A glass of champagne, a rendition of "Auld Lang Syne" and a kiss at midnight. These are some of the more common traditions to ring in the New Year.
But don't you think it's time to spice these rituals up a bit? Instead of partying it up with other people on New Year's, why not start 2015 off right with the warm embrace of Netflix instead?
New Year's Day is the perfect time to curl up with Netflix Instant Streaming to keep you entertained until you actually have to start working on those resolutions you said you were going to keep. You're most likely off from work and you probably need to recuperate from whatever you did the night before.
Best of all, you have just enough time to start and finish an entirely new TV series on Netflix. Don't believe me? Here are 14 TV shows you can actually stream from beginning to end (or at least until the next season arrives on TV) on Netflix this New Year's Day along with approximately how long it'll take you to watch the series. You're welcome.
1. Marco Polo (roughly 9 hours)
Netflix's newest original series is as good as any place to start, right? This one seems to capitalize on the fantastical, semi-historical epics that are dominating TV right now (Game of Thrones, anyone?). As you may have guessed, Marco Polo follows the famed titular explorer as he gets into all sorts of mischief in Kublai Khan's court. The historical accuracy of this series is suspect, but that's not really what you came for anyway.
2. Black Mirror (roughly 5 hours)
In case you're tired of the annual Twilight Zone New Year's Day marathon on TV, look no further than Black Mirror. With stories that explore the sometimes sinister intersection between human nature and technology, it's basically The Twilight Zone of our time. The recent Christmas episode starring Jon Hamm titled "White Christmas" is the only one not on Netflix yet, but the rest of the series is really all you can handle right now anyway.
3. Peaky Blinders (roughly 11.5 hours)
Here's another historical Netflix Original Series for you. This one follows a gang in Birmingham, England in 1919. But the kicker is the crazy amount of fine British and Irish actors in this series from Cillian Murphy to Sam Neill to Helen McCrory.
4. Freaks and Geeks (roughly 13 hours)
Freaks and Geeks only had one season, but it has become a much-loved cult classic that has gained notoriety for featuring early turns from James Franco, Seth Rogen and Jason Segel and showcasing the work of Judd Apatow and Paul Feig. But when you get down to it, it's just a darn good show about what it's like to grow up.
5. The Office (U.K.) (roughly 7 hours)
The original Office series is so iconic and so influential that it's hard to believe it only had 12 episodes and a two-part Christmas special in total. But that just means you're able to easily enjoy its awesomeness again and again.
6. Happy Valley (roughly 6 hours)
With the success of True Detective and the Serial podcast, crime dramas are having a moment right now in pop culture. If you haven't checked out Happy Valley yet, you need to. The series follows British police sergeant Catherine Cawood as she tries to track down the man who assaulted her late daughter. Happy Valley has been renewed by the BBC for a second season, so this is definitely a show you're going to want to get invested in.
7. The Returned (Les Revenants) (roughly 7 hours)
If you like ABC's Resurrection, you're definitely going to dig the French cult favorite The Returned, or Les Revenants for the French speakers among us. The Returned follows a group of people who return home, but there's one problem. Unbeknownst to them, they have all passed away. These people must come to terms with their death as they also figure out how to live again. Wow, that's trippy.
8. Sherlock (roughly 13 hours; roughly 14.5 hours with the Sherlock Uncovered specials)
If you've ever been on the Internet, you know about Sherlock, Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss' modern re-telling of Arthur Conan Doyle's famous detective tales. Benedict Cumberbatch stars as the titular sleuth and Martin Freeman is his Dr. John Watson. Not only is this a good series, but it will also help you be culturally literate.
9. BoJack Horseman + the BoJack Horseman Christmas Special (roughly 5.5 hours)
Here's another new Netflix Original Series that got solid reviews. BoJack Horseman is an animated series that follows the titular character as he tries to navigate Hollywood and show business as a washed-up sitcom actor, who also just happens to be a horse. Like, actually. With the voice talents of Will Arnett, Aaron Paul and Amy Sedaris, this seemingly odd show is a winner.
10. Broadchurch (roughly 6 hours)
Gracepoint, FOX's Americanized remake of the British show Broadchurch, may not have been a hit, but we all know there's really nothing like the original. Broadchurch follows the murder case of a young boy in the titular seaside town, and you need to catch up on this whodunnit before Season 2 arrives stateside March 4 on BBC America.
11. Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 (roughly 9 hours)
This is one of the sitcoms that was gone too soon, in my opinion. Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 is like an updated, female Odd Couple with roommates Chloe, a selfish and often mean-spirited party girl, and June, a cheery, kind midwestern young lady hoping to take New York City by storm in his first job. Oh, and Dawson's Creek's James Van Der Beek stars as himself and basically steals the show every episode. If you watch this, you will have nine hours of non-stop fun, guaranteed.
12. The Bletchley Circle (roughly 5 hours)
If you liked The Imitation Game this holiday season, you're going to want to check out The Bletchley Circle, which follows four women who worked together cracking codes during World War II as they reunite to solve murder mysteries in London. Unfortunately, the series was not renewed for a third season, but that just makes it easier to get through it in one fell swoop.
13. Top of the Lake (roughly 6 hours)
I don't know about you, but I'm starting to sense a pattern here. Yes, this is yet another foreign crime show on the list, but they wouldn't make them if people didn't enjoy watching them, right? This one takes place in New Zealand and follows the attempted suicide of a 12-year-old girl who is pregnant. Mad Men's Elisabeth Moss stars as Detective Robin Griffin and does a nice job of passing for a Kiwi, I must say. Top of the Lake will be returning for a second season, too. So you know, watch.
14. Derek (roughly 5 hours)
In case you can't get enough Ricky Gervais (who can, really?), check out his latest comedy Derek, which is like The Office but set in a nursing home. Gervais' titular role is kind of a departure from his past crass and obnoxious characters as Derek is kind-hearted and a constant optimist. Perhaps that's why Gervais landed Emmy and Golden Globe nominations this year for the role.
