4 Things to Watch Tonight: Tuesday Picks for July 21

Tuesday evening is here, and tonight's streaming lineup offers plenty worth your time. A Mexican thriller is dominating the global charts, a K-drama is earning rare perfect scores, and a Prime Video action comedy starring Octavia Spencer and Hannah Waddingham is shaping up to be one of the summer's most bingeable debuts. Here is what deserves a spot on your watchlist tonight.

Desire — Netflix

The biggest streaming story of the week is Desire, a Mexican psychological thriller that premiered July 17 and has absolutely exploded on Netflix. Starring Ludwika Paleta as a married lawyer whose affair with her daughter's swim coach spirals into obsession and dangerous territory, the film has racked up a staggering 870 points on FlixPatrol's global chart — making it the #1 movie on Netflix worldwide, holding the top spot across dozens of countries from the U.S. to Argentina to Austria.

Directed by Teresa Simone in her feature debut, Desire is a Spanish-language drama that leans into steamy thrills and unpredictable twists. With only a handful of critical reviews in so far, the early conversation is being driven by audience appetite — and those viewership numbers are undeniable. For viewers who prefer their tension with a psychological edge, Dark Winds delivers similarly addictive atmosphere on Netflix.

Ride or Die — Prime Video

If you need a tonal shift from Desire's intensity, Prime Video's Ride or Die is the perfect counter-programming. The eight-episode action comedy dropped July 15 and has maintained a stellar 96% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes. Starring Octavia Spencer and Hannah Waddingham as best friends whose lives are upended when one is revealed to be an international assassin, the series is directed by Peyton Reed (Ant-Man) and created by Tessa Coates. Bill Nighy and Ed Skrein co-star in what's being called one of the most bingeable debuts of the summer. Ride or Die is available now on Prime Video.

The East Palace — Netflix

Netflix's latest K-drama entry is making serious noise. The East Palace premiered July 17 with all eight episodes and quickly entered the global top 10 while earning early critical raves — including a 100% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes. The series blends Korean folklore, supernatural horror, and Joseon-era palace intrigue into something genuinely original, following a spirit-walking warrior and a clairvoyant court lady tasked with unraveling the dark secrets of the cursed East Palace.

Starring Nam Joo-hyuk in his much-anticipated K-drama comeback and directed by Choi Jung-kyu, the show has drawn comparisons to The Witcher for its monster-slashing action and political maneuvering. For K-drama fans, Agent Kim Reactivated is another Netflix hit worth your time — the Korean action thriller has climbed to #2 on the platform's global TV chart with 654 FlixPatrol points.

ICYMI: Adam Driver vs. Marvel

Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige revealed this week on the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast that Adam Driver has turned down so many Marvel movie offers that Zooming with him and watching him pass has "become a tradition" at the studio. The Star Wars and Ferrari actor famously passed on both Reed Richards and Doctor Doom over the years, making him one of the most intriguing superhero-casting what-ifs in Hollywood. Not watchable tonight, but definitely worth a conversation starter.

Quick Picks by Mood

Appointment TV: Desire — the #1 movie in the world right now
Something fun: Ride or Die — Spencer and Waddingham are comedy gold
Something thoughtful: The East Palace — Korean folklore meets supernatural horror
Hidden gem: Agent Kim Reactivated — Korean action thriller climbing the charts
Light and fun: Ride or Die — pure bingeable escapism

Whatever you're in the mood for, there's something here worth your time. Happy watching.