This Weekend's Entertainment: Fresh Shows and Films to Stream on Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Apple TV, and More Platforms

This Weekend's Entertainment: Fresh Series and Films to Stream on Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Apple TV, and so on.

This upcoming weekend marks the midpoint of December, bringing us just about two weeks away from New Year's Eve, and then, mysteriously, we'll be in 2025. A new quarter of the century completed, with another three to go - assuming we make it that far. Luckily, we have a plethora of serial killers, space marines, and enchanted Colombian villages to explore in this week's streaming guide. There's some fresh animation to enjoy, courtesy of the creators of Love, Death & Robots, an intriguing adaptation of a significant literary work of the past century, and much more.

Each week, I scour the internet high and low to bring you the best - and sometimes the worst - shows and movies, some of which I've seen, and others that are entirely new to me. This guide is for you and me, as I like to stay updated on all the latest releases, and it's far too easy to miss out on new shows and movies. If I happen to overlook anything in this guide, feel free to notify me through Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky, or Facebook.

Let's dive right in!

You can revise your viewing choices from last weekend by checking out the previous streaming guide right here.

What's New & Notable This Weekend (12/13/24)

100 Years Of Solitude (Netflix)

An enchanting, visually stunning adaptation based on one of the most influential novels of the 20th century, 100 Years Of Solitude. So far, I've only made it a few episodes into the 8-episode first half-season (with the second half-season set to release at an unspecified date), but I'm hooked. Don't miss out!

Flight Risk (Netflix)

Taron Egerton stars in this exhilarating flight-based thriller. Egerton portrays TSA agent Ethan Kopek, who is blackmailed into bringing a dangerous carry-on bag onto a flight – or risk having his girlfriend harmed. The villain is played by the typically amicable Jason Bateman. This movie is setting the stage in the vein of Die Hard, with its high-octane action and a Christmas-themed twist.

Secret Level (Prime Video)

The creators of Love, Death & Robots present a captivating collection of video game-themed animated short films on Prime Video. Though the quality of each film varies widely, and the selection seems somewhat odd, I was genuinely surprised to see episodes dedicated to popular games like D&D and Warhammer 40k. The selection is currently at 8 episodes, with the remaining 7 set to debut next Tuesday.

Dexter's Origins (Paramount+)

I'm unsure how to feel about this latest addition to the Dexter franchise, which promises to shed light on how Dexter became Dexter - a story that was effectively already told in the original series. I'll have to give the premiere a watch to see if it's worth revisiting the Dexter universe.

Naughty Good Deed (Netflix)

Intriguing premise for a dark comedy, centering around a middle-aged married couple trying to sell their home. Rife with secrets, cutthroat competition, and more, this show has the potential to make for an entertaining binge.

Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim (In Theaters)

I'll be waiting to catch this animated Lord of the Rings prequel on streaming after its theatrical release. While it's receiving decent reviews, the style of animation doesn't quite resonate with me. I preferred the more classic, 2D animation used in the original series.

Joker 2: A Musical Encounter (Max)

The poorly-received sequel to the highly-acclaimed first film, Joker, is now available on streaming. Since I skipped it in theaters, I'm planning on tuning in and checking it out soon.

Conclave (Peacock)

A captivating mystery thriller, set after the demise of Pope Gregory XVII, and follows the College of Cardinals as they convene for a papal conclave to choose a new pope. With an impressive 93% critical score and 86% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, this film has certainly garnered some Oscar buzz.

Bonus: Jane the Virgin (Prime Video)

I've been devouring the initial season of Jane The Virgin lately (obtained from Prime Video), and it's nothing short of fantastic. It's a romantic comedy with a whodunit vibe, essentially an American spoof/tribute to telenovelas. Gina Rodriguez shines as Jane—a virgin who inadvertently gets pregnant—and I'm smitten with her portrayal. The ensemble cast is spectacular as well, and the series is filled with melodramatic intrigue, complete with unexpected twists and turns. It's continually bringing to mind Bad Monkey, even down to the amusing narrator and summaries. If you missed this gem when it initially aired (introduced back in 2014), give it a shot; you won't be disappointed.

My Weekly Watchlist

Instead of dedicating a whole segment to showcase the current streaming offerings, along with trailers, which tends to make these posts excessively lengthy and cumbersome, I decided to just share some of the shows I'm currently hooked on or catching up with, some of which I'm unsure if I'll continue watching.

I started on Black Doves, the spy thriller, on Netflix, but I find myself growing tired and drowsy while watching it. The series feels too polished and void of substance to maintain my interest, despite its formidable cast.

On the flip side, Skeleton Crew on Disney+ has been impressing me. The new Star Wars venture has been dubbed as "The Goonies in space," which is fitting, although it doesn't quite match the original's brilliance. However, Episode 3 marked Jude Law's introduction as Crimson Jack, which has significantly boosted the series' appeal. He's swiftly become one of my favorite Disney-era Star Wars characters. The show promises a thrilling adventure without any hint of preachiness.

I'm still working my way through Rivals (aired on both Hulu and Disney+). The series is a delight thanks to a talented cast and some steamy scenes, following the chaotic relationship dynamics of the British elite in the 1980s. It's an entertaining watch so far.

I'm a bit behind on Outlander. I genuinely enjoy the series, but I can't ignore its melodrama that often makes certain characters feel stuck in a loop, with Claire being a prime example. I'm also frustrated by the brief stay in Scotland.

I'm enjoying the closing stretch of Shrinking on Apple TV. While Season 2 didn't reach the highs of Season 1, I find myself invested enough in the characters to overlook its shortcomings. On a related note, Silo has continued to impress me on Apple TV, though I'm slightly behind there as well.

Lastly, I'm eagerly awaiting the fifth and penultimate episode of Dune: Prophecy, which airs this Sunday, but I can't seem to muster up any emotions for its characters, who remain utterly unlikable and inaccessible as we approach the conclusion.

What are you all watching? Share your thoughts with me on Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky, or Facebook.

Additional Reading from Yours Truly:

Jeremy Allen White from The Bear will be playing an alien baby in the upcoming Star Wars project.
The 5 Most Glaring Issues in Dune: Prophecy
Why You Should Watch One Hundred Years of Solitude
Take a look at last weekend's streaming guide here.

If you're looking for something new to stream this weekend, consider watching the adaptation of Gabriel Garcia Marquez's iconic novel, '100 Years of Solitude', now available on Netflix.
For those who are new to Netflix, they have a new streaming movie titled 'Flight Risk' starring Taron Egerton and Jason Bateman, which is setting the stage for high-octane action with a Christmas-themed twist.
Prime Video is offering a new streaming show, 'Secret Level', which is a collection of video game-themed animated short films created by the creators of 'Love, Death & Robots'.
If you're a fan of Dexter, you may be interested in viewing 'Dexter's Origins', a new streaming show on Paramount+ that sheds light on how Dexter became Dexter.
For what to watch this weekend on Netflix, consider 'Dexter's Original Sin', a new streaming show that follows the origins of Dexter Morgan, the beloved serial killer character from the original series. And don't forget to check out 'Jane the Virgin' if you missed it when it originally aired, now available on Prime Video.