15 Shows and Movies to Watch This Weekend

Yes, there are a ton of streaming services, and there's a ton of buzz around the latest releases. But just because something's trending or on lists of most-viewed titles doesn't mean it's always worth a view. (Case in point: My least favorite show was renewed for season two—you can fully skip it BTW—while my favorite new show has been fully flying under the radar).

Allow me, an entertainment editor, to help you parse through it all with shows and movies that are actually worth watching this week (or this weekend). I'm talking star-studded thrillers like The Housemaid, returning favorites like Emily in Paris and big blockbusters like Avatar: Fire and Ash. Enjoy the best selections (recommended by yours truly) on Netflix, Apple TV+, in theaters and more.

From the Fallout season two to Is This Thing On?, here's what to watch this weekend.

• Rating: TV-MA
• Number of seasons: 5

Emily is cheating on Paris in the new season…with Rome…and Venice. Creator Darren Star takes the show on the road (quite literally) with Emily opening a new Italian office. But don’t worry, he says. “It doesn’t mean she’s not going to be in Paris.” I don’t care either way; I’m just excited for the addition of Minnie Driver as a not-so-Disney-like Princess Jane in season five.

• Rating: R
• Runtime: 131 minutes

Sydney Sweeney takes a job as a live-in housemaid for Amanda Seyfried’s seemingly perfect family. And, yes, you guessed it, the family is hiding dark, sinister secrets. This means twists, thrills and—if I had to predict (I haven’t seen it so this is just my cinematically educated guess)—an epic showdown between the two women. Or maybe not. Maybe they’ll come out of the whole thing as BFFs.

• Rating: TV-MA
• Number of seasons: 2

Following the footsteps of The Last of Us comes another post-apocalyptic show based on a video game. I wouldn’t call the show uplifting but at least it features everyone’s favorite White Lotus season three troublemaker Walton Goggins (in fact, Goggins was nominated for an Emmy for season one).

• Rating: TV-MA
• Runtime: 60 minutes

There’s a reason The New York Times wrote a piece titled, “If You Put Her in a Scene, She Will Steal It,” about comedian Robby Hoffman. Hoffman first caught my eye (and caught an Emmy nomination) for playing a quirky personal assistant on Hacks—it’s a serious talent to be able to steal scenes while opposite comedic powerhouses Paul Downs and Megan Stalter. And now, I’m majorly excited for Wake Up, Hoffman’s Netflix standup debut.

• Rating: NR
• Runtime: 124 minutes

Everyone’s favorite raccoon, Bradley Cooper, directs this new comedy starring everyone’s least-favorite Bluth, Will Arnett, and everyone’s medium-favorite dinosaur bait, Laura Dern. A struggling middle-aged man (Arnett) accidentally realizes he has a knack for doing stand-up (sadly, no, the film isn’t about me).

• Rating: PG-13
• Runtime: 210 minutes

Okay, full disclosure: I thought we were done with these Avatar movies. However, I do love a movie with Zoe Saldaña, I do love a movie in IMAX and I do love a movie in 3-D (for the record, I do not love a movie that costs $30, but it's 2025 and this is life now).

• Rating: TV-G
• Number of seasons: 1

This six-part docuseries has my name written all over it. Adorable orphan animals are raised/rehabilitated so they can be released into the wild, "from an elephant calf and two young cheetahs, to a ring-tailed lemur pup, a moon bear cub, Iberian lynx kittens and rescued African penguins." I'm obsessed already.

• Rating: TBD
• Number of seasons: 1

This new Japanese drama series just hit Prime Video and buzz is already strong. The extremely dark and disturbing story follows a professor and butterfly researcher who turns six young men into "human specimens." Oh, and the show stars one of Japan's most respected actors, Hidetoshi Nishijima.

• Rating: TV-PG
• Number of seasons: 1

No, the show isn't a reference to Brad Pitt's iconic line (thank God). It's a game show hosted by sitcom star and resident zaddy Neil Patrick Harris. As for whoever is developing show names over at Netflix, maybe we can try to raise the bar a bit? (Between Is It Cake? and What's in the Box? we seem to be scraping the bottom of the show title barrel...)

• Rating: TV-MA
• Number of seasons: 6

Two of my favorite performances of the year came from Michael B. Jordan in the fabulous, award-worthy film Sinners. And now, Jordan is sitting down for a candid and captivating interview with David Letterman. Grab the popcorn.

• Rating: TV-G
• Runtime: 90 minutes

Yes, this looks cheesy as all get out. No, I don't care. A lesbian couple gets a holiday surprise when a baby boy is left on their doorstep with a note. Cue the Christmas chaos, Christmas drama and Christmas magic.

• Rating: TV-MA
• Number of seasons: 1

Yes, this is still on my "what to watch" list for the fourth week in a row. Everyone is talking about this new romantic drama series about two rival hockey players who fall in love. The steamy show drops new episodes every week. And all of a sudden, I think I like sports...

• Rating: TV-MA
• Number of seasons: 1

A woman calls social services on her BFF, leading to suspicion, drama, paranoia and a whole lot of twists. If you loved Anatomy of a Scandal, this new show is based on a book by the same author. If you didn't, well, you're on your own here.

• Rating: TBD
• Number of seasons: 1

The world's grumpiest television judge has a brand-new reality show on Netflix as he tries to put together the next big boy band. Thousands compete, before 16 fly to Miami to work with Simon's team and see if they can hack it. *Cut to me singing their songs in the shower*

• Rating: PG-13
• Runtime: 115 mins

Hard-working horror queen Jamie Lee Curtis joins my favorite Sex Education actress, Emma Mackey, and the world's greatest TV bartender, Woody Harrelson, in a brand-new comedy. It looks heartwarming, it looks funny and, most importantly, it's under two hours.

Want all the latest entertainment news sent right to your inbox? Click here.