It’s a new week, which means there are nearly endless new options to watch on our favorite streaming services. We like to keep tabs on what’s new to Netflix and Max in the month ahead, but don’t you just hate when you get all excited to watch a show or movie, only to find out you still have to wait weeks for it to come out? That’s why we like to keep things a little short-sighted here, by telling you about the best entertainment options available this week.
With these excellent choices to look forward to, the week will fly on by. Just try to see how many you can make it through before the weekend hits!
What to watch this week — the best movies and TV on streaming
Nine Perfect Strangers season 2 (May 21)
A whole new group of strangers is headed to a remote retreat headed up by Masha (Nicole Kidman) — only this time, it’s a wintery escape. We’ll get a whole new group of strangers, and this star-studded ensemble cast includes Henry Golding, Schitt’s Creek’s Annie Murphy, The White Lotus’ Murray Bartlett, Christine Baranski, and others.
Sirens (May 22)
Julianne Moore and Megan Fahy star in this Netflix dark comedy series, which is rooted in Greek mythology, about Devon, a woman who’s concerned about her little sister’s unhealthy relationship with her boss, who’s a socialite. Devon tries to stage an intervention but underestimates how far her sister’s boss is willing to go to keep Simone in her orbit.
Big Mouth (May 23)
Netflix’s adult cartoon returns for its eighth and final season, with the teens tackling issues like driving, drugs, sexual inexperience, enthusiastic consent, porn and the teenage mind, cancel culture, their changing bodies, and (in the end) fear of the looming future. We’ll also see a new creature voiced by Holly Hunter, as well as our favorites, Nick Kroll, John Mulaney, and Jessi Klein.
Forget You Not (May 23)
This heartwarming comedy/drama series is about a married woman who’s balancing her dreams of being a stand-up comedian with her part-time job at a convenience store. Marital troubles cause her to move back in with her father, with whom she has a difficult relationship. But spending time in close proximity helps put their relationship into a different light.
Fountain of Youth (May 23)
John Krasinski, Natalie Portman, and Eiza González star in this new movie about a treasure hunter who assembles a team for a life-changing adventure. But in order to actually find the treasure and beat the obstacles along the way, Krasinski’s character will have to turn to his estranged sister (Portman). Fountain of Youth streams on AppleTV+ beginning Friday.
Bad Thoughts (May 13)
In Tom Segura’s new show, which is perfect for fans of I Think You Should Leave, the comedian takes his signature dark humor and imagines some truly out-there — and laugh-out-loud hilarious — scenarios. Each of the six episodes will give fans a glimpse into Segura’s mind and intrusive thoughts.
Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (May 13)
The fifth Mission: Impossible movie turns 10, so watch it on Hulu when it lands on the platform later this week. It starts off with IMF agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise, obviously) intercepting a shipment of nerve gas being transported by The Syndicate. Unfortunately, The Syndicate compromises the IMF London offices, and Hunt is gassed unconscious as he watches the station operative be killed by a mysterious blond man in glasses.
Untold: The Liver King (May 13)
You’ve probably heard of Brian Johnson, that guy who became internet famous promoting an “ancestral” lifestyle — which involves eating a lot of raw meat, including daily liver consumption. Netflix’s new docuseries chronicles his quick ascent to influencer fame and subsequent backlash after it was revealed he really had steroids to thank for his physique. This three-part documentary features interviews with the Liver King himself.
Fred and Rose West: A British Horror Story (May 14)
A big warning: This true crime docuseries is absolutely not for the faint of heart. It reveals the lives and crimes of Britain’s most notorious husband-and-wife serial killers. It contains previously unseen police footage and audio recordings, and features interviews with some of the victims’ family members — a few of whom are speaking out for the first time.
Overcompensating (May 15)
This hilarious college comedy stars comedians Benito Skinner (or as he’s known online, Benny Drama) and Mary Beth Barone, plus The White Lotus‘ Adam DiMarco. Skinner stars as a closeted football star and former homecoming king, who alongside his new friend Carmen, struggles to find his place in a new school. The laughs-to-minute ratio of this show is unmatched!
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives season 2 (May 15)
Apparently, MomTok was able to survive numerous cheating rumors, domestic violence arrests, and friendship breakups last season — but we’re pretty sure that’s not going to stop the wives from asking the question every single episode. The wives are back for season 2 — with a surprise appearance from one of the original swingers from the scandal that started it all. Grab the popcorn!
Secrets We Keep (May 15)
Have you been craving a new thriller limited series in the vein of The Stranger or The Last Thing He Told Me? Netflix has your answer once again. It’s set near Copenhagen, where a Filipina au pair goes missing from one of Denmark’s wealthiest neighborhoods. Her neighbor, Cecilie, is convinced something happened to her, so she starts to investigate when the police won’t. Her search for the truth reveals many uncomfortable connections, including from within Cecilie’s own family.
The Quilters (May 16)
Netflix puts it more succinctly than we ever could: “In this award-winning short documentary, men in a Missouri maximum-security prison design and sew beautiful, personalized quilts for foster children.”
Nonnas (May 9)
Vince Vaughan stars in this new Netflix comedy drama about a man who’s grappling with the loss of his mother and decides to open an Italian restaurant in her honor. The other chefs? All Italian nonnas. Rounding out the star-studded cast are Susan Sarandon, Linda Cardellini, Drea de Matteo, Lorraine Bracco, and Joe Mangianello, to name a few. And if you think this actually sounds like an amazing idea for a restaurant, you’ll be pleased to learn the movie is based on a real eatery — Enoteca Maria in Staten Island.
Men of Honor (May 9)
The 2000 film starring Robert DeNiro, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Charlize Theron turns 25. It’s inspired by the true story of Master Chief Petty Officer Carl Brashear, who was the first Black master diver in the U.S. Navy.
The Sexist Man in Winnipeg (May 9)
This new Prime Video documentary chronicles the rise and fall of Steve Vogelsang, who went from being a popular sports anchor in Winnipeg to a convicted criminal after he robbed a bank in Saskatchewan. The film is narrated and co-produced by Canadian Will Arnett.
Forever (May 8)
This new Netflix series is an adaptation of Judy Blume‘s groundbreaking 1975 novel. Set in Los Angeles in 2018, two Black teenagers explore their identities and romance as they fumble through the awkwardness of being each other’s firsts.
Vanderpump Villa season 2 (May 8)
Missing Vanderpump Rules? Lisa Vanderpump takes her hospitality — and group of unruly servers — with her to a French villa. As the staff tries to give each guest a luxury experience, the drama going on behind the scenes threatens to bubble up to the surface. This season we’ll see appearances from Stassi Schroeder and the cast of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Stream the full season on Hulu!
Full Speed season 2 (May 7)
If you can’t get enough of Formula 1: Drive to Survive, this docuseries on Netflix is basically the NASCAR version of that. Netflix’s description says, “Tales of triumph and tenacity fuel this high-octane sports docuseries following NASCAR Cup Series drivers on and off the track during the playoffs.”
Bravo’s Love Hotel (May 4)
Ready to check in for another week at Bravo’s Love Hotel? ICYMI, in this new reality dating show, The Golden Bachelorette meets Real Housewives — what more could you want? Leading ladies Luann de Lesseps (Real Housewives of New York City), Gizelle Bryant (Real Housewives of Potomac), Ashley Darby (RHOP), and Shannon Beador (Real Housewives of Orange County) are single and ready to mingle in Mexico, where they’ll meet and date a spate of eligible guys.
Another Simple Favor (May 1)
The sequel to the 2018 thriller/comedy starring Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick is set in Capri, with Emily (Lively) inviting Stephanie (Kendrick) to her glamorous wedding — years after the twisted investigation that changed both of their lives. The star-studded cast is rounded out by the likes of Henry Golding, Allison Janney, Andrew Rannells, and Alex Newell.
Meet the Parents (May 1)
This classic comedy starring Ben Stiller and Robert DeNiro is turning… wait for it… 25. Relive all the iconic moments, from “I’m watching you” to cat milking and more. It’s available to stream on Hulu starting May 1.
The Four Seasons (May 1)
Is this Netflix’s answer to The White Lotus? Judge for yourself: The comedy/drama is about three couples who head to a relaxing vacation, only to learn that one pair is on the outs. Over the next year and subsequent trips, we witness how the dynamic of the group is shaken by the split, causing old issues to bubble to the surface. It stars Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Will Forte, Colman Domingo, Marco Calvani and Kerri Kenney-Silver.
Best new books to read this week
Songs of Summer by Jane L. Rosen (May 20)
We’re all about beach reads that take place on a beach, and Katie’s friend Jane Rosen just so happens to be releasing another book in her Fire Island series. Songs of Summer is set on Fire Island, where Maggie May Wheeler ends up after finding a letter from her birth mother and deciding to meet her. Her mother’s at a wedding, and things heat up when a dashing stranger offers to let Maggie be his date. The book comes with a companion playlist to take your reading experience to the next level.
The Ascent by Allison Buccola (May 20)
Ashley Audrain’s Push meets the Waco siege in this novel about a new mother who struggles to be away from her daughter — because what nobody in her life knows is that she was the sole survivor of Jacob’s Hill, a doomsday cult in rural Pennsylvania. Lee’s never known why she was the only member to be spared. When a documentarian figures out her true identity, Lee’s past comes knocking, and she could lose everything.
The Last Ferry Out by Andrea Bartz (May 20)
Bartz is the New York Times bestselling author of We Were Never Here, and her latest heart-pumping thriller takes place on a remote island with only one way out. After Abby’s fiancée dies in a tragic accident while visiting the picturesque Isola Colel, she decides to visit the last place she was alive. Abby falls in with an enchanting group of ex-pats and soon realizes that her fiancée’s death may not have been an accident — and that her killer is on the island.
Slaying You by Michelle Gagnon (May 13)
Perfect for fans of Dead to Me and Killing Eve, this lighthearted thriller is the sequel to the critically acclaimed Killing Me. Our favorite former grifter and elusive serial killer are back — only this time they’re working together, because there are two dangerous killers on their tail. The Washington Post says, “Gagnon’s neo-noir thriller hits all the right notes, providing an entertaining, escapist ride.”
The Language of the Birds by K.A. Merson (May 13)
In this adventure, a brilliant but solitary teenager must unlock ciphers, unearth buried clues, and reckon with the outside world as she pursues an ancient secret. Ernest Cline, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Ready Player One, calls The Language of the Birds, “an intricate puzzle box of a novel with a whole amusement park of wonders hidden inside” and “a delight for readers who enjoy sifting through clues and poring over evidence alongside the hero, racing to see which of you can crack the mystery first.”
Little Bosses Everywhere: How the Pyramid Scheme Shaped America by Bridget Read (May 6)
In this fascinating read, New York magazine reporter Bridget Read upends everything we thought we knew about multilevel marketing. She traces the history of this company from before the Great Depression to the Amways of today, shaping public policy. It may be nonfiction, but Little Bosses Everywhere reads like a work of narrative fiction. Vulture calls it a “deeply reported thrill ride–slash–horror story. This book is fascinating. And scary as hell.”
One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune (May 6)
The New York Times #1 bestselling author is back with a nostalgic lakeside romance that’s already been named a most-anticipated read by UsWeekly, E!, TODAY.com, the New York Post, and more. Alice Everly is a professional photographer who’s more than happy to life live behind the scenes. When her grandmother falls and breaks her hip, she decides to spend some time with her on the lake to help her recover. That’s where she meets Charlie Florek, her opposite in every way. Turns out it’s true what they say about opposites and attraction.
Second Life by Amanda Hess (May 6)
Hess, an internet culture critic for the New York Times, turns her gaze towards motherhood, and how her own pregnancy journey was impacted by the allure and fear-mongering of internet algorithms. Vulture raves, “This unexpected page-turner is as vulnerable as it is sharp,” and TIME says, “Second Life isn’t the new What to Expect When You’re Expecting. Hess isn’t offering parenting tips to tech-savvy caretakers. Instead, she takes readers on an eye-opening adventure down the parenting internet rabbit hole.”
The Family Dynamic by Susan Dominus (May 6)
Ever wonder what’s up with families with multiple successful children? Susan Dominus is an award-winning NYT journalist, and she turned her lens on families like the Wojcickis (whose daughters Susan and Anne made waves in Silicon Valley) and the Groffs, who boast an Olympic athlete, award-winning novelist, and acclaimed entrepreneur in their family. Dominus profiles six families and weaves in scientific research to explore the ongoing debate of nature vs. nurture.
We Can Do Hard Things by Glennon Doyle, Abby Wambach and Amanda Doyle (May 6)
“When you travel through a new country, you need a guidebook,” says #1 New York Times bestselling author Glennon Doyle. “When you travel through love, heartbreak, joy, parenting, friendship, uncertainty, aging, grief, new beginnings–life–you need a guidebook, too. We Can Do Hard Things is the guidebook for being alive.” Doyle was recently diagnosed with anorexia, but her usual support system — her wife, Abby, and sister, Amanda — were fighting battles of their own. Amanda had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, and Abby’s beloved brother had died. So they turned outward to ask their friends and 118 “wayfinders” — brave, kind, wise people — for their wisdom. The result is this powerful and uplifting book.
