10 Best Cozy Shows to Stream This Winter
This is the time of year when you snuggle up in front of the fire with a cup of hot cocoa and marshmallows and put on a show that makes you feel all happy inside. And if you’re looking for cozy shows, boy howdy, you’ve come to the right place. So put on those fuzzy socks and get ready to start watching on the PBS app.
One note before you get started: while there are a ton of shows you can watch on the PBS without a membership, you will need Passport to watch most of the shows on this list.
1. All Creatures Great and Small
"All Creatures" is ostensibly about a young veterinarian, James Herriot, getting his first job in 1930s Yorkshire. But really, it's a warm, cozy blanket you get to snuggle up with. And that blanket will remind you that everything is going to be okay. Here's something I totally missed — James Herriot was a real person (although his name was actually James Wight). And these stories are based on his real life. If you haven't watched it yet, it's time to remember that there are decent, caring people in this world.
2. Antiques Roadshow
This is one of the only shows you could watch day after day for weeks on end and still enjoy. And, if you want to spend your entire winter break doing that, we can oblige you. There are hundreds of episodes to watch. The charm of seeing someone discover that their dusty old family heirloom is worth a fortune just never gets old.
3. Emma
Emma is blessed with a gift. She knows exactly who will — and should — marry whom. And she's right 100% of the time… which never goes wrong at all, so no problems ever come up and everyone lives happily ever after. The End. Yeah, that’s not quite how it works out. But, it's Jane Austen, so you know it will work out eventually.
4. The Great British Baking Show
The one. The only. It's time to revisit this legendary show. If you start watching before the year ends, you can catch the first five seasons. Watch as contestants succeed (or don't) in making Florentines, custard tarts, pasties and all manner of dishes that you’ll more than likely never make in your own house. And don’t miss the special Masterclass Christmas episode.
5. Land Girls
This WWII drama follows the stories of members of the Women's Land Army who worked at the Hoxley Estate. There's the young romantic, the snob and the one who never lets anything get her down. See how they get along with the lovable black marketeer, the old soldier who takes his job way too seriously, the not-at-all-nice lady of the house and the sweet boy who is in desperate need of a little game with the ladies.
6. Little Women
This adaptation of the classic American novel was written by Heidi Thomas, the creator of a little show called "Call the Midwife." Perhaps you've heard of it. If you're looking for an old-timey love story, Mary, Jo, Beth and Amy are here for you. Plus, you get to see Angela Lansbury, who can’t help but be amazingly awesome.
7. Lucy Worsley's 12 Days of Tudor Christmas
Here’s a question that I'm sure has been on your mind: how did Henry VIII celebrate Christmas? Thankfully, Lucy Worsley and her patented "I know I look ridiculous in this costume and I'm absolutely loving it" grin, is willing to dive head-first into Christmas of yore. Twelve days of wild boar, mead, costumes, parties, presents and a guy named the Lord of Misrule. How could you say no?
8. The Migrant Kitchen
Folks from all over the world who now call California home make the foods that remind them of grandma. Palestinians serve up Man'oushe in Oakland, an Indian family at Badmaash in downtown L.A. shares what Indian food looks like at their house and the Jun family gives you a taste of what Koreans mean when they say Banchan. Prepare for a happy heart and a hungry stomach.
9. Nature: Santa’s Wild Home
If you've been looking to escape to a magical winter wonderland, this is the show for you. It's all about Lapland, the place in northern Finland that is the home of a very famous jolly elf. Apparently the workshop was too busy to allow a camera crew in, so instead they recorded reindeer, brown bears, wolves and eagles. Enjoy your ringside seats for the totally-not-ridiculous-looking black grouses dueling over who is the most awesome.
10. Seaside Hotel
It's high time you went on holiday. How about a nice hotel on the beach in Denmark ... a century ago? It's a lovely place. But please send postcards. Let me know if the new chambermaid manages to fit in. I'll be shocked if that actor stays with the THIRD wife he's brought to the hotel. Be sure to tell me if the merchant can find it in himself to give up his ridiculous chicken feud with the attractive young farmer. And when someone finally throws that new radio out the window, I simply must know. Have a wonderful trip!