7 new movies and TV shows to stream this weekend (December 27) on Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus and more
It’s been a year full of great TV shows and new movies, so much so that I’m still working through my watchlist! But as 2024 draws to a close, there are plenty of new releases to tide us over until the new year. It seems like the top streaming services aren’t slowing down for a second, as some of this year’s most highly anticipated returning series and holiday specials are still to come.
There may not be any leftover turkey in the fridge, but that shouldn’t stop you from watching the best Doctor Who Christmas specials after this week’s final episode. For even more streaming recommendations, you can also check out these seven underrated movies in 2024 and nine canceled Netflix shows in 2024 to round out this year’s watch list with some of the lesser-known hits! – Amelia Schwanke, senior entertainment editor
Squid Game season 2 (Netflix)
The wait is over! Squid game season 2 is here and Netflix invites us to dive back into the deadly trials this holiday season. I’ve been excited about this for as long as I was among the millions of viewers who tuned in last time and was absolutely blown away by it myself. Three years after the original, main character Seong Gi-hun decides to go back in the games instead of walking away with his prize money. Granted, it’s not a decision everyone would make, but he’s donning his Player 456 tracksuit again.
I can’t ignore my excitement Squid game‘s not coming back, so it’s definitely a show I’ll binge watch over the holidays. After all, it’s high time one of Netflix’s best shows returns!
Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer
Doctor Who: Joy to the World (Disney Plus)
Since then Doctor Who was relaunched in 2005, the British science fiction institution has become synonymous with the holidays. Every year (well, almost every year) since then, we’ve been treated to a new holiday special – and luckily, 2024 is no different.
Joy to the worldwhich airs on Disney Plus on Christmas Day everywhere except the UK (it launches on BBC One/BBC iPlayer), follows the eponymous Time Lord and new temporary companion Joy (Bridgerton‘s Nicola Coughlan) as they explore the Time Hotel. Doctor Who festive specials have been hit and miss over the years, and I hope this one is more of the former than the latter.
Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter
What if…? season 3 (Disney Plus)
The last season of What if…?Marvel’s first animated TV show is already airing. Like its predecessor, new Season 3 episodes have been dropping daily since December 22, so you already have five to keep track of (if you’re reading this on December 27, that is) with this Marvel Phase 5 TV show.
So far I’ve mostly enjoyed the stories about it What if…? season 3 told it, but I’ll always feel like the MCU project was a missed opportunity for the comic book giant. Considering the premise of this series and the comic book namesake, it could indeed have been a wilder and more creative affair. Sadly, that’s not the case and for that reason it will never be part of our best Disney Plus show guide.
Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter
Your fault (Prime Video)
My fault (Culpa mía) may not be considered one of the best Prime Video movies, but soapy young adult dramas are a guilty pleasure of mine, so I’m off to watch the sequel Your fault (Culpa tuya). Based on the Debts In Mercedes Ron’s Spanish-language romantic drama book series, Noah (Nicole Wallace) and Nick’s (Gabriel Guevara) passionate romance face new challenges as Noah heads off to college and Nick begins his career.
The first film became the most-watched non-English film on Prime Video in 2023, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the second is just as popular among viewers.
Grace Morris, entertainment writer
ChiefsAholic: A Wolf in Chiefs gear (Prime Video)
Being a famous sports fan is probably a pretty cool experience, and that’s exactly what Xaviar Babudar, aka ChiefsAholic, was, with people in the trailer above likening him to a god. Well, until he was exposed as a bank robber, that is. Yep, this story is pretty crazy and I’m really curious to check it out!
When ChiefsAholic was arrested in Bixby, Oklahoma, a string of bank robberies in the Midwest unraveled and a secret life opened up. His arrest is documented through his own interviews and the legal journey that followed, as we discover how this internet sensation robbed eleven banks, stole more than $800,000 in seven states and laundered the proceeds through casinos. Even if you’re not a big NFL fan, this story is wild and perfect for those who enjoy a crazy true story. One for our list of the best Prime Video shows? Potential.
Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer
NFL on Christmas Day (Netflix)
The wait for the NFL’s big Christmas games, pitting the Kansas City Chiefs (who won Super Bowl LVIII) against the Pittsburgh Steelers, plus the Baltimore Ravens against the Houston Texans, ended this week, when Netflix subscribers were treated to a Christmas gift with both games being streamed live on December 25.
To top it all off, Mariah Carey kicked off proceedings with her Christmas piece before Beyoncé stole the halftime show with her first live performance of songs from the album ‘Cowboy Carter’. According to Nielsen dataBoth games became the most streamed games in NFL history, with an average audience of 24 million viewers each. Go exercise!
Amelia Schwanke, senior entertainment editor
Alien Files: Reopened (max)
Alien Files: Reopenedthat landed on Max, examines 75 years of UFO phenomena as investigators try to find the truth behind known cases through forensic analysis. With the help of a team of experts, they discover who is behind government disinformation, false kidnapping stories and the infiltration of the UFO community. This series challenges perceptions, leaving audiences trying to figure out who and what they can trust.
I’ve never seen an alien docuseries, but maybe it’s time I try one. I still don’t expect it to make our list of best Max shows, mind you…
Grace Morris, entertainment writer
For more streaming suggestions, read our guides on the best Netflix movies, the best Max movies, the best Paramount Plus shows, and the best Hulu shows.