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There are more entertainment options than ever before. While the pandemic may cause restrictions to change at any moment, there’s always something to watch, play or do on your weekend.
To help you cut through the noise of an overwhelming amount of new movies, TV shows, games and experiences on offer right now, every week we’ll give you a list of recommendations to entertain you over the weekend.
Here’s what’s new this week.
What’s new on streaming?
Here’s what you can watch on streaming services in Australia this weekend.
Netflix
This weekend the crazy treasure hunting teen drama Outer Banks is back for season two.
Netflix has also revived the classic He-Man cartoons with Masters of the Universe: Revelation for those looking for some nostalgia.
If you missed them some other new additions include The Fear Street Trilogy, Blood Red Sky, all the Harry Potter movies, and Never Have I Ever Season 2.
If none of these are appealing to you, check out our list of the best Netflix movies based on their Rotten Tomato ranking.
Stan.
What’s happening on Australia’s local streaming service?
Stan’s latest streaming exclusive is Dr. Death, aka the terrifying true story of Dr Christopher Duntsch, a rising medical star in Dallas whose victims ended up maimed or dead on his operating table.
You can also catch David Lynch’s Dune if you’re keen on seeing the story before the new adaptation of Frank Herbert’s novel.
Disney+
For those stuck in lockdown (or who would just rather watch a movie at home) Disney’s new blockbuster Jungle Cruise, starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, is on Disney+ as of today.
You’ll need to pay a one time $35 fee and then you can watch it as many times as you like.
Binge
The big-ticket item on Binge right now is the third season of Roswell, New Mexico, which just kicked off its third season. If you’re a fan of the 90s series you might enjoy this one too.
Another beloved revival is the new Gossip Girl. The reboot is a completely fresh take on the series that old and new fans will love.
Amazon Prime Video
If you’re a fan of fantasising about homes you’ll never be able to afford then Luxe Listings Sydney is here for you. The new six-part series takes us through some of the most ridiculously expensive properties in the already ridiculously expensive city of Sydney.
Amazon Prime Video is also home to a bunch of new blockbuster movies including John Wick: Chapter 2, Call Me By Your Name, The Shallows and the first three Men in Black films.
ABC
This week the ABC is bringing out something special.
Tall Poppy – A Skater’s Story tells the tale of Olympic hopeful Poppy Starr Olsen who will be competing at this year’s games. Watch the documentary on the ABC on Sunday August 1 (or later on ABC iView) before she goes for gold next week.
You can find out what else to watch in Australia this month with our guide.
What’s new at Australian cinemas?
Glad you asked. We’re lucky enough to have cinemas well and truly open again in (most of) Australia, so what’s good on the big screen?
New at cinemas this week is Disney’s Jungle Cruise – which you can see in cinemas or on Disney+ depending on your preference.
Henry Golding’s Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins, which looks like a wild action-packed ride, is also a fresh release at local cinemas.
You can also catch these movies in theatres:
- Space Jam: A New Legacy
- Black Widow
- Gunpowder Milkshake
- Fast & Furious 9
- Werewolves Within
- Escape Room: Tournament of Champions
- In The Heights
Any new video games?
For those who enjoy gaming on the weekend, you’ll be glad to know there are some hot new titles to dig into.
The biggest hitter this week is the new cyberpunk RPG, The Ascent, which you can play on Xbox or PC. Our friends at Kotaku really enjoyed this one so it’s worth trying out!
If you missed it last week Pokemon fans can enjoy the recent release of Pokemon Unite on Nintendo Switch
Apart from that, why not use the lockdown to catch up on your pile of shame? Monster Hunter Stories 2, Mario Golf: Super Rush and Scarlet Nexus are all recent releases you may have missed.
How about something new to read?
A new month means lots of new books are out there just waiting to be read.
This week saw the release of Sophie Green’s Thursdays at Orange Blossom House. The Aussie book is set in the tropics of Queensland and tells a heartwarming tale of friendship, family and the power of love.
Over in the YA space, Joya Goffney’s latest book has probably one of the most relatable titles on record in Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry. The book follows Quinn who keeps lists of everything – even the most embarrassing parts of her life. That all unravels when someone posts one of these lists on Instagram and blackmails her into facing her list of fears.
If you’re looking for some other recommendations, check out our mates over at Pedestrian.tv who have some stellar picks for the whole month.
Articles worth your time
Looking for a shorter read for your weekend? We’ve collated some of the top articles from our sites at Pedestrian Group over the past week that are well worth your time.
Or some new music?
Good tunes are a sure-fire way to get the good vibes going.
This week’s biggest album is without a doubt Billie Eilish’s Happier Than Ever. Hopefully listening to it also makes you happy.
For fans of scripted podcasts, QCODE’s latest is a doozy. Titled Edith! it stars Rosamund Pike in a true-ish comedy about America’ secret first female president.
Are there any good events happening around Australia?
There’s a ton of great events out there now that restrictions, for some, have eased.
Brisbanites can enjoy the Brisbane Comedy Festival which is happening in and around the city from now until August 8.
Those in Victoria are (mostly) free this weekend, which means you might want to check out the toasty Fireside Yarra Valley festival if restrictions permit it.
Unfortunately, those in Greater Sydney will still need to rely on indoor entertainment as lockdown continues. Here’s a feed of cuddly animals from Targona Zoo for your enjoyment.
If none of this takes you can also support our Aussie athletes by checking out the Tokyo Olympics on Channel 7.
Lifehacker recommends
Here’s what the Lifehacker team is checking out this weekend.
Mel: I’ve been working my way through Alice Zaslavsky’s beautiful cookbook In Praise of Veg. It walks you through how to get the most out of every vegetable, with some really delicious recipes. The Whole Roasted Cauliflower was a game-changer for me.
Steph: Once again, my recommendation is not going to be a show or movie this week. I’ve been consumed by a much more powerful source of entertainment of late: the puzzle. I’ve become an 87-year-old woman in lockdown, it seems. But I am not exaggerating when I say I am obsessed with this ridiculous 1,000 piece puzzle of Times Square my mum sent me. I spend every waking moment thinking about it.
Anyway, I’ll be spending my weekend on that and likely shopping for more puzzles. Journey of Something has a seriously stunning collection.
Lauren: I am going to spend the weekend not leaving the house. Cannot recommend this enough if you are also in Greater Sydney. If you need help to do this I’d recommend getting into a rewatch of your favourite TV show. Right now, mine is Stranger Things and it’s helped the days go by in a blur.
That’s it from us. Enjoy your weekend!
This article has been updated with additional information.