2016 was an exciting year for cinema! With big blockbusters like Captain America: Civil War, X-Men: Apocalypse, and Finding Dory, amongst many others, 2016 saw popular franchises return with force.

TV shows have also had a lot of success, with shows like Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, and Westworld continuing to dominate living room screens. 2016 made it clear to see that despite the decline in DVD sales, movie and TV entertainment is flourishing. So without further ado, let’s take a look at some of my favorite TV shows and movies of 2016 so far…

1. Game of Thrones, a major TV series from HBO about the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. A fantasy series full of political intrigue, war, and adventure, Game of Thrones has been a widely popular show since its first season.

2. The Walking Dead, a popular TV show from AMC. The show is based on the graphic novel series of the same name. It tells the story of a group of survivors in the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse. The group has to not only deal with zombies but also hunger, thirst, and other survivors who want to take their supplies.

3. Stranger Things, a TV show from Netflix. The show takes place in the 1980s and is about a boy who goes missing under mysterious circumstances. His disappearance sets off a series of strange events that affect his friends, family, and the town of Hawkins, Indiana.

4. Finding Dory, a movie from Pixar. The sequel to the beloved Finding Nemo, Finding Dory is about a fish named Dory who searches for her parents and finds them in a marine life institute in California.

5. Deadpool, a movie from 20th Century Fox about a mercenary who gets cancer and undergoes an experimental procedure to be cured. The procedure leaves him with superpowers and a strange condition, causing him to be extremely violent and impulsive.

6. Zootopia, a movie from Walt Disney Animation Studios about a rabbit police officer in a city populated by talking animals. The film explores themes of prejudice, stereotypes, and “going through your own struggles and overcoming them.”

7. Ghostbusters, a movie from Sony Pictures. An all-female remake of the 1984 classic, Ghostbusters tells the story of a group of women who start a paranormal investigation and elimination service. The film is directed by Paul Feig, who is known for directing comedies such as Bridesmaids and The Heat.

8. Jason Bourne, a movie from Universal Pictures about a trained assassin who is on the run from secrets from his past. On the run from the CIA, Bourne is forced to uncover his true identity and find out why he is being targeted.

9. Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, a TV miniseries from Netflix. The revival of the popular show takes a look at the lives of the Gilmore Girls after the events of the original show.

10. The Crown, a TV show from Netflix. The show is a historical drama about Queen Elizabeth II and her family. It is a 10 episode series following a young Elizabeth (portrayed by Claire Foy) in the aftermath of World War II.

11. BoJack Horseman, a Netflix Original animated comedy centered around BoJack (a self-loathing horse), his friend Todd, his agent Princess Carolyn, and his ghostwriter Diane. The show is about the life of a washed-up actor who once starred in the hit TV show ‘Horsin’ Around’.

12. Black Mirror, a TV series from Netflix about dark science fiction and human nature. A psychological thriller that explores the boundaries of human conscience, Black Mirror has become a modern classic.

13. The Night Manager, a mini-series based on the book by John le Carré. The series is about a hotel night manager who gets recruited into a British espionage agency to infiltrate a French crime organization.

14. The Night Of, a crime drama TV series that follows the fictional story of a college student, Naz, who is accused of murdering a girl. The series follows Naz as he tries to navigate the legal system and maintain his innocence. The series is highly unique in its story structure, as it is told through the perspective of different characters, and as such, jumps around in terms of chronology.

15. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, a TV show from Netflix about a woman who has been held captive in an underground bunker for fifteen years, and is suddenly released back into the world. The show is a comedy with a very upbeat vibe and has received a lot of attention for its unique and quirky portrayal of the main character.

Conclusion

Who doesn’t like to relax after a long day at work and watch a good movie or favorite TV show? You can do that while watching some of the best television shows and movies that were released in 2016. Be sure to check out our other lists!

Clare Louise