The first full work week of the year is over, so it’s time to sit back and enjoy a whole host of new movies and TV series on the world’s best streaming services.
Admittedly, there aren’t many new movies for cinephiles to check out, but there are plenty of new series to watch instead. From new Netflix and Max-based dramas to the return of a hit reality TV show, I’m sure you’ll find something worth streaming this weekend from this week’s list of suggestions. Have fun! – Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter
American Primeval (Netflix)
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New Western dramas have taken over the streaming world, such as Yellowstone and its subsequent spin-offs 1883 and 1923. Now Netflix has captured the genre hype with its new show American Primeval.
In contrast to Yellowstone, American primeval does not have a contemporary twist and is instead a harrowing dramatization of the birth of the American West. Set in 1857 in the midst of the Utah War, it follows the violent clash between culture, society and politics as men and women battle for control of the land in a cruel new world. Exiting the trailer, American Primeval is set to be a brutal and bloody watch, so if you’re looking for a darker alternative to Yellowstone, you may have found your match. However, we will have to wait and see if it turns out to be one of the best Netflix shows. – Grace Morris, entertainment writer
The Traitors Season 3 (Peacock)
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The UK edition of this absorbing reality TV show’s third season began airing on BBC One just after the New Year. Now American audiences can get their fill of game-based backstabbing and betrayal with the American version of The traitorswhose third season has finally arrived at the Peacock.
Once again hosted by award-winning actor Alan Cummings, The traitors season 3 will see a new gang of contestants vying for the show’s prize money by trying to trick their fellow contestants. After being split into two groups – the traitors and the faithful – the contestants must work together to eliminate the other team to win their share of the money fund. I’ve enjoyed what the UK version has had to offer so far this season, so I’m hoping its American counterpart will deliver similar shocking moments. – TP
The Pitt (Max)
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Max’s new medical drama caught my eye when I wrote about The Pitts poignant new trailer in late 2024. In it, IS star Noah Wyle is back on hospital-based duties once again as he leads the cast of this 15-episode series. It also sounds like promising stuff as it has been produced by The West Wing‘s John Wells, and promises to show a “realistic examination” of what healthcare workers experience in a modern hospital in Pittsburgh.
With several medical dramas on offer – my favorite creature House – this one has an interesting twist. The Pitt takes place across a single emergency room shift, with each episode reflecting an hour within the walls of the hospital. It is structurally identical to the Keifer Sutherland-led series 24, and I am very excited about that. With such an exciting premise, I hope we can add this to our best Max show roundup. – Lucy Buglass, Senior Entertainment Writer
Bank of Dave 2: The Loan Ranger (Netflix)
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As I mentioned in my Bank of Dave: The Loan Ranger trailer reaction.piece i loved the original Netflix film. After putting it on for a light afternoon watch, I was quickly absorbed into Dave Fishwick’s story, perfectly soundtracked by Def Leppard (who also makes a cameo!). The first film followed businessman Dave as he set up a community bank which he set up to offer as an alternative to the big high street banks to help the town’s local businesses.
This time he’s got a whole new enemy in the form of payday lenders. As you can see from the trailer, Dave highlights the devastating effect they’ve had on his community and beyond, and sets out to challenge them. He teams up with some unlikely allies, and I can’t wait to see even more of Dave’s story, played by the always brilliant Rory Kinnear, who we last saw in Rings of power season 2. I don’t expect Bank of Dave 2 to join our best Netflix movies guide, but it will definitely leave a lasting impression on me. – LB
Goosebumps: The Vanishing (Disney Plus/Hulu)
If you loved the latest Goosebumps adaptation on Disney Plus and Hulu, you won’t want to miss this follow-up. I loved what Disney did with its first TV adaptation of RL Stine’s beloved tween horror novels, which delivered something fresh while still featuring existing monsters and objects that make it so unique. Goosebumps. A big new name is attached Disappearancealso included Friends star David Schwimmer joins Goosebumps cast as Anthony, a recently divorced father whose children don’t want to spend much time with him.
But there is a good reason for that. Anthony’s son Devin, along with his sister Cece and their group of friends, begins to investigate a series of disappearances that took place in the 90s, which ends up taking a very dark turn. Considering how impressed I was with the first season, I’m so excited for this one. Hopefully it will be another worthy entry into our Best Disney Plus Shows and Best Hulu Shows. – LB
On Call (Prime Video)
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Prime Video’s latest TV Original On Call is an adrenaline junkie’s dream and puts an exciting spin on the police drama genre. Really, On Call isn’t just about looking for detectives and murder mysteries you see in a typical police procedural – instead it’s a visceral take on the patrol side of police work, using hand-held cameras, body cam and dash-cam footage to create a cinema verité effect.
On Call follows veteran Traci Harmon (Troian Bellisario) and her training partner Alex Diaz (Brandon Larracuente) as they respond to emergencies in Long Beach, California. With an interesting twist on the action-packed side of law enforcement, On Call certainly sounds like an exciting watch on Amazon’s streaming platform and has the potential to be one of the best Prime Video shows of the year so far. – GM
Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action (Netflix)
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Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action is a two-part documentary that goes behind the scenes of America’s most controversial chat show to reveal its massive scandals on and off camera. The documentary also explores the show’s origins and meteoric rise with exclusive testimony from show insiders, producers and former guests revealing its dark and destructive secrets.
With a critical rating of 86% on Rotten Tomatoes, Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action appears to be included in our best Netflix documentaries guide. I’m a fan of trash TV, and with this remarkable look at probably the the most dismissive of all, it will be interesting to see the sinister background behind the entertainment factor. – GM
For more streaming recommendations, read our guides on the best Disney Plus movies, best Apple TV Plus shows, best Prime Video movies and best Paramount Plus shows.
