Sci-fi video game action. Period romance escapism. Sweeping multi-generational family drama. Between Halo, Bridgerton, and Pachinko, this week’s streaming releases are headlined by some serious marquee titles.
SERIES
Halo S1
Showmax – 25 March 2022
One of the biggest video game franchises of all time gets the big-budget TV series treatment as Halo comes to the small screen. It’s polished, exciting, and looks superb, but it’s probably not what some of you may expect. You can check out our full thoughts on the first two episodes over HERE if you want to know what you’re in for.
Bridgerton S2
Netflix – 25 March 2022
Fun fact: I’ve not seen a single second of Bridgerton, Netflix’s absurdly popular romantic period drama, so I don’t have much to say here. Millions of you practically inhaled the record-breaking first season though (still the second-most watched series in Netflix’s history) so I’m sure you’ll have plenty to say about it’s much-anticipated return.
Pachinko S1
AppleTV+ – 25 March 2022
Told in Korean, Japanese, and English, this four-episode sweeping drama – adapted from Min Jin Lee’s best-selling novel – spans four generations as it chronicles the hopes, dreams, loves, setbacks, and heartaches of a Korean immigrant family and the impact their undying spirit to thrive has on everybody around them. In short: This is going to be epic and emotional. And apparently absolutely riveting stuff based on the first reviews that landed this week.
Lizzo’s Watch Out For The Big Grrrls S1
Amazon Prime Video – 25 March 2022
Since rocketing to stardom, Lizzo has been a champion of body positivity. And now the Grammy Award-winning hip-hop superstar is taking that representation to the next level in a new reality TV series where she looks for dancers for her world tour that don’t fit the usual skinny/athletic stereotypes. These self-proclaimed “thicc and pretty” girls have definitely got the moves, but who will come out on top?
Thermae Romae Novae S1
Netflix – 28 March 2022
In what may be the most offbeat story pitch I’ve seen in ages, anime series Thermae Romae Novae follows an aqueduct architect from ancient Rome who time-travels via a magic bath to a bathhouse in modern-day Japan… and is blown away by the plumbing and etiquette. If it sounds bizarre, that’s because it is. But it also looks kind of endearing, funny, and cool!
Flight of the Conchords S1 and S2
Showmax – 30 March 2022
Special mention has to be made of the fact that one of the greatest comedy shows of all time will be available to stream on Showmax from next week! Flight of the Conchords is a masterpieces of original music and offbeat laughs and launched the international careers of Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement. If you somehow still haven’t seen the groundbreaking series in the eight years since it launched to multi-award-winning success back in 2007, then you can finally rectify that now.
MOVIES
Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood
Netflix – 30 March 2022
Acclaimed filmmaker Richard Linklater revolutionized the coming-of-age story with the insanely ambitious Boyhood, and now he’s back with another tale of growing up. Apollo 10 1/2 didn’t take 11 years to make though, but it does see Linklater return to the animated stylings of his earlier work as he chronicles what it was like to grow up in Houston, Texas, in the heart of the 1960s Space Race.
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Google Play Movies – 25 March 2022
Based on the fact that it’s already made a staggering $1.885 billion worldwide, chances are everybody reading this has watched Marvel’s jaw-dropping latest Spider-Man blockbuster in cinemas already. At least twice. If you’re one of the select few who chose to avoid packed IMAX venues during a pandemic (weird, right?), then you’re in luck as No Way Home is now available for rental on Google Play Movies. And if you’re somehow only going to watch this movie now and have still not had it’s several gigantic fan-favourite moments spoiled for yet, then you are also clearly a warlock/witch.
Ghostbusters: Afterlife
Google Play Movies – 25 March 2022
Another blockbuster release that hit cinemas during the pandemic, this incredibly fun and nostalgic adventure is now available for purchase on Google Play Movies (no rental option yet, sorry). A direct sequel to Ghostbusters 1 and 2, Afterlife is even directed by Jason Reitman, the son of Ivan Reitman, the director of the original two movies, and it’s packed with beats that both old and new fans will love.