What to Watch This Week: 8 Must-See Movies and TV Shows

☕️ TL;DR

Recent recommendations: [CN] Peaceful Era, [Film] Northeast Police Story 3, [UK Series] Lord of the Flies, [US Series] The Lincoln Lawyer Season 4, [Animation] Hell’s Paradise Season 2, [Animation] Medalist Season 2, [Animation] Detective Precure!, [Reality Show] Four Wishes

Several notable trailers: the first trailer for Made in Abyss: The Awakened Mystery, the first trailer for Cliff Booth Continues His Adventures, the final trailer for Project Hail Mary, the first trailer for Minions and the Big Monster, the official trailer for One Piece Season 2, and the first trailer for Shadow Spider-Man.

Several film and TV updates: the official poster for Dorohedoro Season 2, The Beaver Transformation Project scheduled for mainland China release on March 20, Supreme Marty scheduled for mainland China release on March 20, Los Angeles Heist set for release on March 7, and Exhaustive Enumeration scheduled for mainland China release on March 8.

Editor’s Note: Thank you for your support over the past year. During the Spring Festival, the SSPAI editorial team has prepared a limited number of “Otter Red Envelope Covers” for homepage readers. These will be hidden as content easter eggs within hyperlinks in homepage articles throughout the holiday period—stay tuned.

[CN] Peaceful Era

Keywords: Drama / History / Period
Also Known As: Swords into Plowshares
Runtime: Approximately 45 minutes (per episode) × 48 episodes
Available on: Tencent Video / iQIYI; Douban link

A story set during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period has actually made it to the screen.

@潘誉晗: Qian Hongchu originally hoped to live as a leisurely prince, but during his journey north to Bianliang, witnessing the devastation and turmoil across the Central Plains made him realize that there were responsibilities he could not avoid as the ninth son of King Wenmu. After returning to the Wuyue Kingdom, he upheld a policy of “protecting the realm and ensuring the people’s safety,” allowing Wuyue to maintain a rare sense of peace even amid the chaos of the era. Later, as the tide of Northern Song unification became inevitable, he chose to “submit territory to the Song,” sparing the people of Jiangnan from the ravages of war and enabling a peaceful transition of dynastic rule.

The series follows the growth, trials, and fateful decisions of Qian Hongchu—the last ruler of Wuyue—alongside Emperor Taizu of Song Zhao Kuangyin and Emperor Shizong of Later Zhou Guo Rong, set against the turbulent backdrop of national upheaval. As a chaotic period between the Tang and Song dynasties, the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms era was marked by fragmentation and warfare. Constant instability, power struggles, and the displacement of ordinary people defined the time—making it a brutal and unforgiving chapter of history that is far from easy to portray. Yet this first-ever dramatization of the era delivers a relatively well-rounded result. With meticulous costume and production design, textured storytelling, and solid performances from the cast, the series brings this weighty historical period vividly to life.

[Film] Northeast Police Story 3

Keywords: Comedy / Action / Crime
Also Known As: Fight Against Evil 3
Runtime: 100 minutes
Available in theaters now; Douban link

They still make fight scenes this realistic?

@潘誉晗: Li Hongqi is getting married! In response to his future mother-in-law’s request to organize the wedding properly, he flies to Hainan in advance to prepare. On the plane, he meets a little girl named Xinxin—but just after landing, she is abducted by human traffickers. With justice unwavering, Li Hongqi refuses to stand by in the face of such cruelty. He immediately sets out to find Xinxin. Teaming up with local police officer Sun Biao, he begins investigating the case—only to uncover a much larger cross-border criminal organization.

Over the past five years, the “Northeast Police Story” IP has made the leap from online films to theatrical release. Without the backing of major star power or substantial production budgets, it has nonetheless delivered a grounded and passionate story of a grassroots police officer solving crimes in Northeast China. While this theatrical installment introduces some comedic elements that longtime fans may find unnecessary, they do little to overshadow the film’s strengths. The more down-to-earth narrative slightly tempers the realism and brutality of the case itself. What remains especially valuable are the intense action sequences delivered by actors such as Xie Miao—close-quarters combat that lands with visceral impact, bringing a raw and realistic sense of pain to the screen.

[UK Series] Lord of the Flies

Keywords: Drama / Thriller
Also Known As: Lord of the Flies
Runtime: Approximately 60 minutes × 4 episodes; Douban link

@利兹与青鸟: A group of boys aged around 6 to 12 are stranded on a deserted island following a plane crash. After regaining consciousness from the disaster, Nicholas meets Ralph. Together, they find a conch shell, which Ralph uses to gather the other boys—including the choir led by Jack. Ralph defeats Jack in the leadership election, while the more survival-savvy Nicholas serves as Ralph’s advisor, attempting to establish rules—though he is never truly respected by either Ralph or Jack. Simon, a member of the choir, stands apart by showing kindness to everyone. However, the appearance of unity and peace does not last long, as Ralph and Jack split into opposing factions, and savagery and violence begin to take precedence over civilized order.

This miniseries is adapted from William Golding’s Nobel Prize–winning novel of the same name. While it does not strictly follow the original plot, it makes significant changes to Ralph’s characterization, portraying him as lacking the natural leadership qualities present in the novel. The performances by the young cast are outstanding—whether depicting arrogance and brutality or kindness and courage, they bring their roles to life with remarkable fidelity. In addition to presenting the novel’s exploration of humanity’s darker side and religious symbolism, the series employs rich color grading, ominous establishing shots, close-ups of the children’s faces, and unsettling music to create a hallucinatory and suspenseful atmosphere. While this serves as an artistic expression, it also carries the risk of disrupting the narrative pacing.

[US Series] The Lincoln Lawyer Season 4

Keywords: Drama / Mystery / Thriller / Crime
Also Known As: The Lincoln Lawyer Season 4
Runtime: 43–55 minutes (per episode) × 10 episodes
Available on: Netflix; Douban link

Murder is like a tree, and a lawyer holds the axe to cut away the evil.

@潘誉晗: This season’s story picks up directly from the ending of Season 3. After a body is discovered in the trunk of his car, Mickey goes from being a star lawyer to the prime suspect overnight. Not only does he find himself behind bars, but those around him are also deeply affected—his law firm’s business plummets, and his daughter becomes the target of bullying. As the prosecutor closes in, Mickey refuses bail and must not only protect himself in prison, but also work with his team on the outside to uncover the truth and clear his name.

This season is adapted from The Law of Innocence, the sixth novel in The Lincoln Lawyer series. It tells the story of Mickey and his team striving relentlessly to prove his innocence. In the original novel, this is one of the most challenging and consequential cases of Mickey’s life, as the incident has a profound impact on both his career and personal life. The investigation into the mystery, the pursuit of legal justice, and the moral dilemmas involved continually challenge our understanding of human nature. The dual narrative structure is both rich and tightly paced—alongside Mickey’s main case, the subplot following Lorna’s gradual growth into a professional lawyer is equally compelling.

[Animation] Hell’s Paradise Season 2

Keywords: Action / Animation / Mystery / Fantasy / Adventure
Also Known As: Hell’s Paradise
Runtime: Approximately 24 minutes (per episode) × 12 episodes; Douban link

Must life and death here truly be decided by the immortals?

@潘誉晗: The safe return of Yamada Asaemon Tōma from the mysterious island of Shinsenkyo has been discovered by high-ranking officials of the shogunate. As the first person in years to come back alive, his return gives them hope. Despite Tōma’s warnings to stay away from Shinsenkyo, their desperate pursuit of the elixir of immortality leads them to order a second expedition. Shugen and Tōma are tasked with leading a new group of island explorers, accompanied by ninja recruited from Iwagakure Village.

After three years of preparation, the second season of Hell’s Paradise clearly benefits from an increased production budget. Compared to the first season, the visual quality has noticeably improved—particularly important given the anime’s signature blend of lavish, eerie, and grotesque aesthetics. The boost in production value adds a fresh layer of appeal. In terms of the story, the confrontation between Gabimaru’s group and the Tensen remains unresolved, and the arrival of a second wave of explorers brings new challenges.

With upgraded production quality and consistently strong musical scoring, this ensemble-driven anime—set within a world inspired by Eastern fantasy and Taoist mythology—is highly recommended for fans of the genre.

[Animation] Medalist Season 2

Keywords: Manga Adaptation / Sports / Inspirational
Also Known As: Dance on Ice: The Wish for Gold Season 2 / メダリスト第2期 / Medalist Season 2
Runtime: 23 minutes (per episode) × 9 episodes, updated every Saturday
Available on: Disney+; Douban link

Today, I will make you a gold medalist.

@SHY: Tsukasa Akeuraji, a once-disheartened young man, and Inori Yuitsuka, a girl who never gives up, are brought together by figure skating—becoming coach and athlete as they aim for a bigger stage. After passing the Level 6 test, Inori, eager to compete alongside Hikaru Kamisaki, enters the Chubu regional qualifiers, where only a handful of spots are available for advancement to the All-Japan Championships.

In order to save the highly anticipated All-Japan Championships for the big screen, the second season of the TV anime consists of only nine episodes, focusing on the Chubu competition and intensive training. However, this does not mean the season serves merely as a transition. New rivals with equally ambitious dreams appear one after another, all believing in the results of their accumulated training. Within the short span of three minutes, how can one showcase their best performance? And how should they adjust after making a mistake? These subtle technical choices and split-second decisions create numerous compelling moments.

Following the groundwork laid in the first season, animation studio ENGI appears to have found its stride, with already impressive CG quality taken to the next level. Different musical styles blend seamlessly with on-ice choreography, presenting visually stunning figure skating performances. Each skater gliding gracefully across the ice has their own reason they cannot afford to lose—driven by unwavering belief, they strive to prove themselves as the brightest star among many. This heartfelt passion and emotional depth are what truly set the series apart.

[Animation] Star Detective Precure!

Keywords: Action / Mystery
Also Known As: 名探偵プリキュア！ / Star Detective Precure!
Runtime: 23 minutes (per episode) × Episode count unknown, updated every Sunday; Douban link

Every mystery can be solved, bringing smiles through chains of deduction!

@SHY: On her 14th birthday, Akechi Anna is brought back from the year 2027 to 1999 by the fairy Pochicchi, where she meets Kobayashi Mikuru, a girl her age who dreams of becoming a detective. The two transform into Pretty Cure warriors to battle the Phantom Thief Gang that steals precious things—protecting smiles while searching for a way to send Anna back to the future.

Whether intentional or not, Toei’s Sunday morning lineup this year all seems to carry a detective theme, and this children-oriented anime has unexpectedly become the breakout hit among them. As the 23rd installment in the Pretty Cure series, the show adheres to the classic formula while introducing several fresh twists—most notably by presenting one of the main groups as a phantom thief gang, with new recruit Yano Akane’s character design making an early impression.

Veteran series writer Murayama Isao delivers a solid performance in the first two episodes. While the mysteries are relatively simple, the clues are well placed, allowing younger viewers to enjoy the thrill of deduction. As long as the show maintains its current level of structured storytelling and properly executes the time-travel mystery at its core, the overall quality should remain satisfying.

After experiencing more unconventional and experimental works, a pure and straightforward story like this feels especially refreshing. Celebrating friendship, effort, and dreams—fighting evil with kindness and growing alongside companions—this is the kind of show you can jump into at any time for a carefree escape. If you’re looking for your first Pretty Cure experience, this might just be the one.

[Reality Show] The Four Wishes Game

Keywords: Reality Show
Also Known As: The Four Wishes Game
Runtime: 77–106 minutes (per episode) × 8 episodes
Available on: YouTube; Douban link

A surprisingly low-budget reality show.

@潘誉晗: Recently, the Korean reality show The Four Wishes Game has received widespread acclaim. The program invites ten amateur contestants to compete in a battle of wits for a prize of 3 million KRW (approximately RMB 15,000). The competition consists of seven rounds, each featuring a specific game. Within the game are four sacred relics—each corresponding to a gemstone and a unique function. When all four are used together, they grant a wish that could potentially alter and overturn the entire outcome of the game.

The show is visibly short on funding—it’s not a big production, the filming is simple, and even the venue is rented. The project is run by a university student team called MINDZERO, who reportedly spent over a year on editing alone. There are no major celebrities or seasoned variety show personalities involved, yet this puzzle-focused reality show turns out to be unexpectedly engaging. Each individual game is interconnected, and as the competition progresses, new and intriguing mechanics emerge. The production team’s creativity shines through in the clever game design, while the contestants themselves demonstrate impressive skills in reasoning, problem-solving, and psychological gameplay—fully committed to playing the game well and nothing else.

A team with very limited resources has nonetheless produced a refreshingly pure, mind-bending reality show.

[IE] Belfast Paradise Road
@利兹与青鸟: Saoirse, Robin, and Dara receive an email informing them that Greta—one of the four sisters—has passed away. Despite having been out of touch for years, the three prepare to attend the wake. However, their journey is not just about mourning, but also about making sure she “didn’t say anything.” Strange occurrences follow one after another: the sender of the email used a false identity, the person in the coffin has no tattoo, and the deceased appears again… The trio’s rapid-fire banter often serves as comic relief amid the eerie atmosphere. As they become increasingly entangled in trouble, they are forced to confront both past secrets and present dangers.

[JP Series] We’re Worse at Love Than Pandas
@潘誉晗: Ichiyo has always dreamed of becoming an editor for a fashion magazine, but ends up working at a lifestyle magazine instead. One day, the newly appointed editor-in-chief asks her to ghostwrite a romance column for a model. Just then, her boyfriend breaks up with her. Lacking romantic experience, she turns to Professor Shiidou, who studies animal courtship behavior, for help. Adapted from a novel of the same name, the series explores romantic relationships between men and women through the lens of animal mating behavior, offering a novel premise with a light and brisk pacing.

[JP Series] What About Winter, What About Spring
@利兹与青鸟: Literary youth Tsuchida Fumina finds herself troubled by love, drifting through various romantic relationships in search of her true feelings and a better understanding of her heart. Director Imaizumi Rikiya, known for Chihiro-san and 1122: For a Happy Marriage, brings his distinctive personal style to this drama that explores “what is love” and “how to love.” The series features cinematic composition in its photography, but moves at a slow pace, placing greater emphasis on atmosphere than narrative. Its dialogue and monologues resemble prose—some may find it overly affected, while others will appreciate its romantic sensibility.

[US Series] Killer Memory
@潘誉晗: Angelo is a photocopier salesman who appears to be a harmless middle-aged man. But at night, shedding his daytime disguise, he becomes a highly professional assassin. One day, however, he begins to suspect that he may be showing signs of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Worse still, someone lurking in the shadows is attempting to kill both him and his daughter Maria. Faced with the threat of memory loss and cognitive decline, this top-tier hitman’s predicament adds a fresh twist to an otherwise familiar story.

[KR Series] Flower of Death
@潘誉晗: Prosecutor Cha Yiyan leads a team into a dimly lit treatment room. The doctor, Lee Woo-gyeom, remains calm in the face of the intrusion—yet he has already killed 17 people. When questioned, he feels wronged. He claims to have killed for research purposes—killing 17 people, but also saving 17 lives. Seventeen minus seventeen equals zero, so he believes he should be innocent. Adapted from a novel of the same name, the series presents a high-concept premise: when a serial killer uses the experience gained from murder to invent life-saving drugs, how should the law and morality judge him?

[Animation] Making a Living Through Death Games
@SHY: A group of girls awaken in an unfamiliar mansion as a deadly game begins. Most of them are risking their lives for prize money—but one participant, known as Yūki, makes a living this way. This is her 28th death game, with 71 more to go before reaching her goal. Director Ueno Souta continues the stylistic approach seen in Days with My Stepsister, using numerous empty shots to create a sense of detachment and giving the otherwise gimmick-driven original work a distinctive artistic flair. While the content may be somewhat thin, it’s still worth a try.

📅 New Trailers This Week

Made in Abyss: The Awakened Mystery — First Teaser

On February 8, the animated film Made in Abyss: The Awakened Mystery released its first teaser and is scheduled for theatrical release in Japan in Fall 2026. Adapted from Akihito Tsukushi’s manga of the same name, the film is directed by Masayuki Kojima, written by Hideyuki Kurata, scored by Kevin Penkin, and produced by KINEMA CITRUS. Following their adventure in the Village of the Hollows, Riko and her companions set out toward the Seventh Layer of the Abyss. Source

The Continuing Adventures of Cliff Booth — First Trailer

On February 9, the sequel to Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, titled The Continuing Adventures of Cliff Booth, released its first trailer. The film will premiere on Netflix and is expected to debut in North America this summer. Directed by David Fincher and written by Quentin Tarantino, the story centers on Brad Pitt’s stuntman Cliff Booth as he navigates Hollywood as a behind-the-scenes problem solver. Source

Project Hail Mary — Final Trailer

On February 9, the sci-fi thriller Project Hail Mary released its final trailer. Starring Ryan Gosling, Sandra Hüller, Leung Chun-bong, and Milana Vayntrub, the film is directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (The Lego Movie, 21 Jump Street) and written by Drew Goddard (The Martian). Adapted from Andy Weir’s novel of the same name, the film will be released in North America on March 20.

Minions and the Big Monster — First Trailer

On February 9, the animated film Minions 3 released its first trailer, titled Minions and the Big Monster, with a North American release date set for July 1. Directed by Pierre Coffin and written by Brian Lynch, the film is produced by Illumination Entertainment. In the Universal Monsters universe, the Minions attempt to make a monster movie—sparking a chaotic magical adventure that wreaks havoc among various giant creatures. Source

One Piece Season 2 — Official Trailer

On February 10, the live-action US series One Piece released its official trailer for Season 2, which will premiere on Netflix on March 10. Starring Iñaki Godoy, Mackenyu, Emily Rudd, Jacob Gibson, and Taz Skylar, the Straw Hat crew cross Reverse Mountain and reach the Grand Line, where new adventures, allies, and enemies await them. Source

Spider-Man Noir — First Trailer

On February 13, the series Spider-Man Noir released its first trailer and is scheduled to premiere on Prime Video on May 27 in both black-and-white and color versions. Starring Nicolas Cage, the story follows an aging, down-on-his-luck private detective in 1930s New York—who also happens to be the city’s only superhero, forced to confront his past life. Source

Revelation Day — New Trailer

On February 9, Steven Spielberg’s new film Revelation Day released a new trailer during the Super Bowl. Starring Josh O’Connor, Emily Blunt, Colman Domingo, Colin Firth, Eve Hewson, and Wyatt Russell, the story comes from Spielberg himself, with a screenplay by his Jurassic Park collaborator David Koepp. The film is set for release in North America on June 12.

The Sheep in the Box — First Trailer

Directed and written by Hirokazu Kore-eda, and starring Haruka Ayase, Daigo, and Rimu Kuwagi, the film The Sheep in the Box released its first trailer. Inspired by The Little Prince, the story is set in the near future, where a couple who have lost their child welcome a humanoid robot into their home and begin a new life together as a family. The film will be released in Japan on May 29. Source

Blue Lock — First Live-Action Film Trailer

Adapted from Muneyuki Kaneshiro’s manga of the same name and directed by Yusuke Taki, the live-action Blue Lock film stars Fumiya Takahashi, Kaito Sakurai, Kyohei Takahashi, Kota Nomura, and Yuzu Aoki. The Japan Football Union selects 300 young strikers from across the country to train in a program designed to produce a forward capable of leading the national team to victory. The film is scheduled for release in Japan on August 7. Source

Chief Medical Examiner — Official Trailer

Starring Nicole Kidman and Jamie Lee Curtis, the series Chief Medical Examiner released its official trailer. The story follows Chief Medical Examiner Scarpetta as she returns to her hometown, resumes her former position, and investigates a shocking murder case. The series will premiere on Amazon Prime Video on March 11.

📽 Film & TV News Weekly

Dorohedoro Season 2 — Official Poster

On February 8, the animated series Dorohedoro Season 2 released its key visual and is scheduled to premiere on streaming platforms on April 1. Adapted from Q Hayashida’s manga of the same name, the series is directed by Yuichiro Hayashi, written by Hiroshi Seko, and produced by MAPPA. It follows Caiman, an amnesiac man whose head has been transformed into that of a lizard, as he teams up with Nikaido to search for the sorcerer responsible for casting the spell on him. Source

The Beaver Transformation Project — Mainland China Release Set for March 20

On February 9, Pixar’s new animated film The Beaver Transformation Project released its mainland China release trailer and poster, confirming a March 20 theatrical debut. Directed by Daniel Chong and featuring voice performances by Piper Curda, Jon Hamm, and Bobby Moynihan, the story follows a girl named Mabel whose consciousness is uploaded into a robotic beaver, allowing her to explore the animal world while fending off a real estate developer’s scheme. Source

Supreme Marty — Mainland China Release Set for March 20

On February 8, the film Supreme Marty released its mainland China release trailer and poster, with a March 20 premiere date confirmed. Directed by Josh Safdie and starring Timothée Chalamet, the story follows Marty Mauser, a gifted table tennis player working in a shoe store. After suffering a crushing defeat at the World Championships in London, he resorts to every possible means for a chance at redemption. Source

Los Angeles Heist — Mainland China Release Set for March 7

On February 11, the film Los Angeles Heist released its mainland China release trailer and poster, with a theatrical debut scheduled for March 7. Directed by Bart Layton and starring Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, and Halle Berry, the story revolves around a $11 million jewelry heist that entangles multiple factions in a deadly vortex—who will emerge as the ultimate winner? Source

Exhaustive Enumeration — Mainland China Release Set for March 8

On February 10, NT Live’s annual production Exhaustive Enumeration was confirmed for theatrical release in mainland China on March 8. Playwright Suzie Miller and director Justin Martin reunite following Prima Facie, with Rosamund Pike in the lead role. The production focuses on the multifaceted dilemmas faced by a criminal court judge, delicately portraying the tensions and choices contemporary women must navigate between career, family, and personal identity. Source

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