New this week: John Legend, ‘Serpent Queen’ and ‘Pinocchio’ IN THE SPOTLIGHT

A race between two “Pinocchio” films begins with Robert Zemeckis’ adaptation ahead of Guillermo del Toro’s by a nose. On Thursday, Zemeckis’ animated fantasy of the classic Italian fable will premiere on Disney+. Next month, Del Toro’s stop-motion “Pinocchio” will debut at the London Film Festival and eventually land on Netflix on Dec. 9.

A trio of the summer’s biggest boxoffice hits are landing on streaming platforms. On Thursday, Taika Waititi’s whimsically deconstructive “Thor: Love and Thunder” arrives on Disney+. The 29th film in the Marvel cinematic universe, and possibly the Marvel movie most distinctively the work of its filmmaker, “Love and Thunder” follows-up Waititi’s “Thor: Ragnarok.” In his review the AP’s Mark Kennedy wrote: “If you thought that was bananas filmmaking, its sequel is the whole fruit basket.”

“Jurassic World: Dominion” (Peacock) and “Elvis” (HBO Max) are also streaming. Colin Trevorrow’s “Dominion,” which has nearly grossed $1 billion at the box office, is available in both its theatrical cut and and an extended edition with 14 more minutes and an alternative ending.

MUSIC

John Legend isn’t taking the easy route with his eighth studio album. “Legend” is a massive 24-song double album with the new EGOT honoree collaborating with Rick Ross, Jazmine Sullivan, Jada Kingdom, Rapsody, Ledisi, Jhene Aiko, Ty Dolla $ign and more. Initial singles on the Friday, Sept. 9, release point to a light, dance beat:

Kane Brown’s third studio album, “Different Man,” is out Friday, Sept. 9.

With “Nut,” KT Tunstall finishes a trilogy of albums she began recording and releasing in 2016 with “Kin” and then “Wax.” The trio explore the three existential parts of ourselves, first the

spirit, then the body and now with “Nut,” the mind.

Ozzy Osbourne has tapped some of the best guitarists on the planet for his latest solo album, “Patient Number 9” — guys like Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Mike McCready, Zakk Wylde and former Black Sabbath band member Tony Iommi.

TELEVISION

Adventure athletes are the stars of “Edge of the Unknown with Jimmy Chin,” debuting Monday, Sept. 5, on the National Geographic channel (on Disney+ starting Wednesday, Sept. 7.) The 10-part series details the risks, rewards and mindset of such athlete, kicking off with back-to-back episodes on rock climber Alex Honnold of “Free Solo” documentary fame.

Catherine de Medici, the Italian-born, 16th-century French queen with a fierce reputation, owns the spotlight in Starz’ edgy “The Serpent Queen.” The eightpart series debuting Sunday, Sept. 11, on Starz’s streaming platforms (and on the Starz channel).

Susan Sarandon and Trace Adkins play country music royalty in Fox’s new drama “Monarch, “but their dynasty is in danger of toppling. Anna Friel, Joshua Sasse and Beth Ditto co-star as the couple’s offspring, with an impressive back-up chorus dropping in: Shania Twain, Martina McBride, Little Big Town and Tanya Tucker are among the guest stars on the series debuting Sunday, Sept. 11, after Fox’s NFL telecast. “Monarch” settles into its regular 8 p.m. EDT Tuesday slot beginning Sept. 20.

AP "Edge of the Unknown with Jimmy Chin," a series premiering Sept. 5 on National Geographic, left, "Pinocchio," a film premiering Sept. 8 on Disney+, center, and "The Serpent Queen," a series premiering Sept. 11 on Starz.