To quote the great Norfolk philosopher Alan Partridge, “It’s hotter than the sun!” Partly because of the ongoing climate crisis and the 30°C+ heatwave we’ve been melting through all week. (Seriously, how many more Mini Milks must we consume to ensure our survival?) But also partly because this week’s Empire Recommends picks are seriously hot — in some cases quite literally.
In case you didn’t know, Empire Recommends is a new regular feature that sees our friendly neighbourhood film experts here at Empire HQ — namely Deputy Online Editor Ben Travis, Social Media Editor Harry Stainer, and Online Writer Jordan King — come together to deliver three handpicked, personal streaming favourites that we just have not been able to stop banging on about in the office. And to keep you entertained while you contemplate just hitting buy on a full-on aircon unit this weekend, we’ve got a smokin’ new sports romance series, a scorching three-hour sci-fi epic, and one of the hottest coming-of-age comedies of the last decade.
And so, without further ado, here’s what Empire Recommends this week…
Off Campus
Showrunner/Creator: Louisa Levy | Genre: Romantic Drama | Streaming on: Prime Video
Starring: Ella Bright, Belmont Cameli, Mika Abdalla, Stephen Kalyn, Jalen Thomas Brooks
You wait all your life for a sexy hockey romance series to come along and suddenly BAM!, two arrive all at once. Who’d have thunk? But while Heated Rivalry was the groundbreaking first in the burgeoning ‘horny hockey’ microgenre, Prime Video’s Off Campus — based on Elle Kennedy’s bestselling books — is, for my money, the best. Yeah, I said it. Ella Bright and Belmont Cameli are both incredibly good and incredibly hot as the hockey-hating academic and the uni team’s star centre who agree to embark on a mutually beneficial faux-mance (he’s flunking philosophy; she wants to make her crush jealous), only to find themselves faking it a little too well. Come for the sex, yearning, and banging needledrops. Stay for a sensitively written, tonally well-balanced drama that dares to let its jocks have a heart, its women express their desires, and everyone to get their rocks off in a sex-positive, ultimately super wholesome way. What are you waiting for? Pucker up and stick it on! JK
Avatar: Fire And Ash (2025)
Director: James Cameron | Genre: Sci-Fi Fantasy | Streaming on: Disney+
Starring: Oona Chaplin, Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Stephen Lang, Kate Winslet, Sigourney Weaver, David Thewlis
‘Fire and ash’ doesn’t just describe the weather in the UK heatwave right now – it’s also the name of the third Avatar movie, which has just hit Disney+ after its mega box office haul. It’s another undeniably epic outing from James Cameron in his thrillingly-realised sci-fi sandbox – and while there are a few repetitive beats from The Way Of Water, it boasts outstanding action sequences and a killer new villain in Na’vi baddie Varang. Whether or not you saw it on the big screen, it’s worth a return visit to Pandora – especially now you can pause it for a wee break. BT
Booksmart (2016)
Director: Olivia Wilde | Genre: Coming-of-Age Comedy | Streaming on: Netflix
Starring: Beanie Feldstein, Kaitlyn Dever, Skyler Gisondo, Billie Lourd, Molly Gordon, Mason Gooding
Over the years I’ve seen Booksmart 10, possibly even 11 times, and I think I’m finally ready to accept that this is a five-star film. Astonishingly directed for a first feature, with a soundtrack that’s perfect, from Anderson .Paak to Perfume Genius. Few films capture being young, awkward, and staring down your future this well, and even fewer capture what it’s like to wholeheartedly love your friends this much. (P.S. More films about loving your pals, please.) I implore you to seek it out, sit down with a pal, and watch Olivia Wilde’s wonderful directorial debut. Your heart will be fuller for it. HS
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Boshed our three picks for this weekend already? Do you find yourself craving even more streaming delights? Fear not: we’ve got you covered. Check out our guides to The Best Netflix Movies, Shows, and Documentaries; The Best Movies And TV Shows On Disney+; and The Apple TV Shows You Must See. And if you’re a real screen fiend, then our lists of The 100 Best Movies and 100 Best TV Shows Of All Time will keep you going for a long, long time to come.
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