10 TV shows that make every episode feel like a movie
With so many streaming services out there, it’s no wonder TV shows are as popular as ever. Some TV shows have massive budgets, and these tend to be the ones that look and feel more like a movie than a show. Producers know that audiences want shows that are epic and great, but also digestible and easy to understand, even if you’re unfamiliar with the franchise a show belongs to.
Recently, more and more series are coming out that contain episodes that feel like a standalone movie. Shows how Yellowstone And successor have used this tactic with great success, drawing in audiences with slower storylines but stronger characters. Here are some shows where each episode could be a movie because of its strong cinematography, editing, acting and other qualities.
10 Yellowstone
Yellowstone is a show on Paramount+ starring Kevin Costner as John Dutton, a wealthy farmer struggling to maintain control of his family’s ranch. One of his sons lives off the ranch while the other is interested in politics. Both are vying for his attention and power. But Dutton’s right-hand man is Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser), a gruff cowboy who obeys the boss’s orders, even if it means breaking the law.
Yellowstone is the epitome of a series where every episode feels like a movie. The way the show is shot is very cinematic, with breathtaking views of the Montana countryside and on-point music that gives each scene a suspense-filled feel. Costner and Hauser’s performances dictate the show, and audiences never know what to expect from each member of the devious Dutton clan.
9 game of Thrones
game of Thrones aired on HBO from 2011 to 2019. Based on the legendary novels by George RR Martin, the show revolved around nine families vying for the throne of an ancient, mythical world. GOT bounced around a lot and often featured too many characters to keep track of in each episode. Still, the series always felt ambitious enough that it could be a movie.
While the plot of game of Thrones At times it moved at a snail’s pace, each episode being thought through and filmed down to the smallest detail. The fight scenes were epic and the special effects – especially the dragons – were just stunning. However, some fans were unhappy with the eighth and final sloppy season. To think there was a Starbucks cup in one game of Thrones Scene, you’re not wrong.
8th successor
Every episode of successor — which airs on HBO Max — feels like an exciting game of cat and mouse. Logan Roy (Brian Cox) is the wealthy boss of a media empire and rules with a no-prisoner attitude. He’s past retirement age, but nothing is good enough for Logan, and he’s certainly not ready to hand his empire over to any of his eligible children, which include Connor (Alan Ruck), Siobhan (Sarah Snook), Roman (Kieran Culkin) and Kendall (Jeremy Strong).
successor is just an excellent show full of dramatic twists and turns. Whether it’s following Kendall’s downward spiral, Roman’s twisted attempts at debauchery, or Connor’s anti-establishment rants, each episode feels like it’s own movie. The cast does successor great but sadly the show is ending after its current fourth season.
7 Under the banner of heaven
Under the banner of heaven is a captivating miniseries that came out in 2022. Filmed in and around Alberta, the series is based on the novel of the same name by acclaimed author Jon Krakauer. Detective Jeb Pyre (Andrew Garfield) is assigned to solve the ritualistic murders of Brenda and Erica Lafferty in 1984. The clues lead Detective Pyre down a rabbit hole and he soon uncovers a web of lies and deceit within the Mormon faith. Under the banner of Heaven contains some great performances.
Under the banner of heaven The film plays like a crime thriller, using flashbacks to tell the story of Brenda and how her joining the Lafferty family upset some people. Each episode feels like a movie as clues are slowly revealed and the viewer stays hooked on the epic ending. Towards the end of the series there is a casino scene that draws you in with great attention to detail and dramatic moments.
6 twin peaks
twin peaks was a short-lived but impactful show that aired for two seasons, from 1990 to 1991. Set in the small town of Twin Peaks, WA near the Canadian border, the series focuses on FBI special agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) as he tries to solve the murder of a popular high school student.
As the series progressed, more and more supernatural elements were incorporated into the plot. Twin Peaks was a town full of eccentric characters, and Agent Cooper didn’t always know who to trust. twin peaks It felt like a movie because each episode revealed clues that led to more clues, and the viewer was always left unsettled at the end.
5 The last of us
Another series filmed in Alberta that feels like every episode could be a movie is HBO’s The last of us. Based on the video game of the same name, Pedro Pascal plays Joel, a zombie apocalypse survivor trying to rescue a young girl, Ellie (Bella Ramsey). Joel thinks Ellie may be resistant to the zombie virus and hopes a cure for the tribe may be hidden in her DNA.
The last of us was produced on an epic budget and it shows. Not only is each episode awesome, but it’s filmed in many different locations in Alberta including Calgary, Edmonton, Fort Macleod, Waterton Lakes National Park and more. The series did an excellent job of incorporating distinct storylines and characters into each episode. Fans won’t have to wait long for more as Season 2 of The last of us will be filmed soon.
4 euphoria
euphoria is another HBO show with a very cinematic flair. It’s about a group of teenagers who manage their lives by living an excessive lifestyle, using drugs and trying to cope with various problems. The main character of the series is Rue Bennett (Zendaya), a girl who lost her father to cancer and doesn’t know how to deal with her feelings or grief.
Although the series has been criticized for exaggerating drug use, sex and violence,Both Millennials and Gen Z generations can identify with it euphoria. The show uses dark cinematic techniques to create film-like imagery. euphoria The camerawork and editing are top-notch, making each episode look like a movie.
3 The Mandalorian
The Mandalorian recently wrapped its third season on Disney+. Pedro Pascal is the title character, an armored warrior from the planet Mandalore. He fights to protect Grogu, a being with special powers, from the forces of evil. On their adventures, Din Djarin and Grogu encounter threats at every turn, including killer robots, sand creatures and enemy pirates.
With the help of his friends Greef Karga (Carl Weathers) and Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff), the Mandalorian manages to protect Grogu and even attempts to restore society to his civilization back home on Mandalore. Each episode sees the duo in a different setting, with new characters constantly being introduced. The war of stars The universe has a long history of developing cinematic TV shows The Mandalorian is one of the best.
2 Mindhunter
Mindhunter is a television thriller thriller starring Jonathan Groff as FBI Special Agent Holden Ford. Agent Ford leads a task force that investigates the minds of serial killers with the goal of uncovering insights that could be used to solve current cases. The series is based on true events and the first season focuses on the notorious murderer Edmund Kemper (played by Cameron Britton), who murdered ten people, including his own mother, in the early 1970s.
Director David Fincher is one of the Executive Producers of MindhunterSo you know it will contain very cinematic elements. Fincher is known for directing dark psychological thrillers Seven, fight clubAnd zodiac, And Mindhunter is designed with his style in mind. With excellent dialogue and crazy twists, it’s one of the best crime series on Netflix.
1 The crown
The crown is one of the most comprehensive and immersive television shows about the royal family ever made. Each episode envelops you in their universe and plays out like a movie. Claire Foy played Queen Elizabeth II for the first two seasons, before Olivia Colman took over for seasons three and four, and finally Imelda Staunton for season five. The show also boasts an all-star cast of supporting actors, including Helena Bonham Carter, Lesley Manville, John Lithgow, Gillian Anderson, and more since its debut in 2016.
The crown is insanely detailed, with the sets, costumes and makeup effects standing out as highlights. Season 5 in particular contains some great fashion moments. Fans can look forward to the sixth and final season of The crownwhich recently wrapped up, is scheduled to air in late 2023 or early 2024. The total budget for the show is reportedly over $260 million, so it’s no wonder each episode feels like it could be a movie in its own right.
