Thanksgiving weekend is over (in the US, sorry non-Americans), and if you’re looking for a little less family, food, or Black Friday deals, we’re here to help.
As has become customary around these parts, we’ve rounded up seven of the best new movies and shows to watch on the world’s top streaming services this weekend. There’s plenty to enjoy too, including a real-life version of Netflix’s megahit Squid game and the first of three Doctor who 60th anniversary specials on BBC in the UK and Disney Plus internationally.
So, if you’re tired of the sight of Turkey and/or your family, or if you’re not born in the US and are looking for something fun to stream in the coming days, read on.
Doctor Who 60th Anniversary Special (Disney Plus/BBC)
Everyone’s favorite Time Lord is back on our screens to celebrate their 60th birthday the only way they know how: saving the Earth and/or the universe.
David Tennant, who played the 10th Doctor between 2005 and 2010, returns to take control of the TARDIS as the 14th Doctor – it’s complicated – for three TV specials commemorating the historic anniversary of the legendary science fiction series. Before he materializes again into the Gallifreyan Rebel, check out the 14 best David Tennant Doctor who episodes.
He will be joined in the anniversary specials by returning fan favorite Catherine Tate as Donna Noble. Neil Patrick Harris (How I met your mother) will make his Whovian debut as Toymaker in the series finale, as will Ncuti Gatwa (Sex education), who will replace Tennant first Doctor who‘s Christmas special 2023.
Doctor Who: The Star Beast, the first anniversary special, will be released on November 25 on BBC One/BBC iPlayer in the UK and Disney Plus internationally. Two more specials will be released on December 2 and 9.
Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix)
Of Squid game Season 2 is still in development and Netflix has decided to bring Hwang Dong-hyuk’s hugely successful and popular show to life in a reality-based format.
Just like the original, Squid game: the challenge pits 456 participants against each other for a large cash prize. Whoever wins the 10-episode event will walk away with an eye-watering $4.56 million, so expect backstabbing and gamesmanship – plus iconic Squid game games like ‘Red Light Green Light’, a nightmare for Netflix to make – to be prominently featured everywhere.
Reviews haven’t been too kind to Netflix’s latest reality series, so combined with reports (which emerged during filming) of poor conditions on the numerous sets, we don’t expect it to make our list of the best Netflix shows .
Squid Game: The Challenge’s first five episodes are out now. Episodes 6 through 9 will release on November 29, with the final entry scheduled for release on December 6.
Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas (Apple TV Plus)
Ted Lasso This year may already be over, but Apple TV Plus executives aren’t ready to say goodbye to the cast of the football comedy-drama, so we’ve reunited some of them for this holiday extravaganza with Hannah Waddingham.
Granted, it’s not the AFC Richmond reunion we had in mind, but it’s still fun to see Waddingham belt out some festive classics with the likes of Phil Dunster, Nick Mohammed and Brendan Hunt – and a whole lot of them at that having fun. As a one-off special, it doesn’t make our list of the best Apple TV Plus shows, but we’re sure it will get you in the holiday spirit.
Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas is out now.
Leo (Netflix)
Adam Sandler looks to continue his recent Netflix hot streak – Uncut gemstones, RushAnd So you’re not invited to my Bat Mitzvah has shown his acting range in recent years – with this family-friendly animated comedy-musical special.
Lion sees Sandler portraying the titular lizard, which has spent most of its 74 years in a glass cage as an elementary school classroom pet. However, when Leo discovers he only has one year left to live, he plans a prison break to make up for lost time and see as much of the world as possible.
Reviews for Lion were positive, with fans and critics alike suggesting it would make a nice post-Thanksgiving dinner (or just dinner if you’re outside the US). One to look out for on our list of the best Netflix movies coming soon? Maybe, but you’ll definitely see it in our new Netflix movie guide.
Leo is now available worldwide.
A Spooky Venice (Disney Plus)
After the bad reception Murder on the Orient Express And Death on the Nile received, we did not expect A ghost tour in Venice to give Kenneth Branagh’s Poirot film franchise a much-needed boost.
So it embarrassed us when the third entry in Branagh’s version of Agatha Christie’s iconic detective series was hailed as a success. One of the most underrated new films of 2023 is indeed a darker film than its predecessors, with Hercule Poirot forced to solve yet another murder mystery case amid eerie happenings in the famous Italian city.
A ghost tour in Venice will definitely debut on our new Disney Plus movies list, but we’ll see how it performs on the streamer before we consider adding it to our best Disney Plus movies guide.
A Haunting in Venice is out now.
Ronnie O’Sullivan: The Edge of Everything (Prime Video)
In this week’s documentary offering, snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan becomes the latest sports star to present a warts-and-all story on Prime Video.
In The edge of everythingthe sports icon is forced to confront his inner demons as he attempts to once again showcase his undeniable talents on the world stage. According to the docufilm’s synopsis, audiences will see the best and worst of O’Sullivan as he “finds himself back in the intense grip of the sport over the course of a season, leading to a career-defining tournament.”
Directed by famed documentary filmmaker Sam Blair (Maradona ’86, Let us dream) and produced by legendary footballer David Beckham’s Studio 99 company, The edge of everything may be too factual to make our list of the best Prime Video movies. Still, it’s a must-see viewing experience for snooker fans.
Ronnie O’Sullivan: The Edge of Everything is available now.
Fargo season 5 (Hulu)
Noah Hawley’s critically acclaimed TV adaptation of The Coen Brothers Fargo film returns for its fifth season on Hulu this weekend.
This time Jon Hamm stars in the anthology series (Crazy men, Good omens) as Sheriff Roy Tillman, who investigates a case involving Minnesotan housewife Dorothy Lyon (Ted Lasso‘s Juno Temple), whose mysterious past catches up with her and lands her in trouble with the authorities.
One of the best Hulu shows ever made, Fargo Season 5 will attempt to get the black comedy-crime drama series back on equal footing after the show’s good-but-not-great fourth outing. It seems this is the case, judging by the early rave reviews.
Fargo season 5, episodes 1 and 2 are out now. Subsequent entries will be released weekly until the final on January 16, 2024.
Looking for even more streaming recommendations? Read our new Hulu movies, the best Prime Video shows, the best Max shows, and the best Apple TV Plus movie guides.