With the first weekend of September here, the unofficial start of fall TV has arrived. If you’re looking for something to dive into, check out the new movies and shows to watch this weekend on Netflix, Paramount Plus and other streaming services, as well as broadcast and cable channels.
Fan favorites are back in action as spinoffs “NCIS: Tony and Ziva” and “The Paper” bring fresh takes on familiar worlds and characters. “The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon” season 3 and “Wednesday” season 2 part 2 return with more drama, while Mark Ruffalo headlines HBO’s buzzy newcomer “Task.” For cinematic thrills, Spike Lee and Denzel Washington unveil their crime epic “Highest 2 Lowest.” Here are our top picks for new TV shows and movies to watch this weekend.
New TV shows
‘Task’ (HBO)
Watch On
Brad Ingelsby, the mind behind “Mare of Easttown,” returns to DelCo with this gripping limited series, blending emotional depth with tense, edge-of-your-seat crime. Mark Ruffalo leads as Tom Brandis, a priest-turned-FBI agent, tasked with taking down a wave of violent heists orchestrated by seemingly ordinary family man Robbie (Tom Pelphrey).
As their paths collide, grief, revenge, and reckless choices ignite a chain reaction that drags everyone in their orbit. With standout performances from Emilia Jones, Thuso Mbedu, and Raúl Castillo, “Task” is a raw, character-driven thriller that lingers long after the final scene.
Episode 1 premieres Sunday, Sept. 7 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max
‘The Paper’ (Peacock)
Watch On
From “The Office” creator Greg Daniels comes this spinoff, following the familiar documentary crew as they trade Scranton for Toledo and dive into the struggling Truth-Teller newspaper. Domhnall Gleeson stars as Ned Sampson, an idealistic new editor trying to turn a mostly ad-filled office into a real newsroom, while the bold and unpredictable Esmeralda (Sabrina Impacciatore) keeps everyone on their toes.
Oscar Nuñez returns as former Dunder Mifflin accountant Oscar Martinez, reluctantly back in the spotlight. With nods to the original series and a quirky ensemble cast, “The Paper” proves that small-town journalism can deliver laughs just as sharp as Scranton’s.
All 10 episodes are streaming now on Peacock
‘NCIS: Tony and Ziva’ (Paramount Plus)
Watch On
“NCIS” fans, the day you’ve been waiting for has arrived: Tony and Ziva are back, and things are anything but quiet. Picking up years after Ziva’s presumed death, the sequel reunites the pair as they balance life as parents in Paris with the high-stakes chaos of Tony’s compromised security firm.
When a shadowy conspiracy threatens their daughter Tali, Tony and Ziva hit the road across Europe, evading old foes and uncovering a massive Interpol breach — all while grappling with lingering feelings. Equal parts heart-racing action and romantic payoff, the spinoff delivers a spy-style twist on the duo’s happily ever after.
Episodes 1-3 are streaming now on Paramount Plus
‘Wednesday’ season 2 part 2 (Netflix)
Watch On
Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega) is back at Nevermore Academy for another school year, and she’s brewing more trouble than ever. Picking up after the cliffhanger from part 1, she wakes from her coma to find new mysteries, glitching powers and old enemies ready to bite.
Principal Weems (Gwendoline Christie) returns, this time as a ghostly guide, while Morticia (Catherine Zeta-Jones) keeps a watchful eye on campus chaos. Lady Gaga makes a cameo with a brand-new song debuting alongside part 2, adding extra sparkle to the macabre.
All 4 episodes are streaming now on Netflix
‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon’ season 3 (AMC)
Watch On
Daryl and Carol are back on the move, and Europe has never been more beautiful — or more dangerous. Season 3 of the spinoff takes Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride from France through Spain and England, where they encounter a ruthless monarch, unexpected allies and foes, and a town full of … odd traditions.
While Daryl searches for a way home, Carol is falling under Spain’s spell. Fans can expect breathtaking locales, shifting dynamics, and tension at every turn. This globe-trotting zombie adventure remains as unpredictable as ever as it builds toward the recently announced fourth and final season.
Episode 1 premieres Sunday, Sept. 7 at 9 p.m. ET on AMC (via Sling or Fubo) and AMC Plus
‘The Great British Baking Show’ collection 13 (Netflix)
Watch On
The tent is back, the ovens are hot and so is the competition. “The Great British Baking Show” (“The Great British Bakeoff” in the U.K.) returns to Netflix with a new season, where 12 new amateur bakers — from a med student to a drag king to a jiujitsu blue belt — battle for Star Baker and, of course, that elusive Paul Hollywood handshake.
Expect towering showstoppers, unpredictable technicals and enough soggy bottoms to keep Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond cackling from the sidelines. Judges Paul and Prue preside once again, ready to crown Britain’s next great amateur baker.
Episode 1 premieres Friday, Sept. 5 at 3 a.m. ET on Netflix
‘The Runarounds’ (Prime Video)
Watch On
From the creators of “Outer Banks” comes a music-fueled drama ready to crank the volume. The story follows a scrappy crew of Wilmington teens spending the summer after graduation chasing the impossible dream of rock stardom — armed with guitars, boundless energy, and more than a little teenage recklessness.
Full of original songs, messy romances, and the heartbreaks that come with growing up, it’s both a coming-of-age tale and a behind-the-scenes look at life on tour. Bonus: the fictional band exists in real life, dropping an album alongside the series.
All 8 episodes are streaming now on Prime Video
New movies
‘Highest 2 Lowest’ (Apple TV Plus)
Watch On
Spike Lee and Denzel Washington reunite for this crime thriller that reimagines Kurosawa’s “High and Low” on the streets of New York. David King is a legendary music mogul whose lavish life implodes when a kidnapping plot takes a shocking turn.
What starts as a straight procedural quickly flips into something messier and more thrilling. With Jeffrey Wright, A$AP Rocky, and Ice Spice in her screen debut, Lee turns the screws on power, money and the cost of holding onto both.
Streaming now on Apple TV Plus
‘The Naked Gun’ (PVOD)
Watch On
Liam Neeson brings his very particular set of skills to an arena you’d never expect: pratfalls and puns. Akiva Schaffer’s “Naked Gun” revival channels the spirit of the original films with gleeful wordplay, sight gags and absurd set pieces.
Neeson’s dead-serious delivery makes every ridiculous beat land harder, a sly twist on the tough-guy persona he built in “Taken.” With Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, and Danny Huston along for the ride, it’s proof that big-screen comedy can still have bite.
Streaming now with purchase on Amazon or Apple
‘Friendship’ (HBO Max)
Watch On
What starts as a neighborly hangout turns into a full-blown psychological tailspin in this jet-black comedy about the quiet desperation of trying to make a new friend as an adult. Tim Robinson plays Craig, a needy suburban dad who latches onto his charming new neighbor Austin (Paul Rudd).
What follows is like “I Love You, Man” crash-landing into “Fatal Attraction.” It’s weird, sad and cringe in the best way. As he does in his Netflix series “I Think You Should Leave,” Robinson is painfully perfect at making you want to crawl out of your skin.
Streaming now on HBO Max
Follow Tom’s Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
