What to watch: 5 things you should be streaming on Netflix and more
Great shows and movies you should be streaming on Netflix and beyond.
Welcome to the WatchList, the ultimate place to find out the best things to stream this week - what you should be watching at the weekend and beyond.
Each week we will look at some fantastic new things that have landed on the likes of Netflix, Prime Video, NOW TV, Apple TV Plus and Disney Plus.
We have spent A LONG time watching things on all these streaming services. So, if you want more of an in-depth look at the shows and movies you can stream the please head to the following guides.
- The best Apple TV Plus shows, revealed
- The best Netflix shows and best movies on Netflix
- The best Amazon Prime Series and best movies on Amazon Prime Video
- The best Disney Plus shows and best Disney Plus movies
- The best NOW TV shows and best movies on NOW TV
Still here? Then what you are after are a handful of recommendations to stop you endlessly scrolling into next week.
1. Palm Springs
Yes, the Groundhog Day trope of repeating the same day over and over has been used a fair few times of late (Happy Death Day, Russian Doll) but it's used ingeniously again in this Sundance smash. Andy Samberg is Nyles, a wedding guest at a luxury hotel along with his girlfriend Misty (Meredith Hagner). He finds someone at the party he has a connection with and, well, it unravels from there. It's fantastic fun and you'll find yourself laughing out loud more than once.
2. Invincible
Wow, we didn't think that the superhero genre could get more impressive than what the MCU is offering but this is a fantastic stab at the top spot. Invincible is an adaptation of Robert Kirkman's graphic novel (Walking Dead) and is a fantastic look at what it means to have a superhero for a dad and what happens when you start to develop powers yourself. There's twist and turns aplenty and we're loving the 90s-style animation used. This one is currently streaming weekly.
3. Thunder Force
Another Superhero movie but this is more about the farce than the Force in the title. Thunder Force follows Melissa McCarthy and Octavia Spencer, two high-school friends who went on two very different paths. Spencer's Emily is now a tech giant who can create superheroes. And, well, you can probably guess what happens next. Not every gag hits, but there's enough to like here. Plus, it has Jason Bateman in with a fetching mullet and crab claws.
4. Run
We saw someone on Twitter describe this movie as 'that bit in Misery but for 90 minutes' and we couldn't describe it better ourselves. Run is a taught, tense thriller - about a teenager with disabilities who believes her mother may be up to something - that simply doesn't let up. Sarah Paulson, as always, is fantastic but it's the leading turn of Kiera Allen as Chloe which is standout.
5. The Flight Attendant
It's great to see Kaley Cuoco unshackled from The Big Bang Theory and in something that's actually decent. Here she is a booze-soaked flight attendant who wakes up in a rather compromising situation. The comedy is dark with this one and it does touch and while the continual shift in tone won't be for everyone, we were gripped.
Previously on WatchList
1. Zack Snyder's Justice League
It's four hours long and in 4:3 (definitely not widescreen) but don't let that put you off as Zack Snyder has created an epic superhero movie that's as bombastic as it is self indulgent. If you weren't a fan of the original cut, then we reckon this one might sway you - Snyder's re-edits and additional shots really do add to the movie.
2. The Falcon And The Winter Soldier
While it hasn't quite grabbed us as WandaVision did, The Falcon And The Winter Soldier has gotten off to a solid start, showcasing the aftermath of Avengers: Endgame and just how much a burden Captain America's shield actually is. This is traditional Marvel fare but we reckon there are some twists to come.
3. Creation Stories
Available exclusively on Sky Cinema and NOW TV, Creation Stories is a fun, punky look at the inception of some of the greatest indie bands of all time. We spoke to the actor who played Noel Gallagher recently and him and the rest of the cast look like they are having a blast in the movie. Trainspotting's Ewen Bremmer plays Alan McGee in the movie, the boss of Creation Records and writer of the autobiography this movie is based on.
4. Formula 1: Drive To Survive
Now into its third season, Formula 1: Drive To Survive has really hit its stride, forgoing the 'what is F1 anyway' vibe of the first two seasons and going more for die hard fans. This season is perhaps the most exciting yet as it shows what happens when Covid-19 strikes and what has to be done to keep the sport going.
5. Line Of Duty
Okay, we'll admit that like the rest of the land, we haven't actually seen any of Line of Duty Season 6 yet but how can it not be on the WatchList? The twistiest police drama around is back and there are certain to be more cliff-hangers than a Sylvester Stallone movie.
- Watch Line of Duty on BBC iPlayer (1-5 are streaming now, season 6 from 22 March)
1. Cherry
Tom Holland reunites with MCU directing stalwarts The Russo Brothers for this harrowing tale of an ex army veteran who, while suffering from PTSD, develops a drug addiction and robs banks to fund it. Not one for Spidey's younger fans, then, but this is an assured movie that proves Apple Plus TV is doing a lot of things right in the streaming world.
2. Judas And The Black Messiah
We were lucky enough to speak to Jesse Plemons about his role in Judas And The Black Messiah but this really is Daniel Kaluuya's movie. He plays Black Panther head Fred Hampton whose party is infiltrated by an FBI informant. It's a jaw-dropping story and the jaw drops further when you realise that it's all completely true.
3. The Terror
If you didn't see this first time around on AMC, then you definitely need to watch The Terror. It's an old-school horror TV show about a polar expedition that goes very wrong. You'll hardly believe what's going on is based on a true tale. Chilling stuff!
4. Yes Day
It's time to switch off your brain for this one - something we all need to do right now - and watch this funny, warm movie that's about some parents who have to do everything their kids tell them for one day. It's like a prepubescent Purge mixed with Yes Man. Jennifer Garner and Édgar Ramírez look like they are having a blast as the parents.
5. Moxie
This has been on Netflix a few weeks now, but we only just got round to watching it. We're glad we did: this movie by Amy Poehler does everything right showcasing the fierce fight for feminism in the classroom.
Previously on the WatchList
1. WandaVision
If you have been waiting for WandaVision to finish so you can binge-watch the whole thing then now is your chance. All 9 episodes are ready to stream and it's an absolute treat. While it starts off quite small and strangely funny, the world building and set pieces ramp up for an explosive finale. TV may never be the same after this show - as it's indistinguishable in quality from its big-screen brethren.
2. Coming 2 America
This long gestating sequel - it's been 33 years - to the hit 80s comedy once again shows off the myriad talents of Eddie Murphy. Scripted by the makers of the original - although John Landis is replaced by Craig Brewer in the director's seat - we see Prince Akeem (Murphy) head back to America to get in touch with his long-lost son. There are cameos aplenty in the movie and these are worth the Prime Video subscription alone.
To celebrate the release, Prime Video has enlisted the help of legendary newsreader Trevor McDonald who reveals in a special report that Prince Akeem has bought 5 landmarks across Europe.
BREAKING NEWS: King Akeem of Zamunda has purchased an iconic London landmark. More now from lead ZNN anchor, Sir Trevor McDonald, who reports he could also be #Coming2America.
— Amazon Prime Video UK (@primevideouk) March 4, 2021
3. Raya And The Last Dragon
Like Mulan, this one is another of those Premier Access movies you can get on Disney Plus. It's a beautiful movie that focuses on Raya, voiced by Kelly Marie Tran, who goes on an adventure to find the last dragon and save the world of Kumandra. The animation is stunning, the plot profound - this one is worth paying out for.
4. Biggie: I Got A Story To Tell
This latest Netflix documentary is a superb look at one of the greatest rappers who ever lived. Friend of Biggie's Damion Butler provides unseen footage of the rapper, while there's a ton of talking heads to explain more about his life. While some aspects of his life are missed (there's no Lil' Kim) this is a compelling documentary that showcases a life cut cruelly short.
5. Your Honor
There's twists galore in Your Honor, the new TV show starring Brian Cranston. In his first main television role since Breaking Bad he plays a judge that goes to great lengths to cover up a crime his son commits. You can binge-watch this one, as all episodes are streaming right now on Sky and NOW TV.
1. News of the World
Paul Greengrass’ latest is his most cinematic movie yet (while it’s shot on handheld there’s no shaky cam shots here). It stars Tom Hanks as a Civil War veteran going from town to town reading the news to those that want to listen. He finds himself in the care of a girl and has to take her hundreds of miles back to her family, despite various dangers on the way. While it doesn’t always work, there is plenty here to like - Hanks and Helena Zengel are fantastic as the two leads and this is a gorgeous-looking and expansive movie throughout.
2. Greenland
Well, we weren’t expecting this. When we heard Gerard Butler was starring in a disaster movie, premiering on Prime Video, we stupidly thought it would be a bargain bin midnight watch at best, but this is serious stuff. Greenland is about a comet hitting earth and the implications of this. While the action is taut, it’s the character-driven moments that really shine through. More of this please, Gerard!
3. The Map of Tiny Perfect Things
Yes, it’s another movie about the same day being played over and over. But like Happy Death Day and Russian Doll, The Map of Tiny Perfect Things finds new things in the trope. 17-year-old Mark (Kyle Allen) is reliving the same summer day again and again. He finds another who is facing the same plight, though. Him and Margaret (Kathryn Newton) decide to make the most of their situation and start collecting the small but brilliant things that happen in their town.
4. Crime Scene: The Vanishing At Cecil Hotel
This could be better but we were mesmerised by the exploits of Cecil Hotel, a hotel in LA which has had its fair share of bad things happen in it. One of the latest is the case of missing girl Elisa Lam. The doc is intriguing and could probably do without the rumours of hauntings but it’s a decent watch nonetheless.
5. Can’t Get You Out Of My Head
This is magnificent... depending on your take on Adam Curtis, that is. Personally we think he is fantastic at cutting through the norm to explain just what the hell is happening with the world right now. But then again we were the folks at Uni listening to Radiohead at 3am and quoting Chomsky. Here are six brilliant episodes that are full of his documentarian wit and wisdom that focus on the ‘emotional history of the modern world’.
Previously on the WatchList
1. The Crown Season 4
The Crown continues with the fourth season focusing on the tumultuous marriage between Prince Charles and Diana. Emma Corrin stars as Diana and she is superb as the People’s Princess - she’ll just be in it for this season, though, as time jumps in future seasons will mean that Elizabeth Debicki will be playing the character.
2. Aunty Donna's Big Old House Of Fun
This absurdist sketch is an absolute treat. There’s so much packed into each 20 minute episode that you’ll want to rewatch them just to catch everything. Made by Aussie live comedy supremos Aunty Donna, they transfer fantastically well to the small screen. More of this stuff please, Netflix.
3. Trial 4
Trial 4 is a documentary that highlights systemic racism and corruption in the US justice system. Trial 4 is about Sean Ellis, a 19 year old jailed for killing a police officer. The documentary charts the fight for a fourth trial where he tries to prove his innocence. It’s a shocking doc that shows just how much the US justice system needs to change.
4. James May Oh Cook
Yep, it’s another cooking show but you can’t help but like James May and the shows he does away from all that car nonsense. Here he tries to cook (he proclaims that he can’t) and dishes out some anecdotes about the food he’s making along the way. It’s all good fun and a far cry from the polished cookery shows we are all used to.
5. The Simpsons: Season 31
The Simpsons is back for its 31st season - its new home, Disney Plus, has all episodes ready and waiting to be streamed. Is it as good as it used to be? God no, but there’s still plenty here to laugh about, including a couple of Brexit jokes thrown in for good measure.
1. Truth Seekers
2. The Mandalorian: S2
3. His House
4. The Queen’s Gambit
5. Queen & Slim
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
Unsolved Mysteries: S2
Star Trek Discovery: S3
Rebecca
Parasite
A Beautiful Day In The Neighbourhood
One of the most heart-warming movies of recent years. A Beautiful Day In The Neighbourhood is about US TV legend Fred Rodgers and his relationship with troubled journalist Lloyd Vogel. Tom Hanks is majestic as the ever-optimistic Rodgers, Matthew Rhys superb as the grizzled journalist who is trying to profile him and find cracks in his kind facade.
While Rodgers may not be as well known in the UK, director Marielle Heller proves once again (after Can You Ever Forgive Me? And The Diary of a Teenage Girl) that she is one of the best directors around.
Tiny World
This is a lovely nature documentary about the smaller things in life - Narrated by Paul Rudd (which already makes it 10x more awesome than most docs), it’s filled with fantastic macro photography of insects and tiny creatures. The initial six episodes are based in different habitats: from the jungle to the outback to the good ol’ garden.
Welcome To The Blumhouse: Nocturne
A number of Blumhouse-produced movies have landed on Prime Video - they are a mixture of horror and thriller. While not all of them hit, we were taken by Nocturne. It’s Black Swan-lite with an over-zealous piano prodigy who does a dangerous deal to make sure she surpasses her older sister. Sydney Sweeney stars.
My Octopus Teacher
Another wonderful nature doc hits our WatchList this week, My Octopus Teacher is about a burnt-out nature filmmaker who starts diving in his hometown of Cape Town and begins to notice an octopus that starts to trust him. The footage the filmmakers get of Craig Foster during his year following the octopus is just fantastic, we seemingly see a real bond between man and creature, as is the message throughout.
The Trial Of The Chicago 7
Aaron Sorkin’s tale of the cultural uprising of the late 60 that led to riots is about a time of tumult. The Vietnam War was still burning, the death of Martin Luther King Jr loomed large, the radicalisation of youths thanks to constant footage on the TV of police brutality was everywhere.
What happened divided a nation (mostly by age) and this is a decent effort at telling the story of the Chicago 7, protesters in the dock for their part in the riots. Given the political fumes we are all breathing in right now are still toxic, this feels like a movie about current events, starring some amazing actors, including Jeremy Strong, Mark Rylance and Sacha Baron Cohen.
The Haunting Of Bly Manor
The Haunting Of Bly Manor is an exquisitely told tale from the twisted mind of Mike Flanagan. If that name doesn't sound familiar then his film and TV output will. He made the equally scary The Haunting of Hill House, as well as some of the best Stephen King adaptations - including Gerald's Game and Doctor Sleep.
Here he takes the frightening tales of Henry James, namely The Turn Of The Screw, and modernises the story - now it's based in the 80s and focuses on an au pair who is hired by the folks at Bly Manor. Soon staying there she starts to see ghostly goings on. Told in a flashback of sorts, the story is woven seamlessly through nine episodes and while it doesn't have as many scares as Hill House, it's still a fantastic watch.
The Right Stuff
Tom Wolfe's seminal novel has been given the TV treatment by Disney and National Geographic and the results are a Mad Men style look at astronauts in the 60s preparing for their missions to space. While it doesn't quite encapsulate the feel of the brilliant film (or book), it is a decent retelling of a manned spaceflight program that was put in place to make sure the US outflanked the Soviets.
The good news here is that The Right Stuff doesn't just focus on the glitz and glamour of going into space and being an astronaut but the fraught behind-the-scenes battles that were going on to make the ambitious space program actually work.
Ted Lasso
This is an absolute joy of a show on Apple TV Plus and certainly shows that the streaming service has got a lot to give when it's competing with the likes of Netflix.
Ted Lasso stars Jason Sudeikis and is about US American Football coach Ted Lasso switching countries and going to the UK to try and train a London football team for the top flight. It's feel-good television at its finest (Lasso's endless optimism will warm the coldest of hearts), with the fish-out-of-water trope used to good effect.
The show is packed with great UK actors and while it's a little strange to see a US version of the UK (the shows creators are all from the US), it really does work.
The Twilight Zone: S2
Although episodes are dropping weekly on Sky, you can stream all of the second season of The Twilight Zone: Season Two on NOW TV. Like the first season some episodes are better than others but Jordan Peele's re-imagining of The Twilight Zone show is well worth a watch.
The first episode where WestWorld's Jimmi Simpson starring as a bachelor who has a psychic connection with someone he has never met before. While for the most part this is a match made in heaven, things take a very dark turn. You Might Also Like is also superb - it's all about trying to make America great again and, well, you can guess what happens.
The Walking Dead: World Beyond
Now streaming on Prime Video, this one is more a curio piece for fans of The Walking Dead. While we aren't convinced with the first episode of this show, which is set after the events of TWD, it is intriguing - following teenage survivors from the zombie apocalypse and features some familiar aspects, including the shadowy government agency Civic Republic Military.
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