Congratulations, you made it through another week of non-stop work. The reward for doing so is putting your feet up and enjoying 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 top TV original to the release of some fun and highly emotional new movies, this week’s streaming suggestions are suited to all types of movie and TV show fans. So, grab some snacks and join us as we spend the next few days in front of your TV. – Tom Power, Senior Entertainment Reporter
Compensation season 2 (Apple TV Plus)
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it’s time, Rupture fans! After a three-year absence, the highly rated Apple TV Plus series is finally back on our screens and, as I mention in my Rupture Season 2 review, it was worth the wait.
Picking up immediately after the events of his ancestor’s cliffhanger ending, Rupture Season 2 reunites us with Mark Scout (Adam Scott), who returns to Lumon Industries and discovers that things are not as he left them. That’s all I’ll say about the final season of the sci-fi mystery thriller, because I don’t want to spoil anything important about the second outing of one of Apple TV Plus’ best shows. Just stick it on ASAP so your ‘innie’ and ‘outie’ can immerse themselves in the first must-see show of the year. – T.P.
Alien: Romulus (Disney Plus)
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In the so-called golden age of streaming, it always baffles me that new movies don’t arrive simultaneously 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 international debut on Disney Plus until this Wednesday (January 15).
However, I can still attest to how good this one is. Foreign the movie is. Set between the events of the 1979s. Foreign and 1986 aliensfollows a group of *ahem* alienated young people who, after traveling to an abandoned space station, get more than they bargained for when they encounter the sci-fi horror franchise’s iconic xenomorphs and confront huggers. Before you stream one of the best movies on Disney Plus and the best movies on Hulu, check out my exclusive chat with director Fede Alvarez about the film series’ terrifyingly bold evolution. – T.P.
Back in Action (Netflix)
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Cameron Diaz is finally 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 movie in which she plays a character in a situation that sounds very similar… Back in action, Diaz is Emily, a former CIA spy who is forced to return to work after her and her husband’s (Jamie Foxx) identity is exposed; Diaz must have definitely related to Seth Gordon and Brendan O’Brien’s script when she read it.
The premise for Back in action It reads as if it could be the sequel to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, with Foxx playing Emily’s retired CIA partner. Diaz’s big comeback movie is one of 27 new movies airing in 2025 that I’m excited to see after its release was pushed back to 2024, making it a great Friday night action movie . Although, based on its abject Rotten Tomatoes score, one of January’s new Netflix movies won’t have a spot on our list of the best Netflix movies. – Amelia Schwanke, entertainment editor
Unstoppable (Prime Video)
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Continuing with the theme of streaming big stars in new movies, we recommend heading over to Prime Video below to watch them. 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 double of himself in the film, is played by Jharrel Jerome (Moonlight) with Jennifer Lopez (Out of sight) taking on the role of her mother.
That’s not all, either: MCU actor Don Cheade has been cast as Roble’s wrestling coach, Shawn Charles, alongside Michael Peña (American Hustle) who plays Roble’s high school coach, Bobby Williams, and Bobby Cannavale (The station agent) who plays Roble’s stepfather, making this a star-studded sports biopic that could be in the running to earn a spot on our ranking of the best Prime Video movies. – AS
Harley Quinn season 5 (Max)
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Harley Quinn has seen many forms over the years. Whether Margot Robbie’s version in The suicide squad or Lady Gaga’s recent version of the not so successful Joker: Folie a Deuxis a character that continues to dominate our screens. Their adult animated (and very well done) outing continues in Max with harley quinn season 5, in which Kaley Cuoco reprises her role as the titular villain. This season, Batman’s iconic antagonist has a new city to explore: Metropolis, also known as the city that Superman protects.
Along with Poison Ivy and her group of misfits and villains, including Clayface, who will have a standalone live-action movie in the DC Universe (DCU), Harley has decided that they should pack their bags and leave Gotham. I can’t really blame them for leaving, considering the state it’s in (note the giant rats in the trailer). But, knowing Harley wherever she goes, chaos will continue. I hope Metropolis is ready for the giant rats or whatever else he unleashes… Anyway, check out the latest episode of one of Max’s best shows ASAP! – pound
XO, Kitty season 2 (Netflix)
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As the first Netflix series to spin off a Netflix movie, XO, kitten could be starting a new trend, especially since it performed well enough to be given a second season. If you haven’t heard of it, chances are you have. To all the boys I’ve loved beforethe Netflix romantic comedy movie that inspired all of this. If you’re new here, you have two full seasons to enjoy this weekend and if you’ve been eagerly awaiting the next part, it’s here!
Season 1 ended on a cliffhanger with truths revealed and feelings confessed, so if you’re looking for a romantic solution, you’ll definitely find it here. I’m sure season 2 will tie up some loose ends from the first installment and perhaps also pave the way for a third. Only time will tell if that is the case and if XO, kitten will be added to our guide to the best Netflix shows. – pound
A different man (Max)
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Max is the place to be when it comes to A24 films (at least in the US). Some of my favorites are already available on the platform, such as I saw the brightness of the televisionwhich is to say, my favorite movie of 2024. Another one is joining your library this weekend, and with a glowing Rotten Tomatoes critics 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, with Pearson being replaced in the lead role by Marvel star Sebastian Stan after the operation. However, he soon regrets his decision after it turns into a nightmare and he becomes obsessed with recovering what he has lost.
In classic A24 style, this film hits hard, especially with its exploration of neurofibromatosis type I, the condition Pearson suffers from. A24 seems to be going from strength to strength and there will be more of them this year. For now, I can’t wait for this to be added to our list of the best Max movies. – pound
For more streaming tips, read our guides to the best Disney Plus shows, best Paramount Plus movies, best Hulu shows, and best Apple TV Plus movies.
