What to Watch - Which Shows and Movies on Streaming are Worth the Watch?

We are back with another "What to Watch" Blog to talk about the hottest new shows and movies out on streaming, and which ones I think are worth your time. I'm just one Bean, but I try to watch as many new shows as I can and keep up with what's coming out. There will be a few follow-ups to my blog from a few weeks ago and whether those shows continue to hit -- a handful of new shows -- and some movie picks that have hit streaming for your next at-home movie night.

Below I break everything down by streaming service -- so find the heading for the ones you got -- and see which shows/movies are Bean Recommended!

Programming note -- the TV Show picks are ones that are new this year -- either on-going or just finishing up a season. The Movie picks won't necessarily be 2025 releases -- just ones that I see scrolling through my streaming apps that I highly recommend.

If you see a show with "**" preceding the title -- it means I haven't watched it yet, but will give a very short blurb about what I'm hearing about it.

HBO Max

Task

If you haven't been watching Task -- this is your alert to start. 6 episodes of the 7 episode season have released, and it's gotten better with every ep. What began as a Limited Series from the creator of Mare of Easttown -- another acclaimed HBO Limited Series -- is getting buzz of a 2nd season (but I wouldn't count on it, people wanted a Season 2 of Mare too). But this is still well worth your time as a Limited Series. Gripping, intense, full of tension and mystique, and features tons of great acing performances against the Delco backdrop. Mark Ruffalo and Tom Pelphrey are great -- Fabian Frankel (Criston Cole in House of the Dragon) is another standout. Highly Bean Recommended.

The Chair Company

Watched the 1st episode of the newest HBO Sunday-Nighter, which is a complete 180 from Task which is currently holding the mantle. From the mind of Tim Robinson, which if you have read these blogs before, you know his 2025 movie Friendship and TV show I Think You Should Leave are among my favorite comedies. He's back with a more prestigious platform for his outrageous comedic mind with The Chair Company.

Robinson plays Ron Trosper, a family-man and businessman who suffers an embarrassing incident at work -- and in his quest for justice for that embarrassment, uncovers a far-reaching conspiracy. The Pilot gave me exactly what I wanted: combining the goofy elements and bits of ITYSL, with the surprisingly-strong film-making of Friendship, into a 30 minute prestige comedy for HBO. I'm always seated for Tim Robinson stuff -- if you're a fan, this will be up your alley and is a Bean Recommendation.

Peacemaker - Season 2

As I said a few weeks ago, I absolutely loved Season 1 of Peacemaker. It was such an awesome mix of hilarity, creativity, violence, and fun that was James Gunn's R-rated Guardians of the Galaxy in TV-form. Season 2 got off to a bit of a slow start, then started picking up steam in the last few episodes -- leaning on the comedy and outlandish-ness that made S1 successful.

Then we got to the finale, and it was.. well.. I don't know what it was. It didn't really make any sense to me. It seemed like Gunn was more interested in making a tie-in for his next Superman movie than he was in making a sensical, satisfying season of TV. Really rubbed me the wrong way, felt extremely cheap and manipulative honestly. Wasn't funny, was pretty much devoid of the charm and humor that makes his stuff work. So for that, Season 2 is NOT Bean Recommended.

Caleb Hearon - Model Comedian (Stand-up Special)

Not a movie, but a very funny stand-up special we watched recently on Max. If you're unfamiliar with Caleb Hearon -- I was as well until I fell in a rabbit-hole of his hilarious podcast clips on Reels, and his stand-up makes me laugh just as hard. His cadence and delivery combined with just having very funny life experience stories to tell is a winning combo -- highly Bean-recommend this 60-minute special.

Hulu

The Lowdown

I've gotten a couple episodes under my belt of Sterlin Harljo's newest show (1st since Reservation Dogs) set in Tulsa and starring Ethan Hawke -- The Lowdown. I'm not sure if this will be everybody's cup of tea -- and I'm not 100% sure it's my cup of tea just yet -- but I'm enjoying it thus far. Ethan Hawke is just one of the best actors in the game, and there's a Rogue's Gallery of actors that pop up throughout -- Keith David, Tim Blake Nelson, Peter Dinklage, Tracy Letts. Intriguing premise and excited to see where it goes from here -- but the episodes are long, fair warning. Tentatively, this is a Bean Recommend.

Chad Powers

We stay with Hulu for this comedy starring Glen Powell and Steve Zahn -- and if you know Bean's Blog, you know we love Glen Powell. The lore of the show comes from the viral video years ago when Eli Manning retired and he showed up to a Penn State walk-on in full makeup and started slinging the rock. Think Uncle Drew but for Football.

I'm locked in for anything involving Glen Powell, but I was a bit skeptical about this one. But through 3 episodes, it's hitting on the notes I was hoping for -- it's making me laugh, it's well-made, and it has hints of hitting emotional beats. It's far from a perfect show -- it has some pretty sad and almost dark moments mixed in which I didn't expect -- but it's very entertaining and Glen's doing a good job in the lead role. Bean Recommended if you like football and Glen Powell.

**Abbot Elementary - Season 5

Haven't dug in to the newest season yet, but I've written about how much I like Abbott Elementary in the past -- one of the best sitcoms going right now which is very funny and sweet. Will watch the newest season eventually, check it out if you like sitcoms.

Netflix

Black Rabbit

Wanted to like this one a lot, but I couldn't get on board. I'm not a huge Jude Law guy to begin with, but love Jason Bateman and think he's a good director. Just a little too predictable and doesn't make the most of it's run-time -- I can't stand when a show makes every episode 60 minutes when they could've been 40 and told the same story. NO Bean Recommendation here.

House of Guinness

From the creators of Peaky Blinders comes another family chronicle about a powerful European family -- but this time, they head to Dublin. House of Guinness follows the Guinness children after their father's passing and the chaos that goes hand-in-hand with their lifestyle. I watched the first episode a couple weeks ago and it kind of fell off my plate -- which says more about me than the show itself, because I thought it was solid. Need to hop back on the wagon before I can give a recommendation -- but Peaky fans should give it a try.

**Monster: The Ed Gein Story

I'll be upfront and honest -- I have zero intention of watching this show. I'm not with the dramatizations centered solely on serial killers, but if you're into that shit, give this one a watch I suppose.

The Maze Runner - Trilogy

My movie recommendation from Netflix is an easy choice -- the 1st Maze Runner movie was a childhood favorite that I still like rewatching to this day. Not an Oscar-winner, but a highly enjoyable flick -- and the sequels aren't as good, but still super watchable. Bean Recommendation.

Apple TV+

**Slow Horses - Season 5

I've never really hopped on the Horse so to speak with this show -- but I routinely hear great things about it. Gary Oldman, one of the best living actors, stars in this show that pumps out a new season every single year. Reports say this newest season is a return to form of the quality of Season 1 -- but by all accounts this is a very strong show that's been solid for it's entire run.

The Morning Show - Season 4

It took me 2 1/2 seasons, but I'm finally tapping out on TMS. The episodes are just a little too long for me to keep up with the chaos and I can't buy in anymore. Despite how many actors I love that they throw at me (Billy Crudup, Aaron Pierre, Marion Cotillard) I can't do the nonsensical plot anymore. NO Bean Recommendation.

Paramount+

Survivor - Season 49

Only a couple episodes in, and I've missed the last several seasons of Survivor -- but I'm enjoying the new one! I told myself I had to lock in to prepare for Survivor 50 next year -- and I used to rip through Survivor seasons like no one's business. I binge-watched all of Micronesia one night in college -- just didn't go to sleep and kept hitting next episode. So I'll always Bean Recommend this one.

Big Brother - Season 27

Now Big Brother is one of the reality Competition shows I've never really watched, so I watched the latest season with Emily. She tells me this was a particularly weak cast, but this season was un-watchable. There were like 4-5 people who were fine, one person I liked (Keanu), and the rest of the cast was made up of the least likable group of losers I've ever seen -- In particular: Rachel, Vince, Morgan, Ava, Ashley.

I also can't stand the confessionals -- someone will read the rules to the game, then they'll cut to someone repeating the exact same rules to the game in a confessional. Or the classic, "I need to win today's Veto Challenge because -- I need to protect my game!" No fucking shit Morgan, that's the point of the game. Season 27 -- Bean Recommends you AVOID at all costs. But willing to try again with a different season (that doesn't include Rachel from this season).

No Country for Old Men

Will never skip an opportunity to recommend one of the Best movies of the 21st century that's available on streaming. No Country for Old Men is one of them ones -- Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Tommy Lee Jones, Woody Harrelson -- an all-time classic. Bean Recommended.

Peacock

How to Train Your Dragon - Trilogy

Not much new on the Cock these days, but they added the HTTYD trilogy and those movies fucking rip. Elite animated movie trilogy -- up there with the Toy Story's and Shrek's and Kung Fu Panda's of the world. Easy Bean Recommendation.

Amazon Prime

Gen V - Season 2

I've fallen off this one a bit -- probably watched 4 or 5 episodes. Just haven't had the motivation to watch, a testament to the quality of the season. I like the actors involved, I just haven't been crazy about the plot. I'm opting out until the new season of The Boys is coming out, then I'll watch to ensure I'm up to speed. No Bean Recommendation.

Disney+

If it wasn't for my need to have Hulu without commercials and ESPN+ to watch mid-major college basketball -- I probably wouldn't have Disney+ anymore. I opened it for the 1st time in a few months to write this blog, and saw 2 relatively-recent sequels that are both Bean Recommendations.

Avatar The Way of Water

One of the most-hyped sequels of all-time from the record-breaking original Avatar, I thought The Way of Water was another fun, visually-epic, and exciting movie. Long -- 3 hours and 14 minutes -- but I really liked it. Fun one to throw on if you're gonna take an edible and want to see pretty colors for a few hours.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 3

And lastly, the final Guardians of the Galaxy movie is one of my favorite post-Endgame Marvel movies. James Gunn always knew what he was doing with the cast of characters, always brought it with the bangers in the Soundtrack, and knew how to balance the goofy with the heartfelt. GOTG-3 is a prime example -- even if it doesn't meet the highs of GOTG-1.