The best new Netflix shows and movies of the week aren't all from Netflix. It's a relatively quiet week for Netflix originals. There's a new comedy special from comedian Langston Kerman and the original movie “Incoming,” which looks like a good coming-of-age movie. But the real heavyweights this week aren't from Netflix; they're from AMC.
Netflix will be adding a number of AMC series to its movie library, including all eight seasons of the series “Fear the Walking Dead.” Netflix will also be releasing the first season of AMC’s “Interview with the Vampire” and the first season of one of my favorite shows of the year, “Mr. Spade.”
Want more? There’s still plenty to choose from. Here’s a full, day-by-day look at what’s new on Netflix this week.
What's new on Netflix this week: Top picks
“Fear the Walking Dead” Seasons 1-8
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“The Walking Dead” was a huge success for AMC, spawning tons of zombie series and movies after the first season premiered in 2010. Five years later, the show even spawned a major spinoff: “Fear the Walking Dead.”
Starring Kim Dickens as Madison Clark, Cliff Curtis as Travis Manawa, Frank Dillane as Nick Clark, and Alycia Debnam-Carey as Alicia Clark. The first three seasons of this series are a prequel to the hit series “The Walking Dead.” It focuses on a family trying to survive the onset of the zombie apocalypse. In season 4, the series gets a soft reboot, bringing in “The Walking Dead” character Morgan Jones (Lennie James) as a crossover character and making him the show's main character for the remainder of the show's eight seasons.
Watch on Netflix from August 19
“Interview with the Vampire” Season 1
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Sometimes referred to as “Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire,” the series was a surprise hit for AMC. Anne Rice's “The Vampire Chronicles” had already been adapted for film in 1994, starring Brad Pitt as Louis, a man transformed into a vampire by a French vampire named Lestat (Tom Cruise). A TV series about the same characters seemed to be treading ground that had already been explored.
But the show received near-unanimous critical acclaim during its first two seasons, which arguably makes a film adaptation unnecessary. While the characters are the same—this time with Jacob Anderson as Louis de Pointe du Lac and Sam Reid as Lestat de Lioncourt—the show explores themes of race, abuse, and homosexuality in ways that the film largely avoids. If you want to watch one of the highest-rated horror series on the market, then you have to watch “Interview with the Vampire.”
Watch on Netflix from August 19
“Mr. Spade” Season 1
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“Mr. Spade” isn't among the top seven shows I've watched this year, but it's not far off. Its first season is currently ranked 12th out of 35 on my list of new seasons of shows I've watched this year, and that's pretty good.
The AMC series stars Clive Owen as Mister Spade, aka private detective Sam Spade of “The Maltese Falcon” fame. Owen's take on the character picks up about two decades after Humphrey Bogart's iconic portrayal of Spade in the 1941 classic, living in the French countryside town of Bozouls, practically retired. But men like Spade are never truly retired, and the private investigator is forced into a case of international intrigue after a convent of nuns is murdered in the sleepy town of Bozouls. If you like detective shows, forget “True Detective: Night Country” and watch “Mister Spade” instead.
Watch on Netflix from August 19
“Langston Kerman: Bad Poetry”
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I first discovered Langston Kerman’s comedy when I heard him as a guest on the podcast “Lovett or Leave It.” But chances are you’ve seen him perform if you haven’t seen his stand-up. He’s appeared on shows like “Insecure” and “The Boys.” In “Langston Kerman: Bad Poetry,” he tackles raising a top-notch baby, teaching mean teens, dealing with his stepmom’s dating apps, and more.
For some reason, Netflix didn't upload a trailer to YouTube for this comedy special, so I've included a clip of Kerman's stand-up routine that I particularly enjoyed, which you can watch above.
Watch on Netflix from August 20
“Incoming”
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Whether it’s “Dazed and Confused,” “Superbad,” or “Booksmart,” the coming-of-age movie is a great genre filled with great films. And every generation tends to cling to at least one of those films as their own. Being born in the early ’90s, for me, it’s “Superbad.” For Gen Z, Netflix is probably hoping that “Incoming” will be that kind of movie.
“Incoming” stars Mason Thames, Raphael Alejandro, Bardia Seiri and Ramon Reed as high school seniors Benj Nielsen, Connor, Danah “Koosh” Koushani and Eddie. The film follows them as they try to survive their first-ever high school party. Watch it on Netflix this week to see if they can successfully navigate a night of madness, chaos and debauchery.
Watch on Netflix from August 23
Everything new on Netflix: August 19-25
AUGUST 19
“CoComelon Lane” season 3 (Netflix family)
The kids at Melon Patch Academy want to surprise their teacher Ms. Appleberry with a special musical! But can the show go on when plans change unexpectedly?
- “A Discovery of Witches” seasons 1 to 3
- Season 1 of “Anne Rice's The Witches of Mayfair”
- Seasons 1 and 2 of “Dark Winds”
- “Fear the Walking Dead” Seasons 1-8
- “Gangs of London” seasons 1 and 2
- “Interview with the Vampire” Season 1
- Seasons 1-3 of “Into the Badlands”
- “Kevin Can Fuck Off” Seasons 1 & 2
- “Migration”
- “Mr. Spade” season 1
- Seasons 1-4 of “Preacher”
- “That Dirty Black Bag” Season 1
- “The Terror” season 1
- “The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon” season 1
- Seasons 1-4 of “UnREAL”
AUGUST 20
“Langston Kerman: Bad Poetry” (Netflix comedy special)
Comedian Langston Kerman talks parenting a top-notch baby, teaching mean teens and dealing with his stepmom's dating apps in this hilarious special.
“Terror Tuesday: Extreme” (TH) (Netflix series)
Inspired by the Thai horror radio show “Angkhan Khlumpong,” this series features eight stories based on real-life experiences shared by listeners.
“Untold: The Murder of Air McNair” (Netflix documentary)
This documentary traces the rise of legendary NFL quarterback Steve McNair and the disconcerting details surrounding his shocking murder in 2009.
AUGUST 21
“The Accident” (MX) (Netflix series)
When a birthday party takes a tragic turn, its repercussions shatter a tight-knit and rich community, tearing apart families, friendships and hearts.
“Back to 15: Back to 18” (BR) (Netflix series)
After a photoblogging glitch, Anita is transported back to 2009 and must navigate college life while realizing she's not the only time traveler in town.
“Nice Girls” (FR) (Netflix Movie)
A vengeful cop with a strong personality and a German detective with opposing methods team up to save Nice from disaster in this female-led buddy film.
“Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE” (Netflix documentary)
The series follows 20 contestants from around the world on a year-long journey as they compete to become KATSEYE, a one-of-a-kind girl group formed using the methods of KPOP. With unprecedented access, spanning eight episodes, the result is a compelling portrait of the path to international stardom, including a glimpse into the unique training and development program developed by HYBE and Geffen Records.
“Wyatt Earp and the Cowboy War” (Netflix documentary)
The legendary feud between Wyatt Earp and Ike Clanton unfolds through gripping reenactments in this daring docudrama about the shootout that defined an era.
AUGUST 22
“Baby Fever” season 2 (DK) (Netflix series)
Fertility doctor Nana tries to balance life as a single mother with the complex web of lies she's woven, but the past catches up with her.
“GG Precinct” (TW) (Netflix series)
Faced with a series of murders staged as chilling puns, a rookie police captain and a zany detective race to solve the deadly mysteries of a serial killer.
“Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Cosmos The Movie” (JP) (Netflix anime)
One by one, Sailor Moon's friends and loved ones are targeted by a fearsome new enemy who threatens to destroy everything and rule the cosmos.
“The Secret Life of Orangutans” (GB) (Netflix documentary)
Follow a multi-generational orangutan family through their triumphs and tribulations in the treetops in this immersive documentary narrated by David Attenborough.
AUGUST 23
“Incoming” (Netflix Movie)
Their first week of high school. The biggest party of the year. Mistakes will be made as four teens navigate a night of chaos and debauchery.
“Tòkunbọ̀” (NG) (Netflix Movie)
A former car dealer has three hours to deliver a government official's daughter to her captor or her family will suffer the consequences.
I'm leaving Netflix this week
Departure on 08/22/24
“Everything everywhere at once”
Departure on 08/23/24
“Marcel the shell with shoes”
Departure on 08/24/24
“Berlin Syndrome”