This week brings exciting new content to streaming platforms, including the live-action adaptation of “How to Train Your Dragon” and a revealing two-part documentary on music legend Billy Joel. Additionally, fans of the coming-of-age series “The Summer I Turned Pretty” will be pleased to see the final season premiere.
Universal Pictures’ live-action remake of the beloved animated film “How to Train Your Dragon” has made a significant mark with over $500 million in global box office sales. It will soon be available for premium video on demand just 31 days after its theatrical debut. AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr praised the film for its successful adaptation, noting that it feels fresh rather than redundant compared to its animated predecessor.
The documentary “Billy Joel: And So It Goes” will offer fans a deep dive into the life of the iconic singer-songwriter. Scheduled for release on HBO and HBO Max, it features firsthand accounts and interviews from Joel, his family, and musical contemporaries, including Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney. This release is poignant as Joel recently had to cancel his summer tour due to a brain disorder.
On Netflix, “Apocalypse in the Tropics,” directed by Petra Costa, explores the rise of the far-right movement in Brazil, particularly focusing on the evangelical influence in the political landscape that led to Jair Bolsonaro’s presidency.
Meanwhile, “The Summer I Turned Pretty” returns for its third season on Prime Video. Based on Jenny Han’s book trilogy, the series follows Belly as she navigates her feelings between two brothers, a narrative that has captured audiences’ hearts.
Also debuting this week is “Surf Girls: International” on Prime Video, which follows rising female surfers competing globally in the Challenger Series, and “Untamed,” a new Netflix series starring Eric Bana as a U.S. law enforcement officer investigating a death in Yosemite National Park.
With these diverse offerings, audiences have much to look forward to this week, from gripping documentaries to heartwarming adaptations and thrilling dramas. The blending of entertainment with meaningful narratives brings a sense of hope and excitement for viewers seeking both enjoyment and reflection.