The Best Guilty Pleasure TV Shows of the Year (2024)

Everyone has a guilty pleasure show or movie that they can't get enough of. Guilty pleasures have become so commonplace today that there's hardly anything to feel guilty about. Millions of fans tune in and even build their weeks around watching what others might view as "trashy."

While television has never been better with nearly endless great TV shows to watch there is something so comfortable about guilty pleasure viewing. There are plenty of reasons why guilty pleasure TV is so addictive but the simple answer is that it's fun and allows us to turn our brains off for a couple of hours. If you're looking for your next guilty or just plain pleasure watch, check out this list of 10 great series right now.

10 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' (2024 - Present)

The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives

Release Date

September 6, 2024

Main Genre

Reality

Seasons

1

"MomTok" hits the big screen in Hulu's reality series revolving around a group of modern mothers in the Mormon community. What follows is the kind of can't-look-away drama that makes it a staple of the "guilty pleasure" category. The TikTok famous mothers must deal with the fallout of a recent scandal while navigating their friendships and standing in the community.

2022 Scandal

Influencer Taylor Frankie Paul went viral in 2022 after announcing that she and her husband had been engaging in "soft swinging." That revelation shocked social media and put the public spotlight yet again on Mormonism. With a great cliffhanger at the end of the first season, it has already been renewed for season 2. Making now the perfect time to catch up on the Hulu series.

9 'Love Is Blind' (2020 - Present)

Love Is Blind

TV-MA

Where to Watch

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Not available

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*Availability in US

Release Date

February 13, 2020

Main Genre

Reality

Cast

Nick Lachey , Vanessa Lachey , Micah Lussier , Chelsea Griffin , Tiffany Pennywell , Zack Goytowski , Brett Brown , Kwame Appiah , Alexa Alfia , Brennon Lemieux , Colleen Reed , Matt Bolton , Bartise Bowden , Bliss Poureetezadi , Paul Peden , Cole Barnett , Zanab Jaffrey , Raven Ross , Nancy Rodriguez , SK Alagbada , Deepti Vempati , Danielle Ruhl , Mallory Zapata , Natalie Lee , Nick Thompson , Iyanna McNeely , Jarrette Jones

Seasons

7

The global reality series pairs couples together without seeing one another before choosing whether or not to get married once they finally see each other in person. The quasi-social experiment tests these love-obsessed contestants like no other show has before which creates the type of drama that will have your jaw on the floor.

Worldwide Reality Series

Love Is Blind has aired for seven seasons in the US and has expanded to the UK, Japan, Brazil, and many more. If you're deciding where to start, you can look back at our ranking of the seven seasons. This is the type of show to watch live with friends to be a part of the larger social media conversation. It may not be for everyone, but with a global audience, it actually might be.

8 'Emily in Paris' (2020 - Present)

2.5/5

Emily in Paris

TV-MA

Release Date

October 2, 2020

Main Genre

Comedy

Cast

Lily Collins , Ashley Park , Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu

Seasons

4

Emily in Paris is one of Netflix's top shows despite its countless cringe-y moments. The show follows its lead character, Emily (Lily Collins), as she travels from America to Paris. The show offers a cheeky examination into the differences between the two cultures with style and fun which is why fans continue to return to the show in big numbers.

Oh The Drama

Emily finds herself in a number of dramatic situations which makes sense given that the show comes from the creator of shows like Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place, and Younger. The show has already been renewed for season 5 but comes with a twist -- this time Emily's going to Rome.

7 '90 Day Fiancé' (2014 - Present)

90 Day Fiancé

Where to Watch

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*Availability in US

Now ten seasons in, 90 Day Fiancé is one of the longest-running dating shows on television. The unique concept is centered around the K-1 Visa in determining whether the couple will wind up getting married or breaking up at the end of the 90-day period.

True Romance?

Couples from different backgrounds must overcome cultural and even language barriers while they navigate their relationship. It is at times messy and at other times very messy. So much so that we've compiled a list of the 12 messiest breakups. With ten seasons to catch up on, it is the perfect show to binge-watch.

6 'Is It Cake?' (2022 - Present)

The insane baking series hosted by SNL alum, Mikey Day has surprised audiences with the simple phrase "Is it cake?" For anyone who hasn't watched the show, it would seem to be an easy question. But with the level of talent the bakers bring to the show it is near impossible to determine what is or isn't cake.

Surprising Results

From shoes to statues to cheeseburgers, bakers have consistently stunned the contestants hoping to come away with the $5000 prize. Sparked by a viral internet meme, the show has three seasons to catch up on before the upcoming season 4 coming shortly to Netflix.

5 'Grey’s Anatomy' (2005 - Present)

Grey's Anatomy

TV-14

Where to Watch

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*Availability in US

Release Date

March 27, 2005

Main Genre

Drama

Cast

Ellen Pompeo , Chandra Wilson , James Pickens Jr. , Justin Chambers , Kevin McKidd , Jesse Williams , Bokhee An , camilla luddington , Patrick Dempsey , Sara Ramirez , Jessica Capshaw , Sandra Oh , Caterina Scorsone , Sarah Drew , Kelly McCreary , Kim Raver , Jason George , Eric Dane , Giacomo Gianniotti , Jake Borelli , Katherine Heigl , Jerrika Hinton , Chyler Leigh , Chris Carmack , T.R. Knight , Debbie Allen , Jaicy Elliot , Anthony Hill , Kate Walsh , Greg Germann , Isaiah Washington , Aniela Gumbs , Martin Henderson , Payton Silver , Gaius Charles , Tessa Ferrer , Stefania Spampinato , Alex Landi , Scott Speedman , Mark Saul , Nicole Rubio , Richard Flood , Ryder Goodstadt , Steven W. Bailey , Adelaide Kane , Alexis Floyd , Harry Shum Jr. , Midori Francis , Niko Terho

Seasons

21

One of the few Emmy-Winning series to become a guilty pleasure watch. While taking away and being nominated for multiple awards over its 21-season run, the show has turned into more of a soap opera for longtime fans. The Seattle Grace Hospital setting for Grey's Anatomy has been a part of essential TV viewing since it premiered in 2005.

Hospital Procedural

Featuring titans of TV acting such as Ellen Pompeo, Sandra Oh, and Chandra Wilson, the show put acclaimed showrunner Shonda Rhimes on the map. The series still has a massive audience and has had guest directors of all caliber, including Denzel Washington. The show can be put on at any time and any episode and you'll immediately find yourself relaxing which makes it the perfect guilty pleasure watch.

4 'Outer Banks' (2020 - Present)

Outer Banks

TV-MA

Where to Watch

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Not available

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*Availability in US

Release Date

April 15, 2020

Main Genre

Drama

Cast

Chase Stokes , Madelyn Cline , Madison Bailey , Jonathan Daviss , Rudy Pankow , Drew Starkey , Charles Esten , Austin North , Caroline Arapoglou , Cullen Moss , Marland Burke , Julia Antonelli , E. Roger Mitchell , Samantha Soule , Carlacia Grant , Charles Halford , Deion Smith , Nicholas Cirillo , Elizabeth Mitchell

Seasons

4

Another Netflix hit series that has just as much off-screen drama as it does on-screen. Focused around a coastal North Carolina town, its characters come from varying wealth backgrounds which creates plenty of tension for the locals and the out-of-towners. The teen drama, Outer Banks, doesn't offer award-winning writing, but it keeps gaining attention through its knack for relationship and character drama.

Teen Soap Opera

With plotlines so wild that even its biggest supporters are left frustrated it is impossible to turn off once it starts playing. With attractive leads and easy-to-follow stories, it is the perfect guilty pleasure. And with the second part of season 4 coming up, it may just be time for another re-watch.

3 'The Kardashians' (2022 - Present)

The Kardashians

Where to Watch

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Not available

Not available

*Availability in US

Release Date

October 14, 2007

Main Genre

Reality TV

Seasons

18

The Kardashians is the follow-up to the 20-year-running series Keeping Up With the Kardashians. The series follows the famed Kardashian family and all of the drama that follows them and their friends. Making household names of nearly every member, the Kardashians have become a part of American Culture. For the better or worse, we'll leave it up to you to decide.

Follow-Up Series

After leaving E! Network in 2021 the family has returned to the screen on Hulu. The storylines are thin, but the drama is packed in the reality series that keeps giving. The iconic family has had multiple spin-offs and this surely won't be their last show. With another season coming soon, it's time to catch up on all the drama.

2 'Selling Sunset' (2019 - Present)

Focused on the property market in California, Selling Sunset is yet another in the long line of successful Netflix series. The show only premiered in 2019 and has already spawned two spinoff series, Selling Tampa and Selling the OC. The cast of realtors from the initial series is now in season 8 and based on its previous success, this surely won't be the last we've seen of it.

Breakout Series

For fans who want to see how the other half lives, this is the perfect show. It showcases million-dollar mansions and the extravagant realtors perfectly fit the opulent vibe of this series. And when there isn't a beautiful house to look at, there is plenty of drama to go around in this competitive market.

1 'Too Hot to Handle' (2020 - Present)

Too Hot To Handle

Where to Watch

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*Availability in US

Release Date

2020-00-00

Main Genre

Game Show

Seasons

0

Netflix's Too Hot to Handle delights fans yet again with a fresh take on the reality dating concept where these "serial swipers" are forced to look but not touch in the hopes of winning the $100,000 prize. The British series features beautiful contestants who are forced to follow the strict rules or else risk losing a portion of their winnings.

A Shocking Twist

The contestants are originally brought onto the show thinking they are getting a paid vacation. So they are understandably shocked when they arrive to hear the twist. The show focuses on fostering personal growth and real connections which creates a completely unique dating series worth making a Saturday night out of.