You’ve successfully Marie Kondo’d your room, refilled it with plants, done the 30-day yoga challenge, and resigned to downloading TikTok. Now what? When in doubt, Netflix has your back. Now’s the time to binge that show that’s been sitting in your queue, guilt-free.
1. Gentefied
Gentefied casts a light on the often overlooked negative side of gentrification in the form of a struggling family-owned taco restaurant in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles. The bilingual ensemble drama underlines the importance of family as they tackle issues like racism, machismo, poverty and assimilation. Stream Gentefied on Netflix.
2. Vida
“I’m operating on ‘chingona’ level” serves as the motto of Vida, an indie-spirited festival darling produced almost entirely by Latinas from cast to crew. The critically acclaimed series dives unapologetically into today’s societal issues, notably bringing the perspective of the LGBTQ Latinx community into the narrative. Stream Vida on Starz, Hulu, or YouTube.
3. Jane the Virgin
Rising star Gina Rodriguez won a Golden Globe and launched her career for the leading role in this endearing and delightfully campy dramedy. Witness the shenanigans unfold as virgin Jane Villanueva navigates an unorthodox love triangle involving her detective boyfriend, an adulterous telenovela star, and an accidental artificial insemination (we’ll let you connect the dots). Stream Jane the Virgin on Netflix or YouTube.
4. Broke
This witty sitcom is the brainchild of Pauley Perrette of NCIS fame, who stars as Jackie, a hardworking single mom in the Valley neighborhood of Resada. When her posh sister and the overgrown trust-fund baby of a husband suddenly find themselves, well, broke, their worlds collide and antics ensue. Stream Broke on CBS or YouTube.
5. Lopez
George Lopez does it again, this time in the form of a semi-autobiographical series in which he plays himself in a way that’s been compared to Curb Your Enthusiasm. This one speaks for itself. Stream it on TV Land or YouTube.
6. One Day At A Time
Rita Moreno and Justina Machado star in this Emmy-winning reboot of the pioneering 70’s sitcom depicting a Cuban-American family living in Los Angeles. Discussing issues like immigration, sexism, PTSD, homophobia, and racism, One Day At A Time is a nostalgic rollercoaster ride sure to make you laugh, cry, and everything in between. While the first 3 seasons can be streamed on Netflix, you’ll have to move to PopTV for the latest episodes.
7. Queen of the South
This American adaptation of the Telemundo series La Reina del Sur has become somewhat of a cult-favorite, being revered as a female-led Narcos in both premise and violence. Stream Queen of the South on Netflix or YouTube.
8. Party Of Five
Based on the 90’s drama about a family tragically torn apart, this glossy reboot boasts a Latino cast and an eerily relevant update: A plot-defining encounter with ICE serves in place of a drunk driving accident. Despite its short run of just one season, the show was well-received, described as a “rare brand reinvention with a clear and urgent purpose“. Stream Party of Five on Freeform or YouTube.
9. On My Block
Showcasing the side of the tracks that seldom gets the spotlight, this coming-of-age tale follows the lives of four street-savvy friends navigating high school in a South Central Los Angeles neighborhood. Stream On My Block on Netflix.
10. Too Hot to Handle
This one’s for the reality TV junkies out there. Fresh off the viral success of Love Is Blind, Netflix took the latest craze to Mexico for a shamelessly sexual twist in this matchmaking game show (one that involves involuntary chastity and a voyeuristic robot assistant named Lana). Stream Too Hot to Handle on Netflix.
11. The Baker and The Beauty
Daniel Garcia is working in the family bakery and doing everything that his loving Cuban parents and siblings expect him to do until his life changes unexpectedly on a wild Miami night with a chance encounter with Noa Hollander at a fancy restaurant. Noa is an international superstar, the daughter of a real estate magnate, and a successful model, just out of a high-profile Hollywood relationship. Sparks fly between the two and tune in to learn more on ABC and Hulu.
Stay tuned for… Selena: The Series
Despite not being available to stream right now, it would be a sin to leave this hotly anticipated Netflix series off the list. Due sometime this year (we’re still waiting on the exact date), Selena will chronicle the life and career of the late Latina icon Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, aka the Queen of Tejano. In the meantime, check out the 1997 film starring Jennifer Lopez, available on YouTube.
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