7 new movies and TV shows to stream on Netflix, Prime Video, Max, and more this weekend (August 16)
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and Emily in Paris season 4 part 1 lead this week’s recommendations
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It’s surreal to think that we’re already halfway through August but, as we wave goodbye to another week of working hard, it’s time to settle into your favorite spot in your house. Yep, the one parked right in front of your TV (or smartphone, we’re not judging you).
You’ll want to do so this weekend, too. Indeed, there are plenty of fantasticnew moviesto stream on the likes of Max andPrime Video, such asFuriosa: A Mad Mad Saga, and the return of fan-favorite shows on Disney Plus andNetflix, includingEmily in Paris. No matter what genre you’re most fond of, TechRadar has got you covered with a veritable bounty of top-tier recommendations. Enjoy!
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (Max)
I’ve waited months forFuriosa: A Mad Max Sagato make its home debut. Okay, I’ve been able to rent or but it on various video on-demand platforms since early July, but why would I pay to watch theMad Maxpre-sequel flick when I knew it was going to land onMaxsome time?
Well,Furiosa: A Mad Max Sagahas gobbled up some guzzoline, fired up its engine, and finally sped onto the super streamer. At the start of the month, I didn’t expect it to be one of August’snew Max moviesbut, with Warner Bros. Discovery confirming itsofficial streaming debut on Maxjust one week ago (August 9), this is a wonderful surprise that came out of nowhere. I’ll be adding it to ourbest Max movieslist accordingly, but not until I’ve streamed it more than once this weekend. Altogether now: Witness meeeee!
Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter
Emily In Paris season 4 part 1 (Netflix)
I’ve watched all three seasons ofEmily in Parisand can’t wait for the next series afterthathuge cliff-hanger in season 3, so you can understand my excitement now thatEmily in Parisseason 4 part one is finally here.
For those that haven’t seen it:Emily in Parisstars Lily Collins as Chicago marketing executive Emily Cooper, who moves to Paris to work for a French marketing firm. While there, she tries to navigate her complicated love life, friendships and work challenges that make for some amusing comedy capers.
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It’s silly, quirky and cheesy, which makes one of thebest Netflix showsperfect for some light-hearted entertainment. Oh, and I can’t wait to see what outrageous fashion moments are in store forEmily in Parisseason 4 part 1.
Grace Morris, entertainment writer
Bad Monkey (Apple TV Plus)
Apple TV Plus' next big comedy fromTed Lasso’sco-creator sounded absolutely wildwhen its first-look images were released. The new whodunnitis based on a Carl Hiaasen book, who is known for writing adventurous crime capers set in Florida with eccentric characters. I haven’t read his work before, but he’s a favorite author of contributing TechRadar writer Carrie Marshall, which is why she’snervous but optimisitic thatBad Monkeycould be anotherLincoln Lawyer.
While the series only started streaming on August 14, a consensus is already forming that Bill Lawrence has another hit on his hands. The show’s creator is behind two of thebest Apple TV Plus showsinTed LassoandShrinking,so we know that comedy dramas are his strong suit – and, with Hiaasen’s words narrating, there’s plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. From what I’ve seen so far,Bad Monkeylooks like a sun-kissed murder mystery with plenty light-hearted comedy forApplefans to enjoy.
Amelia Schwanke, senior entertainment editor
The Union (Netflix)
There’s a star-studded cast at the forefront of one of 2024’snew Netflix moviesThe Union, as Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry play an unlikely duo (I am a big fan of unlikely duos, as it happens!). Here, Mike, a down-to-earth construction worker has his life turned upside down when his high school sweetheart Roxanne recruits him for a high-stakes US intelligence mission, which sounds pretty overwhelming, if you ask me, but it’s definitely a solid plot for an action flick.
It also sounds like great weekend viewing as sometimes you just want to turn your brain off and have a good time, andThe Unionsounds like it will deliver on that (the jury is out on whether it’ll join ourbest Netflix movieslist, mind you). Now, strap in and enjoy a new, fast-paced movie.
Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer
Jackpot! (Prime Video)
A comedy directed by Paul Feig? Count me in. As a fan of Feig’s previous comedic work such asBridesmaids,A Simple Favor,andFreaks and Geeks,I have high hopes for one of August’snew Prime Video movies.
Jackpot!stars Awkwafina as Katie, a struggling actress who wins the lottery in California in 2030 – but there’s a catch, the law in this world allows anyone with a losing ticket to kill the winner before sundown and legally claim the jackpot. In exchange for a share of her winnings, amateur lottery protection agent Noel (John Cena) agrees to help keep her alive.
While early reviews show that it won’t be one of thebest Prime Video movies, I actually enjoyed Cena’s funny performance in another Prime Video comedyRicky Stanicky,so I’m looking forward to seeing him once again inJackpot!
Grace Morris, entertainment writer
American Murder: Laci Peterson (Netflix)
True crime fans are getting a lot of content lately, and Netflix expands their library of gripping documentaries withAmerican Murder: Laci Peterson, a new docuseries about the disappearance of a pregnant woman from California, which ended in tragedy and shocked the local community.
It was revealed that her husband, Scott Lee Peterson murdered her and their son, Conner, where he was subsequently arrested and is still in prison today. This series will explore what happened during the 2002 murder case, and if you’re unfamiliar with the case or have an interest in it, this could be the ideal documentary for you this weekend. One to add to ourbest Netflix documentarieslist? Perhaps.
Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer
Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures season 2 (Disney Plus)
I’ll never forget watchingStar Warsfor the first time on my sister’s VHS special edition trilogy boxset. My younger self was terrified of Jabba the Hutt, but that didn’t stop me from re-watching it over and over again – the cassettes were never in the case! So, you can probably tell why I’m so pleased to see Lucasfilm Animation continuing to releasenew Star Wars movies and Disney Plus showsfor a younger audience, such asYoung Jedi Adventures.
WhileStar Wars: Young Jedi Adventuresdoesn’t qualify as one of thebest Disney Plus shows, it was clearly a hit with the younglings, gaining a 76% Rotten Tomatoes audience score and a season 2 renewal not long after its forebear aired. It’s not a hard sell either: who wouldn’t want to learn how to become a Jedi Knight? For anyone who isn’t a kid, it’s a chance to be nostalgic for all the lightsaber adventures with Wookies and Death Stars you had when you were younger. Want to go back and re-watch the classics? Here’show to watch the Star Wars movies in order.
Amelia Schwanke, senior entertainment editor
For more streaming recommendations, read our guides on thebest Disney Plus movies,best Max shows,best Paramount Plus movies, andbest Hulu shows.
As TechRadar’s senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You’ll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.
An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as thisMoon Knight TV spot.
Away from work, Tom can be found checking out the latest video games, immersing himself in his favorite sporting pastime of football, reading the many unread books on his shelf, staying fit at the gym, and petting every dog he comes across.
Got a scoop, interesting story, or an intriguing angle on the latest news in entertainment? Feel free to drop him a line.
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