We round up everything coming to streaming services this week, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Apple TV+, ThreeNow, Neon and TVNZ+.
If you love life-affirming reality TV: The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes (TVNZ+, October 14)
Renowned chef Ben Bayly returns to manage a fine-dining restaurant in this local reality series with a difference. In season two of The Restaurant that Makes Mistakes, he is managing 10 new volunteers, all living with young-onset dementia. The staff this season include an engineer, a journalist, a scientist, a former lawyer and a rugby league legend who, across four weeks, must navigate the high-stakes world of gastronomy and hospitality. As we wrote last year, it is a series that “allows everyone in our community to thrive, which is something reality television rarely does.” Prepare to cry through the laughter and/or laugh through the tears.
If you enjoy action and adventure: The Summit USA (TVNZ+, October 14)
Unlike brutal endurance shows like Survivor or Alone, none of the contestants who sign up to the Summit USA know what they are getting themselves into for. It is only at the foot of the rugged Southern Alps that the participants are told they must make the gruelling trek to the summit of Mt Head within 14 days. If anyone quits, money is removed from the $1 million dollar prize pool, and they can only go as fast as the slowest participant. Add local host Manu Bennett, the ominous “Mountains Keeper”, and The Summit USA is set to be your new reality TV obsession – especially if you enjoy seeing Americans suffer in picturesque places.
If you love small towns and the mid-2000s: n00b (ThreeNow, October 17)
Set at a Gore high school in the mid-2000s, this six-episode lewd teen-comedy follows five freakish friends. Nikau is the first XV rugby captain. He’s a party animal and heartthrob. But he also writes gay fan fiction. When outed, Nikau’s life is turned upside down. Together with his new group of friends who have all been “othered”, they embark on a riotous, Y2K-era journey of self-discovery. We’ll be dialling in and logging on for sure.
If you enjoy workplace awkwardness: The Office Australia (Prime Video, October 18)
The Office Australia is the first English-language adaption of the beloved show since the American version last aired in 2013. It’s also the first to put a female in the lead manager role. Despite the title, it’s as much The Office Aotearoa as The Office Australia, with a significant number of New Zealanders jumping the Tasman for life at Finley Craddick. You’ll recognise Jonny Brugh, Josh Thomson, Edith Poor and Lucy Schmidt, and our own comedy superstar Jackie Van Beek in the titles as as executive producer. With plenty of Australasianisms to enjoy, this will be one of the most-anticipated series of the year for comedy fans.
If you love the property market: On the Ladder with Kiwibank (ThreeNow, October 20)
The journey to home ownership in Aotearoa is long and arduous. The myth is that the “fruitless pursuit for home ownership” is the fault of young people and their “avocado toast affliction”. Thankfully, Brodie Kane and On the Ladder with Kiwibank are here to help. To quote Kane herself, the show explores “those of us who are getting creative – and doing things differently” to get themselves on the property ladder before they’re eligible for a SuperGold card. With first-hand insights, tips and tools, On the Ladder with Kiwibank is a must-watch for Location, Location, Location fans and budding property owners alike.
The rest
Netflix
Big Eyes (October 14)
Rachel Bloom: Death, Let me do my Special (October 15)
Comedy Revenge (October 15)
Sweet Bobby My Catfish Nightmare (October 16)
Ancient Apocalypse S2 (October 16)
Dead in Tombstone (October 16)
For the Love of Pets (October 16)
I am a Killer S5 (October 16)
Justice (October 16)
Outside (October 17)
Gudnam (October 17)
Jurassic World Chaos Theory S2 (October 17)
The Lincoln Lawyer S3 (October 17)
The Shadow Strays (October 17)
Bra Boys (October 18)
Fabulous Lives vs Bollywood Wives S3 (October 18)
Happiness is… (October 18)
Join or Die (October 18)
Late Night with the Devil (October 18)
The Man Who Loved UFOs (October 18)
The Transporter Refueled (October 18)
The Turnaround (October 18)
Woman of thee Hour (October 18)
What’s Love Got to do with it? (October 19)
I.S.S. (October 19)
TVNZ+
Restaurant that Makes Mistakes S2 (October 14)
The Summit USA (October 14)
Dr Death: The Undoctored Story (October 15)
The Sinking Of A Superyacht: How Safe Is Your Voyage? (October 15)
Hungry Jack’s NBL25 Season (October 15)
Vacancy (October 15)
Let Me In (October 15)
Magic Magic(October 15)
Vampire Academy (October 15)
FBI International (October 16)
Hysteria (October 18)
Ghosts (October 18)
Fire Country (October 19)
George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces 10th Anniversary Special (October 19)
Hungry Jack’s NBL25 Season (October 19)
My Kitchen Rules Australia (October 20)
Julia Bradbury’s Irish Journey (October 20)
Gem Hunters Down Under (October 20)
ThreeNow
Deal or No Deal Island (October 14)
n00b (October 17)
On the Ladder with Kiwibank (October 20)
Neon
One True Loves (October 14)
All American: Homecoming S3 (October 15)
In the Line of Fire (October 16)
Funny Woman S2 (October 16)
FBI S7 (October 17)
FBI: Most Wanted S6 (October 17)
The Talented Mr. Ripley (October 17)
Being the Ricardos (October 18)
Immaculate (October 20)
Prime Video
Wild Card (October 15)
Are You Smarter Than A Celebrity S1 (October 16)
Brothers (October 17)
Love Stuck (October 17)
The Devil’s Hour S2 (October 18)
Blue Cave (October 18)
Darkness Of Man (October 19)
The Office Australia (October 18)
Disney+
Rivals (October 16)
Nemesis (October 16)
World Eats Bread (October 16)
LEGO Marvel Avengers: Mission Demolition (October 18)
Fanatical: The Catfishing of Tegan and Sara (October 18)
The Devil’s Climb (October 18)
Apple TV+
Shrinking S2 (October 16)
Acorn/AMC+/Shudder
MadS (October 18)
2024 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards (October 14)