DCs Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is now playing in theaters around the world, but if you're the proud owner of a Netflix or Disney Plus subscription, you'd be forgiven for staying in this weekend given the quality of on-demand entertainment at your disposal.
Leading this week's streaming recommendations is the first entry in Zack Snyder's new big-budget film franchise, Rebel Moonwhich is joined on Netflix Master, another passion project years in the making, this time from actor-director Bradley Cooper. Superhero fans can enjoy Marvel's second season What if…? on Disney Plus, while Percy Jackson and the Olympians also makes its streaming debut this weekend.
Below, find our picks of the biggest new movies and TV shows to stream this weekend on Netflix, Prime Video, Max and more.
Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire (Netflix)
The first part of Zack Snyder's long-awaited space opera, Rebel Moon (also known as Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire), crashes on Netflix this weekend.
This big-budget sci-fi epic follows Kora (Sofia Boutella), a mysterious woman with a tragic past who, after being taken in by a remote farming community on the edge of the galaxy, is sent to find warriors from neighboring planets. an attempt to defeat a new spacefaring superpower. If that seems like a lot Star Warsthat is because Rebel Moon started life as Star Wars pitch, but as we learned in our interview with Zack Snyder himself, the film's influences are far greater and more varied.
Suffice it to say, Rebel Moon has left the critics divided, but divided in ours Rebel Moon review, we described Snyder's latest as “an explosive and riveting sci-fi epic” that's let down by “an anti-climatic feel” (so while it may be one of the best Netflix films for spectacle, perhaps not for story satisfaction ). A sequel, Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiveris scheduled for release on April 19, 2024.
Now available to stream on Netflix.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Disney Plus)
The latest (but first serialized) attempt to adapt Rick Riordan's best-selling fantasy novel series, Percy Jackson and the Olympiansstarts streaming this weekend on Disney Plus.
This eight-episode series centers on a 12-year-old modern-day demigod, Percy Jackson (Walker Scobell), who – while coming to terms with his new godlike powers – must restore order to Olympus when Zeus accuses him of using his master lightning bolt to have stolen. . Leah Sava Jeffries, Aryan Simhadri, Jason Mantzoukas, Lin-Manuel Miranda and the late Lance Reddick (in his final TV role) are also among the show's cast.
In our interview with Riordan himself, the author told us about his extensive involvement with Disney's new series, which – in our Percy Jackson and the Olympians review – we described as a “watchable, if slightly too serious, TV adaptation.” Stay tuned to see if it makes our list of the best Disney Plus shows.
Now available to stream on Disney Plus.
Master (Netflix)
Bradley Cooper is creating his prosthetic play for next year's Best Actor Oscar Masterwhich is now streaming on Netflix.
This new Netflix film – which represents the actor and filmmaker's first directorial project since 2018 A star is born – charts the lifelong romantic relationship between famed composer Leonard Bernstein (played by Cooper himself) and actress Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein (Carey Mulligan). Matt Bomer, Sarah Silverman, Maya Hawke and Josh Hamilton also star in this riveting drama about Bernstein's struggle to reconcile the many warring parts of himself.
Critics have described Master as 'towering and fearless', with Mulligan in particular receiving plaudits for her 'career best'.
Now available to stream on Netflix.
Marvel's What If…? season 2 (Disney Plus)
Marvel's alternate timeline What if…? series resumes this weekend with its highly anticipated second season on Disney Plus.
According to the show's official synopsis, What if…? season 2 “continues the journey as The Watcher guides viewers through the vast multiverse and introduces brand new and familiar faces to the MCU. The series interrogates, repeats and twists classic Marvel Cinematic moments with an incredible voice cast, including many stars reprising their iconic roles.”
Strange Supreme and Captain Carter are among the returning characters, while Nebula, Hela and Happy Hogan create their own characters What if…? debuts in season 2. Episode one is now available to stream, with new entries dropping every day for nine consecutive days.
Now available to stream on Disney Plus.
Dr. Death season 2 (Peacock)
Peacock's podcast-inspired medical thriller series, Dr. Deadreturns this weekend for its second season.
This time, the events center on 'Miracle Man' Paolo Macchiarini, a charming surgeon known for his innovative surgeries whose murderous ways are discovered by a group of doctors on the other side of the world. Edgar Ramírez, Mandy Moore and Luke Kirby all star.
All eight episodes of Dr. Dead season 2 – which critics have described as “a disturbing portrait of deceit, romance and complicity” – is now streaming on Peacock.
Now available to stream on Peacock.
James May: Our Man in India (Prime Video)
In light of the success of Clarkson's Farm (with a third season coming soon), another member of The Grand TourThe popular presenting trio, James May, is leading his own (or rather, another season of his own) Prime Video series this weekend.
In six episodes, James May: Our man in India follows the British presenter as he explores the ins and outs of the titular country. “Starting from the Arabian Sea and ending at the Bay of Bengal, (James') journey will cross incredible landscapes, from the scorching deserts of Rajasthan to the dramatic foothills of the Himalayas,” Amazon said.
Critics haven't had a chance to judge James May: Our man in India not yet, but given the surprisingly healthy nature of Clarkson's Farmwe're inclined to recommend this one to anyone who needs an easy watch this weekend.
Now available to stream on Prime Video.
Gwyneth vs. Terry: The Ski Crash Trial (Max)
If you're someone who cares a lot about the recently concluded ski crash trial between Gwyneth Paltrow and Terry Sanderson, Max has a new documentary just for you.
Called (wait for it…) Gwyneth vs. Terry: The Ski Crash Trial, this new Max film chronicles the “sensational” courtroom drama “that took the world by storm.” Now we wouldn't necessarily describe Paltrow's case in those terms, but anyone who enjoyed Netflix's mindless entertainment would Depp v. Heard documentary can also be enjoyed here.
Now available to stream on Max.