Do you know what today is? It’s the last day before a long weekend! Labor Day generally marks the end of summer and while the three-day break is usually reserved for barbecues, park time, and going to the beach, it’s also a mighty good time to catch up on some binge watching. There are a lot of new movies and TV coming in the fall, so right now is the ideal moment to consume some things you may have missed before the new stuff arrives. Here are our picks for what you should prioritize.
Netflix’s reimagining (reboot?) of Jim Henson’s classic 1982 film brings the world of Thra to life in a way only a streaming service’s influx of cash can. The 10-episode prequel series is gorgeous, and made using a lot of the same mad puppet skills used on the original—in addition to lots of other filmmaking magic.
Where to watch: Netflix
FX’s hyper-real look at New York’s ballroom scene in the 1980s and ‘90s just finished an explosive second season. If you haven’t been watching, now is the time to catch up on the lives of Blanca (Mj Rodriguez) and her House of Evangelista children: Angel (Indya Moore), Papi (Angel Bismark Curiel), and Damon (Ryan Jamaal Swain). You’re guaranteed to cry at least once every two or three episodes.
Where to watch: Netflix (season 1), on demand, YouTube
This seven-episode docuseries is catnip for folks who love medical mysteries. Based on a New York Times column that solicited reader advice for undiagnosed issues, the series goes from Dateline to quirky pretty quickly—and that’s a good thing. Dive into this if you ever enjoyed watching the detective work on House.
Where to watch: Netflix
Easily one of the best cinematic experiences of 2018, this animated Spidey story is worth watching even if you already saw it in theaters. Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore) is a delight of a hero and his quest to become his own friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is a colorful, comedic good time.
Where to watch: Netflix
Is Wu Assassins the absolute best thing on Netflix right now? Probably not. But is it a one-stop shop for kick-ass fight scenes brought to you with a lot of martial arts authenticity? Absolutely. If you’re looking for a pure visual feast, settle in here.
Where to watch: Netflix
HBO’s latest comedy series, A Black Lady Sketch Show is easily the funniest thing to hit cable this summer. Created by Robin Thede, and featuring an impressive list of guest stars ranging from Laverne Cox to Angela Bassett, it’s the kind of sketch series that has inside jokes onto itself—and you laugh a little bit harder every time you get one. This is easily the best way to laugh this weekend.
Where to watch: HBO Go
A lot of people (myself included) slept on Fleabag, but now that the show is very Emmy-nominated, it’s time to catch up. The show’s protagonist—played by creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge—is the kind of messy that’s easy to love, and everyone she shares the screen with, save for her sister, is fairly easy to hate. (Also, the Hot Priest. No one hates the Hot Priest.) The episodes are short, but packed with comedy and heartbreak. Watch it now before the Emmys air on September 14.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
The third season of Amazon’s Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, about a woman (Rachel Brosnahan) embarking on a standup comedy career in the 1950s, doesn’t start until December, so now is a very good time to watch the first two seasons. Come for the comedy, stay for the vision that is life in New York City in the 1950s.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
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