George Strait, ‘Rebel Ridge,’ Astro Bot, ‘Slow Horses,’ Mormon Influencers

“The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” a docuseries following young wives in Utah, and the suspenseful thriller “Rebel Ridge” are some of the new entertainment options headed to your screens.

Additional highlighted streaming options include the return of the acclaimed English spy series “Slow Horses,” Astro Bot’s new adventure on the PlayStation 5, and George Strait’s 31st studio album, “Cowboys and Dreamers.” These selections were recommended by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists.

Jeremy Saulnier brings another riveting thriller with “Rebel Ridge,” premiering on Netflix on Friday, Sept. 6. Aaron Pierre stars as an ex-Marine who finds himself battling a corrupt small-town police department led by Don Johnson. The movie is both engrossing and stylish, made even better by Pierre’s magnetic performance.

Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and the Heron” continues to capture audiences. Streaming on Max starting Sept. 6, this animated film is set in World War II and follows a 12-year-old boy, Mahito, who discovers a fantastical realm during a time of personal loss. Earlier this year, it won the Oscar for best-animated feature and topped the box office during its opening weekend.

George Strait, known fondly as King George, will release his latest album “Cowboys and Dreamers” on Sept. 6. The album features a range of new songs, including a collaboration with Chris Stapleton titled “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame,” a cover of Waylon Jennings’ “Waymore’s Blues,” and the vacation-themed “MIA Down in MIA.” With nothing left to prove, Strait displays his mastery of contemporary country music.

The Dare, spearheaded by Harrison Patrick Smith, is reviving the electroclash music scene. Smith’s debut album “What’s Wrong With New York?” will be released on Sept. 6. Known for his hit “Girls” and collaborations with Charli XCX and Billie Eilish, Smith promises to capture the nostalgic essence of New York City nightlife.

MJ Lenderman, acclaimed by the AP last year for his work with his band Wednesday, returns with a solo album titled “Morning Fireworks.” Known for his witty and heartfelt songwriting, Lenderman delivers another strong set that is sure to be an exciting release for 2024.

Sylvester’s “Live at The Opera House” will be released as a massive box collection capturing his 1979 performance at the San Francisco War Memorial Opera House. Available for streaming from Sept. 6, this collection includes more than two hours of live material and is a must-listen for fans of disco, soul, and R&B.

The British spy series “Slow Horses,” starring Gary Oldman, returns for its fourth season on Apple TV+. The previous season garnered nine Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series and Lead Actor for Oldman. This new season, set to debut on Wednesday, already boasts a 100% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Hulu will premiere “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” on Sept. 6. This docuseries follows young wives in Utah who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and online influencers. The series explores their lives, online personas, and the fallout from a sex scandal that drew global attention.

MGM+ will debut “The Wonderland Massacre & The Secret History of Hollywood” on Sept. 8. Crime writer Michael Connelly takes an in-depth look at the 1981 Wonderland Avenue massacre in Los Angeles, the real-life crime that inspired the film “Boogie Nights.”

Sony is bringing Astro Bot back with a full-fledged adventure on the PlayStation 5. In this new game, launching on Sept. 6, Astro Bot seeks to reassemble his crew scattered across more than 50 planets after their mothership is destroyed. Expect classic running, jumping, and flying antics akin to beloved characters like Spyro the Dragon and Ratchet & Clank.

The horror genre gets a fresh addition with “The Casting of Frank Stone,” developed by two renowned game makers. This game is set in Behaviour Interactive’s Dead By Daylight universe but focuses on a solo adventure designed by Supermassive Games. Releasing on Tuesday for PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, and PC, it features teenagers making a horror movie about a real serial killer, leading to gory and thrilling outcomes.

Source: The Associated Press, Apple TV+, Hulu, MGM+, Netflix, Max