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57 Shows on Netflix and Other Services to Watch to Escape Summer Heat

By Camille Bautista | July 8, 2016 11:17am | Updated on July 10, 2016 1:49pm
 Turn up the air conditioning and beat the heat indoors with a binge-watching session.
Turn up the air conditioning and beat the heat indoors with a binge-watching session.
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Chill out with some Netflix this week as scorching temperatures are set to have New Yorkers scrambling for the nearest air-conditioned spot.

If the heat is too much to bear to hit the beach or anywhere else outdoors, keep cool from the sweltering summer with a binge-watching spree.

DNAinfo New York has rounded up a completely subjective selection of series and movies available to stream on Netflix, Hulu Plus and Amazon Prime — and don’t forget to check out these hot weather life hacks.

Netflix

► Shows

“Orange is the New Black” (2013)
The latest season of the popular prison dramedy hit Netflix on June 17, with a bevy of new characters filing Litchfield Penitentiary. The series, which is based on Piper Kerman’s memoir, “Orange is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison,” follows the obstacles and struggles the inmates face as they do their time.

“Marvel’s Jessica Jones” (2015)
Check out the live-action Marvel superhero show, following superhero-turned-private-eye Jessica Jones as she tries to rebuild her life. The episodes are filmed throughout New York City, with the main character based in Hell’s Kitchen. A second season is in the works, though no premiere date has been announced.

“Narcos” (2015)
Just in time for the show’s second season premiere on September 2, catch up with the rise and fall of Columbian druglord Pablo Escobar, starring by Wagner Moura and Boyd Holbrook.

“Bloodline” (2015)
This thriller-drama takes a look at how the past of a well-off family in the Florida Keys comes back to haunt them, as their dark secrets are revealed once the oldest sibling and black sheep returns home.

“Better Call Saul” (2015)
For “Breaking Bad” fans (another series to binge), this spin-off prequel dives into the history of criminal lawyer Jimmy McGill on his journey to becoming the seedy Saul Goodman we all know and love.  

“Black Mirror” (2011)
Technology takes a dark turn in “Black Mirror,” where each episode touches on satirical themes exploring modern innovation and examines its impact on humanity and society.

► Comedy

“Chef” (2014)
After losing his job at a Los Angeles restaurant, one chef decides to debut a food truck following a road trip journey filled with self-discovery, laughs and family. The film stars Jon Favreau, Dustin Hoffman, Sofia Vergara, and John Leguizamo.

"The Princess Bride” (1987)
This fantastical, adventure comedy tells the story of a farmhand who looks to rescue a princess — as told by a grandfather reading to his sick grandson. The quirky film follows heroes through the Cliffs of Insanity, bouts with rodents of unusual size, and more.

“Dope” (2015)
Produced by Forest Whitaker, Pharrell Williams, and Sean Combs, “Dope" tracks a teen in his last year of high school as he tries to balance college applications and his SAT with life in a rough California neighborhood.

► Drama

“Spotlight” (2015)
This Academy Award-winning film takes a look at the investigation from a team of reporters and editors at the Boston Globe who exposed a child molestation cover-up by the Catholic Church.

"Blancanieves" (2012)
A twist on “Snow White,” “Blancanieves” is set in Spain at the turn of the 20th century, where Snow White is a rebellious bullfighter and her wicked stepmother is a sexual deviant.

“Beasts of No Nation” (2015)
Idris Elba stars in this Netflix original, where a child soldier fights in the civil war of an unnamed West African country. Shot in Ghana, the film follows the young boy as he is forced to leave his childhood behind. 

"Fruitvale Station" (2012)
22-year-old Bay Area resident Oscar Grant III tries to get a head start on his New Year’s resolutions in this heart-wrenching film based on real-life events.

► Documentary

“Valley Uprising” (2014)
Watch as climbers live out a counterculture of dumpster-diving and parties in Yosemite National Park. This documentary chronicles their journeys as they tackle the cliffs, following the rock-climbing tradition in California’s mountains.

“Chef’s Table” (2015)
Look inside the lives and kitchens of renowned chefs around the world. In its second season, docu-series “Chef’s Table” focuses on one chef each episode and follows their techniques and experiences with culinary inspiration from Italy to Thailand.

"Hoop Dreams" (1994)
“Hoop Dreams” follows two aspiring basketball players in Chicago and their dreams of becoming professional athletes. This documentary touches on issues of race, class, education, and more as the teens struggle to make it in a competitive field.

“Alive Inside” (2014)
Highlighting how music therapy can help those who suffer with Alzheimer’s disease, this documentary looks at the lives of individuals around the country who have been changed through the experience of listening to music. “Alive Inside” addresses the human connection, with input from healthcare experts and relatives’ personal tales.

“The Champions” (2015)
Check out the pit bulls who were rescued from the dog fighting ring of NFL quarterback Michael Vick and how they changed the lives of those who saved them.

► Horror/Suspense

“The Exorcist” (1973)
A mother enlists the help of two priests after her young daughter becomes possessed by a demon, wreaking havoc on those around her.

“The Awakening” (2011)
A hoax exposer visits a haunted boarding school in an attempt to explain sightings of a ghost, but finds herself questioning her work as strange occurrences take place.

"The Host" (2006)
Formaldehyde from an American mortician makes its way into South Korea’s Han River, making for a terrifying mix that results in this action/horror movie. The film follows an eccentric family’s attempts to save their child from a monster’s clutches.

“Hush” (2016)
A woman who has lost her hearing fights for her life after a masked man appears at her home in the middle of the woods. After realizing his victim is deaf, the killer tries to use it to his advantage as she attempts a dangerous escape.  

Hulu Plus

► TV Shows

"Brooklyn Nine-Nine" (2013)
This award-winning comedy set in Brooklyn’s fictional 99th Precinct follows a team of detectives headed by Captain Ray Holt, a man with a lot to prove. Andy Samberg stars as Jake Peralta, a carefree, talented detective who butts heads with his superior.

“Empire” (2015)
Watch the drama unfold as the family members fight for control of a hip-hop and entertainment company. The musical drama series stars Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson. Catch up on the two seasons to be up to date for the September season premiere.

“Archer” (2010)
A self-involved master spy tackles international missions while dealing with his mother and fellow employees as they sabotage each other for personal gain. The animated show from FX is sure to keep you laughing through its seven seasons.

“Broad City” (2014)
Follow two twenty-something best friends as they navigate through their daily lives in New York City, turning everyday experiences into hilarious situations — whether its getting locked out of their apartments or working at a Brooklyn food co-op.  

► Comedy

"The Pill" (2011)
A couple’s reckless one-night stand results in some socially awkward drama in this comedy with a plot-twist.

"Ferris Bueller's Day Off" (1986)
High school senior Ferris Bueller skips school to spend the day with his best friend and girlfriend, avoiding the dean and family members through creatively side-splitting twists and turns.

"Modern Times" (1936)
This Charlie Chaplin classic has a mix of laugh-out-loud humor and biting political commentary on the modern industrial world.

► Drama

"Y Tu Mamá También" (2001)
Two teens embark on a road trip in Mexico with an attractive older woman in this film from award-winning director Alfonso Cuaron, with themes of life, sex, and friendship.

“Interstellar” (2014)
This science fiction drama from director Christopher Nolan brings viewers on a trip through space as a crew of astronauts travel through a wormhole, searching for a new home for humankind.

“Trainspotting” (1996)
Ewan McGregor and Ewen Bremner star in this film following a group of heroin addicts in the late ‘80s. As one man struggles through attempts at sobriety, the influence of his friends drags him back in.

“Good Will Hunting” (1997)
A janitor at MIT who has a gift for math gets help from a psychology professor to find direction in his life. Starring Matt Damon and Robin Williams, the film has won two Academy Awards.

► Documentary

"Gimme Shelter" (1970)
Watch The Rolling Stones’ 1969 tour and the tragic concert at the Altamont Speedway unfold. The documentary chronicles the last weeks of the U.S. tour as filmed by the Maysles brothers.

“9/11: The Falling Man” (2006)
Take a look at the story behind the harrowing photo from 9/11, examining one of the defining moments from that day.

“Sicko” (2007)
Michael Moore delves into America’s health care system, with a focus on insurance and the pharmaceutical industry. Comparing the United States’ system with those of Cuba, France, the United Kingdom, and Canada, “Sicko” touches on issues of corruption, political influences, and more.

“Saturday Night” (2010)
James Franco gives us a peek behind the scenes of “Saturday Night Live,” providing a glance at what it takes to create an episode of the hit show.

► Horror/Suspense

"Kwaidan" (1964)
This critically-acclaimed movie recounts four Japanese folk tales with supernatural themes, with a divorced samurai, icy spirits, and mysterious faces.

"Hannibal" (2001)
Based on the best-selling novel by Thomas Harris, this horror movie continues the story where "The Silence of the Lambs" ended.

“Saw” (2004)
A serial killer plays a deadly game in this twisted film, where two strangers find themselves in a room with no memory of how they arrived.

Amazon Prime

► Shows

“The Man In The High Castle” (2015)
Dive into this dystopian alternative history, depicting a world where the Axis powers won World War II and the United States is divided into sections with the Japanese Pacific States, a Nazi region, and a neutral zone. Based on the Philip K. Dick novel, the series stars Rufus Sewell and Luke Kleintank.

“Mr. Robot” (2015)
A young programmer and hacker gets recruited by the mysterious leader of an underground hacktivist group to destroy a corporation he works for. Catch up on season one of this show just in time for the July 13 premiere of its second season.

"Downton Abbey" (2010)
PBS’ Emmy-winning period drama follows the lives of the Crawley family and their servants in the years before World War I.

“Transparent” (2014)
Check out this award-winning show starring Jeffrey Tambor that examines a Los Angeles family’s life after one member’s dramatic admission.

► Comedy

“The Big Lebowski” (1998)
Watch “The Dude”, played by Jeff Bridges, and his bowling buddies as they embark on an adventure involving mistaken identity, kidnapping, and White Russians in this cult classic.

"Planes, Trains, and Automobiles" (1987)
This John Hughes comedy features Steve Martin and John Candy as they share a holiday journey of hijinks from Chicago to New York City.

"Seven Psychopaths" (2012)
“Seven Psychopaths” takes down the current state of filmmaking while keeping a light-hearted tone, as one struggling screenwriter gets caught up in Los Angeles’ criminal world.

► Drama

“Chi-Raq" (2015)
Set in modern-day Chicago, this Spike Lee film is an update on an ancient Greek play "Lysistrata" by Aristophanes. Women are persuaded to withhold their affections in order to urge a peaceful resolution between two warring groups.

“Room” (2015)
Based on the novel of the same name, "Room" tells the story of a mother and son who are held captive for years in an enclosed space. The film explores the love between the two, and the escape that changes their lives.

“Pulp Fiction” (1994)
Check out Quentin Tarantino’s iconic film following the intersecting lives of hit-men, a boxer, and criminals in this neo-noir crime classic.

"Inside Man" (2006)
Denzel Washington, Clive Owen and Jodie Foster star in this bank-heist thriller involving hostages and high-stakes negotiations.

► Documentary

"Amy" (2015)
Learn about the life of late Grammy Award-winner Amy Winehouse in her own words through archival footage and previously unheard tracks.

"Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills" (1996)
For fans of "Making of a Murderer,” this classic crime documentary examines a triple murder of young boys and the trials of the teens known as the West Memphis Three.

“Meru” (2015)
Follow three renowned climbers through their struggles and victories as they attempt to ascend Mount Meru, a more than 20,000-foot peak in Northern India.

► Horror/Suspense

“Goodnight Mommy” (2015)
A pair of twins start to doubt their mother’s identity after she returns home from having cosmetic surgery and everything changes.

"The Woman in Black” (2012)
Daniel Radcliffe stars in this thriller where a young lawyer travels to remote village, only to find horror among the residents haunted by a vengeful ghost.

“The Mist” (2007)
Strange creatures terrorize a small town after a mysterious mist rolls into the area.