From Taylor Swift’s album and film release party to dark true crime stories, sports comedies, and brand-new thrillers, this weekend’s lineup of what to watch is packed. Whether you’re craving a big screen moment, a Netflix binge, or something fresh on Hulu, there’s plenty to keep you glued to the screen. Here’s a quick look at the biggest premieres dropping this week.
1) The Life of a Showgirl (Watch in Theatres)
Taylor Swift is back on the big screen and this time only for a special three-day event tied to her brand-new album, The Life of a Showgirl. Swift calls it The Official Release Party of a Showgirl, and it kicks off today, Friday, Oct. 3.
Fans who snag tickets will get way more than just a concert film. The event includes the world premiere of the music video for “The Fate of Ophelia,” plus personal stories from Taylor about what inspired her songs and behind-the-scenes footage.
Screenings will start right on time, with zero trailers, so don’t be late. And this isn’t your typical theatre experience. Audiences are encouraged to sing, dance, and live out their full Swiftie fantasy.
The hype around the film is already huge. According to Variety , the release party is expected to pull in $35–$40 million this weekend alone.
The Life of a Showgirl lands in theaters today, giving Swifties everywhere the chance to celebrate her latest era like never before.
2). The Smashing Machine (Watch in Theaters)
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is stepping back into the ring, but this time on the big screen. The Smashing Machine hits theaters today Oct. 3. The film follows Johnson as he takes on the role of legendary MMA and UFC fighter Mark Kerr. The film dives into Kerr’s rise in the sport, his complicated personal life, and his rocky relationship with then-wife Dawn Staples, played by Emily Blunt.
Audiences will also get to see Kerr’s fight with his longtime friend and training partner Mark Coleman, played by Ryan Bader. The stacked cast doesn’t stop there, the film also includes Oleksandr Usyk, Satoshi Ishii, James Moontasri, Yoko Hamamura. MMA icons Stephen Quadros and Bas Rutten will also play themselves in the film.
If you love sports dramas and biopics, The Smashing Machine is for you and officially hits theaters starting today.
3) Love Is Blind Season 9 (Watch on Netflix)
Love Is Blind is back for the ninth season. This time, 32 singles from Denver ages 27 to 41are ready to find out if love really is blind, or if the social experiment is about to blow up in their faces.
As always, the cast chats through walls, hoping to connect on a deeper level before ever seeing each other. If sparks fly, the couples get engaged, and then it’s time to take things into the real world.
Will these couples make it down the aisle or run back to the dating pool? Only time will tell.
The first six episodes are on Netflix, and if you’re already hooked, new episodes will drop every Wednesday through the end of the month.
4) Chad Powers (Hulu)
Chad Powers, a six-episode limited series, just hit Hulu on Sept. 30, with Glen Powell starring as Russ Holliday, a college quarterback looking for a second chance.
With nothing else to lose, he devises a plan to disguise himself with a shaggy wig and some facial prosthetics, to sneak onto a struggling college team pretending to be a totally new player named Chad Powers. The idea actually takes inspiration from the real stunt Eli Manning pulled back in 2022.
Powell also co-created, co-wrote, and co-produced the show. He’s joined by Steve Zahn, Perry Mattfeld, Frankie A. Rodriguez, Wynn Everett, and Colton Ryan to round out the case.
The first two episodes are streaming now on Hulu. Tune in now to see how long he can keep the act going before everything blows up.
5) Monster: The Ed Gein Story Season 3 (Watch on Netflix)
Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s hit anthology series Monster is back with its third installment, Monster: The Ed Gein Story. Charlie Hunnam steps into the role of Ed Gein, the notorious serial killer who terrorized rural Wisconsin, murdering and mutilating women. His gruesome crimes cemented him as one of the most chilling figures in true crime history.
Alongside Hunnam, the cast includes Suzanna Son, Tom Hollander, Laurie Metcalf, Vicky Krieps, Joey Pollari, Tyler Jacob Moore, Charlie Hall, Addison Rae, and more.
If you’re into horror or true crime, this is one you won’t want to miss. All eight episodes of Monster: The Ed Gein Story are streaming on Netflix starting today, Friday, Oct. 3
6) Wayward (Watch on Netflix)
Mae Martin’s new Netflix limited series Wayward premiered on Thursday, Sept. 25. Martin stars as Alex Dempsey, and Sarah Gadon as Laura Redman, a couple whose lives get tangled up with two students from a local “troubled teens” school desperate to escape. What starts as a connection quickly turns into something darker. As Alex starts digging into a series of strange incidents, suspicion falls on the school’s leader, who may be hiding more than anyone realizes.
Fans are already hooked. According to Deadline, Wayward hit the top of Netflix’s English TV charts in its opening week, racking up 8.2 million views in just its first few days.
The cast is stacked too. Alongside Martin and Gadon, you’ll see Toni Collette, Sydney Topliffe, Alyvia Alyn Lind, Brandon Jay McLaren, Tattiawna Jones, and more.
If you’re into psychological thrillers with a teen drama twist, all eight episodes of Wayward are streaming now on Netflix.
No matter what you’re into, whether it’s music, sports, or a good scare, this week’s premieres cover it all. So grab your popcorn, hit the theater or fire up your favorite streaming service, and get ready to add some must-watches to your lineup.
