What to watch this weekend: Top picks from Hollywood, Bollywood and C-Drama worlds

Dubai: This week’s screen menu is serving everything from small-town sass to royal scandals, supernatural screams, and silk-shirted gangsters—and honestly, we’re not mad at it.

Whether you're in the mood for Netflix’s version of a royal mess (The Royals), or a death-has-no-chill horror ride (Final Destination: Bloodlines), there’s something deliciously dramatic for every kind of viewer. So, buckle up darlings—it’s a wild week at the movies.

Two words: Ishaan Khatter. If you love watching the rich and reckless fumble through responsibility in designer shoes, The Royals is your next binge. Dropping on Netflix May 9, this glossy, gossipy delight is a voyeuristic deep dive into India's blue-blooded elite—where polo-playing princes like Aviraaj (Ishaan) are forced to grow up fast when daddy dearest, the Maharaj of Morpur, exits stage left. Enter Bhumi Pednekar as Sophia Kanmani Shekhar, a self-made powerhouse who isn’t here for his princely privilege. With a cast that includes Sakshi Tanwar, Zeenat Aman, Nora Fatehi, Dino Morea, and Milind Soman, this one’s dripping in charm, chaos, and champagne-fuelled clapbacks. Think: Succession meets Koffee With Karan, but with royal titles and way better cheekbones/sculpted torsos.

Let’s be real—death has never been one to take a holiday. In Final Destination: Bloodlines preview screening on May 9th alone, fate’s back with a vengeance and a brand-new target: college student Stefanie, played by Kaitlyn Santa Juana. She’s haunted by a nightmare so vivid it’s basically a spoiler alert—and when her dreams start spelling doom for her whole family, she’s forced to dig up secrets no one’s ready to face. Add in a slick young cast (hello, Teo Briones and Richard Harmon) and you’ve got a horror-thriller that’s as stylish as it is sinister.

Malayalam actor Asif Ali is on a roll—and we’re here for it. After knocking it out of the park with the stirring and disturbing thriller Kishkinda Kaandam, the Malayalam heartthrob is back with Sarkeet, dropping May 8. This time, he dials down the chaos to deliver something tender and deeply personal. As Balu, a husband trying to juggle a fragile marriage, a child with ADHD, and life’s endless curveballs, Asif brings just the right amount of emotional grit. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s a reminder that this man can do more than just swagger on screen—he can make you feel.

If you’re here for logic and layered storytelling, this Tamil-language blockbuster isn’t a great pit stop. But if you want Ajith Kumar in dragon-print silk shirts, dispensing brass-knuckled justice and existential one-liners like “Face problems in the face” — Good Bad Ugly is your kind of chaos. Directed by Adhik Ravichandran, this gangster-gone-glam spectacle is gloriously unhinged. Ajith is in full swagger mode as AK/Red Dragon, a trigger-happy anti-hero who trades bullets for baby bottles—until fate (and plot twists) drag him back into the blood-soaked underworld. Trisha plays the moral compass wife, while Arjun Das does double duty as twin villains (yes, really). There’s a jail stint, a sobbing son, and a birthday ultimatum that sparks more bullets than candles. Simran pops in like Uma Thurman’s cousin from Kill Bill, and the film even throws in nods to Money Heist and John Wick. It’s over-the-top, self-aware, and absolutely bonkers—in the best way possible. Suspend belief, grab popcorn, and enjoy the madness.

Ever heard of a real-life customs officer who made Goa’s gold smugglers break into a sweat? Probably not—and that’s exactly why Costao deserves your attention. This Nawazuddin Siddiqui-starrer shines a light on the untold story of Costao Fernandes, a fearless officer who took on the gold smuggling mafia all by himself. If you’re a fan of gritty biopics or real-life thrillers, this one’s a must-watch. This Hindi-language thriller isn’t just a film—it’s a tribute to a forgotten hero.

If you’re in the mood for a cozy, feel-good romance, Ski into Love is the perfect winter watch. Set against the stunning backdrop of a snow-covered ski resort, the series follows manga artist Wei Zhi (Yu Shuxin), who escapes scandal and finds unexpected healing in the arms of stoic instructor Shan Chong (Lin Yi). With charming performances, heartfelt moments, and just the right dose of emotional depth, this 23-episode Chinese drama is a warm hug on a cold day. Whether you're a fan of slow-burn romance or redemption arcs, Ski into Love will glide its way into your heart.