5 new shows to watch this weekend across Netflix, Prime Video, and more (July 31-August 2)
Typically, at the end of every month, streamers will remove a select group of shows and movies from their respective services. However, these departing programs will be replaced with new and returning shows to fill the void. Our top choice of the week stems from Hulu. It’s a twisty crime thriller starring Emmy Rossum, who returns to television for her first starring role in nearly three years.
It’s a new month, and Taylor Sheridan has another Paramount+ show returning. This time, it’s a star-studded spy thriller returning for the show’s third season. Other highlights this weekend include a Netflix true crime documentary, an animated Batman series, and a harrowing drama about an unspeakable tragedy. All five shows can be streamed in the U.S.
5
The Bombing of Pan Am 103
A devastating look at an act of terror
Technically, The Bombing of Pan Am 103 is not a new show. It premiered on BBC One in the U.K. in May 2025. However, the show is finally coming to the U.S. on Netflix, so those subscribers can gain insight into one of the world’s deadliest terrorist attacks of the last 50 years. The series chronicles the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, which exploded over the Scottish town of Lockerbie on December 21, 1988, killing 270 people.
The Bombing of Pan Am 103 focuses on the investigations from both the U.K. and the U.S. Detective Sergeant Ed McCusker (Connor Swindells), a Scottish officer, spearheads the investigation for the U.K., while U.S. FBI Special Agent Dick Marquise (Patrick J. Adams) is brought into the fold for the American perspective. It’s an insightful look into a disaster that reshaped how both nations would handle acts of terrorism going forward. It’s not an easy watch, but it’s a necessary one.
The Bombing of Pan Am 103 is now streaming on Netflix.
The Bombing of Pan Am 103
- Release Date
-
2025 – 2025-00-00
- Network
-
BBC One
- Directors
-
Michael Keillor
4
Batman: Caped Crusader season 2
Meet a young Bruce Wayne
Recently, all DC fans can talk about is Matt Reeves and the delays for The Batman: Part II. With that movie still two years away, enjoy another Gotham City story instead in the animated Batman: Caped Crusader, which returns for its second season on Prime Video. Batman: Caped Crusader focuses on a younger version of the superhero during his early days of vigilantism.
Quiz
Prime Video animated series
Trivia challenge
From superheroes to invincible teens — how well do you know Prime Video’s
animated lineup?
CharactersPlotOriginsVillainsCreators
In ‘Invincible’, what is the real name of the superhero known as Omni-Man?
Correct! Nolan Grayson, also known as Omni-Man, is Mark’s father and a
Viltrumite warrior who initially poses as Earth’s greatest hero. His dual identity is central to the
show’s most shocking early revelations.
Not quite. Omni-Man’s real name is Nolan Grayson, not Mark — Mark is his
son and the show’s main protagonist, Invincible. Cecil and Damien are other characters in the series
with entirely different roles.
The animated series ‘Invincible’ is based on a comic book published by which
company?
Correct! ‘Invincible’ is based on the Image Comics series created by
Robert Kirkman, Cory Walker, and Ryan Ottley. Kirkman is also known for ‘The Walking Dead’, another
Image Comics title.
Not quite. ‘Invincible’ comes from Image Comics, not Marvel, DC, or Dark
Horse. Image Comics is an independent publisher known for creator-owned titles, and ‘Invincible’ ran
there from 2003 to 2018.
In ‘The Legend of Vox Machina’, what group do the main characters belong to?
Correct! The heroes of the show are collectively known as Vox Machina, a
ragtag band of adventurers originally from the ‘Critical Role’ Dungeons & Dragons web series. The
animated show brought their legendary campaign to life.
Not quite. The adventuring party is called Vox Machina, which gives the
show its name. The Chroma Conclave are the main villains of season 2, while the Slayer’s Take is a
different organization they encounter.
Which tabletop RPG web series inspired ‘The Legend of Vox Machina’?
Correct! ‘The Legend of Vox Machina’ is directly based on the first
campaign of ‘Critical Role’, a web series featuring professional voice actors playing Dungeons &
Dragons. The show began as a Kickstarter project that shattered its funding goals.
Not quite. The series is based on ‘Critical Role’, the massively popular
D&D web series hosted by Matthew Mercer. The campaign it adapts originally aired in 2015, with the
animated adaptation eventually landing on Prime Video.
In ‘Invincible’, which organization’s leader is Cecil Stedman?
Correct! Cecil Stedman is the morally ambiguous director of the Global
Defense Agency (GDA), a shadowy government organization tasked with protecting Earth from superhuman
threats. He often operates in ethical gray areas in pursuit of his goals.
Not quite. Cecil Stedman leads the Global Defense Agency, or GDA. The
Guardians of the Globe are a superhero team, and the Teen Team is a separate group of younger heroes
that Invincible briefly joins.
In ‘The Legend of Vox Machina’, which character is a half-elf druid who can
shapeshift into animals?
Correct! Keyleth is the half-elf druid of Vox Machina, voiced by Marisha
Ray — the same player who portrayed her in the original ‘Critical Role’ campaign. Her shapeshifting
abilities and emotional journey are key parts of the story.
Not quite. The druid with shapeshifting powers is Keyleth. Vex’ahlia is
a ranger, Pike is a cleric, and Scanlan is a gnome bard whose comic relief often masks genuine heroism.
What is the name of Mark Grayson’s superhero identity in the animated series
‘Invincible’?
Correct! Mark Grayson takes on the superhero name Invincible, which also
serves as the show’s title. The irony of the name becomes apparent as he frequently suffers brutal,
near-fatal injuries throughout the series.
Not quite. Mark Grayson’s hero name is Invincible. Atom Eve, Titan, and
Robot are all other superpowered characters he encounters — each with their own complex motivations and
story arcs.
Which funding method helped ‘The Legend of Vox Machina’ secure production after
initial success online?
Correct! ‘The Legend of Vox Machina’ began as a Kickstarter campaign in
2019, seeking $750,000 to produce a special. It raised over $11 million, making it one of the most
successful animation Kickstarters ever, which led to Prime Video picking it up as a full series.
Not quite. The show’s journey started with a record-breaking Kickstarter
campaign, not a direct streaming deal or Patreon fund. The overwhelming fan support convinced Prime
Video to commission a full animated series from the project.
Your Score
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Thanks for playing!
If you enjoy Batman (Hamish Linklater) squaring off against some of his most iconic adversaries, then this show will be right up your alley. Featured villains include Harley Quinn (Jamie Chung), the Riddler (Ronan Raftery), and the Joker (Matthew Needham). The animated show depicts a darker, grittier version of Batman that leans into its noir detective roots.
Batman: Caped Crusader season 2 premieres on July 31 on Prime Video.
3
The Idaho Murders: College Nightmare
Tragedy strikes a U.S. college
Netflix seemingly releases new documentaries every month, many of which hail from the true crime genre. The Idaho Murders: College Nightmare premiered on July 29, and it has climbed to No. 1 in Netflix’s current top 10. The documentary has clearly resonated with viewers.
In 2022, four University of Idaho students—Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, and Xana Kernodle—were killed by Bryan Kohberger. However, The Idaho Murders is not a story about Kohberger. Instead, the filmmakers have decided to shine a spotlight on the victims as a way to remember this tragedy and honor their lives. It’s a refreshing way to present a heartbreaking documentary, and hopefully, this formula will repeat for future true crime shows.
The Idaho Murders: College Nightmare is now streaming on Netflix.
- Subscription with ads
-
Yes, $8/month
- Simultaneous streams
-
Two or four
2
Lioness season 3
Action, violence, and espionage
I’m always impressed when I see how many shows Sheridan has in production at Paramount+. It’s what makes Sheridan one of television’s most prolific creators. While many of his shows are westerns, Lioness feels like Sheridan’s version of James Bond starring a female CIA officer. Season 3, which is one of our top Paramount+ shows in August, continues the life-or-death mission to remove terrorist threats against the United States.
The mission has now blurred the lines for Joe McNamara (Zoe Saldaña), who struggles to separate her personal and professional lives. The trailer even shows that the nefarious criminals are willing to act in front of Joe’s family. Alongside Saldaña, Lioness’ cast includes Michael Kelly as Byron Westfield, Morgan Freeman as Edwin Mullins, and Nicole Kidman as Kaitlyn Meade. I think of Lioness as the spiritual successor to Sicario, one of Sheridan’s best scripts.
Lioness season 3 premieres on August 2 on Paramount+.
1
Furious
The hunt for an unlikely serial killer begins
Elizabeth Meriwether has been an eclectic mix of television shows. Meriwether’s creations include New Girl, The Dropout, and Dying for Sex. Meriwether’s latest show is Furious, a thrilling crime drama and one of the top new shows on Hulu to close July.
FBI agent Alice Black (Emmy Rossum) is called on to investigate a murder that occurred on Halloween in New York City. It’s not an ordinary murder, as the audience learns that an enigmatic killer known as Catherine (Lola Petticrew) committed the crime. Catherine turns out to be a serial killer who targets wealthy men. Why? Alice believes it may be connected to a previous trafficking investigation. Furious’ initial reviews have been excellent, garnering praise for its unique spin on a cat-and-mouse thriller.
The first three episodes of Furious are now streaming on Hulu.
Furious
- Release Date
-
July 27, 2026
- Network
-
Hulu
- Directors
-
Brian Kirk
More shows to check out this weekend
Variety is the best aspect of streaming. If these shows don’t pique your interest, then simply find something else. Head to Prime Video and check out some forgotten Emmy-winning shows like Daisy Jones & the Six and Fleabag. If Netflix is your preferred streamer, then jump into Seinfeld and Black Mirror—both shows you can watch in any order.
