Labor Day Weekend: Five Shows To Binge-Watch This Holiday

Labor Day weekend is finally upon us, and as we all know, this is the last long weekend of the summer and the last holiday before the Thanksgiving holiday. So, if you’re not in the mood to go to yet another barbecue or bar, we’ve come up with this list of shows you can binge-watch this Labor Day weekend. If nothing else, it will most certainly keep you out of trouble!

5. Narcos

Based on the exploits of drug kingpin Pablo Escobar, Narcos just premiered its second season on Netflix, making it the perfect compliment to a lazy Labor Day weekend. The New York Times lauds the performance of Brazilian-born Wagner Moura, who gained 40 pounds and learned how to speak Spanish to play Pablo Escobar, and they also suggest that this season is the last season of the critically-acclaimed show, as it follows Escobar until his death in 1993. (No spoiler alert necessary, as this is based on actual historical events.)

But Moura has a different take on his experience playing the Colombian cartel overlord.

“I was living in his body for two years, and I’m not only talking about the physical body, but also the energy I was dealing with. It wasn’t nice at all.”

4. Outlander

The show that literally launched a million fandoms is the perfect, more romantic compliment to your Labor Day weekend. Starring Sam Heughan as Jamie Fraser (who, interestingly, got his name from a character on Dr. Who) and Caitriona Balfe as Claire, this Starz hit is based on the book series of the same name by Diana Galbadon. Although the beginning starts out a little slow, the series really picks up to a lumbering trot by the time Episode 6 rolls around, and we’re in full battle mode by the end of the first season and deep into the second one.

3. Vikings

Like historical fiction but want more action and less romance? Vikings, the runaway History Channel hit, is for you! This Labor Day weekend is the perfect time to catch up with Ragnar Lothbrok and friends and watch the trials and travails of the famed Viking warriors. Those who are up on their Viking history will delight in seeing the creation of the modern-day British royal family (here’s a hint: Rollo, aka Robert, is the ancestor of William the Conqueror, who is the ancestor of the House of Windsor, home of Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, and his wife, Kate Middleton).

2. Stranger Things

There is no spookier show on Netflix than Stranger Things, and now, with the announcement of Season 2 being picked up by the streaming provider, it’s the perfect show to binge-watch during this Labor Day weekend, if for no other reason than to prepare you for the season to come. You will definitely find yourself asking, “Is the Upside Down really all in Eleven’s head?”

1. Game of Thrones

This is the grand-daddy of all binge-watching marathons, and there’s no better time than now to start to watch Game of Thrones this Labor Day weekend. In fact, if you start right now, you’ll be able to finish by the time you go back to work on Tuesday morning. The show hits the ground running from the first episode, and doesn’t let up until Jon Snow becomes King in the North. Bonus: You get to watch Aquaman’s Jason Momoa flex his muscles — literally! — as Khal Drogo.

[Image via Netflix]