The 2026 FIFA World Cup continues to dominate the TV schedules this weekend, leaving non-football fans with fewer options than usual. In recent weeks, soaps on both the BBC and ITV have been hit by major changes, disrupting regular viewing for fans.

And in case you hadn't heard, there's a big England game tonight – with the team going up against DR Congo, with a 5pm kick-off.

If you'd rather skip sport altogether, we've got you. There are still plenty of great viewing alternatives across BBC iPlayer, Netflix and more. So, without further ado, here are some TV shows and movies that are worth adding to your watchlist, to survive the World Cup frenzy.

millie bobby brown, enola holmes 3
Netflix

Enola Holmes 3

It's been four years since we last caught up with Millie Bobby Brown's Enola Holmes, but she's back on our screens today with the brand-new movie streaming now on Netflix.

Enola Holmes 3 kicks off with Enola about to be married to Lord Tewkesbury (Louis Partridge), having established her reputation as a detective alongside her brother Sherlock (Henry Cavill) – but then her ride to the church is interrupted by Dr Watson (Himesh Patel), who tells her Sherlock has been kidnapped

Enola Holmes 3 is streaming on Netflix now.

What to Read Next

lexi minetree as elle woods, elle
Prime Video

Elle

The Legally Blonde prequel is here to bring you a bubblegum pink burst of nostalgia, with Lexi Minetree taking on the iconic role of Elle Woods in the series that is set before the events of the beloved film.

A little darker in tone, Elle's official description states: "Elle follows Elle Woods in high school as we learn about the life experiences that shaped her into the iconic young woman we came to know and love..."

Elle is streaming now on Prime Video.

sian reese williams, the light in the hall still waters
S4C/Channel 4

The Light in the Hall: Still Waters

Channel 4's Welsh crime drama has quietly become one of the strongest new dramas. Starring Sian Reese-Williams, the series follows journalist Caryl Huws as she investigates a decades-old bombing and the secrets buried within her community.

Balancing mystery and family drama, the second season of The Light in the Hall has generated discussion among viewers with its line-up full of familiar faces.

The Light in the Hall: Still Waters is available on Channel 4.

hugh skinner, leila farzad, two weeks in august
BBC/Robert Viglasky

Two Weeks in August

If summer vibes are what you're after, look no further than Two Weeks in August – now available in full on BBC iPlayer.

The twisty eight-part series follows a group of friends whose annual holiday is thrown into turmoil after long-held secrets and simmering tensions begin to surface. What starts as a relaxing getaway soon descends into suspicion, betrayal and emotional fallout as relationships are tested and pushed to breaking point.

Two Weeks in August is streaming on BBC iPlayer.

colin morgan the boy that never was
U/RTE

The Boy That Never Was

If thrillers are more your thing and you've already made your way through Netflix's latest Harlan Coben thriller I Will Find You, then The Boy That Never Was could be up your street.

Based on the psychological thriller by Karen Perry, the series follows Harry and Robin, whose lives are shattered when their three-year-old son Dillon disappears during a devastating earthquake.

The Boy That Never Was is streaming on U and Channel 4 in the UK

rachel mcadams, cillian murphy, red eye
DreamWorks Pictures

Red Eye

Sure, it's not exactly new. But the entertaining thriller – which boasts an impressive cast that includes Cillian Murphy, Rachel McAdams, and Brian Cox – is now available to watch on BBC iPlayer in the UK.

The story focuses on hotel manager Lisa Reisert, who is flying back home in the wake of her grandmother's funeral. She meets a man called Jackson Rippner at the airport and they end up sitting next to each other on the plane. But things soon take a more sinister turn when she learns this is more than coincidence...

Red Eye is available now on BBC iPlayer.

cast of netflix's avatar the last airbender season 2 standing together against a rocky back drop with aang positioned at the front.
Netflix

Avatar: The Last Airbender

After a two year wait, Aang's journey continues in the second season of Netflix's live action adaptation of the beloved animated series. As war with the Fire Nation edges closer, Aang, Katara and Sokka travel to the Earth Kingdom in search of allies.

With bigger battles, high-stakes action and plenty of familiar faces returning, the second season of the fantasy series is unmissable for fans.

Avatar: The Last Airbender seasons 1 and 2 are on Netflix.

dannii minogue, i kissed a girl
BBC

I Kissed a Girl

The ground-breaking queer dating show is back. Hosted by Dannii Minogue, the BBC show brings together a new group of singles that are looking to find love and have a joyful summer in the sun of the Masseria.

Season 2 is currently dropping weekly across BBC Three and BBC iPlayer, with six episodes of flirting and fun (as well as drama!) available so far.

I Kissed a Girl is streaming on BBC iPlayer.

jasmine, love island 2026
ITV

Love Island

Despite the World Cup and various other sporting events, Love Island remains a familiar summer staple on ITV2 — and another one of the summer's biggest talking points.

Casa Amor is in full swing, with a bunch of new singles to tempt the boys and girls in separate villas. And, naturally, there's plenty of drama unfolding.

Love Island continues tonight on ITV2 at 9pm and streams on ITV Player.


Visit our Streaming Guide now to see at a glance where you can view ALL your favourite shows and movies.

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Headshot of Laura Jane Turner

TV Editor, Digital Spy Laura has been watching television for over 30 years and professionally writing about entertainment for almost 10 of those.  Previously at LOOK and now heading up the TV desk at the UK's biggest TV and movies site Digital Spy, Laura has helped steer conversations around some of the most popular shows on the box. Laura has appeared on Channel 5 News and radio to talk viewing habits and TV recommendations.  As well as putting her nerd-level Buffy knowledge to good use during an IRL meet with Sarah Michelle Gellar, Laura also once had afternoon tea with One Direction, has sat around the fire pit of the Love Island villa, spoken to Sir David Attenborough about the world's oceans and even interviewed Rylan from inside the Big Brother house (housemate status, forever pending). 

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