With so many streaming platforms at our fingertips, it's easy to get caught up in the deluge of shows and marvel at the vast content we're getting for the price of a couple of dollars a month.

So, we're cutting through the noise and giving you a cheat sheet of our top picks to stream this weekend.

Think of this as the North Star for all you weekend watchers who love a good binge.

POKEMON: MEWTWO STRIKES BACK - EVOLUTION

What: In case the original tear-jerking animated film didn't do enough of a number on the hearts of Pokemon fans 22 years ago, it's now gotten a CGI makeover. According to the trailer that was released, it seems that the CGI flick still retains the same story beats as its predecessor.

The reimagined story follows aspiring Pokemon Master Ash Ketchum  and his conflict with the cloned legendary pokemon Mewtwo, who seeks to wipe out humanity and pokemons who are loyal to them. It even recreates certain familiar scenes from the 1998 film which will definitely be a trip down nostalgia lane for the (ahem) older Pokemon fans.

Longtime fans will definitely get a kick out of this, as evident from some of our colleagues who were excited when the trailer dropped. However, the jury is still out on the CGI treatment because the Pokemon may look amazing, but the character's facial designs leave much to be desired.

Where: Out on Netflix from Thursday, Feb 27

SPIRITED AWAY

What: One of Studio Ghibli's biggest films is finally landing on Netflix and we are here for it! The universally acclaimed movie is the highest-grossing film in Japanese history, and is touted as one of the greatest animated films ever made.

Spirited Away tells the story of 10-year-old Chihiro Ogino who unknowingly enters a world inhabited by spirits based on Japanese Shinto folklore. After getting trapped there with her parents turned to pigs, Chihiro embarks on a journey to find a way to return to the human world with her parents.

At once fantastical and dreamy, Spirited Away can also be nightmarish and scary, depending on how you interpret the film and empathise with Chihiro. On the surface, there's a positive message of adulting and being responsible; but underlying that growth is the story of a scared little girl walking into the unknown without knowing who to trust or what to do. Suffice to say, Studio Ghibli films provide plenty of food for thought and is probably best appreciated with a discerning mind.

And if you're looking for another Studio Ghibli film worth your time, we will also suggest Princess Mononoke, another fantasy film about a young prince's involvement in the struggle between the gods of a forest and the humans who consume its resources. 

Where: Both Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke on Netflix from Sunday, March 1

AVENUE 5

What: If you've ever had doubts about going into space, then maybe this show will give you more pause. In Avenue 5, a space cruise goes wrong when an error causes the ship to go off-course, extending their voyage to three years (well beyond the initial eight weeks).

On paper, this comedy seems marked for success — with Scottish satirist Armando Iannucci (creator of Veep) at the helm, along with powerhouses like Hugh Laurie (known for his portrayal of the bitingly sarcastic Dr House on House) and comedy staples like Josh Gad and Zach Wood. Yet, it never really jumps into hyperspace because it doesn't really lean heavily into its sci-fi settings, and it just serves as a backdrop on which people's melodrama unfold.

Kudos to Hugh Laurie, though, for being a compelling presence as the suave captain who seems to have everything under control and it speaks to his abilities as an actor to be able to carry the show and move it forward. Josh Gad and Zach Wood also shine in their roles but their shtick runs old after a while, especially Gad who just plays himself (which he does all the time).

As for the humour, it's very English so expect dry and macabre humour. If you prefer laugh-out-loud sitcoms, this may not be for you. The closest comparison would be Veep, so if you're a fan of that, you're good to go on this ride with Avenue 5.

Where: HBO GO

ALSO READ: Good shows must watch: His Dark Materials and other shows to binge on

bryanlim@asiaone.com

For more original AsiaOne articles, visit here.