Best New Movies and TV Shows to Watch This Week

☕️ TL;DR

Recent recommended titles: [Movie] Sheep Detective Team, [Movie] Goodbye, Julia, [Movie] The Man Living with the King, [J-Drama] Small Business Kin & Gin Season 3, [Anime] Fist of the North Star -FIST OF THE NORTH STAR-, [Documentary] Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy Season 2, [Documentary] Secret Creatures in the Backyard

Notable trailers: Official trailer for Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Flames of Fate, new trailer for Green Lantern Corps, final trailer for Spider-Man: Beyond the Shadows, first teaser for Grain Rain

Entertainment news: Secrets of Japan confirmed for release, new poster for Spider-Man: A New Day, release date announced for Clive Boots Continues Adventures

[Movie] Sheep Detective Team

Keywords: Mystery / Comedy
Also known as: The Sheep Detectives
Duration: 110 minutes, with a tiny post-credits scene
Viewing Options: Currently in theaters; Douban link

The Sheep Squad Saves the Day!

@SHY: It’s said that among common farm animals, sheep are the dullest. But don’t mention that to the fluffy residents of Dembrooke Town. Having listened to shepherd George read detective novels daily, they’ve honed sharp logical thinking, easily solving small puzzles. Yet when George meets a truly mysterious fate, can these grass-chewing strategists take on real detective duties?

After years of action-packed roles, Hugh Jackman finally finds a “relaxing” gig, eyes closed and unconcerned as the town descends into chaos. A $30 million inheritance revealed only after death makes everyone a suspect, with cryptic codes in the will sowing paranoia. Seeing the town’s sole police officer outwitted, only the soft, non-human perspective of the sheep sees the truth.

Director Kyle Balda, known for Minions, brings his animation talent to live-action, delivering a whimsically British-style mystery in the vein of Shaun the Sheep. The sheep crack the case with inventive antics, brazenly entering human society and weaving unpredictable laughs. Amid the lively adventure, heartfelt friendships shine through, making this soft, warm detective comedy a stress-relieving, family-friendly treat.

[Movie] Goodbye, Julia

Keywords: Drama
Also known as: Goodbye Julia
Duration: Around 115 minutes
Viewing Options: Nationwide Art Alliance theaters; Douban link

Did you stop lying afterwards?

@潘誉晗: One day, Mona accidentally bumps into a young boy while leaving home. Terrified by the boy’s furious father, she flees by car. The father chases on a motorcycle, ultimately shot by Mona’s husband. With her husband influential and the boy’s father from South Sudan, the incident is quickly settled. Haunted by guilt over indirectly causing an innocent death, Mona seeks out the boy’s mother, Julia, claiming she urgently needs a live-in nanny. Julia moves in with her child, and through daily interactions, Mona and Julia influence each other and form a friendship.

In 2023, Sudanese film Goodbye Julia was selected for the 76th Cannes Film Festival and won the Un Certain Regard Freedom Award. As Sudan’s first film at Cannes, it uses the small moments between Julia and Mona to explore social issues including race, religion, faith, and ethnic division. A car accident, two women, two social classes, lies and truth, rescue and redemption, freedom and constraint—the film portrays Sudan’s political turmoil with a gentle, truthful touch.

[Movie] The Man Living with the King

Keywords: Drama / History
Also known as: 왕과 사는 남자
Duration: Around 116 minutes; Douban link

Your Highness, I’ve come to escort you across the river.

@潘誉晗: Yeon Heung-do is the village chief of a remote hamlet in Gangwon Province. Isolated and suffering poor harvests, villagers’ lives are harsh; even children have never tasted hot white rice. To improve the village’s fortunes, he decides to follow a neighboring village’s practice of hosting exiled officials. After persistent effort, an exiled official finally arrives—but it isn’t a bearded elder statesman; it’s Lee Hong-wei, the 16-year-old Rusan King, deposed by his uncle as the sixth monarch of the Joseon dynasty.

Released in early 2026 on South Korean screens, the film broke local audience records. While historical records say little about this period, the creative void allows filmmakers more narrative freedom. Though the historical outcome cannot change, the film gives the politically tragic boy a warm, human experience. Under the villagers’ simple care, the once rigid youth feels warmth beyond the cold grip of royal authority, and the touching friendship between Yeon Heung-do and the young king remains celebrated.

[J-Drama] Small Business Kin & Gin Season 3

Keywords: Drama / Period
Also known as: あきない世傳(せいでん) 金と銀３
Duration: Around 43 minutes per episode × 8 episodes; Douban link

Running a business is never this easy.

@潘誉晗: The timeline of Season 3 quickly reaches Hōreki 4, but the daily life of the Isuzuya shop continues as usual. Under the leadership of the seventh-generation owner, Koyuki, the staff work hard and business flourishes. To boost sales, Koyuki commissions a craftsman to develop an affordable, small-patterned dye accessible to ordinary people, which becomes an instant hit. However, business is never smooth: when Koyuki’s love interest shows affection for her sister, her younger sister Aketsu joins a rival shop, becoming a direct competitor.

Though not as grand as annual Taiga dramas, this relatively lesser-known domestic period drama has steadily reached its third season. Centered on female growth, the series excels in portraying historical female entrepreneurship without overdramatizing crises. From guild difficulties to rival sabotage, Koyuki approaches problems with patience and inclusivity. The storytelling is gentle yet detailed, depicting Edo-era life while highlighting women’s resilience.

[Anime] Fist of the North Star -FIST OF THE NORTH STAR-

Keywords: Manga Adaptation / Action / Adventure
Also known as: 北斗の拳 -FIST OF THE NORTH STAR-
Duration: 24 minutes per episode × unknown number of episodes, updated every Friday
Viewing Options: Prime Video; Douban link

You are already dead!

@SHY: In 199X, the world is consumed by nuclear fire, once-thriving civilizations destroyed, ushering in a lawless era. On this survival-of-the-fittest wasteland, a lone man bears the seven-star scar of Hokuto on his chest. As the heir of the assassination martial art “Hokuto Shinken,” he carves a new path for himself and the oppressed with his indomitable fists.

Hardcore Japanese manga often brings titles like JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure or Berserk to mind. Their stylistic foundation, however, was laid by Fist of the North Star, first serialized in 1983. Creators Buronson and Tetsuo Hara, inspired by Mad Max 2 and Bruce Lee films, crafted this rugged post-apocalyptic world, blending vivid violence and aesthetic brutality that deeply influenced future works.

Compared to previous adaptations, the remake trims lengthy original plotlines, adheres more closely to the source material, and incorporates well-known later settings. The ED features a cover of the classic theme, evoking nostalgia. Using 3D compositing for smooth viewing and occasional hand-drawn animation, key scenes are striking. The story delivers adrenaline-filled adventures, balancing life-and-death tension with heroic feats, making this end-of-century savior legend still exhilarating.

[Documentary] Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy Season 2

Keywords: Human Interest
Also known as: Tucci In Italy Season 2
Duration: Around 44 minutes per episode × 5 episodes; Douban link

@利兹与青鸟: After a year, the Emmy-nominated Searching for Italy returns for Season 2. Having visited Florence and Milan, seen border mountains and glacier fishing, Stanley Tucci continues to explore other corners of Italy, tasting regionally-inspired cuisine, visiting scenic spots and historical landmarks, and delving into local culture.

In southern Campania, with Mount Vesuvius, picturesque coastlines, and a history of hardship, Tucci samples baked eggplant lasagna at an 83-year-old Naples eatery, dry pasta cooked with stones in the pasta capital, visits lemon orchards, tomato farms, and buffalo mozzarella factories, and explores unique local wineries.

Each episode explores a different Italian region, from well-known Campania and Sicily to lesser-known Marche, Sardinia, and Veneto. Each episode is rich with content, featuring five to six culinary tastings, interwoven cultural and historical stories, accessible restaurants, and private tasting events, all accompanied by stunning natural scenery, offering both visual delight and deeper understanding of Italy.

[Documentary] Secret Creatures in the Backyard

Keywords: Documentary
Also known as: Secret Garden
Duration: Around 60 minutes per episode × 5 episodes; Douban link

It turns out every backyard hides a little piece of nature.

@潘誉晗: Henry and Martha live in a century-old mill house, but because the area around their home is full of waterways, rising water or floods can still cause small worries, so they need to monitor the weather regularly. Yet the unpredictability of nature gives the yard a different kind of vitality—these overflowing waters create ideal habitats for creatures like kingfishers.

Last month, the BBC released a new documentary, once again narrated by Sir David Attenborough. At 100 years old this year, hearing his narration is itself a precious gift. Even more remarkable, this time the documentary does not explore vast, distant worlds but returns to ordinary backyards. With Sir Attenborough’s gentle storytelling, the stunning imagery remains deeply moving. Thanks to ultra-high-definition cameras, we are finally able to realize that even in these overlooked worlds, a small, condensed piece of nature thrives.

[K-Drama] Superpowered Extra

@潘誉晗: Yoon Chae-min, who suddenly died from a terminal illness after contact with nuclear wastewater, miraculously revives and gains teleportation powers. Her two companions also gain abilities—one with super strength, the other able to become a glue-like form. Though seen as a foolish trio by outsiders, their accidental powers turn them into saviors of the world. Set in the 1990s, this post-apocalyptic superhero series blends superpowers, cults, and immortality with a hilarious twist.

[UK Drama] Flavia

@潘誉晗: When her father Haviland is arrested as a suspect, 11-year-old Flavia realizes she alone must uncover why a corpse appeared in her home. A chemistry prodigy, she picks up her magnifying glass and applies her knowledge, solving the case as it intertwines with her father’s past. Featuring familiar actors, this teen detective series exudes retro charm, with a lively, dynamic pace.

[US Drama] The Punisher: Last Strike

@潘誉晗: Serving as a bridge between the Punisher series and the film Spider-Man: A New Day, The Punisher: Last Strike follows Frank Castle regaining his fighting spirit after a period of decline post-revenge. With a Marvel-style John Wick vibe, this single special introduces new viewers to the character and delivers standout action sequences.

[Thai Drama] Rural Romance

@潘誉晗: Displeased that her parents plan to hand the family business to her sister and eager to prove herself, heiress Si leaves her luxurious life to take over a rural rental project. This “wealthy girl goes to the countryside” story begins, leading to a sweet, comedic romance with Klao, a village girl renting her farmland. Amid bright rural scenery, the tsundere heiress and cool, handsome girl navigate a humorous, heartwarming romance.

[UK Drama] Criminal Records Season 2

@潘誉晗: Though the coup at Suffolk Square is quelled, a boy’s death leaves Detective Joan wracked with guilt. Behind the political gathering lies a hidden conspiracy, prompting Daniel and Joan to team up with an undercover agent to catch the real culprit. With political rallies, assassination plots, and right-wing threats, the second season intensifies anti-terrorism themes, maintaining a serious and structured pace.

[Movie] Sunflowers on the Chessboard

@SHY: In 1994, workers in Saitama discover an allegedly murdered unidentified body in the mountains, alongside seven remaining first-generation Kikusui Moon shogi pieces. The investigation points to the sudden appearance of prodigy shogi player Keisuke Kamijo. This second film adaptation of the namesake mystery novel interweaves meticulous police work with calm shogi matches, gradually revealing Kamijo’s complex background and delivering strong emotional impact.

[Movie] Three Goodbye

@利兹与青鸟: Marta and her boyfriend quarrel over a minor issue after years together, leading to a breakup. Struggling with heartbreak, Marta leaves negative reviews for her ex’s restaurant, skips meals, talks to a cardboard figure, and wanders Rome reflecting on the past and future—both immature and slightly romantic. As love and health slip away, she learns to reconnect with life and bid farewell. With a slow pace and understated narrative, the film uses ample empty shots to capture life’s beauty and melancholy, ending tenderly yet wistfully.

[Movie] Desire of Sangerhausen

@利兹与青鸟: In the 18th century, maid Lotte finds a blue stone and escapes noble pursuers into a dark cave; in modern times, restaurant worker Ursula, video creator Neda, and a grandfather-grandson duo on a tour meet in the forests of Sangerhausen, Germany. To evade the police, they enter the same cave and encounter Lotte’s ghost. Each character struggles with life’s challenges on society’s margins. Told in four chapters, the film uses elegant, vintage cinematography to depict ordinary people’s fleeting dreams and desires.

📅 This Week’s New Trailers

Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Flames of Fate Official Trailer
On May 19, the TV anime Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Flames of Fate released its official trailer. Episodes 1–3 will premiere in Japanese theaters on June 21, with broadcast starting in July. Tomohisa Taguchi serves as chief director, Mitsuru Murata directs, and PIERROT FILMS produces. As the final season of the series, it will conclude the climactic battle between Ichigo Kurosaki and Yhwach. Source

Green Lantern Corps New Trailer
On May 18, DC’s new series Green Lantern Corps released a new teaser trailer, scheduled to premiere on HBO Max on August 16. Aaron Pierre stars as rookie John Stewart, and Kyle Chandler plays legendary Green Lantern Hal Jordan. The two intergalactic law enforcers investigate a murder in a small Midwestern town and become entangled in a dark mystery looming over Earth. Source

Spider-Man: Beyond the Shadows Final Trailer
On May 19, the series Spider-Man: Beyond the Shadows released its final trailer, with a premiere on Prime Video on May 27. Nicolas Cage (Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse) returns as the lead, focusing on an aging, extremely unlucky private detective in 1930s New York who, as the city’s only superhero, must confront his past life. Source

Grain Rain First Teaser
On May 11, the Chinese suspense-crime series Grain Rain released its first teaser. Directed by Li Lu (In the Name of the People, Ordinary World), starring Jing Boran, Zhang Songwen, Sun Yizhou, Sui Junbo, Li Xiaoran, Zhang Xueying, Wang Ou, and Wang Yiting, the series adapts the novel of the same name, based on a real tax case, focusing on the death of a company accountant in Pengzhou. Source

More
Her Personal Hell First Trailer: Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn (Drive), starring Sophie Thatcher, Christine Froude, Havana Rose Liu, and others. A group of actresses plans to shoot a film while a vile killer hunts women across the city. North American release: July 24. Source

Hope First Trailer: Directed and written by Roh Hong-jun, starring Hwang Jung-min, Cho In-sung, and Jung Ho-gyun. Set in the 1970s–80s, residents of an isolated village near the DMZ confront mysterious alien beings. Selected for the main competition at the 79th Cannes Film Festival. Source

Dream Tales First Trailer: Directed and written by Koichi Sakamoto, Kenji Tanigaki, and Yuji Shimomura, starring Yasuo Kurata, with a special appearance by Sammo Hung. Following the protagonist’s visions, the story traverses past, present, and future across countries and generations, telling interconnected destinies. Japan release: July 17. Source

Cosmic Giants: He-Man Rises Final Trailer: Nicholas Galitzine (Red, White & Royal Blue) stars as Prince He-Man, Jared Leto as villainous Skeletor, with Camila Mendes and Idris Elba among the cast. Directed by Travis Knight (Bumblebee, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio). Release in China and North America: June 5.

📽 Weekly Film & TV News

Secrets of the Sun Confirmed for Mainland China
On May 22, Secrets of the Sun was confirmed for release in mainland China, along with a trailer and poster. Directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth, and Eve Hewson, the sci-fi film explores UFOs, aliens, and “the truth.” This summer, it promises to reveal everything to humanity and will premiere in North America on June 12. Source

Spider-Man: A New Day New Poster
On May 20, the film Spider-Man: A New Day released a new poster and behind-the-scenes featurette. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton and starring Tom Holland, Zendaya, and Mark Ruffalo, the movie follows Peter Parker donning the Spider-Man suit and soaring across the city, embarking on a new day as the “Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.” North American release: July 31. Source

Cliff Booth Continues Adventures Release Date Announced
Quentin Tarantino’s sequel to Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Cliff Booth Continues Adventures, is scheduled for November 25 in theaters and December 23 on Netflix. Starring Brad Pitt, directed by David Fincher, written by Quentin Tarantino, and featuring Elizabeth Debicki, Scott Caan, and Carla Gugino, the film follows stuntman Cliff Booth’s new adventures after the events of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Source