Goodbye summer: What to watch and stream on Labor Day 2024
The last weekend of summer has arrived.
For many people, Labor Day means trips to the beach, short vacations, barbecues or other “last hurrah” activities to mark the end of summer.
But, if you prefer to stay home and relax on the couch, we’ve got you covered.
From summer movies you might not know were streaming now, TV shows you might have missed, marathons, and even some holiday-related events, there’s something here for everyone.
Here’s what to look out for.
“Yellowstone” Marathon
There will be a marathon of “Yellowstone” on Paramount Network throughout Labor Day weekend, starting Friday (10 p.m.). The marathon will feature the entire series, from Season 1 to the first half of Season 5 (the second half of Season 5 premieres Nov. 10).
Starring Kevin Costner, who left the show in Season 5 amid rumors of a feud with showrunner Taylor Sheridan, the drama is based on the Dutton family, which controls the largest cattle ranch in the United States.
Where to watch: On Paramount Network, beginning Friday at 10 p.m. and all weekend through Monday.
“Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga”
The fifth installment of the “Mad Max” franchise follows the hit game-changing 2015 action movie “Mad Max: Fury Road.” Starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth, “Furiosa” is a brutal and action-packed origin story about the title character played by Taylor-Joy in this prequel and Charlize Theron in “Mad Max: Fury Road.” If you haven’t seen it in theaters, it’s now on streaming.
Where to watch: Max.
“Kaos”
The show got lost in the hustle and bustle of August days – not to mention all the big summer TV shows like “House of the Dragon,” “Bridgerton” and “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.” But, this newly released fantasy series stars Jeff Goldblum in the lead role and features Greek gods. Naturally, he plays Zeus. David Thelwys (“Harry Potter”) plays Hades.
Where to watch: Netflix.
“Net”
This recent hot summer movie comes from M. Night Shyamalan, and is part of Josh Hartnett’s career resurgence (he also appeared in Season 3 of “The Bear”). The story centers on Cooper Adams (Hartnett), a caring father who takes his daughter to a Taylor Swift-like concert. He’s also a serial killer, and the concert soon turns into an elaborate plot that only Shyamalan could have thought up.
Where to watch: Rent on Prime Video or Apple.
“After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun”
Nothing makes the “end of summer” feel better than a docuseries retrospective on one of the most popular summer shows of the 90s, “Baywatch.” This four-part show examines the “Baywatch” cultural phenomenon, and includes interviews with cast members such as David Hasselhoff, Jeremy Jackson, Nicole Eggert and David Chokachi. Pamela Anderson did not give any interviews in this series, but there is footage of her talking about the experience from a previously unaired interview.
Where to watch: Hulu.
“The Wolf of Wall Street”
Nothing says “Labor Day” like a movie about the wild excesses and corruption that take place at work. The modern classic 2013 Scorsese film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as former stockbroker and criminal Jordan Belfort. The film also stars Margot Robbie, a pre-“Barbie” fame.
Where to watch: Paramount+.
“Friends” Marathon
If you just want to sit back and watch something, there’s a “Friends” marathon all day on Labor Day. The show is a little bittersweet following the real-life death of Matthew Perry in the fall of 2023, but it’s still charming to see Chandler (Perry), Rachel (Jennifer Aniston), Joey (Matt LeBlanc) and the rest of the gang onscreen. Episodes include “The One with Phoebe’s Uterus”, “The One-Hundredth”, “The One After I Do”, “The One with Ross’s Inappropriate Song” and the two-part series finale.
Where to watch: On TBS, Monday, September 2 at 9pm-4pm
“My Lady Jane”
Over too soon. Unfortunately, this bizarre show ended after just one season – but, it has a cliffhanger ending, so it’s still worth watching. If you missed it when it was released in June, the show is a historical fiction tale about Lady Jane Grey (Emily Bader) who forms a relationship with Lord Guildford Dudley (Edward Bluemel), a man who transforms into a horse at night. It’s as bizarre as it sounds, but surprisingly funny.
Where to watch: Prime Video.
“Office space”
If you want to get into the Labor Day theme, why not revisit this modern classic about frustrated office workers? This 1999 film follows Peter Gibbons (Ron Livingston), a frustrated computer programmer at a software company who has quirky co-workers like Milton (Stephen Root) and rude boss Bill Lumbergh (Gary Cole).
Where to watch: Hulu, Disney+.
“The Shallows”
Blake Lively has been in the news a lot lately, thanks to all the rumors and behind-the-scenes cast drama surrounding her latest film “It Ends With Us.” So, why not revisit one of her forgotten films that has an “end of summer” vibe for Labor Day? This 2016 film follows medical student Nancy (Lively) who goes surfing and runs into a great white shark. Soon, her beach day turns horrific, and it becomes a “woman vs. nature” battle for survival.
Where to watch: Starz.
