For some, the holidays mean togetherness. For others, they’re a rare stretch of uninterrupted screen time — a sanctioned excuse to disappear into a series while the rest of the house debates politics, travel plans or old family grudges. International TV has become particularly good at filling that space. The Hollywood Reporter‘s annual list of binge-worthy global series offer immersion rather than background viewing: a selecting that includes family dramas that quietly eviscerate, political and crime series that reward patience, and genre swings bold enough to justify staying up far too late. Here are 15 international series to help you travel far beyond the holiday bubble.

Source: International New York Times December 25, 2025 08:30 UTC