Multiple times per week, our TV and film experts will list the most important ten streaming selections for you to pop into your queues. We’re not strictly operating upon reviews or accrued streaming clicks (although yes, we’ve scoured the streaming site charts and ratings) but, instead, upon those selections that are really worth noticing amid the churning sea of content. There’s a lot out there, after all, and your time is valuable.
10. (TIE) The Kardashians (Hulu series)
Yes, this is happening again. Kim Kardashian and fam are back, and beyond the lead-up controversy, there’s plenty of reason to enjoy speculating whether real-or-not-real is the case in the debut episode. You’ll know the scene in question when you see it (Tristan Thompson amazingly freaks out because he thinks it’s about him, when it isn’t), and the gang attempts to sound like The Godfather while Kim Kardashian vows to go scorched earth against anyone who goes against the fam Kris Jenner is one wild mastermind.
10. (TIE) Taboo (BBC One/FX series on Hulu)
Tom Hardy’s almost always intense, but he gets cryptic here in this 2017 series that a lot of people are recently discovering. He’s portraying The Devil Delaney with “taboo” romantic interests, all while he’s back to take over his later father’s business interests, if only he can stay alive long ago to do so. And if he can also shake off the super confident character portrayed by Jessie Buckley. They’re a captivating combo while this show’s atmospheric touches makes up for any storytelling shortcomings.
9. Bridgerton (Netflix series)
Alright, so this season isn’t quite as sexed up as the original outing, but the love life of Anthony Bridgerton is still captivating as heck while the show, overall, maintains its momentum without the show’s first-season MVP. Really, though, they should have at least talked about The Duke more, or let people know how he and Daphne are doing together while physically apart. Still, one can’t resist this gem, which will run for multiple more seasons, so get caught up already.
8. The Flight Attendant (HBO Max series)
After the events of the last season finale, you’d think that Kaley Cuoco’s Cassie would get her act together and maybe not wake up (hungover) in the middle of a murder mystery again. Think again! Well, we don’t know if liquor is involved this time around because Cassie’s attempting to drop the booze and persist in “making better choices.” She’s still attending to flights and now based in Los Angeles, but somehow she’s how helping out the CIA as a part-time gig. Thankfully, Zosia Mamet and Rosie Perez are back on the scene, and there’s international intrigue afoot again.
7. Barry (HBO series on HBO Max)
After nearly three years off the map (the world’s been busy, alright?), Bill Hader’s finally back in the realm of his contract killer, but Barry’s not into it. He wants out, and he’d like to finally just act instead, but now, it’s time to turn inward and discovery why he started this killing business at all. As it turns out, it’s not so easy to abandon one’s darker tendencies, even when the instruments disappear. Hopefully, there will be more dancing from NoHo Hank to help everyone unravel the really important answers here.
6. Russian Doll (Netflix series)
Say it with me: what a concept. The close to perfect first season presented quite a dilemma, which is how to follow up the debut while believably upping Nadia and Charlie’s respective ongoing plights. Also, Charlie’s got quite a mustache now, and Annie Murphy has joined the cast while one of the show’s new YouTube revealed taglines is “The universe is back on its bulls@%t.” This season, there’s a time portal and hauntings from the past and, uh oh, more stairs.
5. Outer Range (Amazon Prime series)
This ain’t Yellowstone, but it could draw in a rabid crowd on its own merits. Josh Brolin portrays a rancher in Wyoming, and something very strange is taking place out on that terrain. And wildly, that terrain could make you momentarily think of those expansive scenes in No Country For Old Men with Brolin’s character. Here, he’s dealing with a supernatural mystery and a missing young woman, and there are other forces at work, naturally, where humans might be more frightening than whatever a black void is dealing out. Stay tuned for revelations and a profit-hungry family, so in other words, there’s plenty of drama.
4. Tokyo Vice (HBO Max series)
Heat and Miami Vice reboot director Michael Mann heads into the neon-soaked grittiness of the Japanese underworld. An American journalist (Ansel Elgort) and a dogged detective (Ken Watanabe) are doing their best to put a stop to some yakuza action, and Elgort put a ton of prep into this role, including learning a hefty amount of Japanese. It’s a slick crime thriller with less Heat than one would prefer, but it’s an engrossing slow burn of a watch so far.
3. Atlanta (FX series on Hulu)
Donald Glover’s brainchild has returned after four years, and for sure, it’s good to have the core four back. That would be Glover as Earn, LaKeith Stanfield as Darius, Zazie Beetz as Van, and Brian Tyree Henry as Paper Boi. A chunk of the season goes down in Europe, which adds several new shades for the show’s special brand of cultural critique, and it’ll be sad to see this show go, but surely, the big finale will eventually hit the right notes of scathing and surreal.
2. Moon Knight (Disney+ series)
Oscar Isaac and Ethan Hawke are now in the MCU, baby. If you can get past the questionable accent work here and enjoy the snarky Egyptian god, everything else falls into place. Oscar is putting in some immensely difficult work here, going through all the mental and emotional paces of a character plagued with dissociative identity disorder. He’s also able to get physical, too, and his hero (notably) becomes an Avenger in the comics. Hopefully, he’ll link up with them in the movies. Fingers crossed.
1. Better Call Saul (AMC series on Netflix)
Season 6’s storm clouds are upon us, so prepare yourself for all of the ensuing Jimmy/Gene/Saul madness by heading to Netflix to binge the most recent installment. Yes, everyone seems to be very worried about Kim Wexler, and the show will soon collide with the Breaking Bad timeline, so there’s a lot of loose ends to tie up in the meantime. Also, there’s a incredible cameo in the works, so sit tight, Cinnabon watchers.
