Top Bollywood, Hollywood movies and series to watch this UAE long weekend like Lokah Chapter One Chandra, The Summer I Turned Pretty, and more

From neon-soaked casino thrillers to newsroom mockumentaries and psychological showdowns, this long weekend slate of big-screen blockbusters and binge-worthy OTT drops packs serious punch. Whether it’s John Travolta rolling dice, Tiger Shroff spiraling into madness, or South Korea serving killer family drama, there’s something bold, brash, and unmissable for every mood.

High Rollers: Cash Out 2 (UAE cinemas)

If you like your thrillers shaken, stirred, and dripping with neon casino lights, High Rollers: Cash Out 2 is your next guilty pleasure. John Travolta returns with slick swagger as a master thief whose biggest gamble isn’t at the roulette table—it’s rescuing his kidnapped lover while dodging the FBI and outsmarting rival criminals. Lukas Haas brings delicious menace, while Gina Gershon smolders with femme-fatale flair. The stakes? Astronomical. The pace? Breakneck. And the drama? Pure, high-octane chaos. It’s Ocean’s Eleven on steroids, with a touch of Face/Off nostalgia thanks to Travolta’s charm. Expect double-crosses, impossible odds, and action sequences that feel like a jackpot of adrenaline. If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to risk it all for love and loot, this is your cinematic all-in moment.

The Paper (OSN+)

To all cult fans of The Office—your prayers (and awkward laughs) have been answered. OSN+ is rolling out The Paper, a brand-new spin-off that trades Scranton’s cubicles for the ink-stained hustle of a newsroom. The mockumentary format is back in all its cringey, chaotic glory, only this time the stakes are deadlines, headlines, and the fight to keep print alive. Expect eccentric journalists, clueless managers, and the kind of deadpan humor that made staplers in Jell-O a cultural phenomenon. The Paper promises the same bite and brilliance of its predecessor while carving out its own identity in a world where “going viral” means something entirely different. Fresh characters, newsroom politics, and the familiar comfort of observational comedy—this is one spin-off that might just make headlines.

Baaghi 4 (UAE cinemas)

If you thought Tiger Shroff had already flexed every muscle in his action arsenal, think again—Baaghi 4 takes him to his darkest, most twisted territory yet. Ronny isn’t just breaking bones this time; he’s breaking down. Surviving a deadly train crash he never wanted to walk away from, he’s drowning in grief, guilt, and hallucinations that blur the line between love and madness. Enter Sonam Bajwa, who adds heart and mystery, and Sanjay Dutt, who chews through the shadows with delicious menace. The film is less “punch and pose” and more psychological rollercoaster, but don’t worry—the action is still jaw-dropping. Think haunting illusions, high-octane stunts, and a love story that refuses to die. It’s messy, moody, and muscular—exactly the kind of cinematic chaos fans of the Baaghi franchise crave.

The Summer I Turned Pretty (Season 3)

If you thought Cousins Beach had already seen peak drama, Episode 9 proves otherwise. Jeremiah spirals into a full-blown meltdown — snapping at Laurel, dismissing Taylor’s kindness, and unleashing fury on Conrad — while Belly takes Paris by storm, chasing independence and stolen backpacks with a dash of French adventure. This penultimate chapter is messy, bold, and brash, with Jeremiah at his most unlikable and Belly finally carving space for herself. It’s the kind of emotional rollercoaster that fans will either love to hate or hate to love, but one thing’s certain: you can’t look away. Stream it if you crave raw heartbreak, fiery tantrums, and a rare glimpse of Belly choosing herself over the Fisher brothers.

Madharaasi (UAE cinemas)

This Tamil-language actioner storms into theatres with the swagger of a bullet and the soul of a love ballad. Sivakarthikeyan steps into uncharted territory as a Special Task Force officer who must balance duty, desire, and destiny when a powerful North Indian mafia declares war on Tamil Nadu turf. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill actioner — it’s a cocktail of adrenaline and emotion, laced with friendship, revenge, and the kind of sacrifices that leave scars. Rukmini Vasanth brings both tenderness and fire, anchoring the drama with heart, while Vidyut Jamwal plays villainy like it’s a fine art. Expect gunfights with grit, romance with bite, and a narrative that swings between heartbreak and high-stakes heroism. In short: Madharaasi is bold, bruising, and built to blow the roof off cinemas.

Inspector Zende (Netflix)

Inspector Zende takes a true-crime legend and spins it into a cat-and-mouse chase you’ll binge in one sitting. Inspired by Mumbai cop Madhukar Zende’s real-life arrest of the slippery Charles Sobhraj, this isn’t just about cops and criminals—it’s about charisma, wit, and the mind games that blur the line between hunter and hunted. Manoj Bajpayee is magnetic as the sharp yet streetwise inspector, while Jim Sarbh delivers deliciously unsettling charm as the conman who thinks he’s always a step ahead. Their banter crackles with humor even as the tension escalates, proving that sometimes the chase is as thrilling as the catch. With a powerhouse supporting cast and a pace that rarely pauses for breath, Inspector Zende is smart, stylish, and everything you want from a Netflix thriller.

Queen Mantis (Netflix)

Queen Mantis slinks onto your screen with the precision of a thriller and the sting of a family feud. This South Korean series dares to ask: what happens when the monster under the bed turns out to be your mother? Go Hyun-jung is chillingly captivating as a serial killer who hides her past in plain sight, while Jang Dong-yoon plays her estranged son, a detective forced to confront blood ties more dangerous than any crime scene. Their fractured bond becomes the series’ pulsing heart—equal parts rage, regret, and reluctant fascination. Add in Lee El and Cho Seong-ha to stir the pot, and you’ve got eight episodes of sleek, sinister storytelling. With two drops a week leading to a finale on September 27, Queen Mantis is your next weekend obsession.

 Lokah Chapter One Chandra (UAE cinemas)

Kalyani Priyadarshan steps into superhero stardom with Lokah: Chapter One – Chandra, a fantasy epic backed by Dulquer Salmaan that proves Malayalam cinema can dream big. Rooted in Indian folklore yet framed with a slick, modern sensibility, the film balances world-building, mythology, and spectacle with surprising finesse. Kalyani shines as the mysterious lead, while Naslen brings youthful energy to the mix. Together, they ground this ambitious universe with heart. For fans of myth-meets-modern fantasy, Lokah delivers a blockbuster experience that feels both fresh and proudly local.