This summer, many San Juan Hills students spent their time binging some of the most popular shows on Netflix. Members of our staff asked 155 students to rank the top ten trending shows, and here are the results:

1. Breaking Bad 
2. Stranger Things 
3. Shameless
4. Never Have I Ever
5. Squid Game
6. Grey’s Anatomy 
7. Bridgerton
8. Money Heist
9. Narcos 
10. You

Finishing first in our rankings is Breaking Bad. This show is centered around Walter White, a timid high school chemistry teacher who is diagnosed with cancer. When White cannot afford treatment for his fatal diagnosis, he decides to start manufacturing and selling methamphetamine. Eventually, White crosses paths with one of his former students, Jesse Pinkman, where they decide to partner up and make some money in the drug business. 

“I think this particular show is just an awesome show. I mean, it has action; it has endearing characters. You fall in love with Walter White at the beginning because he’s this down and out protagonist, and then he becomes the antagonist at the same time. It’s just beautifully written, it’s beautifully acted, and it just held my attention for every single season,” said English teacher, Kathlyn Callier. 

Coming up in second place is Stranger Things. Stranger Things is a TV series about Will Byers, a young boy who goes missing one night in the town of Hawkins, Indiana. This show features supernatural creatures, parallel universes, unique characters, and a moving moral. Stranger Things recently had a spike of interest due to the release of its highly rated fourth season. 

“I really liked how it was set in the 80’s and I liked the characters. The acting was really good. The plot was deep too,” said freshman, Kiera Simms. 

Shameless takes the third place position. This show revolves around the hardships faced by the Gallagher family. A few main characters are Frank Gallagher, Fiona Gallagher, and Lip Gallagher. Never forgetting the love they share for one another, the Gallagher family always strives to find a solution to their problems. This fun and chaotic family is sure to keep you wanting more.  

“Shameless is my absolute favorite show because it’s very raw and reveals the true chaos unhinged on the south side. Not only are the actors amazing, but watching the characters develop from season to season has been a joy. It’s definitely on the harder side to watch since it talks about a deadbeat dad who only comes around when it’s convenient for him, along with other traumatic superficial issues that I believe are important to be educated on,” said senior, Haley Juarez. 

Never Have I Ever takes the fourth place spot. This show follows the life of Devi Vishwakuma, an Indian-American teenage girl, as she experiences the drama of high school. Devi faces many hardships throughout the seasons, having to deal with dating, friends, and popularity, all while grieving the sudden death of her father. Never Have I Ever has received very positive reviews, as well as several awards including Best Young Adult Show and Best New Streaming Series. 

And in fifth place is Squid Game. Squid Game was released on Netflix in September of 2021, however it was originally written in 2008. Squid Game has won several awards, including three Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG), four Creative Arts Emmy Awards, and two Critics’ Choice Television Awards. Squid Game focuses on a naive man, Seong Gi-hun, who is a failure in life. Notably, his debt is extremely high. Through a chain of events, he and many others find themselves in a remote place where they are forced to play Korean childhood games. The players believe they are simply playing to win a cash prize…little do the contestants know that their lives are about to change.