I ranked all the new movies and shows to watch this weekend on Netflix, Prime Video and more (July 24-26)
The last weekend of July is here, and the streaming gods are once again asking one very important question: How many hours are you willing to spend on the couch? Thankfully, you won’t have to waste any of them doomscrolling, because I’ve found the eight biggest new movies and shows to watch this weekend across Netflix, Apple TV Plus and the rest of the major streaming services.
As Tom’s Guide’s streaming editor, I’ve ranked this week’s biggest releases from most to least worth your time, factoring in everything from hype and star power to actual watchability. Topping the list are two theatrical blockbusters from earlier in the summer: “Disclosure Day” and “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu.”
TV fans will have plenty to binge this weekend, with new seasons of “Ransom Canyon,” “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” and “King of the Hill,” as well as the return of “The Walking Dead: Dead City.” Whether you’re craving comedy, action or sci-fi, here’s my ranked guide to the best new streaming releases to watch this weekend.
1. ‘Disclosure Day’ (digital)
Genre: Sci-fi thriller
Runtime: 2h 22m
What it’s about: Steven Spielberg returns to the genre he helped define with an alien conspiracy thriller. Emily Blunt stars as Margaret Fairchild, a TV meteorologist who suddenly speaks an alien language during a live broadcast. She’s forced on the run with cybersecurity analyst Daniel Kellner (Josh O’Connor), who has stolen classified evidence of extraterrestrial life. As the government closes in, the pair race to expose a decades-long cover-up.
Why it’s worth your time: No, it’s not “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” 2.0, and that’s fine. Even a mid-tier Spielberg sci-fi movie is eminently entertaining, elevated by Emily Blunt’s terrific performance, some jaw-dropping set pieces and John Williams’ soaring score.
Where to stream: Prime Video (with purchase)
2. ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ (digital)
Genre: Sci-fi action-adventure
Runtime: 2 hours 4 minutes
What it’s about: The galaxy’s favorite helmeted dad and his little green adopted child are back. Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and Baby Yoda Grogu undertake a mission for the New Republic: Rescue Rotta the Hutt (voiced by Jeremy Allen White), Jabba’s heir, from a rival crime syndicate in exchange for intel on an Imperial warlord. Naturally, the job spirals into a planet-hopping adventure packed with blaster fights, crime lords and a teeny bit of Force magic.
Why it’s worth your time: If you missed it in theaters, this is arguably where this movie belongs. It plays like three episodes of “The Mandalorian,” which is not necessarily a bad thing. Come for the Star Wars spectacle; stay for Baby Yoda stealing every scene without saying a word.
Where to stream: Prime Video (with purchase)
3. ‘Ransom Canyon’ season 2 (Netflix)
Genre: Romantic Western drama
Available now: 10 episodes (about 45–50 minutes each)
What it’s about: Six months after leaving for New York, Quinn O’Grady (Minka Kelly) returns to Ransom Canyon and rancher Staten Kirkland (Josh Duhamel) is finally ready to fight for their relationship — except Quinn has a new man in her life. Meanwhile, the rival ranching families are still battling for power, and a wave of newcomers brings plenty of trouble to town.
Why it’s worth your time: If “Yellowstone” is all grit and “Virgin River” is all heart, “Ransom Canyon” lives somewhere in the middle. Season 2 leans even harder into its deliciously soapy love triangles, family feuds and small-town intrigue. Sometimes you just want attractive people making questionable decisions against a gorgeous Texas backdrop.
Where to stream: Netflix
4. ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ season 4 (Paramount+)
Genre: Sci-fi adventure
Available now: Episode 1 (59 minutes)
What it’s about: Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) and U.S.S. Enterprise boldlly go into another round of galactic adventures, joined by Spock (Ethan Peck), Number One (Rebecca Romijn) and a young James T. Kirk (Paul Wesley). This season mixes terrifying alien encounters with emotional character beats, the early sparks of Kirk and Spock’s legendary friendship, and one bonkers puppet episode.
Why it’s worth your time: After a divisive third season, “Strange New Worlds” is getting back to what it does best: optimistic, episodic “Star Trek” with heart, humor and plenty of weirdness.
Where to stream: Paramount+
5. ‘The Dink’ (Apple TV)
Genre: Sports comedy
Runtime: 97 minutes
What it’s about: Pickleball is supposed to be retirement’s favorite pastime, not the last hope for a washed-up tennis prodigy. Jake Johnson stars as Dusty Boyd, whose latest injury forces him to trade rackets for paddles, much to the horror of his tennis-obsessed father (Ed Harris). But as Dusty finds an unexpected groove with pickleball partner Candace (Mary Steenburgen), he’s pulled into a battle over the future of the family country club.
Why it’s worth your time: The premise is completely ridiculous, but this sports comedy looks ready to have fun with America’s fastest-growing obsession. Johnson is a natural fit for a lovable loser, and shoutout to Andy Roddick as Dusty’s longtime rival.
Where to stream: Apple TV
6. ‘72 Hours’ (Netflix)
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 1 hour 42 minutes
What it’s about: Forty-year-old executive Joe (Kevin Hart) is desperate to revive his sputtering career when a wrong-number group chat lands him an unexpected opportunity: crashing a three-day bachelor party with a pack of twentysomethings. Joe is determined to prove he’s still got it during a booze-soaked, sleep-deprived weekend — whether his back agrees or not.
Why it’s worth your time: Kevin Hart was basically born to have a midlife crisis and this comedy leans into that by pairing his frantic energy with a younger cast, including Marcello Hernández. It definitely does not reinvent the comedy wheel, but it fits the bill if you’re looking for a “Hangover” lite.
Where to stream: Netflix
7. ‘The Walking Dead: Dead City’ season 3 (AMC)
Genre: Zombie horror drama
Release date: Episode 1 on Sunday, July 26 at 3 a.m ET
What it’s about: After years of trying to kill each other, Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) finally decide the only way forward is by becoming … allies? Yeah, they’re as shocked as you are. With Hershel still grappling with the fallout of their shared history, the pair sets out to build the first real community in Manhattan since the apocalypse. Unfortunately, old enemies, dangerous newcomers and the undead have other plans.
Why it’s worth your time: The franchise’s longest-running grudge finally evolves into something far more interesting. Watching Maggie and Negan team up is a surprisingly refreshing reset.
Where to stream: AMC+
8. ‘King of the Hill’ season 15 (Hulu)
Genre: Animated comedy
Available now: 10 episodes (about 25 minutes each)
What it’s about: Arlen hasn’t changed much, but Hank Hill (Mike Judge) and Peggy (Kathy Najimy) are entering a new chapter as retirees, though their nosy neighbors won’t give them any peace or quiet. Meanwhile, Bobby is all grown up, trying to keep his business afloat while reconnecting with old friends.
Why it’s worth your time: The revival returns, once more updating the show’s world without sacrificing its dry humor, razor-sharp observations or deep affection for its oddball Texans. Older? Yes. Wiser? Hell naw.
Where to stream: Hulu
Follow Tom’s Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Subscribe to Tom’s Guide on YouTube and follow Tom’s Guide Entertainment on TikTok and Instagram.
