If you're looking for something to watch this weekend, the streaming services have you covered with a solid mix of sci-fi, horror, and prestige drama dropping between July 24 and 26. The standout this week is House of the Dragon's second season finale on Max, but there's plenty else to dig into across Netflix, Disney Plus, Prime Video, and Apple TV Plus.
House of the Dragon Season 2 Finale (Max)
The big one. Season 2 of the Game of Thrones prequel wraps up on Sunday, July 26, and it's been building toward something messy. After a slower first half that focused on political maneuvering in King's Landing, the back half has delivered some of the series' most brutal dragon-on-dragon action. The finale promises to set up the war for the Iron Throne in earnest heading into Season 3.
If you've been waiting to binge, now's the time to catch up. The season's pacing frustrated some viewers early on, but the payoff in episodes 6 and 7 has been worth the wait.
Supacell (Netflix)
Netflix's British sci-fi series about a group of Black Londoners who suddenly develop superpowers landed on June 27 and has quietly become one of the summer's most talked-about shows. Creator Rapman (Blue Story) blends grounded social commentary with superhero tropes in a way that feels fresh — think Misfits meets Top Boy.
The entire six-episode first season is streaming now. It's a tight, self-contained story that doesn't overstay its welcome, and word of mouth has been strong enough that a second season feels inevitable.
Kleo Season 2 (Netflix)
The German spy thriller returns on July 25, picking up after the wild ending of Season 1. Kleo follows a former East German Stasi assassin who gets betrayed and goes on a revenge spree across the globe. It's stylish, violent, and has a darkly comic tone that sets it apart from more dour espionage dramas.
Season 1 was a sleeper hit on Netflix, and Season 2 promises more Cold War-era chaos with better production values and a bigger scope.
The Acolyte Finale (Disney Plus)
The Star Wars series wraps its first season on July 26, and it's been a divisive one. Set roughly 100 years before The Phantom Menace, The Acolyte explores the dark side of the Jedi Order during the High Republic era. The show has faced criticism for its pacing and some clunky dialogue, but the performances — especially from Amandla Stenberg and Lee Jung-jae — have been strong.
The finale will likely determine whether this show gets a second season or fades into Star Wars streaming obscurity. Either way, it's worth watching for the lightsaber choreography alone, which is some of the best live-action Star Wars has ever produced.
Lady in the Lake (Apple TV Plus)
Natalie Portman stars in this adaptation of Laura Lippman's novel, premiering July 19 on Apple TV Plus. Set in 1960s Baltimore, the series follows a housewife turned investigative journalist who becomes obsessed with two unsolved murders. Moses Ingram (Obi-Wan Kenobi) co-stars.
The limited series has a noir-ish, slow-burn feel that won't be for everyone, but Portman and Ingram are compelling enough to carry the seven episodes. If you're in the mood for a moody, character-driven mystery, this is your pick.
Those About to Die (Prime Video)
Roland Emmerich (Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow) brings his signature brand of maximalist spectacle to Ancient Rome. Those About to Die premiered July 18 on Prime Video and focuses on the brutal world of Roman gladiatorial combat. Anthony Hopkins plays Emperor Vespasian, but the real star is the blood-soated arena action.
It's not prestige television — it's schlocky, over-the-top, and thoroughly entertaining if you're in the mood for something that doesn't take itself too seriously. Think Gladiator but with more CGI and less restraint.
What Else to Watch This Week
A few honorable mentions worth your time: Sunny on Apple TV Plus (a quirky sci-fi dramedy starring Rashida Jones that started July 10) and Presumed Innocent on Apple TV Plus, which wraps its first season on July 24 with a finale that's been earning strong reviews.
On the movie side, Twisters is still in theaters and absolutely worth seeing on the biggest screen you can find. The Glen Powell-led disaster sequel captures the spirit of the original while delivering genuinely impressive storm sequences.
For horror fans, Longlegs is still playing in theaters and has been the breakout indie horror hit of the summer. Maika Monroe and Nicolas Cage deliver career-best work in a film that's more Silence of the Lambs than Conjuring — unsettling in ways that stick with you.
And if you haven't caught up on The Bear yet, Season 3 is streaming now on Hulu. It's the most stressful show on television, but also one of the best.
The Streaming Landscape This Week
What's notable about this week's slate is how many shows are wrapping their seasons. House of the Dragon, The Acolyte, and Presumed Innocent all drop finales within days of each other. That means next week will feel a bit barren — a good time to catch up on something you've been meaning to watch.
Streaming services have been accelerating their release schedules this summer, trying to capture audiences who are spending more time indoors. The writers' strike hangover has mostly cleared, and the fall lineup is already looking stacked. For now, though, this weekend offers a solid mix of endings and beginnings.
Comments (0)
Loading comments…