The Best New Shows on Streaming This Week

A fresh week is here, bringing with it brand new TV series and the returns of familiar shows on both television and streaming services.

I’m always on the lookout for a great new show to watch, whether it’s to binge alone, with my partner, or with friends. Luckily, this site helps me find exactly that – and it also keeps me updated on whether any of my current favorites are returning with new seasons or specials. It’s a lifesaver!

Movies are perfect for a quick night out, but TV shows and streaming series offer a more involved experience with rewards over time. If you’re searching for a new show to become completely hooked on, or just something to have on while you’re busy around the house, there are lots of new options to watch this week.

New TV Shows, New Seasons & New Streaming Series Out This Week

This week offers new episodes of the popular historical romance Bridgerton on Netflix. Also premiering this week are new seasons of two popular reality competition shows. And for music lovers, the 68th Grammy Awards will be broadcast on Sunday, February 1st.

Grab your remotes or get your streaming devices set up and start watching these new TV shows! You can also find last week’s new releases here.

Memory of a Killer

In the new thriller, Memory of a Killer, Patrick Dempsey stars as a man with a dangerous secret: he’s a highly skilled assassin who also has a family. His life gets even more complicated when he starts to lose his memory due to Alzheimer’s and uncovers a surprising truth about his wife’s death.

You can first watch Memory of a Killer with a special premiere on Sunday, January 25th. New episodes will then air on Fox every Monday at 9 PM Eastern Time. If you miss the live broadcast, episodes will be available to stream on Hulu the next day.

Wonder Man

Marvel’s newest show, Wonder Man, centers around two Hollywood actors hoping to catch their big break in a superhero movie remake. What they don’t know is that one of them actually has superpowers!

You can watch all episodes of Wonder Man starting January 27th at 9 PM Eastern Time, exclusively on Disney+.

Bridgerton (Season 4 Premiere)

Season four of the popular Netflix series Bridgerton focuses on Benedict Bridgerton, who finds himself falling for an intriguing woman he meets at a masked ball, in a romance reminiscent of Cinderella.

I’m so excited for Bridgerton Season 4! I know the first four episodes will be available to stream on Netflix starting January 29th, and then the rest of the season will drop on February 26th. I’ve already marked my calendar!

American Idol (Season 24 Premiere)

Season 24 of American Idol, with judges Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan, is shaking things up by holding Hollywood Week in Nashville, Tennessee – also known as “Music City.” This season will also feature live social media interaction for viewers, a first for the show.

You can catch the new season of American Idol—Season 24—starting January 26th. Episodes will be shown on Mondays at 8 PM Eastern Time.

Next Level Chef (Season 5 Premiere)

Gordon Ramsay’s show, Next Level Chef, challenges chefs to cook in a dynamic and high-pressure setting. The winner of Season 5 will receive a $250,000 prize.

You can watch Season 5 of Next Level Chef on FOX, starting January 29th with new episodes airing Thursdays at 8 PM Eastern Time. If you miss the live broadcast, episodes will be available to stream on Hulu the next day.

Essential Movies on Netflix Every Film Lover Should See

Night of the Living Dead (1968)

While Netflix has a lot of content, it doesn’t have many classic or historically important films. One notable exception is George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead, a groundbreaking horror film about a zombie outbreak. Beyond the zombies themselves, the film is significant because Romero made it independently, and it achieved considerable success and influence, making it a key moment in film history.

The Sting (1973)

Following their success with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Robert Redford and Paul Newman created a film that many consider even better: The Sting. This entertaining yet bittersweet caper tells the story of a young con artist (Redford) who teams up with a seasoned hustler (Newman) to avenge the murder of his partner by a ruthless mobster (Robert Shaw). The acting from all three leads is superb, and the movie is full of clever twists and turns, contrasted with moments that poignantly capture the loneliness of life during the Great Depression. The Sting won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1973 and remains a classic of 1970s Hollywood cinema.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

I’m a huge fan of this 1974 horror film – the one that started it all! It’s so exciting that the Library of Congress recognized its importance in 2024, preserving it for future generations. Honestly, if you’ve only heard about it through the sequels and reboots – many of which aren’t very good, or are just plain terrible – you need to see the original. It’s a beautifully brutal and shockingly effective film, and it’s currently streaming on Netflix. There was even a documentary released about it last year, called Chain Reactions, which is a testament to its lasting impact!

Pulp Fiction (1994)

While Pulp Fiction may not be the most copied film of the 1990s today, it was hugely influential for a time, inspiring many imitators. The fact that most of those copies were so bad actually highlights just how talented Quentin Tarantino is, both then and now.

Pulp Fiction is a strange mix of things that somehow all fit together. It’s both a grand, sweeping story about crime in Los Angeles and a deeply personal look at its characters. It jumps between the wildly fantastical – like mysterious briefcases and secret clubs – and the completely ordinary, like chatting about foot rubs and foreign food. It’s big and small, funny and sad, violent and silly. It’s simply Pulp Fiction.

Titanic (1997)

James Cameron’s most famous films consistently blend a few key ingredients: a love story, large-scale action, exciting pursuits, and a complex relationship with technology. While Titanic isn’t as explosively action-packed as films like The Terminator or Avatar, it still embodies these hallmarks. It was a massive undertaking—and a huge success—for its time, and it’s clear why. Cameron excels at keeping the story centered on the characters, even when surrounded by spectacular visuals and elaborate sets.

Election (1999)

Reese Witherspoon truly broke through with the 1999 comedy Election, where she plays a driven high school student who clashes with her cynical history teacher (Matthew Broderick, cleverly playing a character similar to his role in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off). The film centers on the amusing rivalry that develops when Witherspoon’s character, Tracy Flick, runs for student council president. Election is a darkly funny and realistic movie, and many film fans consider it a standout from a fantastic year for cinema. I particularly appreciate the film’s title – simply Election, rather than The Election – because it highlights how the film is about the difficult process of making choices in life, not just the outcome of a school election.

Donnie Darko (2001)

Netflix isn’t the best choice for finding classic cult films – it mostly offers newer, lower-quality originals. If you’re looking for truly unique, beloved oddities like Richard Kelly’s Donnie Darko, your options are limited. The film features a young Jake Gyllenhaal as a teenager who avoids a tragic accident and realizes he might be the only one who can prevent a global catastrophe. With its unsettling visuals, moody atmosphere, and memorable conclusion, Donnie Darko is considered one of the best independent films from the early 2000s.

The Squid and the Whale (2005)

Noah Baumbach really established himself as a talented filmmaker with a deeply personal movie about a young man (played by Jesse Eisenberg, who also benefited from the film’s success) navigating his parents’ divorce. The movie received many award nominations and launched Baumbach into a new, successful period of his career, continuing with films like the Netflix hit Marriage Story and Jay Kelly.

Zodiac (2007)

David Fincher’s known for his thrillers about killers, but Zodiac feels different. It’s not just a crime story; it’s a fascinating look at San Francisco over several decades, seen through the eyes of three men obsessed with catching the Zodiac. We have a police inspector – the kind who inspired Bullitt, a hard-boiled newspaper reporter who actually became a target of the killer, and an amateur detective who simply can’t let the case go, even when the murders stop. And that’s where Zodiac really shines – it captures the consuming nature of obsession better than almost anything I’ve seen. Fincher expertly pulls you into this maze of clues and false leads with stunning camerawork and editing. By the time the film loops back to its opening moments after a grueling two and a half hours, you completely understand what drives Robert Graysmith’s relentless pursuit.

Boyhood (2014)

For twelve years, director Richard Linklater secretly filmed scenes with the same actors – a boy (Ellar Coltrane), his mother (Patricia Arquette), and his sister (Lorelei Linklater) – a few days each year. While some might see this as a self-indulgent project, the film becomes a fascinating look at American life in the early 2000s, and a deeply relatable portrait of a family’s love, struggles, and sacrifices. All movies deal with time, but Boyhood has a truly special connection to it. Seeing the actors actually age on screen adds a unique emotional depth to the story, making joyful moments even sweeter and sad ones more impactful. When Patricia Arquette reflects on her life at the end, her words carry the weight of a dozen years of genuine experience. As the late Roger Ebert eloquently put it, movies offer glimpses beyond our own lives, and Boyhood feels like it throws those windows wide open.

Whiplash (2014)

Whiplash is a fantastic film that explores the intense dedication and sacrifices artists make for their craft. The movie follows Miles Teller as a driven young jazz drummer at a top music school, and his relationship with a relentlessly demanding teacher. While pushing him to excel, the instructor’s methods come at a steep personal cost. Director Damien Chazelle masterfully balances the film’s thrilling energy with a darker underlying message, culminating in a phenomenal final scene – a powerful showdown between student and teacher. Surprisingly, Whiplash also works as a truly terrifying horror film; the calm disapproval of the instructor – a simple “not quite my tempo” – is far more chilling than anything found in typical horror movies of the 2010s.

Sing Street (2016)

Just how good is Sing Street? I actually cried while watching it… on a plane! Even on a small airplane screen at 35,000 feet, the film’s inspiring story about two Irish teens chasing musical dreams really resonated. It’s filled with witty dialogue, strong performances, and a fantastic soundtrack – even better than La La Land, in my opinion. Sing Street is a genuinely feel-good movie, and we could all use one of those right now. Just be warned, it might make you tear up! (Or really cry – no shame in that.)

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

While bigger isn’t always better, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse remains a standout and arguably the best Spider-Man movie. It features a large team of Spider-People, including the new hero Miles Morales, the determined Gwen Stacy, and a downbeat Peter B. Parker. The film powerfully emphasizes the selfless heroism championed by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, beautifully bringing their message – that anyone can be a hero – to life through stunning animation.

Roma (2018)

2018 marked a turning point for Netflix’s original films, with the release of standout movies like Alfonso Cuarón’s deeply personal film, Roma, which tells the story of a Mexican family and their housekeeper, Cleo (Yalitza Aparicio). When it was first released, many people argued that Roma should be seen in a movie theater to fully appreciate it—and it’s true that the beautiful black-and-white visuals looked stunning on the big screen. However, watching at home offered a more private experience, allowing viewers to fully feel the film’s emotional impact without an audience. This highlights a real benefit of the Netflix streaming model.

The Irishman (2019)

The line, “I’m behind you, Jimmy! All the way,” perfectly foreshadows where Frank Sheeran ultimately stands in Martin Scorsese’s masterful film, The Irishman. It’s a beautiful culmination of Scorsese’s career, filled with careful detail. The most powerful moments arrive as Robert De Niro’s character faces the consequences of his life choices. While Sheeran seems to take pride in his actions, especially his connection to Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino), he finally realizes that the power and wealth he gained came at the cost of dying alone. A priest attempts to offer him peace through prayer, but it remains uncertain whether it will be enough.

Cats (2019)

Let’s be honest, Cats doesn’t compare to the other films on this list. However, to truly understand something amazing, it helps to look at its opposite – and Cats certainly provides that! Even years after it came out, people are still puzzled by this strange adaptation of the Broadway musical. There are so many unanswered questions: Why do some of the cats have human hands? Where are all the humans? What is “hot milk soup”? Why is Jennifer Hudson constantly sniffling? And why does Idris Elba appear half-naked? Plus, why is Taylor Swift wearing heels while everyone else is barefoot? These mysteries will probably stick with us forever, and I, for one, find that delightful.

The Power of the Dog (2021)

Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog is a slow-burn film that demands your full attention; it’s easy to miss crucial details if you’re distracted. The story centers on Phil Burbank (Benedict Cumberbatch), a tough cowboy grappling with change after his brother (Jesse Plemons) introduces his new wife (Kirsten Dunst) and her son, Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee), to their ranch. Peter doesn’t seem suited to ranch life, and Phil’s judgments of him – and our judgments of Phil – lead to a surprising and impactful conclusion. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait another 12 years for Campion’s next film.

RRR (2022)

Get ready for a thrilling three-hour ride from India! This action-packed film delivers spectacle, romance, and energetic musical numbers that will keep you hooked. It’s like a South Asian take on a classic John Woo action movie, focusing on two powerful men on opposite sides of the law who unexpectedly team up. Those men are Bheem, a warrior from the Gond tribe, and Rama, a soldier for the British Empire. Bheem travels to Delhi to find a missing girl, while Rama is tasked with tracking down whoever is looking for her.

A collision leads to an unlikely friendship, and the film builds tension as you wait for them to discover each other’s true identities. Expect incredible scenes – like daring rescues from burning rivers (Bheem representing water, Rama representing fire) – and plenty of resistance against the prejudiced British rulers, all set to amazing dance sequences.

Godzilla Minus One (2023)

It’s rare for a prequel to truly stand out, but Godzilla Minus One is a brilliant exception. By setting Godzilla’s story in post-World War II Japan, the film powerfully revives the character’s original impact as a symbol of atomic devastation and the lingering trauma of war. And this Godzilla is genuinely frightening – immense in scale, visibly monstrous, and with a truly terrifying atomic breath.

But Godzilla Minus One is more than just a visual spectacle. It features a compelling, flawed protagonist (Ryunosuke Kamiki) and explores complex themes related to kamikaze pilots, culminating in a deeply emotional turning point. There’s even a section that feels reminiscent of a classic Howard Hawks film, with a crew of weathered sailors battling a colossal, nuclear-powered dinosaur – and it’s as amazing as it sounds.

Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret. (2023)

While Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret didn’t make a splash at the box office, it feels destined to become a defining film for today’s young generation, much like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off was for those of us who grew up in the 80s. This excellent adaptation of the classic book comes from writer/director Kelly Fremon Craig and boasts a fantastic cast, including Rachel McAdams, Benny Safdie, and Kathy Bates. Abby Ryder Fortson, who was memorable in the Ant-Man films, is also wonderful as Margaret. As a father of two daughters, I’m honestly a little worried about when they reach this age, but I’m glad this movie will be here for them—and for me to experience with them.

2026-01-26 17:31