So, what’s everyone been watching this 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, with Halloween drawing closer the scares are ramping up, with new appearances from the likes of Netflix’s The Midnight Club and David Bruckner’s Hellraiser reboot.
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. Hocus Pocus 2
Something wicked (read: the long-awaited sequel for absolute classic Hocus Pocus) this way comes. With Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy back in their best witchery as Winifred, Sarah, and Mary Sanderson, Hocus Pocus 2 has landed from Dumplin’ director Anne Fletcher. The film is set 29 years since the Black Flame Candle was lit (the one that resurrects the Sanderson sisters to the ruin of all). On Halloween, when two high school students (Whitney Peak and Belissa Escobedo) light the damn thing, they have quite the battle on their hands. Along for the ride is Sam Richardson, Hannah Waddingham, Doug Jones, Lilia Buckingham, Froyan Gutierrez, and Tony Hale. — Shannon Connellan, UK Editor
What we thought: Hocus Pocus 2, quite simply, was worth the wait, as a rare reboot/sequel that capitalises on the beloved magic of the original while letting its core stars spectacularly lean into the chaos, whirling, cackling, and yowling as gloriously as they did 29 years ago. When the credits roll on Hocus Pocus 2, we are dust! Toast! Pudding! Dost thou comprehend? — S.C.
How to watch: Hocus Pocus is now streaming on Disney+.
2. Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story
Ryan Murphy’s Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story has upset a lot of people — but of course, people are still watching it. The Netflix series has been accused of sensationalizing the American serial killer’s crimes, and the streaming service has been in hot water for its questionable tagging of the series. The series follows Dahmer (Evan Peters) through the lens of his victims, and looks at the lack of action from police even when neighbour Glenda Cleveland (Niecy Nash) tried to report him. — S.C.
How to watch: Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story is now streaming on Netflix.
3. Andor
Star Wars‘ latest adventure is one of the most popular series this week, with Diego Luna in the lead and back in his 2016 Rogue One: A Star Wars Story role of Cassian Andor before he joins the Rebellion. In the prequel series Andor, you’ll also get an early peek at the tale of Senator Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly). Rounding out the cast is Stellan Skarsgård, Adria Arjona, Fiona Shaw, Denise Gough, and Kyle Soller. — S.C.
What we thought: Andor boasts stunning visuals, committed performances, and some of the most interesting themes of any Star Wars show yet, but its first few episodes (critics received four for screening purposes) border on slogs. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter
How to watch: Andor is now streaming on Disney+.
4. Luckiest Girl Alive
Writer Jessica Knoll adapted her own mystery novel into this Netflix movie, which follows a New York woman (Ani Fanelli, played by Mila Kunis) as she struggles to deal with the trauma of her teenage years. Although it’s popular, it’s worth noting that the film features themes of school shootings and sexual assault, and has drawn criticism for its lack of adequate trigger warnings. — Sam Haysom, Deputy UK Editor
How to watch: Luckiest Girl Alive is now streaming on Netflix.
5. The Midnight Club
Given that The Midnight Club‘s creator, Mike Flanagan, is responsible for the likes of The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass, it’s really no big surprise that his latest series is also a big success. Based on the books of Christopher Pike, this horror/mystery series follows a group of terminally ill young adults who meet to share scary stories at their hospice. — S.H.
What we thought: Unafraid to talk about death, life, friendship, trauma, and love, The Midnight Club is a deeply moving horror series whose unique characters and their stories (the real ones and made-up fireside ones) will stay with you long afterward. Using horror to confront the idea of dying through this particular group of young people eliminates all the bullshit and cuts straight to what matters in the end. But it’s also a highly enjoyable ride through horror fiction and a compelling mystery. — S.C.
How to watch: The Midnight Club is now streaming on Netflix.
6. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings series, The Rings of Power, is still going strong. 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. — S.C.
What we thought: The Rings of Power turns 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. — B.E.
How to watch: The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is now streaming on Prime Video.
7. House of the Dragon
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.
What we thought: If you’re worried about House of the Dragon after 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.
8. Hellraiser
David Bruckner’s reboot of the famous horror franchise tells a new story, but it still takes its cues from author Clive Barker’s novella and movie adaptation that kickstarted the whole nightmarish saga. The story follows a recovering addict, Riley (Odessa A’zion) who stumbles across a strange puzzle box — and finds herself haunted by creatures from another realm when she tampers with it. (If you find yourself feeling winded by the ending after you’ve watched, you can read our explainer here.) — S.H.
How to watch: Hellraiser is now streaming on Hulu.
9. Interview With the Vampire
Revisiting Anne Rice’s 1976 classic for a series, Interview With the Vampire brings back lovers Lestat de Lioncourt (Sam Reid) and Louis de Pointe du Lac (Jacob Anderson). Season 1 just landed on AMC, with a second season already locked in. — S.C.
How to watch: Interview With the Vampire is now streaming on AMC+.
10. Mr. Harrigan’s Phone
Adapted from Stephen King’s novella of the same name, Mr. Harrigan’s Phone follows a lonely teenage boy, Craig (Jaeden Martell) who befriends reclusive billionaire Mr. Harrigan (Donald Sutherland). Craig introduces Mr. Harrigan to the world of smartphones, and after the old man passes away he’s buried with one in his pocket — allowing Craig to talk to him via text message from beyond the grave. If the messages in this one had you scratching your head, you’ll be pleased to know Stephen King has since revealed their meanings. — S.H.
How to watch: Mr Harrigan’s Phone is now streaming on Netflix.
