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Secret Level Anthology Show Includes an Armored Core Short

An Armored Core Flies over an Icy Wasteland in Secret Level, the anthology series.

On August 20, 2024, FromSoftware announced that the Prime Video anthology show Secret Level will feature an all new story set in one of the universes of Armored Core. The series, being developed by the same creative team as Love, Death & Robots, will feature 15 shorts from various video games.

Armored Core joins a list of many other famous games to appear in installments in Secret Level, including Mega Man, Dungeons & Dragons, Warhammer 40,000 and Pac-Man. The tweet announcing this FromSoftware game's involvement also showed off a mech racing across an icy wasteland and a picture of a human character who resembles actor Keanu Reeves.

You can see the official tweet here:

https://twitter.com/armoredcore/status/1825978617781723177

This isn't the first time the Armored Core property has gone beyond the video games. Numerous model kits have been made of famous Cores from the series. A novel called Armored Core: Brave New World appeared in Japan.

Blur Studio, the production company behind Love, Death & Robots and Secret Level previously did work on films like James Cameron's Avatar, created trailers for Batman: Arkham City and Batman: Arkham Knight, and redid the cutscenes for the Master Chief Collection version of Halo 2.

Secret Level will be streaming on Amazon Prime Video on December 10, 2024, and the Armored Core episode will be a part of the show.

The post Secret Level Anthology Show Includes an Armored Core Short appeared first on Siliconera.

New World will be a featured IP in Amazon’s new Secret Level animated series

During this afternoon’s Opening Night Live at Gamescom in Cologne, Germany, Amazon’s Prime Video label announced Secret Level, a “new adult-animated anthology series” specifically featuring video games. And naturally, among those video games is New World. “Part of our vision from the beginning is to develop and publish fantastic IPs that immerse and excite players […]

Amazon’s Fallout Series Teaser Trailer

Live-action video game adaptations continue to get better and better. The Last of Us showed us what was possible when retelling the stories of a great video game on screen. Amazon has proven itself with shows like ‘The Boys’ and “Gen V’ so we are excited to see what they do with the Fallout series. …

Amazon’s Fallout Series Teaser Trailer Read More »

The post https://thegamefanatics.com/amazons-fallout-series-teaser-trailer/ appeared first on The Game Fanatics,.

The best new streaming shows this week: Cowboy Cartel, Unstable, and more

This week’s list has a lot of great picks. We’ve got a thriller starring Emma Myers and a very, very well-received Batman rendition. Let’s get started!

The best new streaming shows this week

Feel free to click on any links that pique your interest.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder – August 1, Netflix

  • Release date: July 1, 2024
  • Genre: Mystery, Thriller
  • Rating: N.A.
  • Director: Poppy Cogan
  • Cast: Emma Myers, Zain Iqbal, Asha Banks, Raiko Gohara, Jude Morgan-Collie, Yali Topol Margalith, Yasmin Al-Khudhairi

Remember Enid from Wednesday? She’s back again. This teen mystery thriller follows high school student Pippa as she investigates a 5-year-old murder case for her senior project. The small English town of Little Kilton was rocked when popular 17-year-old Andie Bell disappeared, presumed murdered by her boyfriend Sal Singh.

But Pip has always felt something was off about the case. As she digs deeper, interviewing witnesses and uncovering secrets, Pip realizes the truth is far more twisted than anyone imagined. With help from Sal’s brother Ravi, Pip follows a trail of clues that puts her in increasing danger.

Unstable (Season 2) – August 1, Netflix

  • Release date: August 1, 2024
  • Genre: Comedy
  • Rating: TV-14
  • Director: Rob Lowe, Victor Fresco, John Owen Lowe
  • Cast: Sian Clifford, Rachel Marsh, Emma Ferreira, Aaron Branch, Rob Lowe, John Owen Lowe, Fred Armisen

Rob Lowe and his real-life son John Owen Lowe star in this workplace comedy as an eccentric biotech genius and his more grounded son. In Season 2, Ellis Dragon is determined to keep his son Jackson in the family company, even as Jackson seeks independence. When Jackson accepts a job offer from rival tech mogul Peter Martin, Ellis goes to extreme lengths to bring him back into the fold.

Meanwhile, the eccentric staff at Dragon deal with new additions like Anna’s awful stepdaughter intern Georgia. The show balances father-son dynamics with quirky office antics.

Batman: Caped Crusader – August 1, Prime Video

  • Release date: August 1, 2024
  • Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
  • Rating: TV-Y7
  • Director: Matt Reeves
  • Cast: Hamish Linklater, Christina Ricci, Jamie Chung, Diedrich Bader

This noir-inspired animated series brings Batman back to his pulp detective roots. Set in a 1930s-esque Gotham City, it follows a Batman early in his career, voiced with gravelly intensity by Hamish Linklater. The Dark Knight faces off against classic villains reimagined for this era, including Minnie Driver as a gender-swapped Penguin.

The show’s full of moody visuals and complex emotions rare in superhero fare. Weekly cases are balanced with season-long arcs exploring Bruce Wayne’s psychology and Gotham’s criminal underworld. For fans seeking a more grounded, noir take on the Caped Crusader, this series delivers in style.

Futurama (Season 12) – July 29, Hulu

  • Release date: July 29, 2024
  • Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
  • Rating: TV-14
  • Director: Matt Groening
  • Cast: Billy West, Katey Sagal, John DiMaggio, Tress MacNeille, Maurice LaMarche, Lauren Tom, Phil LaMarr

The beloved animated sci-fi comedy returns for its 12th season, picking up with the Planet Express crew in the year 3023. In the premiere, Bender gets caught up in the NFT craze, selling off “the concept of Bender” before realizing he’s lost his identity. He travels to Mexico to rediscover his robot roots, encountering his extended family.

The sci-fi parodies and quirky character dynamics remain entertaining. For fans of the long-running series, this is a great show.

Women in Blue – July 31, Apple TV Plus

  • Release date: July 31, 2024
  • Genre: Crime, Drama
  • Rating: N.A.
  • Director: Fernando Rovzar
  • Cast: Bárbara Mori, Ximena Sariñana, Natalia Téllez, Amorita Rasgado, Miguel Rodarte, Leonardo Sbaraglia, Christian Tappán

Set in 1971 Mexico City, this Spanish-language drama follows the formation of the city’s first all-female police unit. Four women from different backgrounds join the force: glamorous mother María, her activist sister Valentina, socially awkward Ángeles, and optimistic Gabina. But they soon realize they’re being used as a PR stunt to distract from the police’s failure to catch a serial killer dubbed “the Undresser”.

As the women fight for respect and equality within the department, María begins her own secret investigation into the murders. The show blends feminist themes with a chilling serial killer plotline, creating an uneven but compelling tone.

Cowboy Cartel – August 2, Apple TV Plus

  • Release date: August 1, 2024
  • Genre: Documentary, Crime
  • Rating: N.A.
  • Director: Dan Johnstone, Castor Fernandez
  • Cast: Scott Lawson, Steve Pennington, Steve Junker, Brian Schutt, Kim Williams, Doug Gardner, Ginger Thompson

This true crime docuseries explores how an inexperienced FBI agent brought down Mexico’s largest drug cartel through their unlikely connection to American quarter horse racing. In 2009, José Treviño Morales, brother of two Los Zetas cartel bosses, began buying expensive racehorses and winning major races. FBI agent Scott Lawson, on his first posting in Texas, realized this was a rare chance to take down cartel leaders through a money laundering investigation.

The series follows Lawson’s meticulous work building a case, tapping phones, and following money trails. It offers an interesting look at how cartels operate across borders.

What was new and worth watching over the last month

Missed our other lists? Here’s a quick recap. Also, check out our list of streaming movies if you’re in the mood for something longer this weekend.

All American (Season 6) – July 23, Netflix

  • Release date: July 23, 2024
  • Genre: Drama, Sport
  • Rating: TV-14
  • Director: April Blair
  • Cast: Daniel Ezra, Bre-Z, Greta Onieogou, Samantha Logan, Michael Evans Behling, Cody Christian, Karimah Westbrook

Following a significant time jump, Spencer James finds himself on the cusp of NFL stardom after a stellar college football season. Along with the pressures of potential draft picks and Heisman Trophy buzz, he must also confront the changes in his relationship with Olivia, who’s been studying abroad. Meanwhile, Jordan grapples with jealousy over Spencer’s success while planning his wedding to Layla.

The friend group, still residing at the Malibu beach house, faces new challenges including parenthood for Asher and Jaymee. As the characters prepare for life after college, they’ll need to balance their ambitions, relationships, and the evolving dynamics of their tight-knit “vortex”.

Elite (Season 8) – July 26, Netflix

  • Release date: July 26, 2024
  • Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
  • Rating: TV-MA
  • Director: Carlos Montero, Darío Madrona
  • Cast: Omar Ayuso, Itzan Escamilla, Mina El Hammani, Miguel Bernardeau, Arón Piper, Valentina Zenere, André Lamoglia

Las Encinas welcomes a new academic year fraught with danger and intrigue. The arrival of siblings Emilia and Héctor Krawietz, who are heading the alumni association, sets off a chain of events that affects every student. As usual, a shocking murder rocks the school community.

Old rivalries reignite and new alliances form as the students navigate love, betrayal, and the high-stakes world of Spain’s most elite private school. There are some familiar faces and compelling new characters, with this season showing you the lengths some will go to protect their secrets.

Dress My Tour (Season 1) – July 23, Hulu

  • Release date: July 23, 2024
  • Genre: Game Show, Reality
  • Rating: N.A.
  • Director: Laurieann Gibson
  • Cast: Kate Upton

Hosted by Kate Upton, this fashion competition series challenges designers to create tour outfits for music stars. Each week, a different celebrity guest judge tasks the contestants with designing a show-stopping look for their next tour. With mentors Marina Toybina and Laurieann Gibson offering guidance, the designers must balance creativity, functionality, and the artist’s unique style.

The competition kicks off with a high-stakes elimination challenge, designing for dancers, before moving on to outfitting JoJo Siwa. As the season progresses, tensions rise and alliances form, with designers voting to eliminate their peers. With $100,000 on the line, who will have what it takes to dress the biggest names in music?

Time Bandits – July 24, Apple Plus

  • Release date: July 24, 2024
  • Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
  • Rating: TV-PG
  • Director: Jemaine Clement, Iain Morris, Taika Waititi
  • Cast: Lisa Kudrow, Kal-El Tuck, Tadhg Murphy, Roger Jean Nsengiyumva, Rune Temte, Charlyne Yi, Rachel House

In this reimagining of Terry Gilliam’s classic film, 11-year-old history enthusiast Kevin discovers his bedroom is a portal to different eras. He joins a group of time-traveling thieves led by the sarcastic Penelope, who has stolen a map from the Supreme Being. As they hop through time, visiting places like Stonehenge under construction and the Trojan Horse, they’re pursued by the nefarious Pure Evil.

Kevin must use his historical knowledge to navigate dangerous situations while Pure Evil plots to steal the map and wreak havoc across time. Filled with witty humor and fantastical adventures, this series blends historical facts with imaginative storytelling for viewers of all ages.

Charlie Hustle & The Matter of Pete Rose – July 24, Max

  • Release date: July 24, 2024
  • Genre: Documentary, Sport
  • Rating: TV-14
  • Director: Mark Monroe
  • Cast: Pete Rose, Al Michaels, Marty Brennaman, Lesley Visser, Pete Rose Jr., Jon Miller, Mike Schmidt

This four-part documentary series delves into the complex legacy of baseball legend Pete Rose. Known as “Charlie Hustle” for his relentless playing style, Rose is very successful. He’s also known for his controversial fall from grace.

The series explores Rose’s journey from being a beloved player to his permanent ineligibility from baseball due to gambling. Through extensive interviews, including with Rose, the documentary examines the events leading to his ban, his years of denial, and the ongoing debate about his potential Hall of Fame induction.

Troppo (Season 2) – July 25, Prime Video

  • Release date: July 5, 2024
  • Genre: Crime, Thriller
  • Rating: TV-14
  • Director: Yolanda Ramke
  • Cast: Thomas Jane, Nicole Chamoun, Sun Park, David Lyons, Yerin Ha, Ling Cooper Tang, Kate Beahan

Returning to the steamy landscape of Far North Queensland, ex-cop Ted Conkaffey and private investigator Amanda Pharrell find themselves in the middle of a new mystery. It’s a dangerous environment, and the duo must confront not only the case at hand but also their own personal demons.

With Ted still grappling with his past and Amanda’s unconventional methods raising eyebrows, their partnership is put to the test. Expect more crocodile encounters, local eccentrics, and the unique blend of suspense and dark humor that made the first season a hit.

Sweet Home (Season 3) – July 19, Netflix

  • Release date: July 19, 2024
  • Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Horror
  • Rating: TV-MA
  • Director: Lee Eung-bok
  • Cast: Song Kang, Go Min-si, Lee Jin-wook, Lee Si-young, Park Gyu-young, Lee Do-hyun, Kim Nam-hee

This is it, the final season. Seoul remains a nightmarish landscape where the battle between humans and monsters continues to rage. Hyun-su grapples with his dual nature as half-human and half-monster, his internal struggle physically manifested in his one powerful, unwieldy wing.

The series introduces the concept of “neohumans,” a development that could potentially shift the balance of the ongoing war. On the monster side, those who have transformed are out for blood and possibly revenge, presenting new and terrifying challenges for the human survivors. The series promises to explore more monster designs, from creatures with ventriloquist dummy-like faces to beings with tentacles instead of facial features.

Too Hot To Handle (Season 6) – July 19, Netflix

  • Release date: July 19, 2024
  • Genre: Documentary, Game Show, Reality
  • Rating: TV-MA
  • Director: Laura Gibson, Charlie Bennett
  • Cast: Desiree Burch, Cam Holmes, Emily Faye Miller, Chase DeMoor, Carly Lawrence, Melinda Melrose, Marvin Anthony

For the first time in the series’s history, the participants are fully aware of what they’ve signed up for — don’t have sex, win a cash prize. The stakes are higher than ever, with the prize money increasing to $250,000. The most exciting addition to the cast is “Bad Lana,” a mischievous counterpart to the show’s AI host, Lana. While Lana typically enforces the no-contact rules, Bad Lana introduces periods where everything from kissing to sex is permitted without incurring fines.

This twist adds a new layer of temptation and strategy to the game. The two naughtiest contestants are sent to “banishment quarters,” where they’re made to perform mundane tasks like counting paperclips and can pay to spy on their crushes through a TV monitor. Despite these new elements, the core of the show remains intact. Expect complicated love quads, couple-swapping, and the usual ways to obtain sexual gratification without reducing the prize fund.

Hit-Monkey (Season 2) – July 15, Hulu

  • Release date: July 15, 2024
  • Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
  • Rating: TV-MA
  • Director: Josh Gordon, Will Speck
  • Cast: Fred Tatasciore, Jason Sudeikis, George Takei, Olivia Munn, Ally Maki, Nobi Nakanishi

The second season of this adult animated series based on the Marvel Comics character continues the story of a Japanese snow monkey turned assassin. The season opens with a significant plot point: ghost assassin Bryce has been granted 48 hours in his physical body and has a crucial mission to complete within this limited timeframe.

Meanwhile, the titular Hit-Monkey finds himself at a crossroads. He meets new friends who help him question his future and whether he wants to continue his life as a killer. This internal conflict forms a significant part of the season’s emotional core, with Tatasciore’s nuanced vocal performance conveying Monkey’s complex emotions through grunts and body language.

How I Caught My Killer (Season 2) – July 18, Hulu

  • Release date: July 18, 2024
  • Genre: Documentary, Crime
  • Rating: TV-MA
  • Director: Brad Bernstein
  • Cast: Anthony Martino, Samantha Holland, Terrence Mombrun

True crime fans, unite. This series explores how the victim’s digital footprints, like social media posts, private messages, and online activity, provide crucial evidence that led to their killers’ capture. It also explores more traditional forms of evidence left behind by victims, such as diaries and letters. They’re literally solving their own crimes from beyond the grave.

The series combines interviews with family members, friends, and law enforcement officials with reenactments and real footage from victims’ social media accounts. You get a comprehensive look at each case, from the initial disappearance or discovery of the crime to the eventual resolution and its impact on the community.

Those About To Die – July 18, Peacock

  • Release date: July 18, 2024
  • Genre: Action, Drama
  • Rating: TV-MA
  • Director: Robert Rodat
  • Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Tom Hughes, Sara Martins, Jojo Macari, Gabriella Pession, Dimitri Leonidas, Moe Hashim

This one’s for the history buffs. Set against the backdrop of the Roman Empire at its height, the series explores the lives of various characters across the social spectrum, from the highest echelons of power to the lowliest slaves. The story revolves around the construction of the Colosseum, commissioned by Emperor Vespasian.

As the massive amphitheater takes shape, political intrigue unfolds among the Roman elite. Vespasian’s two sons, Titus and Domitian, vie for their father’s favor and the right to succeed him as Emperor. Titus, the warrior, is seen as better equipped to deal with external threats, while Domitian, the political animal, is considered more adept at handling internal strife. At the heart of the series are the gladiatorial games themselves.

Lady in the Lake –  July 19, Apple TV Plus

  • Release date: July 19, 2024
  • Genre: Drama
  • Rating: TV-MA
  • Director: Alma Har’el
  • Cast: Natalie Portman, Moses Ingram, Y’lan Noel, Brett Gelman, Byron Bowers, Noah Jupe, Josiah Cross

The show stars Natalie Portman in her first major television role as Maddie Schwartz, a housewife and mother who reinvents herself as an investigative journalist. The story begins with Maddie’s decision to leave her comfortable but unfulfilling domestic life. Inspired by the disappearance of a local girl, Tessie Fine, Maddie becomes involved in the investigation, awakening her long-dormant ambitions and setting her on a new path.

As Maddie pursues her newfound calling, she becomes fixated on another case: the mysterious death of Cleo Sherwood (Moses Ingram), a young Black woman whose body is found in a city park lake. The official narrative dismisses Cleo’s death, but Maddie is convinced there’s more to the story and is determined to uncover the truth.

Exploding Kittens – July 12, Netflix

  • Release date: July 12, 2024
  • Genre: Animation, Comedy
  • Rating: TV-14
  • Director: Matthew Inman, Shane Kosakowski
  • Cast: Tom Ellis, Ally Maki, Mark Proksch, Sasheer Zamata, Suzy Nakamura, Kenny Yates

God and Satan find themselves stripped of their powers and trapped on Earth in the bodies of feuding house cats. A little ironic that God is voiced by Tom Ellis who played Lucifer….on, well, Lucifer. Coincidence? Adopted by an endearingly oddball family, these not-so-divine felines lead their hapless humans through an increasingly bizarre parade of misadventures.

Vampire pug takeovers, time-traveling sharks, condemned cetacean souls reincarnated as theme park overlords — no plot point is too weird or random for this whirlwind of comic fantasy. With dizzying non-sequiturs, genre parodies, and groan-worthy gags whizzing by at a breakneck pace, Exploding Kittens takes the anything-goes absurdity of animation to delirious new heights. Supremely silly, slyly smart, and purr-fectly profane, it’s the cat’s meow for fans of over-the-top humor.

The best new streaming movies this week: Tarot, Challengers, and more

We’re back with a new list of movies to catch up on this weekend. We have a long-awaited Zendaya starrer and a very interesting horror movie. 

The best new streaming movies this week

Tarot – August 1, Netflix

  • Release date: May 3, 2024
  • Genre: Horror
  • Rating: PG-13
  • Director: Spenser Cohen
  • Cast: Harriet Slater, Adain Bradley, Avantika, Jacob Batalon, Humberly González, Wolfgang Novogratz, Larsen Thompson

A group of friends carelessly breaks a sacred rule during a tarot card reading, unknowingly unleashing an evil entity trapped within the cursed cards. As they start dying one by one in mysterious and frightening ways, they realize they’re in a desperate race against time. Each friend faces their nightmare based on the tarot card they drew.

The movie aims for suspense and scares, relying heavily on jump scares and an eerie atmosphere.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes – August 2, Hulu

  • Release date: August 2, 2024 
  • Genre: Action, Adventure
  • Rating: PG-13
  • Director: Wes Ball
  • Cast: Owen Teague, Freya Allan, Kevin Durand, Peter Macon, William H. Macy, Eka Darville, Travis Jeffery

Set 300 years after the previous films, this movie shows a world where apes have become the dominant species and humans are considered wild creatures. A young chimpanzee named Noa starts a dangerous journey to rescue his clan after they’re kidnapped by a tyrannical ape ruler named Proximus Caesar.

Along the way, Noa befriends a human girl who can speak and a wise orangutan who teaches him about the legendary ape leader Caesar.

Knox Goes Away – July 26, Max

  • Release date: March 15, 2024 
  • Genre: Crime, Thriller
  • Rating: R
  • Director: Michael Keaton
  • Cast: Michael Keaton, Al Pacino, Marcia Gay Harden, James Marsden, Suzy Nakamura, Joanna Kulig, Ray McKinnon

Michael Keaton stars as Knox, a skilled hitman diagnosed with dementia. As his memories begin to slip away, Knox’s estranged son Miles shows up at his door, covered in blood after killing his teenage daughter’s adult abuser. Desperate to help his son before losing his mind completely, Knox uses his criminal expertise to cover up the crime.

With a detective closing in and his mind deteriorating, Knox races against time to protect his son and possibly find redemption.

Borderless Fog – August 1, Netflix

  • Release date: August 1, 2024 
  • Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
  • Rating: TV-MA
  • Director: Edwin
  • Cast: Putri Marino, Yoga Pratama, Lukman Sardi, Yudi Ahmad Tajudin, Yusuf Mahardika, Kiki Narendra, Siti Fauziah

This Indonesian thriller follows Detective Sanja, a skilled investigator from Jakarta, as she’s assigned to a perplexing case in the remote border region between Indonesia and Malaysia.
The case becomes more complicated as it ties into human trafficking operations and corruption among local officials.

Adding to the intrigue is the presence of a malevolent forest spirit that seems to be influencing events. Sanja must navigate unfamiliar territory, both literally and figuratively, as she investigates a series of gruesome murders.

Challengers – July 29, MGM Plus

  • Release date: April 26, 2024 
  • Genre: Drama, Romance
  • Rating: R
  • Director: Luca Guadagnino
  • Cast: Zendaya, Mike Faist, Josh O’Connor, Darnell Appling, Bryan Doo, Shane T Harris, Nada Despotovich

Set in the high-stakes world of professional tennis, this movie centers on a love triangle between three characters. Zendaya plays Tashi, a former tennis prodigy whose promising career was cut short by an injury. She’s now married to Art, a once-gifted player now struggling on the pro circuit. The third point of the triangle is Patrick, Art’s childhood friend and former tennis rival.

The narrative jumps between different periods, revealing how their relationships and tennis careers have intertwined and complicated over the years. As Art and Patrick face off in an important tournament, with Tashi coaching her husband, past tensions and unresolved feelings resurface.

What was new and worth watching over the last month

Here’s a quick roundup of our previous lists, if you missed them. Also, if you’re in the mood for something else this weekend, we have a list of streaming shows to cater to that.

Find Me Falling – July 19, Netflix

  • Release date: July 19. 2024
  • Genre: Comedy, Music, Romance
  • Rating: TV-MA
  • Director: Stelana Kliris
  • Cast: Harry Connick Jr., Agni Scott, Ali Fumiko Whitney, Clarence Smith, Athina Roditou, Antonis Katsaris, Andreas Phylactou

Set against the stunning backdrop of Cyprus, this romantic drama follows John Allman, a famous but burnt-out rockstar seeking solitude. He purchases a cliffside house, hoping for peace, but instead discovers it’s a notorious suicide spot. As John grapples with this morbid revelation, he reconnects with Sia, a local doctor and former flame.

The film interweaves themes of second chances, family dynamics, and the healing power of music, all while John tries to prevent more tragedies at his new home. The story promises a unique blend of romance, personal redemption, and unexpectedly dark undertones in a picturesque Mediterranean setting.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire – July 22, Netflix

  • Release date: March 22, 2024
  • Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
  • Rating: PG-13
  • Director: Gil Kenan
  • Cast: Mckenna Grace, Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Dan Aykroyd, Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt

This latest installment in the beloved franchise sees the Spengler family relocating to New York City. They join forces with the original Ghostbusters team to face a chilling new threat. An ancient evil entity named Garraka, capable of freezing the entire world, has been unleashed.

The film promises a mix of nostalgia and fresh energy as the multi-generational team races against time to prevent a new Ice Age. Expect a blend of spooky comedy, state-of-the-art special effects, and callbacks to the original films.

The Commandant’s Shadow – July 18, Max

  • Release date: June 13, 2024
  • Genre: Documentary
  • Rating: PG-13
  • Director: Daniela Völker
  • Cast: Hans-Jürgen Höss, Kai Höss, Anita Lasker-Wallfisch, Maya Lasker-Wallfisch

This documentary tells the story of Rudolf Höss, infamous commandant of Auschwitz concentration camp, from the perspective of his descendants. The film centers on Hans Jürgen Hoss, Rudolf’s son, now in his late 80s, as he reflects on his childhood spent living next to the concentration camp.

Interwoven with Hans’ story is that of his own son, Kai, a pastor grappling with his family’s notorious history. The documentary also features Anita Lasker-Wallfisch, an Auschwitz survivor, and her daughter Maya, exploring how trauma is passed down through generations on both sides. Through intimate interviews and archival footage, the film examines guilt, denial, and the ongoing impact of the Holocaust on subsequent generations, raising profound questions about how we confront and process historical atrocities.

Love Lies Bleeding – July 19, Max

  • Release date: March 8, 2024
  • Genre: Action, Adventure, Crime
  • Rating: R
  • Director: Rose Glass
  • Cast: Kristen Stewart, Katy O’Brian, Ed Harris, Dave Franco, Jena Malone, Anna Baryshnikov, Orion Carrington

This neo-noir thriller takes place in a gritty New Mexico town in the year 1989 and revolves around Lou, who is a gym manager involved in an endless cycle of violence and small-town boredom. However, her life turns dramatically when Jackie, a bodybuilder heading to Las Vegas for a contest comes into her life. The two quickly become heavily attracted to each other — this blossoms into an affair based on mutual goals, steeped in desire.

This film promises a gritty, visceral exploration of passion, power, and what one can do to escape circumstances.

Femme – July 23, Hulu

  • Release date: December 1, 2023
  • Genre: Thriller
  • Rating: N.A.
  • Director: Sam H. Freeman
  • Cast: Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, George MacKay, Antonia Clarke, Moe Bar-El, Nima Taleghani, John Leader, Aaron Heffernan

This psychological thriller tells the story of Jules, a talented drag performer whose life is ruined by a brutal homophobic assault. Preston, his attacker, meanwhile struggles with the fact that he himself is gay. Seizing this opportunity, Jules initiates a sexual relationship with Preston, initially motivated by revenge.

However, as their intimacy deepens, the lines between vengeance, attraction, and understanding begin to blur. The film explores complex themes of identity, masculinity, and the cyclical nature of violence, all while maintaining a taut, suspenseful atmosphere.

Blame the Game – July 12, Netflix

  • Release date: July 12, 2024
  • Genre: Comedy, Thriller
  • Rating: TV-MA
  • Director: Marco Petry
  • Cast: Janina Uhse, Dennis Mojen, Stephan Luca, Taneshia Abt, Edin Hasanović, Axel Stein, Anna Maria Mühe

Jan, a humble bicycle shop owner starts dating Pia, a wealthy pet photographer. Jan is invited to Pia’s game night with her rich friends. Among the well-off people, Jan feels inferior and cannot comfortably fit in as they play bizarre and awkward games.

Dares and challenges escalate with each subsequent round during this unforgettable night. To protect his relationship with Pia and navigate through an upper-class game night while remaining true to himself, Jan must learn how to survive among this ruling class. This romantic comedy explores class divides and relationship drama through the lens of an increasingly chaotic game night gone wrong.

My Spy The Eternal City – July 18, Prime Video

  • Release date: July 18, 2024
  • Genre: Action, Comedy
  • Rating: PG-13
  • Director: Peter Segal
  • Cast: Dave Bautista, Chloe Coleman, Kristen Schaal, Ken Jeong, Anna Faris, Craig Robinson, Flula Borg

JJ looks forward to living quietly after retiring from CIA work. He’s taken Sophie under his care. JJ is well-equipped for Sophie’s school choir trip to Italy, I mean, he’s overqualified, isn’t he? He does have a background in international affairs. But he soon finds himself in over his head dealing with teenage drama and crushes.

Meanwhile, he stumbles onto a nefarious plot involving hidden nukes that he must foil. Sophie gets pulled into the action, complicating her equations with her peers. As JJ races to stop the villains from blowing up the Vatican, he must also navigate the treacherous waters of teenage relationships and emotions.

Faye – July 13, Max

  • Release date: May 15, 2024
  • Genre: Documentary
  • Rating: TV-14
  • Director: Laurent Bouzereau
  • Cast: Faye Dunaway, Sharon Stone, Mickey Rourke, James Gray

This intimate documentary explores the life and career of legendary actress Faye Dunaway. Known for her iconic roles in films like Bonnie and Clyde, Chinatown, and Network, we reflect on her meteoric rise to fame in the 1960s and 70s. The film covers her most memorable performances while also delving into her reputation as a difficult diva.

Fellow actors like Sharon Stone and Mickey Rourke share anecdotes about working with the famously intense star. The documentary doesn’t shy away from career missteps like Mommie Dearest, allowing Dunaway to offer her perspective on the film’s legacy. At 83, Dunaway looks back on her life with honesty and humor, grappling with both her triumphs and regrets in Hollywood.

Parachute – July 12, Peacock

  • Release date: March 11, 2023
  • Genre: Drama, Romance
  • Rating: N.A.
  • Director: Brittany Snow
  • Cast: Courtney Eaton, Thomas Mann, Francesca Reale, Gina Rodriguez, Joel McHale, Dave Bautista, Kid Cudi

Riley, a young woman who just got out of rehab for her eating and sex addiction problems, struggles with staying healthy in New York City. During her first night of freedom, she meets Ethan, who has also been recently released from prison. Despite her therapist’s advice to avoid relationships for a year, Riley and Ethan feel an intense bond between them.

As Ethan falls deeper in love, Riley grapples with her own insecurities and self-destructive behaviors. The film explores themes of addiction, co-dependency, and learning to love oneself through Riley and Ethan’s complicated relationship. With support from quirky side characters, Riley must confront her demons and figure out how to truly connect with others.

Arcadian – July 12, Shudder

  • Release date: April 12, 2024
  • Genre: Action, Horror, Thriller
  • Rating: R
  • Director: Benjamin Brewer
  • Cast: Nicolas Cage, Jaeden Martell, Maxwell Jenkins, Sadie Soverall, Samantha Coughlan, Joel Gillman, Joe Dixon

In a post-apocalyptic world, Paul lives on an isolated farm with his teenage twin sons, Joseph and Thomas. They’ve adapted to a life of constant vigilance, barricading themselves inside each night to protect against mysterious and terrifying creatures that roam in the darkness. When Thomas gets stranded outside after dark, Paul ventures out to save him, setting off a chain of horrifying events.

The family soon discovers the true nature of the monstrous beings hunting them — nightmarish hybrids that are part primate, part alien, with an ever-evolving and increasingly grotesque design. As they fight for survival, Joseph must step up to protect his family while uncovering the secrets of this new world.

Lobola Man – July 12, Netflix

  • Release date: July 12, 2024
  • Genre: Comedy
  • Rating: N.A.
  • Director: Thabang Moleya
  • Cast: Lawrence Maleka, Kwanele Mthethwa, Sandile Mahlangu

Ace Ngubeni is a smooth-talking professional lobola negotiator in South Africa, posing as a fake family member to help clients with traditional marriage negotiations. His skills are put to the ultimate test when he takes on a new client, Duke, who wants to marry Zandi. The catch? Ace and Zandi have met before, and they have a complicated romantic history.

As Ace finds himself falling for Zandi again while trying to negotiate on Duke’s behalf, hilarious complications ensue. The film offers a comedic look at modern romance colliding with cultural traditions, as Ace must navigate tricky family dynamics, his own conflicted feelings, and the intricacies of lobola negotiations.

Divorce in The Black – July 11, Prime Video

  • Release date: July 11, 2024
  • Genre: Drama, Thriller
  • Rating: R
  • Director: Tyler Perry
  • Cast: Meagan Good, Debbi Morgan, Cory Hardrict, Richard Lawson, Joseph Lee Anderson, Taylor Polidore, Art Newkirk

This emotionally charged drama from Tyler Perry follows the life of Ava, a successful bank professional whose world falls apart when her husband unceremoniously walks away from a marriage that once seemed to hold so much potential. Ava fights for her relationship with him.

With painful secrets exposed, Ava now has to gather the personal strength needed to confront the past and start rebuilding a new life. Through his poignant script, Perry explores complex relationships, coming to terms with emotional scars and accepting opportunities for redemption.

Prime Video ads isn’t quite the cash cow yet for Amazon

  • Amazon introduced ads on Prime Video earlier this year to boost advertising revenue, though this change has yet to yield the expected gains.
  • In the second quarter, Amazon’s ad business grew by only 20%, marking its slowest growth rate in years, despite including video ad revenue for the first time.
  • The company continues to remain heavily reliant on traditional sponsored product ads, while gradually rolling out video ads to avoid alienating its Prime Video users.


If you’ve been streaming the latest shows or movies on Prime, you’ve likely noticed that ads are now part of your streaming experience. This change, introduced earlier in the year, is part of a broader strategy to boost Amazon’s advertising revenue. However, the retailer’s effort has yet to pay off, with the actual gains from its ad segment falling short of analysts’ expectations.

In the second quarter of the fiscal year, Amazon’s ad business grew by only 20% — this has been the slowest growth rate for the company’s ad segment in years (via The Information). As expected from such an announcement, the company’s share price dropped at market open. But what’s surprising is that the second quarter — April to June — was the first complete period to include revenue from video ads.

For a few months now, users have been seeing ads by default when streaming on Prime — that is, unless they agree to pay more for the ad-free plan. During a recent call with reporters, Brian Olsavsky, the Chief Financial Officer of Amazon, emphasized that, as of now, sponsored product ads, which refer to merchant-sponsored ads that appear on the top of your Amazon search page, will continue to be the core focus of Amazon’s ad businesses.

Amazon has taken a more gradual approach to introducing ads in its video platform, which we can only assume is to avoid alienating customers who had gotten used to an ad-free experience on Prime Video. That said, the company now has plenty of new streaming content in the works, which might just help in the success of its ad-supported model, as well as attracting new customers.

Although Amazon’s video ads business has made some pretty significant strides and is coming up strong against competitors like YouTube, its overall ad business is still fairly reliant on traditional merchant-sponsored ads on the Amazon app.

The best new streaming shows this week: Cowboy Cartel, Unstable, and more

This week’s list has a lot of great picks. We’ve got a thriller starring Emma Myers and a very, very well-received Batman rendition. Let’s get started!

The best new streaming shows this week

Feel free to click on any links that pique your interest.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder – August 1, Netflix

  • Release date: July 1, 2024
  • Genre: Mystery, Thriller
  • Rating: N.A.
  • Director: Poppy Cogan
  • Cast: Emma Myers, Zain Iqbal, Asha Banks, Raiko Gohara, Jude Morgan-Collie, Yali Topol Margalith, Yasmin Al-Khudhairi

Remember Enid from Wednesday? She’s back again. This teen mystery thriller follows high school student Pippa as she investigates a 5-year-old murder case for her senior project. The small English town of Little Kilton was rocked when popular 17-year-old Andie Bell disappeared, presumed murdered by her boyfriend Sal Singh.

But Pip has always felt something was off about the case. As she digs deeper, interviewing witnesses and uncovering secrets, Pip realizes the truth is far more twisted than anyone imagined. With help from Sal’s brother Ravi, Pip follows a trail of clues that puts her in increasing danger.

Unstable (Season 2) – August 1, Netflix

  • Release date: August 1, 2024
  • Genre: Comedy
  • Rating: TV-14
  • Director: Rob Lowe, Victor Fresco, John Owen Lowe
  • Cast: Sian Clifford, Rachel Marsh, Emma Ferreira, Aaron Branch, Rob Lowe, John Owen Lowe, Fred Armisen

Rob Lowe and his real-life son John Owen Lowe star in this workplace comedy as an eccentric biotech genius and his more grounded son. In Season 2, Ellis Dragon is determined to keep his son Jackson in the family company, even as Jackson seeks independence. When Jackson accepts a job offer from rival tech mogul Peter Martin, Ellis goes to extreme lengths to bring him back into the fold.

Meanwhile, the eccentric staff at Dragon deal with new additions like Anna’s awful stepdaughter intern Georgia. The show balances father-son dynamics with quirky office antics.

Batman: Caped Crusader – August 1, Prime Video

  • Release date: August 1, 2024
  • Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
  • Rating: TV-Y7
  • Director: Matt Reeves
  • Cast: Hamish Linklater, Christina Ricci, Jamie Chung, Diedrich Bader

This noir-inspired animated series brings Batman back to his pulp detective roots. Set in a 1930s-esque Gotham City, it follows a Batman early in his career, voiced with gravelly intensity by Hamish Linklater. The Dark Knight faces off against classic villains reimagined for this era, including Minnie Driver as a gender-swapped Penguin.

The show’s full of moody visuals and complex emotions rare in superhero fare. Weekly cases are balanced with season-long arcs exploring Bruce Wayne’s psychology and Gotham’s criminal underworld. For fans seeking a more grounded, noir take on the Caped Crusader, this series delivers in style.

Futurama (Season 12) – July 29, Hulu

  • Release date: July 29, 2024
  • Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
  • Rating: TV-14
  • Director: Matt Groening
  • Cast: Billy West, Katey Sagal, John DiMaggio, Tress MacNeille, Maurice LaMarche, Lauren Tom, Phil LaMarr

The beloved animated sci-fi comedy returns for its 12th season, picking up with the Planet Express crew in the year 3023. In the premiere, Bender gets caught up in the NFT craze, selling off “the concept of Bender” before realizing he’s lost his identity. He travels to Mexico to rediscover his robot roots, encountering his extended family.

The sci-fi parodies and quirky character dynamics remain entertaining. For fans of the long-running series, this is a great show.

Women in Blue – July 31, Apple TV Plus

  • Release date: July 31, 2024
  • Genre: Crime, Drama
  • Rating: N.A.
  • Director: Fernando Rovzar
  • Cast: Bárbara Mori, Ximena Sariñana, Natalia Téllez, Amorita Rasgado, Miguel Rodarte, Leonardo Sbaraglia, Christian Tappán

Set in 1971 Mexico City, this Spanish-language drama follows the formation of the city’s first all-female police unit. Four women from different backgrounds join the force: glamorous mother María, her activist sister Valentina, socially awkward Ángeles, and optimistic Gabina. But they soon realize they’re being used as a PR stunt to distract from the police’s failure to catch a serial killer dubbed “the Undresser”.

As the women fight for respect and equality within the department, María begins her own secret investigation into the murders. The show blends feminist themes with a chilling serial killer plotline, creating an uneven but compelling tone.

Cowboy Cartel – August 2, Apple TV Plus

  • Release date: August 1, 2024
  • Genre: Documentary, Crime
  • Rating: N.A.
  • Director: Dan Johnstone, Castor Fernandez
  • Cast: Scott Lawson, Steve Pennington, Steve Junker, Brian Schutt, Kim Williams, Doug Gardner, Ginger Thompson

This true crime docuseries explores how an inexperienced FBI agent brought down Mexico’s largest drug cartel through their unlikely connection to American quarter horse racing. In 2009, José Treviño Morales, brother of two Los Zetas cartel bosses, began buying expensive racehorses and winning major races. FBI agent Scott Lawson, on his first posting in Texas, realized this was a rare chance to take down cartel leaders through a money laundering investigation.

The series follows Lawson’s meticulous work building a case, tapping phones, and following money trails. It offers an interesting look at how cartels operate across borders.

What was new and worth watching over the last month

Missed our other lists? Here’s a quick recap. Also, check out our list of streaming movies if you’re in the mood for something longer this weekend.

All American (Season 6) – July 23, Netflix

  • Release date: July 23, 2024
  • Genre: Drama, Sport
  • Rating: TV-14
  • Director: April Blair
  • Cast: Daniel Ezra, Bre-Z, Greta Onieogou, Samantha Logan, Michael Evans Behling, Cody Christian, Karimah Westbrook

Following a significant time jump, Spencer James finds himself on the cusp of NFL stardom after a stellar college football season. Along with the pressures of potential draft picks and Heisman Trophy buzz, he must also confront the changes in his relationship with Olivia, who’s been studying abroad. Meanwhile, Jordan grapples with jealousy over Spencer’s success while planning his wedding to Layla.

The friend group, still residing at the Malibu beach house, faces new challenges including parenthood for Asher and Jaymee. As the characters prepare for life after college, they’ll need to balance their ambitions, relationships, and the evolving dynamics of their tight-knit “vortex”.

Elite (Season 8) – July 26, Netflix

  • Release date: July 26, 2024
  • Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
  • Rating: TV-MA
  • Director: Carlos Montero, Darío Madrona
  • Cast: Omar Ayuso, Itzan Escamilla, Mina El Hammani, Miguel Bernardeau, Arón Piper, Valentina Zenere, André Lamoglia

Las Encinas welcomes a new academic year fraught with danger and intrigue. The arrival of siblings Emilia and Héctor Krawietz, who are heading the alumni association, sets off a chain of events that affects every student. As usual, a shocking murder rocks the school community.

Old rivalries reignite and new alliances form as the students navigate love, betrayal, and the high-stakes world of Spain’s most elite private school. There are some familiar faces and compelling new characters, with this season showing you the lengths some will go to protect their secrets.

Dress My Tour (Season 1) – July 23, Hulu

  • Release date: July 23, 2024
  • Genre: Game Show, Reality
  • Rating: N.A.
  • Director: Laurieann Gibson
  • Cast: Kate Upton

Hosted by Kate Upton, this fashion competition series challenges designers to create tour outfits for music stars. Each week, a different celebrity guest judge tasks the contestants with designing a show-stopping look for their next tour. With mentors Marina Toybina and Laurieann Gibson offering guidance, the designers must balance creativity, functionality, and the artist’s unique style.

The competition kicks off with a high-stakes elimination challenge, designing for dancers, before moving on to outfitting JoJo Siwa. As the season progresses, tensions rise and alliances form, with designers voting to eliminate their peers. With $100,000 on the line, who will have what it takes to dress the biggest names in music?

Time Bandits – July 24, Apple Plus

  • Release date: July 24, 2024
  • Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
  • Rating: TV-PG
  • Director: Jemaine Clement, Iain Morris, Taika Waititi
  • Cast: Lisa Kudrow, Kal-El Tuck, Tadhg Murphy, Roger Jean Nsengiyumva, Rune Temte, Charlyne Yi, Rachel House

In this reimagining of Terry Gilliam’s classic film, 11-year-old history enthusiast Kevin discovers his bedroom is a portal to different eras. He joins a group of time-traveling thieves led by the sarcastic Penelope, who has stolen a map from the Supreme Being. As they hop through time, visiting places like Stonehenge under construction and the Trojan Horse, they’re pursued by the nefarious Pure Evil.

Kevin must use his historical knowledge to navigate dangerous situations while Pure Evil plots to steal the map and wreak havoc across time. Filled with witty humor and fantastical adventures, this series blends historical facts with imaginative storytelling for viewers of all ages.

Charlie Hustle & The Matter of Pete Rose – July 24, Max

  • Release date: July 24, 2024
  • Genre: Documentary, Sport
  • Rating: TV-14
  • Director: Mark Monroe
  • Cast: Pete Rose, Al Michaels, Marty Brennaman, Lesley Visser, Pete Rose Jr., Jon Miller, Mike Schmidt

This four-part documentary series delves into the complex legacy of baseball legend Pete Rose. Known as “Charlie Hustle” for his relentless playing style, Rose is very successful. He’s also known for his controversial fall from grace.

The series explores Rose’s journey from being a beloved player to his permanent ineligibility from baseball due to gambling. Through extensive interviews, including with Rose, the documentary examines the events leading to his ban, his years of denial, and the ongoing debate about his potential Hall of Fame induction.

Troppo (Season 2) – July 25, Prime Video

  • Release date: July 5, 2024
  • Genre: Crime, Thriller
  • Rating: TV-14
  • Director: Yolanda Ramke
  • Cast: Thomas Jane, Nicole Chamoun, Sun Park, David Lyons, Yerin Ha, Ling Cooper Tang, Kate Beahan

Returning to the steamy landscape of Far North Queensland, ex-cop Ted Conkaffey and private investigator Amanda Pharrell find themselves in the middle of a new mystery. It’s a dangerous environment, and the duo must confront not only the case at hand but also their own personal demons.

With Ted still grappling with his past and Amanda’s unconventional methods raising eyebrows, their partnership is put to the test. Expect more crocodile encounters, local eccentrics, and the unique blend of suspense and dark humor that made the first season a hit.

Sweet Home (Season 3) – July 19, Netflix

  • Release date: July 19, 2024
  • Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Horror
  • Rating: TV-MA
  • Director: Lee Eung-bok
  • Cast: Song Kang, Go Min-si, Lee Jin-wook, Lee Si-young, Park Gyu-young, Lee Do-hyun, Kim Nam-hee

This is it, the final season. Seoul remains a nightmarish landscape where the battle between humans and monsters continues to rage. Hyun-su grapples with his dual nature as half-human and half-monster, his internal struggle physically manifested in his one powerful, unwieldy wing.

The series introduces the concept of “neohumans,” a development that could potentially shift the balance of the ongoing war. On the monster side, those who have transformed are out for blood and possibly revenge, presenting new and terrifying challenges for the human survivors. The series promises to explore more monster designs, from creatures with ventriloquist dummy-like faces to beings with tentacles instead of facial features.

Too Hot To Handle (Season 6) – July 19, Netflix

  • Release date: July 19, 2024
  • Genre: Documentary, Game Show, Reality
  • Rating: TV-MA
  • Director: Laura Gibson, Charlie Bennett
  • Cast: Desiree Burch, Cam Holmes, Emily Faye Miller, Chase DeMoor, Carly Lawrence, Melinda Melrose, Marvin Anthony

For the first time in the series’s history, the participants are fully aware of what they’ve signed up for — don’t have sex, win a cash prize. The stakes are higher than ever, with the prize money increasing to $250,000. The most exciting addition to the cast is “Bad Lana,” a mischievous counterpart to the show’s AI host, Lana. While Lana typically enforces the no-contact rules, Bad Lana introduces periods where everything from kissing to sex is permitted without incurring fines.

This twist adds a new layer of temptation and strategy to the game. The two naughtiest contestants are sent to “banishment quarters,” where they’re made to perform mundane tasks like counting paperclips and can pay to spy on their crushes through a TV monitor. Despite these new elements, the core of the show remains intact. Expect complicated love quads, couple-swapping, and the usual ways to obtain sexual gratification without reducing the prize fund.

Hit-Monkey (Season 2) – July 15, Hulu

  • Release date: July 15, 2024
  • Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
  • Rating: TV-MA
  • Director: Josh Gordon, Will Speck
  • Cast: Fred Tatasciore, Jason Sudeikis, George Takei, Olivia Munn, Ally Maki, Nobi Nakanishi

The second season of this adult animated series based on the Marvel Comics character continues the story of a Japanese snow monkey turned assassin. The season opens with a significant plot point: ghost assassin Bryce has been granted 48 hours in his physical body and has a crucial mission to complete within this limited timeframe.

Meanwhile, the titular Hit-Monkey finds himself at a crossroads. He meets new friends who help him question his future and whether he wants to continue his life as a killer. This internal conflict forms a significant part of the season’s emotional core, with Tatasciore’s nuanced vocal performance conveying Monkey’s complex emotions through grunts and body language.

How I Caught My Killer (Season 2) – July 18, Hulu

  • Release date: July 18, 2024
  • Genre: Documentary, Crime
  • Rating: TV-MA
  • Director: Brad Bernstein
  • Cast: Anthony Martino, Samantha Holland, Terrence Mombrun

True crime fans, unite. This series explores how the victim’s digital footprints, like social media posts, private messages, and online activity, provide crucial evidence that led to their killers’ capture. It also explores more traditional forms of evidence left behind by victims, such as diaries and letters. They’re literally solving their own crimes from beyond the grave.

The series combines interviews with family members, friends, and law enforcement officials with reenactments and real footage from victims’ social media accounts. You get a comprehensive look at each case, from the initial disappearance or discovery of the crime to the eventual resolution and its impact on the community.

Those About To Die – July 18, Peacock

  • Release date: July 18, 2024
  • Genre: Action, Drama
  • Rating: TV-MA
  • Director: Robert Rodat
  • Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Tom Hughes, Sara Martins, Jojo Macari, Gabriella Pession, Dimitri Leonidas, Moe Hashim

This one’s for the history buffs. Set against the backdrop of the Roman Empire at its height, the series explores the lives of various characters across the social spectrum, from the highest echelons of power to the lowliest slaves. The story revolves around the construction of the Colosseum, commissioned by Emperor Vespasian.

As the massive amphitheater takes shape, political intrigue unfolds among the Roman elite. Vespasian’s two sons, Titus and Domitian, vie for their father’s favor and the right to succeed him as Emperor. Titus, the warrior, is seen as better equipped to deal with external threats, while Domitian, the political animal, is considered more adept at handling internal strife. At the heart of the series are the gladiatorial games themselves.

Lady in the Lake –  July 19, Apple TV Plus

  • Release date: July 19, 2024
  • Genre: Drama
  • Rating: TV-MA
  • Director: Alma Har’el
  • Cast: Natalie Portman, Moses Ingram, Y’lan Noel, Brett Gelman, Byron Bowers, Noah Jupe, Josiah Cross

The show stars Natalie Portman in her first major television role as Maddie Schwartz, a housewife and mother who reinvents herself as an investigative journalist. The story begins with Maddie’s decision to leave her comfortable but unfulfilling domestic life. Inspired by the disappearance of a local girl, Tessie Fine, Maddie becomes involved in the investigation, awakening her long-dormant ambitions and setting her on a new path.

As Maddie pursues her newfound calling, she becomes fixated on another case: the mysterious death of Cleo Sherwood (Moses Ingram), a young Black woman whose body is found in a city park lake. The official narrative dismisses Cleo’s death, but Maddie is convinced there’s more to the story and is determined to uncover the truth.

Exploding Kittens – July 12, Netflix

  • Release date: July 12, 2024
  • Genre: Animation, Comedy
  • Rating: TV-14
  • Director: Matthew Inman, Shane Kosakowski
  • Cast: Tom Ellis, Ally Maki, Mark Proksch, Sasheer Zamata, Suzy Nakamura, Kenny Yates

God and Satan find themselves stripped of their powers and trapped on Earth in the bodies of feuding house cats. A little ironic that God is voiced by Tom Ellis who played Lucifer….on, well, Lucifer. Coincidence? Adopted by an endearingly oddball family, these not-so-divine felines lead their hapless humans through an increasingly bizarre parade of misadventures.

Vampire pug takeovers, time-traveling sharks, condemned cetacean souls reincarnated as theme park overlords — no plot point is too weird or random for this whirlwind of comic fantasy. With dizzying non-sequiturs, genre parodies, and groan-worthy gags whizzing by at a breakneck pace, Exploding Kittens takes the anything-goes absurdity of animation to delirious new heights. Supremely silly, slyly smart, and purr-fectly profane, it’s the cat’s meow for fans of over-the-top humor.

The best new streaming movies this week: Tarot, Challengers, and more

We’re back with a new list of movies to catch up on this weekend. We have a long-awaited Zendaya starrer and a very interesting horror movie. 

The best new streaming movies this week

Tarot – August 1, Netflix

  • Release date: May 3, 2024
  • Genre: Horror
  • Rating: PG-13
  • Director: Spenser Cohen
  • Cast: Harriet Slater, Adain Bradley, Avantika, Jacob Batalon, Humberly González, Wolfgang Novogratz, Larsen Thompson

A group of friends carelessly breaks a sacred rule during a tarot card reading, unknowingly unleashing an evil entity trapped within the cursed cards. As they start dying one by one in mysterious and frightening ways, they realize they’re in a desperate race against time. Each friend faces their nightmare based on the tarot card they drew.

The movie aims for suspense and scares, relying heavily on jump scares and an eerie atmosphere.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes – August 2, Hulu

  • Release date: August 2, 2024 
  • Genre: Action, Adventure
  • Rating: PG-13
  • Director: Wes Ball
  • Cast: Owen Teague, Freya Allan, Kevin Durand, Peter Macon, William H. Macy, Eka Darville, Travis Jeffery

Set 300 years after the previous films, this movie shows a world where apes have become the dominant species and humans are considered wild creatures. A young chimpanzee named Noa starts a dangerous journey to rescue his clan after they’re kidnapped by a tyrannical ape ruler named Proximus Caesar.

Along the way, Noa befriends a human girl who can speak and a wise orangutan who teaches him about the legendary ape leader Caesar.

Knox Goes Away – July 26, Max

  • Release date: March 15, 2024 
  • Genre: Crime, Thriller
  • Rating: R
  • Director: Michael Keaton
  • Cast: Michael Keaton, Al Pacino, Marcia Gay Harden, James Marsden, Suzy Nakamura, Joanna Kulig, Ray McKinnon

Michael Keaton stars as Knox, a skilled hitman diagnosed with dementia. As his memories begin to slip away, Knox’s estranged son Miles shows up at his door, covered in blood after killing his teenage daughter’s adult abuser. Desperate to help his son before losing his mind completely, Knox uses his criminal expertise to cover up the crime.

With a detective closing in and his mind deteriorating, Knox races against time to protect his son and possibly find redemption.

Borderless Fog – August 1, Netflix

  • Release date: August 1, 2024 
  • Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
  • Rating: TV-MA
  • Director: Edwin
  • Cast: Putri Marino, Yoga Pratama, Lukman Sardi, Yudi Ahmad Tajudin, Yusuf Mahardika, Kiki Narendra, Siti Fauziah

This Indonesian thriller follows Detective Sanja, a skilled investigator from Jakarta, as she’s assigned to a perplexing case in the remote border region between Indonesia and Malaysia.
The case becomes more complicated as it ties into human trafficking operations and corruption among local officials.

Adding to the intrigue is the presence of a malevolent forest spirit that seems to be influencing events. Sanja must navigate unfamiliar territory, both literally and figuratively, as she investigates a series of gruesome murders.

Challengers – July 29, MGM Plus

  • Release date: April 26, 2024 
  • Genre: Drama, Romance
  • Rating: R
  • Director: Luca Guadagnino
  • Cast: Zendaya, Mike Faist, Josh O’Connor, Darnell Appling, Bryan Doo, Shane T Harris, Nada Despotovich

Set in the high-stakes world of professional tennis, this movie centers on a love triangle between three characters. Zendaya plays Tashi, a former tennis prodigy whose promising career was cut short by an injury. She’s now married to Art, a once-gifted player now struggling on the pro circuit. The third point of the triangle is Patrick, Art’s childhood friend and former tennis rival.

The narrative jumps between different periods, revealing how their relationships and tennis careers have intertwined and complicated over the years. As Art and Patrick face off in an important tournament, with Tashi coaching her husband, past tensions and unresolved feelings resurface.

What was new and worth watching over the last month

Here’s a quick roundup of our previous lists, if you missed them. Also, if you’re in the mood for something else this weekend, we have a list of streaming shows to cater to that.

Find Me Falling – July 19, Netflix

  • Release date: July 19. 2024
  • Genre: Comedy, Music, Romance
  • Rating: TV-MA
  • Director: Stelana Kliris
  • Cast: Harry Connick Jr., Agni Scott, Ali Fumiko Whitney, Clarence Smith, Athina Roditou, Antonis Katsaris, Andreas Phylactou

Set against the stunning backdrop of Cyprus, this romantic drama follows John Allman, a famous but burnt-out rockstar seeking solitude. He purchases a cliffside house, hoping for peace, but instead discovers it’s a notorious suicide spot. As John grapples with this morbid revelation, he reconnects with Sia, a local doctor and former flame.

The film interweaves themes of second chances, family dynamics, and the healing power of music, all while John tries to prevent more tragedies at his new home. The story promises a unique blend of romance, personal redemption, and unexpectedly dark undertones in a picturesque Mediterranean setting.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire – July 22, Netflix

  • Release date: March 22, 2024
  • Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
  • Rating: PG-13
  • Director: Gil Kenan
  • Cast: Mckenna Grace, Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Dan Aykroyd, Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt

This latest installment in the beloved franchise sees the Spengler family relocating to New York City. They join forces with the original Ghostbusters team to face a chilling new threat. An ancient evil entity named Garraka, capable of freezing the entire world, has been unleashed.

The film promises a mix of nostalgia and fresh energy as the multi-generational team races against time to prevent a new Ice Age. Expect a blend of spooky comedy, state-of-the-art special effects, and callbacks to the original films.

The Commandant’s Shadow – July 18, Max

  • Release date: June 13, 2024
  • Genre: Documentary
  • Rating: PG-13
  • Director: Daniela Völker
  • Cast: Hans-Jürgen Höss, Kai Höss, Anita Lasker-Wallfisch, Maya Lasker-Wallfisch

This documentary tells the story of Rudolf Höss, infamous commandant of Auschwitz concentration camp, from the perspective of his descendants. The film centers on Hans Jürgen Hoss, Rudolf’s son, now in his late 80s, as he reflects on his childhood spent living next to the concentration camp.

Interwoven with Hans’ story is that of his own son, Kai, a pastor grappling with his family’s notorious history. The documentary also features Anita Lasker-Wallfisch, an Auschwitz survivor, and her daughter Maya, exploring how trauma is passed down through generations on both sides. Through intimate interviews and archival footage, the film examines guilt, denial, and the ongoing impact of the Holocaust on subsequent generations, raising profound questions about how we confront and process historical atrocities.

Love Lies Bleeding – July 19, Max

  • Release date: March 8, 2024
  • Genre: Action, Adventure, Crime
  • Rating: R
  • Director: Rose Glass
  • Cast: Kristen Stewart, Katy O’Brian, Ed Harris, Dave Franco, Jena Malone, Anna Baryshnikov, Orion Carrington

This neo-noir thriller takes place in a gritty New Mexico town in the year 1989 and revolves around Lou, who is a gym manager involved in an endless cycle of violence and small-town boredom. However, her life turns dramatically when Jackie, a bodybuilder heading to Las Vegas for a contest comes into her life. The two quickly become heavily attracted to each other — this blossoms into an affair based on mutual goals, steeped in desire.

This film promises a gritty, visceral exploration of passion, power, and what one can do to escape circumstances.

Femme – July 23, Hulu

  • Release date: December 1, 2023
  • Genre: Thriller
  • Rating: N.A.
  • Director: Sam H. Freeman
  • Cast: Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, George MacKay, Antonia Clarke, Moe Bar-El, Nima Taleghani, John Leader, Aaron Heffernan

This psychological thriller tells the story of Jules, a talented drag performer whose life is ruined by a brutal homophobic assault. Preston, his attacker, meanwhile struggles with the fact that he himself is gay. Seizing this opportunity, Jules initiates a sexual relationship with Preston, initially motivated by revenge.

However, as their intimacy deepens, the lines between vengeance, attraction, and understanding begin to blur. The film explores complex themes of identity, masculinity, and the cyclical nature of violence, all while maintaining a taut, suspenseful atmosphere.

Blame the Game – July 12, Netflix

  • Release date: July 12, 2024
  • Genre: Comedy, Thriller
  • Rating: TV-MA
  • Director: Marco Petry
  • Cast: Janina Uhse, Dennis Mojen, Stephan Luca, Taneshia Abt, Edin Hasanović, Axel Stein, Anna Maria Mühe

Jan, a humble bicycle shop owner starts dating Pia, a wealthy pet photographer. Jan is invited to Pia’s game night with her rich friends. Among the well-off people, Jan feels inferior and cannot comfortably fit in as they play bizarre and awkward games.

Dares and challenges escalate with each subsequent round during this unforgettable night. To protect his relationship with Pia and navigate through an upper-class game night while remaining true to himself, Jan must learn how to survive among this ruling class. This romantic comedy explores class divides and relationship drama through the lens of an increasingly chaotic game night gone wrong.

My Spy The Eternal City – July 18, Prime Video

  • Release date: July 18, 2024
  • Genre: Action, Comedy
  • Rating: PG-13
  • Director: Peter Segal
  • Cast: Dave Bautista, Chloe Coleman, Kristen Schaal, Ken Jeong, Anna Faris, Craig Robinson, Flula Borg

JJ looks forward to living quietly after retiring from CIA work. He’s taken Sophie under his care. JJ is well-equipped for Sophie’s school choir trip to Italy, I mean, he’s overqualified, isn’t he? He does have a background in international affairs. But he soon finds himself in over his head dealing with teenage drama and crushes.

Meanwhile, he stumbles onto a nefarious plot involving hidden nukes that he must foil. Sophie gets pulled into the action, complicating her equations with her peers. As JJ races to stop the villains from blowing up the Vatican, he must also navigate the treacherous waters of teenage relationships and emotions.

Faye – July 13, Max

  • Release date: May 15, 2024
  • Genre: Documentary
  • Rating: TV-14
  • Director: Laurent Bouzereau
  • Cast: Faye Dunaway, Sharon Stone, Mickey Rourke, James Gray

This intimate documentary explores the life and career of legendary actress Faye Dunaway. Known for her iconic roles in films like Bonnie and Clyde, Chinatown, and Network, we reflect on her meteoric rise to fame in the 1960s and 70s. The film covers her most memorable performances while also delving into her reputation as a difficult diva.

Fellow actors like Sharon Stone and Mickey Rourke share anecdotes about working with the famously intense star. The documentary doesn’t shy away from career missteps like Mommie Dearest, allowing Dunaway to offer her perspective on the film’s legacy. At 83, Dunaway looks back on her life with honesty and humor, grappling with both her triumphs and regrets in Hollywood.

Parachute – July 12, Peacock

  • Release date: March 11, 2023
  • Genre: Drama, Romance
  • Rating: N.A.
  • Director: Brittany Snow
  • Cast: Courtney Eaton, Thomas Mann, Francesca Reale, Gina Rodriguez, Joel McHale, Dave Bautista, Kid Cudi

Riley, a young woman who just got out of rehab for her eating and sex addiction problems, struggles with staying healthy in New York City. During her first night of freedom, she meets Ethan, who has also been recently released from prison. Despite her therapist’s advice to avoid relationships for a year, Riley and Ethan feel an intense bond between them.

As Ethan falls deeper in love, Riley grapples with her own insecurities and self-destructive behaviors. The film explores themes of addiction, co-dependency, and learning to love oneself through Riley and Ethan’s complicated relationship. With support from quirky side characters, Riley must confront her demons and figure out how to truly connect with others.

Arcadian – July 12, Shudder

  • Release date: April 12, 2024
  • Genre: Action, Horror, Thriller
  • Rating: R
  • Director: Benjamin Brewer
  • Cast: Nicolas Cage, Jaeden Martell, Maxwell Jenkins, Sadie Soverall, Samantha Coughlan, Joel Gillman, Joe Dixon

In a post-apocalyptic world, Paul lives on an isolated farm with his teenage twin sons, Joseph and Thomas. They’ve adapted to a life of constant vigilance, barricading themselves inside each night to protect against mysterious and terrifying creatures that roam in the darkness. When Thomas gets stranded outside after dark, Paul ventures out to save him, setting off a chain of horrifying events.

The family soon discovers the true nature of the monstrous beings hunting them — nightmarish hybrids that are part primate, part alien, with an ever-evolving and increasingly grotesque design. As they fight for survival, Joseph must step up to protect his family while uncovering the secrets of this new world.

Lobola Man – July 12, Netflix

  • Release date: July 12, 2024
  • Genre: Comedy
  • Rating: N.A.
  • Director: Thabang Moleya
  • Cast: Lawrence Maleka, Kwanele Mthethwa, Sandile Mahlangu

Ace Ngubeni is a smooth-talking professional lobola negotiator in South Africa, posing as a fake family member to help clients with traditional marriage negotiations. His skills are put to the ultimate test when he takes on a new client, Duke, who wants to marry Zandi. The catch? Ace and Zandi have met before, and they have a complicated romantic history.

As Ace finds himself falling for Zandi again while trying to negotiate on Duke’s behalf, hilarious complications ensue. The film offers a comedic look at modern romance colliding with cultural traditions, as Ace must navigate tricky family dynamics, his own conflicted feelings, and the intricacies of lobola negotiations.

Divorce in The Black – July 11, Prime Video

  • Release date: July 11, 2024
  • Genre: Drama, Thriller
  • Rating: R
  • Director: Tyler Perry
  • Cast: Meagan Good, Debbi Morgan, Cory Hardrict, Richard Lawson, Joseph Lee Anderson, Taylor Polidore, Art Newkirk

This emotionally charged drama from Tyler Perry follows the life of Ava, a successful bank professional whose world falls apart when her husband unceremoniously walks away from a marriage that once seemed to hold so much potential. Ava fights for her relationship with him.

With painful secrets exposed, Ava now has to gather the personal strength needed to confront the past and start rebuilding a new life. Through his poignant script, Perry explores complex relationships, coming to terms with emotional scars and accepting opportunities for redemption.

Prime Video ads isn’t quite the cash cow yet for Amazon

  • Amazon introduced ads on Prime Video earlier this year to boost advertising revenue, though this change has yet to yield the expected gains.
  • In the second quarter, Amazon’s ad business grew by only 20%, marking its slowest growth rate in years, despite including video ad revenue for the first time.
  • The company continues to remain heavily reliant on traditional sponsored product ads, while gradually rolling out video ads to avoid alienating its Prime Video users.


If you’ve been streaming the latest shows or movies on Prime, you’ve likely noticed that ads are now part of your streaming experience. This change, introduced earlier in the year, is part of a broader strategy to boost Amazon’s advertising revenue. However, the retailer’s effort has yet to pay off, with the actual gains from its ad segment falling short of analysts’ expectations.

In the second quarter of the fiscal year, Amazon’s ad business grew by only 20% — this has been the slowest growth rate for the company’s ad segment in years (via The Information). As expected from such an announcement, the company’s share price dropped at market open. But what’s surprising is that the second quarter — April to June — was the first complete period to include revenue from video ads.

For a few months now, users have been seeing ads by default when streaming on Prime — that is, unless they agree to pay more for the ad-free plan. During a recent call with reporters, Brian Olsavsky, the Chief Financial Officer of Amazon, emphasized that, as of now, sponsored product ads, which refer to merchant-sponsored ads that appear on the top of your Amazon search page, will continue to be the core focus of Amazon’s ad businesses.

Amazon has taken a more gradual approach to introducing ads in its video platform, which we can only assume is to avoid alienating customers who had gotten used to an ad-free experience on Prime Video. That said, the company now has plenty of new streaming content in the works, which might just help in the success of its ad-supported model, as well as attracting new customers.

Although Amazon’s video ads business has made some pretty significant strides and is coming up strong against competitors like YouTube, its overall ad business is still fairly reliant on traditional merchant-sponsored ads on the Amazon app.

The best new streaming shows this week: I Kissed a Girl, Hotel Cocaine, and more

We’re back with this week’s list of shows brand-new streaming shows. We’ve got a lot of horror and action for you and a much-waited reality show that’s finally out in the US.

The best new streaming shows this week

Feel free to click on anything that piques your interest. This week, our list includes shows on Netflix, Max, Hulu, and MGM Plus.

House of the Dragon (Season 2) – June 16, Max

  • Release date: June 16, 2024
  • Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama
  • Rating: TV-MA
  • Director: George R. R. Martin, Ryan Condal
  • Cast: Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Paddy Considine, Matt Smith, Rhys Ifans, Graham McTavish, Jefferson Hall

Set 200 years before Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon’s second season continues the Targaryen saga with a slow-burning start that gradually builds to intense political drama. The series focuses on the brewing conflict between Rhaenyra and Alicent, former friends now leading opposing factions. While the opening episode is heavy on recaps and diplomacy, the show soon hits its stride, delivering the epic dragon battles that you would expect.

House of the Dragons, in the first season, is slightly less dramatic than Game of Thrones. The second season continues this trend, holding on to the subtlety — but it is still a riveting, action-packed watch full of rivalry and, well…dragons.

Perfect Wife: The Mysterious Disappearance of Sherri Papini – June 20, Hulu

  • Release date: June 20, 2024
  • Genre: Documentary, Crime
  • Rating: TV-MA
  • Director: Michael Beach Nichols
  • Cast: Allison Berkley, Joseph Freed, Rob Ford, Erin Lee Carr

This is a three-part docuseries examining the controversial 2016 kidnapping case that turned out to be a hoax. Doesn’t that remind you of Gone Girl? The show opens with the initial investigation and Papini’s reappearance, before revealing the truth behind her fabricated story. Each hour-long episode meticulously reconstructs the events, from Papini’s initial vanishing to her reappearance 22 days later, and the eventual unraveling of her fabricated story.

An absolute treat for true-crime fans, the series features interviews with law enforcement officials, journalists, and Papini’s friends and family who offer multiple perspectives on the case. It explores the investigation process, the impact on the community, and the psychological factors that may have led to Papini’s actions. The show also leans into why this kind of “victim” is so problematic, and how their false reports hurt those who actually suffer.

Hotel Cocaine – June 16, MGM Plus

  • Release date: June 16, 2o24
  • Genre: Crime, Thriller
  • Rating: N.A.
  • Director: Chris Brancato
  • Cast: Danny Pino, Yul Vazquez, Mark Feuerstein, Laura Gordon, Corina Bradley, Tania Watson, Michael Chiklis

Hotel Cocaine transports viewers to 1970s Miami, in the infamous Mutiny Hotel. More specifically, on the general manager. Roman Compte. The series blends historical events with fictional drama, exploring the intersections of drug trafficking, politics, and family loyalties.

We watch Roman attempt to balance his legitimate business with the demands of drug traffickers, politicians, and law enforcement. The series features a large ensemble cast, including Michael Chiklis as a determined DEA agent. Hotel Cocaine also explores immigration, the American Dream, and the transformation of Miami during the cocaine boom, offering a gritty, detailed look at a pivotal era in the city’s history. It’s full of action and drama — so there’s that too.

I Kissed a Boy – June 15, Hulu

  • Release date: May 14, 2023
  • Genre: Reality
  • Rating: N.A.
  • Director: Johnathan Booth
  • Cast: Dannii Minogue, Layton Williams

I Kissed a Boy breaks new ground as the UK’s first all-gay dating show. Hosted by Dannii Minogue, the program brings together ten single men in a picturesque Italian setting. The unique twist is that contestants must kiss before speaking, challenging conventional dating norms.

Over eight episodes, the show follows the men as they navigate potential relationships, participate in challenges and face eliminations. While adhering to familiar reality dating show formats, I Kissed a Boy also addresses issues specific to gay dating and relationships. The series is a great start to showcasing LGBTQ+ relationships and identities, potentially paving the way for more diverse dating shows in the future.

The Victims’ Game (Season 2) – June 21, Netflix

  • Release date: June 21, 2024
  • Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
  • Rating: TV-MA
  • Director: David Chuang, Chen Kuan-chung
  • Cast: Joseph Chang, Tiffany Hsu, Wang Shih-Sian, Moon Lee, Ruby Lin, Ding Ning, River Huang

The Victims’ Game: Season 2 is a Chinese-language crime thriller series returning to Netflix on June 21, 2024, following a four-year wait since its first season. This new installment centers around a series of interconnected murder cases tied to an incident from 15 years ago, delving into themes of belonging and the value of life.

Chang Hsiao-chuan reprises his role as Fang Yi-jen, a forensic detective with Asperger’s syndrome who finds himself as the prime suspect in these new cases. The series explores Fang’s character development as he navigates complex situations, including mending his relationship with his estranged daughter and learning to socialize more.

Joko Anwar’s Nightmares and Daydreams – June 14, Netflix

  • Release date: June 14, 2024
  • Genre: Horror, Mystery
  • Rating: TV-MA
  • Director: Joko Anwar
  • Cast: Muzakki Ramdhan, Kevin Ardilova, Happy Salma, Sha Ine Febriyanti, Sal Priadi, Ayu Laksmi, Muhammad Faqih Alaydrus

Aptly named, this is the stuff of nightmares. This is a 7-part horror anthology. In the first episode, we follow taxi driver Banji as he leaves his senile mother in a luxurious elderly home, only to uncover sinister secrets about the place.

As Banji investigates increasingly disturbing occurrences, the episode transitions from a family drama into a supernatural horror, with lots of shocking revelations about the facility’s true purpose sprinkled in between. The story draws on Indonesian folklore and mythology elements, creating a culturally specific horror experience. Things are looking pretty good for the next episodes.

 

What was new and worth watching over the last month

Did you miss our other lists? Here’s a recap of what was released this month.

Bridgerton (Season 3, Part 2) – June 13, Netflix

  • Release date: June 13, 2024
  • Genre: Drama, Romance
  • Rating: TV-MA
  • Director: Chris Van Dusen
  • Cast: Nicola Coughlan, Claudia Jessie, Ruth Gemmell, Luke Thompson, Polly Walker, Bessie Carter, Florence Hunt

After what feels like forever, part 2 of Netflix’s Regency-era romance is finally out, and boy, it is so worth the wait. We reach new heights of intrigue and emotion in the second half, given the existing standards for it — that’s saying a lot. If you haven’t watched the previous seasons or the first part, you might want to stop reading here.

Penelope and Colin might just get a happy-ever-after, but she has to deal with the looming threat of her Lady Whistledown secret being revealed. Because guess who Colin absolutely hates? Penelope must choose between holding on to her voice or starting a new family, with her own overbearing family making the choice even tougher than it needs to be. Queen Charlotte is also out to get her, and Francesca’s got her own complicated love story brewing on the sidelines.

Let it be known: the ton has never been so deliciously addictive.

The Boys (Season 4) – June 13, Prime Video

  • Release date: June 13, 2024
  • Genre: Action, Crime
  • Rating: TV-MA
  • Director: Eric Kripke
  • Cast: Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, Antony Starr, Erin Moriarty, Dominique McElligott, Jessie T. Usher, Laz Alonso

The Boys are back and bolder than ever in Prime Video’s gritty superhero satire. Season 4 finds Butcher dying and desperate to save the world from Homelander and Neuman. Expect the show’s trademark shocks, from a horrifying Human Centipede-inspired scene to explosively bloody fights.

Strong performances, especially from Antony Starr’s deliciously evil Homelander, and the deft handling of topical themes keep you riveted, even if the nihilistic tone feels bleaker than ever. The Boys continues to deliver a wild, unsettling ride that sets up an epic final season.

Presumed Innocent – June 12, Apple TV Plus

  • Release date: June 12, 2024 
  • Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
  • Rating: TV-MA
  • Director: David E. Kelley
  • Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Ruth Negga, Bill Camp, Elizabeth Marvel, Peter Sarsgaard, O-T Fagbenle, Renate Reinsve

Apple TV Plus takes a second stab at Scott Turow’s legal thriller, with Jake Gyllenhaal stepping into the role of prosecutor Rusty Sabich, accused of murdering a co-worker he had an affair with. The series explores the case, and Rusty’s psyche and marriage. A solid, modernized take that justifies revisiting the story.

The pacing is great, hard to do with such a dense plot because the daily gripping courtroom drama keeps things humming. With its timely themes of power, privilege, and media scrutiny, Presumed Innocent makes for a very interesting weekend watch. But then, anything with Gyllenhaal would be.

Love Island USA (Season 6) – June 11, Peacock

  • Release date: June 11, 2024
  • Genre: Game Show, Reality
  • Rating: TV-MA
  • Director: Mark Busk-Cowley, Brent Baker, Jo Scarratt-Jones, Tom Gould
  • Cast: Arielle Vandenberg, Matthew Hoffman, Iain Stirling, Sarah Hyland, Ariana Madix, Nicholas Theodore Nemeth

We’re here with the latest iteration of Love Island USA, with the usual round-up of attractive singles converging to find love. With Vanderpump Rules fan-favorite Ariana Madix presiding as host, the new season starts strong, introducing memorable characters like mellow Kordell, hyper-sweaty Hannah, and lovable goofball Rob. The nearly real-time format remains as addictive as ever, letting viewers watch relationships bloom or wilt over weeks.

Everything you would expect from a show like this happens like the “bombshell” arrivals meant to spice things up. Still, there’s an escapist charm to watching attractive people flirt in a tropical villa, and the teased twists suggest the drama will keep heating up. Pack your emotional baggage for the trip.

Perfect Match (Season 2) – June 7, Netflix

  • Release date: June 7, 2024 
  • Genre: Reality, Romance
  • Rating: TV-14
  • Director: Chris Coelen
  • Cast: Nick Lachey, Dom Gabriel, Georgia Hassarati, Bartise Bowden, Chloe Veitch, Izzy Fairthorne, Joey Sasso

Netflix doubles down on its Netflix reality all-stars conceit with another frothy season of Perfect Match. Though you needn’t be familiar with shows like The Circle or Sexy Beasts to follow along, half the fun is watching the collision of outsized personalities from different “extended universes.” The stakes are simple but effective: find your “perfect match” from the crowd or risk going home.

This ticking clock fuels much of the drama, as the absurdly attractive contestants fall into bed and bicker with equal passion. Host Nick Lachey presides with affable charm. A few couples emerge as early favorites to root for, but with new faces entering the villa each episode to shake things up, no pairing is safe. Silly, bubbly, and surprisingly sincere, Perfect Match remains the ideal low-stakes binge. Grab some popcorn and find a couple to root for.

Queenie (Season 1) – June 7, Hulu

  • Release date: June 4, 2024
  • Genre: Drama
  • Rating: N.A.
  • Director: Candice Carty-Williams
  • Cast: Dionne Brown, Bellah, Samuel Adewunmi

Queenie is a 25-year-old British Jamaican journalist struggling to navigate the challenges of work, love, sex, and family in this uneven but endearing quarter-life crisis dramedy on Hulu. Recently dumped by her boyfriend for being “too much”, Queenie spirals into a series of ill-advised decisions – drinking to excess, engaging in unsatisfying hookups, and flaking on work and friends.

Haunted by fractured memories of her estranged mother, Queenie avoids confronting her childhood trauma until she’s ready. While the show sometimes stumbles in articulating Queenie’s identity outside her struggles, it surrounds her with warmth and treats her with compassion, affirming that for all her flaws and missteps, she is worthy of love. A likeable if messy portrait of a young woman figuring herself out.

Sweet Tooth (Season 3) – June 6, Netflix

  • Release date: June 6, 2024
  • Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama
  • Rating: TV-14
  • Director: Jim Mickle
  • Cast: Nonso Anozie, Christian Convery, Adeel Akhtar, Stefania LaVie Owen, James Brolin, Naledi Murray, Dania Ramirez

After surviving harrowing ordeals in the first two seasons, the young deer-human hybrid Gus and his gruff protector Tommy Jepperd continue their journey through a post-apocalyptic America. Still reeling from the deadly Sick virus, of course. Having escaped the clutches of human militias who hunt hybrids, Gus has learned his kind’s existence is deeply linked to the pandemic’s origins.

New enemies soon emerge to threaten Gus and his found family. With each perilous stop, the mysteries surrounding Gus’s destiny loom larger. Despite slower subplots, Sweet Tooth builds narrative urgency for a satisfying final chapter that explores its core themes — the power of innocence and humanity’s self-destructive impulses.

The Acolyte – June 4, Disney Plus

  • Release date: June 4, 2024
  • Genre: Action, Adventure
  • Rating: TV-14
  • Director: Leslye Headland
  • Cast: Amandla Stenberg, Lee Jung-jae, Charlie Barnett, Dafne Keen, Manny Jacinto, Rebecca Henderson, Joonas Suotamo

This exploration of the Star Wars mythos is set centuries before the Skywalker saga. The series follows the journeys of former Jedi acolytes — sisters Osha and Mae — after a tragic incident derails their training in the ancient mystical order’s ways. Mae has fallen in with shadowy underground elements plotting to overthrow the complacent Jedi regime.

Meanwhile, the more reluctant Osha finds herself caught in a web of conspiracy surrounding the Jedi’s once ironclad beliefs of peace and justice for the galaxy. The Acolyte dares to ask — were the Jedi’s lofty teachings masking darker, more troubling secrets? This uniquely feminist take pushes Star Wars to new frontiers.

Fantasmas – June 7, Max

  • Release date: June 7, 2024
  • Genre: Comedy
  • Rating: TV-MA
  • Director: Julio Torres
  • Cast: Julio Torres, Martine Gutierrez, Tómas Matos, Joe Rumrill

This comedy series is an unfiltered fever dream. You only need to watch the trailer to know that. It follows Torres himself, an eccentric artist, as he pitches demented high-concept TV premises to baffled Hollywood producers. From a deranged Lion King remake about zebras to a twisted addiction drama centered on the Tooth Fairy, Fantasmas’s sketches routinely veer into the surreal, and outright unhinged.

Overflowing with absurdist humor, Fantasmas explores the anxieties plaguing an authentic artistic voice. By leaning fully into strangeness and vulnerability, the series discusses the infinite realms of possibility within one brilliant creative mind. But….if you’re in the mood for a traditional watch, this show might be too mind-bending for you.

Criminal Minds: Evolution (Season 2) – June 6, Paramount Plus

  • Release date: June 6, 2024
  • Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
  • Rating: TV-14
  • Director: Jeff Davis
  • Cast: Kirsten Vangsness, A.J. Cook, Joe Mantegna, Thomas Gibson, Shemar Moore, Paget Brewster

Your weekly dose of your favorite profilers is back, but they might be in a tight spot this season. The show opens very dramatically, as our BAU profilers meet one of their most evil criminals — a prolific serial killer dubbed “Gold Star”. They have to make a shocking, unholy alliance to capture him — with none other than Elias Voit, the serial killer from last season.

That’s because Voit may possess insights into Gold Star’s psychopathic motives that could help track him. However, being close to the manipulative Voit is traumatizing for the agents, especially David Rossi who is still haunted by Voit’s torments. Emily Prentiss also brings in former analyst Tyler Green, whose romantic history with Penelope Garcia might just make it difficult for the team to stay together.

Mayor of Kingstown (Season 3) – June 2, Paramount Plus

  • Release date: June 2, 2024
  • Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
  • Rating: TV-MA
  • Director: Taylor Sheridan, Hugh Dillon
  • Cast: Jeremy Renner, Hugh Dillon, Tobi Bamtefa, Taylor Handley, Emma Laird, Derek Webster, Hamish Allan-Headley

In the gritty third season, Jeremy Renner returns as Mike McLusky, the fixer who wields true power in the crime-ridden city of Kingstown. Still reeling from his mother’s tragic death, Mike faces a new wave of violence that threatens his grasp on order between the police force and criminal factions like the Aryan Brotherhood, gangs, and the Russian mob.

An IED detonates at his mother’s funeral, kicking off a chaotic game of retaliations and bloodshed. Mike’s former ally, the formidable gang leader Bunny, declares Kingstown a warzone as he battles to maintain dominance. New adversaries also emerge — like the menacing Russian mobster Konstantin, while the hard-nosed new DA Evelyn Foley turns into a bigger problem for Mike.

Ren Fraire – June 2, Max

  • Release date: June 2, 2024
  • Genre: Documentary
  • Rating: TV-14
  • Director: Lance Oppenheim, David Gauvey Herbert
  • Cast: Jeffrey Baldwin, Darla Smith, George Coulam, Louie Migliaccio

Ren Faire takes viewers behind the scenes of the massive Texas Renaissance Festival, providing an intimate look at the heated succession battle to determine who will inherit control of this iconic event after its 86-year-old founder, George “King George” Coulam, retires. Two frontrunners have emerged to take over King George’s kingdom when he steps down — Jeff Baldwin and Louie Migliaccio.

Blending cinematic visuals with an engrossing character study of its eccentric players, Ren Faire pulls back the curtain on the high-stakes battle to control a multimillion-dollar live entertainment empire built on fantasy, intrigue, and medieval lore. Only one contender can win and lead this kingdom into a new age.

 

The Outlaws (Season 3) – May 31, Amazon Prime

  • Release date: May 31, 2024
  • Genre: Comedy, Crime, Drama
  • Rating: TV-MA
  • Director: Stephen Merchant, Elgin James
  • Cast: Christopher Walken, Stephen Merchant, Darren Boyd, Rhianne Barreto, Gamba Cole, Clare Perkins, Eleanor Tomlinson

The Outlaws are done with their community service on a Bristol farm when Rani suddenly drives back in her car with a dead body. The group has to solve how to get rid of the dead body without letting Rani’s strange behavior get in the way. On the other hand, the drug boss — The Dean — is out for revenge against them for having him jailed. Rani’s boyfriend Ben feels let down after she ran away earlier.

Loads of other sub-plots working in the background — Greg resigns from work and goes on a date, and Gabby attempts to kick her bad habits. Most of the main cast is back, but Christopher Walken who played Frank’s character will only make one appearance this season. Expect the show’s signature mix of crime thrills and character-driven humor as the gang gets pulled into yet another risky misadventure.

The newest streaming movies this week: Exhuma, Monkey Man, and more

We’re here with a new list for the week, featuring two long-awaited movies and an anime retelling you’re going to love. It’s a great month for movies and shows this month, you’ll find more if you scroll to the bottom of this week’s round-up.

The best new streaming movies this week

Feel free to click on the links if something piques your interest, or read through to discover what’s streaming to find your weekend watch.

Ultraman Rising – June 14, Netflix

  • Release date: June 14, 2024 
  • Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
  • Rating: PG
  • Director: Shannon Tindle
  • Cast: Christopher Sean, Gedde Watanabe, Tamlyn Tomita, Keone Young, Julia Harriman

Ken Sato, a star baseball player in Tokyo, must reluctantly follow in his father’s footsteps and become the next Ultraman, humanity’s legendary defender against giant kaiju monsters. As Ken struggles to balance his sports career with his new responsibilities as a superhero, he also grapples with a strained relationship with his father and the recent disappearance of his mother.

An encounter with a baby kaiju forces Ken to examine what truly makes a hero. Amidst epic battles to protect Tokyo, Ken and his father must learn to work together and mend their family bonds, all while deciding the fate of this mysterious young creature. This anime film offers a fresh, modern take on the classic Ultraman story, delving into complex familial themes while delivering thrilling kaiju action.

Exhuma – June 14, Shudder

  • Release date: May 3, 2024
  • Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
  • Rating: N.A.
  • Director: Jang Jae-hyun
  • Cast: Choi Min-sik, Kim Go-eun, Yoo Hai-jin, Lee Do-hyun, Kim Jae-chul, Jeon Jin-gi, Kim Sun-young

In the forested countryside near the North Korean border, a wealthy immigrant family finds themselves plagued by a dark force targeting their newborn son. Desperate for help, they turn to Hwa-rim and Bong-gil, two young shaman siblings, and Sang-deok, a veteran geomancer, and his Christian apprentice Yeong-geun. As the spiritual experts dig deeper into the family’s past, they uncover terrifying secrets linked to the colonial-era traumas and the region’s rich tapestry of shamanist, Buddhist, and Christian traditions.

Mixing elements of exorcism thrills and creature feature horror with a strong basis in Korean mythology and history, Exhuma delivers a chilling ghost story that will make you think twice about the consequences of disturbing the past.

Clotilda: The Return Home – June 18, Disney Plus

  • Release date: April 13, 2024
  • Genre: Documentary
  • Rating: N.A.
  • Director: Tara Roberts
  • Cast: Tara Roberts

Nearly 90 years after the abolition of slavery, the schooner Clotilda carried 110 kidnapped Africans to Alabama in 1860, the last known slave ship to bring human cargo to the United States. Among the captives was Oluale Kossola, who was later interviewed about his experiences by author Zora Neale Hurston in the 1930s.

Now, Kossola’s descendants journey to his home village in Benin, hoping to finally fulfill his last wish of returning his spirit to where it was stolen. Along the way, the family confronts the brutal realities of slavery at historical sites in both Benin and America. Watch an African-American family’s quest to reclaim their ancestor’s story, find healing, and ensure that the truth of the Clotilda’s survivors will never be forgotten.

Camp Pleasant Lake – June 14, Starz

  • Release date: February 27, 2024
  • Genre: Horror
  • Rating: N.A.
  • Director: Thomas Walton
  • Cast: Kelly Lynn Reiter, Jonathan Lipnicki, Leila Almas Rose, James Di Giacomo, Lacey Burdine, William Delesk, Bonnie Aarons

Two decades after the unsolved Meadows Family murders at Camp Pleasant Lake, the remote site has been transformed into an immersive horror destination where paying guests can live out a “real” 80s slasher movie experience. But as the campers gleefully play along with the staged scares and gory special effects, a very real killer begins stalking the woods, and the lines between fiction and reality blur with deadly results.

Is it the vengeful spirit of young Echo Meadows, who vanished the night of her family’s slaughter? Or a flesh-and-blood killer orchestrating the ultimate horror show? Paying homage to classics like Friday the 13th and Scream, this blood-splattered, Camp Pleasant Lake gleefully hacks its way through the fourth wall for a gory, tongue-in-cheek thrill ride.

Monkey Man – June 14, Peacock

  • Release date: April 5, 2024 
  • Genre: Action, Thriller
  • Rating: R
  • Director: Dev Patel
  • Cast: Dev Patel, Sharlto Copley, Pitobash, Adithi Kalkunte, Sikandar Kher, Makrand Deshpande, Ashwini Kalsekar

On the chaotic streets of an Indian metropolis, a mysterious young fighter enters an underground tournament run by crooked promoters, using the prize money to fund his secret revenge mission. Concealing his identity behind a monkey mask, “The Kid” works his way into the inner circle of the city’s powerful elite, including the ruthless police chief who destroyed his family.

But even as The Kid trains his body into a lethal weapon, the sins of the past continue to haunt him. Driven by his commitment to justice and a belief in the mythic Hanuman, The Kid launches a brutal one-man war against the corrupt establishment, leaving a trail of blood and broken bones in his wake.

Black Barbie – June 19, Netflix

  • Release date: June 19, 2024 
  • Genre: Documentary
  • Rating: TV-MA
  • Director: Lagueria Davis
  • Cast: Beulah Mae Mitchell, Kitty Black Perkins, Stacey McBride-Irby

Since 1959, the Barbie doll has been a blonde-haired, blue-eyed icon of femininity and a mainstay of American girlhood. But for decades, Black girls were denied a doll that reflected their own beauty and experiences — until a group of pioneering Black women at Mattel rewrote the toy’s history.

Told through the voices of Mattel employees, cultural historians, and Barbie fans, this eye-opening film reveals how designer Kitty Black Perkins and others challenged corporate resistance to create the first Black Barbies in the 1960s and 70s. Blending corporate history with cultural critique, Black Barbie takes a searing look at the tangled relationship between race, beauty standards, and the power of representation.

 

What was new and worth watching over the last month

Here’s an extended list of what you can watch in June. 

Hit Man – June 7, Netflix

  • Release date: May 24, 2024
  • Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime
  • Rating: R
  • Director: Richard Linklater
  • Cast: Glen Powell, Adria Arjona, Austin Amelio, Retta, Sanjay Rao, Molly Bernard, Evan Holtzman

Philosophy professor by day, hitman by night, Gary Johnson leads a double life, helping his police pals catch criminals in the act of hiring contract killers. Awkward and unassuming in the classroom, Gary transforms into a suave operator when he goes undercover, donning disguises and adopting personas. But his well-ordered system hits a snag when beautiful Maddy Masters walks into his life, looking to escape her controlling husband.

As “Ron”, Gary talks Maddy out of the hit, but can’t resist falling for her himself. Director Richard Linklater keeps the action popping and the screwball romance sparking. What will Gary have to do to save his girl and his secrets? Sizzling chemistry and whip-smart dialogue make this movie a fun, fizzy ride.

Baki Hanma VS Kengan Ashura – June 6, Netflix

  • Release date: June 6, 2024
  • Genre: Animation, Action
  • Rating: TV-MA
  • Director: Toshiki Hirano
  • Cast: Nobunaga Shimazaki, Tatsuhisa Suzuki

The hardcore heroes of two hit Netflix anime finally face off in an epic crossover event that will leave only one standing. Baki Hanma, the stoic mixed martial arts champ raised from childhood to fight, takes on Kengan Ashura’s Ohma Tokita, the underground arena brawler with a wild style and a wilder backstory. Teeth will shatter, bones will crunch, and blood will gush as the two trade earth-shaking blows in a battle for the ages.

Flashy animation captures every gouged eye and snapped limb in kinetic detail, Baki Hanma VS Kengan Ashura delivers the goods for fans hungry for a fist-to-face fracas. Lots of humor from secondary characters to look forward to in this one, this movie is as much a fun diversion as it is a true clash of titans.

Origin – June 10, Hulu

  • Release date: January 19, 2024
  • Genre: Drama, History
  • Rating: PG-13
  • Director: Ava DuVernay
  • Cast: Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Jon Bernthal, Niecy Nash-Betts, Emily Yancy, Finn Wittrock, Victoria Pedretti, Jasmine Cephas Jones

Isabel Wilkerson’s landmark 2020 book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents brilliantly reframed racism as a caste system with deep historical roots in societies around the world. Now, director Ava DuVernay gives us Origin, telling the story of Wilkerson as she conceived and wrote the book while navigating personal angst. Flashing between eras, the film draws fascinating parallels between American slavery, Nazi Germany, and India’s oppression of the Dalit caste, uncovering disturbing conclusions.

We see a younger Wilkerson studying these grim histories and making potent connections in her work and life. Meanwhile, the present-day author copes with the death of her beloved husband and the decline of her elderly mother, finding solace in family and the hope that her book will make a difference. Origin is thought-provoking, grab a copy of the book once you’re done watching the movie. 

Queer Planet – June 6, Peacock

  • Release date: June 6, 2024
  • Genre: Documentary
  • Rating: N.A.
  • Director: Ed Watkins
  • Cast: Andrew Rannells, Sue Perkins, Christine Wilkinson

As conservatives rant about a “gay agenda”, Peacock cheekily presents Queer Planet, an eye-opening nature documentary that completely rebuffs the idea that homosexuality is “unnatural”. Narrated by actor Andrew Rannells, the special tours the animal kingdom to spotlight same-sex pairings and gender-fluid behavior, from affectionate lady lions to polyamorous bonobos.

Along the way, an array of colorful experts outline how pioneering biologists imposed their Victorian mores on the natural world, discounting queer conduct as non-existent for centuries. The ultimate conclusion: love is love, whether you’re a hetero human or a gay goose. Sure, there’s a clear political message here. But the film’s playful, accessible approach and fascinating footage make this an engaging watch for Pride month, or any time of the year. Queer Planet is a blast of fresh air in the often stuffy nature doc genre.

Perfect Days – June 6, Hulu

  • Release date: December 21, 2023
  • Genre: Drama
  • Rating: PG
  • Director: Wim Wenders
  • Cast: Koji Yakusho, Tokio Emoto, Arisa Nakano, Aoi Yamada, Yumi Asou, Sayuri Ishikawa, Tomokazu Miura

A man methodically mops a floor and scrubs a sink in a public restroom. This is no one-off, but a daily ritual for Hirayama, who takes great pride in his work as a Tokyo toilet cleaner. But there’s more to Hirayama than his humble profession in this delicate, deceptively simple character study from director Wim Wenders. Precisely ordered days filled with books, music, photography, and visits to a favorite bar hint at a life rebuilt from some past upheaval.

When the fragile cocoon Hirayama has constructed starts to fray, we see flickers of deep anguish and worry about Hirayama. Will he bounce back, and reenter his days of art and taking pride in his work? Perfect Days finds poetry in an overlooked life and the shadows that can shape us.

Big City Greens the Movie: Spacecation – June 7, Disney Plus

  • Release date: June 6, 2024
  • Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
  • Rating: TV-Y7
  • Director: Anna O’Brian
  • Cast: Chris Houghton, Marieve Herington, Bob Joles, Artemis Pebdani, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Zeno Robinson, Anna Akana

Cricket Green and his offbeat country family trade the Big City for access to space in this action-packed musical comedy based on the Disney Channel series. When wacky tech mogul Gwendolyn Zapp recruits the Greens to test out an experimental asteroid farm, they eagerly volunteer, dreaming of an out-of-this-world adventure. But their cosmic lark turns into a disaster movie mission as everything that can go wrong does.

From worrying about malfunctioning robots to an asteroid knocked off course and hurtling toward Earth. It’s up to the Greens and astronaut Colleen Voyd to put aside their differences and save the day. This is a fun ride — with catchy songs, madcap humor, and a heartwarming message about finding the comforts of home and family wherever you are. But it’s the characters that really shine, with Cricket’s goofy schemes, Gramma Alice’s wisecracks, and Bill’s befuddled charm.

Am I OK? – June 6, Max

  • Release date: January 24, 2022
  • Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
  • Rating: R
  • Director: Stephanie Allynne
  • Cast: Dakota Johnson, Sonoya Mizuno, Jermaine Fowler, Kiersey Clemons, Molly Gordon, Whitmer Thomas, Sean Hayes

Lucy and Jane have been inseparable best friends since childhood. But when Jane drunkenly confesses she once kissed a girl as a teenager, it opens up long-suppressed questions about sexuality for the 32-year-old Lucy. Just as Jane is preparing to move across the world to London with her boyfriend Danny, Lucy finds herself undeniably attracted to Brittany, a free-spirited masseuse at the spa where Lucy works.

With Jane’s loving encouragement, the shy and anxious Lucy begins dipping her toes into the lesbian dating world — signing up for apps, visiting clubs, and flirting with Brittany. However, this new world of self-discovery puts strain on Lucy and Jane’s once-unbreakable bond as Jane spends more time with their more adventurous friend Kat.

And after one intimate night with Brittany, everything changes for Lucy.

Under Paris – June 5, Netflix

  • Release date: June 5, 2024
  • Genre: Action, Horror
  • Rating: TV-MA
  • Director: Xavier Gens
  • Cast: Bérénice Bejo, Nassim Lyes, Léa Léviant, Anaïs Parello, Iñaki Lartigue, Julien Jakout, José Antonio Pedrosa Moreno

Did it finally happen? A shark movie worthy of being compared to Jaws? Under Paris does establish an interesting premise — after a tragic diving accident leaves marine biologist Sophia Marleau permanently scarred. The massive great white shark she was tracking — a female mako nicknamed Lilith — goes rogue. Three years later, Lilith has somehow found her way into the Seine River running through the heart of Paris.

As Lilith starts racking up a terrifying body count, mutilating any unlucky enough to cross her path, Sophia teams up with shark activist Mika and river patrol sergeant Adil. Their urgent mission: capture Lilith and lead her back to her natural ocean habitat before the mayor’s ill-advised decision to allow a major open-water swimming competition turns the Seine’s currents bloodred.

Stopmotion – May 31, Shudder

  • Release date: February 23, 2024 
  • Genre: Horror
  • Rating: R
  • Director: Robert Morgan
  • Cast: Aisling Franciosi, Stella Gonet, Tom York, Therica Wilson-Read, Bridgitta Roy, Caoilinn Springall, Alex Freeborn

In Stopmotion, talented stop-motion animator Ella Blake is working on a personal film project after the death of her overbearing mother Suzanne, who used to control and criticize her every creative move. Finally free from her mother’s shadow, Ella moves into an apartment to focus solely on bringing her dark, twisted, stop-motion story to life.

However, Ella finds an unexpected collaborator in the building’s only other resident – a strange little girl who begins “helping” with the animated film. As Ella uses increasingly disturbing and unconventional materials to craft her stop-motion figures, the lines between her art and reality start blurring in dangerous ways. Stopmotion blends mesmerizing stop-motion animation with a disturbing psychological horror tale of artistic obsession and internalized trauma.

The American Society of Magical Negroes – May 3, Peacock

  • Release date: March 15, 2024 
  • Genre: Comedy, Fantasy
  • Rating: PG-13
  • Director: Kobi Libii
  • Cast: Justice Smith, Zachary Barton, Anthony Coons, Robbie Troy, Gillian Vigman, James E. Welsh, David Alan Grier

Part biting racial satire, part supernatural comedy, The American Society of Magical Negroes takes the offensive “magical negro” trope to absurdly literal heights.

With razor-sharp social commentary and mind-bending fantasy elements, it boldly asks: What if upholding systemic racism…was an actual superpower? What if there was a secret society of Black people with actual magical powers — but their sole purpose was to use those abilities to make white people more comfortable? That’s the provocative premise at the heart of The American Society of Magical Negroes.

Aren is recruited into this organization after displaying supernatural talents. At first, he’s in awe of his new abilities. But soon, he starts questioning everything. Caught between the magical mentor bringing him into the fold and a white love interest oblivious to the society’s influence, Aren must decide whether to keep using his powers to enable white supremacy or reject the society’s antiquated agenda once and for all.

Die Hart 2: Die Harter – May 30, Prime

  • Release date: May 30, 2024 
  • Genre: Action
  • Rating: N.A.
  • Director: Eric Appel
  • Cast: Kevin Hart, Nathalie Emmanuel, Ben Schwartz, John Cena, Paula Pell, Greg Kriek, Melissa Ponzio

To prove he can do his stunts, Kevin Hart hires goons to take over a fancy restaurant. Just so he can fight his way out looking like a badass. This is the last straw for the studios, because who’s going to back his insane vanity project? Apparently, a mysterious European investor will. He swoops in to greenlight Hart’s dream by actually having him and his reluctant co-star Nathalie Emmanuel kidnapped for real.

Convinced it’s all part of his “movie,” the delusional Hart plays along, dodging tranquilizer darts and escaping captors as the body count rises. But who is actually behind this twisted plot? Could it be Hart’s fired stunt double-played by John Cena seeking revenge? As the violent game of make-believe blurs with reality, Hart must finally accept this is not a rehashed reboot – it’s life or death. This movie is action-packed and the stakes are high, but it does have Hart in it, so it is characteristically funny.

Basma – June 6, Netflix

  • Release date: June 6, 2024 
  • Genre: Drama
  • Rating: N.A.
  • Director: Fatima AlBanawi
  • Cast: Fatima AlBanawi, Eissa Hafiz, Yasir AlSasi, Mai Hakeem, Terad Sindi, Mohammed Fawzi

Basma is a 26-year-old Saudi woman who returns home to Jeddah from the U.S. to find her father suffering from paranoid delusions and deteriorating mental health. As she tries to get him proper treatment before having to leave again, Basma confronts the harsh stigmas and lack of resources around mental illness in Saudi society.

Writer/director Fatima Al-Banawi, who also stars, draws from her psychology background to authentically explore one woman’s struggle to help a loved one with a psychological condition in a culture that largely shuns discussions of mental health. Basma’s urgent mission to save her father lays bare the isolating challenges for Saudi families dealing with psychic disorders.

The First Omen – May 30, Hulu

  • Release date: April 5, 2024 
  • Genre: Horror
  • Rating: R
  • Director: Arkasha Stevenson
  • Cast: Nell Tiger Free, Ralph Ineson, Sônia Braga, Bill Nighy, María Caballero, Nicole Sorace, Tawfeek Barhom

Is there such a thing as too many Omen movies? The answer is no. While my personal favorite remains Omen IV: The Awakening, the newest addition does not disappoint. If you missed this one in the theatres, now’s your chance to get up to speed.

Ah, the familiar old set-up. In 1970s Rome, an ancient evil stirs within the heart of the Catholic Church. The First Omen tells you how it all started. It follows Margaret as she uncovers a sinister conspiracy.

Sent to the crumbling Vizzardeli Orphanage, Margaret is drawn to a troubled young girl, Carlita, whose dark visions hint at an unspeakable fate. As a series of horrifying events unfold, a desperate priest (Ralph Ineson) reveals the Church’s true intentions: to bring forth the Antichrist and drive the faithful back to God through fear.

The best new streaming movies this week: Atlas, Ferrari, and more

We’re back with another list this week, right on time for your weekend binge. There’s quite a bit of horror and sci-fi on this week’s list, so we’ve also included a refreshing anime release to keep things light and breezy. Let’s dive in.

The best new streaming movies this week

We have Jennifer Lopez’s entry into sci-fi this week, as well as the much-awaited prequel to the Omen franchise. Feel free to click the links if you see a movie you’ve been waiting for.

The best new streaming shows this week: Eric, Geek Girl, and more

The end of May is here — and it brings with it a line-up of great shows you’ll want to check out. We have a lot of comedy on our list this week, as well as a thriller starring Benedict Cumberbatch, so make sure you’re well-stocked on popcorn.

The best new streaming shows this week

Here’s what came out this week on major streaming platforms like Netflix or Hulu. We have two shows with Gordon Ramsay in them. It’s a good day to be a culinary enthusiast. Click on the jump links to get to what piques your interest first.

The best new streaming movies this week: Madame Web, Thelma the Unicorn, and more

Welcome back to this week’s movie roundup — where we find the newest hidden gems so you don’t have to. We’ve got a movie about a Marvel character this week (always exciting) and two slick thrillers to keep you up at night, followed by an animated movie to ease the tension.

The best new streaming movies this week

We’ve rounded up the best of Netflix and Hulu this week. Feel free to click the links below to explore what piques your interest first.

Amazon wants you to go shopping when you pause a show on Prime Video, despite a subscription

Amazon Prime Video stock image 2
Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
  • Amazon is introducing three new ad formats for Prime Video: Shoppable carousel ads, Interactive pause ads, and Interactive brand trivia ads.
  • These ad forms take different approaches but commonly allow users to add products to their Amazon shopping cart.
  • These ads will be shown to Prime Video subscribers who pay for the ad-supported subscription tier. The ad-free tier costs $3 more than the ad-supported subscription tier.

Amazon Prime Video has some great movies and TV shows you can stream. However, the service has been in the limelight recently due to the rise in subscription prices. If you don’t want to pay the higher prices, you can stick with the lower pricing with the condition that you now get ads while streaming content. This ad-supported streaming tier is about to become infested with shopping ads now, as Amazon is introducing new ad formats.

Amazon Ads has announced new interactive and shoppable ad formats for Prime Video (h/t ArsTechnica). In the upcoming broadcast year (i.e., from September 1), Amazon says brands can use “shoppable carousel ads” during ad breaks in shows and movies on Prime Video. There are also “interactive pause” and “brand trivia ads” that brands can use during TV shows, movies, and live sports streams.

Amazon wants you to go shopping when you pause a show on Prime Video, despite a subscription

Amazon Prime Video stock image 2
Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
  • Amazon is introducing three new ad formats for Prime Video: Shoppable carousel ads, Interactive pause ads, and Interactive brand trivia ads.
  • These ad forms take different approaches but commonly allow users to add products to their Amazon shopping cart.
  • These ads will be shown to Prime Video subscribers who pay for the ad-supported subscription tier. The ad-free tier costs $3 more than the ad-supported subscription tier.

Amazon Prime Video has some great movies and TV shows you can stream. However, the service has been in the limelight recently due to the rise in subscription prices. If you don’t want to pay the higher prices, you can stick with the lower pricing with the condition that you now get ads while streaming content. This ad-supported streaming tier is about to become infested with shopping ads now, as Amazon is introducing new ad formats.

Amazon Ads has announced new interactive and shoppable ad formats for Prime Video (h/t ArsTechnica). In the upcoming broadcast year (i.e., from September 1), Amazon says brands can use “shoppable carousel ads” during ad breaks in shows and movies on Prime Video. There are also “interactive pause” and “brand trivia ads” that brands can use during TV shows, movies, and live sports streams.

Amazon wants you to go shopping when you pause a show on Prime Video, despite a subscription

Amazon Prime Video stock image 2
Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
  • Amazon is introducing three new ad formats for Prime Video: Shoppable carousel ads, Interactive pause ads, and Interactive brand trivia ads.
  • These ad forms take different approaches but commonly allow users to add products to their Amazon shopping cart.
  • These ads will be shown to Prime Video subscribers who pay for the ad-supported subscription tier. The ad-free tier costs $3 more than the ad-supported subscription tier.

Amazon Prime Video has some great movies and TV shows you can stream. However, the service has been in the limelight recently due to the rise in subscription prices. If you don’t want to pay the higher prices, you can stick with the lower pricing with the condition that you now get ads while streaming content. This ad-supported streaming tier is about to become infested with shopping ads now, as Amazon is introducing new ad formats.

Amazon Ads has announced new interactive and shoppable ad formats for Prime Video (h/t ArsTechnica). In the upcoming broadcast year (i.e., from September 1), Amazon says brands can use “shoppable carousel ads” during ad breaks in shows and movies on Prime Video. There are also “interactive pause” and “brand trivia ads” that brands can use during TV shows, movies, and live sports streams.

These are the best new streaming movies this week: Beautiful Rebel, Unfrosted, and more

There is a lot to watch on the various streaming services available in 2024 — sometimes, it almost feels like too much. To simplify things for you, we’ve compiled some of the best new streaming movies to watch that are new this week.

Check out our top picks from major streamers like Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and will sometimes even bring you an exciting new VOD movie or two. In addition to the latest movies from this week, we also give you other recommendations for shows that have arrived on a new streaming platform in the last 30 days. 

These are the best new streaming movies this week: Dune Part 2, Rebel Moon Part 2, and more

There is a lot to watch on the various streaming services available in 2024 — sometimes, it almost feels like too much. To simplify things for you, we’ve compiled some of the best new streaming movies to watch that are new this week.

Check out our top picks from major streamers like Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and will sometimes even bring you an exciting new VOD movie or two. In addition to the latest movies from this week, we also give you other recommendations for shows that have arrived on a new streaming platform in the last 30 days. 

Leaked docs reveal Prime Video viewers are ditching shows due to catalog errors

Amazon Prime Video stock image 2

Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

  • A report suggests that Amazon Prime Video’s content catalog contains many inaccuracies, such as incomplete titles, missing episodes, bad translations, incorrect artwork, and more.
  • These inaccuracies are causing viewers to abandon shows.
  • Amazon launched an internal initiative to address these issues and avoid customer complaints.


Amazon’s Prime Video service has some great family movies on offer, and you can also catch some great streaming shows on it too. Despite the good catalog, users seem dissatisfied with the service, primarily because of a rather mundane reason: catalog errors.

According to a report from Business Insider citing leaked internal documents, Prime Video has a lot of inaccurate content details. These include incomplete titles, missing episodes, and bad translations. 60% of all content-related customer-experience complaints for Prime Video in 2023 are said to be about catalog errors. Amazon received almost 10,000 complaints on “season integrity,” which includes defects such as missing episodes, inconsistent playback options, and wrong content availability.

The report highlights the following as examples:

  • The second episode of “The Rings of Power” series was available before the first episode for some viewers when it launched in 2022.
  • Some viewers complained about a translation error in character names.
  • The action film “Die Hard with a Vengeance” at one point had missing Spanish audio.
  • The TV series “Continuum” showed an incorrect age restriction.

The documents are also said to highlight “poor linguistic quality of assets,” such as translation errors or incorrect artwork for content display pages.

Other user complaints from Amazon’s forum and Reddit, pointing out mixed episode orders and wrong movie titles, are also cited.

Unsurprisingly, these inaccuracies are causing viewers to abandon shows despite Amazon investing in growing its streaming business. According to one of the leaked documents, content with the wrong localized display page saw 20% more drop-offs in engagement.

The report says that Amazon launched an initiative in 2024 to address these issues and avoid customer complaints.

Amazon mentioned in a statement that “catalog quality is an ongoing priority.” Further, the spokesperson added, “We take it seriously and work relentlessly alongside our global partners and dedicated internal teams to continuously improve the overall customer experience.”

Have you spotted any errors in your Amazon Prime Video catalog? Let us know in the comments below!

These are the best new streaming movies this week: Dune Part 2, Rebel Moon Part 2, and more

There is a lot to watch on the various streaming services available in 2024 — sometimes, it almost feels like too much. To simplify things for you, we’ve compiled some of the best new streaming movies to watch that are new this week.

Check out our top picks from major streamers like Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and will sometimes even bring you an exciting new VOD movie or two. In addition to the latest movies from this week, we also give you other recommendations for shows that have arrived on a new streaming platform in the last 30 days. 

Leaked docs reveal Prime Video viewers are ditching shows due to catalog errors

Amazon Prime Video stock image 2
Credit: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
  • A report suggests that Amazon Prime Video’s content catalog contains many inaccuracies, such as incomplete titles, missing episodes, bad translations, incorrect artwork, and more.
  • These inaccuracies are causing viewers to abandon shows.
  • Amazon launched an internal initiative to address these issues and avoid customer complaints.

Amazon’s Prime Video service has some great family movies on offer, and you can also catch some great streaming shows on it too. Despite the good catalog, users seem dissatisfied with the service, primarily because of a rather mundane reason: catalog errors.

According to a report from Business Insider citing leaked internal documents, Prime Video has a lot of inaccurate content details. These include incomplete titles, missing episodes, and bad translations. 60% of all content-related customer-experience complaints for Prime Video in 2023 are said to be about catalog errors. Amazon received almost 10,000 complaints on “season integrity,” which includes defects such as missing episodes, inconsistent playback options, and wrong content availability.

War never changes: A Fallout fan’s spoiler-laden review of the new TV series

The nukes went off in 2077 in Fallout's universe. The show tells us more about this event than we've learned from the games before.

Enlarge / The nukes went off in 2077 in Fallout's universe. The show tells us more about this event than we've learned from the games before. (credit: Amazon)

It's been just over a week since the Fallout TV series premiered on Amazon Prime, and one thing's for sure: It's a huge hit. You can hardly open a social media app without seeing content about it, the reviews are positive, and the active players for the Fallout games have doubled over the past week.

A few days ago, I shared some spoiler-free impressions of the first three episodes. I loved what I'd seen up to that point—the show seemed faithful to the games, but it was also a great TV show. A specific cocktail of tongue-in-cheek humor, sci-fi campiness, strong themes, great characters, and visceral violence really came together into a fantastic show.

Still, I had some questions at that point: Would the franchise's penchant for satire and its distinct political and social viewpoint come through? Where was all this headed?

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These are the best new streaming movies this week: Ricky Stanicky, Crazy Rich Asians, and more

There is a lot to watch on the various streaming services available in 2024 — sometimes, it almost feels like too much. To simplify things for you, we’ve compiled some of the best new streaming movies to watch that are new this week.

Check out our top picks from major streamers like Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and will sometimes even bring you an exciting new VOD movie or two. In addition to the latest movies from this week, we also give you other recommendations for shows that have arrived on a new streaming platform in the last 30 days. 

Ghouls, gulpers, and general mayhem abound in Fallout official trailer

A Vault Dweller navigates a post-apocalyptic wasteland in Fallout, based on the bestselling gaming franchise.

Amazon Prime Video has dropped the full official trailer for Fallout, the streaming platform's forthcoming post-apocalyptic sci-fi series. It's based on the bestselling role-playing gaming franchise set in a satirical, 1950s-style future post-nuclear apocalypse. There's plenty for gaming fans to be pleased about, judging by the trailer, but casting national treasure Walton Goggins (Justified) as a gunslinging Ghoul was quite simply a stroke of genius.

The first Fallout RPG was released in 1997, followed by several sequels and spinoffs. According to the game's lore, modern civilization is destroyed in 2077 by a global nuclear war between the US and China. Survivors live in various underground vaults (fallout shelters). Each iteration of the game takes place somewhere across a post-apocalyptic US metro area and features a Vault Dweller—someone born and raised underground—as the protagonist. The first game takes place in 2161 and features a Vault Dweller from Vault 13, deep in the mountains of Southern California. The Vault Dweller must complete various missions to save the residents of Vault 13, which takes said protagonist to in-world places like Junktown; a merchant city called the Hub; and Necropolis, filled with Ghouls, i.e., humans badly mutated by exposure to nuclear radiation.

The series was announced in July 2020, with Westworld writers Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy serving as executive producers. In January 2022, it was revealed that Nolan would direct the first three episodes but that two other writers—Geneva Robertson-Dworet and Graham Wagner—would be the showrunners. Todd Howard, who directed several games in the franchise, is also an executive producer and has said the series is not an adaptation of any particular game, but it is set within the same continuity. Per the official premise:

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These are the best new streaming movies this week: Mean Girls, All of Us Strangers, and more

There is a lot to watch on the various streaming services available in 2024 — sometimes, it almost feels like too much. To simplify things for you, we’ve compiled some of the best new streaming movies to watch that are new this week.

Check out our top picks from major streamers like Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and will sometimes even bring you an exciting new VOD movie or two. In addition to the latest movies from this week, we also give you other recommendations for shows that have arrived on a new streaming platform in the last 30 days. 

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