What to watch: new movies and TV shows to stream this week
The best shows and movies to stream on Netflix and beyond.
Welcome to the WatchList, the ultimate what to watch guide. Each week our TV and movie experts curate a list of the best things to watch on the small - and sometimes big - screen.
This is the place to find what you should be streaming at the weekend and beyond.
Each week our esteemed group of TV and movie reviewers impart their expert knowledge of all things streaming and boil it down to a handful of things you really need to be watching, going through hours of episodes to hep you make the most important decision of the week: what to watch in your down time.
As you will read, we look at all the new shows that have landed on Netflix, Prime Video, NOW, Apple TV Plus, Disney Plus and Paramount Plus and more, then give our verdict.
In short: if it's in the WatchList, then you know it is going to be good.
After our recommendations of the week, we have links to all of our essential streaming guides - the rankings of which are voted by our readers, so if you haven't done so already then give them a click and have your say.
And if you are still stuck with what to watch, then we have kept all of our previous recommendations so you can have a read.
Happy viewing!
Reacher season 2
Lee Child’s ex-military officer Jack Reacher returns in a second season of the Prime Video show starring Alan Ritchson. It’s another eight slices of pure and simple enjoyable bad-assery from a good guy who doesn’t always play by the rules. Reviewers are saying it may be even better than the original run, and Reacher has already been commissioned for a third series. This season sees Reacher tipped off that members of his old special investigations squad are being killed, one by one.
Vigil season 2
The first season of the BBC’s Vigil took place largely on a submarine. This second series is out in the open, set in Scotland. Military drones have fired at people during a weapons test, and it’s up to the investigative team to find out who is behind the malfunction. Is a dark conspiracy afoot? Just like the first season, Vigil sits sits at the hokier end of the BBC drama spectrum. But it’s still thrilling if you’re game to gird your suspension of disbelief for long enough to get pulled in by its tendrils.
Shazam Fury of the Gods
The era of endless superhero smash hits may have drawn to a close, but we have had a soft spot for DC’s Shazam since the 2019 film. It offered something a little different, and lighter, than the rival Marvel fare. Fury of the Gods sees Zachary Levi return as Shazam. But this time around there’s a whole bunch of kids in his entourage who also become superheroes on saying “Shazam”. And, of course, this being a superhero film, they must take on a world-ending threat. This second film doesn’t have the sense of direction of the original, but it’s plenty fun.
Kevin Hart & Chris Rock: Headliners Only
Chris Rock and Kevin Hart are two of the biggest names in American comedy. This documentary looks at their rise, and friendship. A puff piece on a couple of comedians who have courted controversy with an abrasive style of speaking that folks are more sensitive to these days? Basically. However, there’s a real chemistry between these two, and fans of either will lap up this behind-the-scenes look at their co-headliner tour. And as a doc that clocks in at under 90 minutes, you don’t even have to spend a full evening on it.
The Family Plan
Critics and audiences often do not agree on whether a film is any good. This may well pan out to be the case for The Family Plan, a Mark Wahlberg action-comedy. It’s a genre tumescent with critical flops audiences find a spot in their hearts for. Wahlberg is our family man, whose life get upended by his past as a covert operative. The Guardian calls it a “weirdly forgettable tranche of content” but we imagine it’ll go down smoothly on a Friday or weekend night when you don’t want to engage your brain too much.
1670
Now here’s something completely different. 1670 is a Polish comedy shot in mockumentary style, and follows the travails of a nobleman living in the 17th century in a Polish village called Adamczenia. Early reviews suggest the comedy doesn’t always jump over the language barrier so well, and that this show isn’t quite the barnstormer of a show it might be stylistically compared to, What We Do in the Shadows. But how often do you see the release of a Polish show set hundreds of years ago that’s also a comedy?
Los Farad
Spanish-language Los Farad is a crime thriller in which a young man called Oskar dreams of opening up a gym. But in his attempts to do so he gets wound up with the Farad family and their arms-trafficking empire. Miguel Herrán stars, perhaps a clear sign Los Farad’s creators were looking to repeat the spark of success seen in Money Heist, in which he featured. .
and on the big screen...
Godzilla Minus One
According to Rotten Tomatoes’s ratings, Godzilla Minus one is the best Godzilla movie ever released. Yep, including the 1954 original. It has a 97% rating after 119 critic reviews. It’s part of the Japanese series of Godzilla films, not the Monsterverse we have here in the west. Much like 2016’s compelling Shin Godzilla, the focus is very much on the human characters rather than brainless action. The Godzilla monster itself is smaller than usual too. But don’t worry, there’s still plenty of skyscraper-levelling fun to be had here too.
- In cinemas now
We have spent A LONG time watching things on all these streaming services. So, if you want more of an in-depth look at the shows and movies you can stream the please head to the following guides.
- The best Apple TV Plus shows, revealed
- The best Netflix shows and best movies on Netflix
- The best Amazon Prime Series and best movies on Amazon Prime Video
- The best Disney Plus shows and best Disney Plus movies
- The best NOW TV shows and best movies on NOW TV
- The best Paramount Plus shows
Previously on The WatchList...
Leave The World Behind
Why do we find the end of world so enjoyable? This apocalypse thriller features the power trio of Ethan Hawke, Julia Roberts and Mahershala Ali, on Long Island, New York. The world is collapsing around them, signposted by a giant cargo ship grounding itself on the beach. And that's just the beginning. It is directed by Sam Ismail, creator of Mr. Robot, and based on a novel by Rumaan Alam. Some critics found it a little too cold, but if you’re into bleak movies you’ll find a lot to enjoy here.
Doctor Who: The Giggle
The last of the trio of Doctor Who specials that preface Doctor Who season 14 is The Giggle. It’s where we get to see the first proper glimpse at the new Doctor, played by Ncuti Gatwa. There’s more to get through before that happens, though. The Toymaker, played by Neil Patrick Harris, threatens humanity, and only the Doctor can stop him. Broadcast on December 9, this should be a suitable second goodbye for David Tennant as the Doctor.
May December
May December is a loose dramatisation of a real-life story, that of Mary Kay Letourneau. She began a relationship with a 12-year-old boy, at the age of 34. But the relationship endured into his adulthood. This Todd Haynes-directed take on the tale is far removed from the tabloid scandal the story attracted back in the 90s, and changes the characters around a bit. Julianne Moore plays Gracie Atherton, this film’s take on Latourneau, while Natalie Portman is Elizabeth Berry, an actress due to play her in a movie.
Your Christmas or Mine 2
Christmas isn’t complete without a good romcom, and it does’t have to be Love Actually every single year, folks. Prime Video’s entry for 2023 is Your Christmas or Mine 2, a class clash comedy in which Asa Butterfield’s Hubert and his girlfriend Hayley (Cora Kirk) go on a skiing holiday with their families. A pleasant way to while away an afternoon before Christmas with solid turns from Daniel Mays and Jane Krakowski.
Smothered
This six part TV show takes a fresh look at the romcom, which isn’t the easiest thing to do. Danielle Vitalis and Jon Pointing star as a couple who decide to get together for three weeks only. But they decide their old-school fling isn’t enough. Each episode focuses on a different element of their relationship, giving this charming watch a more grounded feel.
John Lennon: Murder Without A Trial
This Apple TV+ documentary looks at the murder of John Lennon, and features insights from plenty of the people with first-hand experiences of the time, bar Yoko Ono. Some might feel uncomfortable about the amount of the spotlight Mark Chapman, who claimed he killed Lennon because he wanted to be famous, claims. Come expecting a doc about Lennon's his 1980 murder, not so much the legacy of the man himself.
on the big screen...
Wonka
After months of detractors predicting Wonka would be terrible, it turns out this second cinematic reboot is actually pretty darn good. Wonka takes place before the original film or the 2005 version, as a cartel of businessmen try to thwart Wonka’s plans to make a chocolate shop. It’s a musical with a cracking cast and all the warmth you’d expect of a film from Paul King, who directed the Paddington movies.
In cinemas now
Batman: The Animated Series
Ready for a beatarang straight to the nostalgia gland? Netflix has added the classic 1992 animated Batman series to its library. It’s a massive one too, with 65 20-odd-minute episodes to dig through. While Netflix lists this as only the first season, there are actually a handful of episodes from the show’s second series too.
Slow Horses Season 3
It’s not unusual for a TV show to “find its feet” after a season or two. But Slow Horses managed to start off strong, and only gets better in its third season. This season continues the misadventures of Gary Oldman’s Jackson Lamb and his team of MI5 agents. There’s a cover-up within the agency that has seen agents getting bumped off. Six episodes, delivered one a week up to the end of the year.
The Artful Dodger
This Disney Plus show sees a classic Dickens character transplanted from the streets of London to 1850s Australia. Thomas Brodie-Sangster is our young pickpocket and scammer Jack Dawkins, while David Thewlis plays the iconic Fagin. The Artful Dodger is a flat-out good time, playing with these venerated characters in a stylish manner. It’s an eight-episode series available to stream in the US via Hulu, or Disney Plus in Australia. But UK viewers will have to wait until January 17 for it to come to Disney Plus.
Candy Cane Lane
Eddie Murphy stars in Candy Cane Lane as the head of a suburban family who wants to win a Christmas decoration competition in his neighbourhood. But in doing so he signs up to a figurative devil’s bargain that brings the “12 days of Christmas” to life. As readers of film reviews can probably guess from that synopsis, this movie is not a classic. But it is a solid family-friendly watch for those who don’t simply want to rewatch those Christmas movies they’ve seen a million times already.
Sweet Home Season 2
Sweet Home is an adaptation of a Korean webtoon, a comic book formatted for viewing on your phone screen or laptop. The world has fallen apart as people start turning into literal monsters. This show follows Cha Hyun-Su and his neighbours as they try to survive a particularly horrific apocalypse. Season 2 sees the remaining members leave the apartment complex safe house they established in the first series.
Fargo Season 5
Next year the Fargo TV show will be 10 years old. Wild, right? Season five sees it return after a three year break. The critical consensus is that this series sees Fargo return to its previous heights after a patchy fourth season. It’s centred about Juno Temple’s Dot Lyon, a mother struggling with her home finances while her mother in law (Jennifer Jason Leigh) is head of a multi-billion dollar company. Fargo’s fifth season is violent, weird and engaging as ever.
Reservation Dogs Season 3
The third and final season of comedy Reservation Dogs sees this show end with a bang. It’s picking up 5-star reviews from the critics, for its stunningly emotional last few episodes that play a symphony on your heart strings. Not seen the show yet? It’s a character-led comedy in which the entire cast is made up of indigenous Native American actors. Great writing, great cast. Prepare for heartbreak, in a positive sense.
Saving Private Ryan (25th Anniversary release)
Steven Spielberg's spellbinding Saving Private Ryan is back on the big screen and looks better than ever, thanks to a brand-new 4K remaster that's being shown for the first time in cinemas.
One of the greatest war films of all time, and winner of 5 Oscars, Saving Private Ryan stars Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Edward Burns, Tom Sizemore, Ted Danson, Giovanni Ribisi, Vin Diesel, Paul Giamatti and Barry Pepper.
The film is in cinemas now, courtesy of DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures.
Doctor Who
This week marks 60 years since Doctor Who first came to our screens, in November 1963. It will also see the first pre-season-14 special aired, in which the much-loved David Tenant returns as the Doctor, alongside his old companion Donna (Catherine Tate). The hour-long ep is called The Star Beast, and airs at 6:30pm on Saturday 25 November, on BBC One. As part of the anniversary celebrations, almost the entire history of the show is available to stream on iPlayer, or Britbox for those outside the UK.
Available from November 25
Squid Game: The Challenge
Netflix took the anti-capitalist themes of Squid Game, its most popular TV show to date, and turned it into a reality TV gameshow. This one has divided critics so far, but if you aren’t instantly repelled by the concept we think you’ll find this compelling viewing. As in the drama, hundreds of contestants compete for a grand prize, but many are eliminated in each game-based round.
Leo
This must be one of the most family-friendly movies in Happy Madison history. That’s right, despite looking like a typical Dreamworks Pixar-a-like, Leo is a collab between Netflix and Adam Sandler’s production company. It stars Sandler as a 74-year-old lizard who resides in a school classroom. But when he discovers he only has a year to live he decides to break out and, well, actually live. While it falls between trying to appeal to kids and their parents a little awkwardly at times, there’s some real charm to his one.
Archie
Jason Isaacs becomes Cary Grant in this four-part biopic of one of the original Hollywood legends. The series swerves his years at the peak of his fame, instead portraying an older Grant who finds himself looking back at the traumas of his early years. It’s a deconstruction of the man, looking more at who he really was than the classic image. That explains the name — Cary Grant’s real name was Archibald Leach. It’s a bit cheesy in parts, but Isaacs is great. The show will be available on Britbox outside the UK.
Stamped from the Beginning
Our best-reviewed pick of the week is Stamped from the Beginning, a feature-length documentary about the history of racism in America. It’s based on Ibram X. Kendi 2016 book of the same name. The book has made headlines multiple times in the US over attempts to ban it in school libraries. It’s directed by Roger Ross Williams, who’s had quite the year, having also directed the highly regarded Cassandro starring Gael Garcia Bernal. This one, however, is a much heavier watch. Definitely worth 91 minutes of your time.
One Night
In a week where TV news has been dominated by Doctor Who, it’s apt that an alumnus, Jodie Whittaker provides one of the week’s very best performances, in One Night. She plays Tess, friend to Simone (Nicole da Silva). Simone has just released a book about her childhood trauma. And while she did so anonymously, her friends can’t help but notice this bestseller’s similarity with their own life events. A compelling watch over six episodes.
Good Burger 2
Welcome to Good Burger, home of the Good Burger. Kenan and Kel’s cult hit from 1997 gets a sequel more than 25 years later. And, to our surprise, it’s actually pretty good. Good Burger 2 has the same sense of fun and affection for the characters as the original. If you’re too young to even remember these characters, maybe you can skip this one. But for us who can still recite Kenan & Kel clips from decades ago? A pleasant nostalgia trip.
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off
You probably know Scott Pilgrim best from the 2010 movie by Edgar Wright, and may even assume this animated spin-off is an extension of its animated interludes. But way before the movie, Scottt Pilgrim was a graphic novel series by Bryan Lee O’Malley, one that started in 2004. He’s one of the key writers on this series too. And, sure enough, it’s picking up rave reviews. It’s a more contemporary take on the source material, one that focuses on Ramona rather than Scott Pilgrim. Amazingly, the cast from the 2010 movie return for this series too.
A Murder at the End of the World
This show comes the makers of the OA, but A Murder at the End of the World is a bit more of a grounded show. It’s that streamer favourite, a crime drama. The pink-haired Darby Hart is our detective, on the case of a series of murders of women, when she is invited to a climate crisis summit held by a billionaire. It may only flirt with the kind of big ideas that were the bread and butter of The OA, but it’s still a blast to watch, in large part thanks to Emma Corrin’s great turn as Hart.
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters
From a glance at its poster you might assume Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is the usual Godzilla movie that breaks out in the west every few years. We’ve got Kurt Russell and his son Wyatt Russell right there up top. But, no, this is a TV show. So far it is has the strongest critical reception of the entire MonsterVerse series. That’s the western Godzilla films, beginning with 2014’s Godzilla directed by Gareth Edwards. It’s more of a character-driven piece although, in classic Apple TV style, the first season’s 10 episodes are on a drip feed until January 2024. Get involved.
The Crown - Season 6 Part 1
A new season of The Crown always makes headlines. But this time those headlines are raising eyebrows. “So bad it’s basically an out-of-body experience” says The Guardian’s Lucy Mangan. The BBC calls season six so far “clumsy” and “predictable.” It’s a retelling of the Diana years, from 1997 to 2005. It’s also not the ideal way for a once unmissable TV show to end, but we imagine long-term fans still might not be able to pull their eyeballs away from the screen. The second half, six of the 10 episodes, is out on December 14.
How to Become a Mob Boss
We’ve already had How to Become a Cult Leader and How to Become a Tyrant. Now it’s time for the humble mob boss. This six-part series features narration from Peter Dinklage, and breaks down the tactics and strategies of iconic mob bosses. It focuses on one of the big names per episode. These include Pablo Escobar, John Gotti and Whitey Bulger, among others. Is it ultra-deep and comprehensive? No, but it sure is entertaining.
Rustin
Civil rights dramas often centre on Martin Luther King Jr. for obvious seasons. Rustin puts another important figure in the spotlight, Bayard Rustin. He was a gay black man who worked as an advisor to King, as well as being an important civil rights figure in his own right, albeit one less visible than the more often-celebrated names. Colman Domingo’s performance as Rustin is the highlight here.
The Killer
Director David Fincher and writer Andrew Kevin Walker team up for the first time since Se7en and the result is a super-slick thriller about a hitman whose life goes awry when a hit goes wrong. Michael Fassbender is fantastic as the cold and calculating ‘killer’ and you have got to admire a movie that brings in Tilda Swinton to essentially tell a joke.
The Curse
The king of cringe Nathan Fielder does it again with The Curse. Part biting satire on reality TV, part supernatural chiller The Curse is like nothing you have seen before and it will have you squirming throughout. Following Fiedler through the annals of awkwardness is Emma Stone and Uncut Gems’ Benny Safdie.
Robbie Williams
This one is a far tougher watch than we thought it would be, focusing on the darker side of fame and what it can do to someone who starts out so young in the industry. Saying that, the doc is narrated by Robbie Williams in his pants, in his bed, in a huge mansion - which makes the whole thing even more jarring.
007: A Road To A Million
Okay, we have to admit that anyone going into this expecting Bond-style action will be disappointed with 007: A Road To A Million. But if you want to watch a reality show where contestants traverse fantastic locations in search of a prize that would make Goldfinger proud, all controlled by Brian Cox in full Brian Cox mode, then this is for you.
The Buccaneers
Bridgerton has sparked many a costume drama but The Buccaneers, based on the unfinished novel of Edith Wharton, stands on its own as a fun, sometimes frivolous adaptation. The show follows a group of wealthy and ambitious girls in New York. With one of them set to marry, the perils of love ensues. Christina Hendricks, Imogen Waterhouse and Alisha Boe all star.
Invincible season 2
The second season of Invincible has arrived on Amazon Prime Video. If the 90s cartoon look is proving a turn-off, wipe away those pre-conceptions. The Guardian describes it as “far and away the best superhero show on TV” in its write-up of the second season. However, we do strongly recommend checking out the first season before digging into this second one. It takes over from the first season’s dramatic finale. Writer of The Walking Dead comics Robert Kirkman worked on the original Invincible comic alongside his zombie epic, starting in 2003.
Now And Then - The Last Beatles Song
The last Beatles song has been released, 45 years after it was penned by John Lennon in 1978. This short doc, which its just 12 minutes long, tells the story of how it came together in the hands of the two surviving Beatles, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. And the smart software that separated out Lennon’s voice in the original recording.
The Gilded Age season 2
If you love Downton Abbey and don’t detest Americans, you should check out The Gilded Age. It’s basically the US take on this kind of period drama, set in 1880s New York. We’re now in its second season, which sees old and new money families butt heads.
Sly
A few months ago Netflix dug into the life of Arnold Schwarzenegger with Arnold. Now we have Sly, a 95 minute documentary on the life and work of Sylvester Stallone. This doc isn’t going to reveal the surprise dark side of Stallone, but it does give some extra insight into his work as a screenwriter and director. A definite must-watch if you love the action star’s movies.
Fingernails
Apple TV Plus’s Fingernails is a movie about a relationship between characters played by the wonderful Jessie Buckley and Riz Ahmed. Fingernails is also a sci-fi movie in which an institute uses technology to judge whether someone is really in love or not. The snag: when Buckley meets Ahmed’s Amir, she’s already in a relationship with Jeremy Allen White’s Ryan. It’s a compelling watch largely thanks to a great performance by Buckley, which grounds the exercise.
Quiz Lady
Sandra Oh and Awkwafina (Nora Lum) go on a road trip to find their mother and earn the $80,000 they need to free their dog. How? By taking part in TV quiz shows. It’s a classic buddy comedy, meshing the squabbling and heartfelt moments that suit a sibling pairing. Will Ferrell and Jason Schwartzman also star. Wobbly in parts, but also very funny in parts.
Till Murder Do Us Part: Soering vs. Haysom
Netflix is up to its old true crime shenanigans in Till Murder Do Us Part: Soering vs. Haysom. Jens Spring is accused of killing his girlfriend's parents back in 1985. He spends decades in prison for the crime. But there's a question of whether he's the killer, or his girlfriend. The show features testimony from Soering himself, and comes as four episodes.
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