The Queen's Gambit, a Netflix original series starring Anya Taylor-Joy, is repeatedly cited as the most binge-worthy show on the platform in viral Reddit threads, with numerous users recommending it as a must-watch.
Reddit Users' Top Pick
Across several viral Reddit threads, one series consistently emerges as the common recommendation: The Queen's Gambit. In a widely-discussed post on the Netflix subreddit featuring 1.9k comments, a user asked: "The most binge worthy Netflix show or movie you've ever watched. You ever start a show or movie on Netflix thinking you'll just watch one episode, then suddenly it's 3am and you've watched the whole thing? Just curious what people's recommendations are for ones that really had you hooked."
Many users named The Queen's Gambit as their top pick. One of the highest-rated comments simply says "Queen's Gambit" and garnered 466 upvotes. Fellow Reddit users echoed the recommendation, with one saying: "Watched in one night, rewinded after every microsleep. The book was also a great experience." Another described it as 'one of the best shows I've seen', while one user agreed: "Me too! I've watched it three times so far!"
Series Background and Cast
The Queen's Gambit, based on Walter Tevis' 1983 novel of the same name, follows the life of fictional American chess prodigy Beth Harmon, played by Taylor-Joy, during the 1950s and 60s, as she rises in the chess world while privately struggling with drug and alcohol dependency. The series was written and directed by Scott Frank, who co-created it alongside Allan Scott, who holds the rights to Tevis' book.
Taylor-Joy is supported by Bill Camp, Moses Ingram, Christiane Seidel, Rebecca Root, Chloe Pirrie, Akemnji Ndifornyen and Marielle Heller alongside a broader ensemble cast, all of whom have garnered widespread acclaim from both critics and audiences.
Awards and Continued Popularity
Since its release on October 23, 2020, The Queen's Gambit has accumulated widespread admiration. It became the first streaming platform production to secure a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, collecting 11 Primetime Emmys in total, along with two Golden Globe Awards for Best Limited Series or Television Film and Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film for Taylor-Joy. She subsequently claimed the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie during that awards season.
In another viral Reddit thread, a user enquired: "What's that one Netflix show you think is an absolute must-watch? The kind where you'd say, 'I can't believe you haven't seen this yet.' Looking for something great to start next, classics or hidden gems both welcome." Again, suggestions championing The Queen's Gambit dominated the comments, with one Redditor posting: "Great show, one of those 'I watched it because everyone said it was great' and it really was!" Another said: "I watched it with two other friends and all of us have completely different TV viewing preferences. We all loved Queen's Gambit!"
One fan described it as 'probably the best that I watched in the past decade', while another commented, "I'd heard it was great but otherwise didn't know what it was, my roomie put it on one day and I was hooked. Really well done." One user simply said: "If you only want one [recommendation], Queen's Gambit."
The Queen's Gambit is available to stream on Netflix.
