Five new Netflix arrivals this weekend: will you race through crime, love and zombies in 36 hours?

The weekend window is short. Choose wisely.

From grit to giggles, five fresh arrivals on Netflix now cover true-crime history, a tender rom-com, a turbo-charged thriller, a barracks-set coming‑of‑age tale and a Parisian walker‑fest. Here’s what to watch between Friday 24 and Sunday 26 October, and why each title is worth your precious hours.

What to watch on Netflix this weekend (24–26 October)

Five picks. One weekend. Mix and match: a three‑part docuseries, a returning romance, a star‑driven crime spree, a buzzy military dramedy, and a zombie road trip across France.

Title	Type	New on Netflix	At a glance
Mob war: Philadelphia vs the mafia	Docuseries	Late October	Three episodes on a brutal 1990s turf fight
Nobody wants this	Rom‑com series	Season 2 now	Unlikely couple levels up with life‑and‑family hurdles
Parish	Crime drama	Added 24 October	Giancarlo Esposito pulled back into danger
Boots	Comedy‑drama	Late October	1990s US Marine Corps, identity, friendship under pressure
The walking dead: Daryl Dixon	Zombie drama	Season 2 now	Daryl and Carol in post‑apocalyptic France

Mob war: Philadelphia vs the mafia

This three‑part docuseries rewinds to the 1990s and the blood‑spattered contest for control on the streets of Philadelphia. Away from New York’s glare, rival crews escalated feuds into a campaign that reshaped the city’s underworld and the lives orbiting it.

Expect archival footage, courtroom tension and testimonies that piece together who moved against whom, and why the fight spiralled. The concise format fits neatly into a single evening.

Best for: true‑crime fans who want a complete story in one sitting.
Hook: a self‑contained, three‑episode arc with hard edges and clear stakes.
Tip: pace it one episode per coffee; the detail lands better.

Three episodes, one city, decades of consequences — a compact binge with real scars.

Nobody wants this

The warmly received rom‑com returns with a second season. Joanne, an agnostic podcaster played by Kristen Bell, and Noah, a rabbi portrayed by Adam Brody, swap sparks for grown‑up logistics: shared spaces, clashing routines and outspoken loved ones. The humour sits close to the bone; the chemistry stays bright.

It’s a relationship comedy that respects compromise and still finds room for mischief. Date‑night telly that also works solo with tea and a blanket.

Best for: viewers who fancy romance with sharp dialogue, not syrup.
Hook: culture‑crossing couplehood that tackles everyday frictions without losing charm.
Tip: start at season 1 if you skipped it; the pay‑offs bloom in season 2.

Parish

Giancarlo Esposito headlines this high‑stakes crime drama from writer Danny Brocklehurst, re‑imagined from the 2014 UK series The Driver. Esposito’s Gray Parish walked away from a messy past to rebuild as a family man. Grief loosens his resolve. Old contacts tug. One job becomes a gauntlet through a criminal network that won’t stop at polite threats.

The series originally aired on AMC in March 2024 and now lands on Netflix, making a tidy weekend run for anyone who likes moral tightropes and smartly staged pursuits.

Best for: fans of character‑first thrillers with a conscience under fire.
Hook: Esposito’s controlled intensity turns every bad choice into a heartbeat test.
Tip: watch with the lights low; the night‑time set‑pieces sing.

From clean slate to compromised fixer — Esposito drives a comeback that refuses to coast.

Boots

Set in the 1990s US Marine Corps, Boots follows Cameron Cope (Miles Heizer), a young recruit hiding his sexuality, and his closest friend Ray McAffey (Liam Oh). Training yards, barracks banter and relentless drills press them into a tight unit, even as policy and prejudice loom. Critics and audiences have rallied behind it, and the series sits high on the Netflix chart with strong approval ratings.

Rather than preach, it finds humour and humanity in the brittle corners of conformity. It’s a coming‑of‑age story that understands how institutions can shape, harden and sometimes protect.

Best for: viewers who want heart and grit in the same frame.
Hook: sharp ensemble work and a time capsule that still feels current.
Tip: let the end credits breathe; small grace notes land there.

The walking dead: Daryl Dixon

Netflix has just added the second season of this spin‑off, perfect timing if your feed is buzzing about recent episodes. Daryl wakes in France with few answers and many threats; the road gradually leads to a reunion with Carol. The pair push through chateaux, monasteries and ruined streets while a ruthless foe and inventive walker variants keep the danger fresh.

The show’s French backdrop adds texture — different architecture, different factions, different rules — and still keeps that familiar, flinty heart.

Best for: long‑time fans craving a new map and newcomers who like action with mood.
Hook: stoic loyalty tested on foreign ground, with set‑pieces that bite.
Tip: newcomers can begin at season 1; the mystery unfolds piece by piece.

How to build your weekend binge without wasting time

Got six to eight hours? Pair the three‑part Mob war with two episodes of Parish, then cleanse the palate with an episode of Nobody wants this. Prefer variety? Alternate tone: one gritty hour, one tender hour, repeat. If friends join, start with Boots — it sparks discussion without spoilers — and save Daryl Dixon for late‑night thrills.

Short on hours? One night: Mob war (all three). Second night: two episodes of Parish, one of Nobody wants this.

Quick picking guide

If you want closure tonight: choose Mob war.
If you want a slow‑burn arc: choose Parish.
If you want comfort with wit: choose Nobody wants this.
If you want buzz and big feelings: choose Boots.
If you want kinetic world‑building: choose The walking dead: Daryl Dixon.

Extra context and useful notes

Release timing matters. Parish hit Netflix on 24 October, so it’s primed for that “new this week” momentum. Nobody wants this is in its second season, which means reliable word of mouth and a ready rewatch value. Boots has already stirred debate beyond the TV pages, which tends to push it up viewing rails. Daryl Dixon’s new batch brings a fan‑favourite reunion into focus, and that usually spikes weekend completion rates.

Two small advantages to keep in mind: downloads for offline viewing help if you’re travelling, and Netflix’s “skip recap” button saves minutes that add up over five different shows. For families or flatshares, content ratings vary across these picks; check profiles and set PINs where needed. If you’re sensitive to violence, start with the lighter tones and layer the heavier titles earlier in the evening when concentration runs high.