These 4 cozy Netflix series don't demand your full attention

Credit: Lucas Gouveia/How-To Geek Published Sep 13, 2026, 11:00 AM EDT Tyler is an automotive journalist and content contributor at How-To Geek with over three years of experience covering the automotive industry. His work focuses on delivering clear, well-researched, and engaging content that helps readers better understand the vehicles they drive and the technology behind them. Before entering automotive media, he spent five years as an academic editor, developing a strong foundation in research methodology, factual accuracy, and structured analysis. This background informs his journalistic approach today, ensuring that every article balances technical insight with accessibility for a broad audience. Tyler specializes in automotive journalism, content strategy, and SEO-driven publishing, with a particular interest in performance, reliability, and the cultural role of cars. He approaches automotive writing with a distinct philosophy: vehicles should be engaging and expressive, not merely functional tools. This perspective shapes his coverage and allows readers to connect with cars beyond basic specifications. Sign in to your How-To Geek account Whether you're just trying to kill some time or you have some chores to get done, there is nothing worse than sitting around in silence. To me, having a little background noise can ease the pain of any mundane task. I particularly like to put something on that I can half pay attention to, which usually means opting for something light and easy. Netflix has a ton of great options that you can stick on to keep the silence at bay, from hilarious episodic comedies to challenge-focused cooking shows. A lot of my go-to choices live on the platform, with the below being just a few that have joined my heavy rotation of comfort shows that I work through repeatedly throughout the year. Brooklyn Nine-Nine Cop comedy with a heart of gold Brooklyn Nine-Nine centers around detective Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg), whose goofy exploits get him into all kinds of trouble. The 99th precinct is full of a diverse set of characters, from the strong and silent Captain Holt (Andre Braugher) to the somewhat OCD Detective Amy Santiago (Melissa Fumero). It might center around cops and criminals, but Brooklyn Nine-Nine is one of the best feel-good shows out there. You can currently watch seasons five to eight on Netflix, with the platform rotating newer seasons in and older seasons out. It isn't difficult to get into, though, and is worth jumping into even if you haven't watched the earlier seasons. Its slapstick comedy and fantastic one-liners make it perfect for playing in the background while you do other things. Release Date 2013 - 2021-00-00 Network NBC, FOX Showrunner Michael Schur, Dan Goor Directors Michael McDonald, Claire Scanlon, Linda Mendoza, Dean Holland, Beth McCarthy-Miller, Victor Nelli Jr., Craig Zisk, Tristram Shapeero, Rebecca Asher, Eric Appel, Maggie Carey, Alex Reid, Giovani Lampassi, Nisha Ganatra, Ryan Case, Trent O'Donnell, Matt Nodella, Jamie Babbit, Ken Whittingham, Max Winkler, Akiva Schaffer, Fred Goss, Jaffar Mahmood, Julie Anne Robinson Writers Gabe Liedman, Phil Augusta Jackson, Tricia McAlpin, Justin Noble, Lakshmi Sundaram, Andrew Guest, Matt O'Brien, Jeff Topolski, Lang Fisher, Gil Ozeri, Brian Reich, Matt Murray, Andy Gosche, Brigitte Liebowitz, Alison Agosti, Nick Perdue, Beau Rawlins, Aeysha Carr, Andy Bobrow, David Quandt, Matt Lawton, Vanessa Ramos, Kylie Condon, Stephanie Amante-Ritter Cast Andy Samberg, Melissa Fumero, Terry Crews, Joe Lo Truglio, Stephanie Beatriz, Andre Braugher, Dirk Blocker, Joel McKinnon Miller, Chelsea Peretti, Marc Evan Jackson, Kyra Sedgwick, Kelvin Brown, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Rocky McMurray, Romy Rosemont, Stephen Wu, Adam Sandler, Joe Theismann, Anthony Azizi, Scott Michael Morgan, Artemis Pebdani, Helen Slayton-Hughes, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Becky Thyre, Andy Richter, Jacquie Barnbrook, Annie Korzen Creator(s) Daniel J. Goor, Michael Schur The Great British Baking Show Light-hearted and mouth-watering I love having a good cooking show on in the background. They don't demand a ton of my attention, and I can jump in and out of episodes without missing all that much. Who doesn't love looking at mouth-watering treats and crazy challenges? In the genre of food-focused series, The Great British Baking Show, also known as The Great British Bake Off, is one of my favorites and a great comfort show. Contestants might change, but loveable and iconic judges, Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith, and hilarious host Noel Fielding, make every episode feel homely. Each episode follows a specific theme, where contestants are made to demonstrate their skills by baking anything from hearty biscuits (the British kind) to delicate pâtisserie. Release Date 2010 - 2016-00-00 Network BBC One, BBC Two Cast Paul Hollywood, Mary Berry, Noel Fielding, Prue Leith Atypical Teenage life on the spectrum One of the best kinds of shows to keep rolling while you get things done are family comedies. Watching people like you tackle normal everyday challenges, all with a good couple of laughs thrown in, can give you a warm fuzzy feeling like no other. Atypical is a modern family dramedy that showcases just how hard it can be to be a teenager on the spectrum, and all the silly shenanigans that come along with growing up. Atypical focuses on Sam (Keir Gilchrist), an 18-year-old on the autism spectrum, trying to navigate his senior year of high school and his ever-shifting family dynamics. It is easy watching, with a lot of heartfelt moments. While there is a decent overarching plot, it isn't hard to follow, and I often jump in and out of the show while my wife binges it. Release Date 2017 - 2021-00-00 Network Netflix Derry Girls Hilarious if you can follow the accent Another show that perfectly captures how difficult it is to be a teenager is Derry Girls. It took me a long time to actually give it a shot, but it quickly joined the lineup of comfort shows that I watch on repeat. The only caveat is that the characters have a strong accent, which might be a little hard for some people to follow, but if that's something you can get past, it is a great show that doesn't demand your full attention. Set in the midst of Northern Ireland during the early 90s, Derry Girls follows a tight-knit group of trouble-making friends trying to navigate the complexities of being a teenager as well as the tough political climate at the time. Every episode brings more fast-paced havoc, all underlined by a heartwarming friendship that endures through just about everything. Release Date January 4, 2018 Network BBC Showrunner Lisa McGee Directors Lisa McGee Writers Lisa McGee Netflix is loaded with easy-watching classics of all genres There is a swath of content on Netflix that will keep you entertained, even if you just want something to make your house a little less quiet while you get on with your day. If you're more of a movie person, you can load up something like Jaws or Knocked Up. Or, if you want something that will keep your attention, check out the likes of Talamasca: The Secret Order and Revival. Subscription with ads Yes, $8/month Simultaneous streams Two or four