Undeniably, we all love a little binge-watching and can’t get enough of our streaming channels.

Whether you are Netflix and chilling all evening or cramming in a few episodes on the bus or in your lunch break, there is a show out there for each one of us.

Some relish the chance to switch off after a long day and some have a thirst for more knowledge or an intense drama. Whichever way you are inclined, here is a selection of shows that will allow you to both relax and trick your brain into learning something along the way too!

General

Teens & Adults

Explained 

Created by Vox Media, 'Explained' is an incredibly well-produced and informative show that delivers huge topic depth and insightful knowledge on specific subjects.

Each episode is just 20 minutes and covers a separate topical issue in detail from "Why Women are Paid Less" to "Political Correctness".

As a bonus, it is voiced by a new guest star each week like Kristen Bell or Jerry Springer (you might be too young to remember him!).

Its success has also spawned a few spin-off series for topics that may be too complex for one episode such as The Mind, Coronavirus and Money. You should definitely check them out too!

Triviaverse

This quickfire interactive Netflix release is a little more hands-on. You answer increasingly difficult general knowledge questions covering anything from Science to History, Pop Culture and more over three rounds. I can see this being addictive and educational at the same time as you replay it again and again to beat your friend's high scores!

As you unlock higher and higher scores, the Trivia master will classify your intelligence into awards such as Bird Brain, Preschool Graduate, Lucky Guesser or Shockingly Average, all the way up to the ultimate title of Triviaverse God.

Kid Friendly

Brainchild

From the intricacies of germs and emotions to the dynamics of social media and beyond, delve into the realm of science through a lens that's remarkably relatable and engaging to the younger audience. 

Special Mentions

Kurzgesagt

An absolute powerhouse in the online educational game. Kurzgesagt (Kurts-geh-zakt) uses lucious animations to explain anything from world politics to microbiology and the beginning of time. Their bitesize videos are packed full of fact-checked knowledge that’s easy to consume! Check out their channel here.

Ali Abdaal

In 2017, during his last year at Cambridge University, Ali Abdaal, a loveable m articulate, qualified doctor began sharing YouTube content centred around health and productivity. He has swiftly become one of the most prominent productivity gurus globally sharing his life skills and study tips with the masses. Check out his channel here. 

English

Teens & Adults

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Based on the famous novel by spy enthusiast John le Carre, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy follows George Smiley working for MI6 in 1970s England. The most successful film to come out of Le Carre’s novels, it is an intense spy thriller jam-packed with British acting stars.

Pride & Prejudice

A classic adaptation of the Jane Austen novel is still frequently being covered by schools at GCSE level. Seeing this in a visual format helps you to focus on the contemporary language and emotion that makes the novel so famous rather than building the picture of England during that period in your minds eye.

Macbeth

This adaptation of Macbeth by William Shakespeare modernises the language in a way that allows the dark and sinister overtones to be amplified to the audience. If you are studying this for GCSE, it’s a must-watch to really get a feel for the damned hero.

Kid Friendly

Matilda (or Matilda the Musical!)

This Roal Dahl classic has been out for some time but rarely has the magic and charm of a book been so accurately portrayed on screen. Not just a joy for adults and kids alike, this film (and the more recent musical version on Netflix) provides a great case study into the creative agency filmmakers can take when recreating the magic of an original story.

Special Mentions

Mr Bruff

A hugely knowledgeable qualified teacher who makes brilliant revision videos and past paper walkthroughs with a lighter tone. Everything is curriculum focused on popular texts so you know it’s relevant. Check out his channel here.

Jen Chan

A first-class English graduate from Oxford University who covers top-grade answers and character studies in a playful way. A smaller content creator that is sure to be helpful during exam season breaks. Her channel can be found here.

Maths

Teens & Adults

Moneyball

From the outside. Moneyball might look like your typical sports drama. It is the true story of an underfunded Baseball team that decided to focus on Maths and statistics to judge their players and set up gameplays rather than qualitative methods. As you might expect it isn’t well received by the old status quo, but does it work?

Good Will Hunting

Good Will Hunting is a film that delves into the story of a young, intellectually gifted but emotionally troubled janitor who possesses a remarkable talent for mathematics. Through his encounters with a caring therapist and an opportunity to work with professors at MIT, he navigates personal and academic challenges, ultimately confronting his past and embracing his potential. I’m sure some of you can relate!

Hidden Figures

An incredibly eye-opening film about the story of a group of African American women who worked as ‘calculators’ for NASA during the great space race to the moon. Yes, you read that correctly, back when using computers to calculate was complicated, slow and expensive - people used to do the job of a rudimentary calculator to check that important values were correct.

Kid Friendly

Odd Squad

A well-renowned children's series where young agents use math to solve peculiar cases, led by Olive and Otto. They tackle odd occurrences, learning teamwork and problem-solving on their adventures.

Special Mention

Numberphile

A British YouTube channel packed to the brim with mathematical proofs, paradoxes, fun facts and discoveries that formed the basis of mathematics. A great choice for any mathematician looking for an entertaining yet interesting watch. Here is the channel.

Physics

Teens & Adults

The Universe 

Science is at the forefront of this TV show. It is packed full of knowledge and at the cutting edge of new scientific discoveries. Find the secrets of the universe in a visual manner that pairs animation with insights into distant planets, black holes and other celestial marvels. 

The Martian

As sci-fi movies go (especially including Matt Damon!), The Martian is grounded in enough realism to be educational and serve as a warning to future space-faring humans. It follows a botanist as he fails to make his return trip home from Mars.

3 Body Problem

A show of huge scale and some violence that may need parental approval! It is somewhat of a stretch to call this educational - but a lot of the science involved is both grounded in existing theory and wildly futuristic. If you are a science fan - this is a mind-bending show that will have you rethinking everything you thought you knew.

Kid Friendly

Bill Nye Saves the World

The latest instalment of the classic science talk show series hosted by the one and only Bill Nye. Each episode covers diverse scientific topics through experiments, expert interviews, and panel discussions, promoting critical thinking and scientific literacy to children who are just starting their understanding of science.

Emily’s Wonderlab

A widely loved educational show from Netflix sees scientist Emily use her lab to show children a host of fun experiments, some of which you can replicate at home! 

Special Mentions

Veritasium

Derek, the channel host, creates some of the best quality science videos on the internet. He conducts experiments and research to prove or disprove popular theories and champions the scientific method along the way by inviting fellow science creators to prove his findings wrong, often resulting in stimulating debates over scientific principles. Visit the channel here.

Smarter Every Day

An ex-NASA rocket technician shares his positive energy and passion for engineering and science of all types by conducting his own experiments and visits to research labs. We follow his journey to experience cutting-edge science, as it is explained in a way that's easy to understand so that we may get smarter every day! Check out the channel here.

SciShow/SciShow Kids

Scishow is suitable for kids of all ages thanks to their junior version of the channel Scishow Kids. The main Scishow channel covers high school standard science in bitesize chunks where they explain a common myth or fact in their engaging 10-minute videos. Check out the Scishow channel here.

Biology

Teens & Adults

David Attenborough, A Life On Our Planet

David Attenborough has written, narrated or produced well over 100 documentaries in his life. One of his most recent, A Life On Our Planet, follows the climate events and biological impacts that have occurred on Earth during his lifetime to grieve the loss of wild places and offer a vision for the future. 

Chasing Coral

This show offers a gripping exploration of the devastating effects of coral bleaching on marine ecosystems. Through stunning visuals and scientific analysis, the documentary provides valuable insights into topics such as climate change, symbiotic relationships, and ecosystem dynamics—relevant to GCSE Biology curriculum.

Unnatural Selection

A documentary series exploring the world of biohacking, genetic engineering, and synthetic biology. While it provides insight into cutting-edge scientific advancements and ethical dilemmas, its educational value for studying biology may be more targeted to A-level due to its focus on more advanced concepts and societal implications.

Kid Friendly

Dancing with Birds

Through stunning footage and playful narration, the series introduces students to the fascinating behaviours of birds while highlighting concepts such as courtship, adaptation, and biodiversity. It serves as an engaging introduction to the natural world and can spark curiosity about animal behaviour and ecology among young viewers.

Special Mentions

Journey to the Microcosmos

This YouTube channel offers captivating explorations of the microscopic world, showcasing the diversity and complexity of microorganisms through stunning cinematography and informative narration. Its vivid imagery and accessible explanations supplement school biology lessons, allowing students to see organisms they may learn about living in real time. The channel can be found here.

SciShow/SciShow Kids

Scishow is suitable for kids of all ages thanks to their junior version of the channel Scishow Kids. The main Scishow channel covers high school standard science in bitesize chunks where they explain a common myth or fact in their engaging 10-minute videos. Check out the Scishow channel here.

Chemistry

Teens & Adults

Breaking Bad

Another show that may need parental approval, but no list of scientific TV shows would be complete without mentioning Breaking Bad. Netflix is unfortunately a bit short on Chemistry shows, so we can back up every GCSE Science class that has tried to convince their teacher this show will help them with their studies. If you have not yet watched it, then settle in for a wild ride! 

Kid Friendly

Emily’s Wonderlab

Follow host Emily Calandrelli as she conducts exciting experiments and demonstrations to introduce young viewers to the wonders of chemistry. With its hands-on approach and simple explanations, the show sparks curiosity and fosters a basic understanding of chemical concepts among younger children, making it a valuable educational resource for budding scientists.

Special Mentions

NileRed

Nile explores various chemical reactions and concepts, offering insights into practical chemistry beyond the classroom. While the content may be more advanced, it can supplement school chemistry studies by providing real-world applications like how to make an apple taste like a grape! He emits a playful attitude to curiosity and deepening understanding of chemical principles. Check it out here.

World of Chemistry

A somewhat dated educational journey through the fundamental principles of chemistry based on a TV show from the 90s. It covers most curriculum topics such as atoms, molecules, reactions, and the periodic table with clear explanations in real-world applications. It serves as a valuable resource for students, providing supplemental material in video format to enhance understanding of key concepts and principles. Visit the channel using this link.

SciShow/SciShow Kids

Scishow is suitable for kids of all ages thanks to their junior version of the channel Scishow Kids. The main Scishow channel covers high school standard science in bitesize chunks where they explain a common myth or fact in their engaging 10-minute videos. Check out the Scishow channel here.

History

Teens & Adults

WW2 in Colour

A must-see documentary series for any school pupil studying History at GCSE, A-level or even University. Thirteen 40-minute episodes work chronologically through the events of the Second World War beginning with Germany’s dangerous expansion and Hitler’s growing confidence in the late 1930s. The series works through key events and decisions methodically and visually helping the viewer piece together the story of the war with real footage.

Death of Stalin

If you are looking for a movie, The Death of Stalin is perfect. It follows the immediate events after Josef Stalin’s death. Acted by a group of British comedians the humour is very subtle and dry but works perfectly in the setting. You will want to rewatch it because of its surprising historical accuracy. 

Kid Friendly

Horrible Histories

For the younger ones with an interest in history, who may not want to sit through a long war documentary, Horrible Histories is the perfect show. It is for kids, but adults may also enjoy it because of the fun takes that they put on historical events.

Special Mention

Weird History

Another YouTube channel for when you need a quick entertainment fix to cram into a break or short journey. Weird History is perfect for tricking your brain into learning about a whimsical time in history that you can impress your friends with! You can find hundreds of 10-minute videos that will teach you History you won’t have heard about in school! Check out the channel here.

Art & Design

Teens & Adults

Abstract: The Art of Design

Essential for anyone with an artistic flair, this show has the potential to influence a student into studying art. Each episode follows a different artist who has specialised in one particular area and is an expert in their abstract niche. Even the cinematography used is artistic and beautiful to watch.

At Eternity’s Gate

At Eternity's Gate provides a poignant portrayal of Vincent van Gogh's life, focusing on his struggles, artistic vision, and mental health challenges. Through its depiction of van Gogh's artistic process and inner turmoil, the film offers valuable insights into the creative journey and the impact of the artist’s mental state on the context of art.

Kid Friendly

Making Fun

A lighthearted documentary series that follows various artists and designers as they create whimsical and imaginative works of art. While entertaining and inspirational, its educational value for younger children learning about art and design may be limited, as it focuses more on the creative process and individual projects.

Special Mentions

Marco Bucci

Marco Bucci's YouTube channel offers great insight and candid anecdotes of an artist's life. Through tutorials, demonstrations, and insightful commentary, Bucci shares practical techniques and artistic principles that is applicable across various mediums and styles. Whether it's mastering composition, understanding colour theory, or honing digital painting skills, Bucci's channel serves as a rich resource for aspiring artists looking to develop their craft and creative expression. Check it out here.

Art for Kids Hub

Through step-by-step tutorials with engaging and easy-to-follow instructions, this channel helps younger students develop their creativity, fine motor skills, and confidence in artistic expression. While aimed at younger audiences, its structured approach and variety of drawing lessons provide a fun and accessible way to learn foundational techniques for kids and parents alike to explore their artistic interests. Get drawing today by visiting their channel here.