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 just 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 new shows like The Abandons, festive holiday content like Oh. What. Fun. and fascinating interviews like My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman. Enjoy the best selections (recommended by yours truly) on Netflix, Apple TV+ and in theaters.

From the steamy and sexy Heated Rivalry to With Love, Meghan, here's what to watch this weekend.

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

Lena Headey and Gillian Anderson are joining forces (though, unfortunately it's not the Game of Thrones x X-Files crossover I was hoping for). These dynamic leading ladies play the matriarchs of two dueling families in this American Western series. It's gritty, it's violent and it'll scratch that itch you've had since Yellowstone went off the air.

• Rating: PG-13
• Runtime: 116 minutes

Michelle Pfeiffer plays the underappreciated Catwoman Claire Clauster, who goes on a solo Christmas adventure after her family forgets about her. Sure, this holiday comedy seems light on plot, but it's heavy on Christmas magic and celebrity cameos (think: Felicity Jones, Chloë Grace Moretz, Denis Leary, Danielle Brooks, Maude Apatow, Jason Schwartzman and Eva Longoria).

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

Just call her the Duchess of Stringing Christmas Lights. In the holiday edition of her lifestyle show With Love, Meghan, the royal dishes out festive decor tips and tackles Christmasy recipes. But, most importantly, everyone's favorite ginger prince makes an appearance (I don't mean Archie).

• Rating: R
• Runtime: 97 minutes

Love period dramas like Downton Abbey but wish they came with the humor of, say, The Naked Gun? Enter Fackham Hall, the latest spoof to hit theaters. No, it doesn't feature Pam Anderson, but it does feature Mr. Draco Malfoy himself, Tom Felton. Engorgio Riddikulus!

• Rating: R
• Runtime: 113 minutes

2025's biggest sequel? Forget about Avatar: Fire and Ash. It's been 30 years since The Brothers McMullen, and now, the fam is back with the sequel we never knew we needed, The Family McMullen. The comedy-drama stars Connie Britton, Tracee Ellis Ross and, of course, Ed Burns.

• Rating: N/A
• Runtime: 90 minutes

Alexandra Breckenridge is taking a break from Virgin River and trying her hand at...Santa Claus? Here, she plays a single mom who dresses up as Santa to fool her way into getting a job at a ski resort. Netflix runs out of ideas for Christmas movies in 5...4...3...JK. This one looks seriously fun and festive.

• Rating: NR
• Runtime: 150 minutes

Move over, Wicked—we've got another major musical on the big screen. Stephen Sondheim's Broadway musical Merrily We Roll Along is in theaters, and it stars Daniel Radcliffe (watch out, Draco), Jonathan Groff and Lindsay Mendez. This iteration is a filmed version of the stage performance in case you missed this all-star cast on Broadway.

• Rating: TV-Y
• Runtime: N/A

Fraggle Rock first came out the year I was born (no one Google that please) and was a childhood staple in my house. Fast forward some number of years, and the Fraggles are back with a holiday special the whole family can enjoy. I just hope the iconic theme song is back too...

• Rating: TV-PG
• Number of seasons: 13

Families give Clark Griswold a run for his money as they battle it out for a $50,000 grand prize. Each group creates the most elaborate and festive Christmas light display they can in hopes that they take home the holiday trophy. There are 13 seasons of this reality show, so you could sit and watch Light Fight for the next three weeks or you could, ya know, just take a drive around your neighborhood and call it a day.

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

Adam Sandler has had quite the year with the return of Happy Gilmore and his star-turn opposite George Clooney in Jay Kelly. And now, he's spilling all his secrets and stories in the latest David Letterman special. Once you've watched, allow me to recommend the Letterman episodes featuring Malala Yousafzai, Jerry Seinfeld and Cardi B.

• Rating: N/A
• Runtime: 120 minutes

Do I condone tree murder? Let's just say I'm an artificial tree kinda guy. But for those who are into that sort of thing, why not take in the biggest, most impressive tree of them all: the tree at Rockefeller Center. The annual tree lighting special aired Wednesday on NBC and hit streaming on Peacock.

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

This Thai crime series is back for a sophomore season after wowing audiences in 2024 with season one. Three entrepreneurs come up with a dangerous and more-than-morally-ambiguous plan to pay off their debts by exploiting a Buddhist temple. Something tells me things don't go according to plan...

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

Is it hot in here or is it just me 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: PG-13
• Runtime: 125 minutes

Fun fact: PureWow's Editor-in-Chief read 200 books in the past five years. Her favorite? Hamnet, which has now been made into a movie starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal. Oscar buzz has already begun, which should come as no surprise since the film is directed by the one and only Chloé Zhao.

• Rating: PG-13
• Runtime: 112 minutes

Break out the tissues for this one, team. Scarlet Witch Elizabeth Olsen dies and has to decide whether to spend the rest of eternity with her super hot husband of 50 years (Miles Teller) or her super hot first love (Callum Turner) who has been waiting in the afterlife for her for decades. Decisions, decisions.

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