The Sandman, Ron Howard's Thirteen Lives, and They/Them Bring the Drama

Neil Gaiman, Ron Howard, and former Pixar boss John Lasseter are just a few of the big names lighting up the small screen this weekend. Years in the making, Gaiman’s fantasy epic The Sandman finally lands on Netflix, while Ron Howard dramatizes the Thai cave rescue in Thirteen Lives, and Apple TV+ hopes John Lasseter can bring some of that Pixar magic to Luck, his first major movie project since exiting the animation studio.

Plus: They/Them puts a fresh spin on the slasher genre, Hulu spins off the Predator franchise, British comedy The Outlaws returns for Season 2, and more. Here’s what’s new and noteworthy on TV this weekend:

FRIDAY AUGUST 5

The Sandman: Complete first season. After the Sandman, aka Dream (Tom Sturridge) — the powerful cosmic being who controls all our dreams — is unexpectedly captured and held prisoner for over a century, he must journey across different worlds and timelines to fix the chaos caused his absence. Boyd Holbrook, Patton Oswalt, and Gwendoline Christie are among those filling out the large cast of the long-awaited Neil Gaiman adaptation. Read our review. Streaming on Netflix

Thirteen Lives: Original film. Ron Howard tells the story of the 12 boys and their soccer coach who were trapped inside a flooding cave system in Thailand for 18 days in this drama starring Colin Farrell and Viggo Mortensen as members of the rescue team that saved them. Watch trailer. Streaming on Prime Video

Luck: Original film. When Sam Greenfield (voiced by Eva Noblezada), the unluckiest person in the world, finds herself in the never-before-seen Land of Luck, she must unite with the magical creatures there to turn her fortune around. The animated film, produced by former Pixar boss John Lasseter, features voice work from Jane Fonda, Simon Pegg, and Whoopi Goldberg. Watch trailer. Streaming on Apple TV+

Prey: Original film. Hulu expands the Predator franchise in this film, set 300 years ago, about a young Comanche warrior (Amber Midthunder) who stalks a highly evolved alien predator with a technologically advanced arsenal. Watch trailer. Streaming on Hulu

The Outlaws: Complete second season. A few months after the events of Season 1, the Outlaws contend with the consequences of keeping the stolen money. Watch trailer. Streaming on Prime Video

LEGO Star Wars Summer Vacation: Original film. Following the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Finn gathers Rey, Poe, Rose, and Chewbacca for a vacation aboard a fancy star cruiser, but the plan goes awry when Finn is separated from the group. The Featuring the voices of “Weird Al” Yankovic, Yvette Nicole Brown, Kelly Marie Tran, and others. Watch trailer. Streaming on Disney+

Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie: Original film. The story of Nickelodeon's 2018-2020 animated TV series Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles continues as Leonardo (voiced by Ben Schwartz) and his brothers are forced to save the world from a terrifying alien species. Watch trailer. Streaming on Netflix

Killer Camp: Season 2 premiere (series return). 11 new campers must navigate deadly surprises while competing to expose the “killer” among them for a share of a $50,000 cash prize in this hybrid horror-reality show. The series returns for its second season after it was pulled from The CW’s schedule last fall. Watch trailer. 8:00 PM ET on The CW

Carter: Original film. After waking up with no memories, a man allows himself to be directed by a mysterious voice who guides him along a hostage rescue mission rife with danger. Watch trailer. Streaming on Netflix

Major League Baseball: The National League takes over Apple TV+ with a Friday night double-header:

• Washington Nationals at Philadelphia Phillies 7:00 PM ET/4:00 PM PT
• Cincinnati Reds at Milwaukee Brewers 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT

SATURDAY AUGUST 6

Are You Afraid of the Dark?: New episode. After unleashing an evil ghost from the mirror, the kids face a night of terrors in the haunted hotel, where they must uncover the truth. 7:00 PM ET on Nickelodeon

A Dangerous Affair: TV movie. After beginning a steamy love affair with one of her clients, Pilates instructor Amelie (Aubree Bouche) finds herself in the middle of a deadly love triangle. 8:00 PM ET on Lifetime

Love in the Limelight: TV movie. Summer (Alexa PenaVega) has been pen pals with Nick (Carlos PeneVega), the lead singer of a popular boy band for years, but sparks fly when the two finally meet in person. Watch trailer. 8:00 PM ET on Hallmark Channel

Family or Fiancé: Season 3 premiere. Eight engaged couples bring their disapproving families together under one roof in hopes of helping them determine whether or not they’ll tie the knot. Watch trailer. 9:00 PM ET on OWN

Africa’s Wild Year: Docuseries premiere. BBC America offers a glimpse into the diverse, ever-changing seasons in Africa in this four-part series set over the course of a single year. Watch trailer. 8:00 PM ET on BBC America

Major League Baseball: Baseball Night in America offers two region-specific games at 7:00 PM ET/4:00 PM PT on FOX:

• New York Yankees at St. Louis Cardinals
• Cincinnati Reds at Milwaukee Brewers

SUNDAY AUGUST 7

My Life as a Rolling Stone: Docuseries premiere. To commemorate the band’s 60th anniversary, Epix explores how The Rolling Stones created a blueprint for budding rock bands and grew to become a globally recognized cultural brand. Each episode profiles a different band member, beginning with Mick Jagger. Watch trailer. 9:00 PM ET on Epix

Westworld: New episode. The fantasy epic marches towards its finale in the penultimate episode of Season 4. 9:00 PM ET on HBO

Who Do You Think You Are?: New episode. Actor Bradley Whitford (The West Wing) learns about his grandmother’s heritage, discovering that his 2x great-grandfather, along with his siblings, fought in the Civil War. 7:00 PM ET on NBC

Celebrity Family Feud: New episode. The game show crosses over with Bachelor Nation as Michelle Young and Becca Kufrin lead opposing teams of franchise alums. In another game, comedians Jay Pharaoh and Rhys Darby compete for their favorite charities. 8:00 PM ET on ABC

Family Game Fight!: Special presentation. The Kosturos family and the Extinguishers face off in ridiculous challenges in a special edition of the Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard-hosted competition show. 8:00 PM ET on NBC

Becoming Elizabeth: Season 1 finale. With the king sick and the court desperately forming new alliances, Elizabeth is approached with a proposition that would make her the first woman on the throne. 8:00 PM ET on Starz

Talking Dead: The Walking Dead Universe Preview 2022: Special presentation. Host Chris Hardwick welcomes actors and creators from across TWD Universe as they preview what’s to come for the franchise, including new spinoffs, an anthology series, and the final episodes of the flagship show. 9:00 PM ET on AMC

The Chi: New episode. As Emmett (Jacob Latimore) and Tiff (Hannaha Hall) unite as co-parents after learning unexpected news about their son, Kevin (Alex R. Hibbert) struggles to balance dating and his gaming competitions. 9:00 PM ET on Showtime

Animal Kingdom: New episode. When Pope (Shawn Hatosy) becomes self-destructive, J (Finn Cole), Craig (Ben Robson), and Deran (Jake Weary) must figure out what they’re going to do about him. 9:00 PM ET on TNT

City on a Hill: New episode. When Victoria Dryden (Caroline Willman) runs away from home, Sinclair (Corbin Bernsen) sends Jackie (Kevin Bacon) to find her. 10:00 PM ET on Showtime

Flatbush Misdemeanors: New episode. While Dan (Dan Perlman) attempts to control his Sex Ed class to pass his teacher evaluation, Drew (Hassan Johnson) finds his way into Kevin’s (Kevin Iso) art world once he decides to get out of the drug business once and for all. 11:00 PM ET on Showtime

Major League Baseball: Four of the highest-ranked teams in the league face off:

• Houston Astros at Cleveland Guardians 12:00 PM ET/9:00 AM PT on Peacock
• San Diego Padres at Los Angeles Dodgers 7:00 PM ET/4:00 PM PT on ESPN

Claire Spellberg Lustig is the Senior Editor at Primetimer and a scholar of The View. Follow her on Twitter at @c_spellberg.