We’re currently in that awkward seasonal middle ground between Halloween and Christmas (for those who celebrate both holidays), which means the entertainment giants are all ready but not quite ready to launch their respective festive content tables.
However, Netflix has decided to go ahead of the other top streaming services by releasing its first major Christmas movie of the year: the romcom Falling for Christmas starring Lindsay Lohan. You can bet your bottom dollar that the next six weeks of recommendations will be dominated by glitter-laden new movies and TV shows, so enjoy the relative calm before the storm while you can.
Below, we’ve rounded up seven of the biggest new streaming arrivals headed to Netflix, Prime Video, and HBO Max in the coming days.
The Crown Season 5 (Netflix)
Netflix’s wildly popular royal drama series, The Crown, returned for its fifth (but not quite final) season on November 9.
Set during the most tumultuous period in the recent history of the royal family. The Crown Season 5 explores the much-publicized end of Charles and Diana’s marriage, John Major’s time as Prime Minister and the Queen’s annus horribilis in 1992. Imelda Staunton (Harry Potter) inherits the role of the late Queen Elizabeth II from Olivia Colman, while Jonathan Pryce, Dominic West and Elizabeth Debicki joins the roles of Philip, Charles and Diana respectively.
Critics are divided on how well – or indeed sensitively – The Crown’s latest season dramatizes its most controversial historical moments. But despite its flaws, this royal thriller looks set to remain one of the best Netflix shows out there.
Now available to stream on Netflix.
The English (Prime Video)
The folks at Amazon Studios don’t get enough credit for consistently delivering original new movies and TV shows, and Prime Video gets another quirky series this weekend in The English.
A co-production with the BBC, this six-episode western – set on the American frontier in the 1890s – is about a woman’s quest for revenge against the man she believes is responsible for her son’s death. Emily Blunt leads the series’ cast alongside Chaske Spencer, with Rafe Spall, Toby Jones, Ciaran Hinds, Stephen Rea and Tom Hughes in supporting roles.
Critics trash the English language – and for various reasons. From “rare, sensational masterpiece” to “pure, delicious, American cheese”, the verdicts have been varied but unanimously positive. Without a doubt we will be adding this one to our list best Prime Video series very soon.
Now available to stream on Prime Video.
Falling for Christmas (Netflix)
And so begins the season of festive entertainment with Falling for Christmas on Netflix.
With Lindsay Lohan (Mean Girls), this the new Netflix movie follows a newly engaged, spoiled hotel heiress whose life is turned upside down when she suffers a skiing accident that causes amnesia in the days leading up to the world’s most distinguished vacation.
Okay, that synopsis sounds a little bleak – but Falling for Christmas looks as kitschy as festive movies get. That also seems to be the critical consensus; reviewers call this a low-budget but pointlessly enjoyable holiday drama that does little to muddle the tried-and-true romcom formula.
Now available to stream on Netflix.
Mammals (Prime Video)
The Late Late Show host James Corden is trading one restaurant-based drama for another this weekend with Mammals on Prime Video (thanks, we’re proud of that).
This six-part comedy drama – from award-winning screenwriter Jez Butterworth (Jerusalem) – stars Corden as Jamie, a Michelin-starred chef whose sanity is tested when he discovers that his wife, Amandine (Melia Kreiling), is having multiple affairs with other men. Sally Hawkins, Colin Morgan and, uhm, Tom Jones (?) also star.
Critics have praised Corden for his impressively nuanced performance in Mammals, so we recommend giving the show a try before passing judgment on its admittedly divisive leading man.
Now available to stream on Netflix.
Mythic Quest Season 3 (Apple TV Plus)
One of best apple tv showsMythic Quest, returns for its third season this weekend.
New episodes of the hit video game developer workplace comedy find Ian (Rob McElhenney) and Poppy (Charlotte Nicdao) working on a brand new game at GrimPop, while new boss David is back at Mythic Quest struggling to keep things together. Community star Danny Pudi also returns to the fray as Brad.
The first two episodes of Mythic Quest Season 3 are available to stream now Apple TV Pluswith the remaining eight installments set to arrive every Friday through January 6.
Now available to stream on Apple TV Plus.
FIFA Revealed (Netflix)
Just in time for the start of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Netflix has seen fit to remind soccer fans of the controversial (and downright immoral) deals that gave host nation Qatar ownership of this year’s tournament.
This four-part series highlights the influence of corrupt bureaucrats and self-interested FIFA bosses on the world game, using archival footage and interviews with those responsible – including public enemy number one Sepp Blatter – to paint a damning picture of football’s seedy underbelly.
Critics have called FIFA Uncovered “crazy exciting” and “like a particularly repulsive true-crime show,” so it sounds like a shoo-in for a spot on our list of best Netflix documentaries.
Now available to stream on Netflix.
The Big Brunch (HBO Max)
The new HBO reality series The Big Brunch rounds out this week’s selection of streaming recommendations.
Hosted by Schitt’s Creek star Dan Levy – who, incidentally, recently joined the cast Sex education season 4 – This eight-episode show tasks ten talented chefs with putting a creative spin on everyone’s favorite snack: brunch. As you might expect, it’s a contest and the winner will take home $300,000 (think how many eggs you could buy with that!).
The first three episodes of The Big Brunch are available to stream now on HBO Max, with the remaining five installments set to land weekly over the next two Thursdays (in installments of three and two, respectively).
Now available to stream on HBO Max.
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