What’s new to streaming this week? (Aug. 21, 2026)

What’s new to streaming? And what’s worth watching?Credit: Composite: Mashable. Images: Disney /Team Coco / HBO / AMC / A24 / Lionsgate

Looking for something great to watch at home? Streaming subscribers are spoiled for choice between Hulu, Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Apple TV, Prime Video, Shudder, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. And that’s before you even look at the vast libraries of movies and television programs within each streamer!

Don’t be overwhelmed or waste an hour scrolling through your services to determine what to watch. We’ve got your back, whatever your mood. Mashable offers watch guides for all of the above, broken down by genre: comedy, thriller, horror, documentary, and animation, among others. But if you’re seeking something brand new (or just new to streaming), we’ve got you covered there, too.

12. Rosebush Pruning

Karim Aїnouz’s satire of wealth comes to Mubi this week, with a major cast of rich characters fit to eat. Written by Efthimis Filippou (who co-wrote The Lobster, Dogtooth, and Alps with Yorgos Lanthimos), Rosebush Pruning takes us to Catalonia, where an affluent extended American family lives a life of bacchanalian excess. Like Succession and The End, there are childish grownups (Callum Turner, Lukas Gage, and Riley Keough), a haunted patriarch (Tracy Letts), and an outsider (Elle Fanning) who threatens the very foundations of this privileged life. What could go wrong? — Shannon Connellan, Senior Editor

Starring:Callum Turner, Riley Keough, Elle Fanning, Jamie Bell, Tracy Letts, and Pamela Anderson

How to watch:<a href="https://zdcs.link/QmGOOq?pageview_type=Standard&template=article&module=content_body&element=offer&item=text-link&element_label=Rosebush%20Pruning%20debuts%20on%20MUBI%20on%20Aug.%2021.&object_type=article&object_uuid=00rUvF1qn0GFsqjVXvV4T0l&short_url=QmGOOq&u=https%3A%2F%2Fmashable.com%2Farticle-route-prefix%2Fentertainment%2Fnew-to-streaming-august-21-2026″ rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank”>Rosebush Pruningdebuts on MUBI on Aug. 21.

11. Passenger

No more driving, thanks. I’ll be staying put after watching the trailer for Passenger. The latest horror film from André Øvredal (The Last Voyage of the Demeter) follows engaged couple Tyler (Jacob Scipio) and Maddie (Lou Llobell), whose van life road trip takes a dark turn when they witness an accident — and become literally haunted by it. What is the entity leaving claw marks on their van? All we know is you’ll be unlikely to ever stop for a bathroom break next time you hit the road. — S.C.

Starring:Jacob Scipio, Lou Llobell, and Melissa Leo

How to watch:Passengeris now streaming on Paramount+.

10. The Dynasty: UConn Huskies

When it comes to basketball, the UConn Huskies are synonymous with dominance. Look no further than their 12 NCAA Championships, or their 111 game win streak, both records across women’s and men’s programs. Now, step inside their locker room through the decades in The Dynasty: UConn Huskies. Apple TV’s three-part documentary series offers an in-depth look at the rise of the Huskies, featuring interviews with coach Geno Auriemma and UConn legends like Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, Maya Moore, Breanna Stewart, Paige Bueckers, and Azzi Fudd. If you love women’s basketball, consider this a must-watch. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

Starring: KK Arnold, Geno Auriemma, Sue Bird, Paige Bueckers, Jim Calhoun, Swin Cash, Chris Dailey, Mickie DeMoss, Jana El Alfy, Jamelle Elliott, Azzi Fudd, Jeff Goldberg, Sally Jenkins, Steve Kerr, Rebecca Lobo, Jackie MacMullan, Maya Moore, Alexa Philippou, Shea Ralph, Semeka Randall, Jennifer Rizzotti, Breanna Stewart, Sarah Strong, Diana Taurasi, and Tamika Williams-Jeter

How to watch:The Dynasty: UConn Huskiesdebuts on Apple TV on Aug. 21.

9. Outer Banks, Season 5

It’s time for one last adventure with the Pogues, as Netflix’s hit teen drama Outer Bankscomes to an end this week. In its fifth and final season, Outer Bankssees its core group at rock bottom. They’re mourning the loss of JJ (Rudy Pankow), and they’ve lost the Blue Crown, which is now in the murderous hands of Chandler Groff (J. Anthony Crane). As threats from Corsairs and Kooks alike converge on the Pogues, they’ve got one last shot to take their future and their freedom into their own hands. You know what to do, Pogues. Bring it on home. — B.E.

Starring:Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline, Madison Bailey, Jonathan Daviss, Carlacia Grant, and Drew Starkey

How to watch:Outer Banks, Season 5 is now on Netflix.

8. Conan O’Brien Must Go,Season 3

Conan O’Brien’s completely silly comedy travel show is back for a third season, sending the comedy icon (and former Mashable CEO) to India, the Netherlands, Morocco, and the Philippines this time around. Watching O’Brien meet locals, take part in customs, and create tomfoolery in beautiful locations around the globe is the kind of travel show we want, nay deserve. And we very much hope that means more post-credit scene shenanigans

How to watch:Conan O’Brien Must Go,Season 3 debuts on HBO Max on Aug. 21.

7. Buffet Infinity

Who’s hungry? Simon Glassman’s trippy, experimental horror satire takes a bite out of capitalism and consumerism, coming to Shudder this week. What started as a YouTube sketch made by the Canadian filmmaker during lockdown, Buffet Infinity is made up entirely of fake local TV ads, which weave a tale of rivalry between restaurants. And things get…weird

Starring:Kevin Singh, Claire Theobald, Donovan Workun, and Allison Bench

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How to watch:Buffet Infinitydebuts on Shudder on Aug. 23.

6. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 18

The Gang returns for Season 18, continuing It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’s reign as the longest-running American live-action sitcom. On their latest outing, Charlie (Charlie Day), Mac (Rob Mac), Dennis (Glenn Howerton), Dee (Kaitlin Olson), and Frank (Danny DeVito) have their hands full with a twisted wedding, conspiracy theories, ADHD diagnoses, and a visit to the Renaissance Faire. As always, expect chaos and the worst decisions known to mankind

Starring:Charlie Day, Rob Mac, Glenn Howerton, Kaitlin Olson, and Danny DeVito

How to watch:The first two episodes of It’s Always Sunny in PhiladelphiaSeason 18 are now streaming on Hulu, with new episodes airing Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on FXX, FX, and Hulu.

5. Power Ballad

Writer/director John Carney (Flora and Son) returns with another movie about the space where music and feelings collide. Critics out of SXSW cheered his latest, but in my review, I yearned for his earlier films, like Onceand Sing Street, which took bigger swings and were wonderful because of that.

Power Balladstars Paul Rudd as Rick Power, a middle-aged frontman for a wedding band who thinks his dream of rock stardom is long gone. That is, until a fateful meeting with a former boy band member who’s going solo turns things around. The song they write together is a hit! The only problem is, Rick’s getting none of the credit. Nick Jonas stars as this pop idol. And the two are fun together, but unfortunately, most of the hijinks of this dramedy keep them apart. — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor*

Starring:Paul Rudd, Nick Jonas, Jack Reynor, and Havana Rose Liu

4. The Audacity

From Successionand Better Call Saulwriter Jonathan Glatzer comes The Audacity, a sharp Silicon Valley satire that originally aired on AMC and just hit Netflix this week. Billy Magnussen stars as data-mining CEO Duncan Park, whose quest for greatness leads him down some wildlyunethical paths. Caught in the crossfires is his therapist, Dr. JoAnne Felder (Sarah Goldberg), who gets more than she bargains for when she tries to exploit her relationships with her “billionaire man children” clients.

What follows is a delicious send-up of the tech world, bursting with questions about how Silicon Valley and its overlords have warped our humanity over time. It’s a cutting commentary that manages to feel both heightened and close to home, all anchored by incredible lead performances. As I wrote in my review, “There are few joys in television greater than watching two great actors have it out, and you’ll get plenty of that in The Audacity thanks to Magnussen and Goldberg.”

Starring:Billy Magnussen, Sarah Goldberg, Zach Galifianakis, Rob Corddry, Meaghan Rath, Simon Helberg, Paul Adelstein, Lucy Punch, Everett Blunck, Thailey Roberge, and Ava Marie Telek

How to watch:The Audacityis now streaming on Netflix.

3. Toy Story 5

Woody and Buzz are back with Toy Story 5,but the real hero of this latest Disney/Pixar adventure is Jessie the Cowgirl (voiced by Joan Cusack). She’s taken over as sheriff, leading the toys of Bonnie’s room through highs and lows. But when a digital tablet named Lilypad (Greta Lee) appears, playtime could change forever.

In my review for Mashable, I wrote, “Whether she is cheering for her friends or condemning her foes, Jessie is exhilarating, funny, and riveting. Cusack’s performance is bolstered by a top-tier animation team who created a beautiful and gleefully alive cowgirl, and who have continued that careful illustration to a broader cast of characters. Perhaps predictably, Toy Story 5is an unabashed crowd-pleaser.”

Starring:Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Blake Clark, John Ratzenberger, Ernie Hudson, Tony Hale, Conan O’Brien, Greta Lee, and Melissa Villaseñor

How to watch:Toy Story 5is now available for purchase or rental on digital.

2. Mother Mary

David Lowery has wowed critics with a surreal array of films, ranging from the artsy A Ghost Storyto the whimsical Pete’s Dragonto the mind-bending The Green Knight.With Mother Mary,he offers two highly acclaimed actresses facing off over passion and fashion.

Anne Hathaway stars as Mother Mary, a pop star who’s long been away from the spotlight. On the eve of her comeback performance, she returns to Sam Anselm (Michaela Coel), a bold costume designer — and the best friend that Mother Mary betrayed.*

In my review for Mashable, I cheered, “Mother Maryis not only slippery, riveting, unnerving, and haunting, but also one of the most enthralling films 2026 is likely to reveal.”*

Starring:Anne Hathaway, Michaela Coel, Hunter Schafer, Atheena Frizzell, Kaia Gerber, Jessica Brown Findlay, Isaura Barbé-Brown, Alba Baptista, Sian Clifford, and FKA twigs

How to watch:Mother Marydebuts on HBO Max on Aug. 21.

Best of streaming this week: The Vampire Lestat: One Night Only LIVE

Hello, fellow Beautiful Unwell. Still gagging over that Vampire Lestatcliffhanger? Still got his glam rock/pop songs stuck in your head? Well, ahead of The Queen of the Damned,AMC+ is now giving audiences worldwide a chance to see the one and only time star Sam Reid performed composer Daniel Hart’s biting original songs live.

In my review of the concert at New York City’s Beacon Theater, I reveled, “Reid’s onstage persona evoked David Bowie, Mick Jagger, and Steven Tyler, as he crooned, strutted, flipped his hair, flung a scarf, and generally oozed sex appeal with a crooked grin. At one point, he recreated the shoulder shimmy that drove fans wild in the Season 2 episode where Armand recalls seeing the vampire onstage, performing as a Harlequin for humans. The crowd caught the reference and screamed with appreciation. Occasionally, Reid would reach out a hand out to his audience. He’d crawl on the floor. He made the stage his own.”

Now you can see it for yourself

How to watch:The Vampire Lestat: One Night Only LIVEbegins streaming on AMC+ on Aug. 23.

(*) denotes a blurb came from a prior list.

Shannon Connellan is Mashable’s Senior Editor, General Assignments, based in London. She has been Mashable’s UK Editor (and still manages the illustrious UK team) and Australia Editor, but emotionally, she lives searching for Exit 8. A Tomatometer-approved critic, Shannon writes about entertainment, tech, social good, science, culture, and Australian horror, and loves to nerd outwith movie stars, filmmakers, and TV creators.

Belen Edwards is an Entertainment Reporter at Mashable. She covers movies and TV with a focus on fantasy and science fiction, adaptations, animation, and more nerdy goodness. She is a member of the Critics Choice Association and the Television Critics Association, as well as a Tomatometer-approved critic.

Kristy Puchko is the Entertainment Editor at Mashable. Based in New York City, she’s an established film critic and entertainment reporter who has traveled the world on assignment, covered a variety of film festivals, co-hosted movie-focused podcasts, and interviewed a wide array of performers and filmmakers.