Congratulations, you made it through another week of non-stop work. Your reward for doing so is to put your feet up and enjoy one or more of these new movies and TV shows on the world’s best streaming services.
There is also plenty to choose from. From the long-awaited return of Apple’s best TV Original to the debuts of some fun and highly emotional new movies, this week’s streaming picks cater to every type of movie and TV show fan. So grab some snacks and join us for the next few days in front of your television. – Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter
Severance Season 2 (Apple TV Plus)
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it’s time Resignation fans! After a three-year absence, the highly rated Apple TV Plus series is finally back on our screens – and as I allude to in my Resignation season 2 review, it was definitely worth the wait.
Picks up immediately after the events of its ancestors’ cliff hanger ending, Resignation season 2 reunites us with Mark Scout (Adam Scott), who returns to Lumon Industries to find that things are not the same as he left them. That’s also all I’ll say about the sci-fi mystery thriller’s latest season because I don’t want to spoil anything significant about one of the best Apple TV Plus shows’ second outing. Just put it on ASAP so your ‘innie’ and ‘outie’ can immerse themselves in the first unmissable show of the year. – TP
Alien: Romulus (Disney Plus)
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In the so-called golden age of streaming, I’m always confused when new movies don’t simultaneously drop on platforms owned by the same entertainment giant. That’s exactly what happened with Alien: Romuluswhich originally arrived on Hulu (US only) in November 2024, but didn’t make its Disney Plus debut internationally until this Wednesday (January 15).
Nevertheless, I can still vouch for how good this is Alien movie is. Recorded between the events of the 1979s Alien and the 1986s Foreignersit follows a group of *ahem* alienated youngsters who, after traveling to an abandoned space station, get more than they bargained for when they run into the sci-fi horror franchise’s iconic xenomorphs and face huggers. Before you stream one of the best Disney Plus movies and best Hulu movies, check out my exclusive chat with director Fede Alvarez about the film series’ terrifyingly bold evolution. – TP
Back in Action (Netflix)
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Cameron Diaz is finally, well, back in action after more than a decade of so-called retirement. The 90s rom-com star is back on our screens in a new action-packed Netflix film that sees her play a character in a very similar situation… In Back in action, Diaz is Emily, a former CIA spy who’s retired to work after both her and her husband’s (Jamie Foxx) identities are exposed—Diaz must have related to Seth Gordon and Brendan O’Brien’s script, as she read it.
The premise for Back in action reads like it could be the sequel to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, with Foxx playing Emily’s CIA retiree. Diaz’s big comeback movie is one of 27 new movies streaming in 2025 that I’m excited to see after it was pushed back from a 2024 release, making this a great action Friday evening. Although one of January’s new Netflix movies, based on its absurd Rotten Tomatoes score, won’t take a spot on our list of best Netflix movies. – Amelia Schwanke, entertainment editor
Unstoppable (Prime Video)
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Keeping with the theme of streaming big stars in new movies, we’d recommend switching to Prime Video alongside Unstoppable, a new docudrama about the inspiring life of NCAA wrestling champion Anthony Robles, who was born without a right leg. Robles, who plays a stunt double of himself in the film, is portrayed by Jharrel Jerome (moonlight) with Jennifer Lopez (out of sight) assumes the role of his mother.
That’s not all either: MCU actor Don Cheade has been cast as Robles’ wrestling coach Shawn Charles alongside Michael Peña (American Hustle) starring Robles’ high school coach Bobby Williams and Bobby Cannavale (the station agent) who plays Robles’ stepfather, making this one star-studded sports biopic that could be in contention for a spot among our ranking of the best Prime Video movies. – SEAM
Harley Quinn Season 5 (Max)
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Harley Quinn has seen many forms over the years. Whether it’s Margot Robbie’s version in The Suicide Squad or Lady Gaga’s latest take on the less successful Joker: Folie a Deuxshe is a character that continues to dominate our screens. Her adult animated (and really well done) outing continues on Max with Harley Quinn season 5, with Kaley Cuoco reprising her role as the titular villain. This season, the iconic Batman antagonist has a new city to explore – Metropolis, also known as the city that Superman protects.
Along with Poison Ivy and their band of misfits and villains, including Clayface, who is getting a standalone live-action movie in the DC Universe (DCU), Harley has decided they need to pack their bags and get out of Gotham. I can’t really blame them for leaving, given the state it’s in (note the giant rats in the trailer). But knowing Harley, wherever she goes, chaos will follow. I hope Metropolis is ready for giant rats or whatever they unleash… Anyway, check out one of the best Max shows latest chapter ASAP! – LB
XO, Kitty Season 2 (Netflix)
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As the first Netflix series to be spun off from a Netflix movie, XO, Kitty could start a new trend, especially since it has performed well enough to get a second season. If you haven’t heard of it, maybe you have too To all the boys I’ve loved beforeThe Netflix rom-com movie that inspired it all. If you’re new here, you’ve got two full seasons to enjoy this weekend, and if you’ve been eagerly awaiting the next installment, here it is!
Season 1 ended on a cliff hanger with truths revealed and feelings confessed, so if you’re looking for your romantic fix, you’ll definitely get it here. I’m sure season 2 will tie up some loose ends from the first installment and maybe also pave the way for a third? Only time will tell if that is the case and if XO, Kitty will be added to our best Netflix shows guide. – LB
A Different Man (Max)
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Max is the place to be when it comes to A24 movies (at least in the US). Some of my favorites are already available on plaftorm, such as I saw the TV glowi.e. my favorite movie of 2024. Another movie hits the library this weekend, and with a brilliant Rotten Tomatoes critic score of 92%, you won’t want to miss it.
IN A different manAdam Pearson plays an aspiring actor who undergoes a medical procedure to drastically transform his appearance, which sees Pearson replaced in the lead role by Marvel star Sebastian Stan after the surgery. However, he soon regrets his decision after it turns into a nightmare, and he becomes obsessed with reclaiming what he has lost.
In classic A24 style, this flick hits hard, especially with its exploration of neurofibromatosis type I, the condition Pearson has. A24 seem to be going from strength to strength and there is more to come from them this year. For now, I can’t wait to see this one added to our best Max movies list. – LB
For more streaming suggestions, read our guides on the best Disney Plus shows, best Paramount Plus movies, best Hulu shows and best Apple TV Plus movies.
