Best TV Shows You Can Finish in a Day

If you want something satisfying that will not spill into your week, these limited series and short complete shows fit neatly into a single day. Each pick lists how many episodes to expect, the average length, and what the story covers so you can plan your viewing without surprises. None of these require prior seasons or extra homework. Just queue one up and you can comfortably wrap it before bedtime.

‘Chernobyl’ (2019)

This historical drama runs five episodes at about one hour each. It follows the investigation and response to the nuclear disaster in Soviet Ukraine. The series focuses on the causes, the emergency effort, and the human cost. Expect a contained story that begins with the explosion and closes with the official inquiry.

‘The Queen’s Gambit’ (2020)

This character driven drama spans seven episodes at roughly fifty five minutes each. It tracks a chess prodigy from childhood to elite tournaments. Matches are staged clearly with rules and strategy woven into the plot. The arc concludes with a decisive final competition and personal resolution.

‘When They See Us’ (2019)

This true crime miniseries tells its story in four feature length episodes. It covers the arrests, trials, and later exonerations of five teenagers in New York City. Each part focuses on a different phase of the case and its impact on the families. The final episode closes with legal outcomes and aftermath.

‘Unbelievable’ (2019)

This procedural drama is eight episodes at around forty five to fifty minutes each. It follows two detectives who connect multiple assaults across jurisdictions. Episodes alternate between the investigation and the experience of one young woman. The case reaches a documented conclusion with arrests and accountability.

‘Olive Kitteridge’ (2014)

This literary adaptation runs four episodes at about one hour each. It portrays a New England family across decades through key moments. Each part adapts a section of the source material and stands as a chapter. The final episode brings the character study to a quiet but complete close.

‘Patrick Melrose’ (2018)

This drama is five episodes at about one hour each and adapts five novels. Each episode covers one book in the series and a distinct period in the character’s life. Settings shift between the United States and the United Kingdom. The story finishes with recovery themes and an earned endpoint.

‘Maniac’ (2018)

This sci fi dramedy runs ten episodes that average about thirty minutes. Two strangers enter a pharmaceutical trial that uses immersive simulations. Episodes jump between genres while following the same two subjects. The trial resolves and the characters exit with a clear outcome.

‘Devs’ (2020)

This tech thriller spans eight episodes at just under one hour each. It centers on a secret research division building a powerful quantum computing project. The plot explores surveillance, determinism, and corporate secrecy. The final episode resolves the central experiment and its consequences.

‘The Night Of’ (2016)

This crime drama runs eight episodes at roughly one hour each. It follows a college student accused of murder and the legal process that follows. Viewers see police work, courtroom strategy, and the strain on families. The case reaches a verdict and the narrative closes its major threads.

‘Mare of Easttown’ (2021)

This small town mystery is seven episodes at about one hour each. A detective investigates a local homicide while juggling family issues. The series maps out suspects, alibis, and community ties step by step. The final episode reveals the culprit and addresses the fallout.

‘Sharp Objects’ (2018)

This psychological thriller runs eight episodes at close to one hour each. A reporter returns to her hometown to cover two missing girl cases. Clues emerge through interviews, records, and town history. The ending provides the solution and a final stinger that clarifies the pattern.

‘Midnight Mass’ (2021)

This limited horror series is seven episodes at about one hour each. A remote island community welcomes a new priest as strange events escalate. The show blends faith themes with a contained supernatural mystery. The finale delivers answers and a complete resolution for the island.

‘Alias Grace’ (2017)

This period crime drama spans six episodes at roughly forty five minutes each. It adapts a novel inspired by a real nineteenth century murder case. The story unfolds through interviews between a doctor and an imprisoned domestic servant. The series ends with a clear statement on identity and truth.

‘The End of the F***ing World’ (2017–2019)

This dark coming of age story totals sixteen episodes across two short seasons. Most episodes run about twenty minutes which keeps the pace brisk. It follows two teenagers on a road trip that spirals into criminal trouble. The second season concludes the character arcs and closes the journey.

‘Criminal: UK’ (2019–2020)

This anthology police series offers seven episodes across two concise seasons. Each episode is set almost entirely in an interrogation room. Cases range from workplace crimes to violent offenses and unfold in real time. Episodes are self contained so the whole run plays like a compact dossier.

‘State of Play’ (2003)

This political thriller is six episodes at about one hour each. It follows a newspaper investigation into a suspicious death linked to Parliament. The show details reporting methods, sources, and corporate pressure. The final part ties the political and personal strands together.

‘The Haunting of Hill House’ (2018)

This modern horror classic runs ten episodes at around fifty minutes each. It alternates between a family’s past in a haunted house and their present day lives. Key episodes focus on single characters to reveal missing pieces. The finale explains the phenomena and completes the family story.

‘Black Bird’ (2022)

This true crime drama is six episodes at about one hour each. A convict is offered a reduced sentence if he elicits a confession from a suspected serial killer. The narrative moves between prison conversations and ongoing searches for victims. The final episode confirms outcomes for both men and the case.

‘Dopesick’ (2021)

This docudrama spans eight episodes at roughly one hour each. It examines the rise of prescription opioid abuse from patients and doctors to regulators. Timelines intercut across communities, corporate offices, and courtrooms. The series concludes with legal action and policy changes.

‘Band of Brothers’ (2001)

This World War II miniseries runs ten episodes near one hour each. It follows Easy Company from training through major European campaigns. Each episode features a specific operation and interviews with veterans. The final episode documents the end of combat and the unit’s return home.

Tell us which one you are starting with and share your own one day favorites in the comments.