2022 was a great year for television. Our team picked 16 TV shows and six movies to make up our “Best of 2022” list, everything from the shows everyone was talking about (looking at you, The White Lotus) to a few you probably haven’t heard of yet. If you’re looking to pare down your streaming services this year, it became clear making this list that HBO, Hulu, Apple TV+, and Netflix were by far our favorite streaming platforms last year. If you’re looking for something new to watch right now, you’re in for a treat.
Bad Sisters on Apple TV+: This dark comedy is probably my favorite thing I watched this year–it’s funny, brilliant, and you end up rooting for all of the sisters, despite knowing at least one of them is a murderer. –Emily
Better Call Saul on Netflix: I was late to this series, having been a big fan of Breaking Bad (BB), but after hearing from so many people that it was as good, if not better, than the first series, and knowing that it was ending this year, I decided to finally take the plunge. In short, it greatly surpassed my high expectations. While several main characters are brought over from BB, the depth and expansion of character development for Jimmy McGill (aka Saul Goodman), along the coda to what happens to him following the end of BB is what makes this a compelling and thrilling series. You should watch BB before tackling this sequel, but it’s so well written and paced, even if you were to go in blind, you would enjoy it as a standalone piece. –Geoffrey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybaY2A7YmxM
Station Eleven on HBO: I read Station Eleven the novel a few years ago, but this series made me fall in love with the story all over again. Mackenzie Davis, Himesh Patel, and Danielle Deadwyler are SO GOOD in this series, they are reason enough to watch. I was mesmerized, moved, and impressed by this post-apocalyptic series, which was actually better than the novel it’s based on. –Kelly
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO-_7oi-61Y
Abbott Elementary on ABC: I was looking for a new sitcom, and I stumbled upon Abbott Elementary. The show is a workplace comedy that takes place in an underfunded school district. It is filmed in a mockumentary style similar to The Office, and like The Office, it too is hilarious. The show’s ability to highlight real world issues, and make you laugh at the same time, is why it is genius. –Katie
Tell Me Lies on Hulu: Tell Me Lies was one of my favorite shows this year. I started watching it thinking it would be a mindless show to throw on in the background while I was cleaning my apartment, but from the first episode I was hooked. This show follows a toxic on-again, off-again relationship between two characters over the course of eight years (from college to post-grad life), and while almost none of the characters are likable, I found myself fully invested in the twists and turns of the plot. –Steph
New Girl on FOX: My sister began watching this 7-season long series this year and suggested it to me. The ensemble cast is unmatched, and I might be completely torn apart for saying this, but they are better developed, funnier, and have better character arcs than The Office. From start to finish the characters have clear paths, and the series finale is a tear jerker. New Girl is really well written and hilarious, and I would suggest it to any fans of The Office, Parks & Recreation, or even Friends. –Lisa
Archive 81 on Netflix: I took a screenshot of someone’s Stories a few weeks back that featured Archive 81 on her TV with a brief synopsis and I knew we’d be starting the series that same night. It’s hard to explain without giving away too much, but it’s sort of like LOST-meets-Rosemary’s-Baby and is smart and unsettling in the best way. –Emily
House of the Dragon on HBO: I watched some really good television in 2022, and House of The Dragon stands out to me as the absolute best of the year. It was everything I loved about Game of Thrones, but with a completely new storyline, amazing characters, and drama that had me waiting impatiently for Sunday evenings. This is must-watch television if you are even a mild fan of the fantasy genre or family soap operas. –Kelly
Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power on Amazon Prime: I’ve mentioned Rings of Power before, but I just to have reiterate how impressed I was with it! I loved how they executed the show and reimmersed us back into Middle Earth. If you’re still on the fence about giving this show a chance, here’s your nudge to do so! –Shobi
The White Lotus, Season 2 on HBO: This show is a delight. Although I liked the first season quite a bit, Season 2 completely exceeded my expectations and captivated my attention in a way that was only surpassed this year by House of The Dragon. I mean who doesn’t love a dramatic murder mystery set in Italy with a cast of incredible characters?! –Kelly
You probably know about this show, thanks to the social media craze surrounding Season 2. Like the praise suggests, this show is most definitely worth a watch. I connected with some characters, absolutely despised others, and kept coming back for the gorgeous cinematography, the delightful scenery, and of course, to see the mystery unfold. –Katie
Season 1 of The White Lotus was good, but I was captivated by the second season of this anthology series. I’ll admit, I’m a sucker for anything set in Italy (how could you not love beautiful Italian scenery?), but the character dynamics in this show are what really draw you in. This show is a satirical look at class and privilege, and keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire season. –Steph
Life & Beth on Hulu: Amy Schumer’s newest show, Life & Beth, is a more nuanced version of her typical humor, weaving in family dynamics, relationships, and death in short episodes that we couldn’t watch fast enough. You simultaneously root for Beth while cringing through her missteps, and the flashback scenes from her adolescence are equal parts sweet and devastating. –Emily
Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities on Netflix: Taking a sharp turn away from the lofty cuteness that is New Girl, this anthology series of horror stores by my favorite story teller is weird, scary, and features excellent actors. Like Alfred Hitchcock Presents, del Toro introduces each episode which includes themes on vanity, kindness, and grief. My favorite episodes were “The Murmuring” and “Lot 36.” –Lisa
The Dropout on Hulu: I feel like Amanda Seyfried will win some awards for her turn as Elizabeth Holmes in this limited series covering the Theranos scandal. Months after the series came out, the real Elizabeth was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison after she was found guilty of defrauding investors, all of which plays out in detail in the series. Naveen Andrews is also incredible as Sunny Balwani, Elizabeth’s former business and romantic partner. I hadn’t seen him in anything since LOST, and I was absolutely delighted to see him on my television screen again. – Kelly
Servant on Apple TV+: I stumbled upon this show without knowing much except that it was created by M. Night Shyamalan. If you’re into psychological thrillers, this show should be right up your alley. Without giving away any details about the plot, this show will leave you feeling unsettled (in a good way if you’re into that) and totally unsure about where it’s headed next. –Steph
The Sex Lives of College Girls on HBO: This show has it all–comedy, romance, friendship and real life commentary. The characters are lovable, and the writing is light and fun even when themes might be a bit heavy. I wish there was a show like this around when I was in college. –Katie
Severance on Apple TV+: With my third pick, you can see why New Girl is an outlier for me. I like the eeriness of the unknown, twisted plots with a sci fi sprinkling, and the horrors of technology. Adam Scott is exceptional in this series, as he transforms from bubbly, loyal corporate employee to morose widow dealing with real life. Patricia Arquette is excellent as well, and the finale leaves it open to being my most anticipated Season 2 of 2023. –Lisa
Nope: This was a slow build, but one that ultimately paid off. A stunning film with impactful visuals (I’ll never look at those wacky arm inflatable men the same again), brilliant storytelling, and just enough of a thriller to make you nervous at times. –Emily
Top Gun: Maverick: I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this movie. I had never seen the original Top Gun, but I decided to give it a go because I knew the sequel was coming out and I’m so glad I did! The move was fun, action packed, and Tom Cruise crushed it. Although I’m not even American, I left the cinemas feeling patriotic. –Shobi
Bullet Train: If you love bizarre non-stop action, witty story telling, and an A-List cast, this movie is going be your next movie-night pick. I loved everything about it and would 10/10 recommend to a friend. –Shobi
Don’t Worry Darling: You know what, despite all the drama surrounding its release, I actually liked Don’t Worry Darling. I’m a sucker for any sci-fi movie with a stunning setting like Palm Springs, as long as the story isn’t absurd. And I thought this plot was actually, creepily, possible! I won’t say anything else, but if you’re into sci-fi and art films, especially ones with an eerie tone, this is worth a watch. –Kelly
Father Stu: Anyone that knows me knows that I am not a huge Mark Wahlberg fan, but I was very curious to see him in this role and I’m glad I ended up watching this movie! Father Stu was emotional and inspiring, and was very much the tear jerker that I wanted it to be. –Shobi
Spirited: This was (surprisingly!) the second best holiday movie I watched last year. Somehow it’s been 20 years since Elf came out, and Will Ferrel came back this year to give us another Christmas movie that almost lives up to his prior masterpiece. –Kelly
