So,sex blasfame videoswhat's everyone been watchingthis week? Hmmmm?
Just to get a sense of what everyone's streaming, we've used data from streaming aggregator Reelgood, which gathers viewership numbers from hundreds of streaming services in the U.S. and UK. Each week, the most streamed TV shows and movies come down to a few elements — sheer buzz, a big finale, smart marketing, star power, critical acclaim, or word-of-mouth that leads uninterested people to finally watch it out of spite.
This week, it's all about fantasy, with The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powerand House of the Dragonruling TV this week, and Marvel's Thor: Love and Thunderracking up big hours on streaming. Clearly, people are done with reality this week.
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SEE ALSO: 3 ways 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' is different from J.R.R. Tolkien's books
But just because a lot of people are watching something doesn't make it...good. Here they are, the 10 most streamed TV shows and movies of the week, where to watch them, and what Mashable critics thought.
1. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
The age of men is over. The time of the orc has come! Credit: Courtesy of Prime Video Well, they did it. Amazon's The Lord of the Ringsseries, The Rings of Power, is the most streamed of the week again. In fact, according to the company, it was viewed by 25 million viewers globally over the first 24 hours the series' first two episodes dropped, a record debut for a Prime Video show.
But most importantly, the series does what no other J.R.R. Tolkien adaptation has done: it places people of color and women front and center.
What we thought:The Rings of Powerturns out to be a rousing tale of perseverance in the face of evil, a sumptuous re-introduction to Tolkien's world, and just all-around great TV. You won't just feel like you've returned to Middle-earth: You'll feel like you never left. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter
How to watch: The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is now streaming on Prime Video.
2. House of the Dragon
Targaryen family bonding in action. Credit: Ollie Upton / HBO There is simply no denying the power of Game of Thrones, a franchise that has roared back into our lives with the release of prequel series House of the Dragon. Taking place nearly 200 years before Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen existed, House of the Dragon follows House Targaryen at the height of its power in Westeros. There's just one small problem: King Viserys (Paddy Considine) doesn't have a male heir. With the line of succession in question, you can bet on scheming, bloodshed, and mayhem. Oh, and many, many dragons. Let fire and blood reign! — B.E.
SEE ALSO: Who's who in 'House of the Dragon': The Targaryen family treeWhat we thought:If you're worried about House of the Dragonafter getting burned by the final season of Game of Thrones,don't be. HBO's epic new series is excellent through and through, juggling memorable characters, high fantasy, and intense emotions with practiced ease. You'll be sucked in faster than you can say "Dracarys." — B.E.
How to watch: House of the Dragon is now streaming on HBO Max. New episodes premiere Sundays at 9 p.m. ET.
3. Thor: Love and Thunder
Now with extra love and thunder. Credit: Courtesy of Marvel Studios The God of Thunder is back in Marvel's follow-up to Thor: Ragnarok. Co-written by Taika Waititi and Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, Thor: Love and Thunderpicks up where we left off with Asgard's less mischievous prince, who is casually winning his way through battles across space and still getting over his ex Dr. Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), who just happens to have evolved into Mighty Thor with the help of Mjölnir. But Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale) has destructive plans in action, and Thor needs to get his pals King Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) and Korg (Waititi) together to take on a mighty villain.— Shannon Connellan, UK Editor
What we thought:In the end, Love and Thunderis raucous, flashy, and vacuous, not satisfyingly fun. — Kristy Puchko, Film Editor
How to watch:Thor: Love and Thunderis now streaming on Disney+.
4. Do Revenge
Dressed for revenge. Credit: Kim Simms/Netflix Vengeance is the name of the game in Do Revenge, a newly released and dark teen-comedy starring Camila Mendes and Maya Hawke as two high schoolers enacting each other's revenge plans. Do Revenge takes its cues from teen classics like Mean Girls, Clueless, Heathers, and more. Yet its voice is fresh and fun enough to grant it its own spot in the teen movie pantheon. Between instantly quotable one-liners, fabulous fashion, and a scene-stealing turn from Sophie Turner, it's no wonder Do Revenge is one of the most streamed flicks of the week. — B.E.
How to watch: Do Revengeis now streaming on Netflix.
5. Cobra Kai
No mercy! Credit: Courtesy of Netflix We don't quite know how it's happened, but somehow Netflix's Cobra Kainow has more seasons than Stranger Things. In Season 5, which has just hit Netflix, Daniel (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny (William Zabka) have to join forces to stop the looming threat of Sensei Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith) as he attempts to expand his Cobra Kai empire. Expect fast punches, intense stare-downs, and flying kicks aplenty. Here's everything you need to know before you watch.* — Sam Haysom, Deputy UK Editor
How to watch: Cobra Kai is now streaming on Netflix.
SEE ALSO: The cast of 'Cobra Kai' plays 'Cobra Kai or Miyagi Do'6. Rick and Morty
Aw geez. Credit: Adult Swim Rick and Mortyis back for Season 6, and people are streaming the hell out of the adventures of scientist Rick and his grandson Morty. You might have some questions after the Season 6 premiere — here's an explainer. — S.C.
What we thought:Packed with action, callbacks, and deep cuts, the first episode of Season 6 is a mind blower. — K.P.
How to watch:Seasons 1 through 5 of Rick and Mortyare now streaming on HBO Max and Hulu. Episode 1 of Season 6 is available on Adult Swim, and new episodes air Sundays at 11 p.m. ET on Adult Swim.
7. Morbius
It's Morbin' time... *sighs* Credit: Sony Pictures Jared Leto's MCU vampire film has finally hit streaming, if you truly, really, seriously want to watch it. Directed by Daniel Espinosa, Morbius sees Leto as the titular Michael Morbius (Leto), a doctor trying to find a cure to his own rare blood disease, which his friend (Matt Smith) also has. But in a turn of events, they become living vampires. Adria Arjona, Jared Harris, Al Madrigal, and Tyrese Gibson also star. — S.C.
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What we thought: Lacking in style, spirit, scares, and suspense, this would-be thriller is a toothless and tedious chore. — K.P.
How to watch: Morbiusis now streaming on Netflix.
8. Goodnight Mommy
Is she really their mommy? Credit: Amazon Studios 2014's Goodnight Mommy, an Austrian psychological horror film that will have you squirming in your seat, gets a 2022 remake courtesy of Prime Video. Starring Naomi Watts, Goodnight Mommy follows twin boys Elias and Lukas (Cameron and Nicholas Crovetti) whose mother (Watts) returns from surgery with a gauze-covered face. They begin to suspect she isn't truly who she seems. Tension and violence ensue. — B.E.
What we thought:In a nutshell, the remake dilutes the most shocking, violent elements of the original, in a way that reduces the film to a rather stale few hours of emotional and physical torment that underuses Watts' talent. Then comes lukewarm home truths that don't land in any way as expertly as the chilling 2014 film.— S.C.
How to watch: Goodnight Mommy (2022) is now streaming on Prime Video.
9. The Handmaid's Tale
They hand-made more of this. Credit: Sophie Giraud/Hulu The Handmaid's Tale is back for Season 5, and people keep tuning in for the latest in bleak dystopian storytelling. June (Elisabeth Moss) may have killed Commander Waterford (Joseph Fiennes) in Season 4, but her journey is far from over. She's still looking for her daughter and trying to fight Gilead. Meanwhile, in an alarming turn of events, Gilead's influence is growing in Canada. — B.E.
How to watch: The Handmaid's Tale is now streaming on Hulu, with new episodes every Wednesday.
10. She-Hulk: Attorney at Law
The MCU's girlboss is here. Credit: Courtesy of Marvel Studios The newest hero to burst into the MCU is Jennifer Walters, aka She-Hulk (Tatiana Maslany). She's a lawyer who just happens to be a Hulk, but she'd much rather do good through the legal system than through smashing things. As Jennifer grapples with life, love, and pressing questions about Captain America, she'll team up with MCU mainstays like her cousin Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) and Wong (Benedict Wong). It's a fun time all around, and Maslany is as charming as humanly possible in her double role. — B.E.
SEE ALSO: From 'House of the Dragon' to 'She-Hulk': Pugs are having a TV momentWhat we thought:She-Hulk: Attorney at Lawis unlike any Marvel show we've seen before. Yes, it's the story of a hero — Jennifer Walters, aka She-Hulk (Tatiana Maslany) — discovering their powers. But this half-hour comedy about a lawyer-turned-Hulk has just as much in common with Ally McBealor Legally Blondeas it does with WandaVisionor Ms. Marvel. It's a smaller-scale take on the MCU with an irreverent, self-referential tone, making for a refreshing change of pace from the MCU's other TV offerings. — B.E.
How to watch: She-Hulk: Attorney At Law is now streaming on Disney+, with new episodes every Thursday.
Topics Film Streaming