5 Best New Movies and Shows to Stream This Weekend on Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, and More (October 16-18)

We are approaching mid-October. Despite the unseasonably warm temperatures on the East Coast of the United States (where I typically reside), we’re all looking forward to this perfectly refreshing season. We’re baking sourdough. We’re getting sweaters out of storage. We’re picking apples and making pies. We’re thinking about Halloween costumes. averageYou’re saying “Kelly Clarkson’s $15,000 animatronic bird wasn’t allowed to be purchased in Brooklyn”?!). But as you prepare for fall weekends, what should you stream while sitting indoors?

This list includes only: completely new Content – “Disclosure Day” began streaming on Peacock on October 9th and “The Death of Robin Hood” arrived on HBO Max on October 16th, so while neither is really brand new, there’s still plenty to choose from. From a goofy Netflix series starring an actor experiencing a bit of a renaissance, to two new seasons of different hilarious dramas, a horror sequel, and an original movie, here are five new things you can stream the weekend of October 16, 2026.

The premise of “Below” is pretty ridiculous. Created and directed by Jesse McKeown, the new Netflix series stars Josh Hartnett (recently seen in “Verity” and, of course, the star of the hilarious M. Night Shyamalan thriller “Trap”) as Calvin Penney, an iceberg harvester and fisherman living in a small town called Snook’s Arm in Newfoundland. As he tries to keep his family — Wade (“Stranger Things” and “Industry” veteran Charlie Heaton), Mary (“Bridgerton” player Ruby Stokes) and Jay (Rohan Campbell) — together despite being scattered across Canada, threats arise from the waters surrounding their small town. Along with his sister and the town’s harbormaster, Ruth (Willow Kean), Calvin uses his special skills to battle sea creatures that threaten the entire population of Snook’s Arm.

“Below,” which also stars Mackenzie Davis (“Halt and Catch Fire,” “Station Eleven”) and recurring guest roles by Natasha Henstridge, Joshua Close, Sean Doyle and David Wenham, is very silly. It’s also a ton of fun, and Hartnett fully commits to this part, something he’s done throughout his recent career renaissance. Just queue up “below” for a fun adventure and don’t think too hard about it.

‘Homeland’ veteran Deborah Cahn launched ‘The Diplomat’ on Netflix in 2023, and it has been a steady hit for the streamer ever since. Not only is it regularly nominated for Emmys, it’s a fun and captivating show with plenty of intrigue and drama. Plus it stars Keri Russell, who best. Russell leads “The Diplomat” as Catherine “Kate” Wyler, the titular diplomat. Catherine “Kate” Wyler unexpectedly takes on a new role as U.S. Ambassador to England, despite believing at the beginning of the series that she would be sent to the Middle East. Not only is Kate immediately nominated as a potential vice presidential candidate, but she also has to deal with her nearly estranged husband, Hal Wyler (Rufus Sewell), everyone’s favorite former ambassador to Iraq and Lebanon.

Over the first three seasons of “The Diplomat,” we watch Kate deal with international crises alongside high-ranking figures in the British and U.S. governments, including the show’s original president, William Tresselt “Bill” Rayburn (Michael McKean), his successor, Grace Hagen Penn (Allison Janney, who won an Emmy for Supporting Actor in 2026), and British Prime Minister Nicol Trowbridge (Rory Kinnear). many more. “The Diplomat” is very entertaining just because of Russell’s presence. If you haven’t caught up yet, start now. Season 4 was released on Netflix on October 15th.

Horror stories are all the rage and have been for a while. So it’s no surprise that the Friday the 13th franchise got a story in the form of “Crystal Lake.” The series, which aired in its entirety on Peacock on October 15, arrives at the peak of the spooky season, is helmed by showrunner Brad Caleb Kane and stars Linda Cardellini as Pamela Voorhees, the mother of legendary slasher Jason Voorhees. (Callum Vinson, who recently appeared in “Long Bright River” and “The Night Agent,” appears repeatedly as Jason throughout the show.)

Cardellini is one of our most dependable and accomplished performers no matter what, and she brings a charming and sinister energy to Pamela, a character created by Betsy Palmer on screen. Starring William Catlett, Devin Kessler, Cameron Scoggins, Gwendolyn Sundstrom, Nick Cordileone and Joy Suprano in supporting roles, ‘Crystal Lake’ is a must-see for horror fans, and /Film’s Bill Bria gives it a solid review.

One of the best shows of 2025 is back for a second time, and it’s better than ever. Ethan Hawke leads the role of Lee Raybon, a mysterious and incredibly funny character inspired by real-life historian Lee Roy Chapman, in the series “The Lowdown” by Sterlin Harjo (“Reservation Dogs”). But on the show, Hawke’s Lee describes himself as a “truthist” and works as a bookseller, choosing to sound slightly less formal. In Season 1 of the series, which premiered on Hulu last year, Keith David starred alongside Hawke as private investigator Marty Brunner, who helped uncover a shocking family conspiracy involving some wealthy Oklahomans about whom Lee had written an exposé. (The series is set in Tulsa.) In season 2, Hawke’s Lee joins Tommy Lee Jones in a series regular role as Lee Raybon Sr., Our protagonist’s father. (unbelievable casting.)

The first two episodes of “The Lowdown” Season 2 were released on October 14, and the series, co-produced by FX and Hulu, will air on a weekly release schedule thereafter. Don’t miss “The Lowdown”. Even if you haven’t seen season 1, you can jump straight into season 2, as Lee gets involved in a different Midwestern mess each season.

Rachel Morrison made the leap into directing after becoming the first female cinematographer to be nominated for an Academy Award for her work on Dee Rees’ 2017 film ‘Mudbound’, and her latest project ‘Love of Your Life’ was released on Amazon Prime Video on October 14. In ‘Love of Your Life’, Margaret Qualley, a versatile actress spanning all genres from ‘Maid’ to ‘The Substance’, played the lead role as Maya, a young woman. Just as she is about to begin her career as a nurse in Boston, she purchases furniture from a young man named Charlie (Gabriel Basso). Gabriel and Maya’s relationship develops quickly, allowing her to meet his mother Ruth (Catherine Keener) and best friend Jason (Patrick Schwarzenegger) before the film really begins. I almost got hit now.

Qualley’s Maya goes through a harrowing but satisfying journey as she grieves a devastating loss, and after fleeing to Portugal to rebuild, we catch up with her years later as she embarks on a surprising romance with Felix (Aaron Pierre, “Lanterns” after a successful first season). “Love of Your Life,” written by “Nyad” scribe Julia Cox, is a sure-fire tearjerker, but it will also resonate with anyone who has felt love and loss before.