This Weekend's Entertainment Guide: Fresh Shows and Films to Binge on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and More Platforms
This weekend brings joy to many, as a beloved streaming series returns, much like an early Christmas present. Winter break has commenced for students everywhere, and the festive season is just around the corner. The fast-approaching celebration has left many feeling time is fleeting, as it tends to do.
Each week, I scour through the best shows and movies added to streaming platforms, as well as theaters, to share with you in this friendly neighborhood streaming guide. From critically acclaimed releases to lesser-known gems, I aim to provide you with a well-rounded list of entertainment options. No matter an individual's preferences, there's something for everyone, as certain tastes may captivate some, while others will find enjoyment in supposedly less popular choices.
Regrettably, there aren't many Christmas-themed shows or movies available this weekend, but fear not, as there are plenty of classic options to choose from to get you in the holiday spirit. If anything escapes my attention in this guide, don't hesitate to send me a tip via Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky, or Facebook.
Let's dive right in!
What's New & Notable This Weekend (12/13/24)
The Dragon Prince Final Season (Netflix)
The highly anticipated final season of one of my favorite animated Netflix series has arrived. The Dragon Prince dropped all 9 episodes of its seventh season last Thursday, leaving me both eager to continue watching and anxious about the story coming to an end – unless Netflix decides to renew it for another adventure in the same fantasy universe. If you're a fan of Avatar: The Last Airbender, you'll definitely enjoy this delightful series, suitable for the whole family.
Juror #2 (Max)
Clint Eastwood's latest film has gone relatively unnoticed, but Juror #2 stars Nicholas Hoult in a morally complex role as a juror who experiences a difficult predicament while serving on a jury for a crime that may have been committed by him.
Beast Games (Prime Video)
Beast Games, from YouTube sensation Mr. Beast, has brought 1,000 contestants together to compete in various challenges for prizes and the delight of young audiences. Though many might wonder why it's not available on YouTube instead.
What If...? Season 3 (Disney+)
The third season of the Marvel animated series about alternative versions of various MCU characters returns, exploring some intriguing concepts that I haven't fully engaged with, but seem interesting based on the little I've seen.
The Six Triple Eight (Netflix)
History enthusiasts who enjoy World War II films might be interested in The Six Triple Eight, the story of the only US Women's Army Corp unit of black women stationed overseas. Despite receiving a mediocre 48% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, it's a must-watch for those who love this genre.
Virgin River Season 6 (Netflix)
I'm not familiar with Virgin River, but with Netflix renewing it for its sixth season, it must have a dedicated following that is eagerly anticipating its return.
Laid (Peacock)
Laid is an intriguing premise, starring Stephanie Hsu as a woman named Ruby who investigates her past romantic relationships after noticing that her ex-partners have been dying in mysterious circumstances.
Earth Abides (MGM+)
I've heard mixed reviews of Earth Abides, a new post-apocalyptic series that debuted on MGM+ after the FROM Season 3 finale. Though I haven't yet watched it, some of my readers have highly recommended it. If you're a Vikings fan, you might recognize Alexander Ludwig as the lead character, Isherwood Williams.
Sing 2 (Peacock)
If you enjoyed the first Sing, you can now stream the popular children's movie on Peacock this Sunday. Or, rather, you can stream it tomorrow.
Anora (VOD)
I am intrigued by Anora, a film described as a modern-day Pretty Woman but with more muscle. Directed by Sean Baker, the talented filmmaker behind The Florida Project, it has received rave reviews. Despite being available on VOD with a $20 price tag, I am tempted to purchase it based on the buzz surrounding it.
Carry-On (Netflix)
I featured Carry-On in my previous guide, but I recently watched the movie and wrote my review, so I think it's worth mentioning again as one of the only Christmas movies available this weekend. Though it's a fairly standard thriller, it keeps your attention and maintains a tense atmosphere throughout.
Hidden Realm debuted additional 7 episodes on Prime Video this week, and I'm leaning more towards "Fair-Weathered" in terms of quality. The series struggles with a shortage of narrative. The segments are quite brief. Some are remarkable—Warhammer 40k—but numerous are merely adequate. (Prime Video)
Dexter: Origins has arrived and I'm compelled to delve into it since enthusiasts appear generally optimistic about the show. Indubitably more cheerful than New Blood, which incited quite a divide among fans and left many of them rather disillusioned. (Paramount)
Star Wars: Barebones continues to charm me. The fourth episode was quite entertaining and I truly believe Jude Law is the most captivating addition to Star Wars since Andor appeared. I'd eagerly watch a Crimson Jack film about his interstellar pirate escapades. (Disney+)
Diminish's second season is almost drawing to a close. I'm slightly behind by one episode but should be up-to-date before the finale this upcoming week. While not quite as formidable as the first, the second season is nonetheless exceptional. I can't recommend this heartfelt, deeply stirring series with sufficient fervor. (Apple TV)
And so forth. Although Yellowstone has concluded, Taylor Sheridan's Landman is airing on Paramount+ with a new episode out on Sunday. I've found myself somewhat...restless with Silo's second season on Apple, but I'll likely just have to sit down and gulp down a few episodes to catch up on that one too. I also require to catch up on a couple of Outlander episodes. That's a show I prefer to binge as well, so I occasionally pause for a few weeks and then devour three or four episodes at a time.
What programs are you indulging in these days? Any Christmas film suggestions? Share your thoughts on Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky or Facebook.
Additional Readings from Yours Truly:
- Revisit last week’s streaming guide right here.
- Here's my review of *Carry-On.*
- I've jotted down some musings about the new Superman trailer.
- Silo has been revived.
- The remarkable anthology series The White Lotus has a Season 3 teaser. It seems fantastic.
Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel!
- If you're looking for something new to stream this weekend, you might enjoy 'Anora', a film described as a modern-day 'Pretty Woman' with more muscle, directed by Sean Baker. Despite being available on VOD with a $20 price tag, it's attracting a lot of attention.
- Speaking of 'Anora', if you're a fan of animation, you might also want to check out 'The Dragon Prince Final Season' on Netflix. The much-anticipated final season of this beloved series just dropped last week.
- If you're in the mood for something classic this weekend, how about streaming 'What to Watch: Juror #2'? This morally complex film starring Nicholas Hoult went relatively unnoticed, but it's definitely worth a watch.
- If you're looking for something new on Netflix this weekend, be sure to check out 'What to Stream: New Netflix Shows'. There are plenty of new streaming shows to choose from, including 'The Dragon Prince Final Season' and 'Juror #2'.
- Finally, if you're looking for something to watch this weekend but aren't sure what to stream, why not consider 'What to Watch on Netflix'? This guide offers a great selection of new and classic shows and movies to choose from, including 'The Dragon Prince Final Season' and 'Juror #2'.
