New on Netflix This Weekend (July 12-14, 2024)

Netflix is broadening its horizons this weekend with a slate of new shows from different corners of the globe.

First up is the German comedy thriller “Blame the Game.” Originally titled “Spieleabend,” the story unfolds on a game night where Pia (played by Janina Uhse) plans to introduce her new boyfriend Jan (Dennis Mojen) to her friends. However, things take a dramatic turn when Pia’s ex unexpectedly shows up, derailing Jan’s plans to make a good first impression.

For sports drama enthusiasts, the Spanish series “The Champion” offers a gripping tale. It centers on hot-headed football star Diego, who has been touted as the best young European player and is poised to join La Liga champions Atlético de Madrid. However, a fight gets him benched by the club, and he is assigned a new tutor, a withdrawn psychology professor, to help him get his act together.

In a different creative direction, “Exploding Kittens” brings a hilarious twist to the battle between good and evil, featuring chunk house cats as the protagonists. Based on the best-selling game, God and the spawn of Satan are sent to Earth where they must battle it out without causing collateral damage to humans.

From South Africa comes the romantic comedy “Lobola Man.” This film follows Ace Ngubeni, a lobola negotiator facing his toughest deal yet. Lobola is a tradition often referred to as “bride wealth” or “bride price,” where a prospective husband provides property or livestock to the bride’s family to show gratitude.

While Saturday and Sunday won’t introduce any new shows, Monday ushers in a slew of fresh content on Netflix.

“Midnight Sun,” the 2018 romantic movie starring Bella Thorne and Patrick Schwarzenegger, tells the story of Katie (Thorne), who has a fatal sensitivity to sunlight. Raised in isolation, she falls in love with her neighbor Charlie (Schwarzenegger) but keeps her condition a secret.

“Trolls Band Together,” released in 2023 and featuring the voices of Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick, offers a fun, animated adventure. Pop stars kidnap Branch’s (Timberlake) brother, and he has to assemble his family boy band to save him, with help from Poppy (Kendrick).

“Wonderoos” is an animated series for kids that follows animal friends Kiki, Dewey, Hazzy, Luly, and Teshi as they navigate new friendships, foods, and experiences in Roo City.

For sports fans, “LALIGA: All Access” is a docuseries that offers an in-depth look into the famous Spanish football league, capturing the highs and lows of the athletes’ journeys.

Tuesday ramps things up with “The Boy Next Door,” a 2015 thriller starring Jennifer Lopez and Ryan Guzman. Lopez plays a newly single mom who has an intense affair with her teenage son’s friend, leading to violent consequences.

Comedy fans can look forward to “Chad Daniels: Empty Nester,” a stand-up special featuring Chad Daniels talking about dad-shaming, dating someone with allergies, and the benefits of an empty nest.

The sensual drama continues with “Fifty Shades Darker” and “Fifty Shades Freed.” Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan return as Anastasia and Christian, navigating their tumultuous relationship against outside threats.

For true-crime enthusiasts, “Homicide,” from the creator of “Law & Order,” revisits some of the most challenging criminal cases.

On Wednesday, the spotlight is on “Simone Biles Rising,” a sports docuseries that chronicles the struggles and triumphs of gymnast Simone Biles as she prepares for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“The Green Glove Gang,” a Polish drama series, follows a trio of women—Zuza, Kiunga, and Alicja—who are on the run after a failed robbery. They find refuge in a nursing home, blending in while the police hunt for them.

Time-travel fans will enjoy “T-P Bon, Season 2,” where Bon, having accidentally interfered with a Time Patrol Case, teams up with Agent Ream to save innocent lives from the past.

Thursday closes the week with “Master of the House,” a Thai drama series focusing on a wealthy family’s power struggles after the death of their patriarch, who leaves behind a diamond empire and a new wife.

Finally, “Cobra Kai” returns for its sixth season. With Cobra Kai eliminated from the Valley, the characters must decide whether they will compete in the world championships of karate, the Sekai Taikai.

Source: Various sources