It’s a great weekend for streaming services of all shapes and sizes. From animated adventures to fast-paced sports documentaries, subscribers like Netflix, Prime video and HBO Max have a lot to chew over the next few days.
Leading the way are Disney’s Turning Red and Netflix’s The Adam Project, although both films are accompanied by multiple serial stories that can be enjoyed in more than one sitting (unless you’re prone to the occasional TV marathon, like us).
Below we’ve rounded up the seven biggest new arrivals to be seen on streaming platforms over the next few days – and yes, even AppleTVPlus get a glimpse this weekend.
Go Red (Disney Plus)
Now the star arrival on streamers this weekend is Pixar’s Turning Red, not least because the film was dropped from Disney’s theatrical schedule and instead immediately placed on Disney Plus (a decision that left its creator understandably frustrated).
The 25th animated feature film from world-renowned studio Turning Red tells the story of a young girl, Meilin “Mei” Lee (Rosalie Chiang), who transforms into a giant red panda when her emotions boil over. Killing Eve star Sandra Oh also plays Mei’s overbearing mother, while first-time filmmaker Domee Shi (best known as the director of Oscar-winning Pixar short Bao) directs the project.
By most accounts, Turning Red is another typically charming (and beautifully rendered) Pixar creation, making it an easy recommendation for your weekend watch list. A making-of special, Embrace the Panda, is also streaming today on Disney Plus for those interested in seeing how this furry creation came to be.
Now available to stream on Disney Plus.
The Adam Project (Netflix)
One of the biggest New Netflix Movies of the year, The Adam Project finds a time-traveling pilot (Ryan Reynolds) who is forced to team up with his younger self and late father to confront his past and save the future. Still confused? Join the club.
This latest feature film from Free Guy director Shawn Levy also stars Mark Ruffalo, Jennifer Garner and Zoe Saldaña, and it seems to display more of the same playful humor and heart we’ve seen from Reynolds/Levy projects in recent years expect.
Critical reception has been decidedly mixed so far, although the consensus seems to be that The Adam Project is little more than harmless popcorn entertainment (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, mind you).
Now available to stream on Netflix.
The Last Days of Ptolemy Gray (Apple TV Plus)
The 2022 Movie List from Apple TV Plus may promise a bright feature-length future for the aspiring streamer, but projects like The Last Days of Ptolemy Gray ensure it can also compete with competing platforms.
A six-part adaptation of the Walter Mosley novel, this series follows Samuel L. Jackson as an elderly dementia patient who, after being abandoned by his family, falls into the care of an unsuspecting teenager (Dominique Fishback of Project Power). Together, the two discover a treatment that could temporarily restore the man’s memories – but only at the risk of uncovering unwanted secrets about his past.
The Last Days of Ptolemy Gray has received generally positive reviews so far, with particular praise for Jackson’s “best performance of his career”. We are, to say the least, intrigued.
Now available to stream on Apple TV Plus.
Formula 1: Drive to Survive Season 4 (Netflix)
The fourth season of Netflix’s acclaimed Formula 1 docu-series is arguably the most anticipated of its three-year run.
After the controversial end of last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which saw Max Verstappen dramatically dethrone Lewis Hamilton as Formula One World Champion, all eyes are on whether Netflix can deliver an equally thrilling retelling of the most exciting season in history of the sport.
Expect dirty politics, backstage busts, and plenty of burning rubber as the 10-episode series races to its shocking conclusion.
Now available to stream on Netflix.
Victory Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty (HBO Max)
Staying with sports, Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty arrives on HBO Max this week to fill the basketball-shaped hole left by Netflix’s The Last Dance.
Don’t look up Director Adam McKay executive produced this 10-episode drama series that chronicled the rise of the Los Angeles Lakers – a team that included legendary NBA stars Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – and the fortunes of their then-owner Jerry Buss (John C Reilly).
This one is currently only available on HBO Max, but we expect it to arrive in the UK on Sky Atlantic and Now TV at a later date.
Now available to stream on HBO Max in the US.
Upload Season 2 (Prime Video)
The second season of Prime Video’s quirky sci-fi comedy Upload lands on streamers this weekend.
Greg Daniels (of US adaptation of The Office and co-creation of Parks and Recreation) returns to the writing chair for new episodes in which protagonist Nathan is forced to come to terms with the awkward arrival of his ex-girlfriend at his deal with the virtual afterlife.
Returning fans of the series will almost certainly be able to enjoy a lot more of Upload’s second outing, though critics who dismiss the series as a The Good Place rip-off aren’t going to change their minds any time soon. If you’re here, check out our chat with Daniels and the show’s cast for Season 2.
Now available to stream on Prime Video.
Dune (HBO Max)
Arrive before this year oscars and BAFTA Ceremonies (for which the film received several nominations), dune returns to HBO Max for those who might have missed its theatrical debut (and fleeting streaming gig) last year.
Denis Villeneuve directs this latest attempt to adapt Frank Herbert’s groundbreaking science fiction novel, which stars Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides, a gifted young prince who is forced to travel the most dangerous planets in the universe to… ensure the survival of his people. The likes of Zendaya, Josh Brolin, Dave Bautista, Oscar Isaac and Jason Momoa also star, so this really is the definition of a blockbuster – it even has a banging Hans Zimmer score to boot.
Recent news indicates such Florence Pugh and Austin Butler will join the cast of Villeneuve’s in-production sequel, so there’s no better time to familiarize yourself with the first part of Herbert’s iconic story. Read our behind-the-scenes interviews with Villeneuve and the film’s crew if you want a few extra details on this interview.
Now available to stream on HBO Max.
