temperatures in other parts of the country. Clearly we can't rely on weather to be consistent anymore, but you know what is consistent? The content factory that is Netflix.

The state of New York, along with its biggest household names, will come together today (May 11) for Rise Up New York!, a virtual telethon to benefit its citizens heavily impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

You don't have to be a mother or a daughter to appreciate a good mother-daughter pair. From the complicated to the heartfelt to everything in between, when done well, it's the kind of dynamic that should be able to resonate with just about anyone who has ever had a parent or been one. The petty arguments, the uncomfortable conversations, the way daughters inherit traits from their mothers without realizing — there's something familiar about all of it.

You don't have to be a mother or a daughter to appreciate a good mother-daughter pair. From the complicated to the heartfelt to everything in between, when done well, it's the kind of dynamic that should be able to resonate with just about anyone who has ever had a parent or been one. The petty arguments, the uncomfortable conversations, the way daughters inherit traits from their mothers without realizing — there's something familiar about all of it.

If you're looking for something to watch to take your mind off things, why not make it a supernatural show? These programs are everywhere and one of the best ways to escape into the unknown (along with science-fiction and fantasy programming, of course), and while some supernatural programs can border on horror, others are more light-hearted and filled with humor even as they explore the sometimes unexplainable. The possibilities truly are endless.

Are you in the mood for a heartwarming family sitcom? Or maybe a goofy low-stakes reality show? What about a hilarious coming-of-age comedy? There are so many TV shows to choose from if you're looking for an instant pick-me-up. And who isn't in the market for an extra dose of joy right now? That's why TV Guide has rounded up the very best feel-good shows available to binge-watch right now!

When you're trying to get lost in a story, nothing else hits quite like a quality cop show. Whether it's a Dick Wolf drama where the bad guy usually gets his due, a prestige cable series that raises complicated questions about the criminal justice system in lieu of a gift-wrapped ending, or a comedy about bungling officers trying their best, these captivating shows have a way of sucking one in for hours on end.

As the old saying goes, April showers bring May flowers, but what do we get out of those May flowers? The best TV shows and films to watch on Netflix, that's what. The world's most dominant streamer is adding some wonderful new content to watch as the world's self-isolation enters its second (third?) month.

We’re going to be spending a lot of time indoors for the next few weeks it would seem.

Some people learn about history in school, which is fine if you're into that sort of thing. But for those of you who consider yourselves a Netflix intellectual, there's no better way to fill your head with the knowledge of important events of yesteryear than through the stylish and fictionalized accounts of TV's hottest scripted shows.

You don't have to be a moody, hormonal teenager to enjoy watching programming about moody, hormonal teenagers. We've all been there, so it's all familiar to us. And between the edgy murder mysteries, irreverent comedies, heartwarming coming-of-age dramas, and supernatural romances, Netflix has an expansive slate of teen TV shows that make it easy to find your perfect binge for any mood you might be in.

In a world where big-budget superhero movies and franchises are taking over modern cinema, it can be hard for the hopeless romantics among us to find a good old-fashioned romantic comedy. Fortunately for those who like a classic "will-they-won’t-they story" about an unlikely couple falling in love, Netflix is here to let you stream some of the best and most hilarious rom-coms.

When someone says they're a fan of horror movies, they could mean a lot of things — that they love tense psychological thrillers like Gerald's Game, meta-classics like the Scream franchise, supernatural scare-fests like The Autopsy of Jane Doe, or one of the many other heart-pounding and harrowing subgenres to choose from.

You don't have to be a moody, hormonal teenager to enjoy watching programming about moody, hormonal teenagers. We've all been there, so it's all familiar to us. And between the edgy murder mysteries, irreverent comedies, heartwarming coming-of-age dramas, and supernatural romances, Netflix has an expansive slate of teen TV shows that make it easy to find your perfect binge for any mood you might be in.

Looking out the window is getting pretty old. Why not really escape your self-quarantine with a little out-of-this-world action from the greatest genre (we're biased) of television there is? Science-fiction TV is the perfect vacation from the realities of the world, offering moral questions about our present in a glossed-up package of spaceships, advanced technology, and the unexplained.

We could all use an escape right now and nothing else hits quite like a quality cop show. Whether it's a Dick Wolf drama where the bad guy usually gets his due or a prestige cable series that raises complicated questions about the criminal justice system in lieu of a gift-wrapped ending, these captivating shows have a way of sucking one in for hours on end.

Netflix changed the game when it first debuted original programming in 2013. Since then, the streaming platform has produced a deep vault of original programming to suit any viewer's mood, from historical dramas () to Spanish-language primetime soaps () to zany ensemble comedies (). Oh, and there’s no shortage of must-watch docuseries, fascinating home shows and addictive reality series.   

George Costanza can really belt it.