Weekend Watchlist: 'Shadow and Bone' and more shows to watch
April 23 is World Book Day and in honor of the occasion, we're highlighting some films and tv shows based on books you might want to check out this weekend, along with the latest additions to streaming sites.
Shadow and Bone, a thrilling dark new fantasy series based on the worldwide bestselling fantasy novels by Leigh Bardugo just dropped on Netflix this week. The series takes place in the Grishaverse, where people have the ability to manipulate the elements.
The entire Twilight Saga (Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse & Breaking Dawn: Part 1 and 2) based on four vampire-themed fantasy romance novels written by Stephenie Meyer has also been added to the streamer.
Over on HBO Go, you can watch Emma, a hilarious new take on Jane Austen's classic comedy, starring Anya Taylor-Joy as the mischievous titular character, along with other new offerings like Oscar contender The Invisible Man and new limited series Mare of Easttown starring Kate Winslet.
Here's our latest roundup of new films and series you can watch this weekend.
NETFLIX
Shadow and Bone
Synopsis: Dark forces conspire against orphan mapmaker Alina Starkov when she unleashes an extraordinary power that could change the fate of her war-torn world. The series is based on the Shadow and Bone trilogy and Six of Crows Duology by Leigh Bardugo.
Words on Bathroom Walls
Synopsis: A witty teen with dreams of being a chef struggles to balance love and his perfect image after he is diagnosed with a mental illness in his senior year. The 2020 American romantic drama film directed by Thor Freudenthal and written by Nick Naveda is based on the novel of the same name by Julia Walton.
The Twilight Saga
Synopsis: The Twilight Saga is a series of five vampire-themed romance fantasy films based on the four novels published by author Stephenie Meyer. Twilight (2008), New Moon (2009), Eclipse (2010), Breaking Dawn Part 1 (2011) and Part 2 (2012) starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner, are now all on Netflix.
Zero
Synopsis: A shy teen with the power to turn invisible must get it under control to help defend his neighborhood, putting aside the pursuit of his artistic dream. The Italian drama-comedy sci-fi series created by Menotti is based on the book Non ho mai avuto la mia età by Antonio Dikele Distefano.
Fractured
Synopsis: Ray Monroe (Sam Worthington), and his wife Joanne (Lily Rabe) rush their daughter to the emergency room of a nearby hospital after she is hurt in an accident. After being sent away for further testing, his wife and daughter vanish and all records of their visit disappear. Ray’s concern turns into a desperate race to find his family and discover the truth of what happened to them.
Into the Beat
Synopsis: A teen ballerina discovers hip-hop by chance and is faced with an impossible choice: Does she follow her parents’ footsteps... or her newfound passion?
Minions
Synopsis: The banana-yellow, linguistically garbled hemchmen of “Despicable Me” star in this prequel, recounting the story of their villain-worshipping history.
Rocketman
Synopsis: In rehab, pop star Elton John looks back at his humble origins, timeless songs and heady moments of inspiration and excess. Based on his true story.
Life in Colour with David Attenborough
Synopsis: Using innovative technology, this docuseries explores nature from a fresh perspective as animals use color to survive and thrive in the wild.
Girl from Nowhere
Synopsis: A mysterious, clever girl named Nanno transfers to different schools, exposing the lies and msideeds of the students and faculty at every turn.
Four Sisters before the Wedding
Synopsis: When their parents’ marriage threatens to crumble, the teenage Salazar siblings plot to reconcile them before their 20th wedding anniversary.
HBO Go
Emma
Synopsis: Jane Austen’s beloved comedy about finding your equal and earning your happy ending, is reimagined in this delicious new film adaptation of EMMA. Handsome, clever, and rich, Emma Woodhouse is a restless queen bee without rivals in her sleepy little town. In this glittering satire of social class and the pain of growing up, Emma must adventure through misguided matches and romantic missteps to find the love that has been there all along.
The Invisible Man
Synopsis: Elisabeth Moss stars in a terrifying modern tale of obsession inspired by Universal’s classic monster character. Trapped in a violent, controlling relationship with a wealthy and brilliant scientist, Cecilia Kass (Moss) escapes in the dead of night and disappears into hiding, aided by her sister (Harriet Dyer, NBC’s The InBetween), their childhood friend (Aldis Hodge, Straight Outta Compton) and his teenage daughter (Storm Reid, HBO’s Euphoria).
Mare of Easttown
Synopsis: Kate Winslet plays Mare Sheehan, a small-town Pennsylvania detective who investigates a local murder as life crumbles around her. From creator and writer Brad Ingelsby ("The Way Back"), with all episodes directed by Craig Zobel (HBO’s "The Leftovers"), the seven-part limited series is an exploration into the dark side of a close community and an authentic examination of how family and past tragedies can define our present.
Call Me By Your Name
Synopsis: Call Me By Your Name by Luca Guadagnino, is a sensual and transcendent tale of first love, based on the acclaimed novel by André Aciman. Set in 1983 in northern Italy, Call Me by Your Name chronicles the romantic relationship between a 17-year-old, Elio Perlman (Timothée Chalamet), and Oliver (Armie Hammer), a 24-year-old graduate-student assistant to Elio's father (Michael Stuhlbarg), an archaeology professor.
The Turning
Synopsis: The Turning takes us to a mysterious estate in the Maine countryside, where newly appointed nanny Kate is charged with the care of two disturbed orphans, Flora and Miles. Quickly though, she discovers that both the children and the house are harboring dark secrets and things may not be as they appear. Inspired by Henry James’ landmark novel, the haunted-house thriller stars Mackenzie Davis (Terminator: Dark Fate, The Martian), Finn Wolfhard (It, Netflix’s Stranger Things), newcomer Brooklynn Prince (The Florida Project) and Joely Richardson (Red Sparrow, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo).
Wonder Woman 1984
Synopsis: Fast forward to the 1980s as Wonder Woman’s next big screen adventure finds her facing two all-new foes: Max Lord and The Cheetah.
(Images via Netflix)