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Let’s take a wild guess. You are stuck at home. You are on the couch. You are bored. Now, we know you have binged everything on Netflix and Hulu, left Amazon Prime Video in the dust, even Disney+ isn’t doing it for you. Streaming is no longer a downtime treat, it’s a way of life and your way of life is being threatened. But before you re-watch The Office or do (another) comprehensive marathon of the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, let us suggest ten of the best YouTube Originals for you to absolutely fall in love with.
1. Cobra Kai (2018 – )
Cobra Kai is an American comedy-drama series that follows Daniel and Johnny from the 1984 hit The Karate Kid. Set 34 years after the climactic All Valley Karate Battle Tournament, Cobra Kai examines the rekindled rivalry between Johnny Lawrence and Danel LaRusso after Johnny decides to reopen the Cobra Kai karate dojo. Starring Ralph Macchio and William Zabka reprising their original roles, this ten-part series already has two seasons out, with an expected third to release sometime in 2020.
2. Rhett & Link’s Buddy System
In this comedy series, The Good Mythical Morning creators go on a wild and hilarious adventure to recover their morning show YouTube channel after it gets hacked by a mutual ex-girlfriend. Starring none other than Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal, this comedy duo takes you along for the ride to recover their channel… eventually. All episodes for both seasons are now free to watch on YouTube, so go check it out.
3. Step Up: High Water
The latest installment in this dance drama series, Step Up: High Water follows twins Tal and Janelle after their move to Atlanta from Ohio. The twins join a free performing arts school where they are pushed into a relentless world of technique and competition. The series was created by Holly Sorensen who produces it alongside the franchise’s breakout stars Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan.
4. Origin
Origin is a science fiction drama focusing on a group of strangers as they struggle for survival on a spaceship headed to a distant planet. The show stars Natalia Tena, Tom Felton, Sen Mitsuji, and Nora Arnezeder among others as they must come together to find a way to survive. The drama and action make this series one of the ten best YouTube Originals to watch right now.
5. Wayne
The next pick for ten best YouTube Originals is Wayne. Wayne is the story of a sixteen-year-old who sets out on a road bike from Boston to Florida with a new friend Del to retrieve the car that was stolen from his father before his death. Part redemption, part Jack Kerouac, part Dirty Harry, this action-comedy packs all the drama, sarcasm, and feel-good moments you need for a proper binge series.
6. Impulse
Here’s another for all of the sci-fi lovers out there. Impulse is the TV series adaptation of the novel by Steven Gould. Friendless, isolated, and withdrawn, Henrietta “Henry” Coles lives in her own world until a traumatic event leads her to discover she has the power of teleportation. If you were a fan of I Am Not Okay With This on Netflix, follow it up with two seasons of one of the ten best YouTube Originals.
7. Ryan Hansen Solves Crimes on Television
In a world where Hollywood actors can partner up with real cops to solve crimes on their shows, a no-nonsense cop is forced to team up with an air-headed actor for this YouTube Premium crime reality show/meta sitcom. Starring Ryan Hansen, the show features a queue of A list stars playing exaggerated versions of themselves for an endlessly funny series.
8. Kevin Hart: What the Fit
Kevin Hart invites all of your favorite stars to join him in fitness challenges of every type in this top ten YouTube Original series. From Conan O’Brien to Khloe Kardashian to Nick Jonas, there’s an endless stream of jokes and comebacks from Kevin and guests. Enjoy episode after episode of other people doing physical exertion as you watch from your couch with a snack or two.
9. Sherwood
Sherwood is an animated show for kids and adults featuring the classic tale of Robin Hood with a dystopian twist. In this version, Robin Hood is a teenage girl working to defend Sherwood, a futuristic city now virtually underwater due to climate change. With a cute animation style and an updated take on a childhood favorite, this show deserves its spot as one of the ten best YouTube Originals to watch.
10. Best Shot
We end our selection of the ten best YouTube Originals with a fascinating sports docuseries entitled Best Shot. Produced by LeBron James, Maverick Carter, and Andrew Fried, and made in partnership with the NBA, Best Shot follows Newark Central High School’s basketball team on and off the court. First aired in 2018, the series is eight episodes long and comprises their 2017-2018 season.
