The Watchlist: what our US team is watching right now

Ariana Madix in a black dress in Love Island USA season 6
Ariana Madix, Love Island USA (Image credit: Ben Symons/Peacock)

Between all the streaming services, network TV shows and movies available to watch, there is an almost endless amount of things to choose from. Let What to Watch help with The Watchlist.

The Watchlist is our selection of TV shows and movies that we love and believe you will too — everything on the list is available to stream right now.

Many of them may be new shows we can't get enough of, though we'll also include some hidden gems that we perhaps are discovering for the first time or new/classic movies that have just become available to watch at home.

We'll be updating our picks weekly, so be sure to stay up to date on what we are into. But for right now, here are the TV shows and movies on our Watchlist that we are loving right now. 

Hit Man (Netflix)

Adria Arjona and Glen Powell in Hit Man

Adria Arjona and Glen Powell in Hit Man (Image credit: Courtesy of Netflix)

I am a Richard Linklater disciple. Just about everything he does delights me, so no surprise I am a big fan of his latest movie that just landed on Netflix last week, Hit Man. In addition to directing, Linklater co-wrote the script with his star, Glen Powell, to tell this loosely inspired story about Gary Johnson, a college professor who moonlights as a fake hitman who the police use to set up sting operations. Of course, things get complicated when love enters the picture in the person of Adria Arjona. Powell gives one of his best performances and has excellent chemistry with Arjona, while the script is top notch. It instantly shot up to the top of my favorite movies I've seen so far this year. — Michael Balderston

Love Island USA season 6 (Peacock)

Robert Rausch and Andrea Carmona having champagne on the beach in Love Island USA season 6The Watchlist yellow

Robert Rausch and Andrea Carmona, Love Island USA (Image credit: Ben Symons/Peacock)

My summer guilty pleasure is back, and Love Island USA season 6 is just as satisfying to watch. Right away, this year’s cast has locked in and allowed things to play out where I wasn’t constantly questioning if the drama occurring was being manufactured. I also appreciate that so far, none of the couples appear to be forcing chemistry (although, I was worried about Serena and Kordell for a minute). Additionally, kudos to Ariana Madix for doing a fantastic job as the host. — Terrell Smith

The Boys season 4 (Prime Video)

Karen Fukuhara, Tomer Capone, Laz Alonso, Erin Moriarty and Jack Quaid in The Boys

Karen Fukuhara, Tomer Capone, Laz Alonso, Erin Moriarty and Jack Quaid in The Boys (Image credit: Jasper Savage/Prime Video)

Prime Video's superhero satire returned with all the irreverence long-time fans of the show could want with The Boys season 4. Admittedly it took a few minutes to get entirely back up to speed after a two-year hiatus (thats what the season recaps are for), but it took no time at all to get in a groove with the' titular group of supe fighters and their pursuit to stop Homelander (Anthony Starr) and Victoria Neuman (Claudia Doumit). Even as the show gets closer to depicting the real world, the satire and fantastical violence remain its calling card, making it the fun watch that it has always been. — Michael Balderston

The Acolyte (Disney Plus)

Lee Jung-Jae in The AcolyteThe Watchlist orange logo

Lee Jung-Jae in The Acolyte (Image credit: Christian Black/Lucasfilm Ltd)

How nice it is to not have to worry about a Skywalker or Star Wars character that we have become so familiar with pop up in the new Disney Plus series The Acolyte. The simple fact that this story is set during a completely different era before the Skywalker saga even begins allows us to explore this galaxy far, far away with fresh eyes. And it is off to a good start with that as the opening episodes get the ball rolling on why a young woman (Amandla Stenberg) has taken it upon herself to kill Jedi (with some fun martial arts style fight sequences to boot). Let the new era of Star Wars begin. — Michael Balderston

Clipped (Hulu)

Laurence Fishburne, Ed O’Neill and Jacki Weaver as Doc Rivers, Donald Sterling and Shelly talking in ClippedThe Watchlist yellow

Laurence Fishburne, Ed O’Neill and Jacki Weaver in Clipped (Image credit: FX/Hulu)

Clipped episode 3 saw the fallout of the Donald Sterling (Ed O'Neill) audio, and I couldn't stop watching the trainwreck that unfolded. All the main players scrambled to figure out what to do next, sans Donald who pretended everything was business as usual. For a man whose professional world was crumbling all around him, he didn't seem to care. Along the same lines, V (Cleopatra Coleman) was relatively oblivious to the firestorm she initiated in releasing the tape. I just kept thinking, poor Doc (Laurence Fishburn), as he was stuck having to play de facto PR and coach. — Terrell Smith

Your Honor (Netflix)

Bryan Cranston as Michael Desiato in Sky Atlantic's Your HonorThe Watchlist orange logo

Bryan Cranston, Your Honor (Image credit: Skip Bolen/SHOWTIME)

When Your Honor ran on Showtime, I admittedly glossed over it despite the great talent of Bryan Cranston leading the way. I wasn’t sure I could see Cranston onscreen again, skirting around the law all for the sake of family. Consider me still scarred by the award-winning Breaking Bad. With all that being said, I’ll gladly admit that I was wrong to overlook Your Honor as it feels fresh and exciting to watch. You can now stream it on Netflix. 

Under Paris (Netflix)

Nassim Lyes and Berenice Bejo in Under ParisThe Watchlist yellow

Nassim Lyes and Berenice Bejo in Under Paris (Image credit: Niete Rodriguez/Netflix)

Though I won't go as far as some people have and compare Netflix's new movie Under Paris to Jaws, it is undoubtedly a fun B-movie that will keep you thoroughly entertained. Hailing from France (yes, that means subtitles, unless you prefer it in dubbed English), the movie focuses on a renowned scientist who must work with police when a shark shows up in the Seine river in Paris, creating a very dangerous situation. It's a well thought out, well executed thriller that boils into a gory, delightfully chaotic finale. — Michael Balderston

The Great American Baking Show season 2 (The Roku Channel)

Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith, Casey Wilson and Zach Cherry on The Great American Baking Show

Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith, Casey Wilson and Zach Cherry on The Great American Baking Show (Image credit: The Roku Channel)

My fiance introduced me to the joys of Bake Off, and it has become a must-watch whenever it is on. While we have to wait until the fall for The Great British Baking Show, The Great American Baking Show is now here for our enjoyment. Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith once again serve as judges on the American version, which also takes place in the iconic white tent, giving the show the same wholesome feel as the original. And of course, the baked treats created by the contestants are enough to make your mouth water. All six episodes are available to watch right now, but we're spreading them out to make them last longer. — Michael Balderston

The Kardashians season 5 (Hulu)

The cast of The Kardashians posing for a promotional image ahead of season 5The Watchlist blue logo

(Image credit: Disney)

Ok, so once again I checked in with The Kardashians season 5 and in this week's episode, fans get to see the birth of Kourtney and Travis' baby, Rocky. We also see Kylie break down in tears over the awful comments people make about her looks, Khloé goes in search of a baby goat and Kim visits five studios in one day to pitch her movie. It's literally a lot. I'm always fascinated seeing how this family manages to get things done. Watching Kim shop her movie to five studios and have an offer by the end of the day in time to have dinner to celebrate the news with her girlfriends makes me think this shouldn't be called reality television anymore. However, it's still entertaining. By the end of the episode, fans are introduced to the newest member of the family,  Baby Rocky. 

America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (Netflix)

Madeline on the Dallas Cowboys football field in America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys CheerleadersThe Watchlist blue logo

Madeline, America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (Image credit: Netflix)

If you've ever wondered what life is like for a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, look no further than the latest Netflix docuseries, America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Watch as rookies and veterans compete for 36 spots in the 2023-2024 DCC roster. The series offers a fascinating look inside the organization, with current and past members auditioning for a spot in the ultra-exclusive training camp and, ultimately, a spot on the roster. It's an unflinching look at how decisions are made from choosing who makes it to camp to whose dreams are crushed. That sounds brutal, but it's true. Making the team means everything to these women, and even if they make it, it's a lot of hard work. 

Bridgerton season 3 (Netflix)

Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington in Bridgerton season 2.The Watchlist orange logo

Nicola Coughlan in Bridgerton. (Image credit: Liam Daniel/Netflix)

I never knew what Bridgerton was until it landed on Netflix. I'd never read the books, and though I enjoy a good romance novel I'd never been a fan of regency stories. Then Bridgerton came along and hooked me. I can't help watching it. So when Bridgerton season 3 dropped I was eager to see how Penelope and Colin finally came together. I think that's my favorite part of this particular season, seeing these two friends figure out that their attraction was stronger than they realized. And let's not forget the incredible sets, beautiful music and gorgeous clothing. Bridgerton is a feast for the eyes, and I loved every minute of it. — Sarabeth Pollock

Hacks season 3 (Max)

Jean Smart and Mark Indelicato in HacksThe Watchlist yellow

Jean Smart and Mark Indelicato in Hacks (Image credit: Hilary Bronwyn Gayle/Max)

Hacks is back, and I couldn't be happier. The comedy series is one of the best-written shows on TV with an all-time performance from Jean Smart as the one-of-a-kind stand-up legend Deborah Vance and Hannah Einbinder as her know trusted collaborator and friend Ava. Hacks season 3 picks up a year after Deborah's career reviving stand-up special and her letting Ava go so she can grow on her own, but these two will always have a special bond that brings them back together, and hilarity undoubtedly ensues. — Michael Balderston

Michael Balderston

Michael Balderston is a DC-based entertainment and assistant managing editor for What to Watch, who has previously written about the TV and movies with TV Technology, Awards Circuit and regional publications. Spending most of his time watching new movies at the theater or classics on TCM, some of Michael's favorite movies include Casablanca, Moulin Rouge!, Silence of the Lambs, Children of Men, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest and Star Wars. On the TV side he enjoys Only Murders in the Building, Yellowstone, The Boys, Game of Thrones and is always up for a Seinfeld rerun. Follow on Letterboxd.

With contributions from