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) Pachinko (Apple TV+ series)
This sweeping drama adapts Min Jee Lee’s New York Times best-seller to straddle four generations of family dynamics, all the way from a small fishing village to Osaka. The show stars Academy Award winner Yuh-Jung Youn (Minari) and showcases an absorbing journey of war-torn life as Apple TV+ begins to succeed in the dramatic realm after comedic smashes like Ted Lasso and mainstays including The Morning Show.
10. (TIE) Fresh (Searchlight Pictures film on Hulu)
Daisy Edgar-Jones goes on the date(s) from hell here, and Sebastian Stan is so persuasive that almost anyone would fall into the same trap as Noa when it comes to his Steve’s whims. Stan, obviously, is having a freaking ball lately in roles that set him far apart from his MCU character. Between Tommy Lee and his cannibal character, those who paid attention to his earliest work are dearly enjoying him stepping out again. This is also one of the ultimate cautionary tales of dating. The best romcoms can end up being horror movies, too.
9. Severance (Apple TV+ series)
Adam Scott’s the everyman and the leading man, all at the same time, and here, he’s tackling the work-life balance that so many of us struggle with each and every day. This is Ben Stiller’s brainchild, too, and Patricia Arquette and Christopher Walken are along for the ride, all while this story careens toward season-finale land.
8. Servant Of The People (Kvartal 95 series on Netflix)
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s fighting for the survival of his country at the moment, but plenty of people have found comfort in this comedy series, in which he portrays an accidental country president, all while we’re watching him refuse a ride out of a hellish warscape. He is, naturally, a comedian and a satirist, as well as pretty much being the Ukrainian Jon Stewart. In other words, this will charm the pants out of you and maybe, just maybe, add some inspiration for you to research the actor and his story, too.
7. Winning Time: The Rise Of The Lakers Dynasty (HBO series on HBO Max)
Get to binging because the episodes stacked up fast for this story of the 1980s-era L.A. Lakers, one that will feel digestible to sports-and-non-sports fans alike. John C. Reilly portrays Lakers owner Jerry Buss, who was both a visionary for the team and one who helmed over its not-such-a-good-look aspects. You’ll also witness the exploits (including the rather tragic ones) of Magic Johnson (Quincey Isaiah), so brace yourselves for difficult realizations while witnessing all of the debauchery.
6. Halo (Paramount+ series)
Let the gamers be the ultimate arbiters here, but for the rest of us, there’s the versatile Pablo Schreiber in the driver’s seat, making you forget all about his goofy and sinister characters (Orange Is The New Black and Defending Jacob, respectively). Here, he portrays the game’s Master Chief while functioning as the ultimate weapon in humanity’s fight against aliens. Enjoy the sci-fi tropes for what they’re worth and then settle back and enjoy the action as mankind seeks to destroy “the Covenant.”
5. Atlanta (FX series on Hulu)
Finally, Donald Glover’s brainchild is back, and it’s still one of the best shows on TV. It’s also surreal to boot, and the core four Earn (Donald Glover), Darius (LaKeith Stanfield), Paper Boi (Brian Tyree Henry), and Van (Zazie Beetz) — are gearing up to head to Europe. They’re on tour and doing well, but they’re still outsiders, so expect some strange sh*t to go down, with or without the Nutella sandwich man in attendance.
4. Taboo (BBC One/FX series on Hulu)
This Tom Hardy show launched in 2017, and it just hit the streaming waves in a significant way as people realize, you know, that this damn show exists while the wait for Season 2 continues. This series stars Delaney as a returning prodigal son of sorts, but hey, he’s also referred to as a The Devil Delaney, and there’s something family-related and taboo going on. It’s pretty bonkers stuff, because everyone wants to kill Tom Hardy. Rude! Seriously, though, there’s something going on that’s more than a little bit Shakespearean. He’s back in London and taking over his dad’s shipping empire. This puts him in a real bind, multiple times, but one thing is certain: Tom Hardy rarely takes a wrong step, and he’s shining through all the grime here with a triumphant performance.
3. Moon Knight (Disney+ series)
Oscar Isaac and Ethan Hawke are in the MCU now, but don’t expect either of them to be the typical Marvel superhero or villain. This show is sheer chaos (and joyous to behold) with Isaac’s character plagued with dissociative identity disorder and tormented with mockery by an Egyptian god. He’s a gift-shop employee, a mercenary, and a hero? Sure. Hawke plays a David Koresh-esque cult leader. Hold on tight.
2. Bridgerton (Netflix series)
The bad news, for enthusiasts of The Duke, is that Regé-Jean Page isn’t back this season (as planned), but the good news is that the show still brings the momentum despite the odds. This season focuses upon Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) seeking his own match as outlined by Julia Quinn’s books. Lady Whistledown (already revealed as Penelope, portrayed by Nicola Coughlan) is still doing her thing and f*cking with everyone during her society letters, thank god.
1. Bad Vegan (Netflix series)
The “bad” part of the “vegan” has a few components in this series, not only because Sarma Melngailis stiffed investors and her own employees out of nearly $2 million (after apparently falling under the spell of Anthony Strangis) but also in how she was busted as a fugitive. Those two are both WTF messes, and of course, there’s a lot of discomfort involved in how the swindling went down, but it’s all a sight to see. Also, that dog-immortality stuff is whack, so give this one a whirl if you haven’t already.
