(Credit: Netflix)

Can we all agree on one thing: that bad days demand good TV? The perfect Netflix show that helps you escape a bad day at work or a squabble with a friend. Something that takes you up into its world and tells you that it’s okay to pause for a while.

And isn’t that the reason why it’s called “comfort TV”? Some people watch these shows to escape the harsh daily reality, and some find a relaxing comfort in them and, without even realising, become a part of the show’s world.

In fact, these shows do not try to impress anyone or change your life. All they do is just sit beside you and make things lighter. What makes them so special is how easy they are to return to. Every episode feels like revisiting a friend you haven’t seen in a while and who makes your mood instantly better.

So next time the world feels a little too loud, let Netflix do the heavy lifting. These seven shows are here to fix the mood, one comforting episode at a time.

Seven Netflix comfort shows to watch when feeling low

Gilmore Girls (2000–2007)

If comfort had a sound, it would probably be Lorelai and Rory talking a mile a minute over coffee. Gilmore Girls isn’t just a show… It’s a whole little world that exists somewhere between caffeine highs, sarcastic comebacks, and that nostalgic small-town warmth. Set in Stars Hollow (which honestly feels like it should be a real place), the show follows this mother-daughter duo as they figure out life, love, and way too many pop culture references.

It’s one of those rare shows that you can watch at any stage of your life and find something new to relate to. When you are younger, you love Rory’s world of books and awkward crushes. When you grow up, you get Lorelai and her exhaustion, the independence, and the humour that keeps her going. This show makes you feel like everything’s going to be okay, even when it’s not.

Derry Girls (2018–2022)

If Gilmore Girls feels like a warm hug, Derry Girls is that messed-up and lovable group chat you can’t mute no matter how hard you try. And honestly, who even wants to? The show is hilarious. It is set in 1990s Northern Ireland during the Troubles and somehow manages to make teenage drama and political tension collide in the most hilarious way possible. The show follows Erin, Orla, Clare, Michelle, and poor James as they go through Catholic school and history, all while their teen hormones are all riled up.

The best part? It’s laugh-out-loud funny without trying too hard. Every character feels like someone you went to school with. Let’s see, you have got the loud one, the overachiever, and the slightly clueless best friend. Yet in between the humour, it makes sure to bring in these heart-punch moments that remind you how unfair and beautiful growing up can be.

Grace and Frankie (2015-2022)

Honestly, no one warns you how Grace and Frankie become your emotional support show without you even realising it. It starts with two women whose husbands leave them… for each other. Sounds tragic, right? Except it’s not because Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin turn heartbreak into a hilarious, wine-fuelled adventure. Watching them move in together and rebuild their lives is like watching your favourite aunties decide they’re done with nonsense and start a new era.

The best part? One second, you are laughing at Frankie being delightfully weird, the next you are shedding tears because they’ve nailed something real about ageing and starting over. It’s comforting and messy in a cute way and exactly the show you put on when you need to feel like life’s still full of plot twists worth laughing at.

Heartstopper (2022–present)

It is nearly impossible to stay sad while watching Heartstopper. Do you know the feeling of wrapping a freshly sun-dried blanket around yourself on a chilly afternoon? The feeling of that emotion pretty much gives you the same feeling as watching Heartstopper. It follows Charlie and Nick, two teens who meet in class and slowly fall for each other in the most awkwardly adorable way possible. Their story captures all those tiny, heart-thudding moments of first love, thus making it a comfort show.

But it’s not just about romance; Heartstopper is about kindness and friendship, all while learning to show up for yourself. Every episode leaves you smiling like an idiot and feeling like the world might not be so bad after all. It’s pure serotonin, in pastel colours and British accents.

Atypical (2017–2021)

Atypical is a pure gem of a show that will make you laugh, cry, and text your mom all in just one episode. It follows Sam, a teen on the autism spectrum who is figuring out life, dating, and independence while his family tries (and sometimes fails) to do the same. He’s awkward in the most lovable way, and honestly, half the time you just want to give him a high-five for saying what everyone else is too scared to.

The best part is how real it feels. His mom is trying to let go but can’t, his dad is learning how to show up, and his sister is a savage athlete who is extremely protective of Sam. It has both funny and hearty moments, and it doesn’t even try that hard. By the end, you’ll feel like you’ve grown up with the Gardners, and saying goodbye will actually hurt a little.

Queer Eye (2018–present)

Watching Queer Eye is one of the most delightful experiences you are going to have on TV. The Fab Five, namely Jonathan, Antoni, Tan, Karamo, and Bobby, show up with their energy and empathy, helping people rediscover parts of themselves they had forgotten. Just the concept is cool enough for the show to get hyped. And if you think it’s really about makeovers, it’s not. It’s about seeing how kindness and care can shift an entire life.

What makes the show special is its genuineness. Each episode leaves you a little lighter, a little softer toward yourself. By the end, you’ll probably be crying, but in a good way.

Sweet Magnolias (2020–present)

Okay, hear us out, Sweet Magnolias is the show you watch when you want your brain to just breathe. It is about three best friends in this small Southern town who have known each other forever, and their lives are a total mix of drama and family stuff. We all have such people in our lives with whom we share everything. If you have experienced that, this show will bring back a lot of memories.

The best part? It feels like home. The problems aren’t wild or over the top, just real, grown-up messes that somehow still make you feel better about your own. You’ll start watching for the gossip and end up staying because you’ll want these women to be your friends.