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Gaya

I recently rewatched Game of Thrones, and boy oh boy, the thrill? Out of this world. Three years after the finale, rewatching it reminded me of how certain TV shows are just so good and that I can’t deny their bingeworthy.&nbsp; Typically, I'm a TV series binger. I’ll procrastinate, miss deadlines or trade sleep for “just one more episode.” Don’t judge, though. Unless you’ve watched more than 7 of the shows on this list. All it takes is that one episode to suck you in, then you binge watch three more in a sitting and before you know it, you're seven hours deep and emotionally invested in characters who don’t even exist. I watched some fall in love, fight wars, cheat death, and even shed a tear or two on their behalf, all from the comfort of my bed. (Excuse my experience in bedrotting)

I do have my limit when it comes to long-running shows, due to school, work, and life in general. But as a TV addict, I always find a way around, which inspired this blog. Best long-running TV shows? There’s a long list to choose from, but we’ll be focusing on just 10, recommended by me, of course, accompanied by the show's ratings and why you need to watch them if you haven’t. Over the years, I've created a list of my favourite TV shows and this list of long-running shows is the one I’ve rewatched at least once and still gives me an adrenaline rush like it was my first time. So if you’re looking for something to binge-watch this week or simply want to judge my taste (Not that I mind), here are my top TV shows that are worth every minute.&nbsp;

1. GAME OF THRONES (IMDB: 9.2/10) (ROTTEN TOMATOES:&nbsp; 89%)

Many have their reservations about the ending, which is okay, because I also wished for a different ending. But from season 1 to 8, this was the show everyone talked about! Every storyline was served, and the entire crew ate down. I’m still reeling from the excitement that rewatching it awoke in me. I'm certain this is not the first time you’ve heard of Game of Thrones, and if you’ve survived the pressure to watch it, I hope you decide to give it a try.&nbsp;

Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama roughly adapted from the book “A Song of Ice and Fire”, which tells the story of nine noble families that wage war against one another to gain control over Westeros, a mythical land. Meanwhile, after many centuries, a powerful force from the north rises and threatens the existence of every living man in the realm.&nbsp;

Not to give many spoilers, but prepare to have your jaw drop every episode, amazing twists, betrayals, intriguing politics and the best part, dragons! Peak TV that would have you regretting why you hadn’t watched it sooner. Take this as a sign to give it a go and enjoy the binge-worthy thrill.&nbsp;

Starring: Emilia Clarke, Kit Harington, Sophie Turner, Peter Dinklage, etc.

2. SUITS (IMDB: 8.4/10) (ROTTEN TOMATOES:&nbsp; 91%)

Considering my career path, I can't believe suits once had me convinced I should study law, just because everyone looked so sharp.&nbsp; I looked forward to living the corporate life (even created a Pinterest board inspired by Gina Torres ' character's outfits). Spoiler alert: the real corporate world isn't all designer suits and dramatic monologues. Still, this show holds a special place in my heart.&nbsp;

Suits follows Mike Ross, a genius college dropout with a photographic memory, who fakes his way into a top fictional corporate law firm in New York and becomes Harvey Spectre’s associate, all while hiding the tiny fact that he never actually went to law school.&nbsp;

This show has everything from thrilling legal drama, comedy, sharp banter, juicy office drama and enough charm that you can't help loving the characters and rooting for them.&nbsp;

Starring: Gabriel Macht, Patrick J Adams, Meghan Markle, Gina Torres

Available to watch on: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video

3. OZARK (IMDB: 8.5/10) (ROTTEN TOMATOES:&nbsp; 82%)

Some TV shows thrive on stress, and Ozark? It practically feeds on it. You'll find yourself pulling your hair out in frustration, but you can't stop watching. This show is intense and dark, and I loved every second of it.&nbsp;

Ozark follows Marty Byrde (Jason Bateman), a financial planner from Chicago who moves his family to a summer resort community in the Ozarks. Marty is on the run after a money-laundering scheme for a Mexican drug cartel derails, forcing him to pay off a huge debt to save his family. The Byrdes walk the tightrope between survival and destruction, and somehow, the chaos pulls them closer even if a lot remains at stake.&nbsp;

Starring: Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, Julia Garner, etc.

4. VAMPIRE DIARIES (IMDB: 7.7/10) (ROTTEN TOMATOES:&nbsp; 86%)&nbsp;

I wish I could lose my memory just to experience The Vampire Diaries for the first time again. That era? Pure bliss. Teen angst, hot vampires, existential questions like “What would I do if I were a vampire?” I was hooked. Emotionally invested in every character... Well, everyone except Elena Gilbert. (Don’t ask why, just trust me.)

The Vampire Diaries is a supernatural teen drama that kicks off when Elena meets Stefan on her first day back at school. The catch? Stefan and his equally swoon-worthy brother, Damon, are vampires. (Cue the chaos and swooning.)

If you love a mix of drama, supernatural twists, and complicated love triangles, this is your show. And when you're done? There's more. The spin-off, The Originals, is waiting.

Starring: Ian Somerhalder, Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, etc.

5. THE ORIGINALS (IMDB: 8.2/10) (ROTTEN TOMATOES:&nbsp; 84%)

A spin-off that outshone the original? That’s The Originals. It follows the legendary Mikaelson family, the first vampires in existence, as they reclaim New Orleans, the city they helped build centuries ago.

No shade to The Vampire Diaries, but I preferred The Originals hands down. Why? That would take me an hour to explain, and I don’t want to hijack your scroll time. Just know: drama, loyalty, betrayal, family curses, and power struggles, all served with depth and flair.

And the Mikaelsons? Iconic. If you’ve seen even a glimpse of their chaos in The Vampire Diaries, you’ll understand why they deserved their show. You can watch The Originals without finishing TVD, but I highly recommend watching TVD first. It makes the experience fantastic.

Starring: Joseph Morgan, Daniel Gillies, Claire Holt, etc.

6. YOU (IMDB: 7.6/10) (ROTTEN TOMATOES:&nbsp; 89%)

It pains me to admit this, but I rooted for Joe Goldberg for three whole seasons. Yes, he’s a serial killer. Yes, he's extremely problematic. But Penn Badgley played this role so well that most of us, shamefully, rooted for a literal stalker. Like many fans, it wasn’t until the final season that I truly saw Joe for who he really was, minus the bookish charm.

YOU is a psychological thriller based on the novel by Caroline Kepnes. It follows Joe, a quiet book lover who becomes dangerously obsessed with the women he falls for. Using social media and internet sleuthing, he builds fake personas, manipulates everyone around him, and will kill to remove any obstacles in his twisted version of love.

This show is messy, dark, and disturbingly addictive. A 10/10 binge watch in my books. Would YOU be trying it out?

Starring: Penn Badgley, Elizabeth Lail, Victoria Pedretti, Tati Gabrielle, etc.

7. BREAKING BAD (IMDB: 9.5/10) (ROTTEN TOMATOES:&nbsp; 96%)

Have you ever watched a show and thought, “This writing is flawless?” That’s Breaking Bad. Any "Best TV Shows of All Time" list that doesn’t include this? It’s incomplete.

Breaking Bad follows Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher who turns to making meth after a cancer diagnosis. What starts as a desperate attempt to pay medical bills spirals into a life of crime, with former student Jesse by his side. The writing? Impeccable. The tension? Palpable. The character arcs? Chef’s kiss.

Starring: Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, etc.

8. FRIENDS (IMDB: 8.9/10) (ROTTEN TOMATOES:&nbsp; 78%)

Friends follows the lives of six adults living in Manhattan, New York, as they engage in adventures that make their lives chaotic and exciting.&nbsp;

The ultimate comfort show that has stood the test of time. If you know, you know. Friends is one of those shows you can repeatedly rewatch and never get tired of. The timely jokes, quirky humour and great characters make it an amazing watch, and you might struggle to find another sitcom that tops it.&nbsp;

Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Late Mathew Perry, etc.

9. THE OFFICE (IMDB: 9/10) (ROTTEN TOMATOES:&nbsp; 81%)&nbsp;

You’ve definitely seen at least one meme or heard a TikTok sound from The Office, and honestly, that’s reason enough to binge it.

I've watched this series multiple times, and I still laugh like it’s my first time. The jokes hit even harder when you get to know the characters better. Set in a paper supply company in Scranton, Pennsylvania, The Office takes you through the hilariously awkward lives of its employees. It’s quirky, chaotic, and comfortingly unserious.

Genre: Sitcom, workplace comedy, mockumentary

Starring: Steve Carell, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, etc.

Available to watch on: Amazon Prime Video

10. BROOKLYN NINE-NINE (IMDB: 8.4/10) (ROTTEN TOMATOES:&nbsp; 95%)

I shed a tear at the finale of Brooklyn Nine-Nine. No lie. This show became such a part of my routine that saying goodbye to the characters felt personal.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine is a sitcom centred around a group of hilarious detectives in Brooklyn as they solve crimes under the leadership of their new (and hilariously deadpan) captain, Raymond Holt. It’s heartwarming, chaotic, and laugh-out-loud funny. Brooklyn Nine-Nine is the kind of show that makes you feel like you're part of the precinct.

Starring: Andy Samberg, Melissa Fumero, Terry Crews, Andre Braugher, etc.

Bonus mentions (Because I couldn't stop at 10)&nbsp;

Every long-running TV show, including bonus mentions, has an outstanding vibe and fits different moods. Whether you need drama, a good laugh, romance, chaos, mystery, thrillers, or just comfort classics, there's something for you on this list. These shows stuck with me for a reason, and the last thing I'd do is lead you blindly into a boring show. If you haven't watched any of these, now's the perfect time to dive in. And if you have? It's time to rewatch and join the bedrotting gang this weekend. 

Whether you need drama, a good laugh, romance, chaos, mystery, thrillers, or just comfort classics, there's something for you on this list.

Movies & Tv

10 Long-running TV shows that are binge-worthy

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