After a long two-year wait, Westworld is finally back with its fourth season this week. But that debut may be overshadowed by an even bigger launch: the final two episodes of Stranger Things 4. With an assurance that not everyone will make it out alive, fans can’t wait to watch the two movie-length episodes to see how the penultimate season of Stranger Things ends.
If you’re looking to laugh instead, there are plenty of other options this week. From The Upshaws on Netflix to new seasons of some of the most popular reality competition series, all streaming on Hulu. Meanwhile, Amazon Prime Video has The Terminal List starring Chris Pratt, which is sure to be a hit. Browse this list to see what else makes up the best new shows to stream on Netflix, Hulu, HBO, and more this week.
When you’re done here, check out the best new movies to stream this week, as well as the best shows on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+.
New TV shows to watch at a glance
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Stranger Things2016 -
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Feud2017
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Westworld2016
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The Terminal List2022
Netflix
Stranger Things (2016) new
4 Seasons
Genre
Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Mystery
Cast
David Harbour, Winona Ryder, Finn Wolfhard
Created by
Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer
There will be deaths, destruction, and a likely showdown between Eleven and Vecna. Fans have been anxiously awaiting the second half of season 4 since the first half was released in May of this year. As the portal (rather, several portals) to the Upside Down remain open and Vecna continues to satisfy his hunger for troubled young youths, not everyone will come out alive. The second half will include just two episodes, but each runs like a feature-length movie, so buckle up for a long bingeing ride this Fourth of July weekend. The story won’t be over yet: There’s a fifth and final season coming in the future.
The Upshaws (2021)
2 Seasons
Genre
Comedy, Family
Cast
Mike Epps, Kim Fields, Wanda Sykes
Created by
Wanda Sykes, Regina Y. Hicks
A refreshing sitcom based around a Black family, The Upshaws was co-created by and stars Wanda Sykes along with Mike Epps and Kim Fields as an average American family dealing with day-to-day life. Bernard (Epps) and Regina (Fields) are high school sweethearts who married and had three children. Sykes plays Regina’s older sister. If you’re looking for a sitcom that will take you back to the days of popular ‘80s and ‘90s shows, The Upshaws is a good option, and it’s back for its second season.
Café Minamdang (2022)
1 Season
Genre
Drama
Cast
Seo In-guk, Oh Yeon-seo, Kwak Si-yang
In this Korean comedy, Nam (Seo In-Guk) is a former criminal profiler who has shifted to the dark side and now cons people. To accomplish this, he poses as a fortune teller and uses his smooth-talking skills and good looks to fool marks into giving him their money. Unable to leave the skills he has acquired from his previous profession behind, he also gets involved in their cases and tries to help solve them. Working alongside his younger sister, a talented hacker, and his friend who runs a private detective agency, Nam manages to both harm and help people at the same time. But his perfect setup is at risk when a suspicious police inspector begins to look into his business
Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022)
1 Season
Genre
Drama
Cast
Park Eun-bin, Kang Tae-oh, Kang Ki-young
Created by
Yoo In-sik, Moon Ji-won
Another show hailing from South Korea, Extraordinary Attorney Woo follows the journey of Woo (Park Eun-bin), a brilliant young attorney who also happens to be on the autism spectrum. With an IQ of 164, an incredible memory, and a knack for thinking outside of the box for her cases, Woo conversely lacks social skills. However, she’s the type of lawyer you want on your side, even if her methods and approach might be unconventional. The legal drama is now streaming its first season.
Pirate Gold of Adak Island (2022) new
1 Season
Genre
Reality, Documentary
Cast
Jay Toomoth, Burke Mitchell
Created by
Decker Watson
If you love shows like The Curse of Oak Island, you’ll love Pirate Gold of Adak Island, a reality/documentary show that follows an expert team in search of pirate treasures. It’s a true hunt for gold within the Alaskan wilderness, with a reported pirate treasure worth $365 million hiding somewhere on the island. The stakes are high: The team hopes the treasures they find might help save this island, which has under 200 residents working in the fish-processing business and is filled with empty businesses and homes. Can they literally strike gold and help revive this struggling community?
Sharkdog (2021)
2 Seasons
Genre
Animation, Comedy, Family, Kids
Cast
Liam Mitchell, Dee Bradley Baker, Kari Wahlgreen, Meaghan Davies
Created by
Jacinth Tan Yi Ting
Max is a 10-year-old boy with a best friend named Sharkdog who happens to be half shark, half dog. While Sharkdog is sweet at his core, he also doesn’t understand his own strength sometimes. This leads to a mess wherever he goes. The show originally premiered on Netflix in late 2021 and has returned for its second season. To get you into the Halloween spirit, check out the special Sharkdog’s Fintastic Halloween, which was released last year just in time for the spooky holiday
The Umbrella Academy (2019)
3 Seasons
Genre
Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Drama
Cast
Elliot Page, Tom Hopper, Emmy Raver-Lampman
Created by
Steve Blackman
A group of adopted siblings make up the dysfunctional family at the heart of this superhero series, banding together to solve the mystery of their father’s death, not to mention a pending apocalypse on the horizon. With six Emmy nominations to its name, the time-travel series based on the comic book of the same name sports a talented ensemble cast that includes Elliot Page, Mary J. Blige, Colm Feore, and Kate Walsh, among others. Season 3 is now streaming, which will feature Page’s real-life coming-out story as the character known as Vanya comes out as a transgender man.
Hulu
Only Murders in the Building (2021) new
2 Seasons
Genre
Comedy, Crime, Mystery
Cast
Steve Martin, Martin Short, Selena Gomez
Created by
Steve Martin, John Robert Hoffman
The unlikely trio of Charles (Steve Martin), an aging former TV star, Oliver (Martin Short), a struggling has-been producer, and the young, free-spirited Mabel (Selena Gomez) find common ground when they meet by happenstance in the building in which they all reside. They might be very different people, but they share one common passion: an obsession with true crime. When a young man winds up dead in the building and it’s ruled a suicide, the three can’t shake the feeling that something more sinister went on. So, they embark on their own investigation, which quickly turns into a project of amateur sleuths who believe they can use the information they’ve learned listening to true crime podcasts to get to the bottom of the case. It’s hilarious, ridiculous at times, and a true whodunit that will keep you guessing all the way through. With a second murder revealed at the end of season 1 and the three caught on the wrong side of the case, it will be an interesting new angle for season 2.
Madagascar: A Little Wild (2020)
7 Seasons
Genre
Animation, Kids
Cast
Tucker Chandler, Amir O'Neil, Shaylin Becton, Luke Lowe
Created by
Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath
A shared production between Hulu and Peacock, Madagascar: A Little Wild serves as a prequel to the 2005 film, showing the favorite characters as kids living in a rescue habitat at the Central Park Zoo. Follow Alex the Lion, Marty the Zeba, Gloria the Hippo, and Melman the Zebra on their various adventures alongside the kids they meet. Premiering in September 2020, seven seasons have already debuted, and this week, you can stream the eighth and final season.
Feud (2017) new
1 Season
Genre
Drama
Cast
Jessica Lange, Susan Sarandon, Judy Davis
Created by
Ryan Murphy
Originally appearing on FX back in 2017, this Ryan Murphy-produced anthology series is now coming to Hulu with season one, Bette and Joan, which tells the story of the rivalry between Joan Crawford and Bette Davis after the filming of the 1962 movie What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? The star-studded cast includes Jessica Lange, Susan Sarandon, Stanley Tucci, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Kathy Bates. The season received critical acclaim, including two Primetime Emmy Award wins and an impressive 18 nominations. A second season is in the works called Capote’s Women and will star Naomi Watts as socialite Babe Paley, one of Truman Capote’s many female socialite friends.
RuPaul's Drag Race (2009)
15 Seasons
Genre
Reality
Cast
RuPaul, Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley
Created by
RuPaul
Up until now, you could stream seasons 3 through 8 of RuPaul’s Drag Race. This week, season 9, which aired back in 2017 as the first season following a move from Logo TV to VH1, is available as well. Going strong now with 14 seasons under its belt and having spawned a series of international versions, the reality competition show that features contestants vying to become the next big drag superstar has taken home multiple Primetime Emmys through its run. Presented by RuPaul with various judges who help crown a winner, the show was described by Thrillist as the “closest gay culture gets to a sports league.”
Survivor (2000)
42 Seasons
Genre
Reality
Cast
Jeff Probst
Created by
Mark Burnett, Charlie Parsons
If you’re not one of those people who needs to watch reality shows like Survivor in real time as they air and prefer to simply check it out at your own pace, you’ll be happy to know that several seasons are streaming on Hulu. Added to the list are seasons 38 and 39, both of which aired in 2019. Season 38 was dubbed Edge of Extinction, where players who were voted off were sent to an island where they could wait and have the chance to compete to get back into the game. Season 39, meanwhile, was dubbed Island of the Idols, where Survivor fan-favorites Rob Mariano and Sandra Diaz-Twine met in secret with people who were sent to the island to provide tidbits of guidance. If you’re looking for seasons with unique twists alongside the formulaic aspects of the show that have existed since its inception in 2000, these are ones to watch.
The Amazing Race (2001)
33 Seasons
Genre
Reality
Cast
Phil Keoghan
Created by
Bertram van Munster, Elise Doganieri
Another option for reality competition show fans is The Amazing Race, which is adding season 32 to Hulu. In each season, players compete in pairs in a race around the world where they must locate certain items, compete in a variety of mental and physical challenges, and strategize on how to make it to the end in any position but last, which may lead to elimination. Even if you don’t watch to see the show through to a winner, each season provides a good lesson in the history and culture of various cities and countries around the world. Season 32 aired in 2020 but was filmed back in 2018, with the air date pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, host Phil Keoghan called the season one of the most physically demanding to film since season 3.
The Challenge (1998)
37 Seasons
Genre
Reality
Cast
T.J. Lavin
Created by
Jonathan Murray, Mary-Ellis Bunim
Originally used as a vehicle to bring back players from reality shows like The Real World and Road Rules on MTV, The Challenge has since expanded to feature past players from other popular reality shows like Big Brother, Survivor, and The Amazing Race as well. Prepping now for season 38, if you’ve never watched and you’re curious about the format before tuning in to the new season, you can check out season 34 from 2019 along with a few others on Hulu. Working in groups or pairs, players compete in missions to win prizes and advance further in the game. At the end of each round, they vote out their weakest player in an attempt to strengthen the team and increase their odds of winning. It’s high-action, strategy-filled, and fun to watch when there’s nothing else on.
The Bear (2022)
1 Season
Genre
Comedy
Cast
Jeremy Allen White, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ayo Edebiri
Created by
Christopher Storer
Hailing from FX, this comedy follows a young chef determined to turn his family’s flailing sandwich shop into a local hotspot. However, he is in for an awakening when he discovers the challenges of running a small business combined with the rough-around-the-edges staff and the conditions of the restaurant, from broken toilets to confusing orders. It’s nothing like what he experienced prior in the world of fine dining, but he is determined to earn the community’s respect and become a success.
HBO Max
Westworld (2016) new
4 Seasons
Genre
Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Western
Cast
Evan Rachel Wood, Thandiwe Newton, Jeffrey Wright
Created by
Jonathan Nolan, Lisa Joy
After a more than two-year wait, the dystopian sci-fi neo-Western hit series Westworld has finally returned for its fourth season. Based on the 1973 movie of the same name, the story centers around a fictional Wild West-themed amusement park where the wealthy can spend their time catering to their every desire with android “hosts.” From gun fights (where they can’t actually die) to hanging out at the local watering hole and indulging in all the women they want, it’s an adult’s paradise. That is, until the android “hosts” begin to fight back. The story took several twists and turns in season 3, with the setting now the real world versus Westworld as the surviving AI hosts secretly try to create their own version of balance. It will likely be another wild ride teetering the lines of what (and who) is real and what isn’t.
Birdgirl (2021)
2 Seasons
Genre
Animation, Comedy
Cast
Paget Brewster, Negin Farsad, Rob Delaney
Created by
Erik Richter, Michael Ouweleen
Continue the story of Birdgirl in season 2, a 30-something-year-old woman balancing her life as a crime-fighting superhero with her obligations to run her late father’s business, Sebben & Sebben Worldwide. Thanks to the help of her superhero friend Meredith the Mind Taker, Birdgirl manages to be Judy the CEO during the day and Birdgirl at night. The adult animated superhero comedy is a spinoff of Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law, which was itself a spinoff of the 1967 cartoon Birdman and Space Ghost Coast to Coast. Hailing from Adult Swim, you can expect the type of humor and comedy typical of the nighttime programming network.
Tuca & Bertie (2019)
3 Seasons
Genre
Comedy, Animation
Cast
Tiffany Haddish, Ali Wong, Steven Yeun
Created by
Lisa Hanawalt
Tuca and Bertie, voiced by Tiffany Haddish and Ali Wong, are two 30-year-old bird women who reside in the same apartment building and are friends. Tuca is cocky and carefree while Bertie is anxious and loves to daydream. But together, they make an interesting pair. This animated sitcom isn’t for kids, but it has received praise for both seasons to date. While Netflix canceled the show after one season, Adult Swim ordered a second, which is now available to stream. Meanwhile, Tuca & Bertie has also been renewed for a third season, which will premiere on Adult Swim in July 2022.
Amazon Prime
The Terminal List (2022) new
1 Season
Genre
Action & Adventure, Drama
Cast
Chris Pratt, Taylor Kitsch, Constance Wu
Amazon has snagged a few heavyweight actors for this action thriller, including Chris Pratt, Taylor Kitsch, Constance Wi, Riley Keough, and Patrick Schwarzenegger. Based on the Jack Carr novel of the same name, Reece (Pratt) and his platoon are ambushed while on a mission, but upon his return home, he isn’t quite sure about the way he remembers the events and whether he actually had anything to do with them or not. As he struggles to regain the right memories, Reece realizes that there are people working against him, and he must do whatever it takes to protect both himself and his family.
The One That Got Away (2022)
1 Season
Genre
Reality
Cast
Jeff Perla, Nigel Sydnor, Vincent Xu
Looking for your next guilty pleasure? You may just find it in The One That Got Away, a social experiment whereby six singles put the idea of love and soulmates to the test when they are presented with people from their pasts who could potentially be The One. The Amazon Original follows each person as they are reunited with a different someone from their past and presented with the opportunity for love. Will they fall for someone they have already crossed paths with or did their lives take the paths they were supposed to, away from one another? Season 1, which promises plenty of heartbreak, drama, and emotional moments, is streaming now.
The Summer I Turned Pretty (2022)
1 Season
Genre
Drama
Cast
Lola Tung, Christopher Briney, Gavin Casalegno
Created by
Gabrielle G. Stanton, Jenny Han
Based on the trilogy of young adult novels by Jenny Han, The Summer I Turned Pretty is an Amazon Original that tells the coming-of-age story of Belly Conklin, a young woman about to turn 16 and getting ready for her annual visit to her favorite beach with the family for the summer. While Belly has visited Cousins Beach many times before, she can’t help but shake the feeling that something will be different this summer, and she’s full of optimism about it. It’s a beautiful story about a young woman coming into her own and having the time of her life while doing it.
The Lake (2022)
1 Season
Genre
Comedy
Cast
Jordan Gavaris, Julia Stiles, Madison Shamoun
A Canadian Amazon original, Justin (Orphan Black‘s Jordan Gavaris) has just broken up with a longtime partner and decides to return home and reconnect with the teenage daughter he gave up for adoption. Together, they plan to vacation at a family cottage, but things take an unexpected turn when Justin discovers that his parents left the cottage to his picture-perfect stepsister Maisy-May, played by Julia Stiles. As Amazon’s first scripted original from Canada, the series is dubbed a comedy, with season one streaming now.
Apple TV+
Loot (2022)
1 Season
Genre
Comedy
Cast
Maya Rudolph, MJ Rodriguez, Nat Faxon
Created by
Alan Yang, Matt Hubbard
With its star-packed cast that includes Maya Rudolph, MJ Rodriguez, Nat Faxon, and Ron Funches, and created by Matt Hubbard and Alan Yang, the forces behind Parks and Recreation, Loot is sure to be a hit. Molly (Rudolph) is a recent divorcee with billions to her name in the divorce settlement. She is lost, however, and unsure of how to move forward with her life — until she realizes she owns a charitable foundation. She sees it as an opportunity and a purpose, deciding to spend her energy trying to get involved, reinventing herself, and making a difference. Dubbed a workplace comedy, early reviews suggest Loot has promise, with critics praising the delicate balance of “silly and serious.”
Hello, Jack! The Kindness Show (2021)
1 Season
Genre
Family
Cast
Jack McBrayer
Created by
Jack McBrayer, Angela Santomero
It’s not an official second season yet, but you can now watch a new special and four original shorts of this feel-good kids’ show that stars the ever bright and optimistic Jack McBrayer. In the special, Jack and his friends embark on a journey to solve a mystery. Meanwhile, in the four shorts, McBrayer interviews real children about their own acts of kindness, awarding them the Kindness Ambassador designation in their hometowns. The show itself is set in the fictional town called Clover Grove where Jack visits friends and residents to spread joy, kindness, and humor.
Home (2020)
2 Seasons
Genre
Documentary
Building a true home is about more than just four walls and a roof. In this captivating docuseries, walk through inspiring stories and fascinating ideas behind the most imaginative dwellings from around the world that buck conventions. Hear straight from the people who play by their own rules and developed the imaginative concepts behind everything from a modern home in Ghana built using native materials and techniques to a home in Amsterdam renovated to accommodate three generations of a family and a 17th-century farmhouse in France that becomes an accessible place for the architect’s own daughter. Season 2 is now streaming.
Disney+
The Villains of Valley View (2022)
1 Season
Genre
Comedy, Kids
Cast
Kayden Muller-Janssen, Lucy Davis, James Patrick Stuart
Having premiered on Disney Channel earlier this month, you can now also stream episodes in the first season of Villains of Valley View on Disney+. Vic (James Patrick Stuart) is a mad scientist married to a supervillain and raising their three children as part of the League of Villains. Following a rift with the powers that be, however, the family ends up on the run where they settle in Valley View, Texas, living under aliases. Can they hide their powers from neighbors and friends, and will anyone, including superheroes, figure out their true identities?
Ms. Marvel (2022)
1 Season
Genre
Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Comedy
Cast
Iman Vellani, Matt Lintz, Yasmeen Fletcher
Created by
Bisha K. Ali
Marvel Studios continues its development of original series based on a variety of characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and show number seven is Ms. Marvel. Kamala (Iman Vellani) is a Muslim American teenager, a massive superhero fan who suddenly finds all of her dreams coming true when she develops superpowers. Or are they? The story follows Kamala as she navigates school life and trying to fit in with everyday coming-of-age challenges confounded by her newfound abilities. Episodes are released weekly through to July 13.
Love, Victor (2020)
3 Seasons
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Cast
Michael Cimino, Rachel Hilson, Anthony Turpel
Created by
Isaac Aptaker, Elizabeth Berger
All seasons — 1 through 3 — of this coming-of-age romance drama are now available to stream on Disney+ as well as Hulu. Inspired by the movie Love, Simon, the character of Simon now serves as narrator for a new story about Victor, a modern-day high school student who embarks on a journey of self-discovery. A wrench is thrown into the high school experience mix, however, when Victor begins to struggle with his sexuality and turns to Simon for guidance.
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