The Union, Average Joe, and what watch on Netflix this weekend (Aug. 16)

This weekend, Netflix continues to chase the rapidly approaching end of summer with exciting new releases that will get everyone watching and talking. Between a new true crime documentary series, new episodes of one of the streamer's most popular original series, and two movie stars joining forces for a summer popcorn movies, there's so much to add to your watch list.

Whether you're binge-watching the latest episodes of Emily in Paris or watching Halle Berry and Mark Wahlberg kick some butt in their new Netflix action movie The Union, you can't go wrong with any of the streamer's newly released picks. Looking to be entertained and beat the heat? We're sharing four of the must-watch titles for this mid-August weekend.

Let's start the weekend recommendations list with the latest Netflix original movie!

The Union

Closing out Netflix's summer of movie stars (which included Jennifer Lopez in Atlas, Jessica Alba in Trigger Warning, and Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron in A Family Affair among other star-studded films), Halle Berry and Mark Wahlberg team up for the spy action-comedy The Union. The A-listers play former flames who wind up working together years later on a top-secret spy mission. However, only one of them is actually a trained, career spy. It's a thrilling action flick with plenty of humor and a bit of romance, and it's rated PG-13, so feel free to check it out this weekend!

Average Joe season 1

If you have finished binge-watching some of the latest new releases on Netflix, including The Umbrella Academy, Fire Country, A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, and more, you're likely looking for a new series to dive into. Look no further than the BET+ crime comedy-drama Average Joe. Deon Cole stars in the series as Joe Washington, a plumber who's suddenly involved in a world of crime after the death of his father. The 10-episode first season arrived on Netflix this week and already landed in the top 10. Before season 2 premieres on BET+, likely next year, take your chance to become obsessed.

Emily in Paris season 4 part 1

Bonjour, Emily, and welcome back! After an extended hiatus due to the strikes, Emily in Paris makes its triumphant return to Netflix with its highly anticipated fourth season. The first half of the 10-episode season dropped on Aug. 15, and it didn't take long for the lovable rom-com to take the top spot of the daily top 10 ranking. In the new season, Emily finally makes a decision fans have been waiting for, but there's still plenty of juicy drama to come with part 2 premieres in September. Find out what shenanigans Emily's getting herself into this time and watch season 4 part 1 this weekend.

Pearl

She's a star, and now she's on Netflix. The fan-favorite horror movie Pearl was added to Netflix on Aug. 16, hot on the heels of the theatrical release of its sequel MaXXXine earlier this summer. The prequel to X (which isn't currently available on Netflix) follows Mia Goth's titular character as she resorts to violence in order to achieve her dream of becoming a movie star. Be warned, it's a rather gory movie that non-horror fans might not enjoy. But if you love a good horror movie and are a fan of the X film series, you won't want to miss out on a watch or rewatch of Pearl on Netflix.

More Netflix new releases to watch this weekend:

• American Murder: Laci Peterson
• Matt Rife: Lucid — A Crowd Work Special
• Daughters
• Love is Blind: UK
• Night School
• The Emoji Movie

What are you watching on Netflix this weekend?