1. The Underground Railroad (100%)
Based on the critically acclaimed novel by Colson Whitehead, this series (directed by Barry Jenkins) follows Cora, an enslaved Black woman in Georgia, as she boards a train on a harrowing trip to freedom. To be clear- this story takes place in an alternate universe in which the underground railroad is literal rather than metaphorical. The series has already been called the most ambitious take on American slavery since “Roots” and the daily production budget exceeded the entire budget of Jenkins’ Oscar-winning film, “Moonlight.” Needless to say… The PopViewers are definitely on board for this one!
Watch on Amazon Prime Video
2. Mare of Easttown (100%)
A small Pennsylvania town, a gloomy detective, one young girl murdered, and two more disappearances that may also be related…. If you loved “The Undoing” earlier this year on HBO, “Mare” is the network’s latest must-watch prestige whodunit. It features INCREDIBLE performances by Kate Winslet, Jean Smart, Evan Peters….really the entire cast! Future Emmys may be the only thing in Easttown that outnumber empty bottles of Rolling Rock. Beyond being a pure crime drama, this series is more of a character study of the inhabitants of the town and an exploration of grief. Take the trip to Easttown- you won’t regret it.
Watch on HBO Max
3. Hacks (100%)
It’s Jean Smart’s world and we’re all just living in it! In this new HBO Max series, Smart plays a legendary Las Vegas comedian who forms an unconventional mentorship with an outcast millennial comedy writer. Most of our PopViewers are still gooped and gagged from Smart’s role on the early 90’s sitcom, Designing Women, and they clearly stan her new leading lady role on Hacks.
Watch on HBO Max
4. The Woman in the Window (100%)
This long-awaited Amy Adams thriller is finally here! Based on the best-selling novel, this movie follows Dr. Anna Fox, an agoraphobe, who becomes obsessed with the seemingly perfect family that lives across the street after witnessing something that she shouldn’t have. Listen- we’ve all gone a bit crazy after having spent the past year trapped inside of our homes. Perhaps this movie is the perfect tonic to let us know that it could have been much worse.
Watch on Netflix
5. Those Who Wish Me Dead (100%)
Angelina Jolie is back in action and this time she’s playing a smoke jumper haunted by the loss of three lives she failed to save from a fire. Her life changes when she comes across a traumatized 12-year-old boy in the woods with nowhere to go. As she tries to return him to safety, she realizes that she’s become engulfed in a fire larger than she’s ever seen before. Critics were mixed on this one, but according to our PopViewers, this film is absolute ????!
Watch on HBO Max
6. Cruel Summer (100%)
If you’re a fan of Pretty Little Liars, this one is for you! Told over three summers in the 1990s, the series follows two teenage girls, and the aftermath that follows after one is kidnapped and the other basically takes her place. Even our PopViewers will admit that this isn’t “highbrow” entertainment… but that won’t stop them from binging every SECOND of it!
Watch on Freeform/ Hulu
7. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (96%)
After “WandaVision” seemingly captured the entire world (or at least a small town in Jersey), Disney+ is coming at us with another Marvel series, “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.” In this series, the titular characters are a mismatched duo who team up for a global adventure that tests both their survival skills and their patience. Our PopViewers cannot get enough!
Watch on Disney+
8. A Black Lady Sketch Show (93%)
Get ready to laugh your ass off! A Black Lady Sketch Show is BACK for a second season and promises to have even more crazy characters and hijinks than the first! With a 93% rating on the app, you can be assured that you’re in for some laughs!
Watch on HBO
9. Girls5Eva (91%)
We have no choice but to stan. In this new Peacock comedy from executive producer Tina Fey, members of a Y2K-era girl group reunite in their forties to chase the fame that evaded them as younger women. The show stars actresses Sara Bareilles, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Busy Philipps, and Paula Pell. If you’re an “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” or “30 Rock” fan this is definitely one that you’re going to want to check out.
Watch on Peacock
10. The Mitchells vs. The Machines (88%)
A robot apocalypse upends a family road trip in this new family-friendly flick! Critics and our PopViewers agree that it may already be the best-animated film of the year! PopViewer, Brian O, wrote- “LOVE!!! This is a RIOT and it made me have EMOTIONS.” What more could you want?
Watch on Netflix
These are our PopViewer’s current top picks- but there is so much more content to discover on the app! Download PopViewers and make your voice heard on what should be included on next week’s list!