This Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer with a compelling lineup of new movies and TV shows available on multiple platforms, including Netflix, Disney Plus, HBO Max, and other streaming services.
The summer movie 2021 season kicks off with the premiere of "Cruella," now available on Disney Plus Premiere Access. Meanwhile, the devil himself is heating up in "Lucifer" Season 5 Part 2.
And we could get more excited about the "Friends" reunion. It's streaming on HBO Max right now, and it's so touching that I've stocked up on tissues. The rest of the week has the much-anticipated final episodes of "Mere Old Man of East Town" and "Grey's Anatomy."
This is just the tip of the iceberg of new TV shows and specials available on broadcast and cable TV. If you've turned off cable TV, sign up for one of the best cable TV alternatives to access your favorite channels.
Here are our picks for new movies and TV shows to watch this weekend.
Movie | 2 hrs 14 mins | PG-13 | How to Watch Cruella Cruella, Emma (Stone and Thompson) got me, but this movie is even more charming when you see them enjoying themselves while taking in the scenery. It's the origin story no one asked for, yet it's the wild ride needed to kick off the summer movie season. Stone is Estela, an orphaned street urchin who dreams of working in the fashion industry. She ends up working for the famous designer Baroness (Thompson), but their styles clash badly and Estella is transformed into the villain of The Hundred and One Dalmatians. And the Oscars should set aside costume, makeup, and hair styling trophies.
Special | 1 hr 43 min | TV-14 | How to Watch "Friends" Reunion I guess we were just taking a break: 17 years after NBC's hit sitcom ended, six stars (Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer) gather for a table read and reminisce about the show that made them all superstars. This special program will also feature a number of very welcome guests (Janice, Gunther), although we don't care for them. The trailer for the "Friends" reunion made me teary-eyed, and I'm already stocking up on tissues.
Season 5B Premiere | Episodes 1-8, TV-14 | Watch nowThe devil is back. Lucifer Season 5 Part 2 begins where the first half left off. Lucifer (Tom Ellis) battles Maze and his twin brother Michael faces Amenadiel. God (Dennis Haysbert) appears and declares, "Children, I hate it when you fight. All hell breaks loose of biblical proportions. The second half of the season is going to be a real fun ride, with some musical episodes. - And so begins the sixth and final season of this drama.
Series Finale | Season 3, Episodes 1-8, TV-MA | Watch Now The final season of The Kominsky Method loses one of its two leads, as Alan Arkin does not return. Instead, Michael Douglas bids a solitary farewell, as does Sandy Kominsky, the character he played when Arkin's Norman passed away. Sandy must learn how to cope with life without Norman, his longtime friend and agent, but things are complicated when his ex-wife Roz (Kathleen Turner) arrives in town. She has come to L.A. to spend time with her daughter Mindy (Sarah Baker) and her boyfriend Martin (Paul Reiser). The final season is expected to feature cameos from more stars, including Morgan Freeman and Barry Levinson.
Season 3 Premiere | Episodes 1-5, TV-MA | Watch nowAziz Ansari did not seem to be rushing through the episodes of the show he co-produced, but the four-year break between Seasons 2 and 3 is long. Whether he needed to get his creative juices flowing or escape the harsh spotlight of sexual misconduct allegations against him, Ansari took his time and crafted a luscious ode to love, consisting of five episodes. He directs but is off camera, focusing instead on Denise, played by Lena Weich, and her partner, Alicia (Naomi Ackie).
Season 1 Finale | Episode 10 | TV-PG | Watch Now If you haven't watched the charming reboot/sequel series of the 90s movie franchise, this weekend is the perfect time to catch up on the entire first season. Emilio Estevez reprises his role as Gordon Bombay, Mighty Ducks' former coach. The Ducks are now a powerhouse in youth hockey. When Evan Morrow is fired from the team, his mother, Alex (Lauren Graham), asks Gordon to coach a new group of wunderkinds. Reluctant at first, Gordon finally agrees to lead the Don't Bothers to the state championship, despite the odds against them.
Special|Sunday, May 30 at 3:00 a.m. (E) Multi-talented actor/writer/director/musician/poet Bo Burnham most recently played Carey Mulligan's good boyfriend in "Promising Young Woman". Previously, he may be best remembered as the writer/director of the coming-of-age story Eighth Grade. And now he is leading this Netflix special. This special edition was shot "alone, with no crew or audience, for the past year" in an isolated location, he said. Pandemic-inspired comedy specials are beginning to be distributed by various services, and it will be interesting to see Burnham's views on social distance and staying home.
Season 1 Finale | Airs Sunday, May 30 at 10 p.m. ET "murdur durdur" The case is on the verge of being solved. At least, I hope so, unlike what happened in "THE KILLING". As much as I enjoy watching Kate Winslet smoke cigarettes and Jean Smart play "Fruit Ninja" on her iPad, I want a definitive answer as to who killed Erin McMenamin. In the last episode, either Billy or John Ross, two of Erin's cousins, were considered the culprits. My guess is that it was neither of them, but Lori Ross, John's wife and Mea's best friend. Or maybe the Rosses were all in on it. Let's hope Mea can get over this and get to the next wawa.
Series Finale | Episodes 1-13 of season 5 will stream on Wednesday, June 2 at 3 a.m. ET. However, "Kim's Convenience" will close up store as the creators have left the series. In Season 5, nothing much happens, just the interesting and mundane aspects of running a store. The chemistry between the cast members, including Paul Seung Hyun Lee (Appa), Jang Yoon (Uma), Andrea Bang (Janet), Shim Ryu (Jung), Andrew Hoon (Kimchi), and Nicole Powers (Shannon), was what made this show so appealing. Their banter and shared energy will be missed. If you like Sim Liu, prepare for his popularity to grow even more with Marvel's Shan-Chi.
Series Premiere | Episodes 1-6 will be available on Thursday, June 3 at 3:00 a.m. ET. This British comedy follows the journey of the titular punk band, composed entirely of Muslim women. Looking for a lead guitarist, they decide to recruit Amina (Anjana Vasan), a PhD student in microbiology who is a complete novice. Amina thinks she'll just find a husband and settle down, but when Lady Parts answers her call, she begins to dream of rock stardom. The show was critically acclaimed across the pond for its irreverent, silly, sweet humor and its focus on Muslim women as full-fledged characters beyond the hijab.
Season 17 Finale | Aired Thursday, June 3 at 9 p.m. ET What a season it has been for the long-running medical drama. Grey's Anatomy" has tackled two major real-world issues over the past year, the coronavirus pandemic and the racial injustice movement, without flinching. Even with "Grey's Anatomy" Season 18 on the horizon, it seemed as if this would be the end of the series after featuring past stars like Patrick Dempsey and T.R. Knight in cameo appearances. Instead, a new chapter begins, with Maggie and Winston getting married and Meredith taking on a new role at the hospital.
.
Comments