There's no better time to embark on a seriously long TV show. The marathons on this list might seem daunting, but think about all the time you have on your hands right now. Whether you're tackling a lengthy series for the first time or heading into a comfort rewatch, there's something freeing about committing to one show and just letting it play. We scoured Netflix for the 20 TV shows—scripted, not reality—that have the most episodes, and came up with some epic journeys. There are comedies, dramas, soap operas, and procedurals. Some are considered classic TV and some are still airing. What all of these shows have in common is that they'll keep you entertained for weeks—not one of them comes in at under 100 episodes. And for more streaming recommendations, These Are the Best Amazon Prime Shows to Stream While in Quarantine.
1 | NCIS
CBS Television DistributionNumber of episodes on Netflix: 354
Not only is NCIS currently the longest Netflix marathon—it's also the second longest-running scripted live-action TV series currently airing episodes, right behind Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. While technically a spinoff of JAG, this procedural about the agents who work for the Naval Criminal Investigative Service is a juggernaut that blew right past its predecessor. It's been running for so long that it tops this list even though Netflix doesn't have the full series. Currently, you can stream the first 15 seasons here, while you'll need a CBS All Access subscription to stream Seasons 16 and 17. But you have a lot of episodes to blow through before worrying about that.
2 | Grey’s Anatomy
Disney-ABC Domestic TelevisionNumber of episodes on Netflix: 343
The lives and loves of the staff of Seattle Grace Hospital are explored in this beloved primetime medical soap opera centered around Ellen Pompeo's Meredith Grey. Right now, Netflix has 15 seasons filled with drama and strange medical maladies. And as of May 9, you'll also be able to watch the most recently aired episodes on the service. And for some Netflix original series you can binge, These Are the Best Netflix Shows to Stream While in Quarantine.
3 | Supernatural
Warner Bros. Television DistributionNumber of episodes on Netflix: 307
If you're looking for a loooong series to geek out on, dip a toe into Supernatural. The fantasy series about a pair of demon-hunting brothers (Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki) has been a fan favorite since its 2005 premiere. You can watch the first 14 seasons on Netflix right now. To watch the already-aired episodes of its 15th and final season, you'll need a cable subscription or a subscription to a live streaming service, like Hulu Live. At least for the time being.
And you have some time to catch up before the show bids viewers farewell. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Supernatural hasn't yet been able to produce its long-awaited series finale—though the creative team is adamant that one is coming.
4 | Criminal Minds
CBS Television DistributionNumber of episodes on Netflix: 276
Its title references the fact that the main characters on this long-running crime series are behavioral analysts for the FBI, whose job is to figure out what suspects are thinking and where they'll strike next. On Netflix, you can stream the first 12 seasons of Criminal Minds; Seasons 13-15 are available to CBS All Access subscribers. Also, this series has the honor of being the first on this list to have completed its run—the series finale aired back in February of this year.
5 | Cheers
CBS Television DistributionNumber of episodes on Netflix: 276
The longest comedy series marathon Netflix has to offer is a stellar one. The iconic sitcom Cheers—about a bartender in recovery and all of his establishment's regular patrons and employees—was showered with awards in its time and is widely regarded as a game-changer. (It also has maybe the best TV theme song in history.) All of its 11 seasons are streaming on Netflix, so you really have no excuse.
6 | The Andy Griffith Show
CBS Television DistributionNumber of episodes on Netflix: 249
In the mood for something wholesome? All eight seasons of The Andy Griffith Show—half in black-and-white and half in color—are on Netflix. (There's a reason why the fictional town of Mayberry is synonymous with goodness and innocence.) Andy Griffith plays Sheriff Andy Taylor, a widower raising his son (Ron Howard's Opie) and taking care of his neighbors. And for more old-school entertainment, revisit these 15 Classic TV Shows You Didn't Know You Could Stream Right Now.
7 | That '70s Show
Casey-Werner DistributionNumber of episodes on Netflix: 200
If Friends were set in high school in the '70s, it might look a lot like this period comedy about a group of pals (Topher Grace, Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Laura Prepon, Danny Masterson, and Wilmer Valderrama) coming of age in that groovy decade. Only instead of meeting in a coffeeshop, this group gathers in a basement under a cloud of illegal smoke.
8 | The Office
NBCUniversal Television DistributionNumber of episodes on Netflix: 188
The American reboot of the hit U.K. workplace comedy went on for much longer than its inspiration, which wrapped after two short seasons and a holiday special. In this version, Steve Carell is the hapless but dedicated boss at the Scranton branch of the Dunder Mifflin paper company, presiding over a hilarious cast of characters, including the intense Dwight (Rainn Wilson), sarcastic Jim (John Krasinski), and artsy Pam (Jenna Fischer).
9 | Charmed
CBS Television DistributionNumber of episodes on Netflix: 179
Alyssa Milano, Shannen Doherty, and Holly Marie Combs (and in later seasons, Rose McGowan) play sisters and witches who are destined to keep the world safe from all kinds of monsters and demons. And if you enjoy this nostalgic WB series (the incredibly '90s outfits!), you can also check out the first season of the inclusive, modern 2019 reboot, which is also on Netflix.
10 | Star Trek: The Next Generation
CBS Television DistributionNumber of episodes on Netflix: 176 (Voyager has 170, Deep Space Nine has 173)
Netflix has tons of options for a Trekkie marathon, including the entire run of Star Trek: The Next Generation, which kicked off in the late '80s and introduced such iconic franchise characters as Patrick Stewart's Captain Picard and Jonathan Frakes' Commander Riker. TNG not your fave? Netflix also hosts the full runs of Star Trek: Voyager (170 episodes) and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (173 episodes), as well as shorter series in the same family, including the original Star Trek. And for more series everyone will love, here are 23 Great TV Shows to Watch as a Family.
11 | The Vampire Diaries
Warner Bros. Television DistributionNumber of episodes on Netflix: 171
There was a huge appetite for sexy vampires back in the '00s, leading to this supernatural soap becoming a huge hit. As you probably already guessed, it (like that popular teen vampire book series) involves a human teenager falling in love with a vampire—but that's just the beginning. The Vampire Diaries ran for eight seasons and launched two spinoffs: The Originals and Legacies, both of which are also on Netflix.
12 | Arrow
Warner Bros. Television DistributionNumber of episodes on Netflix: 170
The success of this gritty take on the comic hero Green Arrow launched what would become known as The CW's Arrowverse—a suite of interconnected series adapted from DC Comics. Stephen Amell plays Oliver Queen, a wealthy man who returns home after being shipwrecked and presumed dead for five years. The show moves back and forth between his present, as he becomes a vigilante archer in Starling City, and his past, unraveling what befell in the years he was missing. Arrow concluded earlier this year, and all episodes are streaming on Netflix.
13 | Gilmore Girls
Warner Bros. Television DistributionNumber of episodes on Netflix: 158
Yes, we're counting the Netflix original revival series, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life.
Mothers and daughters all over the world have seen themselves in Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Rory Gilmore (Alexis Bledel), who act more like best friends. The series follows them as they date, follow their dreams, and overlap with the other residents of their tight-knit Connecticut town. And the four-episode revival (one for each season in the year) picks up with them nine years after the original series ended.
14 | Once Upon a Time
Disney-ABC Television DistributionNumber of episodes on Netflix: 156
Many of the "regular" people living in Storybrooke are anything but. They're actually characters from various fairytales and myths (and even Disney movies—love some cross-marketing!) who've been enchanted by the Evil Queen, Regina (Lana Parrilla). Over the course of its seven seasons, you'll meet everyone from Little Red Riding Hood (Meghan Ory) to Mulan (Jamie Chung).
15 | The West Wing
Warner Bros. Television DistributionNumber of episodes on Netflix: 155
Aaron Sorkin's White House drama is the binge for you if you love a great oration and are mesmerized by people who can walk and talk really fast at the same time. The West Wing follows the administration of fictional Democratic President Bartlet (Martin Sheen), and basically owned the Emmys while it was airing. You'll also be surprised and delighted by the amount of before-they-were-stars cameos across its seven seasons, including appearances by a young Nick Offerman, Amy Adams, and Jane Lynch.
16 | New Girl
20th TelevisionNumber of episodes on Netflix: 146
After a bad breakup, quirky Jessica Day (Zooey Deschanel) moves into a loft with three male roommates: Nick (Jake Johnson), Winston (Lamorne Morris), and Schmidt (Max Greenfield), and hijinks ensue. Set in L.A., New Girl deals with typical young-and-single plots, though with an offbeat edge. All of its seven seasons are streaming on Netflix—we particularly recommend the post-Superbowl episode, in which Prince (yes, the Prince) plays himself.
17 | The Twilight Zone
CBS Television DistributionNumber of episodes on Netflix: 138
It feels as though we're currently living through an episode of this sci-fi/fantasy anthology, so you might as well dive right in. Netflix has Seasons 1-3 and 5 of the Rod Serling classic streaming. (Rumor has it that Season 4 is missing from the service because of syndication rights.) So turn off the lights and immerse yourself in the strange and unexplained. Most episodes are fine to screen for brave kids, too.
18 | The Blacklist
Sony Pictures TelevisionNumber of episodes on Netflix: 133
Another crime series, The Blacklist stars James Spader as a criminal who gives himself up to the FBI to inform on other bad guys. His one condition is that he'll only work directly with a young profiler (Megan Boone), and the relationship between the two is the focus of much of the series. The Blacklist is still racking up seasons—it's been renewed for an eighth, though the premiere date is up in the air.
19 | Parks and Recreation
NBCUniversal Television DistributionNumber of episodes on Netflix: 126
Parks and Recreation gave the world Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler), a plucky and thoughtful woman born to be in public service. She's also the heart of her little Indiana town, and passionate about the transformative power of parks. Along with her friends and coworkers (Chris Pratt, Aubrey Plaza, Aziz Ansari, and Retta are among the ensemble cast), Leslie attacks every project with gusto, sometimes leading to hilarious disaster. Whether or not she succeeds, her motivation will move you.
20 | Scandal
Disney-ABC TelevisionNumber of episodes on Netflix: 124
Kerry Washington leads this elaborate D.C. soap opera as political "fixer" Olivia Pope. Caught up in a passionate affair with the President of the United States (Tony Goldwyn), Olivia and her team solve murders, fix elections, and generally make problems go away. There are more twists and turns in Scandal than there are at an amusement park, so buckle up for the ride.
