This weekend's streaming releases include some surprising turns, but some of them don't hit the mark.

The world of streaming never stops, always sending us new Movies and TV episodes to watch. This weekend, June 28–29, is no different. There are a lot of highly anticipated returns, scary new horror movies, and family-friendly experiences coming out. Some of these releases look like they could be the next big thing, but in my opinion, some of them don't quite live up to their potential. It's a weekend with a lot of different things to do; some stories really reach their stride, while others left me wanting more.

I always look forward to new stuff coming out, hoping to find my next obsession or a hidden treasure. This week, we have a lot of different things to talk about, from the last chapters of a worldwide hit to a scary movie with a lot of visuals and an animated adventure that is a little strange. Getting ready to binge-watch all weekend involves being open-minded about these new shows and ready to enjoy their accomplishments and talk about their mistakes.

Major Series Give Big Stakes and Emotional Returns

The Return of Shows We Love, Like The Bear and Squid Game

The debut of Squid Game season 3 on Netflix is one of the biggest things that will happen this weekend. This show became a huge hit all over the world, and I've been on the edge of my seat waiting to see how Gi-hun's narrative ends. After that terrible season 2 cliffhanger, Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) is at his lowest point, yet the games go on. I hope that this last season really answers the questions that have been building up and that Gi-hun can show that there is still hope for humanity, even in such a cruel competition. The stakes have never been higher, and I'm ready for a crazy ride. You can now watch all six episodes of Squid Game season 3 on Netflix.

The Bear season 4 on Hulu is another return that fans are really looking forward to. Yes, chef! This program knows how to turn up the heat, both in the kitchen and in the lives of its characters. You may binge-watch the whole season because all 10 episodes came out on June 25. Carmy (Jeremy Allen White), Sydney (Ayo Edebiri), and Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) are back, and they're dealing with a bad evaluation of their restaurant that could ruin everything they had planned. I'm ready to dive into the craziness and see if Sydney remains or looks for new job opportunities. The genuine storytelling and great performance always make this show a must-see, even though it makes me a little anxious.

New Adventures and Mysteries Come to Streaming Services

Ironheart from Marvel and Smoke from Apple TV Plus both tell new stories.

Ironheart, Marvel's newest series, is now available on Disney Plus. The first three episodes came out on June 24, and the last three came out on July 1. Dominique Thorne plays Riri Williams again. She is a smart MIT student who initially featured in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Now, Riri goes back to Chicago to make her own suit and runs across The Hood (Anthony Ramos), a mysterious superpowered crime boss. I'm always fascinated in how Marvel grows its universe, and Riri's trip to prove herself, even though it's dangerous, is a great hook.

Apple TV Plus has Smoke, which came out on June 27, for people who want to be on the edge of their seats. The show is based on a true tale from the "Firebug" podcast. It follows arson expert Dave Gudsen (Taron Egerton) and troubled detective Michelle Calderone (Jurnee Smollett) as they seek down people who set fires. I had great hopes for the brutal criminal drama because I saw Taron Egerton and Dennis Lehane work together on Black Bird. Smoke promises to keep us guessing who to trust with its secrets and story surprises at every turn.

Max also brings the last episode of the anime series Lazarus on June 29. Shinichirō Watanabe, who is known for Cowboy Bebop, made this series, which is a unique mix of sci-fi action and mystery. A task group is seeking to find a vaccination to save people when a miracle medication turns into a nightmare. I'm interested to see how this ambitious series ends its first season, especially because the fate of humanity is at stake.

Horror and science fiction movies are the main events.

Nosferatu is a beautiful movie, and Love Me is an interesting one.

Robert Eggers' Nosferatu, which has been streaming on Prime Video since June 27, is a treat for horror enthusiasts this weekend. Bill Skarsgård plays Count Orlok and Lily-Rose Depp plays Ellen Hutter in this beautiful remake of the classic movie. The movie is about the terrible obsession between a young woman who is tormented and a scary vampire. Eggers knows how to write scary stories that are also beautiful, and I expect this gothic story to be the same, even if it will be very disturbing to see.

Love Me, a sci-fi romantic movie stars Kristen Stewart and Steven Yeun, will be accessible on Paramount+ with Showtime starting June 16. In a future where people are extinct, a lonely weather buoy (Stewart) and a satellite (Yeun) try to connect with one other through old social media posts. This movie is a strange yet charming mix of stop-motion, live-action, and animation. The movie's comments on influencer culture may seem a bit old-fashioned, but its investigation of authenticity and connection in a world without people is definitely worth thinking about.

Other notable movies that came out recently

From Blocky Worlds to Deadly Premonitions

A Minecraft Movie came to Max on June 20 for families to watch. Jason Momoa and Jack Black star in this movie based on the popular video game. It follows a group of misfits who get sucked into the cubic Overworld. They need to be creative to get away and beat evil powers. I usually think that video game adaptations are hit or miss, but Minecraft is unexpectedly delightful, especially for kids, because it's so silly and has familiar buildings.

You can rent or buy the horror series Final Destination: Bloodlines on VOD starting June 17. In this sixth book, death is after the children of a woman whose foresight saved her life in 1969. At the box office, it rapidly became the most popular movie in the series. The complicated traps and the fact that death is unavoidable in this series always interest me, and this new chapter promises to continue that grim tradition.

Peacock is now streaming another scary movie, The Woman in the Yard, starting June 27. Danielle Deadwyler plays a lady whose family is harassed by a ghostly figure that says, "Today's the day." This is a Blumhouse movie. Some critics argue that the heavy-handed metaphor doesn't offer much space for real scares, even though the premise seems good. I'm interested to see if it can create real tension or if it loses itself in its own message.

Last but not least, Hulu has Summer of 69, a fun sex comedy that doesn't have any sex. The movie, directed by Jillian Bell and starring Chloe Fineman and Sam Morelos, is about an uncomfortable high school senior who employs an exotic dancer to help her get her crush. It tries to be lovely about friendship and finding yourself, but I thought it was a little all over the place. It has heart, but it never really goes far enough with the tale, choosing comfort over real character growth.

Final Thoughts on the Streaming Scene This Weekend

This weekend really does have a lot of different things to watch. There is something for almost every taste, from the dramatic cooking drama The Bear to the scary gothic horror Nosferatu. Some releases, like the end of Squid Game, are likely to provide us the emotional reward we've been waiting for. Others, though, might remind us that not every new streaming product is a work of art. I suggest you check out these new items and make up your own mind about them. The best thing about streaming is that you can always find new things.

Netflix currently has new episodes of Squid Game season 3 available to watch. You can watch all of The Bear season 4 on Hulu. There are three episodes of Ironheart on Disney Plus right now, and more will be added on July 1. Apple TV Plus was the first place to show Smoke. You can watch Nosferatu on Prime Video. Max has a Minecraft movie. You may rent or buy Final Destination: Bloodlines on VOD services. Peacock has The Woman in the Yard. Showtime and Paramount+ both have Love Me. Hulu has Summer of 69.