It’s been a year full of great TV shows and new movies, so much so that I’m still working on my watchlist! But, as 2024 comes to a close, there are plenty of new releases to tide us over until the new year. It looks like the best streaming services aren’t slowing down one bit, and some of this year’s most anticipated returning holiday series and specials are yet to arrive.
There may be no leftover turkey left in the fridge, but that shouldn’t stop you from watching Doctor Who’s best Christmas specials after this week’s latest installment. For even more streaming recommendations, be sure to also check out these Seven Underrated Movies in 2024 and Nine Canceled Netflix Shows in 2024 to round out this year’s watchlist with some of the lesser-known hits, too. – Amelia Schwanke, Senior Entertainment Editor
The Squid Game Season 2 (Netflix)
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The wait is over! Squid Game Season 2 is here and Netflix invites us to once again immerse ourselves in the deadly trials of this Christmas season. I’ve been excited about this since I was among the millions of viewers who tuned in last time and I was absolutely blown away. Set three years after the original, the protagonist Seong Gi-hun decides to return in the games instead of running away with the prize money. Admittedly, it’s not a decision everyone would make, but he’s donning his Player 456 tracksuit once again.
I can’t ignore my excitement for Squid GameIt’s not coming back, so it’s definitely a show I’ll be watching over the holidays. After all, it’s about time one of Netflix’s best shows returns!
Lucy Buglass, Senior Entertainment Writer
Doctor Who: Joy to the World (Disney Plus)
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Since then doctor who Rebooted in 2005, the British sci-fi institution has become synonymous with the festive season. In fact, since then we’ve been treated to a new Christmas special every year (well, almost every year) and thankfully 2024 will be no different.
Joy to the worldwhich will stream on Disney Plus everywhere except the UK (it will launch on BBC One/BBC iPlayer) on Christmas Day, will follow the eponymous Time Lord and his new temporary companion Joy (Bridgerton‘s Nicola Coughlan) as they explore the Time Hotel. doctor who Holiday specials have been hit or miss over the years, and I hope this one is more of the former than the latter.
Tom Power, Senior Entertainment Reporter
And if…? season 3 (Disney Plus)
The last season of And if…?Marvel’s first animated television show, is already streaming as we speak. Like its predecessor, new episodes of Season 3 have been dropping daily since December 22, so you’ve got five to catch up on (if you’re reading this on December 27, anyway) with this show. Marvel Phase 5 television.
So far, I have really enjoyed the stories that And if…? Season 3 has said it, but I will always feel that the MCU project was a missed opportunity for the comics giant. In fact, considering the premise of this series and its eponymous comic, it could have been a wilder and more creative affair. Unfortunately, it isn’t and that’s why it will never be part of our guide to the best Disney Plus shows.
Tom Power, Senior Entertainment Reporter
Your fault (Prime Video)
My fault (My fault) It may not be considered one of Prime Video’s best movies, but soapy young adult dramas are a guilty pleasure of mine, so I’ll be watching the sequel. Your fault (Your fault). Based on the Guilty Book series by Mercedes Ron, the Spanish-language romantic drama sees the passionate romance of Noah (Nicole Wallace) and Nick (Gabriel Guevara) face new challenges as Noah heads to university and Nick begins his career.
The first film became the most-watched non-English-language film on Prime Video in 2023, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the second was just as popular with viewers.
Grace Morris, entertainment writer
ChiefsAholic: A wolf in chief’s clothes (Prime Video)
Being a well-known sports fan is probably a cool experience, and that’s exactly what Xaviar Babudar aka ChiefsAholic was, and the people in the trailer above compare him to a god. Well, until he was unmasked as a bank robber, that is. Yes, this story is pretty crazy and I really want to see it!
When ChiefsAholic was arrested in Bixby, Oklahoma, he unraveled a series of bank robberies committed across the Midwest and opened up a secret life. His arrest is documented through his own interviews and the legal journey that followed as we uncover how this Internet sensation robbed 11 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 love a crazy, true story. One for our list of the best Prime Video shows? Potentially.
Lucy Buglass, Senior Entertainment Writer
NFL on Christmas Day (Netflix)
The wait for the NFL’s big Christmas Day marquee games in which the Kansas City Chiefs (who won Super Bowl LVIII) will take on the Pittsburgh Steelers, plus the Baltimore Ravens against the Houston Texans, is over this week , when Netflix subscribers were feted. to a Christmas present with both games broadcast live on December 25.
To top it all off, Mariah Carey kicked things off with her Christmas song before Beyoncé stole the halftime show with her first live performance of songs from the ‘Cowboy Carter’ album. According to Nielsen data, both games became the most broadcast in NFL history and each had an average audience of 24 million viewers. Do sports!
Amelia Schwanke, Senior Entertainment Editor
Alien Archives: Reopened (max)
Alien Archives: Reopenedthat has landed on Max, investigates 75 years of UFO phenomena as investigators attempt to find the truth behind well-known cases through forensic analysis. With the help of a team of experts, they discover who is behind government disinformation, false abduction stories, and infiltration of the UFO community. This series challenges perceptions and leaves audiences trying to determine who and what they can trust.
I’ve never seen a documentary series about aliens before, but maybe it’s time to give it a try.. I still don’t expect it to appear on our list of the best Max shows, mind you…
Grace Morris, entertainment writer
For more streaming tips, read our guides to the best Netflix movies, the best Max movies, the best Paramount Plus shows, and the best Hulu shows.
