Your guide to OTT must-watches for the long festive weekend

We all look forward to that window of opportunity, those few and far between days when we can relax and binge on all the shows and movies that we’ve been bookmarking for months. And, in some good news, if your calendars haven’t flagged it for you already, there’s one just around the corner. This Diwali brings with it a much-needed long weekend, which means one thing only—it’s time to press the play button. From the best in India to the most-awaited international series, we’ve got you covered with the best shows to watch over upcoming long festive weekend.

LOTR: The Rings of Power 

Having enthralled fans with seven fantastical episodes, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is all set to unveil more mysteries with its season finale. With each episode introducing you to mysterious new characters, kingdoms being formed, and alliances being built, this prequel to The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy is sure to keep you right at the edge of your seat. 

Watch it on Amazon Prime Video

The Northman 

Backed by Alexander Skarsgard’s stellar performance and bewitching battle sequences, this is a movie you certainly do not want to miss. This revenge mission sees a modern-day viking set out to bring his uncle down, save his mother, and avenge his father. Made by Robert Eggers, who is considered to be one of the finest filmmakers in the industry today, here’s a movie that will give you the much-needed adrenaline rush that you seek. 

Watch it on Amazon Prime Video

Catherine Called Birdy 

Set in 1290 England, Lena Dunham's new film follows a young lady (Bella Ramsey) whose father, Lord Rollo, wants to marry her off for political advantage. But the clever and adventurous Bella is no damsel in distress and is always a step ahead of her suitors as she effortlessly turns them down. The best part of the show is how seamlessly they’ve managed to incorporate the pop hits of today, as well as Gen Z lingo, all while the characters don gowns and wigs from the medieval era. 

Watch it on Amazon Prime Video

The Peripheral 

This one is a treat for sci-fi afficionados. It stars Chloë Grace Moretz as Flynne Fisher, a video game designer, who, thanks to a VR headset, ends up living in an alternate reality, one that’s dark and turns out, anything but virtual. She sees two worlds collide and looks for a secret connection on her path to finding out why there’s a bridge between a world 70 years in the future and her current one. 

Watch it on Amazon Prime Video

Four More Shots Please Season 3 

The much-awaited Amazon Original will pick up from the dramatic note on which the second season ended, bringing back to screens the lives of four unapologetically flawed women—Anjana Menon (Kirti Kulhari), Damini Roy (Sayani Gupta), Siddhi Patel (Maanvi Gagroo), and Umang Singh (Bani J) who live, love, blunder, and discover what continues to make them tick through their forever friendship in the city of Mumbai. 

Watch it on Amazon Prime Video

House of the Dragon 

It’s the show that everyone’s talking about, and it sure promises to light up everyone’s Diwali with the season finale lined up for the 24th. Based on George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, the series, set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, tells the story of House Targaryen. With the show witnessing a 10-year time jump in recent episodes, one can enjoy the adult version of these characters, with the story clearly shaping up to be one of the biggest series of the year. 

Watch it on Disney+ Hotstar

The Curse of Bridge Hollow 

A teenage girl accidentally unleashes an ancient and mischievous spirit on Halloween awakening all the spooky decorations in the town. She has to now team up with her father to put the spirit to sleep and stop the chaos. Directed by Jeff Wadlow, The Curse of Bridge Hollow is an upcoming American supernatural drama starring Marlon Wayans, Priah Ferguson, Kelly Rowland, and others in key roles.

Watch it on Netflix

The Lie Eater 

The Lie Eater or Usougi is a Japanese thriller directed by Hideo Nakata, starring Ryusei Yokohama, Hayato Sano, and Mai Shiraishi. The story revolves around an expert gambler who fights the evilest swindlers in the country, all while trying to take control of a powerful secret organisation. How he does that forms the crux of the plot.

Watch it on Netflix

Shantaram 

Adapted from the Gregory David Roberts eponymous novel, Shantaram the series stars Charlie Hunnam as Lin Ford, an on-the-run Australian bank robber who flees the continent to live under the radar in Bombay. The book was highly praised for its depiction of Bombay and its culture during the 80s, and going by the trailers, the series seems to be just as authentic, if not more. In development since 2018, Shantaram premieres on October 14, with one new episode every Friday.

Watch it on Apple TV+

Rosaline 

The long weekend calls for a perfect rom-com movie night. And when it comes to romance, few love stories do better than William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. In a modern comic twist, this one comes from the perspective of Juliet’s cousin Rosaline (Kaitlyn Dever), who also happens to be Romeo’s recent love interest. Heartbroken when Romeo (Kyle Allen) meets Juliet (Isabela Merced) and begins to pursue her, Rosaline schemes to foil the famous romance and win back her guy.

Watch it on Hulu