15 Shows and Movies to Watch This Weekend

Yes, there are a ton of streaming services, and, yes, there's lots 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 watch.

2026 has already given us five must-see shows (and two new series you can skip). And this week, there are even more viewing options arriving.

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 exciting new seasons for hits like Shrinking and Bridgerton, star-studded films like The Moment and epic awards shows like The Grammys. Enjoy the best selections (recommended by yours truly) on Netflix, Apple TV+, in theaters and more.

From School Spirits season three to Send Help, here's what to watch this weekend.

• Rating: TV-MA
• Number of seasons: 4

Alert Lady Whistledown: Bridgerton is back for season four, this time with Benedict taking the lead. And it seems he's got his eye on the mysterious Lady in Silver. Sure, it's not as steamy as Heated Rivalry, but I'll still be watching.

• Rating: TV-MA
• Number of seasons: 3

Who knew legendary film actor Harrison Ford would be one of the biggest (and funniest) TV stars of the 2020s? It certainly wasn't on my bingo card, but I'm so excited he (and the rest of the hot-mess-therapist gang) is returning for season three.

• Rating: TV-PG
• Runtime: 240 minutes

The performances will be epic, and the fashion will be wild. The 2026 Grammys are this Sunday, with Trevor Noah set to host and Sabrina Carpenter, Addison Rae and Pharrell Williams set to perform. Personally, I'll have my fingers crossed for surprise performances from Gaga and Bad Bunny.

• Rating: R
• Runtime: 103 minutes

The Queen of Lime Green, Charli xcx, brings us this meta mockumentary about a rising pop star as she tackles her first arena tour. Kylie Jenner even makes a cameo and, as Charli herself says, "She was just phenomenal."

• Rating: TV-14
• Number of seasons: 1

Early reviews are strong for this latest Marvel TV show—it already has an 89 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In the Disney+ series, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II plays a struggling actor who gains super powers. This isn't his first time at the superhero rodeo though—Abdul-Mateen also starred in Aquaman and Watchmen.

• Rating: N/A
• Number of seasons: 1

Kaley Cuoco, everyone's second-favorite Big Bang Theory star (#TeamSheldon), leads this high-stakes thriller. A couple heads on a trip to Paris, but things don't go as planned when Cuoco's boyfriend suddenly disappears. Cue the intrigue.

• Rating: R
• Runtime: 113 minutes

Um, this isn't your mama's Rachel McAdams. The trailer for Send Help looks absolutely bonkers, and McAdams looks intense to say the least. Two co-workers are stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash—and a fun, horror-filled battle for survival ensues.

• Rating: TV-MA
• Number of seasons: 3

Maddy (aka Peyton List) gets her body back for season three of this ghost drama. And as the living and the dead try to figure out the mystery, longtime fans of the show will finally get some much-desired answers.

• Rating: R
• Runtime: 113 minutes

I love a dark-comedy/drama, but even more than that, I love any movie or show starring Rose Byrne. I fell in love with her in Bridesmaids, fawned over her onstage performance in Medea and, now, I'm rooting for her to take home the Oscar for If I Had Legs I'd Kick You (she already nabbed the Globe), newly added to HBO.

• Rating: TV-PG
• Number of seasons: 24

Sure, the buzz has been high for the new Netflix talent show reboot, Star Search, but that won't stop Ryan Seacrest, who returns as host of American Idol season 24. Minor spoiler: The new season kicks off with an onscreen proposal (it appears A.I. really is pulling out all the stops...).

• Rating: R
• Runtime: 124 minutes

I honestly wouldn't be too worried about the plot on this one. It's an action comedy starring Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista, and it features bad guys, car chases, explosions and 'ninjas on bikes.'

• Rating: 18+
• Number of seasons: 1

You might not recognize the faces in this new series, but that doesn't mean it's not worth the watch. Rita is out to catch a coldblooded killer in this dark, psychological thriller. It's slower, more methodical...think the opposite of The Wrecking Crew.

• Rating: N/A
• Number of seasons: 1

I love true-crime as much as the next person, but this three-part docuseries looks downright disturbing. (No, that won't stop me from watching.) The show tells the horrific story of the "Deadpool Killer" and the online mania that followed his murder spree.

• Rating: 16+
• Number of seasons: 1

Sansa Stark herself, Sophie Turner, stars in this heist thriller—which is now one of my favorite two shows of the year so far. The limited series on Prime Video may have fewer dragons than GoT, but it features similar major stakes and surprising twists.

• Rating: 8+
• Number of seasons: 1

American Idol has a little competition as the show that first brought us Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera returns for an all-new live Netflix iteration. (I'll be watching...and probably singing along.)

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