With summer winding down and many seeking refuge from the heat indoors, Netflix offers a compelling lineup of shows for a weekend binge. This selection includes a beloved cult sci-fi series, a consistently strong anime adaptation, and a classic that continues to hold its appeal.
Maniac
This 2018 miniseries from Cary Joji Fukunaga and Patrick Somerville tells the story of Annie (Emma Stone) and Owen (Jonah Hill), two individuals grappling with mental health challenges in a retrofuturistic New York. Their participation in a mind-altering pharmaceutical trial leads them through a series of surreal and diverse scenarios, from suburban landscapes to fantastical realms. While the overarching plot takes a backseat, the series excels in showcasing the chemistry between Stone and Hill as they navigate increasingly absurd situations, making it a strong candidate for a potential sequel or rewatch. The complete 10-episode season is available on Netflix.
Jujutsu Kaisen
Fans of action anime can look forward to the arrival of Jujutsu Kaisen's third season, subtitled The Culling Game Part 1, on Netflix on July 22. The platform already hosts the first two seasons of the series and the prequel movie Jujutsu Kaisen 0. The third season, which aired from January 9 to March 27, is noted for its consistent animation quality, a contrast to some viewer feedback on the previous season's Shibuya Incident arc. The first two seasons and Jujutsu Kaisen 0 are currently available for streaming.
Stargate SG-1
This long-running science fiction series, comprising 214 episodes, found significant success in the early 2000s. It filled a niche in the genre during a period when other major sci-fi franchises were perceived to be losing momentum, and prior to the emergence of prestige television like the reimagined Battlestar Galactica. Stargate SG-1 tapped into a growing online fandom and benefited from the established popularity of its 1994 film predecessor, making it a standout in the science fiction television landscape of its era.