What to watch, play and stream this week: 26 October – 1 November 2026
Phantom Blade Zero, Minecraft on Switch 2, The Wolf Among Us Remastered, Dexter: Resurrection and Nocturne. Your guide to the week of 26 October.
This issue's cover story
Best free streaming this winter: UK services first, then free options around the world
Free TV and films for the long nights: the UK's broadcaster services (BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, 5, U and STV Player) plus free options we could verify in the US, Canada, Australia, Ireland and Germany.
Read it →This Week
What's out, what's on and what to queue up – the release round-up, refreshed every week.
What to watch, play and stream this week: 19–25 October 2026
Modern Warfare 4, the first HD-2D Final Fantasy, Switch Sports Resort and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 on Netflix. Your guide to the week of 19 October.
What to watch, play and stream this week: 12–18 October 2026
Castlevania's back, Boltgun 2 roars in, Harvest Moon goes mysterious and Marvel's VisionQuest lands on Disney+. Your guide to 12–18 October.
Seasons
Seasonal anime watchlists, spooky-season binges and the big debates that come round every cour.
Seasons ·
Best free streaming this winter: UK services first, then free options around the world
Free TV and films for the long nights: the UK's broadcaster services (BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, 5, U and STV Player) plus free options we could verify in the US, Canada, Australia, Ireland and Germany.
Seasons ·
Best anime of 2026: our picks from every season
Frieren's triumphant return, Witch Hat Atelier, Nippon Sangoku, a new Ghost in the Shell and more: the best anime of 2026, winter to fall, with where each one streams.
Seasons ·
The Game Awards 2026: date, start times by region, how to watch and our predictions
The Game Awards 2026 are on Thursday 10 December in Los Angeles. Start times for the UK, Europe, the Americas, Asia and Australia, how to watch free, and our early predictions.
Cosy Corner
Low-stakes games, co-op evenings and comfort watches for dark nights in.
Bonfire Night 2026 night in: cosy games, films and shows for while the fireworks go off
Staying in on 5 November? A cosy plan for fireworks night: what Bonfire Night actually is, plus games, anime films and shows to settle into while the bangs go on outside.
The clocks have gone back: 10 long games to sink into on dark winter evenings
Darker evenings are here. Ten big, long games, from Baldur's Gate 3 to Persona 5 Royal, to play from now until spring, plus when the clocks change where you are.
Cosy puzzle and mystery games for a rainy night in: 7 picks you can settle into
Plant-shop sleuthing, a language puzzle tower and a manor full of rare flowers. Gentle puzzle and mystery games for long, wet evenings, wherever you are.
Setup
Make your gaming nook comfier – with links to our sister buying guides at What2Buy (a UK guide site).
Setup ·
How to set up a budget streaming setup for Twitch beginners
Start streaming on Twitch without overspending: free software, what to upgrade first, Twitch's recommended settings and the current Affiliate requirements.
Setup ·
Black Friday 2026 gaming and streaming gear: what's worth waiting for
Black Friday is 27 November 2026. Which gaming and streaming kit is worth waiting for, what to buy now, and how to spot a real deal.
Setup ·
Best Steam Deck and handheld games for the commute
Short-session roguelikes, deckbuilders and pick-up-and-play favourites for the commute – on Steam Deck, Switch 2 and other handhelds.
Merch
Fan gift guides and merch ideas, including our own small shop on Etsy.
Merch ·
Stocking fillers for binge-watchers: small, budget-friendly ideas for TV and anime fans
Pocket-money stocking fillers that make a TV or anime fan's sofa nights better: snacks, comfort bits, small tech helpers and fan merch.
Merch ·
Advent calendar gift ideas for gamers and anime fans
Brick-built calendars, collectible countdowns and a DIY gamer advent calendar you can fill yourself. Ideas for gamers and anime fans, wherever you are.
Merch ·
Secret Santa gift ideas for gamers and anime fans under £15 / $20 / €17
Stickers, mugs, posters and other small gifts for gamers and anime fans on a Secret Santa budget of about £15 / $20 / €17.
Esports
Worlds, Game Changers and the rest of the competitive calendar: results, storylines and how to watch, wherever you are.
Esports ·
Worlds 2026 daily update, 27 October: T1 and BLG win, Anyone's Legend and Team Secret Whales go home
T1 and Bilibili Gaming move to 2–1, LOS and Team Liquid knock out two top seeds, and the full Round 4 schedule with times in UK time and other major zones. As of 27 October.
Esports ·
VALORANT Game Changers Championship 2026 update, 26 October: Liquid and FENNEL survive, two lower-bracket series today
Team Liquid Brazil and FENNEL win their first lower-bracket series in São Paulo, Nova and Gen.G are out, and today's matches with times in UK, CET, ET, PT, BRT, KST and more. As of 26 October.
Esports ·
Worlds 2026 daily update, 26 October: Gen.G and Dplus KIA into the quarter-finals, T1 face CTBC today
Dplus KIA and Gen.G go 3–0 at League of Legends Worlds 2026, the LPL keeps climbing, and today's Round 3 games with times in UK time and other major zones. As of 26 October.