The best new streaming shows this week: Bad Monkey and more

We’re back with a new list of shows you can get caught up on this weekend. Lots of old favorites coming back! Let’s get started. 

The best new streaming shows this week

Feel free to click on any links that pique your interest.

• Release date: August 9, 2024 
• Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
• Rating: TV-Y7
• Director: Saori Den
• Cast: Minori Suzuki, Yuka Terasaki, Daiki Yamashita, Yoshino Aoyama, Megumi Hayashibara, Ayane Sakura, Ikue Otani

At the heart of the story are two mysterious artifacts: Liko’s pendant containing an unknown Pokémon and Roy’s ancient Poké Ball. As the young trainers set out to uncover the secrets behind these objects, they join the Rising Volt Tacklers aboard the airship Brave Olivine. Led by the enigmatic Friede and his partner Captain Pikachu, this group of Pokémon researchers and adventurers travels the world seeking rare Pokémon.

But Liko and Roy aren’t the only ones interested in their treasures. The Explorers are hot on their trail, determined to steal the pendant and ancient Poké Ball for their own sinister purposes. As our heroes journey across familiar regions and new locales, they’ll encounter legendary Pokémon, form bonds with their own partners Sprigatito and Fuecoco, and slowly unravel the mystery of the mythical Six Heroes. 

• Release date: August 15, 2024 
• Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
• Rating: TV-MA
• Director: Darren Star
• Cast: Lily Collins, Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, Ashley Park, Lucas Bravo, Camille Razat, Samuel Arnold, Bruno Gouery

Emily’s Parisian adventures continue as she navigates increasingly complex personal and professional entanglements. Still caught between her feelings for Gabriel and Alfie, Emily must make difficult choices about her love life while also proving herself at work. As Sylvie’s marketing firm takes on bigger clients, Emily faces new challenges that test her creativity and cultural savvy.

Meanwhile, her friend Mindy pursues her musical dreams, leading to unexpected complications. With more stunning Parisian backdrops, outrageous fashion, and romantic intrigue than ever, season 4 promises to be a delightful escape into the City of Light. As Emily’s ties to Paris deepen, she’ll have to decide where her future truly lies.

• Release date: August 14, 2024 
• Genre: Drama
• Rating: TV-MA
• Director: Bill Lawrence
• Cast: Vince Vaughn, L. Scott Caldwell, Rob Delaney, Meredith Hagner, Natalie Martinez, Alex Moffat, Michelle Monaghan

Based on Carl Hiaasen’s novel, this breezy Florida-set series follows Andrew Yancy, a former detective demoted to restaurant inspector. When a severed arm turns up, Yancy can’t resist investigating, pulling him into a twisty mystery involving real estate scams, insurance fraud, and environmental destruction in the Keys and Bahamas.

As Yancy pursues answers, he contends with colorful characters including his troubled girlfriend Bonnie, a sassy medical examiner, and a Bahamian man trying to save his home with the help of a mysterious voodoo practitioner. With its quirky humor, sun-soaked setting, and Vaughn’s motormouthed charm, Bad Monkey delivers a fun, offbeat take on the crime thriller genre.

• Release date: August 14, 2024 
• Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
• Rating: TV-Y
• Director: Michael Olson
• Cast: Jamaal Avery Jr., Juliet Donenfeld, Dee Bradley Baker, Emma Berman, Jonathan Lipow, Nasim Pedrad, Trey Murphy

The adorable young Jedi-in-training returns for more lighthearted adventures set during the High Republic era. As Kai, Lys, and Nubs continue their studies at the Jedi temple, they face new challenges that test their growing Force abilities. They’ll encounter familiar faces like Maz Kanata as well as new threats from the pirate Ganguls.

With its focus on teamwork, problem-solving, and learning from mistakes, the show offers positive messages for young viewers while expanding the Star Wars universe. Expect more cute creatures, exciting action, and valuable life lessons as our heroes take their next steps to become Jedi.

• Release date: August 9, 2024
• Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
• Rating: TV-Y7
• Director: Chris Yost, Alan Wan
• Cast: Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr., Nicolas Cantu, Brady Noon, Ayo Edebiri

Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo face a dangerous new threat to mutantkind. When the Turtles are ambushed and separated by the villainous Bishop and her army of adaptive mechazoids, each brother must survive on his own while learning important lessons about his identity and place on the team.

As they battle to reunite and save New York City, the Turtles will need to rely on each other’s strengths more than ever before. Get ready for more pizza-fueled adventures with everyone’s favorite Heroes in a Half-Shell!

What was new and worth watching over the last month

Missed our other lists? Here’s a quick recap. Also, check out our list of streaming movies if you’re in the mood for something longer this weekend.

• Release date: August 6, 2024
• Genre: Game Show, Reality
• Rating: N.A.
• Director: Lee Jae-seok, Son Soo-jeong
• Cast: Jang Keun-suk, Pani Bottle, Jin Yong-jin, Risabae, Chahong, OKING, Great Library

This new Korean reality series pits 77 social media stars against each other in a cutthroat competition for online popularity and a 300 million won prize. Contestants range from YouTubers and TikTokers to shamans and silent characters, all wearing electronic collars displaying their follower counts.

As they face challenges and vote each other out, alliances form and tactics get ruthless. Truth becomes irrelevant as participants spread lies for attention. The show offers a disturbing glimpse into the world of social media influencers, where all that matters is getting eyes on you by any means necessary. It’s a bleak but compelling look at the future of online fame.

• Release date: August 8, 2024
• Genre: Action, Adventure
• Rating: TV-14
• Director: Steve Blackman
• Cast: Aidan Gallagher, Elliot Page, Tom Hopper, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Robert Sheehan, David Castañeda, Justin H. Min

The dysfunctional superhero family returns for one last apocalyptic adventure. Set 6 years after Season 3’s universe reset, the de-powered Hargreeves siblings have adjusted to normal lives. But a new world-ending threat emerges, orchestrated by a shadowy group called The Keepers.

The family must reunite, regain their powers, and try to break the cycle of apocalypses that follows them. Old partnerships are revived and new relationships explored as the group dynamic shifts. The truncated 6-episode season races to tie up loose ends and deliver an emotional sendoff to these beloved misfits, culminating in a bittersweet finale that may require tissues.

• Release date: August 8, 2024
• Genre: Documentary
• Rating: TV-MA
• Director: Dylan Sires
• Cast: Lyric Cook-Morrissey, Elizabeth Collins

This three-part true crime docuseries examines the tragic 2012 abduction and murder of cousins Elizabeth Collins and Lyric Cook-Morrissey in Evansdale, Iowa. First-time filmmaker Dylan Sires, a former news photographer on the case, uses seven years of exclusive access and insider interviews to shed new light on the still-unsolved crime.

Episode 1 outlines the case. Episode 2 focuses on local suspect Michael Klunder and features an interview with abduction survivor Dayton Dezi Hughes. The final episode reveals new information and confronts a suspect. The series offers an intimate, unflinching look at a horrific crime that continues to haunt a small Iowa community over a decade later.

• Release date: August 7, 2024
• Genre: Reality
• Rating: N.A.
• Director: Bryan Stinson
• Cast: Gloria Hampton, Leilah Bell, Bellatrix Castillo

The hit dance competition reality show returns with a new studio, new coach, and new batch of young dancers and their ambitious stage moms. Led by renowned choreographer Gloria Hampton, the Bleu Junior Elites face intense challenges as they compete for top honors. But it’s not just the kids feeling the pressure — their mothers clash over everything from costume choices to who gets featured roles.

While Miss Glo pushes the dancers to excel, she takes a more constructive approach than Abby Lee Miller’s notorious tough love. Still, tears flow as the kids struggle with injuries, nerves, and sky-high expectations. It’s a new era, but the drama remains as fierce as the dancing.

• Release date: August 9, 2024
• Genre: Family
• Rating: TV-G
• Director: Scott Schultz, Christian Jacobs
• Cast: Kamryn Smith, Erin Pearce, Emma Penrose, Adam Deibert, Amos Watene, Christian Jacobs

The beloved children’s show gets an animated reboot, transporting DJ Lance Rock and his colorful creature friends to a whimsical new world. In GabbaLand, Muno, Foofa, Brobee, Toodee, and Plex have exciting adventures while learning important life lessons through catchy songs and dances.

Each episode features celebrity guests lending their voices and musical talents. The show maintains its signature blend of music, animation, and live-action segments to engage young viewers. With updated animation but the same lovable characters, GabbaLand aims to delight a new generation of kids while offering a dose of nostalgia for Millennials who grew up with the original.

• Release date: August 8, 2024
• Genre: Crime, Drama
• Rating: TV-PG
• Director: Crime, Drama
• Cast: Elen Rhys, Julian Looman, María Fernández Ache, Tábata Cerezo, Nacho Aldeguer, Alex Hafner, Denis Schmidt

Sun, sand, and sleuthing return as British detective Miranda Blake and her laid-back German partner Max Winter take on more cases on the stunning Spanish island. This season tests their odd-couple partnership amid high-stakes adventures involving treasure hunts, arson, kidnappings, and murders.

Personal tensions simmer between the mismatched duo as they navigate their contrasting approaches to police work. Overseeing their cases is the mercurial Chief Inés Villegas, who keeps them on their toes. With its gorgeous locations and lighthearted tone, the show offers the perfect blend of crime-solving and escapism.

• Release date: July 1, 2024
• Genre: Mystery, Thriller
• Rating: N.A.
• Director: Poppy Cogan
• Cast: Emma Myers, Zain Iqbal, Asha Banks, Raiko Gohara, Jude Morgan-Collie, Yali Topol Margalith, Yasmin Al-Khudhairi

Remember Enid from Wednesday? She’s back again. This teen mystery thriller follows high school student Pippa as she investigates a 5-year-old murder case for her senior project. The small English town of Little Kilton was rocked when popular 17-year-old Andie Bell disappeared, presumed murdered by her boyfriend Sal Singh.

But Pip has always felt something was off about the case. As she digs deeper, interviewing witnesses and uncovering secrets, Pip realizes the truth is far more twisted than anyone imagined. With help from Sal’s brother Ravi, Pip follows a trail of clues that puts her in increasing danger.

• Release date: August 1, 2024
• Genre: Comedy
• Rating: TV-14
• Director: Rob Lowe, Victor Fresco, John Owen Lowe
• Cast: Sian Clifford, Rachel Marsh, Emma Ferreira, Aaron Branch, Rob Lowe, John Owen Lowe, Fred Armisen

Rob Lowe and his real-life son John Owen Lowe star in this workplace comedy as an eccentric biotech genius and his more grounded son. In Season 2, Ellis Dragon is determined to keep his son Jackson in the family company, even as Jackson seeks independence. When Jackson accepts a job offer from rival tech mogul Peter Martin, Ellis goes to extreme lengths to bring him back into the fold.

Meanwhile, the eccentric staff at Dragon deal with new additions like Anna’s awful stepdaughter intern Georgia. The show balances father-son dynamics with quirky office antics.

• Release date: August 1, 2024
• Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure
• Rating: TV-Y7
• Director: Matt Reeves
• Cast: Hamish Linklater, Christina Ricci, Jamie Chung, Diedrich Bader

This noir-inspired animated series brings Batman back to his pulp detective roots. Set in a 1930s-esque Gotham City, it follows a Batman early in his career, voiced with gravelly intensity by Hamish Linklater. The Dark Knight faces off against classic villains reimagined for this era, including Minnie Driver as a gender-swapped Penguin.

The show’s full of moody visuals and complex emotions rare in superhero fare. Weekly cases are balanced with season-long arcs exploring Bruce Wayne’s psychology and Gotham’s criminal underworld. For fans seeking a more grounded, noir take on the Caped Crusader, this series delivers in style.

• Release date: July 29, 2024
• Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
• Rating: TV-14
• Director: Matt Groening
• Cast: Billy West, Katey Sagal, John DiMaggio, Tress MacNeille, Maurice LaMarche, Lauren Tom, Phil LaMarr

The beloved animated sci-fi comedy returns for its 12th season, picking up with the Planet Express crew in the year 3023. In the premiere, Bender gets caught up in the NFT craze, selling off “the concept of Bender” before realizing he’s lost his identity. He travels to Mexico to rediscover his robot roots, encountering his extended family.

The sci-fi parodies and quirky character dynamics remain entertaining. For fans of the long-running series, this is a great show.

• Release date: July 31, 2024
• Genre: Crime, Drama
• Rating: N.A.
• Director: Fernando Rovzar
• Cast: Bárbara Mori, Ximena Sariñana, Natalia Téllez, Amorita Rasgado, Miguel Rodarte, Leonardo Sbaraglia, Christian Tappán

Set in 1971 Mexico City, this Spanish-language drama follows the formation of the city’s first all-female police unit. Four women from different backgrounds join the force: glamorous mother María, her activist sister Valentina, socially awkward Ángeles, and optimistic Gabina. But they soon realize they’re being used as a PR stunt to distract from the police’s failure to catch a serial killer dubbed “the Undresser”.

As the women fight for respect and equality within the department, María begins her own secret investigation into the murders. The show blends feminist themes with a chilling serial killer plotline, creating an uneven but compelling tone.

• Release date: August 1, 2024
• Genre: Documentary, Crime
• Rating: N.A.
• Director: Dan Johnstone, Castor Fernandez
• Cast: Scott Lawson, Steve Pennington, Steve Junker, Brian Schutt, Kim Williams, Doug Gardner, Ginger Thompson

This true crime docuseries explores how an inexperienced FBI agent brought down Mexico’s largest drug cartel through their unlikely connection to American quarter horse racing. In 2009, José Treviño Morales, brother of two Los Zetas cartel bosses, began buying expensive racehorses and winning major races. FBI agent Scott Lawson, on his first posting in Texas, realized this was a rare chance to take down cartel leaders through a money laundering investigation.

The series follows Lawson’s meticulous work building a case, tapping phones, and following money trails. It offers an interesting look at how cartels operate across borders.

• Release date: July 26, 2024
• Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
• Rating: TV-MA
• Director: Carlos Montero, Darío Madrona
• Cast: Omar Ayuso, Itzan Escamilla, Mina El Hammani, Miguel Bernardeau, Arón Piper, Valentina Zenere, André Lamoglia

Las Encinas welcomes a new academic year fraught with danger and intrigue. The arrival of siblings Emilia and Héctor Krawietz, who are heading the alumni association, sets off a chain of events that affects every student. As usual, a shocking murder rocks the school community.

Old rivalries reignite and new alliances form as the students navigate love, betrayal, and the high-stakes world of Spain’s most elite private school. There are some familiar faces and compelling new characters, with this season showing you the lengths some will go to protect their secrets.