New To Streaming: What to watch on Netflix NZ, Neon and more this week

We round up everything coming to streaming services this week, including Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV, ThreeNow, Neon and TVNZ+.

The Haka Party Incident (MĀORI+, July 20)

In this stirring local documentary, director Katie Wolfe returns to the subject of her acclaimed play of the same name. Intertwining multiple interviews and perspectives, the film explores the 1979 protest where a group of young Māori and Pasifika activists sought to stop Pākehā students at the University of Auckland performing a parody haka during capping week. A pivotal moment in the history of race relations in Aotearoa, the film “is a reminder of our national identity” that “should be seen by every New Zealander.”

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe (HBO Max, July 24)

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe may be set in the same universe as The Big Bang Theory and its prequels, but this sci-fi sitcom is worlds apart from its predecessors. Stuart Bloom (Kevin Sussman) is a hapless comic book store owner who accidentally transforms Pasadena into a post-apocalyptic wasteland littered with giant bugs, wormholes and zombies. After enlisting the help of a rag-tag group of friends (who you’ll recognise from The Big Bang Theory), Stuart reluctantly ventures out to try to save the world. Cue the laugh track.

The Dink (Apple TV, July 24)

In this sports comedy, Dusty Boyd (New Girl’s Jake Johnson) is a washed-up former tennis prodigy whose dreams of sporting greatness have been squashed. Now coaching unruly kids at his father Chuck’s (Ed Harris) struggling country club, he joins the crusade against the club’s latest obsession – pickleball – desperate to earn his dad’s approval. But when an old injury forces Dusty to pick up the paddle, he falls head over heels for the fast-growing sport. More akin to 7 Days in Hell than Challengers, The Dink is set to be an easy-going crowd-pleaser.

Born to Bowl (Neon, July 22)

Narrated by Liev Schreiber and executive produced by Ben Stiller, this HBO docuseries goes inside the oddball world of professional bowling, following five stars of the sport as they chase glory, respect, and much-needed prize money on the high-stakes Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour. Described as an “affectionate and amusing look at the sport and its colorful participants,” this docuseries is right up your alley if you’ve ever wondered what it takes to compete at the highest level of the once ubiquitous pastime.

A Woman of Substance (TVNZ+, July 26)

This latest adaptation of Barbara Taylor Bradford’s novel of the same name is an “enjoyably soapy wallow” that stars Brenda Blethyn as Emma Harte, the titular woman of substance. Chronicling the extraordinary rise of Harte, who goes from an impoverished maid in Yorkshire to a powerful business mogul dominating the New York skyline, this escapist rags-to-riches tale “works brilliantly as a nostalgia piece.” Already renewed for a second season, A Woman of Substance is an old-school melodrama of the highest order.

Pick of the Flicks: Saipan (Neon, July 25)

If you still need your football fix after the world cup, then the white-knuckle sports psychodrama Saipan is the film for you. Set on the Japanese island in the buildup to the controversy-laden 2002 FIFA World Cup, the thrilling film dramatises the infamous public quarrel between Republic of Ireland captain Roy Keane (Normal People’s Éanna Hardwicke) and their manager Mick McCarthy (Steve Coogan). This “surprisingly profound“ story of masculinity, loyalty, and identity resonates far beyond the world of the beautiful game.

The rest

Netflix

Bill Maher: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor (July 21)

WWE: Unreal S3 (July 21)

Elite Force (July 22)

A Toxic Love Story (July 22)

Kaulitz & Kaulitz S3 (July 23)

Ransom Canyon S2 (July 23)

The Debt Collector (July 23)

Musafir Cafe (July 24)

72 HOURS (July 24)

The Truthers (July 24)

1917 (July 24)

TVNZ+

A Woman of Substance (July 26)

MĀORI+

The Haka Party Incident (July 20)

White Lion (July 24)

Punch (July 24)

Mulan: Princess Warrior (July 25)

Universal Soldier (July 25)

ThreeNow

1000-lb Best Friends S1-S3 (July 25)

Neon

Born To Bowl (July 22) 

A Different Man (July 22) 

Prime Suspect S1-S7 (July 23)

Sorry, Baby (July 23) 

Faster (July 24)

Addition (July 24) 

Saipan (July 25)

Love Lies Bleeding (July 26)

Disney+

King of the Hill S15 (July 20)

Beyblade X S2 (July 20)

Pompeii: Out of Time with Tom Hiddleston (July 23)

Soy Luna: Let’s Roll Again (July 24) 

Apple TV

The Dink (July 24)  

HBO Max

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe (July 24) ...