Experiencing choice anxiety while figuring out what to watch next on Netflix can be frustrating. The endless cycling and scrolling through a maze of content can be exhausting, but thankfully we have some suggestions that might help you escape that loop. Below, we’re highlighting some of the finest miniseries available on Netflix, all of which can be completed in under a day.
Whether you’re coping with an illness or simply seeking something engaging to enjoy while awaiting new releases, this list comprises a selection of shows that can be wrapped up in eight hours or less. Ranging from somewhat true tales about social media stars to a captivating narrative centered around a game dating back to 600 AD, we aimed to offer a range of options in our picks. Even more appealing, these are all self-contained stories, so you won’t find yourself pondering over a sequel that never materializes.
Although significant changes are expected on Netflix by 2026, there remains a wealth of high-quality entertainment available for streaming, and the content featured in this list has received favorable reviews from critics and audiences alike. Naturally, if you find yourself craving more TV treasures after finishing these miniseries, consider checking off everything on our list of the five best sci-fi sitcoms ever. We can’t suggest taking a sick day from work to binge these, but they are undoubtedly worth your time when you get the chance.
**Apple Cider Vinegar – 2025**
At the close of 2025, we deemed “Apple Cider Vinegar” one of the 12 top Netflix shows of the year, and it certainly appears that both critics and viewers concur. With five award victories and 28 total nominations, the series also claimed a win for Best Miniseries at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards. This six-episode crime drama biography, with episodes lasting around an hour or so, can be quite easy to consume if you’re up for it.
Loosely inspired by the life of Belle Gibson — a social media influencer who deceived people about a health issue and was convicted by the Federal Court of Australia — “Apple Cider Vinegar” takes cues from the nonfiction book “The Woman Who Fooled the World: The True Story of Fake Wellness Guru Belle Gibson” authored by journalists Nick Toscano and Beau Donelly. The series chronicles Gibson (Kaitlyn Dever) as she deceives her family, friends, and the public with her fictitious diagnosis, all while enhancing her status as a social media influencer by promoting self-care remedies.
In addition to Dever, “Apple Cider Vinegar” features Aisha Dee, Alycia Debnam-Carey, and Mark Coles Smith, among others. In a 2025 review for Fort Worth Weekly, critic Kristian M. Lin notes that “The essence of ‘Apple Cider Vinegar’ and Dever’s sly and shrewd performance lies in learning how to identify and steer clear of the Belles of the world.” Alongside its awards, “Apple Cider Vinegar” holds an 84% Tomatometer rating and a 73% Popcornmeter rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
**Cyberpunk: Edgerunners – 2022**
Although “Cyberpunk: Edgerunners” serves as a prequel to the renowned video game “Cyberpunk 2077,” familiarity with the game is unnecessary to appreciate this visually striking anime. Developers CD Projekt Red collaborated with Studio Trigger to produce this anime for Netflix, culminating in a miniseries brimming with action and stunning visuals. The 10-episode series features episodes lasting between 24 to 28 minutes, making it feasible to binge in just a day. While a sequel began production in 2025, it stands alone as a series.
The narrative follows David Martinez (Zach Aguilar in the English dub, KENN in the Japanese dub) — a young boy navigating life on the streets of a city consumed by body modifications and technology. After leaving Arasaka Academy, Martinez opts to become an Edgerunner, or Cyberpunk — essentially acting as criminals and mercenaries within Night City. As David evolves from a rookie to a gang leader, he must do whatever is necessary to maintain his identity.
Depending on which voiceover you choose, the series also includes Emi Lo, Aoi Yûki, Stephanie Wong, and Takako Honda among its cast. With a perfect 100% Tomatometer score and a 95% Popcornmeter score on Rotten Tomatoes, critics and audiences seem to greatly appreciate this series. In a 2022 review for Ready Steady Cut, critic Jonathon Wilson remarks, “In many respects, this is the ‘Cyberpunk’ narrative the ‘Cyberpunk’ game aspired to convey but couldn’t.” After viewing the series, you may wish to explore some details about playing “Cyberpunk 2077” on your Mac.
**The Queen’s Gambit**