What To Watch This Week: Stream Our Top 7 TV and Movie Picks (Apr. 27–May 3)

This week’s “What To Watch” picks include the puppet horror comedy “The Fuzzies” (VOD), a TV series retread of “Man on Fire” (Netflix), the horror comedy series “Widow’s Bay” (Apple TV), and the World Cup comedy “Twenty Twenty Six” (Britbox).

We also recommend the limited series “Straight to Hell” (Netflix) and two more VOD movies: the buzzy horror flick “Exit 8” and the alternative comix-inspired “Paying for It.” Let’s hit the couch!

“Straight to Hell” | Netflix | Drama

Series premiere, Monday, April 27: Kazuo Hosoki is a controversial but highly influential figure in Japan, having worked her way up through poverty to become a nightclub manager, fortune teller, and bestselling author celebrated by some and feared by others. Erika Toda stars in this series chronicling Hosoki’s six-decade ascent. “Kazuko Hosoki commanded belief, controversy, and immense influence,” says Netflix Japan in a press release. “With ‘Straight to Hell,’ her long-obscured life is finally brought to the screen.”

“Exit 8” | VOD | Horror

Movie, Tuesday, April 28: This buzzy, well-reviewed horror flick from Genki Kawamura is based on the video game “The Exit 8” from Kotake Create. The film’s premise mirrors the game’s: A man is stuck in a subway station and must find Exit 8. From the synopsis: “The rules of his quest are simple: Do not overlook anything out of the ordinary. If you discover an anomaly, turn back immediately. If you don’t, carry on. Then leave from Exit 8. But even a single oversight will send him back to the beginning. Will he ever reach his goal and escape this infinite corridor?” Sounds like trying to escape an IKEA—only more terrifying and without the tasty meatballs.

“Widow’s Bay” | Apple TV | Comedy, drama, horror

Series premiere, Wednesday, April 29: From “Parks and Recreation” writer Kate Dippold comes this series that, Apple TV says, “blends genuine horror with character-driven comedy.” The mayor of the titular town (Matthew Rhys) aims to make it into a tourist destination despite locals’ insistence that the place is cursed. When the mayor’s plans succeed, strange events happen, putting truth to the locals’ claims. Dale Dickey, Kate O’Flynn, and Stephen Root also star. We get three episodes tonight, setting up seven more that will come weekly.

“Man on Fire” | Netflix | Drama, thriller

Series premiere, Thursday, April 30: This seven-episode adaptation of the 1980 A.J. Quinnell novel is also a retread of the 1987 and 2004 films starring Scott Glenn and Denzel Washington, respectively. This time it’s Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (“Aquaman”) playing PTSD-beleaguered Special Forces merc John Creasy, who’s on a quest for revenge. Rounding out the cast are Scoot McNairy, Billie Boulet, Alice Braga, Bobby Cannavale, and more. The entire series streams today on Netflix.

“The Fuzzies” | VOD | Comedy, horror

Movie, Friday, May 1: Puppet/doll-horror is a pretty fun and freaky subgenre and, judging from the trailer, this horror comedy from writer/director Josh Funk lives up to that. When a childhood friend dies, their surviving pals reunite at her eerie estate and uncover a nightmare: the grotesque puppets from her famous children’s TV show are alive (((shudders))). Ostensibly friendly and harmless beings suddenly gettin’ stabby almost always works, and audiences are saying “The Fuzzies” is “The Muppets meets ‘The Evil Dead'”—an enticing description for horror fans. Also, it looks like a lot of love went into the character/set design, so expect a feast for the eyes.

“Twenty Twenty Six” | Britbox, Tubi | Comedy

Limited series premiere, Friday, May 1: “Twenty Twenty Six” is the third installment of John Morton’s acclaimed mockumentary series, following the Olympics-focused “Twenty Twelve” the BBC-satire “W1A.” Following his stints at the Olympics and the BBC, Fletcher (Hugh Bonneville) joins the Oversight Team for the massive 2026 World Cup. Navigating the chaos of 48 teams across North America, Fletcher faces logistical nightmares and corporate jargon alongside his hapless assistant, Will. Premiering May 1 on both BritBox and Tubi, the show features narration by David Tennant.