5 Shows & Movies To Stream As Temps Soar

The temperature has finally dipped into the double digits, which in the desert can only mean one thing: fall is here! We’re nowhere near sweater weather, mind you, but 99 suddenly feels downright cozy after what seemed like a never-ending summer. Of course, 99 degrees is still 99 degrees, so before we officially bid summer farewell, I have one last round of Netflix & Chill to share. Read on for five productions currently helping me beat the heat.

XO, Lindsay

DAMAGES

This 2007 legal thriller is dark and heavy—two things I typically avoid when it comes to TV—but it is also extremely well done, not to mention thoroughly gripping. Glenn Close stars as the ruthless head of a high-powered law firm, with Rose Byrne as her kind-hearted protégée. Together, they tackle one major case over the course of a season. The supporting cast is phenomenal, too, with each season bringing in some seriously big names—Ted Danson, Lily Tomlin, and Martin Short among them. My husband and I watched one episode on a whim earlier this summer and then promptly fell down the binging rabbit hole. One warning for my fellow animal lovers: a dog is killed in the first episode, a scene my husband and I skipped right over.

Where to watch: Prime & Hulu

SHIPWRECKED: NIGHTMARE AT SEA

Prior to watching this documentary, I was not very familiar with the story behind the 2012 sinking of the Costa Concordia cruise ship. And what an absolutely maddening story it is, marked by one seemingly boneheaded and misguided decision after another, ultimately resulting in the loss of 32 lives. Harrowing through and through, it’s one of those stories that’s almost impossible to believe actually happened. Between this doc and last year’s Poop Cruise, I’d say my chances of becoming a cruise person hover somewhere around zero. (Thanks a lot, Netflix!) I hear that the miniseries The Costa Concordia: Why She Sank (currently available on Prime) offers an even more thorough deep dive into the tragedy, so that one is next on my list.

Where to watch: Netflix

COMPANY RETREAT

I was obsessed with Jury Duty when it aired back in 2023, easily one of the funniest and unexpectedly fell-good shows to come along in ages. So when its follow-up, Company Retreat, popped up on my screen, I was thrilled beyond belief. This time around, the hidden-camera series centers on Anthony, a newly hired temp at a hot sauce company who is tasked with leading his co-workers on a corporate retreat. What Anthony doesn’t know is that the company is fake, his fellow employees are paid actors, and he’s the only one not in on the joke. Though his colleagues’ antics grow crazier each day, Anthony somehow never loses his cool—or his kind heart. Not only is the series wildly entertaining, but it is sure to restore faith in humanity in even the coldest of hearts.

Where to watch: Prime

NAMING THE DEAD

While heartwarming wouldn’t typically be a word I’d use to describe a true crime docuseries about unidentified victims, this show manages to be just that. Centered on the work of the DNA Doe Project, the series follows the volunteer group as they work with police to identify cold case victims using genealogy, DNA, and good old-fashioned legwork. It’s a truly fascinating look at the painstaking nature of their work and the extraordinary lengths they go to bring some dignity to the unnamed and some peace to their loved ones. The one downside? There are only six episodes. Season 2 can’t come along fast enough!

Where to watch: Hulu & Disney+

BEYOND PARADISE

We happened upon this British detective series on a whim while perusing Prime and were instantly hooked. Come to find out, it’s a spinoff of another show, but that did not detract from our enjoyment one bit. The series follows a Detective Inspector (played by Love Actually’s Kris Marshall) who relocates to a charming coastal town in southwest England that turns out to be surprisingly crime-prone. Unexpectedly lighthearted and fun, thanks largely to the idyllic setting and ragtag cast of supporting characters (not to mention the annual Christmas specials that air between seasons), it is very reminiscent of Doc Martin, one of my late father’s absolute favorites.

Where to watch: Prime & BritBox

Thanks for Reading!

Here’s to cooler days ahead—and finally enjoying life al fresco again!