With Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+, Max (formerly HBO Max), Apple TV+, Paramount+, Netflix, Peacock, Starz and even more streaming services, there’s no shortage of options when choosing what to binge-watch in your free time. However, sometimes, the sheer amount of great films and television shows available to stream can be overwhelming and lead to aimless scrolling.
Scroll no more! To help, we’ve rounded up the best movies and TV shows to stream this week, including new arrivals, nostalgia-filled favorites, book-to-screen adaptations and more. For the week of August 12 through August 18, 2024, there are several streaming releases worthy of a watch, including the much-anticipated first half of Netflix’s Emily in Paris season 4.
There are more new movies and notable television shows to look forward to watching in your downtime this week. Movie night is covered with Awkwafina and John Cena’s hilarious film JACKPOT!. If you’re in the mood for something scary, there’s the horror film Night Swim. Bad Monkey starring Vince Vaughn as a former-detective-turned-health-inspector debuts. Finally, reality fans won’t want to miss the premiere of RuPaul’s Drag Race Global All Stars set for this week.
It’s time to make your weekly streaming plans. Here are this week’s best TV shows and movies to stream.
ET, CBS, SHOWTIME, Nickelodeon and Paramount+ are subsidiaries of Paramount.
Emily in Paris (Season 4) – Part One
On August 15, Lily Collins is back as Emily Cooper in Netflix’s hit series Emily in Paris. Emily finds herself single after the events with her neighbor Gabriel (Lucas Bravo) and her ex-boyfriend Alfie (Lucien Laviscount) in season 3. Both suitors reenter Emily’s orbit shortly after she decides to embrace the single life and consider new men. Will it finally work out for one of these past lovers? Fans may have to wait to find out until part 2 of season 4 drops on September 12.
JACKPOT!
Starring John Cena and Awkwafina, JACKPOT! is directed by Bridesmaids‘ director Paul Feig. Set in 2030, Katie (Awkwafina) unexpectedly wins a Grand Jackpot and becomes a murder target as people try to steal her ticket to claim the money for themselves. Unexpected help comes from Noel (Cena) who vows to help her make it alive until she can cash out the prize. Simu Liu, Seann William Scott and Machine Gun Kelly also star in JACKPOT!, which premieres on Prime Video on August 15.
Bad Monkey
Andrew Yancy (Vince Vaughn) is let go from his detective job at the Miami PD due to his reckless behavior. Looking for work, he takes on the task of delivering a package to a recent widow (Meredith Hagner). When the wife doesn’t appear to be upset at her husband’s passing, he believes she has something to do with his untimely death. Diving back into the world of investigation, Yancy quickly finds himself in danger. Bad Monkey premieres on Apple TV+ on August 14.
Night Swim
Starring The Falcon and the Winter Soldier‘s Wyatt Russell and The Banshees of Inisherin‘s Kerry Condon, Night Swim will now be available on streaming after its run in theaters. Night Swim tells the story of the Waller family as they move into their new home. Excited to take advantage of the house’s swimming pool (which hasn’t been used in 15 years), the family soon learns something sinister resides in the depths. Night Swim premieres on Freevee on August 13.
RuPaul’s Drag Race Global All Stars
The Olympics may be over, but you can still watch the best competitors around the globe go head-to-head in RuPaul’s Drag Race Global All Stars. RuPaul has gathered the most fierce drag performers around the world to compete for a grand prize of $200,000. Alyssa Edwards from the original series and the All-Stars series will be representing the United States. RuPaul’s Drag Race Global All Stars premieres on Paramount+ on August 16.
The Instigators
Matt Damon and Casey Affleck star in The Instigators, a film about a heist gone wrong. When a desperate father (Damon) and ex-con (Affleck) are out of options, they partner up to rob a corrupt politician. When things go sideways, the two quickly realize they’re in over their heads. They convince a therapist (Hong Chau) to help them out before things get messy. The Instigators premiered on Apple TV+ on August 9.
Dance Moms: A New Era
Dance Moms is back, but with a new generation of dancers and moms, and a different coach at the center. Dance Moms: A New Era is everything you know and love about the original, just with new faces and new drama. Young dancers will be pushed to their limit as they try and take their skills to the next level. Dance Moms: A New Era premiered on Hulu on August 7.
The Umbrella Academy (Season 4)
The fourth and final season of Netflix’s Umbrella Academy premiered on August 8. This season, the Hargreeves siblings will go up against The Keepers. While we don’t know exactly what’s in store, based on past seasons we are sure to expect epic fight scenes, hilarious quips and all the dysfunctional family drama.
Are You Sure?!
Before their military enlistment, BTS’s Jimin and Jung Kook had a summer of fun in 2023. These moments are documented in Disney+’s new series Are You Sure?! The pair from the popular K-pop group vacation in the United States where they try new experiences that ultimately lead to chaos and laughter. The first two episodes of Are You Sure?! dropped to Disney+ on August 8.
French Girl
Zach Braff and Vanessa Hudgens star in French Girl, a movie now streaming on Freevee. Braff plays Gordon, a hopeless romantic who has his world turned upside down when his girlfriend moves to Quebec. To make things worse, his girlfriend will now be working closely with her ex (Hudgens). Misadventures ensue as Gordon does all he can to win back the love of his life.
Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Chicago Bears
The Emmy-winning sports series, Hard Knocks is back for its 19th edition. This year the documentary crew will follow the Chicago Bears at their training camp as they prepare for the upcoming NFL season. Football fans will get to go behind the scenes and see how General Manager Ryan Poles and Head Coach Matt Eberflus run the Chicago Bears. The first episode of Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Chicago Bears premiered on Max on August 6.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
Wes Ball, whose past projects include the Maze Runner trilogy, directs the latest film in the Planet of the Apes franchise. In Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, the apes have completely taken over and live in harmony, while humans hide in the shadows. When a new leader takes over and wants to end the human threat forever, an unlikely alliance forms between one human (The Witcher‘s Freya Allan) and a primate. The movie premiered on Hulu on August 2.
Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes
Elizabeth Taylor passed over a decade ago, but now viewers can hear the Hollywood icon’s story in her own words. Newly recovered interviews of Taylor have given unprecedented insight into the star’s life and are being shared in HBO’s latest documentary. Describing the complexity of her life and the struggles she faced through her legendary career, Taylor’s tapes provide viewers with a new side of the Cleopatra actress. Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes premiered on Max on August 3.
Batman: Caped Crusader
Prime Video’s take on Batman is already hitting the headlines with Minnie Driver voicing a gender-swapped Penguin. The new animated series, Batman: Caped Crusader, centers around Bruce Wayne’s quest for justice and the unexpected ramifications. Rated TV-14, this take on the DC hero is geared toward an older audience. All episodes of the show are now streaming via Prime Video.
Betrayal: A Father’s Secret (Docuseries)
ABC News Studio is releasing a second season of the docuseries, Betrayal, based on a popular true crime podcast. This season follows Ashley Lytton, a mother of three who accidentally discovers a sinister secret about her husband, Jason. The series follows the devastating series of events as Ashley and her family grapple with untangling a web of lies and truths. Betrayal: A Father’s Secret premiered on Hulu on July 30.
Futurama (Season 12)
Fry, Bender, Leela and the rest of the Planet Express gang are back for season 12 of Futurama. This is the second season debuting on Hulu since the revival of the beloved series. We don’t know exactly what is in store for the crew of the interplanetary delivery service, but we imagine they will travel to new worlds and find themselves on hilarious adventures. New episodes of Futurama will drop to Hulu each Monday.
Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie
In honor of SpongeBob’s 25th Anniversary, Sandy Cheeks is getting her very own movie on Netflix. When Bikini Bottom and its inhabitants are scooped out of the ocean, it’s up to the air-breathing Sandy to save the town. While many of your favorite aquatic characters — including Squidward and Patrick — will make appearances, this movie mostly takes place on land as Sandy enlists the help of her southern squirrel family to rescue her friends. Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie premiered on Netflix on August 2.
Learn more about SpongeBob Squarepants’ 25th Anniversary and shop limited-edition collaborations.
Olympic Highlights with Kevin Hart and Kenan Thompson
What’s better than sports coverage from experts who know what they’re talking about? Commentary from comedy legends Kevin Hart and Kenan Thompson — if you prefer laughs to actual insight. Peacock is the streaming home of the 2024 Summer Olympics, and that includes Olympic Highlights with Kevin Hart and Kenan Thompson, a talk-show-style series featuring recaps of the best moments and unexpected events with takes from the duo. The show premiered on July 26, the same day as the opening ceremonies.
Dress My Tour
Fans of Project Runway will want to check out Dress My Tour. Eleven fashion designers will compete to see their dreams of creating a look for the world’s biggest stars come true. Each week, Kate Upton will host as incredibly talented artists including JoJo Siwa, Ty Dolla $ign, Paula Abdul and Toni Braxton have fashion collections designed for their upcoming tours. But it’s not just the prestige these designers are after: They can also win $100,000. All episodes of the first season of Dress My Tour dropped to Hulu on July 23.
Time Bandits
Based on the 1981 film, Time Bandits is a new show coming to Apple TV+ created for television with the help of Taika Waititi. Starring Lisa Kudrow, Time Bandits follows Kevin (Kal-El Tuck) an 11-year-old history buff who accidentally goes back in time. Kevin must work with unlikely allies (a group of time-traveling thieves led by Kudrow’s character) to get back to save his family and home. Rated PG, this is a series the whole family can enjoy. Time Bandits premiered on Apple TV+ on July 24.
Knox Goes Away
Michael Keaton directs Knox Goes Away, an action-packed thriller starring Keaton, James Marsden, Al Pacino and Marcia Gay Harden. In the film, a professional hitman (Keaton) develops a rapid form of dementia with only weeks to live. When his son (Marsden) needs help clearing his name, the contract killer, who is losing his grasp of reality, must solve a case before the police do and before his time runs out. Knox Goes Away premiered on Max on July 26.
Cirque du Soleil: Without a Net
Acrobatics, death-defying stunts and incredible showmanship make Cirque du Soleil performances a one-of-a-kind entertainment experience. The iconic Las Vegas show, O, complete with a giant pool built into the stage for high diving feats, was shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cirque du Soleil: Without a Net documents this challenging time with the owners even declaring bankruptcy at one point. After 400 days, the performers and crew are given the all-clear to start practicing again and must adjust to a new normal. The documentary premiered on Prime Video on July 25.
Simone Biles Rising
Simone Biles shocked the world when she left the 2020 Tokoyo Olympics. In Netflix’s new series, Simone Biles Rising, Biles gets candid about this time in her life and the impact the events had on her mental health. The two-part series documents the steps Biles has taken since that day and how she moved on to a path of success for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics. Simone Biles Rising premiered on Netflix on July 17.
Lady in the Lake
A young girl disappears on Thanksgiving day in the 1960s. Maddie Schwartz (Natalie Portman) becomes fixated on the death and tries her hand at investigative journalism. Cleo Johnson (Moses Ingram) struggles to provide for herself and her family while working in Black Baltimore politics. While vastly different, their lives appear related, but Schwartz’s investigation puts everyone in danger. Lady in the Lake premiered on Apple TV+ on July 19.
My Spy The Eternal City
Looking for an action-packed film filled with hilarious scenes? Dave Bautista and Chloe Coleman are back for a second My Spy film, where they find themselves in Italy on a school trip. However, when the Vatican is under attack, the mission changes. Along with the iconic pair, other big stars like Ken Jeong, Kristen Schaal, Anna Faris and Craig Robinson appear in the movie. My Spy The Eternal City premiered on Prime Video on July 18.
Those About to Die
Anthony Hopkins and Game of Thrones‘ Iwan Rheon star in Peaock’s series Those About to Die. Set in the early Roman Empire, this show leads viewers into the gruesome sports where beasts battled soldiers to entertain the masses. The bloody, gladiatorial competitions are happening as the politics and dynasties begin to explode. Those About to Die premiered on Peacock on July 18.
Love Lies Bleeding
Kristen Stewart, Ed Harris and Katy O’Brian star in the A24 film Love Lies Bleeding. Lou (Stewart) is a reclusive gym owner who falls for a new bodybuilder in town, Jackie (O’Brian). As Jackie begins to work for the family’s gun range, she learns Lou Sr. (Harris) is actually at the center of a criminal enterprise. Love Lies Bleeding premiered on Max on July 19.
Descendents: The Rise of Red
Brandy and Paolo Montalban reprised their iconic Cinderella and Prince Charming roles in Disney+’s original movie, Descendents: The Rose of Red. In the fourth franchise of the Descendents series, Red, the daughter of the infamous Queen of Hearts, is invited to Auradon Prep. Red is excited about the experience, but her mother takes over campus in a coup on her first day. To save the school, Red and Cinderella’s daughter must go back in time to stop Red’s mom from becoming a villain. The family-friendly film premiered on Friday, July 12.
The Bachelorette (Season 21)
Listen up, Bachelor Nation: The newest season of The Bachelorette premiered on ABC on Monday, July 8, and began streaming on Hulu the next day. Season 21 stars Jenn Tran as The Bachelorette, who first appeared on Joey Graziadei‘s season of The Bachelor. Tran will attempt to find love among the 25 suitors vying for her attention.
Sunny
Rashida Jones stars in Apple TV’s new series, Sunny, which is part mystery, part thriller and part dark comedy. Jones stars as Suzie, whose life is devastated when her husband and son go missing after a plane crash. Suzie is gifted a robot named Sunny, allegedly created by her husband, despite his last known profession being refrigerator maintenance at an electronics company. As more questions arise, Suzie and Sunny work together to investigate the truth. Sunny premiered on Apple TV+ on Wednesday, July 10.
Melissa Etheridge: I’m Not Broken
Famed singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge struck tragedy when she lost her 21-year-old son from causes related to his opioid addiction. Since then, Etheridge has become inspired by letters she has received from women in prison, many of whom are also struggling with a substance addiction. Melissa Etheridge: I’m Not Broken documents the stories of these incarcerated women and the concert Etheridge performs at the correctional facility. The docuseries premiered on Paramount+ on Tuesday, July 9.
FAYE
Academy Award-winning actress Faye Dunaway is telling her story in HBO’s latest documentary, FAYE. In the doc, Dunaway speaks candidly about her difficult childhood and the challenges she faced throughout her legendary career. The iconic star is joined by those closest to her, including many celebrities who became famous in Hollywood’s “second Golden Age.” FAYE premiered on Max on Saturday, July 13.
Beverly Hills Cop 4: Axel F
After 30 years, Eddie Murphy once again steps into the role of Axel Foley. Beverly Hills Cop 4: Axel F features an all-star cast, including Judge Reinhold, Kevin Bacon, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Taylour Paige. Axel finds himself back in Los Angeles when his daughter (Paige) is in danger. While he might not have changed much since his last job, the city has. The much-anticipated film premiered on Netflix on July 3.
Space Cadet
Unhappy with her life as a bartender, Rex (Emma Roberts) decides to pursue her childhood dream of becoming an astronaut. Unbeknownst to Rex, her friend Nadine (Poppy Liu) recreates a fake resume that secures Rex’s admission into a NASA space training program. Chaos ensues as Rex must keep up with the charade. Tom Hopper and Gabrielle Union also star in Space Cadet, which premiered on Prime Video on July 4.
Back to Black
First released to theaters, Back to Black is exclusively streaming on Peacock as of Friday, July 5. Back to Black is a biopic about the life of best-selling artist Amy Winehouse. Viewers will see how Winehouse became one of the most popular talents of her time by watching the dramatization of her life from adolescence through her rise to stardom.
Hard Knocks: Offseason With the New York Giants
During the NFL season, you’ll see your favorite players on the television screen nearly every week. Typically, what goes on during the offseason is a bit of a mystery, but that’s no longer the case thanks to Max’s beloved docuseries. This season of offseason Hard Knocks follows general manager Joe Schoen as he navigates the scouting combine, draft and training camps during the Giants’ offseason. Hard Knocks: Offseason With the New York Giants premiered on Max on July 2.
A Family Affair
Zara Ford (Joey King) is the assistant to the self-absorbed, high-maintenance movie star Chris Cole (Zac Efron). Dealing with him is bad enough at work, but things become even more complicated when her mother (Nicole Kidman) and Chris begin to have a relationship. Zara doesn’t trust the superstar, but could the feelings between him and her mom be real? Find out by watching A Family Affair, which is streaming now on Netflix.
I Am: Celine Dion
Celine Dion‘s voice was her identity. Not only did she have chart-topping songs and spectacular concerts, but her iconic singing voice awed crowds without any of the extras. In 2022, Dion shared that she had developed a rare neurological condition called Stiff Person Syndrome which took her voice away from her. (Dion spoke about this diagnosis in an interview with Koda Hotb.) Now fans can see even more about her journey with the illness in a new, intimate documentary called I Am: Celine Dion, streaming on Prime Video as of June 25.
The Bear (Season 3)
FX’s Emmy-winning series The Bear is back for a third season. Tensions are higher than ever in the kitchen as Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) pushes his cousin (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), lead chef (Ayo Edebiri) and the rest of the kitchen staff to a new level to stay at their elite status. Will they be able to handle the heat? Find out when you watch the entire series that dropped to Hulu on Thursday, June 27.
Land of Women (Season 1)
Inspired by award-winning novelist Sandra Barneda’s work, Land of Women stars Eva Longoria as Gala. Gala is a socialite in NYC, but when her husband becomes indebted to criminals she must flee the country with her daughter and mother for their safety. Gala takes her unsuspecting relatives to her mother’s small hometown in Spain, where she loses her car and money early on their journey, forcing them to live with a local who takes pity on them. The series debuted on Apple TV+ on June 26.
Problemista
A24’s latest film to come to streaming is Problemista. Written and directed by Julio Torres, Problemista follows Alejandro (Torres) while he has one month left to find a sponsor for his visa — otherwise, he can’t stay in the United States. Alejandro’s only hope is the unpredictable woman he assists, an eccentric and erratic art studio owner played by Tilda Swinton. Problemista premiered on Max on Friday, June 28.
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