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, it's all about The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, which knocked House of the Dragon off its perch. Plus, Baz Luhrmann's Elvis swivelled into the top movie spot.
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.
Well, they did it. Amazon's The Lord of the Rings series, The Rings of Power, is the most streamed of the week. In fact, 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.
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. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter
How to watch: The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is now streaming on Prime Video.
If you haven't seen Austin Butler in Baz Luhrmann's Elvis, you're in the minority — the sort-of-not-really-biopic was the top streamed film of the week. Using the King's experiences as a jumping off point to explore the darker elements of Elvis Presley's story, the film also stars Tom Hanks as his business manager, Colonel Tom Parker. — Shannon Connellan, UK Editor
What we thought: Elvis Presley, infamous for his swinging hips, iconic for his swaggering style and raw sex appeal, heralded as the King of Rock and Roll, deserves better than Elvis. — Kristy Puchko, Film Editor
How to watch: Elvis is now streaming on HBO Max.
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.
Steve Carrell in a serial killer series? What? From The Americans' Joel Fields and Joe Weisberg comes this Hulu psychological thriller about therapist Alan Strauss (Carell), who is held captive by a patient, serial killer Sam Fortner (Domhnall Gleeson), who demands a cure for his homicidal tendencies — his will mean Alan attempting to dig into topics Sam is resistant to, and verging on the possibility of complicity. While imprisoned, Alan digs through his own past too, as time is running out. — S.C.
How to watch: The Patient is now streaming on Hulu.
Syvlester Stallone plays Mr. Smith, former vigilante Samaritan who is in hiding after being presumed dead 25 years ago. But his 13-year-old neighbour Sam Cleary (Javon “Wanna” Walton) suspects his true identity and tries to convince him out of the shadows to fight crime once again. — S.C.
How to watch: Samaritan is now streaming on Prime Video.
Kevin Hart leads this Netflix comedy as Sonny, a dad who goes on a wild ride when his wife, Maya (Regina Hall), and kids go away. His old friend, Huck (Mark Wahlberg), shows up and they endeavour on a weekend of chaos at "their own Burning Man." — S.C.
How to watch: Me Time is now streaming on Netflix.
Netflix's mystery thriller joined the most streamed this week, following hospital psychiatrist Dr. Suzanne Mathis (Emily Deschanel) who takes on mysterious young woman Mae (Madeleine Arthur), who has escaped a cult in Amon County, Ohio. But with her sudden arrival comes trouble, especially for Mathis' own family. — S.C.
How to watch: Devil in Ohio is now streaming on Netflix.
Under the Shadow director Babak Anvari is back with a Netflix political thriller that digs into the secrets of the ruling class. The story is centred around London street artists Toby (George Mackay) and Jay (Percelle Ascott), who like to graffiti houses owned by England's wealthiest people. One of these homes is owned by former High Court Judge Sir Hector Blake (Hugh Bonneville), but when Toby breaks in, he finds a terrible secret. Kelly Macdonald and Varada Sethu also star.* — S.C.
How to watch: I Came By is now streaming on Netflix.
The newest hero to burst into the MCU is Jennifer Walters, aka She-Hulk (Tatiana Maslany). She's a lawyer who just happens to be a Hulk, but she'd much rather do good through the legal system than through smashing things. As Jennifer grapples with life, love, and pressing questions about Captain America, she'll team up with MCU mainstays like her cousin Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) and Wong (Benedict Wong). It's a fun time all around, and Maslany is as charming as humanly possible in her double role. — B.E.
What we thought: She-Hulk: Attorney at Law is unlike any Marvel show we've seen before. Yes, it's the story of a hero — Jennifer Walters, aka She-Hulk (Tatiana Maslany) — discovering their powers. But this half-hour comedy about a lawyer-turned-Hulk has just as much in common with Ally McBeal or Legally Blonde as it does with WandaVision or Ms. Marvel. It's a smaller-scale take on the MCU with an irreverent, self-referential tone, making for a refreshing change of pace from the MCU's other TV offerings. — B.E.
How to watch: She-Hulk: Attorney At Law is now streaming on Disney+, with new episodes every Thursday.
Rick and Morty is back for Season 6, and people are streaming the hell out of the series. This madcap animated adventure follows the interdimensional shenanigans of scientist Rick and his anxious grandson Morty. With an infinite number of universes out there, prepare for infinite chaos — and infinite jokes.
You might have some questions after the Season 6 premiere — here's an explainer.
What we thought: Rick and Morty has returned with a bonkers premiere episode, "Solaricks." Packed with action, callbacks, and deep cuts, the first episode of Season 6 is a mind blower. — K.P.
How to watch: Seasons 1 through 5 of Rick and Morty are now streaming on HBO Max and Hulu. Episode 1 of Season 6 is available on Adult Swim, and new episodes air Sundays at 11 p.m. ET on Adult Swim.
* Asterisks indicate the writeup is adapted from another Mashable article.
