Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 has only just landed on Netflix, but we're already thinking about season 3 (you can read our ending explained to learn why).

Luckily for us, it had incredibly early confirmation. We've known all along that Aang (Gordon Cormier) needs to learn all four elemental bending skills in order to stop the Fire Nation, led by Lord Ozai (Daniel Dae Kim), from controlling the Four Nations.

As our current batch of episodes draws to a close, we're still far from reaching this conclusion. Enter Avatar: The Last Airbender season 3, which is already poised to take over.

From release window predictions to returning cast, here's everything we know about the next installment.

Avatar: The Last Airbender season 3 release window prediction

It's worth pointing out that, as of writing, Avatar: The Last Airbender season 3 doesn't have a confirmed release date or window. However, internet rumors suggest we could be seeing new episodes at some point in summer 2027.

Seasons 2 and 3 were shot back-to-back, and filming for new episodes wrapped back in November 2025.

Worst case, we can expect season 3 at some point in 2028, given that there's been a two-year gap between seasons 1 and 2.

Avatar: The Last Airbender season 3 trailer: is there one?

A trailer for Avatar: The Last Airbender season 3 hasn't made its debut yet. Once one is released, we'll update this section.

Avatar: The Last Airbender season 3 cast

We can expect the following cast to return for Avatar: The Last Airbender season 3:

• Gordon Cormier as Aang
• Kiawentiio as Katara
• Ian Ousley as Sokka
• Dallas Liu as Zuko
• Daniel Dae Kim as Ozai
• Paul Sun-Hyung Lee as Zuko
• Elizabeth Yu as Princess Azula
• Miya Cech as Toph
• Chin Han as Long Feng
• Justin Chien as King Kuei
• Amanda Zhao as Joo Dee
• Crystal Yu as Lady Beifong
• Kelemete Misipeka as The Boulder
• Hoa Xuande as Professor Zei
• Lourdes Faberes as General Sung
• Rekha Sharma as Amita
• Madison Hu as Fei
• Dichen Lachman as Yangchen
• Lily Gao as Ursa
• Terry Chen as Jeong Jeong

Dolly De Leon as Lo and Li, Jon Jon Briones as Piandao, and Tantoo Cardinal as Hama were all originally tipped to appear in the second reason, but do not. Despite this, we can expect them to star in season 3.

More new names will likely be announced as we get closer to the show's release, so keep your eyes peeled.

Avatar: The Last Airbender season 3 plot predictions

Spoilers for Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 ahead.

We're pretty confident that season 3 is going to directly adapt the third Avatar book, following Aang learning to firebend, infiltrating the Fire Nation, and preparing for his climactic showdown with Fire Lord Ozai before Sozin's Comet arrives. Not too much, then.

We also know that Zuko will eventually team up with Aang and the gang to make this happen, so we can expect to see some more emotional upheaval from him.

Obviously, finding out if Aang has actually survived the battle is a top priority for season 3. But the mere fact that season 3 has already been greenlit basically confirms that we'll be seeing Aang again anyway.

Will there be more seasons of Avatar: The Last Airbender?

As of writing, nothing has been announced. Narratively, it makes sense for season 3 to be the last, if Books 1, 2, and 3 have all been adapted in each.

However, the fact that there are so many written and comic book continuations means that the possibilities could be endless. Even if we don't get a direct season 4, Netflix could invest in spinoffs galore.

Congratulations, you've made it to the end of another week. Your reward — especially for those of you in the UK who've spent the last few days dealing with that incredibly uncomfortable heatwave — is to sit back, relax, and watch something on one of the world's best streaming services.

If you're not planning on seeing Supergirl at your local cinema, then, what new movies and shows have arrived this week? You'll have to read on to find out. But, with five of this streaming round-up's biggest releases landing on Netflix and Disney+, those platforms will be your first port of call. Happy streaming! — Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter

Avatar: Fire and Ash (Disney+)

It doesn't often feel like a lifetime between a theatrical blockbuster breaking box office records to finally hitting a streaming service, but it does in the case of Avatar: Fire and Ash.

The third installment in the epic James Cameron fantasy franchise hit the big screen in December 2025, introducing the fire Na'avi, led by Varang. Think The Way of Water, only with more flames.

Expect more jaw-dropping visuals, perilous fighting and an even bigger divided between the Na'avi and humans. Amazingly, Sigourney Weaver once again gets to be both in this film that's out now on Disney+. — Jasmine Valentine, entertainment reporter

• Watch Avatar: Fire and Ash on Disney+

In the Hand of Dante (Netflix)

Netflix's In the Hand of Dante simultaneously follows author Nick Tosches in the 21st century as he takes a violent journey on behalf of a mafia don to steal Dante Alighieri's The Divine Comedy, and Dante himself in the 14th century seeking inspiration to write his most important work.

Here, Oscar Isaac tackles dual roles as Alighieri and Tosches, with the screenplay based on the latter's book of the same name. Other big names starring include Martin Scorsese and Gerard Butler.

Despite the ensemble cast, the movie has been widely panned with many considering it to be too confusing. Perhaps you'll feel differently? — Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer

• Watch In the Hand of Dante on Netflix

The Bear season 5 (Hulu/Disney+)

The Bear has served its last course. Indeed, with the award-winning comedy-drama's fifth and final season landing on Hulu in the US, and Disney+ everywhere else, it's time to say goodbye to Carmy, Sydney, Richie, and the rest of the gang.

I won't spoil how The Bear season 5, which, like the first season, comprises eight episodes instead of 10, ends. Instead, let's just say the eatery's tight-knit group of employees find themselves metaphorically drowning as they struggle to keep the titular restaurant afloat amid myriad problems that stack up across a single day. Prepare to laugh and cry, feel second-hand stress, and shout "Yes, chef!" for the last time. — TP

• Watch The Bear season 5 on Hulu (US) and Disney+ (internationally)

Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 (Netflix)

Blink and you've missed Aang grow from an exceptionally cute little boy into a fledgling young man... and that only gives Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 more grounding.

The gang's fight to stop the Fire Nation Lord Ozai taking control of the Four Nations persists, with the Earth Kingdom's hidden city of Ba Sing Se now a key target for takeover.

Thankfully, this season has massively improved from its sketchy debut, and we're finally introduced to Toph (Miya Cech), who is an exceptional addition to the team. Bonus points for baby Appa, too. — JV

• Watch Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 on Netflix

The Sheep Detectives (Prime Video)

One of the biggest surprises of the year, The Sheep Detectives follows a flock of sheep who try to solve the murder of their shepherd George (Hugh Jackman). What follows is an admittedly brilliant Prime Video whodunnit for the whole family, and it's hard not to be charmed by the animals who are desperately trying to seek justice for their poor human companion.

Not to mention, the cast is exceptionally good and features voice acting talents from people like Bryan Cranston, Patrick Stewart, and Bella Ramsey. I'm confident you'll quickly fall in love with this Amazon Original. — LB

• Watch The Sheep Detectives on Prime Video

Life, Larry, and the Pursuit of Unhappiness (HBO Max)

Sure, it's got an unnecessarily long title, but Life, Larry, and the Pursuit of Unhappiness might actually be the HBO Max sketch comedy series we've been waiting for.

Created by Larry David and Jeff Schaffer, and produced by the Obama's production company, it comedically improvise events in American history in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. So, perhaps like Hamilton, just with no singing. Although I'm sure if you asked Lin Manuel Miranda, he'd be more than up for changing that in a potential season 2. — JV

• Watch Life, Larry, and the Pursuit of Unhappiness on HBO Max

Little Brother (Netflix)

John Cena plays famous real estate agent Rudd in Little Brother, and his life is going great until his 'little brother' Marcus (Eric André) shows up and disrupts all that.

Rudd gets a phone call alerting him that Marcus was badly injured in a car crash, which causes him to reconnect with a man he was buddied up with during a high school charity event. Rudd is frustrated that he's back in his life and depending on him, despite them not actually being related.

As you can see in the trailer, Marcus is complete chaos, resulting in a laugh out loud comedy movie that's perfect for your weekend. — LB

• Watch Little Brother on Netflix

• The second season of Netflix crime drama Dept Q begins production in Edinburgh, Scotland
• Core cast set to return alongside nine new faces
• No word yet on release date or the number of episodes

Netflix has confirmed that the second season of the hit crime drama Dept Q. is now in production, filming in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Our core cast is set to return, including:

• Matthew Goode as DCI Carl Morck
• Alexej Manvelov as Akram Salim
• Jamie Sives as DS James Hardy
• Leah Byrne as DC Rose Dickson
• Mark Bonnar as Stephen Burns,
• Kate Dickie as Moira Jacobson
• Aaron McVeigh as Jasper
• Sanjeev Kohli as Martin Flemming

Nine new cast members will also be seen in new episodes. While we don't know exactly what their roles will be, we do have names:

• Aisling Franciosi as Kimmie
• Greg Wise as Derek Powell
• Nicholas Rowe as Thomas Fulton
• Tony Curran as Winnie Calderwood
• Hamish Clark as Christopher Herron
• Alex Ferns as Phil Allenbeck
• Ross Anderson as Ricky Daddario
• Rebecca Root as June Lovesay
• Isla Johnston as Agnes

Currently, there's no word on exactly when Dept Q. season 2 will be released, nor how many episodes will make up the series.

However, we do have a brief idea of what the plot will involve thanks to the synopsis below.

Dept Q. season 2 set to explore a brand-new case

As per Netflix, Dept Q. season 2 follows "DCI Carl Morck heading up the maverick Dept. Q from the basement of an Edinburgh police station, charged with cases previously deemed unsolvable.

"This darkly humorous, propulsive show delivers all the pleasures of a procedural but takes us into the complex mysteries not just of the cases but of the detectives themselves."

Unsurprisingly, this is all very vague at this point in development. However, Rob Bullock, Executive Producer, Left Bank Pictures, added in a statement, “This season, Carl and his band of misfits tackle a terrible crime hidden in the highest echelons of Scottish society. It is a story for our times: rich and powerful people who believe they are above the law."

Executive Manda Levin agreed, "The story of season 2 is as darkly delicious as you’d expect, and Carl and his glorious gang will have their work cut out pinning down the perpetrators as we launch back in for more!”

What we know for sure is that we will continue to see an adaptation of Jussi Adler-Olsen’s original novels — but how faithful the show will be remains to be seen.

Two years ago, Netflix dramatically let me down. As a massive anime fan, I tuned into the first season of their live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender remake and was horrifically disappointed within minutes. In fact, the most positive critique you could give it is that it was better than the live-action movies, which are widely considered to be garbage.

Why? The action was all there, but the heart of Aang's story wasn't. Spectacular VFX tried to cover up the hollow, mundane narrative underneath. In fact, to quote a fantastic jaw-dropping writer called Jasmine Valentine: "There’s little room to learn, with life-changing realizations made in a ridiculously short amount of time. If a tale can’t be paid its due diligence in a certain remit, should we even bother at all?"

In 2026, my excitement for Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 is non-existent. I've approached its seven-episode run with complete trepidation, honestly wondering if there is anything better that I could be covering this week. However — while a long way from being a masterpiece — the hit Netflix show has clearly been listening.

Now that all of the exhausting worldbuilding is out of the way (for the most part), fans can finally focus on the character relationships that they want to invest in. There's a lot of tenderness and vulnerability on display, which is the most fulfilling part of our cast having grown up so much between seasons.

But there's still something obvious that's really bothering me... and it comes back to Netflix's "cookie-cutter" mold that none of its programs can escape.

Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 has finally learned its lesson about the importance of heart

Read it and weep (for joy), kids — Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 actually has heart. If we're being honest, nobody had to put any effort into achieving this, with the mere fact that the lore of the Four Nations is fully established meaning there's now room for bigger, better things.

A mature Aang (Gordon Cormier) now straddles his inner struggles of legacy and constant imposter syndrome even more effectively, with the likes of Katara (Kiawentiio), Sokka (Ian Ousley), and Suki (Maria Zhang) now all settled into their selves, wants and needs.

If anything, Zuko (Dallas Liu) is going through it the most. After deserting his family and retreating into hiding at the end of season 1, we've got a lot more sympathy with him this time around as he grapples with his supposed destiny of capturing Aang for the Fire Nation's glory. Unlike Lord Ozai (Daniel Dae Kim), he's no longer a villain, but a victim.

The standout character of season 2 is easily Toph (Miya Cech), who has finally been introduced after not appearing in season 2. Coming from a complicated family background that routinely dismisses her Earthbending, she comes into her own sassy self after teaming up with Aang to teach him the next element.

Collectively, the team is now firing on all cylinders, and it's nothing short of a joy to watch. Now we understand who they are and what the bigger picture looks like; intimacy, fun, and genuinely satisfying friendships are now flourishing. The jokes land, the serious moments stab you in the heart, and whimsy is flying around like Appa the sky bison.

Netflix makes season 2 look exactly like The Witcher — just with different lore

Everything else in Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 feels like more of the same — and that's a huge problem when it comes to the visuals. Broadly speaking, the Four Nations are jaw-droppingly gorgeous, and the detail that the creative team has packed into the landscapes is nothing short of impressive.

The immediate VFX, such as the bending that our characters use, leave a lot to be desired. It's obviously not a usual thing for people to have fire and water shooting out of their hands, so we're suspending a great deal of belief anyway... but being in the moment doesn't help when seeing it happen looks so fake.

This lumps season 2 into the same visually poor category as The Witcher, which is another comparison I made during season 1's debut. Cover the faces of the actors, stick them in the woods for a combat scene, and you'd be hard-pressed to tell the shows apart. Netflix is determined to make all of its genre programs look exactly like one another, and I'm baffled as to why.

Then there's the ultimate ending, which we already know without including spoilers. Much like other long-running anime series like One Piece (with its Netflix adaptation also guilty of this), we've known about the final endgame from its first five minutes. Here, it's for Aang to learn his bending skills, become all-powerful, and defeat Lord Ozai and the Fire Nation.

With a third series already confirmed, this is being drawn out for as long as humanly possible. It was obvious that none of the above was going to be achieved by the time season 2 wrapped up, so we've made little substantial progress from when Aang's goal was first introduced.

For me, the constant theme of "Oh no! Danger is on the horizon, and the Fire Nation must be stopped" is going to wear thin quickly. I'd really like to see season 3 mix things up, but I'm guessing that it won't.

Did I enjoy seeing Aang and the gang in 2026 more than in 2024? Absolutely. Has it renewed my interest in seeing them again at the end of 2027 (season 3's assumed release window)? Far from it.

Spoilers for Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 ahead.

Even before Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 dropped on Netflix, we knew exactly where it was heading: the Fire Nation taking over all of the Four Nations.

In the latest batch of seven episodes, the target is the hidden city of Ba Sing Se — and as of season 2 episode 6, it's been captured.

With Avatar Aang (Gordon Cormier) the only person who can save the day, the pressure is on to stop Fire Lord Ozai (Daniel Dae Kim) from doing any more damage.

Unluckily, Princess Azula (Elizabeth Yu) is taking her dad's wishes into her own hands. But can our favorite gang cope with her fiendish plans?

Here's everything you need to know about the Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 ending... and what it might mean for the already confirmed season 3.

Appa, Sokka, Zuko and Katara are all captured by the Dai Li — which is now controlled by Azula

We kick off Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 episode 8 with a flashback of baby Aang meeting Appa the sky bison for the first time. Aang feeds Appa an apple (trying to say that three times fast), and they embrace.

Cut to the present day, where Appa has been kidnapped by the Dai Li — Ba Sing Se's secret police force — which is now being controlled by Princess Azula. Trust me, you will cry seeing him in chains.

In a meeting with the city's Grand Secretariat, Long Feng (Chin Han), Azula kills all of Ba Sing Se's highest-ranking men in the force when they question why the Fire Nation wants to control the city. Long Feng, however, begrudgingly but fearfully complies with Azula's plan: to raise Ba Sing Se's drawbridge and let the Fire Nation troops roll in, taking out anything they want in the process.

Remember, this is all coming from Lord Ozai's orders, despite Azula being a more than willing vehicle for them. But Appa isn't the only Aang ally the Dai Li has captured on her orders, with Sokka (Ian Ousley) and Katara (Kiawentiio) also in separate cells.

Sokka reunites with inventor Sai (Danny Pudi) in his cell, with the inventor already being captured before his arrival. Together, they try to figure out how to use the prison's underground structure to break free.

Katara has been put in a cell with Zuko (Dallas Liu), who was caught by the Dai Li after "doing a good act." This marks the biggest pinnacle in Zuko's personal struggle between good and evil so far, and Azula has no idea that he's jailed.

Meanwhile, Toph (Miya Cech) returns home to her mother, complaining that Aang and co. "don't understand her" after their huge falling out in episode 6. While initially seeming on board with how great Toph's earthbending powers are, her mother poisons Toph's tea in order to try and control her urge to leave home forever.

Aang and Iroh plan an escape mission

So where is Aang in this? Right behind his pals, having already figured out where Appa is underground just by sensing him. When the Azula-controlled Dai Li parade through the center of Ba Sing Se, he's hidden by allies made in season 2, episode 1.

When he attempts to approach the Dai Li's underground jail, he's spotted by Iroh (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee) and is immediately suspicious. Iroh reveals that he's also on a mission to break Zuko out of jail, thinking that the pair should team up for maximum effect.

Iroh tells Aang about a secret door that Avatar Kyoshi once installed to lead into the underground caves, but it needs all four elements bent at once to be able to open it. Aang is missing his firebending powers at this stage, so he needs Iroh just as much as Iroh needs Aang.

Together, the pair locate and open the door, and set off on their rescue mission.

Zuko tries to bond with Katara

While Sokka and Sai try to be proactive, Katara learns who Zuko really is. Immediately, she goes on the defensive, telling him how all of her family — and the entire Waterbending tribe — were wiped out thanks to the hostile Fire Nation invasion.

Zuko definitely feels empathy for Katara, but still has a chip on his shoulder. He tells her that the Fire Nation also stripped him of his family, with his mother dying at the hands of Lord Ozai.

The more the two talk, the more they realize that they have a lot in common. It's the closest we've even seen Zuko come to his "good" side, and it seems as though he's finally going to stay that way for good.

Looking at the burn mark around his left eye, Katara offers to try and heal Zuko using the waterbending potion in the locket around her neck. Just as she's about to apply it, Aang and Iroh storm in, having found and released Sokka and Sai first.

Aang goes to fight Zuko, but Iroh stops him, claiming that he's seen huge changes for the better in his nephew. Not quite believing that Zuko has defected from the Fire Nation, the gang sets off in search of the exit.

Aang's escape plan is thwarted

With the Dai Li everywhere, the gang splits up. Aang goes to find Appa after Long Feng brings him up to speed with Azula's plans, earthbending a hole through the ceiling so that Appa can fly to safety.

But as he tries to rejoin the others, he passes another prisoner who was originally being psychologically tortured by a Dai Li officer earlier on. Aang offers to bring her with them, but instead of accepting his offer, she shouts that "the Avatar is here," alerting the guards.

From there, it's fighting on all fronts. In pairs, the group makes light work of the Dai Li roaming the hallways, especially when Toph joins suits, revealing that she has invented "metalbending."

In fact, metalbending is how she ended up there in the first place. When she wakes up after her poisoning, Toph awakes in a metal box riding inside her mother's horse and carriage. Coming to the conclusion that Aang really does understand her, where her family doesn't, she bends the box and flies out of the carriage, making her way to safety.

An all-out battle with Azula changes Zuko's allegiance

With the fight raging on, Azula soon joins the mix, learning that her brother is among the escapees. Honing her focus on him, she tries to convince him, once again, to rejoin her side.

At first, Zuko remains hesitant, more confident in his newfound ability to do good things. But when Azula brings up the death of their mother, he changes his mind.

Where Zuko has always held a grudge against Azula for how she acted when their mother died, Azula reveals that she was only acting on her mother's orders. Their mom wanted the siblings to stay together through the trauma, breaking an emotional trigger point inside Zuko when he hears this.

By the time the rest of the gang reach a large clearing in the underground caves, Azula and Zuko emerge to fight them all as a team. This shocks Katara, who had genuinely believed that Zuko was coming around to being on their side.

After a lot of intense bending and fighting, it looks as though Azula has Aang right where she wants him — after all, the entire point of kidnapping his friends was to lure Aang to Ba Sing Se.

But in his hour of need, Aang taps into what can best be described as an "Avatar portal," seeing physical forms of all the Avatars that came before him in his mind's eye. More clearly, it's what causes Aang's eyes and head arrow to turn a shining blue, as he's essentially channelling their collective power through his body.

Aang is left unconscious

At this point, we see Aang's best bending to date, turning the tables on Azula and leaving her (and the Dai Li guards who join her) powerless.

But just as he's about to deliver the final blow, Aang loses his inner vision, effectively shutting his power off. He collapses to the floor, but Katara, Sokka and Toph are able to get him to safety thanks to Appa having waited outside.

With Ba Sing Se still under Azula's control, our final scene shows the gang flying away on Appa's back. Kata uses the potion she initially offered to Zuko on Aang, aiming to heal him and bring him back to full health.

However, nothing happens after she gives it to him, with the final shot showing Aang completely unconscious and unresponsive.

Season 3 predictions

Obviously, finding out if Aang has actually survived the battle is a top priority for season 3. But the mere fact that season 3 has already been greenlit basically confirms that we'll be seeing Aang again anyway.

In a nutshell, we can expect to see Aang learning to firebend, infiltrating the Fire Nation, and preparing for his climactic showdown with Fire Lord Ozai before Sozin's Comet arrives. Not too much, then.

We also know that Zuko will eventually team up with Aang and the gang to make this happen, so we can expect to see some more emotional upheaval from him.

We're hoping to see season 3 episodes next summer.

• Netflix has confirmed that its new horror game Unhinged will launch on June 30
• It will be available to Netflix subscribers on all plans
• Unhinged is controlled via your phone and focuses on a woman trying to escape a home invasion

Netflix has announced they are launching a new horror game, Unhinged, on June 30 and that it will be available to all subscriber tiers.

Unhinged was made by Oxenfree developer Night School Studio, and is a first-person horror game centering on two young women who are neighbors, as one attempts to escape from a home invasion.

Night School game director Sam Warner told Rolling Stone: "I grew up with those, and I think that focus on novel innovative play was something that we really started this game with. If you've got Netflix and you have a phone, then this is for you."

A tense social media trailer was shared for Unhinged, where Netflix confirmed it would launch worldwide on June 30.

There's plenty to get excited about when it comes to Unhinged. First of all there's an amazing cast attached including Stranger Things' Sadie Sink, The Batman's Zoë Kravitz, and The Last of Us' voice actor Troy Baker.

Honestly, you couldn't get a better cast. I'm excited to see these stars in action, especially when it comes to the confined settings of a first-person horror like this. It has the potential to be great.

Gameplay wise, you'll need your phone for this one. Rather than being an interactive movie you control with your remote, Unhinged uses your phone to receive calls and text messages or to look around its world with a virtual flashlight.

There's multiple paths you can go down and, of course, you can die. So the stakes are high here and you'll have to pay attention if you want to make it out of the house safely. The game is said to be less than an hour in length, similar to an episode of a Netflix series, but you do have the opportunity to go back and explore new paths.

I've had mixed opinions of Netflix games so far but this one sounds promising. I can't wait to check it out on June 30.

• Netflix's Gears of War movie has a confirmed plot
• According to Entertainment Weekly, the movie will be an origin story for Delta Squad
• This does mean that the game's protagonist, Marcus Fenix, may not appear in the Netflix adaptation

Gears of War is headed to Netflix, and we finally have some confirmed plot details about the new movie adaptation.

According to reports from Entertainment Weekly, the Netflix Gears of War movie will be an origin story for Delta Squad, the main infantry team in the original video game series.

Entertainment Weekly revealed that the official logline for the movie is simply: "The origin story of Delta Squad, a ragtag crew of soldiers who wage a desperate war for survival against the Locust, a race of subterranean creatures set on destroying humanity."

Speaking about the movie, Matt Booty, Xbox's executive vice president and chief content officer, told the site: “The game really is about the bonds between teams. It's about brotherhood at its core.

"When you go visit the studio, their tagline is ‘Never Fight Alone.’ So when you think about that for a dramatic narrative, it's a pretty good starting point.”

Will Gears of War feature Marcus Fenix?

Considering Marcus Fenix is the protagonist of the first three games in the Gears of War video game series, many of us are wondering if he will show up in Netflix's Gears of War movie.

It's too early to say for now, as we don't have casting confirmation for the project, so we can't confirm which characters will appear. But if Marcus is absent and the plot focuses wholly on life before him, this may come as a disappointment for fans.

We can't accurately pinpoint how Netflix's Gears of War will fit into the franchise's timeline until more information is released. If it focuses more on the first game, then we might see Marcus after all.

If it doesn't, then this is certainly not the first time a video game adaptation has moved away from the original protagonists. Recently, Prime Video's Fallout chose not to focus on the Lone Wanderer or The Courier, and Zach Cregger's Resident Evil has a brand-new leading character too.

We will just have to wait patiently to see how Gears of War plays out on Netflix.

Who is ready to finally see Toph in the flesh? It's the main reason I'll be tuning into Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 after a lengthy two-year wait.

This time around, Aang (Gordon Cormier) and the gang will journey deep into the treacherous Earth Kingdom to find an earthbending teacher and convince the elusive Earth King to join the fight against Fire Lord Ozai.

Translated, that means that a lot is going to go down before the already confirmed season 3 even arrives.

But when does Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 land on Netflix?

What time can I watch Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 on Netflix?

Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 drops on Netflix on June 25, 2026.

As for exact time, it should be the standard 12am PT release that previous hit shows such as Emily in Paris have also enjoyed.

For global regions, here's when you need to be prepared:

• US – 12am PT / 3am ET
• Canada – 12am PT / 3am ET
• UK – 8am BST
• India – 12:30pm IST
• Singapore – 3pm SGT
• Australia – 6pm AEST
• New Zealand – 8pm NZDT

When do new episodes of Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 come out?

All 7 episodes of season 2 will be released at the same time, much like the release schedule for season 1.

There's currently no word on when season 3 will be released... but rest assured that it's coming.

The latest edition of TechRadar's streaming recommendations round-up has arrived — and it's another of those rare weeks where we've opted for eight new movies and shows instead of the usual seven.

Indeed, with so many great-looking films and TV series recently arriving (or shortly set to land) on the world's best streaming services , we really struggled to whittle down this list. Rather than us dropping a project that deserves your attention, then, we thought 'why don't we just include them all?'. In short: we did, so read on to see what's worth watching at home this weekend. — Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter

Project Hail Mary (MGM+)

Project Hail Mary, aka Amazon's hit sci-fi movie starring Ryan Gosling, has finally made its streaming debut. Curiously, though, it's not come to the company's primary streamer in Prime Video, but to its lesser cousin MGM+. No, I'm not sure why, either.

Regardless, if you missed the epic flick when it was in theaters, now's your chance to see what all of the fuss is about. Before you catch it, read my Project Hail Mary review to get the lowdown on its plot and see what I thought of it. Then, once you've streamed it, check out my Project Hail Mary ending explained piece to get answers to your biggest burning questions. — TP

• Watch Project Hail Mary on MGM+

House of the Dragon season 3 (HBO Max)

Just four months after our last visit to the Game of Thrones universe with A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, it's time to return to Westeros once more for House of the Dragon's third season.

There's a lot (dragon)riding on House of the Dragon season 3, too. With some fans suggesting its forebear wasn't as good as it could've been, and behind-the-scenes drama between showrunner Ryan Condal and Thrones overlord George R.R. Martin that wouldn't look out of place in the latter's high fantasy book franchise, the HBO Max TV Original's latest chapter really needs to deliver.

So, does it? Read my House of the Dragon season 3 review to find out for yourself. Once you're done, see when and where House of the Dragon season 3 episode 1 will be released where you live. — TP

• Watch House of the Dragon season 3 on HBO Max

Voicemails for Isabelle (Netflix)

Another helping of Netflix rom-coms this year? Yes please. Amazingly, this one isn't based on an existing novel, meaning Voicemails for Isabelle has already set itself apart from others already released this year.

Here's the premise: when Jill (Zoey Deutch) leaves voice messages to her deceased sister telling her about her chaotic life in San Francisco, an Austin-based real estate agent Wes (Nick Robinson) begins to receive their confessions. Lo, an unexpected romance is born.

In additional amazing news for fans of Parks and Recreation, Nick Offerman is also here randomly playing a chef. — Jasmine Valentine, entertainment reporter

• Watch Voicemails for Isabelle on Netflix

How to Make a Killing (HBO Max)

Black comedy movie How to Make a Killing is streaming on HBO Max this weekend. It was ultimately a flop and received a lot of criticism upon its initial theatrical release, including in my How to Make a Killing review, which is where I described it as a "rare misfire" for A24.

If you plan on watching it, though, How to Make a Killing centers around Becket Redfellow (Glen Powell), a man disowned by his wealthy family. Here, we watch as he fights back to claim his inheritance by picking them off one by one. — Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer

• Watch How to Make a Killing on HBO Max

The Agency season 2 (Paramount+)

Paramount+'s addictive spy thriller is back and reportedly better than ever. For the uninitiated: Michael Fassbender play Brandon Colby, a spy going by the pseudonym 'Martian'.

There are plenty of tense interrogations and nail-biting scenes this time around. Season 2 picks up soon after the first's dramatic finale, and sees 'Martian' feeling the pressure after becoming a double agent for MI6. Amid all that, he's trying to manage his volatile relationship with Samia (Jodie Turner-Smith), who has been imprisoned in Sudan.

So, Martian has a lot on his plate, which is good news for us at home, because it means we're all guaranteed to be on the edge of our seats. — LB

• Watch The Agency season 2 on Paramount+

I Will Find You (Netflix)

Another Harlan Coben series landing on Netflix means that we'll be sat and locked in for the foreseeable. After Run Away melted our minds in January, I Will Find You takes the chaos and raises it with a mind-boggling child murder case.

We follow David Burroughs (Sam Worthington), who is serving a life sentence for the murder of his son, Matthew. When his ex-sister-in-law and disgraced journalist Rachel (Britt Lower) finds evidence that Matthew might still be alive, the race is on to prove David's innocence and find his son.

Expect crazy confessions and twists and turns that will leave you with whiplash... and that's just in the first episode. — JV

• Watch I Will Find You on Netflix

Your Fault: London (Prime Video)

As the latest in Prime Video's hit Your Fault movie series, the London contingent has a lot to live up to. In fact, we're picking up after the events of the previous film, with Noah (Asha Banks) and Nick (Matthew Broome) now in a full-blown relationship.

This doesn't sound too out of the ordinary... until you learn that the pair are step-siblings. Now they pursue different paths, with Nick in business and Noah at Oxford. As always, they are dealing with new relationships and secrets. Let's just hope that they're ones we can cope with. — JV

• Watch Your Fault: London on Prime Video

Sugar season 2 (Apple TV)

The effortlessly cool Sugar returns for season 2 of this Apple Original and I've certainly enjoyed my latest trip to this sunny LA location. It's stunning as ever with its signature retro vibe and our protagonist John Sugar (Colin Farrell) has brought more of his own personal demons along for the ride, too.

The life of a private investigator comes with a lot of stress, and Sugar is feeling it when the trail to track down his missing sister goes cold. So, he takes on another case to keep himself occupied, agreeing to help a boxer whose brother and trainer has also gone missing.

There are a lot more film noir references here and enough mystery to keep you interested. It's another win for Apple TV and an enjoyable love letter to Old Hollywood. If you've already seen Sugar season 1, check out my Sugar season 2 review for my full thoughts. — LB

• Watch Sugar season 2 on Apple TV

• The Boroughs has been canceled after one season at Netflix
• According to reports, the decision was made due to the high costs of producing sci-fi shows
• Despite this outcome, The Boroughs was well received by critics and fans

Another day, another Netflix cancellation. The best streaming service has unfortunately gained a reputation for canceling our favorite shows, and a new sci-fi thriller, The Boroughs, is the latest to be axed.

If you're surprised by this decision, you're not alone. The Boroughs has performed well, receiving a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score of 97% after a month on the streamer.

I had assumed it would come back based on this, but it appears it has not been successful enough to warrant a second outing. That, combined with the great cast, fun premise, and the fact that Stranger Things creators The Duffer Brothers were attached, made it seemingly a no-brainer to come back for round two.

So let's dive into why this happened.

Why we're saying goodbye to The Boroughs

According to The Hollywood Reporter: "Part of the problem here, a source tells THR, is that sci-fi is expensive. Another piece surely is that the Duffers are taking their talents to Paramount. (The Boroughs wouldn’t have followed, but sometimes breakups are hard.)"

Cost is clearly a factor, but so is rival streaming service Paramount+. Still, this feels like a disappointing decision, especially since Netflix recently canceled The Lincoln Lawyer, and they axed three great shows in 2025 as well.

The good news is that The Boroughs is still worth watching. You may be put off trying it out, considering the cancellation news, but the eight episodes of season 1 deserve your love anyway. With a great cast including Bill Pullman and Geena Davis, and an intriguing supernatural threat, it's definitely one of the best Netflix shows in recent months.

Spoilers for Harlan Coben's I Will Find You ahead.

Harlan Coben's Netflix reign is back in business, baby. Half a year after Run Away dropped on the streamer in January, he's back with a new hit, I Will Find You.

This time around, we follow David Burroughs (Sam Worthington), who is serving a life sentence for the murder of his son, Matthew.

When his ex-sister-in-law, disgraced journalist Rachel (Britt Lower), finds evidence that Matthew might still be alive, the race is on to prove David's innocence and find his son.

The result is a chaotic cat-and-mouse chase between David, Rachel and the FBI that gets more disturbing by the minute.

If you've been watching along with a completely scrambled mind, I'm on hand to help. Let's debunk everything that happened in the final episode of I Will Find You, including its unexpected ending.

Who kidnapped Matthew?

Hayden Payne (Milo Ventimiglia) is behind the kidnapping. Why? In a nutshell, he believed that Matthew was his biological son.

At the same time David and Cheryl (Erin Richards) were together, Hayden and Rachel were also in a relationship. Before becoming pregnant with Matthew, Cheryl went behind David's back to explore getting pregnant using donor sperm, using a fertility center called BERG.

Not wanting David to find out, Cheryl signed up using Rachel's name. The catch? BERG is owned by the Payne family. With Rachel's name on the client list, Hayden was using his own sperm to secretly try to get her pregnant.

Cheryl gets pregnant with Matthew, and Hayden finds out that Rachel is really Cheryl on the BERG books around the same time, so he incorrectly puts two and two together. When Hayden later sees Matthew at a family Fourth of July party, he's immediately convinced that Matthew is his son.

Hayden kills a child at a Swiss orphanage that the Payne family also knows and plants his body at David and Cheryl's house, kidnapping Matthew at the same time. Payne family lawyers and doctors covered things up, planting enough evidence — including fake blood samples from Matthew — so that David would be framed for Matthew's murder.

Are David and Matthew reunited?

Yes, but with some difficulty. While David has been in prison for the last five years, Matthew has been raised by the Paynes as Theo, and has completely forgotten who his real family is.

After breaking into the BERG clinic, David, Rachel and Cheryl find out that Hayden is responsible for the kidnapping. However, FBI agent Sarah (Logan Browning) is hot on their heels, but can't officially be seen to be investigating David's case, which she has already been removed from.

In order to capture Hayden, the quartet hatches a plan. Earlier on in the series, Hayden asked Rachel to run away with him, and Rachel thinks that if David is reported as being re-arrested, Rachel could convince him to wait for her before he flees with Matthew and Gertrude (Madeleine Stowe).

Pulling a few strings with her contacts at the Globe newspaper, word about David's "arrest" gets out. Meanwhile, Rachel calls Hayden in tears, asking to be taken along on their getaway. Hayden agrees, with Rachel heading to the Payne mansion.

Meanwhile, David and Sarah reluctantly team up to try and bring Hayden in. Sarah can't call for official backup, so David is her only hope (who is wearing handcuffs in case the two are caught).

Gertrude is furious that Hayden has given in to Rachel's request, and immediately guesses that she's trying to get Hayden arrested from the inside. A news report of David's capture plays on a local news channel, with Hayden convinced he's now in the clear.

As Rachel texts Sarah her whereabouts, Gertrude's lackey uncovers that the FBI has no idea where David is, meaning the arrest story is false. Rachel is uncovered as the Globe's anonymous source, but she immediately turns the tables back on them.

Rachel asks Hayden if he ever saw the paternity test confirming that he is Matthew's father, discovering that Hayden has just taken Gertrude's word for it. Gertrude admits that she made the results up, meaning that Matthew is biologically David's child.

Cheryl has told Max (Chi McBride) that she had the blood from the crime scene independently tested, confirming that it wasn't Matthew's body uncovered at the crime scene. This confirms David's innocence, meaning that the FBI can pursue Hayden with legitimate evidence.

Who dies in the season finale?

Gertrude is our first victim. After discovering that Matthew isn't really his son, Hayden shoots her in a blind rage.

This results in Sarah and David, who are on the property, catching up with Hayden, who holds Rachel at gunpoint as a hostage. A shootout ensues, with Hayden pushing Rachel to the ground and escaping with Matthew in a car.

They don't get very far, though, as Sarah successfully shoots out their back tire. Matthew makes a break for it on foot into the woods, with Hayden trying to follow. Matthew's chat with David has confused what he knows to be true, planting seeds of doubt about Hayden.

When the group tracks each other down, Hayden shoots David in the leg when he approaches Matthew. Just as Hayden is about to shoot Rachel dead, Sarah gets there first, making Hayden the second victim to die.

Is Hayden jailed?

As you can probably guess from what I've just written, no... but the good news is that David isn't sent back to prison either. A few weeks after finding Matthew, we learn that David's sentence has been overturned, making him a legitimate free man once again.

As the Payne family, ahem, no longer exists, there is no outright public justice in that sense. However, the first scene after Hayden's death confirms that Rachel writes a Globe magazine spread and a book about David's journey.

How does I Will Find You end?

I Will Find You ends with Lenny's death, with Cheryl, David, Rachel and Matthew all in attendance.

We learn that Cheryl has given birth to her baby girl, and has reconciled with her husband after Matthew was found alive. Adam (Jonathan Tucker), who was suspended from the police force for his part in David's escape from prison, is now working as a PI with another former colleague.

Matthew struggles to remember a life before being Theo, and is frustrated with the fact he cannot remember the events of the Fourth of July picnic, with Lenny talked about before his death. "The good thing about memories is that you get to make more of them," David reminds him.

It's implied that David and Rachel begin a romantic relationship, but this isn't explicitly confirmed.

Is there a link to other Harlan Coben books?

As you might have gathered from reading through the above, there have been subtle changes to the Netflix adaptation from Coben's original novel. However, in keeping with the growing Coben-verse, there could be a direct link to come.

Gertrude is the cousin of Windsor Horne Lockwood III, who appears in the Myron Bolitar Series as well as the 2021 book Win. If any of these are adapted for the streamer, could we see Stowe return?

I'm turning into something of a Harlan Coben fangirl. Much like a stalker in one of his compelling crime stories, wherever I go is somewhere he already seems to be.

Looking at his TV track record since 2020 alone, this is hardly a surprise. Coben has had 10 of his stories adapted for Netflix in this time alone, with a further two — including one completely original script — on Prime Video. He's truly the King of Crime both on page and screen, and frankly, I bow to his majesty.

I Will Find You is our tenth Netflix adaptation in this list, and the moment I saw it would be joining the streamer this month, I was locked in with a laser focus. However, now that I've streamed all eight episodes, the lasting effect is more lukewarm than boiling hot.

Perhaps I'm spoiled for choice. I'm used to crime dramas that truly melt the mind, and both Lazarus and Run Away (two Coben shows that have been released in the last year) have done exactly that. I've been left with my head spinning, my eyes rolling and my jaw on the floor, even when they weren't absolutely perfect.

This time around, I've metaphorically shrugged my shoulders. I Will Find You is largely solid, and everything there is to critique isn't exactly world-destroying. But when we've been solving crime at such lofty heights, the comedown effect feels ridiculously devastating.

Harlan Coben's I Will Find You is the plain bread equivalent of Netflix crime drama

So, what's the story? Without giving too much away, we follow David Burroughs (Sam Worthington), who is serving a life sentence for the murder of his son, Matthew. When his ex-sister-in-law, disgraced journalist Rachel (Britt Lower), finds evidence that Matthew might still be alive, the race is on to prove David's innocence and find his son.

Whipped into a tight paragraph, that all sounds incredibly exciting... and for the most part, I Will Find You hits the brief. Worthington plays it Kiefer Sutherland-in-24-style as David, hotfooting it out of prison like his life depends on it (and it does).

There's a beautiful cat-and-mouse chase between David and the FBI from episode 2 onwards, both trying to outfox the other by almost nailing what the other is thinking — except one key detail is always catastrophically wrong. This type of rollercoaster storytelling is where the series is at its strongest, and that's all thanks to Mr. Coben himself.

Obviously, this is why we're tuning in. We've watched and read enough to know that Coben is a master of his craft, turning even the most mundane of moments into something truly thrilling. The problem, however, is just how much mundanity he's working with... even though that's basically his own fault.

Unless bodies are being hacked into pieces, a curveball the size of the Empire State Building is dropped into the storyline, or our characters betray each other on an epic scale, we've all consumed so many crime dramas that most of the nuts and bolts would be considered boring.

With such a linear storyline, I Will Find You wholeheartedly falls into this trap. We can guess what will happen to David, Matthew, and, frankly, who did it, which isn't as impressive as Coben's biggest mind-melters.

I Will Find You is the first American Harlan Coben adaptation on Netflix — and I hate that

I Will Find You hasn't helped its predictability problem by making a Columbo-shaped error with its casting announcement. Back in the days of 1980s crime-solving shows like it and Murder, She Wrote, the guest with the most star power would always be booked as the killer.

Fans eventually caught on, and it became so obvious that shows had to completely change their casting strategy. I'm not going to tell you which cast member this is aimed at, but one of I Will Find You's biggest-billed and most-promoted stars is also suspiciously absent from most of the drama. I wonder why that could be?

Then there's the final kicker, which will be an absolute gut-punch to anybody watching across the pond in the UK who has also co-opted Coben as an honorary Brit. I Will Find You marks the first adaptation for Netflix that is based in the US rather than the UK, with accents to match. This has happened once before in Prime Video's Shelter, but Netflix has been committed to using stalwart British actors since Cobenmania caught on.

After spending the first 10 minutes in disbelief, shouting "Wait, this is American?!" at my TV, I realized that I Will Find You had lots of bits of its grittiness and bite by being set on the East Coast. Apologies if this offends our American friends — I've just seen too many iterations of Law & Order, 9-1-1 and Blue Bloods for me to think that fictional crime in the Big Apple is anything other than cheesy.

Maybe I'm just being pedantic, but that's what happens when a streaming service gives you a never-ending wealth of content to gorge on. I Will Find You isn't the Harlan Coben I will return to or even remember after this week, but it did the job it needed to while I was watching.

Co-founded by Reed Hastings in 1997, Netflix started life as a rental DVD service in the mold of Blockbuster. But, 20 years later, the company dramatically pivoted to being an online streaming service, fully embracing the internet era.

Changing with the times

Five years after launching Netflix's streaming platform, Hastings was speaking with Forbes on the business' pivot and its role in the emerging internet landscape.

This shift, according to reports, was decades in the making, with Hastings plotting it since Netflix's inception, with the DVD rental business a means to grow the customer base.

His comments highlight the belief that our society is entering a new age defined by the internet and the shift of many businesses from bricks and mortar to an online ecosystem. The comments also frame the new "age" of humanity as transcending the reliance on a particular material – instead basing progress on the shift to the internet.

The new age

This notion is hardly original – plenty of figures in the tech industry have suggested we are graduating to a new age of humanity defined by an idea or material.

For example, physicist Michio Kaku identified several ages in the last few hundred years, including the Steam Age, Age of Electricity, and the Silicon Age that began in the late 20th century and lasted until just recently.

And now? With the constraints of Moore's Law imposing physical limits on computation, he suggested a new age of humanity could belong to quantum – with the embryonic technology of quantum computing allowing us to transcend conventional power constraints. Others, meanwhile, attribute a new age of humanity to AI.

• New movie Heartstopper Forever is the final installment in the Netflix series
• The trailer has now arrived, and confirms the film will air on July 17
• Netflix has made it easier for people to make fan edits thanks to a new feature

It's never easy saying goodbye to our favorite Netflix shows. But all good things must come to end — and Heartstopper Forever concludes the beloved coming-of-age series on July 17.

Heartstopper Forever is a feature film that takes up the story after Heartstopper season 3, giving fans a proper conclusion to Charlie (Joe Locke) and Nick's (Kit Connor) love story. Beyond this, the movie will bid farewell to supporting fan favorites such as Tao (William Gao) and Elle (Yasmin Finney) too.

Take a look at the new trailer below, which features a new song from Olivia Rodrigo.

Netflix is making fan edits even easier

Fan edits are a huge part of how we watch movies and TV now, with plenty of fans flocking to platforms like TikTok and Instagram to make them. A lot of work goes into these, and Netflix has made it even easier.

Via Tudum, the best streaming service shared a download link where fans can get the video files from the trailer so they can "cut, zoom, and play around with the clip to [their] heart’s content". No more low-quality video files for you, Netflix has done the hard work already.

This isn't the first time Netflix has catered to social media. In 2024 it introduced Netflix Moments, which lets you clip scenes from its library so they're easier for you to access.

Expect to see plenty of Heartstopper fan edits in the build-up to the new movie, which hits the streaming service in a month's time. I'm already emotional.

• Netflix has shared a new trailer for sci-fi movie The Last House
• It arrives on the streaming service on August 7
• The movie follows a family who become trapped inside their home

The word "home" is often associated with comfort and safety, but Netflix's new movie The Last House explores what happens when it becomes your prison instead.

Indeed, the best streaming service just dropped a tense new trailer for the upcoming sci-fi movie which is set to hit our screens on August 7. Here, we see an ordinary family learn they have been sealed within their homes and there's no obvious way to get out.

I really like this trailer because it immediately answers the obvious question of "well, why don't they just break the windows and escape?". Take a look below and see just how trapped they really are...

What else do we know about The Last House?

The intriguing new movie is directed by Louis Leterrier, who's best known for his work on The Transporter and Now You See Me. Here, he's swapping fast paced action scenes for a more tense, claustrophobic story.

Speaking to Tudum, Leterrier said "you won’t be able to look at your house or family the same way again" and honestly, even the trailer has got me feeling on edge about my house so I can believe it.

Greta Lee and Wagner Moura play a couple trying to keep their children calm during their sudden entrapment, but it becomes harder when days turn into weeks and then years. Yep, something really weird is going on here.

As seen in the trailer, the family learn that they aren't the only ones affected by this and it is more widespread than they thought. With an unnamed threat looming outside, I'll be tuning in to see whether they make it out of this situation alive.

While you wait for The Last House, don't forget to check out our new movies guide for the biggest new releases in June and beyond.

• Netflix has confirmed that The Lincoln Lawyer season 5 will also be the final in the series
• Season 5 was renewed in late January 2026, and production is currently underway
• Showrunners have promised 'the satisfying finale Mickey Haller deserves'

Netflix has (very quietly) announced that season 5 of legal drama The Lincoln Lawyer, which is currently in development, will be its last.

The news comes as part of a list of 17 Netflix shows that will be getting the chop after 2026, which includes Alice In Borderland, The Night Agent, The Abandons and Breathless.

According to Deadline, The Lincoln Lawyer appeared on the Netflix Global Top 10 charts for 29 weeks across its four seasons and has garnered 171 million views since 2023.

Season 4 launched with nine million views for its opening weekend, which is actually up over the third season's debut performance of seven million.

While Netflix hasn't given a direct reason for the shows it has chosen to cancel, fans don't need to be too worried just yet — season 5 might be the last, but it means we've still got a promised satisfying ending ahead.

The Lincoln Lawyer showrunners promise 'satisfying finale' despite unexpected cancelation

Series developer Ted Humphrey and co-showrunner Dailyn Rodriguez addressed the decision in a press statement, promising "the satisfying finale Mickey Haller deserves."

"All good things must come to an end, but thankfully sometimes how they come to an end is up to us. From the very beginning, the mission was always not only to tell the story of Mickey Haller and his compatriots, but also to give that story a proper conclusion," it said.

Details on specific season 5 plot are not publicly available, and as episodes are currently still in production, showrunners should be able to tweak anything needed to provide a full and resolute farewell (i.e. no annoying threads left untied).

This is all most likely to springboard from what we saw at the end of season 4, which ended with Mickey Haller (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) recovering from being framed for murder.

He was approached by Emi Finch (Cobie Smulders), his newly discovered half-sister, who pleads with him to help free a wrongfully convicted woman.

While The Lincoln Lawyer as a TV show will come to an end, we can't rule out potential spinoffs or a movie treatment, as we've just seen with Peaky Blinders. In short, anything is possible.

• Scooby-Doo: Origins has released a teaser revealing that a real-life dog will play the titular character
• This is the first time Scooby-Doo will be played by a dog, rather than being an animated character
• However, the decision has divided fans and not everyone is happy with the idea

Scooby-Doo: Origins confirmed an all-important cast member recently, revealing that the new Netflix show would not be using a CGI dog like the movies did.

In a new teaser, we got our first look at the adorable new co-star who will be playing one of the world's most famous dogs, marking the first time Scooby-Doo will be played by an actual puppy. So no pressure then.

Even though we're not expecting the series until 2027, fans are already hugely divided on the "real-life" Scooby Doo. But before we get into all of that, take a look at Netflix's first teaser to see what you think.

What are people saying about Scooby-Doo: Origins?

Considering that Scooby-Doo has been a pop-culture favorite for over 50 years, it's not surprising that fans have some strong thoughts about the newest series.

The addition of a real-life pup has only divided fans more, with some concerned he won't be able to live up to previous iterations, such as the animated series or the 2000s movies (which were unfairly judged in my opinion).

Many Scooby-Doo fans were initially concerned that the puppy in the upcoming series is not a Great Dane, but it has now been pointed out that he actually is by one fan on X. However, the complaints haven't stopped there — and there's one glaring issue in particular.

Fans have pointed out that while the real puppy co-star is undeniably cute, it "will never hit the same" as having an animated or CGI Scooby-Doo. Much of the humor from the movies and animated show came from Scooby's dialogue, and his dynamic with Shaggy, which may be missing from Netflix's prequel series.

It's too early to tell if Shaggy and Scooby will be able to communicate in Scooby-Doo: Origins, but even if they can, it certainly won't be the same as what we're used to. Right now, I'm not sure what to make of the new series, even though I really want to enjoy it.

We'll have to wait a while to see more from Scooby-Doo: Origins, but we do know it's pemiering in 2027, and will follow Shaggy Rogers (Tanner Hagen) and his old pal Daphne Blake (Mckenna Grace) during their final summer at camp, where they become embroiled in a haunting mystery surrounding a lost Great Dane puppy.

The plot sounds strong enough, but will the show stick the landing? I sure hope so.

After waiting for over a year, Sweet Magnolias season 5 is finally making its return to Netflix.

The big news is Maddie's (JoAnna Garcia Swisher) new publishing career in New York City, testing her relationship with Cal (Justin Bruening). But Helen's (Heather Headley) engagement has also set the stage for a potential big wedding this season, with Dana Sue (Brooke Elliott) also trying to balance her growing kitchen business.

We've also got some new faces joining us this season, as romance hots up between the show's younger cast — which includes Manhattan-based writer Nell Winters (Jamie-Lynn Sigler).

But can everyone handle their new life changes, and when does Sweet Magnolias season 5 arrive on Netflix?

What time can I watch Sweet Magnolias season 5 on Netflix?

Sweet Magnolias season 5 drops on Netflix on June 11, 2026.

As for exact time, it should be the standard 12am PT release that previous hit shows such as Emily in Paris have also enjoyed.

For global regions, here's when you need to be prepared:

• US – 12am PT / 3am ET
• Canada – 12am PT / 3am ET
• UK – 8am BST
• India – 12:30pm IST
• Singapore – 3pm SGT
• Australia – 6pm AEST
• New Zealand – 8pm NZDT

When do new episodes of Sweet Magnolias season 5 come out?

All 10 episodes of season 5 will be released at the same time, much like the release schedule for season 4.

There's currently no word on any future seasons being picked up.

Welcome to June 2026, everyone — and what a fantastic start to the month it is for the best streaming services.

Indeed, with 13 great-looking new movies and TV shows hitting many of the world's leading streamers over the past few days, there really is something for everyone to enjoy this weekend (June 5-7). As always, we've handpicked seven new releases that, in our view, are must-see viewing, so read on to find out what we recommend watching at home before you head back to work on Monday. — Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter

Hoppers (Disney+)

Hoppers is the latest Pixar movie to land on Disney+, and I bet you have seen plenty of memes about it already. Tom Lizard has been all over my Instagram feed, making a lasting impression before it was even released in theaters in early March.

All the hype has been accurate, too, as this is the kind of fun that the whole family can enjoy. So, settle down and enjoy a story about an animal-loving student who transfers her mind into a robotic beaver to communicate with animals, inadvertently sparking an uprising among them. It really is brilliant. — Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer

• Watch Hoppers on Disney+

Cape Fear (Apple TV)

Javier Bardem steps into the shoes of the villainous Max Cady in Apple TV's Cape Fear. I love seeing him being sinister as ever, and it's clear he's having the time of his life in this role. If its title sounds familiar, that's because it's a TV retelling of the 1962 and 1991 films, which were based on John D. McDonald's classic novel The Executioners.

Anyway, the 10-part Apple TV Original, which kicked off with a double-episode premiere as we center on Tom and Anna Bowden (Patrick Wilson and Amy Adams), the husband and wife attorneys who put Cady behind bars years prior. Their idyllic life soon turns into a living nightmare as Cady seeks revenge for what they did.

It's the ultimate weekend thriller which doesn't hold back, guaranteed to deliver plenty of frights after a long week. To quote the eerie trailer: "you deserve this". — LB

• Watch Cape Fear on Apple TV

Office Romance (Netflix)

J-Lo back in a rom-com? Is it 2004? No, it's 2026 and we've got a new Jennifer Lopez-starring romantic flick in the form of Office Romance on Netflix.

As the title suggests, we're looking at a scandalous workplace relationship here. Lopez plays Jackie, President and CEO of Air Cruz, runs a tight ship in her business which included a rigid anti-fraternization policy for all her employees.

However, that goes out the window with her newest company lawyer (Brett Goldstein) when they risk their careers by pursuing a forbidden affair. What makes this even better is the fact that Lopez and Goldstein now have romance rumors in reality, meaning art would completely imitate life. — Jasmine Valentine, entertainment reporter

• Watch Office Romance on Netflix

Not Suitable for Work (Hulu/Disney+)

After absolutely bombing comfort TV viewing earlier this year with Running Point season 2 (sorry not sorry), Mindy Kaling is back with brand-new series Not Suitable for Work, which is out now on Hulu and Disney+.

Taking the Gen Z working experience and injecting a shot of comedy into the natural misery, Kaling explores the first steps of employment when kids are fresh out of college. It's fun, bawdy, and somewhat unbelievable, but there's enough Friends-style undertones through to make it very satisfying viewing. — JV

• Watch Not Suitable for Work on Hulu (US) and Disney+ (internationally)

The Legend of Vox Machina season 4 (Prime Video)

The Legend of Vox Machina, aka Amazon's animated retelling of popular role-playing tabletop group Critical Role's first Dungeons and Dragons campaign, has returned to Prime Video for its fourth and penultimate season.

Set a year after last season's finale, which saw the eponymous ragtag team of warriors, mages, elves, and bards go their separate ways, season 4 sees them drawn back together when a new otherworldly evil awakens and threatens their world.

Episodes one to three are out now, with three more batches — comprising three episodes apiece — rolling out every Wednesday until the end of June. Enjoy them while you can, too, because the R-rated show's fifth season, which is currently in development, will be its last. — TP

• Watch The Legend of Vox Machina season 4 on Prime Video

Pillion (HBO Max)

This should just be common sense, but before I wax lyrical about how brilliant Pillion is, please don't watch it with your family this weekend on HBO Max.

Colin (Harry Melling) is a bland, mousey young man who catches the eye of biker Ray (Alexander Skarsgård), and the two begin exploring a dominant-submissive relationship. Without clear definition, their relationship is challenging and beyond unconventional, with Colin growing in character before our very eyes. It's strangely romantic with a strong sense of yearning, even if anything that's actually in eyesight is anything but.

There's more sex, nudity, and embarrassing conversations than one person can bear, but Pillion is also one of the most profound movies I've seen in years. Extra shoutout goes to debut director Harry Lighton, who includes an unexpected mention of my hometown, Great Dunmow. — JV

• Watch Pillion on HBO Max

Michael Jackson: The Verdict (Netflix)

Michael Jackson: The Verdict revisits the eponymous, controversial, and late music superstar's high profile case, giving viewers a deeper glimpse into what happened through jurors, eyewitnesses, accusers, and defenders.

Across three episodes, the docuseries shows first-hand accounts from people closest to the case. Tudum describes it as being a "complete historical record of a trial the public never truly got to see", featuring contributors such as family attorney Brian Oxman and journalist Martin Bashir.

Expect archival footage, trial notes, and media coverage, much of which is still causing debates to this very day. — LB

• Watch Michael Jackson: The Verdict on Netflix

• Netflix has dropped the first trailer for America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders season 3
• All episodes will be released on June 16
• Retirement rumors for veteran Reece Weaver reignited after getting 'too much screentime' in clips

Netflix has dropped the first full trailer for America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders season 3, confirming that its seven new episodes will arrive on the streamer on June 16.

We're set to follow the classic audition to end of season journey that fans enjoyed over the first two seasons, but there's a twist this time.

As cheerleader director Kelli Finglass points out in the trailer (which you can catch up with below), season 3 marks the first time that the judges and creative team are selecting from candidates who have applied because they've seen the hit Netflix show.

Whether this changes the process remains to be seen, but the trailer also reveals that country singer Kacey Musgraves has been brought in to help judge the first round of dance auditions.

While fans are excited for new episodes to drop, the frequent appearance of one veteran cheerleader throughout the season 3 trailer has raised alarm bells that she's retiring — after rumors have been circulating online for months.

Reece Weaver retirement rumors resurface after Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders 'insider' claim

Having joined the team as a rookie in season 1 of America's Sweethearts, Reece Weaver quickly became a fan-favorite. Returning as a veteran for the second year in a row in season 3, she could still cheer for another two years before she'd have to hand her uniform in, as per the squad's five-year rule.

However, rumors suggest that Reece will retire by the end of season 3, and the fact she's shown so much in the above trailer hasn't helped the assumption. As one TikTok comment points out, "Reece being so present in the trailer is another sign of retirement, I'd say."

"I have a feeling Reece is retiring... noooooo!" another weighs in, with a third adding "I'm just glad to see Reece there."

As the comments suggests, retirement rumors had already been flying around, with Reddit threads suggesting that a DCC "insider" first claimed Reece's exit was true.

"If she’s retiring, and I believe she is, it’s got to be to do something bigger/beyond DCC, so I would assume if she’s not part of Dancing with the Stars this season, she’s got some periphery involvement to it," one commenter guesses.

Another responds, "Honestly, she and [husband] Will should do YouTube. There’s a big bag in YouTube if they want to do vlogs or family content. It would be a good pivot !"

As the season 3 trailer highlights the negativity cheerleaders are now receiving on social media as a knock-on effect of being so visible on Netflix, others speculate that trolling could also play a part in her potential departure.

It's too early to say if America's Sweethearts will confirm or deny the rumors by the time the seven episodes are up, or if they will be addressed in the foreseeable future.

There's been a huge update for Netflix's movie adaptation of hit Taylor Jenkins Reid novel The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo: Anna Kendrick has been confirmed to be its director.

With the streamer suggesting that "production will begin soon," no further details, including the cast, have been announced at this stage. Given how popular the book is and how much fans want to see the story brought to the screen, the scrutiny on everyone involved will be next level.

If you've not heard of it before, the premise is as the title suggests. 79-year-old reclusive Hollywood actress Evelyn hires young journalist Monique to write her tell-all biography, revealing the truth behind her infamous seven marriages — and the one secret romantic relationship that underpinned them all.

I'm typically not a Jenkins Reid fan, but The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo blew me away. Even years after reading it, I'm still convinced it's a story that shaped my life, and it's no surprise the novel has such a devoted cult following.

However, if anyone has complaints about Kendrick being in the director's chair, I think that they're misguided. In fact, not only was her directorial debut one of Netflix's strongest movie releases in the last six years, but what we should be annoyed about has nothing to do with who's involved.

Stream Woman of the Hour if you have Anna Kendrick doubts — and be annoyed that we're not getting a miniseries instead

When it comes to 2020s crime thrillers, Kendrick's Woman of the Hour is one of my favorites. Telling the true story of serial killer Rodney Alcala, who ended up appearing on an episode of 1970s TV show The Dating Game, Kendrick stars as his matched suitor, Sheryl Bradshaw.

Three years later, and it still has a certified fresh rating of 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviews describing it as "formidable" and "poignant." As a comedy actress best known for roles in Pitch Perfect and A Simple Favor, the last thing I expected was for her to have such a strong handle on how to tell an entirely different type of tale.

But that she did, and I still think about Woman of the Hour often. If that's what she has to offer after just one movie, think about what she'll do now she's got more time and experience under her belt. My suggestion? Channel your anger and frustration into something much more worthwhile: the fact that The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo won't be a miniseries.

Anybody who has read a Jenkins Reid novel will know how dense, layered, and rich her prose is. A single page can hold an episode's worth of content, and time is needed to truly explore her worldbuilding. Frankly, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo being shoehorned into a movie format should be a concern.

Where Daisy Jones & the Six (successfully) got the miniseries format on Prime Video, the complexity of Evelyn's past could easily get lost if details need to be trimmed for time. Seven marriages don't just happen in the blink of an eye, and Netflix could have shot itself in the foot, regardless of the director.

The worst part? The adaptation was initially picked up to be a miniseries before being swapped to a movie format. It's like trying to keep an ocean's worth of water inside a kitchen sink now, but I'm desperately hoping to be proved wrong.

The final weekend of May 2026 is upon us, and the fifth month of the year is going out with a bang.

Indeed, with 14 new movies and TV shows landing on the world's best streaming services over the last few days, you've got plenty to wrap your eyeballs around before June arrives. As always, we've handpicked the cream of the crop from this week's new releases, so don't delay: scroll on to see what's worth watching between now and Sunday evening. — Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter

Spider-Noir (Prime Video)

Nic Cage fans, listen up! The hardworking, talented, and eccentric A-lister is not only back on your screens, but also getting his Spider-Man on again in this Prime Video live-action show, which is already out in full.

Stepping back into the shoes of this series' eponymous hero Spider-Noir (NB: this isn't the same iteration that Cage voiced in Sony's Spider-Verse films), the Amazon TV Original introduces us to superpowered private investigator Ben Reilly. Set during the prohibition era, the aging and down on his luck detective must un-retire as his superhuman alter-ego to crack a case that threatens New York's residents and the city itself.

A noir crime thriller masquerading as a superhero project, Spider-Noir is available to stream in color, as well as black and white. Personally, I'll be opting for the latter option this weekend to fully immerse myself in Spider-Noir's grimy, morally ambiguous world. — TP

• Watch Spider-Noir on Prime Video

Scream 7 (Paramount+)

Ghostface is back — again. That's right, the iconic masked killer returned for yet another round of slasher fare in Scream 7, which has finally dropped on Paramount Plus following its theatrical debut earlier this year.

This time, Neve Campbell's Sidney comes face-to-face with a new Ghostface when the latter targets Sidney's daughter Tatum (Isabel May). Campbell isn't the only individual reprising their role from a previous Scream movie, either, as she's joined by the likes of David Arquette and Courteney Cox for more horror-based action and drama.

A film shrouded in controversy following the firing of Melissa Barrera, plus the departures of fellow new and popular additions to the franchise including Jenna Ortega, Scream 7 doesn't seem to live up to past installments in the series. Still, I'm sure diehard Scream fans will get a kick out of what's on offer. — TP

• Watch Scream 7 on Paramount+

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder season 2 (Netflix)

Don't you just love when a viral book series gets adapted into an equally viral TV show? That's what happened with A Good Girl's Guide to Murder , whose first season debut in 2024 and is now back for its sophomore season on Netflix.

This time, ever-inquisitive Pip (Emma Myers) is dealing with the ramifications of discovering who really killed Andie Bell (India Lillie Davies), including releasing a popular true-crime podcast about the investigation. Think Only Murders in the Building, only without the comedy. Swap it for some serious armchair detective work and we're in business. — Jasmine Valentine, entertainment reporter

• Watch A Good Girl's Guide to Murder season 2 on Netflix

Star City (Apple TV)

For All Mankind has come to an end, but new Apple TV sci-fi show Star City is about to take its place. Created by the same team, it's not a companion series, but instead follows the Soviet Union space race from a spy thriller perspective.

Taking us back to the key moment in the "alt-history retelling" of the space race, the Apple TV Original will explore the story from behind the Iron Curtain. We'll be following the lives of the cosmonauts, the engineers, and the intelligence officers embedded among them... and, of course, a slice of espionage along the way. — JV

• Watch Star City on Apple TV

The Moment (HBO Max)

I thought this film was f*****g big in Germany? If you went absolutely feral during Brat summer like me, Charli XCX's mockumentary The Moment , which is out now on HBO Max, is the ideal way to keep reliving it.

Here, we follow a fictional popstar (played by Charli XCX) before her arena tour kicks off, exploring the cost of what it truly takes to stay on top. Expect cameos from Rachel Sennott, Alexander Skarsgård, and a quite brilliantly cast Rosanna Arquette to name just three. Can Brat summer truly be a forever thing? Probably... it's just not going to look anything like this. — JV

• Watch The Moment on HBO Max

Deli Boys season 2 (Hulu/Disney+)

Want a comedy series you can binge in under a day? Deli Boys season 2 has you covered. In season 1, brothers Raj (Saagar Shaikh) and Mir Dar (Asif Ali) found out that their late dad's local convenience store was actually a front for an international drug ring, which the pair have inherited.

In its follow-up, they're making so much money that local casino owner-turned-money launderer Max Sugar (Fred Armisen) is enlisted to help "clean" the boys' money, though Max falls in love with no-nonsense Aunt Lucky (Poorna Jagannathan) instead.

With Andrew Rannells also joining the cast as unhinged politician Andrew Chadwater, season 2 is an even bigger, bolder and more absurd version of its debut. Check it out now on Hulu and Disney+. — JV

• Watch Deli Boys season 2 on Hulu (US) and Disney+ (internationally)

Propeller One-Way Night Coach (Apple TV)

A family film that's only just over an hour long? Count me in. Propeller One-Way Night Coach is the Apple movie you've probably never heard of, but need to stream.

Following young aviation enthusiast Jeff (Clark Shotwell) and his mother, we embark with them on a cross-country flight to Hollywood that transforms into a life-changing journey filled with unexpected moments.

In the most unexpected twist, the movie is the directorial debut of one John Travolta. Don't be too shocked: this is all based on a children's book he released back in 1997. Still, I can see a lot of Grease fans getting their kids to tune in. — JV

• Watch Propeller One-Way Night Coach on Apple TV

Who has the cheek to kill off Steve Carell anyway? If you watched season 1 of the new Netflix show The Four Seasons, you'll know that it took the tragic plunge.

Season 2 is set to pick up after Nick (Carrell) died in a car crash, with his younger girlfriend, Ginny (Erika Henningsen), dropping the bombshell that she's pregnant with his child.

However, the group's vacation tradition is set to continue, swapping the streets of New York for the Italian countryside.

To say it will be a dramatic ride is likely an understatement. But when is The Four Seasons season 2 set to hit Netflix?

What time can I watch The Four Season season 2 on Netflix?

The Four Seasons season 2 drops on Netflix on May 28, 2026.

As for exact time, it should be the standard 12am PT release that previous hit shows such as Emily in Paris have also enjoyed.

For global regions, here's when you need to be prepared:

• US – 12am PT / 3am ET
• Canada – 12am PT / 3am ET
• UK – 8am BST
• India – 12:30pm IST
• Singapore – 3pm SGT
• Australia – 6pm AEST
• New Zealand – 8pm NZDT

When do new episodes of The Four Seasons season 2 come out?

All eight episodes of season 2 will be released at the same time, much like the release schedule for season 1.

There's currently no word on any future seasons being picked up.

Happy long weekend, everyone! Well, those of you in the US and UK who'll be enjoying a three-day break from work due to Memorial Day and the late May bank holiday, anyway.

Regardless of where you live and/or how long your weekend will be, plenty of new movies and TV shows have recently landed on the world's best streaming services for you to check out. Like last week's streaming round-up, we couldn't fit the sheer volume of new releases in this article. No matter what genre you enjoy, though, I'm sure you'll find something worth watching from the below selection. — Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter

The Bride! (HBO Max)

The Bride!, Maggie Gyllenhaal's divisive Frankenstein-inspired movie that I attempted to defend in my impassioned piece, is out now on HBO Max.

Those wanting a loyal adaptation of Mary Shelley's work won't find it here, but you will find an intriguing gothic romance set against a 1930s Chicago backdrop. You'll also find stellar performances from Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale. No surprises there.

That all said, critics and many viewers weren't enamored with this one when it landed in theaters earlier this year Will you join the naysayers or actually enjoy it? Watch it this weekend and see which side of the divide you fall on. — Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer

• Watch The Bride! on HBO Max

The Boroughs (Netflix)

You've seen Stranger Things, now get ready for The Boroughs.

The Duffer Brothers are the executive producers of this new Netflix show and, this time, we follow the residents of a retirement community rather than local kids. Although the subjects are at the opposite end of the age spectrum, the vibes are similar, with a group of unlikely heroes banding together to stop an otherworldly threat from stealing time. At their age, it's a precious commodity indeed.

With a great cast comprising Bill Pullman, Geena Davis, Clarke Peters, Alfred Molina, Alfre Woodard, Denis O'Hare, and Jena Malone, this could be the perfect show to binge. — LB

• Watch The Boroughs on Netflix

Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan: Ghost War (Prime Video)

Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan, one of Prime Video's most underrated shows, has finally made its way from the small screen to the big screen, in the form of Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan: Ghost War. John Krasinski resumes the titular role... but this time, he's heading across the pond.

Indeed, we see Jack reunite with CIA operatives to navigate betrayal from an enemy who "knows their moves and faces a past once thought settled," as Amazon explains. In short, expect big action on an international scale.

What I particularly like here is that Ghost War is very subtly bringing back the 'Cool Britannia' aesthetic by casting Sienna Miller as its leading lady. Why did we have to stop doing that in the 2010s? — Jasmine Valentine, entertainment reporter

• Watch Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan: Ghost War on Prime Video

Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed (Apple TV)

Apple has been on a TV show-based tear recently. Indeed, from Margo's Got Money Troubles to Widow's Bay, the tech giant's streaming platform has been my go-to for small-screen offerings over the last few months.

Its latest TV Original — Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed — looks like it'll keep me glued to Apple TV, too. Billed as a dark comedy crime-thriller, it stars Tatiana Maslany as Paula, a divorced fact checker and mom of one who gets caught up in a web of lies and murder after she's blackmailed by a camboy.

Truthfully, I'll watch anything that the supremely talented Maslany is in. But, with Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed launching to near-universally positive reviews, I'll be even more locked in to a Maslany-led project than usual. — TP

• Watch Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed on Apple TV

Is This Thing On? (Disney+)

I first saw Is This Thing On? last October, and I'm still laughing at the fact that it's inspired by the life of UK comedian John Bishop.

Will Arnett plays fictional comic Alex, whose marriage to Tess (Laura Dern) is unravelling by the minute. After they separate, Alex seeks a purpose on the New York comedy scene, and discovers that he's actually pretty darn good at it. But, can he repair his broken marriage at the same time?

It's wholesome, touching, and makes you believe in the power of love all over again. And I'd like this stated on the record — Bradley Cooper is a brilliant director, no matter what you think of him. Regardless, it's out now on Disney+ internationally following its debut on Hulu stateside earlier this year. — JV

• Watch Is This Thing On? on Disney+

The Chi final season (Paramount+)

It's been eight years since The Chi first arrived on our screens via Paramount+, but now it's sadly time to say goodbye. This coming-of-age drama follows a diverse ensemble of characters who are trauma-bonded by the murder of a young boy in season 1.

Fast forward to season 8, and we can expect to face "their coldest winter ever, with life or death choices that must be made," according to Paramount. With season 7 ending with every storyline having some sort of dramatic fallout, we can expect the stakes to be raised even higher for its final outing. — JV

• Watch The Chi final season on Paramount+

Arco (Hulu)

Neon's latest animated movie Arco follows a 10-year-old boy in the year 2932, an idyllic future where humans live in the clouds and travel through time using rainbow flight suits. Sounds pretty cool, not going to lie.

Sadly for Arco, he's too young to fly, so he does what any mischievous child would do: steals his sister's suit so he can go back in time and see dinosaurs. But, when he discovers a world in peril instead, he bands together with a young girl and her robot caretaker as he sets out on a quest to return home.

Widely praised for its lovable characters and themes, this adventure movie is a great choice for the whole family to watch on Hulu. — LB

• Watch Arco on Hulu

• A new The Sims 4 bundle inspired by the Netflix Bridgerton series is now available
• The Masquerade Ball Bundle is limited time and includes the Masquerade Ball Fashion Kit and Masquerade Ballroom Kit
• A free, four-week event with new rewards has also kicked off

EA has released two new The Sims 4 kits inspired by the hit Netflix romance series Bridgerton.

The Masquerade Ball Bundle is available May 14 across all platforms and features two kits: the Lady Bridgerton’s Masquerade Ball Fashion Kit and Lady Bridgerton’s Masquerade Ballroom Kit.

Three exclusive items will be available as part of the bundle and are themed after specific Bridgerton characters, such as The Bridgerton House Gazebo from the iconic Benedict and Sophie's encounter, Francesca's Bridgerton House Piano, and a Bundle of Joy Bassinet for Penelope and Colin's baby.

"With the Masquerade Ball Fashion Kit, one may don suave tailcoats, dazzling gowns, and accessories worthy of the season’s most talked about affair: from Sophie’s Lady in Silver dress, paired with shoes and mask, to Benedict’s effortlessly styled look that is sure to invite intrigue," EA said.

"Adorn oneself further with Lady Bridgerton’s opulent mask and tiara, or command the room in Queen Charlotte’s striking Celestial Wig and gown. These ensembles are plucked straight from the grandest ballrooms of the ton themselves."

Meanwhile, the Masquerade Ballroom Kit offers new build items to recreate the Bridgerton household, such as crystal chandeliers, opulent florals, a dance floor, wallpaper, and more.

The Lady Bridgerton’s Masquerade Ball Bundle, which includes both kits, will be available May 14 through August 14 for $9.99 as a limited-time offer. Both kits can also be bought individually at $6.99 each.

Alongside the bundle release, from now through July 7, a free masquerade multi-week login event will allow players to claim over 22 items including a new trait.

The event officially kicked off on May 12, so the first batch of rewards is available right now. Week 2 begins on May 19, followed by week 3 on May 26, and week 4 on June 2.

It only took two weeks, before things are finally starting to look up for May 2026 on the world's best streaming services.

Indeed, after the recent dearth of new movies and TV shows, we've been treated to something of a deluge over the last few days. By my count, there have been 21 (!) new releases — and, while it would be fun to include them all in our latest streaming round-up, we've stuck to the usual format and compiled a list of the seven biggest ones of the week.

So, read on to find out what's made it into yet another TV series-heavy edition of our 'what to watch' list — Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter

The Punisher: One Last Kill (Disney+)

"One batch, two batch, penny and dime...". It's about time that The Punisher was the star of his own Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) project — and that time is now.

The latest MCU character to get the Disney+ TV special treatment, The Punisher: One Last Kill reunites us with the titular anti-hero following his prison break in Daredevil: Born Again's season 1 finale. Judging by One Last Kill's trailer — and its subtitle — we'll see Jon Bernthal's Frank Castle embark on another personal crusade to deal with another individual who wants him dead, too.

Already watched this Marvel Phase 6 Special Presentation and want to know how it impacts the MCU's immediate future? My The Punisher: One Last Kill ending explained article should be your next port of call. — TP

• Watch The Punisher: One Last Kill on Disney+

Devil May Cry season 2 (Netflix)

Devil May Cry's animated adaptation was a huge hit for Netflix, and now it's back and bigger than ever with its sequel season.

Devil May Cry season 2 doesn't waste any time throwing us straight into the action. Here, we see Dante and Vergil’s anticipated reunion, with their conflict making up much of the story. Dante's already got his hands full trying to prevent Hell on Earth from literally occurring without all the family drama but, hey, it's exciting for us to watch.

Those hoping for more 2000s nostalgia will be pleased, too, as there's an all-new soundtrack featuring rock legends like Papa Roach and Amy Lee from Evanescence. It's undoubtedly one of the coolest shows streaming right now. — Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer

• Watch Devil May Cry season 2 on Netflix

Off Campus (Prime Video)

The minute that critics said that Off Campus was less like Heated Rivalry and more like "frat bro Bridgerton," I was all in. Based on the hit books by Elle Kennedy, this Amazon TV Original follows an elite ice hockey team and the women in their lives, as they grapple with love, heartbreak, and self-discovery.

It's the perfect balance of horny and wholesome that Prime Video keeps nailing in its young adult dramas, which means it's perfect for fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty and Maxton Hall.

What's more, Off Campus has already been renewed for season 2, so it's well worth your investment in this hot and heavy eight-episode binge. — Jasmine Valentine, entertainment reporter

• Watch Off Campus on Prime Video

Dutton Ranch (Paramount+)

Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler are back, baby! Yellowstone spinoff Dutton Ranch follows the pair's relocation to Texas, taking over a small ranch that directly competes with 10 Petal, aka the local town's cattle empire run by Beulah Jackson, who's a woman Beth aptly describes as a "grizzly in Gucci." Not only do the pair go head to head, but the more that Beth and Rip settle into Texan life, the more problems they unearth.

A cross between Landman and The Madison in tone, Dutton Ranch doesn't completely neglect its Yellowstone roots — watch out for some obvious John Dutton mentions in episode 1 onwards. Before you dive in, read my Dutton Ranch review, too. -— JV

• Watch Dutton Ranch on Paramount+

The Testament of Ann Lee (Disney+)

Following its Hulu release earlier this year, this Amanda Seyfried-led historical musical drama is now available internationally on Disney+.

In it, Seyfried plays the titular character, who was the founding leader of the Shakers religious sect in the 18th century. Lee's religious movement focused on communal living, celibacy, gender equality, and functional, simple furniture. Song and dance were a huge part of their meetings, meaning this flick is the perfect way to depict Lee's life and the religious beliefs she shared with others.

Based on its 86% Rotten Tomatoes audience score, it seems viewers have been charmed by Ann Lee's story. Maybe you will be, too? — LB

• Watch The Testament of Ann Lee on Disney+

On the Roam season 2 (HBO Max)

Ever wanted to go road tripping with Jason Momoa? Now you can. After a two year hiatus, the star is back traveling once again via his HBO Max docuseries On the Roam.

Like last time, Momoa is taking a break from making movies to meet a new line up of artists and creatives, where he gets an in-depth look at their process and asks plenty of questions.

This season, we'll see Momoa meeting with Julian Schnabel, director of Basquiat, punk rock band The Bobby Lees, and Metallica legend Kirk Hammett. Episodes are released every Thursday, making it something you can look forward to each week. — LB

• Watch On the Roam season 2 on HBO Max

Rivals season 2 (Hulu/Disney+)

You know what we're missing from this lineup? An old school bonkbuster. Luckily, Rivals season 2 is on hand to fill the gap. Picking up shortly after its predecessor, though, our Rutshire ensemble's collective horniness has turned somewhat sour.

Cameron is lying low after being convinced she's killed her boss Tony after she battered him with a TV award in self-defense. Meanwhile, Lizzie and Freddie are desperately trying to hide their feelings for one another, and Sarah is trying to climb the ranks at Tony's Corinium TV station.

It's all a bit less steamy, but the stakes continue to be raised. We've only got the first three episodes (read my Rivals season 2 review on them while you're here) to stream at this stage, so keep your eyes peeled for the rest later this year. — JV

• Watch Rivals season 2 on Hulu (US) and Disney+ (internationally)

• ISPs often use "Deep Packet Inspection" (DPI) to identify and intentionally slow down high-bandwidth activities like streaming or gaming
• You can detect throttling by comparing a standard speed test against a streaming-specific test like Netflix's Fast.com
• The best VPN encrypt your traffic so your ISP cannot see, and therefore cannot throttle, what you are watching

There is nothing quite as frustrating as paying for a premium 500Mbps fiber connection only to have your 4K Netflix stream stutter, buffer, or drop down to grainy 720p. You’ve checked your router, you’ve restarted your TV, and yet the performance remains underwhelming.

The culprit often isn’t your hardware or a temporary outage. Instead, it is a practice known as 'bandwidth throttling'. This occurs when your Internet Service Provider (ISP) intentionally slows down specific types of traffic.

Whether it is streaming, online gaming, or P2P file sharing, ISPs manage their network congestion by putting the brakes on data-heavy activities.

While it feels like a breach of trust, this practice is frequently buried in the "Fair Usage" or "Traffic Management" clauses of your contract.

This makes it a legal, albeit quiet, way for providers to push their own proprietary streaming services or simply save on infrastructure costs.

Finding a way around these artificial bottlenecks is the key to getting the service you actually pay for.

How to tell if your ISP is throttling your connection

Detecting a throttled connection is simpler than you might think. All you need is a comparative speed test to see if your ISP is treating all data equally. First, run a standard speed test using a neutral service like Ookla’s Speedtest. This gives you a baseline for your general connection speed.

Next, run a dedicated streaming speed test to Netflix’s Fast.co. Fast.com connects directly to Netflix’s servers. That means that ISPs often target this specific traffic for slowing down.

So, if your results on Fast.com are significantly lower than your results on Ookla, then your ISP is almost certainly throttling your video traffic.

ISPs use a process called Deep Packet Inspection (DPI). Think of this as the ISP "peeking" at the metadata of your data packets.

While they might not see exactly what movie you’re watching, DPI allows them to identify that the data is coming from a streaming platform, which triggers their automated slowing rules.

How a VPN breaks the bottleneck

This is where a VPN (Virtual Private Network) comes in. A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel. Once your data is encrypted, your ISP’s DPI tools are effectively blinded.

When the ISP can no longer "see" that your data packets are coming from Netflix, YouTube, or Disney Plus, they cannot trigger the specific throttling rules associated with those services.

To your ISP, your traffic simply looks like a stream of indecipherable code heading toward a single VPN server. Since they can't categorize the traffic, they generally treat it as standard data, allowing it to move at full speed.

It's important to note that using a VPN does involve a small 'encryption overhead'. In other words, you'll get a slight drop in raw top speeds. That's because it takes a little more work to scramble your data before routing it through the remote server.

But, whatever drop you might see will likely be far smaller than the throttling your ISP will do without the VPN.

Choosing the right VPN for the job

To keep your speeds 4K-ready, prioritize providers using modern protocols like WireGuard or ExpressVPN’s proprietary Lightway protocol.

While developing these protocols is complex — our team recently flagged and helped resolve issues with Surfshark’s proprietary Dausos protocol — they remain essential for performance.

Currently, Surfshark and Proton VPN lead our speed tests, offering the overhead necessary to handle high-bandwidth tasks without becoming a bottleneck themselves.

By masking your activity, you bypass ISP restrictions and ensure your connection actually delivers the speeds you pay for

• Prime Video is expanding it Clips vertical video feed for mobile
• It's designed to help you discover new titles, and you can also share them with others
• Clips is coming to select US users first, with a wider rollout expected for the summer

The TikTokification of the best streaming services is officially happening, and Prime Video is the latest platform to hop on the vertical video feed bandwagon, following suit to Netflix and Disney+.

Launching to select users in the US on iOS, Android, and Fire tablets first, Clips (which is also the name of Netflix’s video feed) is Prime Video’s latest viewing experience for mobile, a short-form video feed that’s designed to give you recommendations for your next binge watch. Prime Video first rolled out Clips with NBA highlights, and now the platform is expanding it to movies and shows.

Just like the algorithm you get with TikTok, your Clips feed uses your viewing history as the basis for offering new entertainment suggestions, putting discovery at the forefront. With the magic of a simple tap, Clips will open in full-screen mode and from there the scrolling begins. Not only can you view snippets of movies and shows from Prime Video’s catalog, you can watch the full thing directly from Clips, rent and buy titles, save to your watchlist, and share with others via messaging platforms or social media.

While Clips isn’t a completely new feature for Prime Video, it’s still a huge addition to its mobile app, and one that the streaming giant is very excited about. “As a first-stop entertainment destination, Prime Video offers customers a vast selection of premium content, and we want to make it as easy and seamless as possible for them to discover what's most relevant," said Brian Griffin, director of global application experiences at Prime Video, who added the following:

"Clips gives customers a whole new way to browse with short, personalized snippets tailored to their interests. Whether they have a few minutes to scroll or are looking for something to watch when they have more time, entertainment is just a tap away”.

At least the platform is hopeful for its new mobile experience, but that said, it doesn’t mean that subscribers are going to embrace another vertical video feed taking over their streaming apps — and it all started with Netflix.

Back in May 2025, Netflix announced it was testing vertical video feeds for mobile, not because it wanted to become a social media app, but because short-form video is the most common form of video consumption among viewers today. Just last week the streaming service unveiled its own Clips feed, and not everyone is welcoming it with open arms.

When you think about it, it’s quite counterintuitive. Users revert to Netflix and other platforms to lose themselves in the drama of a good movie or show to escape doomscrolling, and now Netflix is putting that temptation right back into their hands. As a means of discovery I can see it having its benefits, especially if you’re an incredibly indecisive viewer, but at the same time it unlocks a new lethal rabbit hole for you to fall into — one Netflix subscriber on Reddit exasperatedly called to ‘kill it with fire’, while others jumped on to voice their dislike for the feature in the same thread.

Amazon has also shared that it’s already planning to expand Clips, and the video feed will become fully available across these devices later this summer.

Just because there are plenty of exceptional new horror movies on Netflix and the other best streaming services around, the "golden oldies" shouldn't be swept to one side.

It makes me a little nauseous calling this week's Netflix horror pick by that label, because it confirms that I'm no longer the teenage youth that I still feel like I am in my head.

But if you were a tween in the 2000s, Jennifer's Body probably formed part of your core identity... and it's just been added to Netflix US, UK, and Australia.

Starring Amanda Seyfried and Megan Fox at peak Transformers fame, the movie follows Jennifer (Fox) and Needy (Seyfried), two high school best friends. When Jennifer becomes possessed by a demon after a failed occult sacrifice by an indie rock band, she starts killing and eating her male classmates, full succubus style.

It's up to Needy to stop her, distorting and breaking the pair's friendship in the process. This also means that there's a lot of blood, guts, and Fox reaching ridiculous levels of sexy to get what she wants.

If you've never seen Jennifer's Body, let me walk you through why it's worth your time (and what lines will be etched into your soul from this day forward).

Why you need to stream Jennifer's Body on Netflix this week

Kitschy, horny, and downright cool, Jennifer's Body was undoubtedly the horror movie to watch when it was released in 2009.

With iconic lines so quotable that they've stood the test of time 20 years on and an obscene amount of sexual tension between Fox and Seyfried, it's the horror equivalent of the sleepover movie you'd be embarrassed to let your parents know you'd watched (complimentary).

If you also happened to be questioning your sexuality in the late 2000s (which may or may not be based on true experiences), Jennifer and Needy's impromptu sleepover scene will still be seared into your mind. Here's Jennifer's Body quickly swapped scary for sexy, leaving us all confused and ensnared in Jennifer's ever-growing web, just like her victims.

But don't get me wrong: this is also a genuinely scary movie. The final takedown scene falls somewhere between The Exorcist and Night Swim, with a sprinkling of The Bride of Frankenstein thrown in for good measure. Jennifer's Body is an experience that pulls out all the stops, so don't expect any half-heartedness.

If none of this has convinced you to stream it immediately, watching Fox light her own tongue on fire to prove that she's immune to pain might be the hardest a horror movie scene has ever gone, and you'd be quoting "No, I'm killing boys" for the rest of your days.

Talk of Jennifer's Body 2 has been bandied about for years, too, and according to screenwriter Diablo Cody [via Dread Central], it's genuinely being written. Stay ready so you don't have to get ready, as they say.

Already finished Beef season 2? Me too. But, fear not, if you're left wishing you hadn't binge-watched the iconic Netflix show's latest tumultuous season quickly, there are plenty more shows I'm happy to recommend watching next.

Beef season 2 picked up on an entirely new storyline to season 1, prompted by fresh 'beef' between country club couple Josh (Oscar Isaac) and Lindsay (Carey Mulligan), who have some... issues. Yes, I'm putting that lightly.

As an anthology series, it's possible you haven't even watched season 1 yet, starring Steven Yeun and Ali Wong, but you don't need to jump in there first.

There's no official word on a Beef season 3 yet, though the show's creator, Lee Sung Jin, told Esquire, "Never say never".

So, for now, if you're on the hunt for more shows that give off that high-stakes, stressful, and toxic (with a little fun) aura, I'd recommend these six absorbing shows to watch next.

The White Lotus

Like Beef season 2, The White Lotus also follows the twisted lives of rich (and not-so-rich) individuals. Only in the hit HBO Max show are they on vacation.

That certainly doesn’t stop the drama from following them, though, and it also doesn’t prevent an eerily dark vein from lacing its way through everything that unfolds.

The two are weirdly similar in tone, keeping you on the edge of your seat, unsettled and waiting to see what happens next. Which, in every episode, is pretty unpredictable. If you feel like bad things might unravel in The White Lotus, you’re probably right.

Similarly to Beef, it's an alternative take on an anthology series, as a different resort providing the luxurious backdrop for the show's three seasons and counting (here's everything we know so far about The White Lotus season 4).

The critical eyes among us will spot a couple of recurring characters, like the critically acclaimed Tanya McQuoid, played by Jennifer Coolidge, who they just couldn't leave behind.

Where to watch: HBO Max (US/UK)

Friends from College

Friends from College follows a group of friends who, you guessed it, have been acquainted since college. Now, they’re navigating life in their 40s, which comes with a torrent of big life decisions, complicated relationships and navigating waves of change.

Fortunately, there's also a wonderful balance of comedy thrown in. And it’s those dynamics that make it a great option if you loved Beef.

At first glance, Beef season 2 seems focused entirely on Josh and Lindsay’s relationship. A few episodes in, and it’s clearly far more complex than that, with the ensemble cast all exploring their own problems.

Friends from College certainly has more light comedy than Beef, but it still explores multiple personalities and will leave you thinking about how flawed they are for a while afterwards. It was cancelled after two seasons, but there’s still plenty of episodes to enjoy.

Where to watch: Netflix (US/UK)

Barry

Bear with me here, because this choice is a little darker. Barry (Bill Hader) is an assassin. He's pretty depressed, he doesn't really like his life, and he has to kill people to earn money. But when Barry gets hired to head to Los Angeles on his latest hit job, he finds himself integrated into an acting class while on the job... and realizes that he loves it.

But while Barry wants to leave his life of crime behind and pursue his passion for the arts, it's simply, well, not that simple. And that's the premise behind this twisted, dark comedy that resembles Beef in its shadowy nature.

There's unexpected turns and an overwhelming urge to back someone that hasn't got the best morals. With Barry, you'll find you can't help yourself and that's what makes it a really excellent watch.

Where to watch: HBO Max (US/UK)

Dead to Me

In Dead To Me, Jen (Christina Applegate) is grieving the loss of her husband, murdered with no killer to be found. Attending a support group, she makes a new friend, Judy (Linda Cardellini), whose cheery disposition, if a little grating, is one that Jen can't resist.

There's a darkness to their newfound friendship that unravels majestically over three funny and devastating seasons.

Sounds a little like Beef? You're not wrong. Strange relationships and an acute look at human nature make Dead To Me a gripping watch, much like it did with Beef. There are humorous moments intertwined that make some of the stressful parts a little bit easier to stomach.

Where to watch: Netflix (US/UK)

The Bear

On the surface, The Bear sounds like it has a fairly simple premise. Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) is a young chef trying to turn his family's struggling sandwich shop around in Chicago. But really, it is anything but.

In fact, it's a psychological drama that dives into the ins and outs of familial relationships, friendships, taking ownership, and navigating strong personalities. What we're left with, like Beef, is a pretty stressful ride.

The crew Carmy has working for him is a mixed bag, but our chef isn't exactly a shining example of humanity either.

But what they're passionate about is food, and through their shared love, they form their own kind of family. It's certainly not an elite country club like Beef season 2, but the grind never stops.

Where to watch: Disney+ (US/UK)

Killing Eve

Killing Eve follows Eve Polastri (Sandra Oh), who is assigned by the British intelligence agency she’s working for to catch an assassin named Villanelle (Jodie Comer). And while the case has been made perfectly clear to her — bring Villanelle in — the waters between the pair become increasingly murky.

Over four seasons, they establish a strange cat-and-mouse dynamic that's scintillating to watch and incredibly dark in nature. She's an assassin, after all. Created by Fleabag’s Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the concept is incredibly unique, and it also demonstrates, like Beef, that a person’s psyche may not be as straightforward as you once thought.

Where to watch: Netflix (US), BBC iPlayer (UK)

Ready for another round of new movies and TV shows to watch at home this weekend? I bet you are.

Like last week's streaming list, there isn't a lot to choose from. Nevertheless, there's some great-looking new content to catch on the world's best streaming services, so I'm certain you'll find one or more of the seven entries below,, which cover myriad genres, to your liking. Happy watching! — Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter

Send Help (Hulu/Disney+)

Despite fan-favorite filmmaker Sam Raimi's involvement, I don't think many people predicted this castaway-style survival horror thriller to be one of 2026's best-rated new films so far. With 93% critical and 87% audiences ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, though, that's exactly what Send Help , which is out now on Hulu and Disney+, is.

Starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien, it follows a meek corporate strategist and her nepo-baby frat-boy boss who are stranded on a desert island after a plane crash. Cue a take not unlike The Lord of the Flies — coincidentally, its latest adaptation also features in this week's round up — that up-ends the balance of power between them in an incredibly remote part of the world.

One to seek out if you're a fan of two-handers, gore, and reams of dark humor and nail-biting suspense. — TP

• Watch Send Help on Hulu (US) and Disney+ (internationally)

Lord of the Flies (Netflix)

As Tom mentioned, a new Lord of the Flies remake landed on Netflix this week, marking the first time the iconic William Goldman story has been adapted for television.

The four-part miniseries has been written by Jack Thorne, the Emmy-winning mastermind behind Adolescence. It marks the on-screen debut for many of the young cast, too, who find themselves stranded on an uninhabited island after a plane crash. Attempts to survive soon descend into brutal anarchy and, whilst it's a familiar story, I'm excited to see how this adaptation plays out. — Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer

• Watch Lord of the Flies on Netflix

Greenland 2: Migration (HBO Max)

Gerard Butler disaster movies are back, baby! In the sequel to 2020 release Greenland, which is out now on HBO Max, the action picks up in the aftermath of a comet strike that decimated most of the planet. Happy weekend to you.

This time, Garrity family must leave the safety of their Greenland bunker to traverse a shattered world in search of a new home. Obviously, this is about as easy as homework in a foreign language. Butler and Morena Baccarin reprise their roles from the first movie, but keep your eye out for the sneaky child recast, because Roger Dale Floyd has been swapped out for Roman Griffin Davis. — Jasmine Valentine, entertainment reporter

• Watch Greenland 2: Migration on HBO Max

Citadel season 2 (Prime Video)

Three years after its incredibly middling debut season arrived, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Stanley Tucci, and Richard Madden are back in Citadel season 2.

By the sounds of its plot, it's back and bigger (but not necessarily better) than ever. In the Amazon TV Original's latest outing, we find Mason, Nadia, and Bernard in hiding across Europe after last season's finale. But, when a terrifying new threat emerges, the three are pulled back into action once again. After all, it wouldn't be very interesting if we followed them on a sabbatical, would it? All six episodes of season 2 are available to stream on Prime Video now. — LB

• Watch Citadel season 2 on Prime Video

Legends (Netflix)

Legends is based on the real-life story of UK customs officials in the 1990s who went undercover to infiltrate criminal organizations. Across six episodes, we'll follow this group of amateurs as they put their lives on the line to bring these gangs to justice.

The Netflix show's ensemble includes Steve Coogan, Tom Burke, Hayley Squires, Aml Ameen, and Charlotte Ritchie, who step into the shoes of ordinary people taking on a terrifying task. The very thought of it has already got me on the edge of my seat. — LB

• Watch Legends on Netflix

Remarkably Bright Creatures (Netflix)

What do you get when you cross Hollywood legend Sally Field with a captive octopus, voiced by Alfred Molina? An incredibly faithful movie adaptation of Shelby Van Pelt's Remarkably Bright Creatures, that's what.

Tova (Field), an elderly widow, works night shifts as a cleaner at the local aquarium, but her life changes for good when stranger Callum (Lewis Pullman) arrives in town looking to solve an old family mystery.

Am I claiming that a marine mollusc is the new Hercule Poirot of Netflix? Possibly. But, where there are some serious questions to answer, streaming Remarkably Bright Creatures is far from hard work. — JV

• Watch Remarkably Bright Creatures on Netflix

M.I.A (Peacock/Paramount+)

We're rounding off our streaming picks list with something that is giving the best telenovela energy possible.

M.I.A follows Etta Tiger Jonze (Shannon Gisela), who wants to avenge her family's murder and become the most powerful crime queenpin in South Florida. Sounds fairly procedural... until you factor in the erratic vibes oozing out of every episode.

Between epic violence and harrowing scandal, there's a lot happening at any given time here. Luckily for us, it doesn't give us a moment to think, and keeps us on the edge of our seats in the process. You can catch it now on Peacock in the US, and Paramount+ internationally. — JV

• Watch M.I.A on Peacock (US) and Paramount+ (internationally)

• Netflix introduces Clips
• It's vertical video clips for its own content
• Control and sharing is marginal but there may be another play here

Netflix Clips is a curious thing. It appeared on the streaming service's mobile app on Monday and produces what might be the platform's first-ever vertically scrolling content feed. I just don't know why it exists.

Strike that. I do know, but perhaps don't fully understand. Clips is yet another way for Netflix to introduce easily distracted subscribers to fresh content. You see, Netflix's business is only partly creating and delivering pre-packaged and live content to its customers. The other part is supporting its annual estimated $20 billion content creation expenditure. And you do that by holding on to subscribers, and possibly upselling them to higher subscription tiers where they can, for instance, do away with ads.

But Clips, which shows up as a boxed "play" icon right next to Home in the Netflix mobile app, might be about something more, too.

First, though, what is Clips and how does it work?

Understanding Netflix Clips

As I mentioned, if you have the Netflix mobile app, the new feature should just appear as part of Netflix's relatively spare mobile experience. On my iPhone 17 Pro Max, I discovered it right after logging into my account.

While the Netflix app home screen features options like "Shows," "Movies," "Podcasts," and "Categories" at the top, there are only four menu options at the bottom: "Home," "Clips," the new AI-infused "Search," and "My Netflix," where you find and switch accounts.

Like most vertically scrolling video apps, Clips is an experience that focuses on portrait-mode video. However, instead of user-generated clips of people dancing, lip-syncing, restoring old furniture, or dumping AI slop, every single video is a Netflix content clip. My feed, such as it is, was an eclectic mix of shows and movies I've seen before (and some I have not). In my first viewing, I got two-minute clips from Frankenstein, One Piece, Animal, Something About Mary, Jurassic World: Rebirth, Too Hot to Handle, The Diplomats, The Sea Beast, and more.

Each clip includes the title, sub-categories, like "Bollywood," Rousing," "Revenge", and a brief description. There are no comments or even likes. There's also no rhyme or reason to the mix that I can discern, but they are often choice moments or behind-the-scenes segments. The One Piece clip, for instance, was a video of the castmates reacting to a scene, and Frankenstein was of the Director Guillermo del Toro talking about Mia Goth's performance, which was interspersed with bits from the movie.

Clips lacks most controls you might find on a proper social media video platform. I frustratingly couldn't pause, reverse, or fast-forward any of the videos. A tap of the screen only mutes the clip (captions appear automatically). There is a big plus sign so you can add any of the content to your Lists, and then the show appears on your List in Netflix's account section.

You can share the clip, but it doesn't do what you think it does. Instead of sharing the vertical video, it basically shares an ad for the show on your preferred social media.

Of course, you can also select the circular image of the content to go directly to the main Netflix play window.

The first step in a vertical series play

Overall, it's a pretty underwhelming experience, except for the fact that vertically scrolling through these clips is a little addictive. It's like video popcorn or Pringles chips ("Can't eat just one."). You're snacking on the best bits of some of these shows and getting that 2-minute worth of feels. There's no commitment, and the videos are basically spoiler-free, but they still somehow connect you with the content. It can be hard to stop flicking and watching

I could imagine that, at some level, Clips is a trial balloon for pure-play vertical video content.

Remember Quibi, the vertical video content destination that was clearly ahead of its time? Launching a video streaming service, especially one that flew in the face of content consumption norms at the time, was risky and ill-fated. Now, though, vertical video series are all the rage on TikTok.

Surely Netflix, which has a massive subscriber base of at least 325M, sees some opportunity in vertical video content. The telemetry it collects from this Clips feature might be enough to tell it if it could start creating bespoke 2-minute-long dramatic content to hook mobile users in a whole new way — and stop TikTok creators from encroaching on its market space.

That might not happen. Netflix could just keep feeding 2-minute video bits into Clips in the hopes that they hook subscribers on yet another bingeable series or movie, but that does seem shortsighted to me. This toe hold in the vertical space is too valuable to let go.

Netflix is adding three great new thrillers in May, with the best streaming service being the ideal choice if you need a gripping new series to watch.

This month, we've got a new show by the executive producers of Stranger Things, Courtney A. Kemp's new crime drama, and a series inspired by the true story of British customs employees who went undercover in the '90s to infiltrate drug smuggling gangs.

That's quite the lineup. Here's everything you need to know about my top 3 Netflix thriller picks this month.

Legends 

When: May 7

Legends is based on a real-life story of UK customs officials in the 1990s, as they went undercover to infiltrate criminal gangs. Across the episodes, we'll follow this group of amateurs as they put their lives on the line to bring these gangs to justice.

The series stars Steve Coogan, Tom Burke, Hayley Squires, Aml Ameen, and Charlotte Ritchie, so we've got a great British cast here to bring the story to life. I'm really excited to dive into this one, and we don't have long to wait now.

Nemesis

When: May 17

Nemesis follows two men on different sides of the law: an expert criminal and a brilliant police detective. Tudum has teased it's a "subversion of the heist genre, amped by thrilling life-or-death stakes, family dynamics, and explosive action".

Abbott Elementary's Matthew Law and Lady in the Lake's Y’lan Noel lead the cast of the new series, which was created by Courtney A. Kemp. This feels like a promising new addition to Netflix's gripping TV library.

The Boroughs

When: May 17

Finally, The Boroughs is a new sci-fi thriller series executive-produced by The Duffer Brothers. Set in a seemingly picturesque retirement community, the story centers on a group of unlikely heroes who must band together to stop an otherworldly threat from stealing time.

The Sinner's Bill Pullman leads the cast and is joined by Geena Davis, Clarke Peters, Alfred Molina, Alfre Woodard, Denis O'Hare, and Jena Malone. It's being teased as Stranger Things but with retirees, and I can't wait for it.

May 2026 has arrived, but the fifth month of the year hasn't exploded out of the gate when it comes to new streaming releases.

Indeed, new movies and shows are at a real premium on the world's best streaming services this weekend. In fact, we're scraping the barrel so much, we've had to include an MGM+ TV series that originally debuted on a lesser known streamer called Network. You would think they'd space out their latest film and TV offerings to give us more to choose from...

Nonetheless, there is some new content worth watching over the next few days, so read on to see what's available to stream on demand right now. — Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter

Wuthering Heights (HBO Max)

Heathcliff? It's me, Cathy, I've come home... to HBO Max. After causing a storm at the global box office earlier this year, Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights has now available at home — and you can see what I thought of it by reading my Wuthering Heights review.

Staying true to the Emily Brontë novel, we follow the toxic love affair between well-to-do Catherine Earnshaw (Margot Robbie) and and rugged outsider Heathcliff (Jacob Elordi), becoming more intense, destructive, and obsessive as the two grow up.

The Yorkshire Moors has never looked more seductive, with Fennell adapting her signature style seen in Promising Young Woman and Saltburn for a tale of old. The most breathtaking part? Charli XCX's ethereal soundtrack. — Jasmine Valentine, entertainment reporter

• Watch Wuthering Heights on HBO Max

Widow's Bay (Apple TV)

Apple TV sure loves its genre mash-up projects, and this new dark comedy horror show is no exception.

Widow's Bay follows Tom Loftis (Matthew Rhys), the recently elected mayor of the titular island town who has big ambitions on turning Widow's Bay into the next big US tourist attraction. The only things standing in his way are its eccentric locals, outdated infrastructure... oh, and myriad supernatural entities that inhabit this supposedly cursed settlement.

Curious to learn more before you catch it on Apple's streaming platform? Read my Widow's Bay review for a spoiler-free glimpse at its first six episodes, the first two of which are out now. — TP

• Watch Widow's Bay on Apple TV

Man on Fire (Netflix)

Wonder Man's Yahya Abdul-Mateen II stars in this new Netflix action show, which is based on its book namesake. In it, he plays John Creasy, a former a Special Forces mercenary with PTSD now trying to live a simpler life.

It's not quite that simple, though, as his attempts at a fresh start are rudely interrupted by a need for revenge. You know how it goes with shows like this! If you want to root for this lone wolf while he takes on some bad guys, Man on Fire might be the perfect watch for you this weekend. — Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer

• Watch Man on Fire on Netflix

The House of the Spirits (Prime Video)

Prime Video is priding itself of Spanish language drama The House of the Spirits, which is based on Isabel Allende’s International best-selling novel.

The eight-episode family saga spans half a century, centring on three generations of women — Clara (Dolores Fonzi), Blanca (Fernanda Urrejola), and Alba (Rochi Hernández) — in a conservative South American country shaped by class struggle, political upheaval, and magic.

For Desperate Housewives fans, Eva Longoria serves as an executive producer, quietly reminding us just how much of a creative force she is behind the scenes. — JV

• Watch The House of the Spirits on Prime Video

Swapped (Netflix)

Netflix tends to play down its animation releases, but when they appear, they're almost always an underrated banger.

Swapped is no exception, following a small woodland creature and a majestic bird who magically trade places and set off on an adventure of a lifetime. Think Freaky Friday, but for two natural sworn enemies of their wildlife Valley.

There's no human or tech element here, so don't worry about it being a direct Hoppers rip off.

Fresh from his Best Actor Oscar win for Sinners, Michael B. Jordan leads its cast. Is there anything this man can't do? — JV

• Watch Swapped on Netflix

My Killer Father: The Green Hollow Murders (Paramount+)

This hard-hitting Paramount+ docuseries follows Lucy Studey McKiddy as she opens up about her father Donald Studey, known as 'the Monster of Green Hollow'. Horrifyingly, she claims she knows where dozens of bodies are buried from decades of his alleged murders.

Across the three episodes, she claims her father killed dozens of women, including three of his wives, and forced her and her siblings to help dispose of the bodies in an old well on their remote property. Expect it to send shivers down your spine this weekend. — LB

• Watch My Killer Father: The Green Hollow Murders on Paramount+

The Artist (MGM+)

I love a murder mystery, don't you? They're even better when there's a stacked cast and you'll certainly find that with The Artist.

Indeed, Patti LuPone, Hank Azaria, Mandy Patinkin, Danny Huston, Chris Jehnert, Zachary Quinto, Anni Krueger, Shaun Taylor-Corbett, Regina Ohashi, Katherine O’Sullivan, and Gemma Mcllhenny all star in this intriguing new series as suspects.

Here, an eccentric tycoon and his wife host a gathering of the era’s biggest celebrities including Thomas Edison, Edgar Degas, and Evelyn Nesbit. Naturally, said gathering soon turns deadly. Get your detective hats ready for this one. — LB

• Watch The Artist on MGM+

Netflix's new series Unchosen quickly climbed the charts, becoming the number one watched series this week. With six episodes dropping at once, viewers all over the world have been binge watching the latest thriller series.

The series stars Molly Windsor as a wife and mother in a religious sect, who begins a journey of female emancipation after a chance encounter. Its a heavy watch but it's had people captivated, despite its divisive Rotten Tomatoes rating.

Unchosen's themes reminded me of three Netflix original shows that are well worth a watch. Scroll down to see what I recommend adding to your watchlist on the best streaming service.

Unorthodox

Creators: Anna Winger and Alexa Karolinski
Cast: Shira Haas, Amit Rahav, Jeff Wilbusch
Episodes: 4
Age Rating: TV-MA

This miniseries follows Esty Shapiro, a 19-year-old Jewish woman who is in an unhappy arranged marriage within her ultra-Orthodox community. After deciding she no longer wants to live there, she runs away to Berlin to try to navigate a secular life.

At just four episodes, this is a very interesting and at times, difficult watch, as we explore Esty's journey of self-discovery while she tries to evade her husband, who is trying to track her down.

Alias Grace

Creators: Sarah Polley and Mary Harron
Cast: Sarah Gadon, Edward Holcroft, Rebecca Liddiard, Zachary Levi, Kerr Logan, David Cronenberg, Paul Gross, Anna Paquin
Episodes: 6
Age Rating: TV-MA

Based on the novel by The Handmaid's Tale's Margaret Atwood, Alias Grace follows an Irish immigrant living in Canada, as she is convicted of the murder of her employer.

But things take a turn when a psychiatrist arrives to analyze her mental state, where he looks into her memories and tries to determine if she is a killer or innocent. It's gripping and very easy to watch all six episodes, and hey, I wouldn't judge you.

Pieces of Her

Creator: Charlotte Stoudt
Cast: Toni Collette, Bella Heathcote, Jacob Scipio, Omari Hardwick, David Wenham, Jessica Barden, Joe Dempsie
Episodes: 8
Age Rating: TV-MA

Finally, Toni Collette plays Laura, a woman with a dark past in Pieces of Her. When her daughter is caught in a deadly shooting at a local diner, and Laura eliminates the threat easily, we begin to unravel the truth about her.

There's a fantastic cast here, and you'll be on the edge of your seat trying to piece together (no pun intended) the story. Like the others, it can be a difficult watch, but it is a great Netflix original you shouldn't sleep on.

• Stranger Things: Tales From 85 season 2 has been announced
• Surprisingly, it's already confirmed to premiere in late 2026
• Netflix users have had plenty to say about the spin-off's renewal

Stranger Things: Tales From 85 season 2 has been announced by Netflix — but, even though it's already confirmed to arrive in late 2026, there doesn't seem to be much in the way of audience appetite for it.

Less than a week after Stranger Things' latest spin-off premiered, Netflix not only revealed it had renewed Tales From 85 for a second season, but also that it would come out before the end of the year. The world's best streaming service has released a brief teaser for the animated offshoot's next installment, too, which you can watch below:

For those who might have missed it: Stranger Things: Tales From 85 is set between the main show's second and third seasons, and follows the Hawkins crew as they investigate a new supernatural mystery that threatens their hometown.

Has your interest been piqued by the above synopsis? Read my Stranger Things: Tales From 85 review, which covers all 10 episodes in a spoiler-free capacity, to see if it's actually worth streaming.

Why have Netflix users reacted negatively to Tales From 85's renewal?

For Tales From 85, it's a good thing Netflix gave it a two-season order ahead of its debut season's arrival. That's because, based on online reactions to the interquel's release in late April, it's not exactly been the success story that Netflix might have hoped it would be.

Tales From 85 was already fighting a losing battle pre-launch. Indeed, whether it was the fanbase's collective eyebrow raising over its timeline placement, Stranger Things' cast not returning to voice animated versions of their characters in this spin-off, or a growing sense of weariness over the IP's franchisification, diehard and casual viewers didn't seem all that interested in the show.

The final Netflix Top 10 report of April 2026 proved this was the case, too. Tales From 85 accrued just 13.8 million hours streamed and an absolutely terrible 2.3 million views in its first five days on Netflix.

To put that into context, the critically panned second season of Kate Hudson's sports comedy show Running Point secured 25.2 million hours and 5.3 million views. Meanwhile, new religious thriller Unchosen amassed 46.9 million hours and almost 10.5 million views.

Comment from r/television

Netflix has tried to play off Tales From 85 as a success — the streaming titan boasting that it placed 7th in this week's Top 10 most-watched shows list, and it's one of the 15 best debuts for an animated series on the service. However, with such a poor start to life on Netflix, it's likely that Tales From 85 wouldn't have been renewed for another installment if it hadn't already been approved prior to season 1's release.

Sure, it might have had the backing of executives looking to further profit on the Stranger Things brand, but when you consider myriad other shows have been canceled even though they were far more successful than Tales From 85, you've got to wonder if, based on these initial viewing figures, a second season would've been given the green light.

The problem Netflix now faces is trying to win fans back. Indeed, threads on r/StrangerThings and r/Television are full of comments from apathetic fans asking why another season is necessary. Posts from users on other social platforms, such as X/Twitter, are similarly damning of Tales From 85 and Netflix's desire to continue flogging what fans say is a dead horse in the Stranger Things IP.

In the interest of balance, there are those who enjoyed Tales From 85 season 1 and want to spend more time with Eleven, Mike, and company later this year. Those positive reactions are significantly outweighed by their negative counterparts, though. It'll be interesting to see, then, if Tales From 85 gets a season 3 renewal after season 2 premieres, or whether Netflix will bring down the ax on this animated offshoot.

The final full weekend of April 2026 is upon us — and the world's best streaming services are seeing out the month with a plethora of new movies and shows for you to watch at your leisure.

The eagle-eyed among you will notice that this week's streaming round-up contains an even spread of new TV series and films, too. No matter whether you're simply looking for a two-hour flick to pass the time, or want something more episodic to stream, we've got all of your big- and small-screen, and genre, bases covered. — Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter

Stranger Things: Tales From 85 (Netflix)

Only four months have passed since Stranger Things' divisive fifth and final season, but Netflix is already taking us on another Hawkins-based adventure with the franchise's second spin-off.

Set between the main show's second and third seasons, Stranger Things: Tales From 85 reunites us with Eleven, Mike, and company as they combat a new monstrous threat that poses a significant risk to our world — and even the Upside Down itself.

All 10 episodes of Tales From 85 are out now, but I'd seriously advise you to read my Stranger Things: Tales From 85 review first before you watch it. Why? Well, it's not the return to form for the Netflix TV darling that some might've expected... — TP

• Watch Stranger Things: Tales From 85 on Netflix

Marty Supreme (HBO Max)

Even though Timothée Chalamet missed out on this yea's Best Actor Academy Award, Marty Supreme remains one of the best movies of 2025. In the sports drama that's out now on HBO Max, Chalamet plays table tennis player Marty Mauser and his ruthless, high-stakes rise to become a world champion.

Josh Safdie's latest feature is like bottled lightning, moving at an electric pace with a sense of dynamism that's never lost through its 149 minute runtime. That's an achievement on its own, and I cannot remember the last time that watching a movie made me feel so alive. — Jasmine Valentine, entertainment reporter

• Watch Marty Supreme on HBO Max

Apex (Netflix)

Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton lead the cast of this new survival thriller, which stands out among its genre peers because the antagonist here is very much human. Is that scarier than a wild animal? You decide.

Here, Egerton plays scary local man Ben, who's hellbent on hunting down Theron's Sasha, a rock climber who wanted to push herself to the limits in the Australian wilderness following a traumatic period in her life.

With its critical review score standing at 70% on Rotten Tomatoes, Apex might be the perfect thriller to enjoy this weekend. — Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer

• Watch Apex on Netflix

Criminal Record season 2 (Apple TV)

Apple TV's crime thriller Criminal Record is back for another round, with Peter Capaldi and Cush Jumbo returning as an unlikely crime-solving duo Hegarty and Lenker.

We've already been wowed by their performances as a seasoned veteran and newbie detective, and now we get to witness another dramatic case unfold while their personalities clash once more. Some things never change.

This time, a young man is stabbed to death at a political rally, forcing Hegarty and Lenker into an uneasy alliance. But, what looks like a murder case soon escalates into something far bigger. I'm already on the edge of my seat waiting to find out what that is in the Apple show's latest chapter. — LB

• Watch Criminal Record season 2 on Apple TV

Half Man (HBO Max/BBC iPlayer)

Two years after his award-winning global smash hit Baby Reindeer, Richard Gadd is back with Half Man, which follows brothers Niall (Jamie Bell) and Ruben (Gadd) through 30 years of their lives, exploring why their relationship is so toxic.

Gadd's commitment to warts-and-all storytelling that will undoubtedly make Half Man one of the standout TV shows of 2026 (read my Half Man review to find out more). No matter what he represents to us, no matter what we already think we know, we're metaphorically punched in the gut until we can no longer bear to look. — JV

• Watch Half Man on HBO Max or BBC iPlayer

Kevin (Prime Video)

If you're a fan of adult animation, you won't want to miss Prime Video's new comedy Kevin. Jason Schwartzman voices the titular character, a neurotic tuxedo cat exploring life on his own after his owners break up.

Schwartzman is joined by a stellar voice cast including Aubrey Plaza (also the series co-creator), John Waters, Whoopi Goldberg, Addison Rae, and Amy Sedaris. All eight episodes are available to watch now, so what are you waiting for? After the multitude of heavy entries on our list this week, you might be in need of a laugh. — LB

• Watch Kevin on Prime Video

Regretting You (Paramount+)

The Colleen Hoover Cinematic Universe (CHCU) expands after It Ends With Us with follow-up adaptation Regretting You. Starring McKenna Grace and Mason Thames, the movie, which is out now on Paramount+, follows a devastating accident that reveals a shocking betrayal.

It's honestly incredible how what should be a hugely traumatizing loss develops into young love, but hey, that's the magic of romcom movies. Regretting You has Hoover's signature blend of cheese and melodrama, and Grace shines throughout. — JV

• Watch Regretting You on Paramount+

• 'Modern-day' Western movie The Rescue set for January 2027 release with Paramount
• Stars Yellowstone's Hassie Harrison, 1923's Brandon Sklenar, and Ransom Canyon's Josh Duhamel
• Follows "a rodeo cowboy and his dog search for his missing daughter"

Paramount hasn't limited its Western-genre content to Taylor Sheridan shows, with the studio set to release "neo-Western thriller" The Rescue in January 2027.

With Old Henry's Potsy Ponciroli directing the film and a screenplay by John Fusco, information is extremely limited. In fact, all we have is one logline: the new movie will follow "a rodeo cowboy and his dog search for his missing daughter".

Paramount's genius, however, is in its casting. Not only is it uniting the ever-enduring Yellowstone and prequel spinoff 1923, but it's also incorporating Netflix's new rival TV series, Ransom Canyon.

1923's Brandon Sklenar looks set to be the film's lead, with Yellowstone's Hassie Harrison and Ransom Canyon's Josh Duhamel in additional roles.

But the fact that The Rescue will be more thriller than traditional cowboy drama means we could be watching something a world away from any Western we've seen the trio in before.

Paramount's The Rescue takes Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone and gives it a thrilling twist

For example, let's break down what we know about the trio's existing Western characters.

In Yellowstone, Harrison plays Laramie, a tag-along character who ended up having a serious relationship with Ryan Bingham's Walker. She is a pillar of quiet strength, but also a barrel racer at the local rodeo.

1923 is already a completely different vibe from a film set in the present day, so Sklenar's Spencer Dutton is likely to be far removed from his character in The Rescue. Spencer is a battle-hardened war veteran and big-game hunter who struggled with PTSD while balancing staying loyal to those who meant the most to him.

If anything, I'd guess that Duhamel's Staten in Ransom Canyon could most closely resemble whatever The Rescue is set to become. Wounded and grief-stricken, Staten is aggressive and resistant, refusing to give over the Double K Ranch when his land comes under threat.

If I were to put money on it, The Rescue will be nothing like any of the above, not least because it has nothing to do with Sheridan or Netflix.

But that in itself is exciting: if the Western genre can be more malleable than what we've already seen, there's no stopping it.

If you've read my Running Point season 2 review, you'll already know that I wasn't the biggest fan. That being said, not everything was a complete disaster.

After the team recovers from the previous season's scandal, Isla (Kate Hudson) is now a recognized, high-scrutiny leader trying to prove she's not just holding the seat for her brother Cam (Justin Theroux).

Meanwhile, works quietly behind the scenes to undermine Isla, using her mistakes as leverage to plot his comeback.

Viewers who watched the end credits of episode 3 of the second Netflix series may have noticed a dedication just after Mindy Kaling is listed as an executive producer. But who is Niko Mijailovic?

Running Point season 2 dedicates its episode 3 to varsity boys' volleyball player

Niko Mijailovic was a 15-year-old varsity boy's volleyball player for Campbell Hall school in Los Angeles who died from Sudden Cardiac Arrest in 2025. The "#6" seen next to his name on screen references the position he played.

As the Campbell Hall's Instagram page explains, "Niko was a true light within our community. Niko joined Campbell Hall in Kindergarten and grew into a beloved and thriving member of our varsity boys’ volleyball team.

"Beyond his incredible athletic talent, Niko was known for his quiet confidence, kind heart, and deep love for his friends and family. "

As of April 2026, his sister Mila has partnered with Huddle for Hearts to raise awareness of Sudden Cardiac Arrest, according to the City Volleyball Club Facebook page.

During Mijailovic’s memorial service, it was mentioned that the last thing that his family watched together was Running Point season 1, according to Deadline.

The outlet also reports that friends of Mijailovic’s family are connected to the show, which is how the producers first heard of his story.

"Not great, but okay for binging on a sick day" is how a random Reddit comment described the first season of Running Point shortly after it launched on Netflix. Frankly, it's not exactly the praise you'd hope for if you were the one releasing a new TV show into the world, but I think it's generous.

I'll be honest: I knew next to nothing about the Kate Hudson-led show before I knew I'd be covering Running Point season 2. It had Hudson. It had basketball. I assumed it was a comedy. Now that I've seen both seasons, I'm pining for these days of ignorant bliss.

I hate to be a Debbie Downer on anything, let alone the fact that it has Hudson in it (I absolutely adore her). But Running Point season 2 is dire, thanks to its lack of laughs, unsufferable characters, and generally uninteresting or unnecessary storylines.

Netflix often has the cheek to cancel genuinely thought-provoking, boundary-pushing, creative work, yet continues projects like this that should definitely have been stopped after their first season. Who is Running Point's core audience, their purpose? And more importantly... what is the point?

Running Point season 2 is laughless, mundane and worthy of a million eye rolls

After the team recovers from the previous season's scandal, Isla (Hudson) is now a recognized, high-scrutiny leader trying to prove she's not just holding the seat for her brother Cam (Justin Theroux). Meanwhile, works quietly behind the scenes to undermine Isla, using her mistakes as leverage to plot his comeback.

That tiny little paragraph is the most interesting take on what happens that you can possibly get. In a world where terrible men defying it all to succeed in business, pleasure, and just life in general is shoved down our throats, watching Isla's brothers continuously undermine and override her with garbage ideas is about as fun as a dental filling.

When you're not wanting to punch 99.9% of characters shown in the series, you're keeping a straight face. This isn't a case of laughs not landing, more that they're not there in the first place. Sure, Running Point season 2 is certainly easy to watch. But at what cost?

Brenda Song steals the show in an otherwise sinking ship

The friendship between Isla and Ali (Brenda Song) is almost ruined for good for very petty reasons, but the move highlights how Song is the strongest link in an otherwise feeble chain. She's briefly freed from the shackles of the LA Waves, and it's clear that there's a lot of untapped potential in her character.

But as the besties reconcile once again, the promise of season 2's first potentially interesting story is immediately taken away. We don't really care about the team's locker room love triangle, Cam's return, or the arrival of wayward coach Norm (Ray Romano), so consider all hope lost.

What's most disappointing is how Hudson comes across in the leading role. Instead of being dynamic, hilarious, or infectiously charming — all things we know Hudson is in real life — Isla is white noise in the middle of the non-existent drama. Beautifully dressed white noise, all the same.

Unsurprisingly, you shouldn't waste your time on Running Point season 2 unless you are genuinely so sick that you've got a doctor's note excusing you from work (and full consciousness). If that's you, well... at least there's an exceptional cameo from Lisa Rinna.

Light spoilers follow for Stranger Things: Tales From 85 episodes 1 to 10, which are all out now on Netflix.

Stranger Things is in a, well, strange place right now. One of Netflix's biggest success stories, it's been watched by millions of people worldwide and won numerous awards since it debuted in 2016. Yet, thanks to the main show's incredibly polarizing fifth and final season, there's a tangible sense that the supernatural sci-fi horror franchise might have run its course.

The arrival of Stranger Things: Tales From 85, an animated show viewed as both a spin-off and canonical interquel starring the main show's cast, then, is most curious. Netflix is one for one on the well-received offshoot front, with its prequel stage play The First Shadow garnering universal praise since its 2023 West End debut, although the launch event for that project came amid fervent fan anticipation for Stranger Things season 5's upcoming launch.

The question now, then, is does Tales From 85 further prove that Stranger Things has staying power in an era where viewers' attentions quickly turn to the next big thing? Having watched all 10 episodes, I'm inclined to say "just about" — but only if it swiftly moves on from the Hawkins setting and young cast that made it a pop-culture phenomenon in the first place.

Snowed under

Set between the main show's second and third seasons, Tales From 85 reunites us with Eleven, Mike, and company as they get caught up in a new mystery amid wintry conditions in their home town.

Indeed, despite Eleven closing the rift to the alternate dimension dubbed the Upside Down in its parent show's season 2 finale, the introduction of mutated flora and fauna in Tales From 85 sees the core six — Eleven, Mike, Dustin, Will, Lucas, and Max — embark on a new quest to find out what's going on. Cue a hijinks- and mishaps-laced investigation that sees the group uncover more nefarious sci-fi malpractice, and combat a monstrous new threat with ties to the aforementioned parallel realm.

The first positive thing to note about this Netflix offering is that we get to see the kids be, well, kids again. Gone are the world-ending stakes — for the most part, anyway — of the main show's latter seasons and, in their place, is a return to the enjoyable albeit dangerous adventures of seasons 1 and 2.

Call me nostalgic, but I think many will agree that Stranger Things was at its best in those early installments. However, despite its timeline proximity to them, there was no guarantee that Tales From 85 would recapture the charm and entertainment factor of those seasons. Thankfully, it not only does a great job on that front, but is also able to really lean into the absurdity and slapstick nature of the group's misadventures in a more exaggerated fashion through the animated medium.

Something that Tales From 85 struggles to replicate, though, is its parent show's horror and high-stakes peril.

Sure, its animated aesthetic allows it to be far more artistic on the creature-creation front, which gives rise to a fresh Monster of the Week-style narrative that's disappointingly discarded as the plot progresses. Early episodes also include a couple of instances that, in spite of Tales From 85's Saturday-morning cartoon vibe, indicate that it hasn't fully lost sight of Stranger Things' nightmarish tonality.

Armed with a PG rating, though, Tales From 85 is neither as gruesome nor as hair-raisingly effective as the 15 age-classified primary show. Okay, it doesn't need to be stomach-churning, but it does have to put its characters in serious peril to elicit some sort of reaction from viewers — and that's where its timeline position becomes a curse rather than a blessing.

Indeed, with the individuals that I named earlier surviving up to the show's final season, Tales From 85's ability to build nail-biting tension and generate credible scares is completely nullified by their already-established plot armor. Save for the three new characters that this spin-off introduces, then, it's hard to care about anything happening to this series' key cast.

The kids are alright

If those factors are sources of disappointment, the same can't be said of the voice cast.

That might sound weird to say, especially in light of Tales From 85 showrunner Eric Robles telling me why the main show's cast didn't return to voice their characters. Nevertheless, there's surprisingly very little in the way of uncanny valley effects here. In fact, some of Tales From 85's cast have been so successful in replicating the vocal inflection and tonality of the actors who appeared in the main show, it's difficult to detect any clear difference between them.

Okay, that's not always the case — for example, the voice actor behind Jim Hopper sounds nothing like David Harbour, which is an immediate immersion killer — but, by and large, the others do a solid job of impersonating their main-show counterparts. Special mention to Braxton Quinney and Jolie Hoang-Rappaport, whose near-perfect imitations of Gaten Matarazzo's Dustin and Sadie Sink's Max will convince you that the latter duo actually reprise their roles in this animated offshoot.

It would be remiss of me not to also highlight how effortlessly this cast recreate the camaraderie within the core group. In some ways, it's far harder to develop and refine that chemistry from the solitary confinement of a recording booth, so kudos to Tales From 85's youthful stars for reproducing the individual and collective bonds forged among the live-action group.

With so much emphasis placed on said gang, however, there's little room for Stranger Things' adults and older teens to be involved.

Some, including Hopper and Nancy, are lightly sprinkled throughout. Meanwhile, Steve has what's akin to a guest-starring role in episode 4, a chapter that sees one of modern TV era's best bromances — i.e., the one between him and Dustin — delightfully take center stage once more. However, if you were hoping to sees the likes of Joyce and Jonathan, or expected anyone else have substantial roles to play, you'll be sorely disappointed.

The demogorgon in the room

All the issues I've outlined so far, though, pale in comparison to the retroactive impact that Tales From 85 has on the wider Stranger Things universe.

Take new-kid character Nikki, for example. Best described as a diluted cross between fan favorites Robin and Eddie, she's a talkative and inventive punk rocker who injects freshness and an unlikely dynamism to the main collective.

The problem is that her addition — and, for that matter, Tales From 85's entire story — creates a canonical paradox. It's a huge criticism that I not only fully understand, but one that I also feel is entirely justified on the part of aggrieved sections of the fanbase.

I recognize the argument made by Robles that Tales From 85's events couldn't be referenced in Stranger Things' later seasons because, as an idea, the former didn't exist until after the latter's race had nearly been run. However, given the additional lore that Tales From 85 adds to the mix and, far more importantly, the eyebrow-raising implications of its ending, it feels like a major oversight for this show to be set in Hawkins and involve the main show's core cast.

There are other drawbacks. Relationship issues that arise in Stranger Things 3 are similarly covered here, which makes for trite melodrama and an unimaginative storytelling re-tread. Contrived plot devices also give off the sense that Tales From 85 is trying to force the issue narratively rather than naturally plot out its course. Furthermore, establishing Will as a more self-assured individual at this point on the timeline is a bizarre creative choice at best and, at worst, an egregious retconning of his character arc at this point on the Stranger Things timeline.

It's for these reasons that, with each passing episode, I couldn't shake the belief that Tales From 85 would have worked better as a standalone tale. In my view, focusing on an entirely new cast in a completely different location, albeit one still situated in the Stranger Things universe, would have navigated these troubles with ease.

My verdict

Stranger Things: Tales From 85 is a benign and oft-times unnecessary expansion of the franchise's primary storyline.

If you're able to look past the canonicity of it all, and are really craving some more Stranger Things content, it's an occasionally fun addendum that also captures the spirit of the original show's early seasons, and includes plenty of in-universe and wider 80s references. With episodes lasting between 25 and 30 minutes, it's a nostalgia-fueled early-morning TV contender that's ripe to stream while you munch on some sugar-filled cereal.

In the end, though, the key questions I kept returning to throughout Tales From 85, though, were: Does it do enough to justify its existence? And does it wash away the bad aftertaste of its parent show's divisive final season?

Sadly, the answer to both questions is a resounding no. Continuing with the food theme, it's a light-afternoon snack not unlike an Eggo. Sure, it'll satiate you for a while but, ultimately, it'll leave you feeling unsatisfied.

Sullivan's Crossing season 4 is off and running on The CW (Netflix release date TBC), but Scott Patterson, who played patriarch Sully for the first three seasons, won't be returning.

In March, the actor explained in a Facebook post, “The creative differences were becoming untenable, and I just sadly realized that the show was not something that I could agree to continue.

“Every actor knows what it’s like to fall in love with a character and a story. I fell in love with Sully and have nothing but fondness for him.”

Where this is bad news for Sullivan's Crossing, Patterson's departure might play to the advantage of its "sister show", Virgin River.

Both original book series were written by Robyn Carr, with seasons 1-3 of Sullivan's Crossing also now available to stream on Netflix. What if there was a world where Sully could be transported to Virgin River season 8, which has yet to start filming, after his recent farewell?

Sully could bridge the Sullivan's Crossing and Virgin River crossover I've been hoping for

I have been campaigning for a Virgin River-Sullivan's Crossing crossover for at least the last year, even going so far as to ask Morgan Kohan if she'd be up for giving a crossover episode a go (the answer was yes).

As both shows essentially live in the same fictional universe, it isn't entirely out of the question. So if Patterson loves Sully but dislikes the creative direction of Sullivan's Crossing season 4, what's stopping him from jumping ship?

Between this and Gilmore Girls, Patterson is an actor who knows how to get the best out of a cozy TV drama. In fact, he's sort of synonymous with the sub-genre. The phrase "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" comes to mind when picking his next TV role.

We can also assume that Virgin River season 8 will announce new cast members closer to its release, much like we saw in the run-up to season 7. Given that they haven't started filming yet, either — star Tim Matheson said only "rough discussions" had been had in March 2026 — this also plays into my TV fantasy.

Obviously, nothing is confirmed, and I am clutching at straws, but there's no doubting that this is the closest we've ever come to a crossover.

Michael Jackson is once again back in the cultural conversation. New movie Michael, starring Jaafar Jackson — Michael's own nephew — in the leading role, lands in theaters this week, following the singer's life and career from The Jackson 5 to the peak of his solo career.

However, this isn't the be-all and end-all of Jackson's story, particularly considering the singer's untimely death weeks before his 2009 This Is It tour was supposed to start.

Thankfully, there's a mountain of Michael Jackson documentaries out there to help delve deeper into the enigma behind the aviator sunglasses and curly locks. Not all of them are available on streaming... but luckily, the best ones are.

Before hitting the cinema to see Michael this week, I've picked 5 unmissable documentaries to need to see before you go.

Michael Jackson's This Is It (2009)

This Is It is undoubtedly the big kahuna of Michael Jackson documentaries, mostly because it's some of the last-ever footage we have of the star.

Let's set the scene. It's summer 2009, and Jackson was set to stage a spectacular comeback at London's O2 arena. But just weeks before it was set to happen, he died.

The documentary, directed by the man who was set to choreograph the highly anticipated gig, "offers a look at preparations for the shows and provides a revealing portrait of the man behind the controversy."

• Watch This Is It on AMC+ in the US
• Watch This Is It on Apple TV in the UK
• Watch This Is It on Apple TV in the Australia

Michael Jackson: The Trial (2026)

In a more sinister tone, Michael Jackson: The Trial explores the singer's 2005 child molestation trial. Divided into four episodes, it examines the allegations made by Gavin Arvizo, the intense media circus, and the eventual acquittal on all charges.

Featuring previously unheard audio and exclusive interviews, it's one of our two most recent documentaries in the list, having only been released in February 2026.

• Watch Michael Jackson: The Trial on Apple TV in the US
• Watch Michael Jackson: The Trial on Channel 4 in the UK
• Watch Michael Jackson: The Trial on Apple TV in Australia

Michael Jackson: An American Tragedy (2026)

Where The Trial covers 2005, and This Is It covers 2009, Michael Jackson: An American Tragedy covers the time in between.

After being cleared of further abuse allegations, Jackson attempts an ambitious comeback tour. When he dies suddenly, the people who control his estate start monetising his legacy.

This one is a three-part docuseries trying to strike a balance between controversy and entertainment. If you're looking for an all-rounder documentary stream, this is it (sorry).

• Watch Michael Jackson: An American Tragedy on Apple TV in the US
• Watch Michael Jackson: An American Tragedy on BBC iPlayer in the UK
• Watch Michael Jackson: An American Tragedy on Apple TV in Australia

Leaving Neverland (2019)

Arguably the most famous of the lot, Leaving Neverland sent shockwaves around the world when it was released back in 2019. The docuseries follows Jackson's long-running relationships with two boys, aged 7 and 10, and their families.

In their 30s at the time of filming, they tell the story of how they were allegedly sexually abused by the singer. Branded as "crucial yet careful," Leaving Neverland is the starkest look at Jackson's abuse allegations.

In 2025, sequel series Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson was released, though reviews panned it for trying (and failing) to recreate the first installment's impact.

• Watch Leaving Neverland on Apple TV in the US
• Watch Leaving Neverland on Channel 4 in the UK
• Watch Leaving Neverland on Apple TV in Australia

Michael Jackson: The Legend Continues (1989)

Ending on a high note, Michael Jackson: The Legend Continues has been praised by fans of his music for being the best documentary for capturing the impact of his career. Released in 1989, this was long before any of Jackson's allegations came to light.

Though less than one hour long, we explore the singer’s life from child prodigy in the Jackson 5 to the peak of his Bad era solo career. Narrated by James Earl Jones, it features rare archive footage, music videos, and interviews with peers like Quincy Jones and Elizabeth Taylor.

The best part? It's free to stream globally on YouTube — just click the clip above.

Ready for a return trip to Hawkins? If you're a huge fan of Stranger Things, I bet you are — and there's good news on that front.

Stranger Things: Tales From 85, the first animated project in the supernatural sci-fi horror franchise, is set to arrive in the next few days. There's been plenty of online chatter about how it might affect Stranger Things' canon and lore — the story sits between the main Netflix show's second and third seasons, so if it helps from a timeline perspective, you can consider it to be Stranger Things season 2.5.

But enough waffling. You want to know when Tales From 85 will be released, so read on to learn more about its official launch date and time.

What is the launch time for Stranger Things: Tales From 85?

Tales From 85 will premiere on Netflix — the world's best streaming service — on Thursday, April 23. In North America, it'll air at 12am PT / 3am ET, so those of you in the US and Canada will have a very late night or early morning if you choose to stream it as soon as possible.

As for the rest of the world, Stranger Things' latest offshoot will drop at a more reasonable time. Check out the below list to see when it'll launch where you live:

• US — Thursday, April 23 at 12am PT / 3am ET
• Canada — Thursday, April 23 at 12am PT / 3am ET
• UK — Thursday, April 23 at 8am BST
• India — Thursday, April 23 at 12:30pm IST
• Singapore — Thursday, April 23 at 3pm SGT
• Australia — Thursday, April 23 at 5pm AEST
• New Zealand — Thursday, April 23 at 7pm NZST

What is the full release schedule for Stranger Things: Tales From 85?

Stranger Things: Tales From 85 will be released in full on April 23. That means that come launch day, all of its 10 episodes will be available to stream on Netflix.

With every chapter clocking in between 25 and 30 minutes, it'll make for an easy binge watch, too. Just make sure you're stocked up on plenty of Eggos if you decide to embark on another Stranger Things marathon.

I've seen the animated show in its entirety, so keep an eye out for my Tales From 85 review later this week. In the meantime, find out why Tales From 85's showrunner has defended the decision to replace the main series' actors with a whole new voice cast.

If you ask me, Running Point was the throwaway comedy series Netflix didn't know it needed, and now the streamer is set to release the show's second season.

After the team recovers from the previous season's scandal, Isla (Kate Hudson) is now a recognized, high-scrutiny leader trying to prove she's not just holding the seat for her brother Cam (Justin Theroux).

Meanwhile, works quietly behind the scenes to undermine Isla, using her mistakes as leverage to plot his comeback.

The heat is on, as they say. But when is Running Point season 2 set to hit Netflix?

What time can I watch Running Point season 2 on Netflix?

Running Point season 2 drops on Netflix on April 23, 2026.

As for exact time, it should be the standard 12am PT release that previous hit shows such as Emily in Paris have also enjoyed.

For global regions, here's when you need to be prepared:

• US – 12am PT / 3am ET
• Canada – 12am PT / 3am ET
• UK – 7am GMT
• India – 12:30pm IST
• Singapore – 3pm SGT
• Australia – 6pm AEST
• New Zealand – 8pm NZDT

When do new episodes of Running Point season 2 come out?

All 10 episodes of season 2 will be released at the same time, much like the release schedule for season 1.

There's currently no word on any future seasons being picked up.

It's surreal to think that there are only 12 days left of April 2026. Really, though, how are we almost a third of the way through the year already?

If, like me, that's given you a small but not insignificant existential crisis, you might want to distract yourself with something to watch on Netflix. And, with a wide variety of new movies and TV shows set to land on the streaming giant in the final full week of April 2026, you'll soon be able to do just that.

Of this month's remaining new releases, four have particularly caught my eye. So, read on to see which projects I'll be catching on the best streaming service over the next seven days to see if one or more of them would suit your tastes, too.

Funny AF With Kevin Hart (April 20)

A Netflix comedy competition, Funny AF With Kevin Hart follows the titular comedian-actor as he scours the United States for the next star of the stand-up circuit.

Aided by a host of other household names, including Keegan-Michael Key, Nikki Glaser, and Tom Segura, Hart and his fellow judges determine which contestants will progress to the next stage of the contest, and offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse of their own journeys to the top of the industry.

The first four episodes will drop on Netflix on April 20, with four more arriving one week later. Then, on May 4 and 5, Netflix will broadcast the semi-finals and final live, with viewers expected to get a chance to vote on who'll win the reality TV spectacle via Netflix's recently introduced live vote feature.

• Watch Funny AF With Kevin Hart on Netflix

This is a Gardening Show (April 22)

Were you a fan of Zach Galifianakis' Between Two Ferns internet comedy series? And/or do you enjoy Clarkson's Farm on Prime Video? If you answered 'yes' to one or both of those questions, I'm sure you'll be entertained by This is a Gardening Show.

Fronted by Galifianakis, the docuseries follows the comedy actor as he approaches the art of having a green thumb with, according to Netflix, "curiosity and self-effacing humor."

This is a Gardening Show isn't a parody like Between Two Ferns, nor does it sound as abrasive or over-the-top as Clarkson's Farm. As a fan of Galifianakis' work and the son of parents who love to garden, though, I'm willing to give this one a shot. Who knows, maybe I'll learn a thing or two about, you know, how to not kill every plant I own.

• Watch This is a Gardening Show on Netflix

Stranger Things: Tales From 85 (April 23)

The first Stranger Things project to emerge after the main show's divisive fifth and final season, Tales From 85 will attempt to woo fans back on board and introduce new audiences to its universe in PG animated form.

Set between its parent show's second and third seasons, Stranger Things: Tales From 85 reunites us with Eleven, Mike, and co. as they investigate a new supernatural sci-fi threat to their hometown of Hawkins. Joining the party is newcomer Nikki Baxter, who's been described as the series' POV character for those who haven't watched a single minute of the hugely popular main program.

I'll be covering Tales From 85 in more detail in the lead-up to its release, so keep your eyes trained on TechRadar for more in the days ahead. In the meantime, find out what the showrunner had to say about why the main show's cast didn't return to voice their characters in Tales From 85.

• Watch Stranger Things: Tales From 85 on Netflix

Apex (April 24)

Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton team up — or, rather, square off — in this survival action-thriller movie that'll make you think twice about a) heading into the Australian wilderness alone and b) ever meeting new people.

Apex sees Theron play Sasha, a rock climber who takes a solo trip Down Under to escape a recent and devastating loss. However, she soon finds herself being hunted by Egerton's enigmatic and emotionally intense character. Cue a suspenseful game of cat and mouse as Sasha attempts to outwit her predatory foe.

Compared to previous years, Netflix has significantly reduced its movie output in 2026, which gives me hope that it's finally starting to favor quality over quantity. Even if this film ends up being another addition to the streamer's mid-tier movie line-up, Theron always delivers a compelling performance — and, with Egerton looking like he'll chew the scenery every time he appears, Apex should be a mildly engrossing flick at the very least.

• Watch Apex on Netflix

After last week's bumper list of streaming recommendations, it's back down to the usual seven entries for our mid-April round-up.

That doesn't mean that there aren't as many fantastic new movies and TV shows to watch, though. From the return of a multi-award-winning Netflix series to a new R-rated Prime Video movie and more besides, there's something for every kind of genre fan below. So, take a look and see which of the best streaming services has got you covered on the new releases front. — Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter

Beef season 2 (Netflix)

You thought season 1 of this multi-award-winning show was messy? Oh honey, you've got another thing coming. Beef season 2 has a complete tonal and narrative switch from what we've seen before.

This time, it follows the slow-burn chaos at an country club run by slimy manager Josh (Oscar Isaacs) and his wife Lindsay (Carey Mulligan). After witnessing one of their boss' fights, young employees Ashley (Cailee Spaeny) and Austin (Charles Melton) decide to blackmail Josh to get health insurance... and it's all downhill from there.

Amazingly, I've not even mentioned the real star of the show: Youn Yuh-jung as the villainous Chairwoman. She hardly speaks but, when she does, it's scathing gold. Once you've streamed it, read my Beef season 2 ending explained piece. — Jasmine Valentine, entertainment reporter

• Watch Beef season 2 on Netflix

Balls Up (Prime Video)

Where has Marky Dubs (that's my new nickname for Mark Wahlberg) been of late? Thankfully, he's returned in new raunchy Amazon sports comedy film Balls Up.

After causing an international incident at the World Cup Final, rival co-workers (Wahlberg and Paul Walter Hauser) must find a way out of Brazil alive.

As the name suggests, we're in for a hefty dose of downright sports silliness with this movie. In their defense, who really knows how football works anyway? Kick a ball and be done with it. [editor's note: I hope you're ready for emails from aggrieved soccer fans over that comment, Jasmine!] — JV

• Watch Balls Up on Prime Video

Margo's Got Money Troubles (Apple TV)

Elle Fanning leads the cast of Margo's Got Money Troubles, a new Apple TV dramady that's been praised for its funny yet heartfelt story.

The aforementioned star plays the show's eponymous character, who ends up unexpectedly pregnant after an affair with her married English professor. Desperate to support herself, Margo turns to OnlyFans to support herself and her baby, all the while receiving unexpected advice from her ex-pro wrestler father (Nick Offerman), an ex-pro wrestler and her former Hooters waitress mother (Michelle Pfeiffer),

Episodes 1 to 3 of this Apple TV Original are out now, and they're worth seeing if you're looking for a raunchy yet endearing comedy. — Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer

• Watch Margo's Got Money Troubles on Apple TV

Rental Family (Disney+)

Following its launch on Hulu in the US earlier this year, Brendan Fraser's latest film has finally made its international streaming debut on Disney+.

In Rental Family, Fraser plays Phillip, a struggling American actor who lives in Japan. Seven years on from his one and only break in the entertainment business, Phillip lands a job at the eponymous company, which tasks its employees with playing a stand-in family member for strangers young and old alike.

Armed with another incredible likeable and typically emotional performance from Fraser, who's ably backed up by the Searchlight Pictures' supporting cast, Rental Family will have you laughing one moment and crying the next. A must-see for any Fraser fanatic. — TP

• Watch Rental Family on Disney+

Roommates (Netflix)

This new Netflix movie stars Sadie Sandler as hopeful and naive college freshman Devon, who asks the cool and confident Celeste (Chloe East) to be her new roommate. However, their blossoming friendship soon takes a bad turn.

The two end up in a "war of passive aggression" according to the synopsis, so we can expect plenty of drama as Devon's plans for an easy semester are ruined.

Roommates has a great supporting cast, including Sadie's famous dad Adam Sandler, Natasha Lyonne, and Storm Reid, who all witness the huge fallout between the two leading women Will it have enough to join the Mount Olympus crowd of must-see college-set comedies? You'll be the judge of that. — LB

• Watch Roommates on Netflix

Roofman (Paramount+)

What if I told you that a man who was imprisoned for robbing up to 60 McDonald's restaurants, and later escaped from prison by hiding out in a local Toys 'R' Us for six months, was a true story?

Well, it is, and Channing Tatum's hit film Roofman , which has finally made its Paramount+ debut internationally following its December 2025 launch in the US, is proof of that. In it, he plays Jeffrey Manchester, a man on the run in the most ridiculous way. If you're a 90s kid, be prepared for a lot of childhood throwbacks.

Roofman is disarming, goofy and a whole lot of fun, though I'm worried for Tatum's liver if he really had to eat that amount of M&Ms. Interested in checking it out? Read my Roofman review first to see if it's worth your time. — JV

• Watch Roofman on Paramount+

The Dark Wizard (HBO Max)

The Dark Wizard is a new HBO Max docuseries that explores the life of legendary free climber Dean Potter, who's known for completing many hard first ascents, free solo ascents, and speed ascents in his career before his untimely death aged just 43.

Across its four episodes, we learn about Potter's extraordinary feats, personal connections, and many rivalries, including with fellow free solo climber Alex Honnold, who recently climbed the tallest's skyscraper in the world live on Netflix. — LB

• Watch The Dark Wizard on HBO Max

• First trailer for new Netflix movie Ladies First has been released
• Arrives on streamer May 22, stars Sacha Baron Cohen and Rosamund Pike
• Follows "a ladies' man who finds his life upended when he wakes up in a parallel world dominated by women"

Netflix has released the first trailer for new movie Ladies First (which you can catch up with below), and it's safe to say that the first look hasn't gone down well.

Starring Sacha Baron Cohen and Rosamund Pike, the film is set to follow "a ladies man who finds his life upended when he wakes up in a parallel world dominated by women.

"With the rules of engagement changed, he goes head-to-head with a fiery female colleague in a playful satire about what happens when the script is flipped."

Already dubbed "the worst trailer I've ever seen" by fans online, Ladies First looks to be an English-language remake of the French 2018 film I Am Not An Easy Man.

Even so, there's another broad stroke of irony we haven't even considered.

Ladies First trailer branded as 'incredibly depressing' by Netflix fans

First, let's dig a little deeper into these fan reactions. One posted on X/Twitter, "No wonder there are massive layoffs in Hollywood right now," with another agreeing "I feel like this script might have been sitting on the shelf awhile."

"This concept would have gone so hard in like, 1987," a third weighs in.

But while the narrative isn't chiming with fans online, there's something else to consider. Parody movies are something Baron Cohen is both well suited to and known for. Yet for Pike, it's more of a surprising move, especially given her current success in National Theatre play Inter Alia, which is currently streaming on the company's At Home platform internationally.

Still on London's West End before transferring to Broadway later in 2026, Pike plays Jessica, a pioneering Crown Court Judge balancing a high-powered career with the emotional labor of motherhood.

When her teenage son is accused of severe sexual assault, she faces a crisis testing her feminist principles and legal convictions against her maternal instincts.

Having both projects release one after another seems even more jarring, particularly given how much critical and fan success Inter Alia is currently receiving.

We'll be able to see Ladies First on May 22, so full reactions are still to be determined.

• Netflix has unveiled its fresh take on Roald Dahl classic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
• Arriving in 2027, the animated movie is called Charlie Vs. the Chocolate Factory
• Heartstopper's Kit Connor and Thor: Ragnarok's Taika Waititi voice its leads

Netflix has officially unveiled Charlie Vs. the Chocolate Factory, its lip-smacking fresh take on Roald Dahl's iconic children's book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

The animated movie, the development of which is being helmed by Sony Pictures Imageworks, aka the studio behind Netflix juggernaut Kpop Demon Hunters and the critically-acclaimed Spider-Verse films, will drop exclusively on one of the world's best streaming services in 2027.

The forthcoming film will put a deliciously sour spin on Dahl's oft-adapted literary work, too — indeed, it'll see the factory's whimsical owner Willy Wonka lock horns with a teenage version of Charlie, the child protagonist of Dahl's best-selling novel.

As part of the announcement, Netflix revealed the first piece of artwork for the flick. The image, which you've already seen above, shows a lollipop-holding silhouetted individual staring at the eponymous, color-drenched sweet-producing factory.

Furthermore, Netflix confirmed the first two actors who'll lend their voices to Willy Wonka and Charlie in its feature film reimagining.

Taika Waititi, who some readers will know from his work on Marvel movies Thor: Ragnarok and Thor: Love and Thunder, as well as other projects including Jojo Rabbit, What We Do In the Shadows, and Our Flag Means Death, will voice the infamous chocolatier. Meanwhile, Heartstopper's Kit Connor will take on the role as the antagonistic Charlie.

Here's the official story synopsis for Charlie Vs. the Chocolate Factory which, unlike its literary inspiration, will be set in present-day London: "Willy Wonka has spent the years since the Golden Ticket contest behind bars (not the chocolate kind) for the crime of turning a child into a blueberry.

"Having served his time, Wonka returns to his factory determined to add a little sweetness to a bitter world. But, one thing stands in his way: teenager Charlie Paley and his friends. Facing eviction, this next generation of rotten kids plot to break into the factory, nab a priceless Wonka Bar, and save their homes. But, like many before them who enter the fantastical world of the factory, these kids are in for a bit more than they can chew..."

Jared Stern (The LEGO Batman Movie, Green Eggs and Ham) and Elaine Bogan (Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia, Spirit Untamed) are on board as the movie's directors. Waititi will executively produce the film with the aid of Oscar-winner Aron Warner (Shrek) and fellow producer Timothy Yoo (Back to the Outback, Green Eggs and Ham).

"Our directors, Jared and Elaine, have a bold vision befitting this new adventure whilst remaining sympathetic to the legacy, and I'm thrilled to play my part in bringing Willy Wonka to life in animated form," Waititi said in a statement. "He is so special to me, and the opportunity to voice such an iconic, eccentric candy genius — if a little mischievous at times — is hugely exciting."

Having acquired the Roald Dahl Company in 2021, Charlie Vs. the Chocolate Factory will be the next Netflix adaptation that's based on the Dutch author's hugely successful body of work. So far, the entertainment giant has released live-action productions Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical and The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar short story anthology, plus an animated take on The Twits.

• Stranger Things: Tales From 85 doesn't feature actors from its parent show
• Milly Bobby Brown and company don't voice their characters in the animated spin-off
• Tales From 85's creator has tried to explain why they haven't returned

Stranger Things: Tales From 85's showrunner has explained why the main show's cast didn't return for its animated interquel.

In an exclusive chat with TechRadar, Eric Robles claimed it "would've sounded really strange" if the likes of Millie Bobby Brown and Finn Wolfhard had come back to voice their respective characters from Stranger Things.

To dissect what Robles means, we first have to look at Tales From 85's placement on the supernatural horror franchise's timeline.

For those who don't know, the forthcoming animated series is set between seasons 2 and 3 of the primary show. As such, Eleven, Mike, Lucas, Dustin, Will, and Max are between 13 and 14 years old.

In Robles' mind, now that Brown, Wolfhard, and the rest of the Netflix TV Original's young cast are in their 20s, asking them to voice their characters in Tales From 85 wouldn't have made sense. Making his case, Robles suggested having "an adult voice in a little kid's body" would break viewers' immersion because they'd find it odd that, say, the 22-year-old Brown would be voicing a teenage Eleven.

"Imagine you have a 20-something-year-old actor and an animated pre-teen character," Robles told me. "Now, put that actor's voice on a design of the 13-year-old. You're going to have a deeper voice on a little kid, which would've sounded really strange because you have an adult voice on a little kid's body. So, when you start doing that math, you're like 'Oh, right, that doesn't make sense'.

"The other part of it is the talent we got for this show," Robles added of those who replace Brown et al. in Tales From 85. "They brought such pure kid energy to every line that they read.

"There's something that happens to us as we get older in that we lose this this sense of joy and silliness of just being a kid, and I think that's what our cast brought to the table. When you hear them pretending to run for their lives in the recording booth, they're smiling, laughing, and having a great time, because they have that new sense of enjoyment in playing these characters for the first time."

Why Eric Robles' comments about Tales From 85's cast do and don't make sense

On the surface, I certainly see the logic in Robles' argument. The problem I have, though, is that it starts to fall apart when you dig a little deeper.

While researching the show ahead of my interview with its creator, I learned that Tales From 85's voice cast isn't actually that much younger than the stars who populate its parent program.

For example, Ben Plessala, who plays Will in Tales From 85, is only around two years younger than Noah Schanpp, who portrayed the same character in the main show. Additionally, there's only a four-year age gap between Jolie Hoang-Rappaport and Sadie Sink, who inhabit the role of Max in Tales From 85 and Stranger Things respectively. Meanwhile, Odessa A'zion, who voices Nikki Baxter, a brand-new character created specifically for Tales From 85, is 25 years old.

Okay, there are more notable age gaps between other cast members — Lucas Sinclair voice actor Elisha Williams is seven years younger than Stranger Things star Caleb McLaughlin, for instance. Even so, if a young adult like A'zion was hired to play a teen in this Netflix animated series, surely the world's best streaming service could have asked the likes of Brown and Wolfhard — who, don't forget, are younger than A'zion — to return for Tales From 85?

Putting my theory hat on, the decision not to bring them back comes down to two things: one, Netflix would have had to pay way more money to hire Brown than Brooklyn Davey Norstedt, who voices Eleven in Tales From 85, and/or two, maybe the main show's cast couldn't or didn't want to come back.

Will we ever find out the answer? I'd be amazed if we did. Regardless, with Robles already planning for multiple seasons of Tales From 85, we better get used to hearing different people play some of the franchise's most iconic individuals.