11 New Movies and Shows to Watch This Weekend on Netflix, Hulu and More (March 29-31)

11 New Movies and Shows to Watch This Weekend on Netflix, Hulu and More (March 29-31)

As March draws to a close, Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming services are taking spring by storm with new movies and shows to watch this weekend.

This weekend is full of historicals, with the premieres of Ewan McGregor's post-Russian Revolution drama "A Gentleman From Moscow" and the World War II epic "We Were the Lucky Ones." For something more contemporary, check out "Parish," a new crime drama starring Gus Fring himself and Giancarlo Esposito.

On the film side, the '80s-style zombie comedy "Lisa Frankenstein" and A24's family drama "When You Finish Saving the World" hit subscription streaming. Here's a guide to what to watch this weekend.

Now Giancarlo Esposito is knocking. The Emmy-winning "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul" native heads his own crime drama alongside Paula Malcomson ("Deadwood"), Bradley Whitford ("West Wing"), and Skeet Ulrich ("Riverdale").

Gracian "Gray" Parrish leads a quiet life as the owner of a luxury car service in New Orleans. Everything is torn apart when his son is violently murdered and his business collapses. An encounter with an old friend unearths his past, and Gray embarks on a journey of revenge against a violent crime syndicate.

Now streaming on AMC (via Sling or Fubo)

Ewan McGregor stars in another limited series based on a historical event, like "Halston". In this adaptation of Amor Towles' best-selling book, he plays the fictional Count Alexander Rostov.

After the Russian Revolution of 1917, Rostov finds himself on the wrong side of history. Although he escapes execution handed down to other aristocrats, he is banished to the attic of the luxurious Hotel Metropole. During the most turbulent decades of Russian history, Rostov remained confined to the hotel. As the years pass, however, he comes to a deeper understanding of the importance of friendship, family, and love.

Available on Paramount Plus with Showtime

Also based on a historical event that changed the world, this epic film is adapted from Georgia Hunter's best-selling novel and inspired by the incredible true story of the Holocaust. When World War II begins, Jewish families in Europe are separated, some in hiding, others in concentration camps. The Kulch family survives and decides to reunite with their loved ones scattered around the world. Their unshakable bond reminds us that even in the midst of evil, hope can be held on.

Available on Hulu

In this maverick adventure story, Nell Jackson (Louisa Harland from "Derry Girls"), a resourceful and brave young woman, is framed for murder, but then she unexpectedly becomes the most feared woman in 18th century England becomes the Highwaywoman.

When a magical genie named Billy Blind (Nick Mohammed from "Ted Rathbone") appears, Nell realizes that her destiny is bigger than she ever imagined. As the rich and powerful try to stop Nell, she fights to right the world's many wrongs.

Now streaming on Disney Plus

The road to a second season of this crime drama was rocky - cancelled by Showtime, saved by Freebie, and then moved to Amazon's sibling Prime Video.

In season two, subtitled "Broken Justice," former police chief Del Harris (Jeff Daniels) and his girlfriend Grace (Maura Tierney) are trying to rebuild their lives in the Rust Belt town of Buell, PA after the tragic events of season one. Del is rehired by the Pittsburgh Police Department, but struggles to balance work and life with Grace. Then more murders rock Buell, throwing everyone into turmoil.

Premieres on Prime Video Thursday, March 28 at 12 a.m. ET

I was lucky enough to see Notaro perform this set live, and her dry humor was as hilarious as ever. In one episode, the comedian describes a late-night health scare when a firefighter came to her doorstep and questioned her identity.

She also riffs on the antics of children, the "Make Believe" lounge at the airport, an awkward encounter with Reese Witherspoon, and exercising outside a physical therapist's office. And, not to spoil anything, the set ends with a side-splitting tut-tut scene in which Notaro delivers an unusual performance.

Available on Prime Video

True love sometimes goes through the grave in this teen horror comedy from JUNO/Juno screenwriter Diablo Cody and director Zelda Williams, daughter of the late Robin Williams.

In 1989, Lisa Swallows (Kathryn Newton) is a lonely outsider grieving for her dead mother and troubled by her narcissistic stepmother (Carla Gugino) and bossy stepsister Taffy (Liza Soberano). Lisa spent her free time in the local cemetery, where her favorite grave was a man who died in 1837. One night, a lightning strike brings the man (Cole Sprouse) back to life and the two fall in undead love.

Available on Peacock

Jesse Eisenberg makes his directorial debut with this A24 drama, based on the 2021 Audie Award-winning audio drama of the same name.

Julianne Moore stars as Evelyn, a woman who runs a shelter for victims of domestic abuse and struggles to connect with her teenage son Ziggy (Finn Wolfhard), an aspiring Internet music star. While Evelyn bonds with the sensitive teen at the shelter, Ziggy tries to learn to be "political" in order to be liked by the more active girls at school. Mother and son clash, but they are more alike than they care to admit.

Available on Netflix

This month is full of feel-good sports stories, both real and fictional. This film is both. The film is a good one because it takes place at the Homeless World Cup, an annual soccer tournament played by homeless teams from around the world.

Mal (Bill Nye) is the coach of the English team and takes his players to Rome with the hope that they will return as champions. He places his bets on Vinny (Michelle Ward), a talented but troubled striker who must put his past behind him if he is to help the team win a long-desired trophy.

Available on Netflix

Like many big franchises, the "Phantom Thief: Minion Crisis" series is entering the prequel phase. The latest "Minions": the latest film, "Minions: The Rise of Gru," follows Felonius Gru (voiced by Steve Carell), a young aspiring supervillain, as he meets the Minions and becomes the world's most despicable team.

Of course, no coming-of-age story is complete without growing-up pains. Gru auditions for the Vicious Six, a diabolical supervillain team that has just fired its leader, Wild Knuckles (Alan Arkin). Unable to secure a seat with the heroes, Gru decides to become their enemy instead. The film also features the voices of Taraji P. Henson, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Lucy Lawless, Dolph Lundgren, Jean Clau and Russell Brand.

Watch it now on Prime Video

Blumhouse's latest scary horror film, "Imaginary," landed on video-on-demand services this week after making its theatrical debut earlier this month. Rotten Tomatoes' critics score is 25% (although the audience score is slightly more favorable at 55%).

This supernatural spookiness imagines what would happen if the children's imaginary friends were real. The protagonist, a young woman named Jessica (DeWanda Wise), returns to her childhood home with her new husband to discover a disturbing truth about her long-forgotten imaginary friend, Chauncey the Bear. At first he acts like a friendly and loving companion from Jessica's youth, but it soon becomes clear that Chauncey has more sinister intentions as he plots to steal the soul of Jessica's young stepdaughter, Alice (Piper Brown).

Buy or Rent on Amazon

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