New Shows And Movies To Stream On Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Apple TV And More

New TV Shows To Watch This Weekend

The Walking Dead: Dead City – Season 3 (AMC+)

What It’s About: The Walking Dead: Dead City returns with an eight-episode season 3, with Lauren Cohan as Maggie Rhee and Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Negan returning, now working alongside Perlie Armstrong (Gaius Charles) to build a “functioning” community in post-apocalyptic Manhattan. The fragile alliance is tested by newcomer Renata (Aimee Garcia), her doctor brother Luis (Raúl Castillo), and loner Dillard (Jimmi Simpson of Westworld fame). New showrunner Seth Hoffman, a Walking Dead veteran writer and former co-executive producer on the original series, is taking over this season. New episodes drop Sundays, running through September 13.

Why You Should Watch: Well, if you’re like me you keep watching The Walking Dead because you made a promise. And you’ll be damned if you break that promise, even though you’re not quite sure why you made it in the first place. I want to see this out to the bitter end. On the plus side, a new showrunner hopefully signifies some big changes, and from what I’ve read about the new season it does sound like a step in the right direction. I will be watching this Sunday and reviewing the Season 3 premiere here on this blog (follow me!) I don’t think I get screeners for any of TWD shows anymore. But I still watch and cover them!

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds – Season 4 (Paramount+)

What It’s About: The penultimate season of Strange New Worlds coincides with the 60th anniversary of Star Trek itself. The new season is comprised of 10 episodes airing weekly through September 24. Returning cast includes Anson Mount as Capt. Christopher Pike, Rebecca Romijn as Number One, Ethan Peck as Spock, Jess Bush as Christine Chapel, Christina Chong as La’An Noonien-Singh, Celia Rose Gooding as Nyota Uhura, Melissa Navia as Erica Ortegas, Babs Olusanmokun as Dr. Joseph M’Benga, Martin Quinn as Montgomery Scott, with Paul Wesley returning as Kirk and Carol Kane as Pelia in recurring roles. The 60th-anniversary, penultimate season leans into genre-hopping standalone adventures (including run-ins with dinosaurs apparently) before a shortened final season leads directly into Original Series canon.

Why You Should Watch: I actually gave up on New Star Trek some time ago, having doggedly tried my best with the JJ Abrams films, Discovery and Picard. And while I’d heard some very positive things about Strange New Worlds, I just couldn’t find the energy to catch up. Maybe someday. I do really like the casting in this series, and Anson Mount is the perfect Pike. However, it should be noted that Season 4 has a stellar 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, higher than any previous season. If there is a show that could lure me back to Star Trek, it’s this one.

Ransom Canyon – Season 2 (Netflix)

What It’s About: Ransom Canyon stars Minka Kelly as Quinn O’Grady, Josh Duhamel (not to be confused with Timothy Olyphant, currently starring alongside Anya Taylor-Joy in Apple TV’s Lucky) as Staten Kirkland. Set in Texas Hill Country, the modern Western follows interconnected families and their rivalries and romances. Season 2 picks up six months after the first, with rancher Staten fighting to reclaim his legacy after being unseated as trustee of his family’s ranch, while Quinn returns from a New York opportunity only to complicate their reunion further.

Why You Should Watch: Did you enjoy Yellowstone? Would you like a softer, gentler, less Taylor Sheridan-y version of that show with more romance and fewer explosions, that still captures that romantic, rugged, Western manliness? Well, maybe this show is for you. Netflix isn’t the only streamer trying to capitalize on the popularity of the neo-Western genre that’s been so en vogue lately (the trend feels very similar to all the fantasy shows that popped up after Game of Thrones). This show was more popular with fans than critics in Season 1 by a wide margin, but there aren’t enough reviews from either group to get an aggregate yet for Season 2.

Stuart Fails To Save The Universe (HBO Max)

What It’s About: Stuart Fails to Save the Universe stars Kevin Sussman, reprising his Big Bang Theory role as Stuart. Comic book store owner Stuart Bloom is tasked with restoring reality after he breaks a device built by Sheldon and Leonard, accidentally bringing about a multiverse Armageddon — and as the title implies, things don’t go well. Along the way he meets alternate-universe versions of familiar Big Bang Theory faces.

Why You Should Watch: First, a confession: I have never watched even a single episode of Big Bang Theory. Sure, I’ve seen the odd clip here or there, but I really couldn’t even tell you what it’s about. And yet, this show sounds like a really clever spinoff. It takes the sitcom into an entirely new genre, and even though I’m sick of multiverse stuff, this sounds really fun. It has a 71%/78% critic/audience split on RT. New episodes land Thursdays and the finale drops on September 24.

Gone (BritBox)

What It’s About: Headmaster Michael Polly (David Morrissey) becomes the prime suspect in his wife Sarah’s disappearance, drawing him into a tense game of cat and mouse with Detective Annie Cassidy (Eve Myles) as she fights to uncover the truth. The six-part British crime drama is partly inspired by the true crime book “To Hunt A Killer,” detailing a real 1984 murder investigation that wasn’t solved until 2016.

Why You Should Watch: First of all, David Morrissey is always great. He was fantastic as the Governor in The Walking Dead and I recently watched him as the lead detective in the UK crime show, Sherwood. With 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and critics using phrases like “an absorbing crime thriller” and satisfying “slow burn” this is directly up my alley. My alley is very much UK crime thrillers, after all.

New Movies To Watch This Weekend

Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender (Paramount+)

What It’s About: The first animated feature film featuring the original characters from the wildly popular Nickelodeon series, Avatar: The Last Airbender, this movie was originally intended for a wide theatrical release but now drops on Paramount+ this Saturday, July 25. The story picks up 13 years after the original series, and follows Aang, Katara, Sokka, Zuko, Toph, Appa and Momo on a brand new quest to restore peace and order to the world, and maybe revive the Air Nomads.

Why You Should Watch: Well, instead of going into any great length in this guide, I should note that I was able to watch an early screener of the film, which I quite enjoyed, though I do have some caveats. You can read my review of Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender right here.

Masters of the Universe (Prime Video)

What It’s About: After being separated for 15 years, the Sword of Power leads Prince Adam (Nicholas Galitzine) back to Eternia, where he discovers his home shattered under the fiendish rule of Skeletor (Jared Leto). To save his family and his world, Adam must join forces with his closest allies, Teela (Camila Mendes) and Duncan/Man-At-Arms (Idris Elba), and embrace his true destiny as He-Man — the most powerful man in the universe. Alison Brie also stars as villain Evil-Lyn. Directed by Travis Knight (Bumblebee, Kubo and the Two Strings)

Why You Should Watch: I already devoted an entire post to why you should watch this fantastically fun, hilarious, heartfelt action-packed movie that’s not just great for guys like me who loved the toys and cartoons back in the day, but for kids of all ages. You can also read my very glowing review of this underrated gem right here. Seriously, give this a watch. It’s one of my favorite films of 2026.

Mortal Kombat II (HBO Max)

What It’s About: The fan favorite champions of the popular video game series, now joined by martial arts expert and washed-out actor, Johnny Cage (Karl Urban), are pitted against one another in the ultimate battle to defeat the dark rule of Shao Kahn (Martyn Ford) that threatens the very existence of Earthrealm and its defenders.

Why You Should Watch: While the film has divided critics and audiences, with audiences liking it way more than critics, I’m going to go with the common man this time around. Mortal Kombat II is cheesy, fun, funny, action-packed – many of the same qualities and actually a remarkably similar plot to Masters of the Universe. And who cares? This is more 80s-style action-movie awesome sauce. I enjoyed it to pieces, much more than the first film from 2021.

Pressure (Peacock)

What It’s About: In the tense 72 hours before D-Day, with the fate of the free world hanging in the balance, General Dwight D. Eisenhower (Brendan Fraser) and Group Captain James Stagg (Andrew Scott) face an impossible choice — launch the largest and most dangerous seaborne invasion in history or risk losing the war altogether.

Why You Should Watch: I thought this movie looked absolutely phenomenal when I first learned about it and the cast is pretty much as good as it gets. Yes, it’s a bit of an odd premise, the fate of the great war hanging in the balance based on competing predictions from meteorologists – but that’s also what makes it cool and unique and a different kind of war movie.

72 Hours (Netflix)

What It’s About: Directed by Tim Story (reuniting with his frequent collaborator, Kevin Hart) stars Hart, Marcello Hernández, Mason Gooding, Kam Patterson, Ben Marshall, Zach Cherry, Michael Mando, Mike Epps, and Teyana Taylor. The story follows a 40-year-old man who joins a bachelor party weekend with strangers after being added to their group chat by accident, with the misadventure unfolding in Miami.

Why You Should Watch: If you enjoyed other Tim Story / Kevin Hart films like Ride Along, this is probably your type of comedy. Or if you enjoy stories of Florida men getting into absurd situations. One caveat: 72 Hours currently has a 14% on Rotten Tomatoes. Oof.

The Dink (Apple TV)

What It’s About: Washed-up former tennis prodigy Dusty Boyd (Jake Johnson) has been reduced to coaching unruly children at his father Chuck’s (Ed Harris) suburban country club — desperate for his father’s approval, Dusty blindly supports Chuck’s vendetta against pickleball, the new craze taking over the club, before an injury forces him to reluctantly take it up himself. Directed by Josh Greenbaum and produced by Ben Stiller, the film is out now on Apple TV.

Why You Should Watch: Jake Johnson is also in Apple TV’s recently wrapped-up Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed (which I’m almost finished with, and I have thoughts, some good and some bad). And Ed Harris is always wonderfully watchable and somehow has remained the exact same age for the last 30 years. In any case, this kind of sports movie (or TV show) has been all the rage lately. Netflix just dropped The Hawk about a washed-out golfer played by Will Ferrell. Apple TV’s Stick was also about a washed-out golfer. But The Dink has a 74% on RT (compared to 26% for The Hawk) and might scratch that sports-movie itch if it hasn’t already been scratched.

Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie (Hulu)

What It’s About: Toronto musicians Matt and Jay (Matt Johnson and Jay McCarrol, playing fictionalized versions of themselves) form a band hoping to play a show at the Rivoli, and when their scheme to book the gig goes awry, they find themselves transported back to 2008, stranded in the past with no clear way home — a Back to the Future-riffing odyssey shot guerrilla-style with real, unsuspecting members of the public.

Why You Should Watch: Somehow I’ve never heard of this Canadian duo until now, but they based the film on their web series from 2007-2009 which was then turned into a TV adaptation in 2017-2018. It sounds pretty funny, and reminds me a bit of Borat at least in terms of using unsuspecting members of the public to drive the humor. Best of all, it has a stellar 96% critic rating and 95% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

April (Mubi)

What It’s About: Nina, an OB-GYN (Ia Sukhitashvili), faces accusations after a newborn’s death, and her life comes under scrutiny during the investigation — yet she persists in her medical duties, determined to provide care others hesitate to offer, despite the risks, secretly performing abortions for women in her remote Georgian village who’d otherwise have no access. Directed by Dea Kulumbegashvili, the 2024 foreign film is now streaming on Mubi.

Why You Should Watch: If you’re into foreign films about controversial issues that are kind of downers but potentially inspiring, or you like the type of art-house films that Mubi is known for, this is probably for you. A very niche audience, I suspect. The film has a 95% on RT.

The Wild Robot (Prime Video)

What It’s About: A robot named Roz (voiced by Lupita Nyong’o, aka Helen of Troy in The Odyssey) is shipwrecked on a remote wilderness island and gradually learns to adapt to nature, eventually adopting an orphaned gosling, Brightbill (Kit Connor) and raising it as her own. Pedro Pascal voices a fox, Fink, who becomes an unlikely ally. Written and directed by Chris Sanders and released by DreamWorks.

Why You Should Watch: With a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score, and some of the most incredibly gorgeous animation I’ve ever seen in a film, The Wild Robot is just one of those movies you really need to watch. Or watch again if you’ve seen it already. I saw this one in theaters when it first came out and while I didn’t adore it quite as much as some, I found the pairing of Roz and Brightbill to be a really lovely story, and the voice cast – which also includes Matt Berry and Mark Hamill – is great.

New Movies In Theaters This Weekend

Motor City

What It’s About: A working-class romantic named John Miller (Alan Ritchson) in 1970s Detroit falls for Sophia (Shailene Woodley), who ruthless gangster Reynolds (Ben Foster) covets for himself. Reynolds frames Miller for a crime he didn’t commit, sending him to prison. Some years later John emerges, hardened and singularly focused on revenge. The film is told with very little dialogue (apparently only five lines!?) and relies on stylized violence and a rock-and-roll soundtrack to get the point across.

Why You Should Watch: Are you a fan of Reacher? Well, the new season is just around the corner and you can get your dose of Alan Ritchson action right now. I also like the idea of a mostly silent action film, though obviously that’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. Color me intrigued.

The Odyssey

What It’s About: Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is an epic adaptation of Homer’s ancient Greek poem, starring Matt Damon as the legendary king Odysseus, whose perilous ten-year journey home after the Trojan War pits him against monsters, vengeful gods, and impossible trials. As Odysseus struggles to return to Ithaca, his wife Penelope (Anne Hathaway) fights off suitors at home while their son Telemachus (Tom Holland) embarks on his own quest to find his father. Written, directed, and produced by Christopher Nolan, the film also stars Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Charlize Theron, Jon Bernthal, Benny Safdie, Elliot Page, Himesh Patel, Mia Goth, and John Leguizamo. Shot entirely with new IMAX film technology on 70mm film and released by Universal Pictures.

Why You Should Watch: I’m including this movie for a second week in a row because the conversation around it has been so toxic and infuriating and it’s honestly very good and very much worth seeing on the big screen. You can read my review to see why I liked it so much, even if some of my feelings on Nolan’s latest are a bit complicated.

Forbes‘The Odyssey’ Review: Christopher Nolan’s Epic Is Awesomely Weird, Visually Stunning But Not Without Its FlawsBy Erik Kain

TV Shows Currently Streaming Weekly

House of the Dragon – Season 3 (HBO Max)

HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon, follows the Westerosi civil war known as the Dance of Dragons and the struggle for the Iron Throne between Rhaenyra Targaryen (Team Black) and her half-brother, Aegon (Team Green). The third episode drops Sunday. While I enjoyed aspects of the Season 3 premiere, I found a lot of it to be incredibly frustrating, with baffling changes to the source material and a lackluster Battle of the Gullet. I enjoyed the second episode more, though I continue to struggle with feelings of apathy, or perhaps antipathy, to most of the characters, making it hard to root for any of them. Episode 4 was also quite good, and overall this season is a step up from the last.

We’re up to episode 6 this Sunday. Episode 5 continued the hopeful trend, and I found it one of the best-written episodes of the entire series. New episodes drop weekly with the season finale airing on HBO and HBO Max on Sunday, August 9.

Sugar – Season 2 (Apple TV)