Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans—plus everything else we’re excited to watch this week

One of the benefits of streaming is that it allows you to catch up on films and TV shows you missed when they first premiered, and there’s an opportunity for that this week, with two dramas from this past Oscar season making their online debuts. First, there’s The Fabelmans, Steven Spielberg’s sweeping story, inspired by his own childhood, about a young boy who falls in love with filmmaking. There’s also Aftersun, an intimate film starring Paul Mescal as a young father struggling to figure out how to be there for his 11-year-old daughter. And for fantasy lovers, Disney’s Halle Bailey–led The Little Mermaid remake is also hitting the streamers. Here are our most anticipated titles coming to Prime Video, Mubi, Crave, Netflix, Disney Plus and Apple TV Plus.

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10. Book Club 2: The Next Chapter (Prime Video)

Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton, Candice Bergen and Mary Steenburgen are back in this sequel to the 2018 hit comedy. This time around, the four-member book club is reunited in person after the pandemic pushed their meetings to Zoom. When the ladies find out that Vivian (Fonda) has gotten engaged, they embark on a bachelorette trip in Italy—where things don’t quite go as planned. September 9

9. Riotsville, USA (Mubi)

In the 1960s, the US government created fictional towns in which they staged riots so that the military and police forces could practice their response. Using only archival footage—much of which comes from these sessions—the film tells the story of these “towns,” exploring the perpetuation of state violence, the militarization of policing and how racism played a role in it all. September 8

8. The Winter King (Crave)

The legend of King Arthur returns to the screen in this British period drama. This version of the story depicts Arthur (Iain De Caestecker) as an exiled warlord who returns to Britain with progressive ideas about how to change the kingdom, following his journey from outcast to iconic figure. Other Arthurian regulars also appear, including Guinevere (Jordan Alexandra), the priestess Nimue (Ellie James), King Uther (Eddie Marsan) and Merlin (Nathaniel Martello-White). September 10

7. Selling the OC, season two (Netflix)

With its second season, this Selling Sunset spin-off is determined to up the drama to set itself apart from its sister series. The Oppenheim Group’s Orange County–based real estate agents are travelling to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, to visit the brokerage’s first-ever billion-dollar listing while looking to expand their business in the region. September 8

6. Virgin River, season five, part one (Netflix)

This charming drama is back for a fifth season, and it has a little bit of everything: romance, a high-risk pregnancy, new career ambitions and fresh small-town secrets coming to light. But perhaps most pressing of all: a raging wildfire that threatens the safety and well-being of the entire town. September 7

5. The Little Mermaid (Disney Plus)

The partially live-action remake of this Disney classic stars Halle Bailey as Ariel, the titular mermaid who gives up her voice in exchange for legs so she can walk among humans—and get closer to a handsome prince. Jonah Hauer-King stars as Prince Eric; Melissa McCarthy is the sea witch Ursula; Javier Bardem is Ariel’s father, King Triton; Daveed Diggs is Sebastian the crab; Jacob Tremblay is Flounder; and Awkwafina is Scuttle the gannet. September 6

4. Sitting in Bars with Cake (Prime Video)

Jane (Yara Shahidi) and Corinne (Odessa A’zion) are best friends navigating their 20s in LA who carry a steadfast belief in each other—so much so that Corinne convinces her shy pal to showcase her culinary talents by delivering cakes to bars and putting herself out there. But, when Corinne unexpectedly receives a life-changing medical diagnosis, their friendship and the lives they’re building are put to the test. Bette Midler also stars. September 8

3. The Changeling (Apple TV Plus)

Adapted from Victor LaValle’s award-winning novel of the same name, this fantastical horror series follows a man (LaKeith Stanfield) who has a picture-perfect romance with his wife (Clark Backo)—until she goes missing soon after giving birth to their first child. September 8

2. Aftersun (Crave)

This moving drama earned Normal People star Paul Mescal his first Oscar nomination earlier this year. The Irish actor stars as Calum, father to an 11-year-old girl named Sophie (Frankie Corio). The film is told through the eyes of both a young and an adult Sophie as she remembers the last vacation she took with her dad and comes to terms with the realization that there were things she never knew about him as a child. September 8

1. The Fabelmans (Crave)

Steven Spielberg’s latest film is a deeply personal drama inspired by his own childhood. Set in post–Second World War New Jersey, the film follows a young boy named Sammy Fabelman (played by Mateo Zoryon Francis-Deford as a child and Gabriel LaBelle as a teen). When his parents take him to see The Greatest Show on Earth, Sammy quickly falls in love with filmmaking and, as he works to develop his skills at home, begins to process much of his life through the lens of a camera. Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, Judd Hirsch and Julia Butters also star. September 8