The Decameron, Dirty Pop, and more Netflix new releases to watch this week (July 22-26)
By Reed Gaudens
The dog days of summer are officially upon us, and with July quickly coming to a close, it's the last full week of the month that leads up to a handful of big new releases on Netflix. While the streaming service isn't using this week to launch another high-profile original movie release, there's still plenty of new titles to watch on Netflix this week.
Elite season 8, the Spanish teen drama series' final season, and The Dragon Prince season 6 are among the week's biggest new releases on Netflix. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire also kicks the week off with a blockbuster bang and will surely skyrocket right into the top 10 most popular movies ranking. But these three titles are joined by a handful of new releases everyone will be talking about.
From a period dark comedy series to a documentary series about a scam surrounding '90s boy bands to the latest season of a small screen favorite, there's a lot to check out on Netflix this week. What's the best of the best and worth watching first? Here's a list of the four must-watch Netflix new releases that should be at the top of your watch list.
The Decameron
Based on the short stories written by Italian writer and poet Giovanni Boccaccio, The Decameron is the medieval dark comedy you have been waiting for. The new series takes place in 1348 in the midst of the Black Death hitting Italy. The pandemic sends nobles and servants to a villa in the country, leading to wild times with wine, sex, and flared tempers. Although the playing field should be even, the group still battles between classes and fights to survive among each other.
On paper, The Decameron sounds like a tough sell, especially since the world just grappled with the wide-ranging impacts of a own life-changing pandemic not too long ago. But with a sense of humor and a stylized setting, it's sure to make us all laugh. Zosia Mamet, Tony Hale, and Saoirse-Monica Jackson are a few of the biggest names in the show's ensemble cast who are sure to elicit the biggest laughs. Don't miss the eight-episode series when it debuts on July 25!
Dirty Pop: The Boy Band Scandal
If you were a kid or teen in the mid-to-late '90s, you likely grew up loving boy bands like Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC, and LFO. And you might have even heard of the name Lou Pearlman and know of his role in making each of these music groups a success. But do you know all of the ins and outs of Pearlman's scams and the lengths he went to change the world of pop music? Netflix's new docuseries Dirty Pop: The Boy Band Scam uncovers every dirty secret.
Pearlman's empire started crumbling with lawsuits from his own boy bands, Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC, but all of the skeletons fell out of his closet one by one. His history of scamming people of investment money ultimately led to his arrest. But the chain of events that led to Pearlman's mounting crimes and eventual arrest are shocking. Pearlman's story was previously covered in the Lance Bass-produced documentary The Boy Band Con, but Netflix's three-episode retelling arrives on July 24.
All American season 6
Following the airing of All American season 6's finale on The CW on July 16, the full sixth season of the hit football drama arrives on Netflix on July 23. The 15-episode season covers a lot of ground fans have been waiting for since the beginning, including Spencer's entry into the NFL, a major wedding between two beloved characters, and so much more. Season 6 marks the final season for series star Daniel Ezra, who won't be returning for the upcoming season 7. Catch up with the latest season and see what the future will hold for your favorite characters!
Resurrected Rides
Did you love watching Pimp My Ride back in the day on MTV? Well, the show's producers are back with a new show on Netflix. Similarly to the classic MTV show, Resurrected Rides follows a team of skilled professionals as they work together to transform old customers' cars into something new and spectacular and completely custom. Chris Redd hosts the series and surely brings the humor to go along with the incredible car makeovers. Add this one to your comfort watch list on July 24.