Best New Movies and Shows Streaming This Week
- According to Netflix data, the action thriller Apex claimed the No.
- In the cat-and-mouse thriller Apex, Charlize Theron plays Sasha, a bereaved rock climber visiting the Blue Mountains of Australia.
- On the English TV list, the psychological thriller series Unchosen debuted at No.
According to Netflix data, the action thriller Apex claimed the No. 1 spot on the global English film list with 38.2 million views. The film reached No. 1 in 82 countries, anchoring a streaming week dominated by thrillers, comedies, and returning series.
Apex Dominates Global Film Charts
In the cat-and-mouse thriller Apex, Charlize Theron plays Sasha, a bereaved rock climber visiting the Blue Mountains of Australia. According to Netflix, Sasha learns that Taron Egerton’s deranged serial killer, Ben, is the scariest thing in the wild. Ben lures Sasha into a trap, intending to hunt her as prey. To honor the film’s release, Charlize Theron scaled an Apex rock billboard in New York City’s Times Square, showcasing her real-life climbing skills. Holding steady at No. 2 on the English film list, the revenge thriller 180 pulled in 17.5 million views, as reported by Netflix. The story follows father and husband Zak, played by Prince Grootboom, who pursues violent retribution after a road rage incident leaves his son in critical condition. Meanwhile, the college comedy Roommates held the No. 3 spot with 12.1 million views. The film features first-year student Devon, played by Sadie Sandler, meeting carefree roommate Celeste, played by Chloe East, at orientation, leading to a war of passive-aggression amid college stresses. Additionally, the hurricane-shark survival film Thrash maintained the No. 4 spot with 9.6 million views, starring Phoebe Dynevor, according to Netflix.
Unchosen and Running Point Lead TV Lists
On the English TV list, the psychological thriller series Unchosen debuted at No. 1 with 10.4 million views. Set within an insular religious sect, the series follows devoted wife and mother Rosie, played by Molly Windsor, on a journey of emancipation and sexual awakening triggered by the arrival of escaped convict Sam, played by Fra Fee. Season 2 of the sports comedy Running Point secured the No. 2 spot on the English TV list with 5.3 million views. Co-created by Mindy Kaling, the series stars Kate Hudson as Isla, the president of her family’s Los Angeles-based basketball team. In the second season, Isla deals with her brother Cam returning from rehab, a new coach played by Ray Romano, chief of staff Ali Lee facing another job offer, and a complicated love triangle. Moving up to the No. 3 spot with 4.1 million views, Season 2 of BEEF landed in the top 10 across 44 countries. The season features millennial couple Joshua, played by Oscar Isaac, and Lindsay, played by Carey Mulligan, facing off against Gen Zers Austin, played by Charles Melton, and Ashley, played by Cailee Spaeny, at an Ojai country club where petty revenge escalates into blackmail and an international cover-up. Netflix noted that the new season features a unique soundtrack by Finneas O’Connell.
Family and Animated Debuts
Younger audiences drove viewership to several family and animated titles. Salish and Jordan Matter captured the No. 6 spot on the English TV list with 2.9 million views, following a daughter-and-dad duo through extreme challenges and setup videos. Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 debuted at No. 7 with 2.8 million views, securing a spot among Netflix’s top 15 animated series debuts of all time. The animated series features Eleven, Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Max racing to save Hawkins from a paranormal mystery. Netflix confirmed that the animated series has already been renewed for a second season.
