The clock is ticking on the lazy days of summer, so now’s the time to squeeze in one last bit of travel before the temperatures drop, school starts back up, and people expect you to answer their Friday afternoon emails. There’s no better time to get out of town!
Luckily, if you’re limited by time, finances, or any inclination to actually go somewhere other than your couch, you’ve come to the right place — you can satisfy your wanderlust with a well-curated stream. No matter where you want to go, a movie or TV show is the ticket to get there, whether it’s a romantic comedy set halfway across the globe, some documentaries that can keep you a little more local, or even a show that will take you back and forth through time itself. Get ready to take off, because your last summer getaway starts now.
But first, what’s new on Netflix?
Big finale. The fourth and final season of Steve Blackman’s superhero series The Umbrella Academy, based on Gerard Way’s comics of the same name, has finally arrived and the Hargreeves brothers must join forces one last time to solve the many mysteries of their strange new timeline. Too much to wrap your brain around? Try a different headspace with Andy Mitchell’s new documentary Inside the mind of a dogwhich leads you right there. No how do you want to spend these dog days of summer? Sweeten your weekend with Blue Ribbon Baking Championshipan eight-episode series in which state fair winners from across the country burn their hearts out in pursuit of a $100,000 grand prize.
If you only have one night…
Save the date for a rom-com couple about Americans headed to faraway destination weddings. Jon M. Chu’s luxury hit in 2018 Crazy rich Asians revolves around a New York economics professor (Constance Wu) who discovers that her boyfriend’s (Henry Golding) family is outrageously, incredibly, crazy rich when he travels to Singapore to be a co-star on his best friend’s big day. Go a little further south with Will Gluck’s Anyone but you (2023), in which two enemies (Sydney Sweeney and Glenn Powell) end up attending the same ceremony in Australia, where they call a reluctant truce to make the celebrations go smoothly.
If you have a whole day…
Fly domestically. Selections from four different world documentaries offer highlights of the tour in the good old USA. (Or you can choose another destination if you have the miles for it). First, former President Barack Obama narrates Our Great National Parkswhich showcases the world’s natural splendor (Episode 4 will take you to the California coast). When you’re hungry, try the nation’s flavors with the varied menu featured in its American version Street Foodand the six episodes of which focus on different culinary capitals of the country. If you’re feeling a little morbid, episodes 3 and 8 of it Dark Tourist visit some of the most disturbing sights from coast to coast. And finally, see America from a British perspective Jack Whitehall: Travels with My Father; The English comedian and his dad bring their father-son banter to the Southwest in Season 3 of the two-parter.
If you have the whole weekend…
Forget simple geography – try space travel and time. Brad Wright’s title characters Travelers He didn’t just cross state lines in an SUV to spend a few days hitting tourist traps. they came from a post-apocalyptic future, sending their consciousnesses, rather than their physical selves, to inhabit the bodies of people in the present day. Their mission? To prevent the devastating reality from whence they came. Eric McCormack stars as the leader of the group of travelers in the popular series, which ran for three seasons from 2016–2018.
Don’t forget, you have one last chance…
… to find each other. Make a jam sandwich and relax for one last viewing PaddingtonPaul King’s irresistible 2014 comedy inspired by the Michael Bond stories about Paddington Bear (voiced by Ben Whishaw), who makes his way from the jungles of Peru to London, where he finds a new life and family. After this weekend, he will take a train from here.
Find your next Netflix obsession at TudumWhatever you like to stream, we’ve got tips on the latest releases, true crime, book adaptations, stand-up comedy, award-winning movies and more.
