I love fall; the air turns crisp, the kids head back to school and it feels like a great time to try new things and set new routines. 

I try hard to carve space in my life for alone and couple time. While I am excellent at making space for exercise (the junkie for sweat and adrenaline that I am), I am not so great at preserving time for sitting still. Television is one of the ways that I allow myself to get calm (reading is another way). I do really love a good story. But because my husband and I like to make television part of our wind-down, we struggle to find new things to watch, even on Netflix which has an impressive line-up. I am always looking for recommendations from family and friends, which brings me to the idea behind this post. If I’m looking for new suggestions, I figured you would be too! So here it is – our guide to the best of the best on Netflix for your fall viewing pleasure.

10 Netflix Picks for Adults

Luther: Karen’s all-time favourite cop show. If you haven’t seen this BBC drama yet, you have to tune in. It stars the easy-to-look-at Idris Elba being all-kinds of smart and crazy as a cop with a questionable ethics code.

The Chef’s Table Season 2: According to Brooke this is “Michelin-Level food porn.”

The Get Down: Brooke’s pick for her own viewing pleasure. She calls this “a colorful explosion of neuroses” – hmmm I’m intrigued.

Gilmore Girls: This is one of Jessica’s favourites. She’s already counting down to when new episodes come out November 25th.

Tallulah: A spunky young woman who lives and travels in her van (played by Ellen Page) goes off in search of her departed boyfriend. She finds herself accidentally in charge of a toddler, who in a moment of misjudgement she kidnaps. Off she goes in search of her boyfriend, finding herself at his mother’s house convincing her the baby is her grandchild. And their friendship forms the beautiful storyline of this Netflix original movie.

Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23: Crystal has recently started binge watching this show and can’t get enough of it. Opposites attract in this comedy series about two roommates that probably shouldn’t be living together. Chloe flies by the seat of her pants, lives each day like it’s the last and is addictively catty, while June is wholesome, sugary sweet and way too innocent. Crystal’s favorite part though is that Chloe’s best friend is James Vanderbeek (AKA Dawson from Dawson’s Creek). She loves that he plays an over the top version of himself that secretly makes her swoon.

Stranger Things: The world is going crazy for this show, and it’s easy to see why. Any 80’s child will appreciate the flashback to different times and fashions, and science fiction lovers (and those who love to be scared by things that go bump in the night) will love the story of disappearing kids and the people determined to uncover the secrets that explain their departure.

Hungry For Change: Crystal watched this documentary the first time when she was contemplating getting her Culinary Nutrition Expert certification. She has since watched it another 4 times. Filled with the “who’s who” of the natural health world, this food documentary is filled with interesting facts that will make you rethink the way you look at food. For example, do you know that pilots aren’t allowed to drink diet soda because of the way aspartame effects the brain? If pilots aren’t allowed to fly after drinking it, why are we allowed to operate cars? Or even more importantly, why is it still on the market?

Love: This Netflix original show follows the unlikely courtship of Gus and Mickey. It’s a romantic comedy from Judd Apatow, Paul Rust (Gus) and Lesley Arfin (Mickey). If their awkward first encounters make you grimace, the way they move toward each other will make you squishy with delight.

The IT Crowd: This might be one that you flipped over without much thought but let me tell you, scroll back. It’s especially for those that work in IT, and the people who love them. It’s a british comedy that follows the hilariously mundane existence of basement dwelling IT crew members. It’s good for a laugh if you really dig self-effacing comedy!

10 Netflix Picks for Kids

Beat Bugs: Here’s Brooke: “After years of questionable decisions and rolling my eyes behind her back, my 5-year-old is FINALLY obsessed with a show that doesn’t make me want to carve my eyes out of my skull: Beat Bugs. It’s adorable animation + helping her get over her fear of bugs + igniting her love for Beatles music.” Read Karen’s look at Beat Bugs.

Angry Birds Toons: Currently playing in the Bannister house, as my eight year old can’t get enough of all things Angry Birds.

Mighty Machines: This is a favourite at Jessica’s house. It’s a classic – what kid doesn’t love to learn how trucks, boats and other big machines work? I don’t think this one is available on Netflix in Canada (it’s a Canadian show!)

Pokemon: If you haven’t been hiding under a rock, you know that Pokemon fever is sweeping the nation. Show your kids how the Pokemon hype originally started by sharing the TV series from the early 2000’s with them! Netflix has 4 Pokemon shows and movies to choose from. Crystal’s kids are currently working their way through Pokemon Indigo League.

Dawn of the Croods: Parents, we dare you to not get sucked into this show with your kids! Based on the animated feature length movie Dawn of the Croods, this Netflix Original spinoff series reminds Crystal of The Flintstones, but for today’s generation. 

Alvin and the Chipmunks Road Chip: The loveable talking rodents that you grew up with are back in another movie that spotlights mistaken assumptions and bumbling accidents. My kids can’t get enough of this movie! 

The Octonauts: Currently playing in Jessica’s house, this was also a fave for my kids. It’s animated, these creatures look squishable and they are underwater sea adventurers out to save the day. 

Cinderella: My daughter is currently in love with this movie, and she’s seen it on the big screen. We all know the story, but this one gets a live-action update with pretty dresses and a handsome prince.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Will this prolific franchise ever die down? I have an almost 4-year old currently obsessed with everything to do with Power Rangers, including watching every iteration of it on Netflix. I don’t know, fighting kids in suits really appeals I guess!

Home: This is a top pick in our household because it’s a really sweet movie that I actually love too. It’s perfect for family movie night. A surprisingly cute and loveable alien teams up with a human girl in an unlikely friendship. They go on an adventure together that is sweet and funny. Once you’ve watched the movie, make sure to check out Netflix’s original animated series!

We want you to spend your fall relaxing in front of Netflix!! So we’re giving away a three-month subscription. Enter the contest below and we might just be sending it your way!

Tell us… What’s your favorite show or movie on Netflix? What’s the last show you binge watched?

Must be a Canadian resident to win.

Disclosure: Thank you to Netflix for working with us on this post. As with every article on Hello Creative Family, all thoughts and opinions are 100% our own. 

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