We round up everything coming to streaming services this week, including Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+, ThreeNow, Neon and TVNZ+.
Taskmaster NZ (TVNZ+, August 18)
Five brave new comedians are stepping into the ring with tormentor Jeremy Wells and his ever-loyal assistant Paul Williams this week for the hotly-anticipated sixth season of Taskmaster NZ. Familiar faces Bree Tomasel, Pax Assadi, Jackie van Beek, Jack Ansett, and Alice Snedden must surrender their dignity and sanity in the pursuit of a golden Jeremy Wells-shaped trophy. From improving the national anthem, to breaking up with an egg on a rollercoaster, comedic chaos will reign, so cross your fingers for another moment as iconic as David Correos’s rap.
Paddy Gower Has Issues (ThreeNow, August 19)
The famed journalist and documentary-maker returns to tackle the big issues top of New Zealanders’ minds. Gower’s current affairs show seeks to uncover the truth behind matters from the disappearance of Tom Phillips and his three children to the skyrocketing price of butter. Its first season was labelled a “strong and terrific start,” so be sure to tune into the sophomore season of Paddy Gower Has Issues for its “actual journalism” and hilarious hijinks.
Rivers of Fate (Netflix, August 20)
Adapted from Edyr Augusto’s book of the same name, Rivers of Fate is the latest outing from Fernando Meirelles and Bráulio Mantovani. Set in the merciless expanse of the Amazon, the riveting limited series follows a teen (Domithila Cattete) kidnapped by a sex-trafficking ring operating on the snaking rivers of the Pará. When a reluctant river pirate (Lucas Galvino) and a fierce mother (Marleyda Soto) embark on separate quests to find her, their fates entwine. In the wake of Bolsonaro’s presidency and his attack on democracy, the action-packed Rivers of Fate is a timely exploration of the fight for justice.
The Real Housewives of London (Hayu, August 18)
The Real Housewives franchise has spawned a staggering 41 spinoffs (including a short-lived Auckland edition) but never in the big smoke of London – until now. In this inaugural season, The Real Housewives of London documents a sextet of socialites who navigate the backstabbing and gossiping of the capital’s twisted social circles, all while living as lavishly as possible. Despite being asked to “dial down the drama,” these quarrelling socialites cannot resist a screaming match loaded with stinging insults. “Go back to Paddington,” might sound like a Maps direction, but here it’s an affront to their diamond-encrusted existence.
The Map That Leads to You (Prime Video, August 20)
In The Map That Leads to You, a romance reminiscent of the Before trilogy, Heather (Madelyn Cline) and her gal pals are on a whirlwind trip around Europe when she meets Jack (KJ Apa) at a dingy hostel. In the deeply romantic setting, their spark is instant and an intense emotional connection is ignited. Set against Europe’s most breathtaking locales, their bond deepens, revealing secrets and hidden truths that threaten to tear the swooning sweethearts apart. The film won’t make a mark come awards season, but it looks set to be a candied guilty pleasure.
Pick of the Flicks: A New Kind of Wilderness (DocPlay, August 18)
A New Kind of Wilderness chronicles the life of Nik and Maria Payne, parents raising their children on a self-sufficient farm in the picturesque Norwegian countryside. Labelled as a “deeply humane and emotionally literate piece of work” the family’s idyllic existence is shattered when breadwinner Maria passes away from cervical cancer. Faced with the heartbreaking reality of being unable to afford the mortgage payments on their off-the-grid paradise, Nik and his family are forced to return to civilisation. Good luck remaining dry-eyed during this affecting and award-winning tracing of parenthood and grief.
The rest
Netflix
CoComelon Lane: S5 (August 18)
America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys (August 19)
Rivers of Fate (August 20)
Forgive Us All (August 20)
Death Inc.: S3 (August 21)
Hostage (August 21)
Fall for Me (August 21)
Gold Rush Gang (August 21)
One Hit Wonder (August 21)
Long Story Short (August 22)
The Truth About Jussie Smollett? (August 22)
The Beekeeper (August 23)
TVNZ+
Taskmaster NZ S6 (August 18)
Kitchen Nightmares (August 19)
Rams (August 19)
21 Bridges (August 19)
Our Idiot Brother (August 19)
Changing Planet: Coral (August 20)
Brianna: A Mother’s Story (August 20)
Think Like a Forest (August 21)
Australian Survivor: Australia vs The World (August 21)
Warren’s Vortex (August 24)
Gladiators UK S2 (August 24)
ThreeNow
Paddy Gower Has Issues S2 (August 19)
Vinnie Jones in the Country S2 (August 20)
Seeking Sister Wife S5 (August 23)
MĀORI+
Mana Moana Mana Tangata (August 18)
Neon
Barney’s World S1 (August 18)
The Big Easy (August 18)
Alone Together (August 19)
Botched Bariatrics S1 (August 19)
Naked Gun 2 1⁄2: The Smell of Fear (August 20)
Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult (August 20)
Naked Gun From The Files of Police Squad! (August 20)
A Knight’s Tale (August 21)
Machete Kills (August 22)
Peacemaker S2 (August 22)
Battle of Culiácan: Culiácan: Heirs of the Cartel S1 (August 22)
Charming (August 23)
Widow Cliquot (August 24)
Prime Video
John Wick (August 20)
The Map That Leads to You (August 20)
007: Road to a Million S2 (August 22)
Disney+
Are You My First? (August 18)
Stalking Samantha: 13 Years of Terror (August 19)
The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox (August 20)
Reminder (August 20)
Eenie Meanie (August 22)
Twelve (August 23)
Apple TV+
Invasion S3 (August 22)
Hayu
The Real Housewives of London (August 18)
Shudder/AMC+/Acorn/HIDIVE
Nelly Knows Mysteries (AMC+, Acorn TV, August 25)
Deb’s House S2 (AMC+, Acorn TV, August 22)
Grantchester S8 (AMC+, Acorn TV, August 25)
DocPlay
Songs of Earth (August 18)
A New Kind of Wilderness (August 18)
A Still Small Voice (August 21)
Stories We Tell (August 21)
