When it comes to finding solid content to stream, I’m always looking at Rotten Tomatoes scores. While I take them with a grain of salt—since beauty is in the eye of the beholder—these scores still have a marked influence over what gets added to my watchlist and what gets filed away as a maybe. When RT scores surge to high levels, though, they indicate something demands attention, and that’s the focus of this weekend’s recommendations on Amazon Prime Video.
In this weekend’s mix of recommendations, our top pick is a 2020 sci-fi adventure series that surged in popularity right to a 100% critics’ score, and there, it remains. Following that selection is an underrated 2010 sitcom adored by RT audiences and a newly released Guy Ritchie series that critics are already loving. So, before you settle in for a binge, grab your favorite snacks. You’ll need them to pair with all the action, entertainment, unforgettable characters and performances, and well-structured narratives.
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Young Sherlock
He’s not the Sherlock your mom remembers
Adapted from Andrew Lane’s series of novels, the new show Young Sherlock functions as an imitation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original Sherlock Holmes stories. It’s also directed by Guy Ritchie and staunchly continues his affinity for the fun Cockney-gangster aesthetic, similar to his previous Sherlock Holmes films and other movies like Snatch.
Created by Matthew Parkhill, the newly released Prime Video show currently boasts an 82% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes and follows a 19-year-old Sherlock Holmes (Hero Fiennes Tiffin of the After film series franchise) at Oxford University. Sherlock is raw, unfiltered, and lacks any discipline whatsoever. He’s still years away from achieving master-detective status. When a homicide occurs that puts his own freedom at risk, he sets out to solve his first murder mystery, which brings him face-to-face with a global-level conspiracy that will forever alter his path.
Expect plenty of stylish visuals and fast-paced fun out of Young Sherlock, but do not expect the series to stick close to its source material. Instead, it’ll feature inventive scenes, a modern soundtrack, and an entertaining Sherlock Holmes origin story with a rebellious take on a young, flawed prodigy finding his way. Colin Firth, Joseph Fiennes, and Max Irons also star.
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Blue Mountain State
Alan Ritchson like you’ve never seen him before
Before Alan Ritchson shot to fame as Jack Reacher, he was Kevin Devlin “Thad” Castle in Blue Mountain State. His performance as a completely immature, hyper-aggressive, super-loud, and arrogant college football linebacker was his first major leading role in a TV series. It’s also a must-see if you’re a Ritchson fan.
The satirical sitcom boasts an 88% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and focuses on the chaotic lives of football players at the fictional Blue Mountain State, a Midwestern college football powerhouse. Its narrative follows three incoming freshmen—a carefree backup quarterback, his best friend/mascot, and a wild team captain—as they quickly adapt to college life, juggling football, incessant hazing, intense partying with girls, and classes.
As one of the most underrated sitcoms of all time, and as a staple “party” sitcom, Blue Mountain State features over-the-top, raunchy comedy circa the 2010s, outrageous football culture, and a fast-paced, irreverent look at university stereotypes. Though Thad Castle is the star, you’ll love all these characters and their hedonistic storylines.
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Vagrant Queen
A righteous space opera full of adventure
Though it premiered in 2020 and only saw one season, Vagrant Queen is currently surging in popularity thanks to its perfect critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes. The sci-fi adventure show is based on the Vault comic book series and follows an orphaned renegade outlaw queen living in the outer reaches of the galaxy.
Chicago Fire’s Adriyan Rae stars as Elida Al-Feyr, a former child queen-turned-scavenger living her life on the run after the Republic government killed her family and violently overthrew their kingdom. After bumping into her old frenemy Isaac (Schitt’s Creek’s Tim Rozon) and optimistic mechanic Amae (Slumber Party Massacre’s Alex McGregor), Elida learns they’ve escaped the army of her nemesis, Commander Lazaro (Maze Runner: The Death Cure’s Paul du Toit), and that her mother may still be alive. With Isaac and Amae in tow, Elida returns to her broken kingdom to stage a rescue before her deadly childhood foe finds them.
What’s great about this 10-episode show is that, in addition to its righteous space adventure, charismatic characters, super-funky locations, and narrative full of heart and humor, the space opera includes an all-female cast of writers and directors and a queer Black woman hero. Yes, it was canceled way too soon, but it sure does make for a perfect weekend binge.
As the New Year continues to unfold, settle in for more high-scoring recommendations to come. They’re more plentiful than you think, and if you don’t believe me, check out the list of everything coming to Prime Video in March.
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