Who doesn’t love a long weekend? But with COVID-19 reaching terrifying new numbers across the nation, hopefully, you’re staying home and keeping safe over the holiday. That might be kind of a bummer on what’s usually the holiday weekend of the summer, but it also means it’s a prime time to squeeze in some binge-watching.
Whether you’re looking for a new series to sink your teeth into or something that’s a bit less of a commitment there’s a whole bunch of exciting new titles streaming for the holiday weekend and we’ve put together a handy list so you don’t have to spend all that time scrolling. FromNetflixtoHBO Max, horror to teen comedy to the musical of the century, and everything in between, here are the best new movies and TV shows you’re able to watch this weekend.
Where to Watch:Disney+
Hamiltonhas been the talk of the town for years, but if you weren’t lucky enough to see the original cast on Broadway (and so few of us were),Thomas Kail’s taping of the celebrated musical is finally available for all to see on Disney+ this weekend.Lin-Manuel Miranda’s groundbreaking musical retells the life of Alexander Hamilton, the oft-forgotten founding father, transforming the story of the orphan immigrant who built many of the key structures of American society.Hamiltonhas taken home just about every award we could throw at it, and once you see it for yourself, you’ll understand why. Miranda’s music is irresistible, the staging is breathtaking, and even if you’ve listened to the original cast recording on loop for the last few years, seeing the live show offers a whole new experience. Heck, even if you saw a local production of the show, the original cast is an experience all its own, especiallyLeslie Odom Jr.’s Aaron Burr, who will break your heart in a million ways with his portrayal of one of history’s biggest bad guys.
Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga
Where to Watch:Netflix
If you somehow missed the delights ofEurovisionwhen it debuted on Netflix last week, you are definitely going to want to put this on your watchlist this weekend. Directed byWedding CrashershelmerDavid Dobkin, the film starsWill FerrellandRachel McAdamsas a pair of Icelandic musicians determined to win the top prize at the annual Eurovision Song Contest. Fans of the real-life event who are missing the chaos this year will find much to love in the goofy comedy (not to mention a whole dang host of cameos from former contestants) and for those who are just hearing about it for the first time, you are in for one heck of a treat. Featuring an endless lineup of Good Actually songs you just can’t get out of your head, the bestDan Stevensperformance this side ofThe Guest, and a firm reminder of why McAdams is one of the undersung comedy greats of her generation,Eurovisionis an absolute blast. But the secret ingredient here is thatEurovisionis, at its core, a heartfelt feel-good movie with exactly the kind of underdog love story we all need right now.
Hanna, Season 2
Where to Watch:Amazon Prime Video
Amazon’s series adaptation of the undersung action movieHannareturns for its second season just in time for some holiday weekend binge-watching. Centered on the eponymous young superspy (originated by Saoirse Ronan in the film and played by Esmé Creed-Miles in the series,) the second season brings about new allies, destinations, and villains for an adventure that, across the board, earns higher marks than the first season. Tense and thrilling with some standout action,Hannais a recommendation for folks who love adventurous espionage riffs a laAliasandLa Femme Nikkita.
Warrior Nun, Season 1
Want something fun, goofy, and packed to the brim with action to binge-watch this weekend? Look no further than Netflix’s spectacularly titledWarrior Nun, which tangles up celestial mythology with an ass-kicking “chosen one” adventure. The series centers on a secret society of, well… you know,warrior nunscalled The Order of the Cruciform Sword who have to transform the unlikely savior of the human race into god’s greatest soldier. That happens to be a teenage girl who really wants nothing to do with any of it, and ifWarrior Nunis too often a trope-fuelled YA story, it’s certainly plenty of fun along the way.
Ju-On: Origins
Surprise! Netflix made aJu-Onseries! And if you’re looking for something equal parts spooky and deeply twisted this weekend, the new six-episode prequel series is just the ticket. Poised as the “true story” behind the long-running horror franchise,Ju-On: Originsdigs into the history of horrors responsible for the cursed home at the center of the ghost stories. Offering a new take on the familiar material,Originsveers away from the hallmark visuals and jump scares of theJu-Onfilms, opting instead to focus on the real-life atrocities behind the ghosts and ghouls. It’s brutal. A hyper-violent stylistic hybrid pitched somewhere between J-Horror and New French Extremity,Ju-On: Originsis not for the faint of heart, but if you’re a fan of the series, it’s an exciting step in a new direction that digs deep into the mythology.
The Whistlers
Where to Watch:Hulu
Deadpan comedy, romance, and crime drama all collide in the Romanian thrillerThe Whistlers, arriving on Hulu this weekend. The film debuted at Cannes last year and Romania even selected it as their official Academy Awards submission last year. It may not have taken home the nomination, but if you’re a fan of sexy, twisty thrillers you are definitely going to want to check this one out. Layering twist upon twist with a dry-as-it-gets sense of humor,The Whistlersoffers a refreshing spin on the familiar crime thriller genre. It even has a secret whistling language. That’s a taste of the type of silliness you’re in store for, but it’s not a goofy comedy and it pops into high gear with the thrills when it really needs to. It’s not the most high profile streaming debut of the weekend, but you’re not gonna want to let it slip under your radar.
The Baby-Sitters Club, Season 1
Whether you grew up withThe Baby-Sitters Clubor not, there is plenty to love in Netflix’s new series adaptations, which is easily one of the best new TV debuts of the year. Sure, Netflix (and the almighty Algorithm) knows their demos – castingAlicia Silverstoneas the mother is a particularly clever play towards 90s kids – but at its core,The Baby-SittersClubis just a beautifully made investigation into the life of teenage girls from all walks of life. And it’s wonderful. Inspired by the beloved children’s book series and created byGLOWandSupergirlwriterRachelShukert, the series reimagines the familiar characters with a modern update that somehow feels timeless. If youdidgrow up withThe Baby-Sitters Club, you know that these girls are like the best friends, sisters, and business partners you wish you always had, and the new take honors the purity of that feel-good spirit, filling each character with vibrance and nuance. The kids should definitely watch this one, but so should you, and everyone you know, because it’s one of the most delightful shows to hit screens this year and I will hold each and every one of you personally responsible if we don’t get more.
Doctor Sleep
Where to Watch:HBO Max
Mike Flanagan’sDoctor Sleepwas one of the most slept-on gems (wink wink) from last year, but fortunately, all the folks who missed in theaters can get caught up now that it’s streaming on HBO. In fact, you can go real deep if you want to because both the theatrical cut and the director’s cut (which has an epic 3-hour runtime and offers a very different experience) are available to stream. Adapting fromStephen King’sThe Shiningsequel of the same name, the film acts as a bridge betweenStanley Kubrick’s iconic film adaptation and King’s rather different take on the characters in the novels (a famed point of contention for the author), bringing all of King’s trademark heart to the table and a lot of Kubrick’s singular imagery along with it. It’s better than a sequel toThe Shininghas any right to be and Flanagan continues to prove that he might just be the best filmmaker out there when it comes to making “impossible” King adaptations.
Unsolved Mysteries
Netflix delivers a new take on the classic documentary seriesUnsolved Mysterieswith 7 new episodes of spooky tales to keep you up at night. Whether it gives you nightmares or an irresistible desire to scour the internet for uncovered clues,Unsolved Mysteriesmaintains the intrigue that made the original series a decade-long hit with tales of missing persons, UFOs and other unknowable mysteries that haunt the mind. If you liked the original, you’ll almost certainly like this one too, and judging by how the new series instantly climbed to the top ofNetflix’s Top 10 chart, we’re just as hooked on these creepy, compelling narratives as we ever were.
Into the Unknown: Making Frozen 2
If you’ve ever wondered how a Disney animated movie gets made, the new docuseriesInto the Unknown: Making Frozen 2might just be the most insightful glimpse into the process ever put on film. The six-episode limited series offers a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the sequel to one of Disney’s biggest box office hits and all the pressures that come with it, from cracking the arcs for the beloved characters to trying to write a song that competes with the earworm success of “Let It Go”. Collider’sDrew Taylor gave the series a glowing review for its unusually candid insightinto Disney’s creative process, calling it “a thoroughly riveting and surprisingly honest look at the process of making a Disney animated feature and one of the best things currently available on Disney+.” =
