This Week's Picks | 51st Edition

Published on 18 July 2025 at 02:01

10 Must-See Picks This Weekend

Ready for your next screen obsession? This weekend, explore a world of drama, mystery, romance, action, and inspiration. From Lagos to London, here are this week’s must-watch films, TV series, and documentaries—now in cinemas and on streaming platforms.

In Cinemas

Drama

Smart commentary on power, betrayal, and personal integrity

Synopsis, Credit & Trailer

Synopsis: When a military coup shakes Nigeria’s fragile democracy, university students erupt in protest—and Cordelia Nwanze-Peters, daughter of the man believed to have led the coup, is violently attacked. Rescued by her friend Stella, she finds refuge with Professor Adekunle Benson, a weary academic trapped in a loveless marriage.
As tensions rise, Adekunle protects Cordelia—unaware that the real coup was orchestrated by Major Kawale, who used Cordelia’s father, Colonel Nwanze, as a puppet. When the truth comes out, Nwanze escapes captivity and foils the coup, but Cordelia remains a target. Hunted by soldiers and betrayed by those closest to him, Adekunle must risk everything to shield Cordelia.

Writers: Femi Osofisan & Bunmi Ajiboye

Cast: Omowunmi Dada, William Benson, Yvonne Jegede, Keppy Ekpeyong, Kelechi Udegbe, Femi Adebayo, Ropo Ewenla, Taiwo Ibikunle, Wuraola Ogundele, Seye Oni, Fasasi Shittu, Sara Ayodele, Peter Akande, Waliyah Akinnimi

Cine-grapher: Adekunle Adejuyigbe

Music: Michael Ogunlade & James Allen Anderson

Editor: Agboola Kazeem

Producer & Director: Tunde Kelani

Release Date: 18 July 2025

Screening Territory: West Africa

Production Location: Nigeria

Production Country: Nigeria

Cert: 15

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoNF7xFsavI

Rating: 4.6666666666667 stars
3 votes

Slasher Horror | Thriller | Mystery

Teen secrets, haunting consequences

Synopsis, Credit & Trailer

Synopsis: When five friends inadvertently cause a deadly car accident, they cover up their involvement and make a pact to keep it a secret rather than face the consequences. A year later, their past comes back to haunt them and they're forced to confront a horrifying truth: someone knows what they did last summer... and is hell-bent on revenge.

Writers: Lois Duncan, Sam Lansky, Leah McKendrick & Jennifer Kaytin Robinson

Cast: Madelyn Cline, Chase Sui Wonders, Jonah Hauer-King, Tyrig Withers, Sarah Pidgeon, Bill Campbell, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Freddie Prinze, Gabbriette, Austin Nichols, Joshua Orpin, Todd Giebenhain, Georgia Flood, Simone Annan, Nick Hardcastle, Isaiah Mustafa, Nichole Chapman

Cine-graphers: Elisha Christain & Dylan Goss

Music Composer: Chanda Dancy

Costume Design: Mari-An Ceo

Production Designers: Courtney Andujar & Hillary Andujar

Producers: Neal H. Moritz

Editor: Saira Haider

Director: Jennifer Kaytin Robinson

Release Date: 18 June 2025

Screening Territory: Global

Production Locations: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia & Los Angeles, US

Production Countries: US & Australia

Cert: 15

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IceTkSOSNJI&t=3s

Rating: 4 stars
3 votes

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In Cinemas

Drama | Romance | Musical

Sparks fly between a moody musician and a fierce lyricist..

Synopsis, Credit & Trailer

Synopsis: Short-tempered musician Krish is paired with a no-nonsense lyricist in Vaani, for the music company to work together. The sparks fly and Krish and Vaani get close and so much that they didn't anticipate. Will their love story stand the test of time, egos, and, more importantly, become bigger than themselves?

Writers: Sankalp Sadanah & Rohan Shankar

Cast: Ahaan Panday, Aneet Padda, Varun Badola, Alam Khan

Cine-grapher: Vikas Sivaraman

Music Composer: Faheem Abdullah, Tanishk Bagchi, John Stewart Eduri, Rishabh Kant, Vishal Mishra, Arslan Nizami, Mithun Sharma, Sachet Tandon & Parampara Thakur

Costume Design: Sheetal Sharma

Production Designers: Laxmi Keluskar & Rajat Poddar

Producers: Akshaye Widhani & Aditya Chopra

Editors: Devendra Murdeshwar, Rohit Makwana & Mohit Sajnaney

Director: Mohit Suri

Release Date: 18 July 2025

Screening Territory: Global

Production Country: India

Language: Hindi (International language subtitles)

Cert: 12A

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nF31d_f4n_A&t=5s

Rating: 4.3333333333333 stars
3 votes

Animation | Comedy | Adventure | Kids & Family

Magic, mischief, and music for the whole family.
Rihanna and John Goodman join the beloved blue crew

Synopsis, Credit & Trailer

Synopsis: When Papa Smurf (John Goodman) is mysteriously taken by evil wizards, Razamel and Gargamel, Smurfette (Rihanna) leads the Smurfs on a mission into the real world to save him. With the help of new friends, the Smurfs must discover what defines their destiny to save the universe.

Writers: Peyo & Pam Brady

Cast: Rihanna, James Corden, Nick Offerman, JP Karliak, Dan Levy, Amy Sedaris, Sandra Oh, Jimmy Kimmel, Natasha Lyonne, Octavia Spencer, Nick Kroll, Alex Winter, Hannah Waddingham, Maya Erskine, Billie Lourd, Xolo Mariduena, Kurt Russell, John Goodman, Chris Miller

Music Composers:Henry Jackman & Rihanna

Production Designer: Max Boas

Producers: Jay Brown, Tyran Smith, Rihanna & Ryan Harris

Editor: Matt Landon

Director: Chris Miller

Release Date: 18 July 2025

Screening Territory: Global

Production Countries: US, Belgium & Italy

Cert: U

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_N7kNc4-ZUg&t=4s

Rating: 4.3333333333333 stars
3 votes

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Streaming TV Series

Crime | Drama | History | Adventure | Mystery

Outlaws. Opportunists. One deadly chase. Who will sink, and who will score?

Synopsis, Credit & Trailer

Synopsis: A Korean fisherman stumbles upon a long-lost treasure at the ocean's depths and takes home a small portion for himself. His stroke of luck doesn't go unnoticed; it ignites the interest of two ambitious members of a fractured crime family. Drawn by greed and the promise of wealth, they dare to plunge into the depths of the ocean in the hope of transforming their fortunes forever.

Writers: Kang Yun-sung, Yoon Tae-Ho & Ahn Seunghwan

Cast: Ryu Seung-ryong, Yang Se-jong, Rich Ting, Chase Kim, Lim Soo-jung, Kim Ui-seong, Kim Sung-oh, Lee Dong-hwi, Kim Min, Jang Kwang, Hong Gi-jun, Woo Hyeon, Lim Hyung-jun, Lee Sang-jin

Music Composer: Yoon Il-sang

Director: Kang Yun-sung

Release Date: 16 July 2025

Streaming On: Disney+

Production Country: South Korea

Language: Korean

Cert: 16+

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JgURXn5aAE&t=91s

Rating: 5 stars
3 votes

Crime | Drama | Thriller

New York’s underworld meets Miami’s haunting past.

Synopsis, Credit & Trailer

Synopsis: Dexter Morgan awakens from a coma to find Harrison gone without a trace. Realizing the weight of what he put his son through, Dexter sets out for New York City, determined to find him and make things right. But closure won't come easy. When Miami Metro's Angel Batista arrives with questions, Dexter realizes his past is catching up to him fast. As father and son navigate their own darkness in the city that never sleeps, they soon find themselves deeper than they ever imagined - and that the only way out is together.

Writers: Clyde Phillips, James Manos Jr., Tanner Bean, Marc Muszynski, Tony Saltzman, Scott Reynolds, Nick Zayas, Clyde Phillips, Katrina Mathewson & Mary Leah Sutton

 

Cast: Michael C. Hall, Uma Thurman, Jack Alcott, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Peter Dinklage, David Zayas, James Remar, Kadia Saraf, Dominic Fumusa, Emelia Suarez, Darius Jordan Lee, David Magidoff, Marc Menchaca, Bryan Lillis, Jason Alan Carvell, John Lithgow, Erik King, Jimmy Smits, Isabella Star LaBlanc

Cine-graphers: Joe Collins, Radium Cheung & Ramsey Nickell

Music Composer: Pat Irwin

Costume Design: Catherine Marie Thomas

Production Designer: Eric Weiler

Producers: Michael Amodio, Scott Buck, Alexandra Franklin, Marc Muszynski, Nick Zayas, Ryan McCormick, Monica Raymund

Editors: Perri B. Frank, Katie Ennis & Sean Cusack

Directors: Marcos Siege & Monica Raymund

Release Date: 11 July 2025

Streaming On: Paramount+

Production Locations: Yonkers - New York & New York City, US

Production Country: US

Cert: 18

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84o1Q6fB20k&t=44s

Rating: 5 stars
3 votes

Streaming TV Series

Romantic Comedy

A charming culture clash between a New York cynic and a messy Brit.

Synopsis, Credit & Trailer

Synopsis: Jessica is a New York workaholic in her mid-thirties, reeling from a broken relationship that she thought would last forever and slowly isolating everyone she knows. When every block in New York tells a story of her own bad behaviour, the only solution is to take a job in London, where she plans to live a life of solitude like a Bronte sister. But when she meets Felix, who is less Hugh Grant in Notting Hill and more Hugh Grant's drunken roommate, she finds that their unusual connection is impossible to ignore, even as it creates more problems than it solves. Now they have to ask themselves: do Americans and Brits actually speak the same language?

Writers: Lena Dunham, Luis Felber, Monica Heisey & Collier Meyerson

Cast: Megan Stalter, Will Sharpe, Richard E. Grant, Stephen Fry, Janicza Bravo, Michael Zegen, Rhea Perlman, Rita Wilson, Daisy Bevan, Dean-Charles Chapman, Emily Ratajkowski, Lena Dunham, Oliver Nirenberg, Andrew Rannells, Leo Reich, David Ashby

Cine-grapher: Ricardo de Gracia

Composers: Matt Allchin & Luis Felber

Production Designer: Miren Maranon

Costume Designer: Arielle Cooper-Lethem

Editor: Joe Klotz

Producer: Camilla Bray

Directors: Lena Dunham, Janicza Bravo & Alicia MacDonald

Streaming On: Netflix

Release Date: 10 July 2025

Production Countries: UK & US

Production Location: London

Cert: TV-MA

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_w5PSWEVcm0

Rating: 4 stars
3 votes

Anime | Gun Fu | Urban Adventure | Action | Sci-Fi

Neon-lit cities, gun-fu action, and existential dread.

Synopsis, Credit & Trailer

Synopsis: In 2052, a Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientist develops a drug called Hapna — a cure-all that has the unexpected side-effect of caus

Synopsis: In 2052, a Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientist develops a drug called Hapna — a cure-all that has the unexpected side-effect of causing death three years later. In response to this threat, a special force of agents—nicknamed "Lazarus"— is assembled to take on the malevolent Skinner.

Writers: Tsukasa Kondo, Takahiro Ozawa, Dai Sato, Shinichiro Watanabe

Cast: Mamoru Miyano, Makoto Furukawa, Maaya Uchida, Yuma Uchida, Manaka Iwami, Megumi Hayashibara, Jack Stansbury, Luci Christian, Jovan Jackson, Annie Wild, Bryson Baugus, Jade Kelly, Cyrus Rodas, Joe Daniels, John Swasey, Kensuke Ota, Heath Morrow

Cine-grapher: Mitsuhiro Sato

Music Composers: Bonobo, Floating Points & Kamasi Washington

Producers: Joseph Chou, Jason DeMarco & Cody DeMattels

Editor: Kumiko Sakamoto

Director: Shinichirô Watanabes

Release Date: 6 April 2025

Streaming On: Channel 4 (On Demand) UK

Production Countries: Japan & US

Cert: TV-MA

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpG8vtFMkD0&t=3s

ing death three years later. In response to this threat, a special force of agents—nicknamed "Lazarus"— is assembled to take on the malevolent Skinner.

Writers: Tsukasa Kondo, Takahiro Ozawa, Dai Sato, Shinichiro Watanabe

Cast: Mamoru Miyano, Makoto Furukawa, Maaya Uchida, Yuma Uchida, Manaka Iwami, Megumi Hayashibara, Jack Stansbury, Luci Christian, Jovan Jackson, Annie Wild, Bryson Baugus, Jade Kelly, Cyrus Rodas, Joe Daniels, John Swasey, Kensuke Ota, Heath Morrow

Cine-grapher: Mitsuhiro Sato

Music Composers: Bonobo, Floating Points & Kamasi Washington

Producers: Joseph Chou, Jason DeMarco & Cody DeMattels

Editor: Kumiko Sakamoto

Director: Shinichirô Watanabes

Release Date: 6 April 2025

Streaming On: Channel 4 (On Demand) UK

Production Countries: Japan & US

Cert: TV-MA

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpG8vtFMkD0&t=3s

Rating: 5 stars
3 votes

Drama |Comedy | Family Relationships | Paternity

Navigating grief, growth, and gadgets.

Synopsis, Credit & Trailer

Synopsis: A recently widowed workaholic clumsily navigates life with his kids, guided by his late wife's online tips. Can he ace this crash course in parenthood?

Writer: Ayman Wattar

Cast: Mohamed Farrag, Tara Emad, Khaled Kamal, Sedky Sakhr, Donia Samir Ghanem, Ahmed Essam, Ali El Beialy, Retal Abdelaziz, Bayyumi Fuad, Samah Anwar, Riham Abdel Ghafour

Producer: Tarek El Ganainy

Director: Waleed El Halfawy

Release Date: 17 July 2025

Streaming On: Netflix

Production Country: Egypt

Language: Arabic

Cert: 13

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwdP-lLghZM&t=63s

Rating: 4.6666666666667 stars
3 votes

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Documentary

Biography | Ballet

From barefoot pirouettes in Lagos to centre stage in London.
A powerful cross-cultural journey of talent, identity, and belonging. A universal story of hope, discipline, and dreams.

Synopsis, Credit & Trailer

Synopsis: Twelve-year-old Anthony Madu embarks on an incredible journey, transitioning from practicing barefoot on the streets of Lagos, Nigeria, to performing on stage in England. Leaving behind his neighbourhood, he studies at one of the most prestigious ballet schools in the world. Anthony, who had rarely ventured outside his local area, suddenly finds himself in a new world where his wildest dreams are now within reach. His story is one of extraordinary challenges, courage, personal growth, and ultimately, his quest for belonging. "MADU" weaves together a rich and immersive narrative across multiple continents, introducing the world to a boy pursuing a dream of inspiration that resonates with us all.

Cast: Anthony Madu

Cine-grapher: Charlie Goodger & Motheo Moeng

Music Composer: Jackson Greenberg

Producers: Katie McNeil, Jamie Patricof, Matthew Ogens & Rachel Halilej

Editors: Georgia Dodson & Raaghav Minocha

Directors: Matthew Ogens & Joel Kachi Benson

Release Date: 29 March 2024

Streaming On: Disney+

Production Country: Nigeria & US

Cert: 12

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPQAlsnhQ34&t=5s

Rating: 5 stars
3 votes

This week’s watch-list is an invitation to travel across borders—of geography, genre, and the human heart. From haunting thrillers and generational dramas to animated adventures and real-world triumphs, these stories inspire, challenge, and entertain.

So, whether you're watching from the couch or catching the latest release on the big screen, On Screens This Week has you covered.

*Posters, Synopses and Trailers are copyrights of the original owners.

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