It’s that time again—the weekend is here at last! It’s another beautiful autumn weekend and I highly recommend getting outside for some nature, especially if you live somewhere leafy. Of course, it’s also getting chillier in the evenings which makes it the perfect time to binge the latest shows on Netflix, Prime Video and elsewhere. There’s tons of stuff out right now, and most of it is great—a few stinkers aside.
Every week, I keep tabs on all the new TV shows, movies, documentaries and everything else that’s coming out on the many streaming services we subscribe to these days. I compile the ones I think are worth a look in this weekly guide. Of course, if I’ve missed something I’m always happy to get tips from you, dearest readers!
Check out last weekend’s streaming guide right here:
Alright, let’s dive right in!
New Shows And Movies
We’ll start with the new stuff, and a few things I missed last week, beginning with . . . .
The Legend Of Vox Machina Season 3 (Prime Video)
The Legend Of Vox Machina is not only one of the best fantasy shows out there, it’s one of my favorite shows period. I just love all the characters so much, and they’re all voiced by such talented actors! Based on the Critical Role D&D campaign, the show is a super-condensed adaptation that’s funny, ribald, emotionally poignant and a ton of fun. It’s very adult, so don’t mistake this for a kids’ cartoon. I recently interviewed the entire main cast, so you can check that out and some more information about the show right here.
Yellowjackets Season 1 (Netflix)
I recently wrote about Yellowjackets coming to Netflix at long last. The first season is genuinely one of my very favorite shows in years, and I highly recommend it to everyone who will listen. I’ve seen it three times and it’s a great watch every time. The second season . . . well, the less we say about that the better. But if you like some good scary paranormal mystery-and-survival stuff, check it out.
Nobody Wants This (Netflix)
Nobody Wants This actually came out on Netflix last week I believe, but it flew under my radar and it’s been quite popular so I thought I’d include it this weekend instead. I loved Kristen Bell in The Good Place (another show I highly recommend) so the rom-com gets points for great casting. I haven’t watched it yet, however, so I can’t really say too much about it other than it’s getting great reviews and should scratch that rom-com itch.
Heartstopper Season 3 (Netflix)
The latest popular romance series to return to Netflix is Heartstopper, which is back for a third season. This is another one I haven’t watched yet, though it’s quite popular and has scored big for fans of LGBTQ fare.
The Franchise (HBO / Max)
I have watched the first episode of The Franchise, HBO’s new parody series. It’s about the set of a superhero movie—basically a spoof of how the MCU works—and it’s pretty funny so far. I was drawn to it because of Himesh Patel who I adored in the wonderful HBO post-apocalyptic series Station Eleven. That was such a great show! If you haven’t seen it, please give it a shot. I haven’t made my mind up about The Franchise yet but it was pretty funny in its first episode. It also has Daniel Bruhl who you’ll recognize from Captain America: Civil War and Inglorious Basterds.
Salem’s Lot (HBO / Max)
Another attempt to draw magic from Stephen King’s famous book Salem’s Lot. I’ve heard mixed things but haven’t seen the movie yet. A lot of people seem pretty letdown, but that’s become kind of a normal thing with King’s adaptations. If you don’t like it, maybe check out The Outsider on HBO, which I liked even more than the book.
Hold Your Breath (Hulu)
Another scary movie offering is Hold Your Breath starring Sarah Paulson, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Annaleigh Ashford. It takes place during the Dust Bowl in Oklahoma, and sets that stark time against a paranormal threat.
Joker 2 (In Theaters)
I really loved Joaquin Phoenix’s first Joker movie so I’m a little bummed out that reviews are so down on the sequel, Folie A Deux, starring Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn. I’ll make up my own mind, of course, when I go see it in theaters eventually (but first I need to go see The Wild Robot).
Alright, let’s check out the many, many shows currently airing weekly, most of which I’m either watching or writing about as well here on this blog.
Ongoing Shows
Daryl Dixon Season 2 — The Book Of Carol (AMC)
I was really hoping that the second season of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon would dispense with all the stupid story elements that dragged down the first season. I think the bones of a good story were there in Season 1, but it got lost in all the “chosen one” nonsense. Well, my hopes were dashed with the incredibly stupid season premiere of ‘The Book Of Carol’ though on the bright side, it can only get better from here, right? New episodes drop Sundays.
Agatha All Along (Disney+)
I’ve been enjoying Disney’s witchy adventure series Agatha All Along, which follows the witch Agatha Harkness—played by the delightful Kathryn Hahn—and her coven as they walk the dangerous Witch’s Road. But I have to admit that the fourth episode was a lot weaker than the first three, and at times I felt like I was watching a rough draft, or a community theater production. Hopefully things pick up pace next week. New episodes come out Wednesday evening.
The Penguin (HBO / Max)
I’ve enjoyed The Penguin quite a bit so far, but I’m not entirely sold yet after just two episodes. I didn’t like the second as much as the first, and I’m wondering where the story is headed. It’s good, but I also find all the comparisons to The Sopranos a bit funny (other than superficially, this is not The Sopranos). You can read my review of the season premiere here.
FROM Season 3 (MGM+)
We’re only two episodes deep into Season 3 of the terrifying series FROM and so far it’s shaping up to be great, maybe the best season yet though it’s too early to say. The show follows a group of people who have found themselves stuck in a mysterious town where evil lurks around every corner. Mystery, suspense, terror—it’s all here in spades. Read my review of Episode 2 right here. New episodes drop on Sundays.
Slow Horses Season 4 (Apple TV+)
Season 4 of the excellent spy thriller Slow Horses is one of the best yet, with a truly gripping plot and plenty of suspense and mystery—not to mention laughs. I love Gary Oldman in this role, which is such a nice contrast to his other famous spy character, George Smiley. You can read my review of the latest episode here. New episodes drop Tuesday evening / Wednesday.
Only Murders In The Building Season 4 (Hulu)
I called the latest episode of Only Murders In The Building its “most creative episode yet” and I stand by that assessment. Season 4 of the podcasting mystery series is a return to form, easily the best since the first season. It’s a great mystery with lots of fun twists and turns and it’s funny, but not too silly, if that makes sense. I’m loving it, and look forward to every Monday evening / Tuesday when new episodes drop on Hulu.
Bad Monkey (Apple TV)
My goodness I’m watching a lot of shows right now, and I’ve actually managed to write something about every single one of them! I finally wrote a post about why Bad Monkey is so much fun, with just one episode left in the season. Things are going from bad to worse for just about everybody in this comedic mystery series. Vince Vaughn’s Andrew Yancy is embracing his inner hero as a hurricane bears down. It’s very exciting!
The Rings Of Power (Prime Video)
Last—and least, I suppose—is Amazon’s disastrous second season of The Rings Of Power which aired its Season 2 finale this Thursday. I was not impressed. The show looks amazing, has a terrific score and some really great actors, but it not only makes a jumble of Tolkien’s work, it fails at basic storytelling and filmmaking as well. Will Amazon learn some lessons before Season 3? I’m crossing my fingers, but not holding my breath.
And that’s all folks. Let me know if I missed anything!
Further Reading From Yours Truly
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