--- description: From rewatching all of 'Game of Thrones' to bingeing history podcasts, here's what you should watch, read and listen to while you stay home. title: The Best Things to Do While You're Quarantined at Home image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt9a8aad519ef883b4/698a0c3f011682d46497f2fb/what-to-do-during-quarantine.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Entertainment](/section/entertainment/) ## Entertainment Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [COVID-19](/tag/covid-19/) ## COVID-19 Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # A Comprehensive Guide to What to Watch, Read and Listen to During Quarantine  by [Cady Lang](/author/cady-lang/)  ## Cady Lang Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Apr 3, 2020 9:24 PM CUT  Top view and close up of light wooden office table with smartphone, supplies and other items. Mock up Top view and close up of light wooden office table with smartphone, supplies and other items. Mock upGetty Images  by [Cady Lang](/author/cady-lang/)  ## Cady Lang Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Apr 3, 2020 9:24 PM CUT As [quarantine](https://time.com/5796642/how-to-quarantine-yourself-coronavirus/ "undefined") has become a necessary part of daily routines due to the spread of [coronavirus](https://time.com/5805894/coronavirus-charts/ "undefined"), many people are looking for ways to pass the time while practicing [social distancing](https://time.com/5800442/social-distancing-coronavirus/ "undefined") and self-isolation. While this is a moment filled with anxiety and uncertainty, we also seek joy, comfort and distraction where we can find it while doing our part to help [flatten the curve](https://time.com/5815136/how-long-to-flatten-curve-us-states/ "undefined"). Some may find they have _less_ time on their hands — thanks to new childcare demands, or performing an essential service on the front lines — but those who’ve ended up with _more_ can consider this a chance to dabble in all of the things they’ve never quite gotten around to — like diving into [books you’ve been wanting to read](https://time.com/5812300/best-books-april-2020/ "undefined") for years, re-watching all eight seasons of [_Game of Thrones_](https://time.com/game-of-thrones-2017/ "undefined") or brushing up on history with an engrossing podcast. For guidance on where to start, look no further than our list below, where we’ve rounded up the best activities and entertainment to keep you busy while staying at home. ## What to Watch ### All the new (and early) movie releases streaming now  Claudette Barius—Warner Bros. With movie theaters shut down across the country, many distributors are releasing their movies early on digital platforms. With the early releases of films like _Emma_, _Birds of Prey_ and _Frozen 2_, there’s something for everyone to watch. Plus, several indie streamers are offering discounts and trial runs. [**Read more.**](https://time.com/5805624/movies-streaming-early-coronavirus/ "undefined") ### A movie about social distancing  2014: Gravity Warner Bros. They may have done it for different reasons, but Reese Witherspoon, Sandra Bullock, Macaulay Culkin and many others have played characters who’ve taken some time away from humanity. [**Read more**](https://time.com/5802674/social-distancing-movies/ "undefined")**.** ### A movie people looked to during the Great Depression  Top Hat, 1935 Everett Collection “In the 1930s, if you had a nickel left to your name, you might have spent it on a movie; that’s how much these pictures meant to their audience,” TIME’s film critic Stephanie Zacharek writes in her round-up of movies, like those featuring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, that helped Americans through another challenging period. [**Read more.**](https://time.com/5805777/coronavirus-comforting-movies-great-depression/ "undefined") ### An extremely relaxing TV show  Planet Earth II travels around the globe—this time with a more urgent environmental message BBC America From heartwarming comedies like _Parks and Recreation_ to soothing nature docs like _Planet Earth_, TIME has rounded up the content that will slow you down and help you take your mind off of reality, even if it’s for just 22 minutes. [**Read more.**](https://time.com/5802536/relaxing-tv-shows/ "undefined") ### A romance movie on Netflix  "The Notebook" movie poster during "The Notebook" New Line Cinema Los Angeles Premiere at Mann Village Theatre in Westwood, California, United States. (Photo by Ray Mickshaw/WireImage for New Line Cinema) WireImage/New Line Cinema Whether you’re in the mood for a rom-com to bring a smile to your face or a tearjerker that will reaffirm your belief in true love, there’s a film for every kind of romantic in our guide to the 15 best romantic movies on Netflix. [**Read more.**](https://time.com/5697802/most-popular-shows-movies-netflix/ "undefined") ### All eight seasons of _Game of Thrones_  LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 11: The Night King and White Walkers march through London to promote the forthcoming Game Of Thrones Season 7 on July 11, 2017 in London, England. The new season airs at 9pm on July 17th on Sky Atlantic. (Photo by Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images) Getty Images/Tim P. Whitby If you’ve ever wanted to re-watch all eight seasons of _Game of Thrones_, now’s your chance. Lucky for you, we’ve got the ultimate guide to binge-watching all 73 episodes of the series from start to finish. [**Read more**](https://time.com/5517025/game-of-thrones-binge-watch-recaps/ "undefined"). ### All of the Spider-Man movies  Spiderman climbing a tall building in a scene from the film 'Spiderman', 2002\. (Photo by Columbia Pictures/Getty Images) Columbia Pictures/Getty Images Since Spider-Man made his debut in 1962, many have donned the skin-tight suit of the friendly neighborhood superhero. If you’re looking to find the best on-screen Spider-Man, you’ll need to review all the films, which we’ve handily ranked for you here. [**Read more.**](https://time.com/4834213/spiderman-movie-ranking/ "undefined") ### All of the Star Wars franchise  American actors Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford on the set of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope written, directed and produced by Georges Lucas. (Photo by Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images) Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images Some might see self-isolation as a lonely time, while others may see it as the best method to determine what is the best and most accurate order to watch all of the _Star Wars_ films, from the original trilogy to the newer Anthology series. While some people choose the chronological route, others have opted for the theatrical release method or the popular “Machete Order;” we consider the pros and cons of each in our guide to all the movies. [**Read more**](https://time.com/4784685/star-wars-machete-order-rogue-one-force-awakens/ "undefined"). ### Revisit the vast entirety of the Marvel Cinematic Universe  THE AVENGERS, l-r: Robert Downey Jr., (as Iron Man, Chris Evans (as Captain America), 2012, ©Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection Walt Disney Co. If quarantine has left you at a loss for what to do with mandated time at home, consider a thorough review of all 23 movies in the Marvel Cinematic universe. We’re not ones to brag, but we’ve got the definitive ranking of the MCU movies right here. [**Read more.**](https://time.com/5572834/marvel-movies-ranked/ "undefined") ### Embrace the miniseries  THE PEOPLE v. O.J. SIMPSON: AMERICAN CRIME STORY -- Pictured: Cuba Gooding, Jr. as O.J. Simpson. CR: Michael Becker/FX Networks FX Sometimes, less is more — such is the case with the miniseries, where some of TV’s best stories have been told in their entirety in just one season. Here are TIME TV critic Judy Berman’s picks for the best miniseries of the last decade. [**Read more.**](https://time.com/5727531/best-miniseries-2010s-decade/ "undefined") ### Watch the most popular movies and shows on Netflix  ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK JoJo Whilden/Netflix Refresh your Netflix queue with the most popular shows and movies that the platform has to offer — at least, according to Netflix itself. [**Read more.**](https://time.com/5697802/most-popular-shows-movies-netflix/ "undefined") ### Revel in the art of a short sitcom  FRIENDS -- Pictured: (l-r) Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing, Jennifer Aniston as Rachel Green, David Schwimmer as Ross Geller, Courteney Cox as Monica Geller, Matt Le Blanc as Joey Tribbiani, Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe Buffay (Photo by NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images) NBCUniversal via Getty Images Sometimes there’s nothing better than watching an episode that’s 30 minutes or less (or five in a row). Great for a break or for a binge, these beloved shows are guaranteed to make your quarantine a little more entertaining. See TIME’s recommendations for the best 30 shows under 30 minutes. [**Read more.**](https://time.com/4779560/thirty-shows-half-hour-sitcoms/ "undefined") ### Watch the best that Disney+ has to offer  Disney+ From original content like _The Mandalorian_ to the rich and expansive archive of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and _Star Wars_ movies, Disney+ has something for everyone. To help streamline what’s worth viewing, here’s a guide to the best (and the worst) that Disney+ has to offer. [**Read more.**](https://time.com/5728909/best-disney-plus-shows/ "undefined") ### Get your thrills by watching a horror film  American actress Sissy Spacek lays waste to the Bates High School Senior Prom as the telekinetic protagonist of the horror film 'Carrie', 1976\. (Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images) Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images It’s scary enough just to read the headlines these days. But for some manageable thrills you can stop, start and pause at will, here are the 10 best horror films you can stream now on Netflix. [**Read more.**](https://time.com/5601438/best-horror-movies-netflix/ "undefined") ### Find the perfect YouTube vlog for your interests  ANKARA, TURKEY - JULY 18 : YouTube logo displayed on screen of a laptop as a person types on keyboard in Ankara, Turkey on July 18, 2018\. (Photo by Aytac Unal/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) Getty Images/Anadolu Agency If spending lots of time at home is inspiring you to embrace your hobbies, there’s no better time than the present to connect with the world of YouTube, where you can find everything from helpful cooking tutorials to hilariously quirky comedy. Here’s a guide to 15 YouTube channels our writers recommend to keep you entertained and educated. [**Read more.**](https://time.com/4890205/best-youtube-channels/ "undefined") ### And a few more things… The [best shows our TV critic watched in March](https://time.com/5809653/best-shows-march-2020/ "undefined"), the [10 best TV shows of the 2010s](https://time.com/5722419/best-tv-shows-2010s-decade/ "undefined"), the [best movie performances](https://time.com/5720170/best-movie-performances-2010s-decade "undefined") of the last decade, the [best spring break movies](https://time.com/5529215/best-spring-break-movies/ "undefined") (in case you had to cancel yours), the [best and worst of Apple TV+](https://time.com/5710943/apple-tv-plus-what-to-watch/ "undefined"), the [best shows you probably missed in 2019](https://time.com/5752550/tv-shows-you-missed-2019/ "undefined"), [every X-Men movie ranked](https://time.com/5602405/every-x-men-movie-ranked/ "undefined"), the [best British TV shows](https://time.com/5037696/best-british-tv-shows/ "undefined"), the [most realistic space movies](https://time.com/5627032/most-realistic-space-movies/ "undefined") and [35 sequels better than the original](https://time.com/5353143/sequels-better-than-original/ "undefined") movie. ## What to Read ### Read a great book about a pandemic — or a great book to distract you from one  woman reading a book and holding a mug of hot beverage Getty Images/iStockphoto Staying home is the perfect opportunity to dive into that classic book that you’ve been meaning to read for forever or to revisit an old favorite. If you’re looking for some guidance, here are 30 books and series we recommend reading while social distancing. [**Read more.**](https://time.com/5807460/books-to-read-coronavirus/ "undefined") ### Join a virtual book club — or start your own  Book stacking. Open book, hardback books on wooden table and pink background. Back to school. Copy space for text. Getty Images If brushing up on your reading list has got you craving another good read, consider joining a virtual book club or starting your own. Here’s a roundup of 10 great virtual book clubs. [**Read more.**](https://time.com/5809322/social-distancing-book-clubs/ "undefined") ### Read a book with the young ones in your life  An elementary school student reads a book in a classroom in Newport, Rhode Island. Getty Images While being inside all day might make kids antsy, it’s a great opportunity to spend some quality time reading together — whether you’re isolating under one roof or together virtually. Look no further than TIME’s guides to the best 100 books for both [children](https://time.com/100-best-childrens-books/ "undefined") and [young adults](https://time.com/100-best-young-adult-books/ "undefined"). [**Read more.**](https://time.com/100-best-childrens-books/ "undefined") ### **Indulge your true crime obsession**  A stock photo of a Police Line "Do Not Cross" caution tape with a defocused police car with sirens flashing red and blue. Getty Images For those who love nothing more than a deep dive into true crime narratives, now’s the time to see the best the genre has to offer. From [books](https://time.com/5355643/best-true-crime-books-of-all-time/ "undefined") to documentaries, we rounded up the best true crime content. [**Read more.**](https://time.com/5373554/best-true-crime-documentaries/ "undefined") ### And a few more things… Find some great reads on TIME’s list of the [best nonfiction books of the 2010s](https://time.com/5720016/best-nonfiction-books-2010s-decade/ "undefined"), the [best fiction books of the 2010s](https://time.com/5719966/best-fiction-books-2010s-decade/ "undefined") and the [100 best books of 2019](https://time.com/collection/must-read-books-2019/ "undefined"). ## What to Listen to ### Podcasts about homeschooling, home cooking and more  Music and radio podcast smartphone app design placed on a mobile phone screen. Getty Images From podcasts that will give you the news you need to series that will make you laugh, here are 14 recommendations to listen to while self-isolating. [**Read more**](https://time.com/5808881/podcasts-coronavirus-social-distancing/ "undefined")**.** ### A playlist of the best songs to wash your hands to  Getty Images Washing your hands properly (for 20 seconds or longer) is one of the most important ways to protect yourself and others during this global health crisis — to make it easier (and more fun), we rounded up the best songs to wash your hands to. [**Read more.**](https://time.com/5794400/coronavirus-hand-washing-song-happy-birthday/ "undefined") ### Become a history buff  Leaders of March on Washington for Jobs & Freedom marching w. signs (R-L) Rabbi Joachim Prinz, unident., Eugene Carson Blake, Martin Luther King, Floyd McKissick, Matthew Ahmann & John Lewis. (Photo by Robert W. Kelley/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images) Photo by Robert W. Kelley/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images Brush up on your history with our guide to 17 podcasts that run the gamut from Old Hollywood to Supreme Court decisions. [**Read more.**](https://time.com/5622795/best-history-podcasts/ "undefined") ### Listen while you run  Fitness woman jogging and workout, legs closeup. Getty Images/Martin Novak Get some fresh air by going for a run (while [staying a safe 6 ft. away](https://time.com/5800442/social-distancing-coronavirus/ "undefined") from others, of course!). If you’re looking for something to make your run fly by a little faster, check out these 8 podcasts perfect a long run. [**Read more.**](https://time.com/4307106/best-running-podcasts/ "undefined") ## A Few More Ways to Pass the Time ### Move your body  dumbbells and yoga mat on wood table Getty Images/Chutima Chaochaiya Gyms might be closed, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t get your sweat on. Up your endorphins (and your mood) with these [at-home exercises](https://time.com/5804073/home-workout/ "undefined") and add our 50 best workout songs to your playlist. [**Read more.**](https://time.com/5502429/best-workout-songs/ "undefined") ### Get creative in the kitchen  Cook taking ready fried baked chicken with vegetables from the oven. Healthy cooking concept. Getty Images Self-isolating is a great time to flex your skills in the kitchen — and with these foolproof tips from chefs, you’ll be turning out delicious and healthy meals like a pro. [**Read more.**](https://time.com/5804655/cooking-at-home-coronavirus/ "undefined") ### Get your art fix virtually  A man standing in front of the painting "Verk√ºndigung an Maria" uses a mobile device to watch a detail of the art work on a high resolution photograph on September 11, 2018 at the Bode museum in Berlin. - Berlin's State Museums (Staatliche Museen zu Berlin) and Google Arts & Culture announced to develop their cooperation in order to make accessible the museums' collections to a wider public. Google Arts & Culture is an online platform working together with museums, making possible to digitally explore collections from around the world. (Photo by Gregor Fischer / dpa / AFP) / Germany OUT (Photo credit should read GREGOR FISCHER/DPA/AFP via Getty Images) Getty Images/DPA/AFP Despite museums being closed, you can still get your fill of the world’s best art, thanks to virtual experiences offering access to art and culture. From the Louvre to the Smithsonian, there are a bevy of museums showing their collections virtually and offering other kinds of interactive opportunities. [**Read more.**](https://time.com/5803389/museum-closures-virtual-art-coronavirus/ "undefined") ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/5813446/what-to-do-during-quarantine/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/5813446/what-to-do-during-quarantine/"},"headline":"A Comprehensive Guide to What to Watch, Read and Listen to During Quarantine","datePublished":"2020-04-03T21:24:38.000Z","dateModified":"2026-05-11T04:56:06.621Z","description":"From rewatching all of 'Game of Thrones' to bingeing history podcasts, here's what you should watch, read and listen to while you stay home","url":"https://time.com/5813446/what-to-do-during-quarantine/","keywords":["COVID-19","list","clickmonsters"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt9a8aad519ef883b4/698a0c3f011682d46497f2fb/what-to-do-during-quarantine.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Cady Lang","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/cady-lang/"}],"articleSection":"Entertainment","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt9a8aad519ef883b4/698a0c3f011682d46497f2fb/what-to-do-during-quarantine.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"What to do during quarantine","caption":"What to do during quarantine","creditText":"Getty Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/entertainment/","name":"Entertainment"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/covid-19/","name":"COVID-19"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/5813446/what-to-do-during-quarantine/","name":"A Comprehensive Guide to What to Watch, Read and Listen to During Quarantine"}}]}] ```