Whats new to streaming this week? (Jan. 16, 2026)
Looking for something great to watch at home? Streaming subscribers are spoiled for choice between Hulu, Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Apple TV, Prime Video, Shudder, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. And that's before you even look at the vast libraries of movies and television programs within each streamer!
Don't be overwhelmed or waste an hour scrolling through your services to determine what to watch. We've got your back, whatever your mood. Mashable offers watch guides for all of the above, broken down by genre: comedy, thriller, horror, documentary, and animation, among others. But if you're seeking something brand new (or just new to streaming), we've got you covered there, too.
23. The Hillside Strangler
In 1977, a string of stranglings in Los Angeles had women terrified and police stumped. Dubbed the Hillside Strangler, this mysterious serial killer abducted women from ages 12 to 28, raped and murdered them, before leaving their bodies to be discovered by horrified passersby. The LAPD launched a dogged manhunt that eventually led to not one but two killers: cousins Kenneth Bianchi and Angelo Buono.
The resulting criminal trials would set a new record for the longest in U.S. history, involving 400 witnesses, 1,800 exhibits, and over 50,000 pages of testimony, according to A&E. Now, MGM+'s four-part documentary The Hillside Strangler takes true crime fans back to this notorious case with an unexpected perspective. Not only do we hear from detective Frank Salerno, who played a prominent role in the investigation, but Bianchi himself, who is still alive and in prison, shares his story on the murders that scarred Los Angeles. — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor
How to watch: The Hillside Strangler debuts on Jan. 18 at 9:00 PM ET/PT on MGM+.
22. Riot Women
Punk's not dead in BBC and BritBox's Riot Women, from Happy Valley writer Sally Wainwright, streaming this week in the U.S. The six-part series sees five women — Kitty Eckersley (Rosalie Craig), Jess Burchill (Lorraine Ashbourne), Beth Thornton (Joanna Scanlan), Yvonne Vaux (Amelia Bullmore), Holly Gaskell (Tamsin Greig) — forming a punk rock band in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire. Between their jobs, dating lives, and families, they enter a local talent competition, and find it's the outlet they've been craving. But there are secrets ready to come out... — Shannon Connellan, UK Editor
Starring: Rosalie Craig, Lorraine Ashbourne, Joanna Scanlan, Tamsin Greig, and Amelia Bullmore
How to watch: Riot Women is now streaming on Britbox.
21. The Curious Case of..., Season 2
This true crime series is addictive, but also the kind that can leave you feeling ill. From the creators of the troubling docuseries The Curious Case of Natalia Grace, season one of this sort-of spinoff had episodes on the legal battles of Jackass alum Bam Margera, YouTuber turned convicted child abuser Jodi Hildebrandt, and a pair of morticians who were caught giving clients fake remains. So, what could possibly be planned for Season 2 of this Investigation Discovery series?
Per ID: "In the season 2 premiere episode, 'Death by Detox?' will unpack Dr. Robert O. Young, a former college tennis star and a descendant of Brigham Young, who lands on the national best seller list for his ph Miracle book series, which pushes an alkaline diet, the tentpole of which is an avocado-based green smoothie, that grows in popularity. Suddenly, Young's business is booming — he's selling books like hot cakes, he creates his own holistic supplements, and his roster of wealthy, high-profile clients grows. But despite his success and popularity, Young is no Doctor and his 'miracle' cure has left broken hearts and devastated families in his wake."
Do you dare watch? — K.P.
How to watch: The Curious Case of... Season 2 debuted on January 12 at 10 p.m. ET and is now streaming on HBO MAX.
20. What Drives You with John Cena, Season 2
John Cena isn't just a former pro-wrestler turned movie star. He's also a car enthusiast who strives to inspire. So naturally, he's combined those passions in the cleverly titled What Drives You.
The premise of this series is pretty straightforward. Cena rolls up to the homes or studios of famous folks who love cars. While they talk about these luxury rides, Cena also offers soft-pitch interviews that explore his subject's life, creative passions, and drive. Season one featured Blink 182-drummer Travis Barker, American rapper Jelly Roll, pro wrestler Mike "The Miz" Mizanin, and YouTuber turned human punching bag, Logan Paul. Season two teases new stars and cars, which you can see in the trailer above. — K.P.
Starring: John Cena, Mookie Betts, Kane Brown, Charlotte Flair, and Saweetie
How to watch: What Drives You with John Cena Season 2 debuts on Roku on Jan. 16.
19. Hijack, Season 2
Remember when Idris Elba singlehandedly saved a flight from disaster in Apple TV's thrilling Hijack? Well, he's back at it again, except this time, he's swapped planes for trains. (What's next, automobiles?) Hijack Season 2 sees Elba return as corporate negotiator Sam Nelson, who's embroiled in a hostage crisis on a Berlin underground train. How will he wrangle his way out of this one? And more importantly, will Sam ever have a normal commute?* — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter
Starring: Idris Elba, Christine Adams, Max Beesley, Archie Panjabi, Christian Näthe, Clare-Hope Ashitey, Lisa Vicari, Toby Jones, Karima McAdams, and Christiane Paul
How to watch: Hijack Season 2 debuted on Apple TV on Jan. 14.
18. The Boyfriend, Season 2
Japan's first same-sex reality dating show premiered in 2024, and now The Boyfriend is back for Season 2. Though the setting has changed from a summer house and coffee truck in Tateyama to a winter lodge in Hokkaido, the framework is the same: Ten gay men aged 20 to 40 live together for two months to potentially find a partner. Who could find love this season? — S.C.
How to watch: The Boyfriend Season 2 is now streaming on Netflix.
17. Black Phone 2
With The Black Phone, director Scott Derrickson and screenwriter C. Robert Cargill brought Joe Hill's scary short story to vivid life with a stranger-danger tale featuring an instantly iconic killer. Played by Ethan Hawke, the Grabber snatched boys from the quiet streets of a cozy small town, keeping them in a dark, dank, and seemingly inescapable basement, until he deigned to kill them — while he wore a creepy white mask. But with the help of his sister Gwen (Madeleine McGraw) and a squad of ghosts of murdered boys, young Finney (Mason Thames) managed to survive. However, even the death of the Grabber can't keep him away.
In Black Phone 2, Finn and Gwen are now teenagers, and she is plagued by disturbing visions of dead boys at a far-off winter camp. Together, they will travel to Alpine Lake to unlock the mysteries behind these calls from beyond the grave. And hey, the plot is convoluted and determinedly grim. But if you like the Grabber, then him coming back in some supernatural sinister form should be lure enough. — K.P.
Starring: Mason Thames, Madeleine McGraw, Jeremy Davies, Demián Bichir, and Ethan Hawke
How to watch: Black Phone 2 begins streaming on Peacock on Jan. 16.
16. The Running Man
So you walked, didn't run, to see The Running Man in cinemas? Well, now you can watch it at home, with Edgar Wright's Stephen King adaptation getting a digital release this week. Think Glen Powell running for his life from a keen-eyed group of hunters in a dystopian future where such a situation is primetime entertainment. Think Colman Domingo dropping lines like "my bouche was not amused" as the high-maintenance host of the titular program. Think a storyline way closer to King's 1982 paperback than the Arnold Schwarzenegger film of the '80s.
Unfortunately, don't think this will be the best movie you watch this week. As Mashable entertainment editor Kristy Puchko writes in her review, "In the end, The Running Man is a sloppy collage of violence, action, and cheap jokes that is far more style than substance." Unexpectedly, however, the film has a connection to...Pennywise? — S.C.
Starring: Glen Powell, Katy O'Brian, William H. Macy, Lee Pace, Michael Cera, Emilia Jones, Daniel Ezra, Jayme Lawson, Sean Hayes, Colman Domingo, and Josh Brolin
How to watch: The Running Man is now playing on Paramount+.
15. The Rip
Longtime best buddies and Good Will Hunting golden boys Matt Damon and Ben Affleck reunite onscreen for writer/director Joe Carnahan's cop thriller The Rip.
Damon and Affleck star as a a pair of Tactical Narcotics Team members in Miami who get called in to check out a stash house tip on a Friday night. While their team is accustomed to confiscating hundreds of thousands of dollars, uncovering a cache of $20 million could make even a good cop go bad. Will this team decide to steal "the rip" from an unknown cartel? Will that temptation tear them apart?
While the premise and the cast — which includes Golden Globe winner Teyana Taylor — is promising, the movie itself is a lot of macho posturing and uninspired action leading to an ending that's pretty unsatisfying! — K.P.
Starring: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, Sasha Calle, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Scott Adkins, and Kyle Chandler
How to watch: The Rip debuts on Netflix on Jan. 16.
14. Rebuilding
2025 was the year of Josh O'Connor. Audiences could catch him as a priest in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, an art thief in The Mastermind, and a music student in The History of Sound. Now, you can also catch him in Western mode in 2025's Rebuilding, coming to digital this week. O'Connor stars as Thomas "Dusty" Fraser Jr., a cowboy who loses his ranch to devastating wildfires. The loss means he has to move to a FEMA camp, where he reconnects with his daughter and ex-wife and gains a new community. — B.E.
Starring: Josh O'Connor, Lily LaTorre, Meghann Fahy, Kali Reis, and Amy Madigan
How to watch: Rebuilding is available for rental or purchase on Prime Video.
13. Rental Family
Writer/director Hikari thrilled Netflix subscribers in 2023 with the darkly comic limited series Beef. In her follow-up, she offers a radical shift in tone and message with Rental Family, a feel-good drama about finding one's home.
Brendan Fraser stars as American actor Phillip Vanderploeg, who moved to Japan for work but has been struggling for years to get gigs. So, when an unconventional acting job comes along, he reluctantly takes the role(s). Rental Family is a curious company, where its employees fill in for their clients as whatever people they need: a friend, a husband, a mistress, or even a dad. While Phillip is uncomfortable deceiving people, like the little girl whose single mom has hired him to play the father the child has never met, he finds joy and purpose in becoming a facet in these lives, however unusual the path there. But as Phillip grows too comfortable in certain roles, he risks not only his job but also the well-being of those who've come to love him. While Rental Family veers into sentimental, and even simplistically preachy territory, it is a charming story of personal growth and enduring love. — K.P.
Starring: Brendan Fraser, Takehiro Hira, Mari Yamamoto, Shannon Mahina Gorman, and Akira Emoto
How to watch: Rental Family is now available for rental or purchase on Apple TV.
12. Phineas and Ferb
There's 104 more days of summer vacation for stepbrothers Phineas (voiced by Vincent Martella) and Ferb (voiced by David Errigo Jr.) to fill with fanciful inventions in this revival of the beloved animated series. While it's been 10 years since Phineas and Ferb's last episode aired, and five years since the last movie spin-off, the revival will make you feel like no time has passed at all. Phineas and Ferb are still crafting unforgettable summer adventures, Candace (voiced by Ashley Tisdale) is still trying to bust them, and Dr. Doofenshmirtz (voiced by Dan Povenmire) and Perry the Platypus (voiced by Dee Bradley Baker) are still locked in an epic battle of good and evil.
The result is a sweet blast of nostalgia for viewers who grew up watching Phineas and Ferb, and a delightful treat for younger, newer viewers. Plus, new episodes mean new songs — which ones will join the likes of "Busted," "Gitchee Gitchee Goo," and "S.I.M.P. (Squirrels in My Pants)" as tried-and-true Phineas and Ferb bangers?* — B.E.
Starring: Vincent Martella, David Errigo Jr., Ashley Tisdale, Caroline Rhea, Dee Bradley Baker, Alyson Stoner, Dan Povenmire, and Jeff "Swampy" Marsh
How to watch: New episodes of Phineas and Ferb debut on Disney+ on Jan. 17.
11. The Upshaws, Part 7: Final Season
After four seasons, The Upshaws is saying farewell, with creators, stars, and executive producers Regina Hicks and Wanda Sykes delivering a final season of the family sitcom this week. With 12 episodes, Part 7 will give a send off to the Upshaws from Indianapolis, but not before a last run of antics from Bennie (Mike Epps), Regina (Kim Fields), and their children — and of course, Regina's sister Lucretia (Sykes). — S.C.
Starring: Mike Epps, Wanda Sykes, Kim Fields, Diamond Lyons, Khali Spraggins, Journey Christine, and Jermelle Simon
How to watch: The Upshaws Part 7: Final Season debuts on Netflix on Jan. 15.
10. Agatha Christie's Seven Dials
Broadchurch and Doctor Who showrunner Chris Chibnall adapts and directs this three-part mini-series, based on Agatha Christie's detective novel The Seven Dials of Mystery.
Mia McKenna-Bruce stars as Lady Eileen "Bundle" Brent, whose quiet life in 1925 England is rocked when her love interest dies unexpectedly in her family's home. Determined to uncover the truth — no matter how terrible — she begins an investigation. And Sherlock fans will likely thrill to see that aiding her is one Superintendent Battle, played by Martin Freeman. — K.P.
Starring: Mia McKenna-Bruce, Helena Bonham Carter, Martin Freeman, Edward Bluemel, Nyasha Hatendi, Corey Mylchreest, Guy Siner, and Alex Macqueen
How to watch: Agatha Christie's Seven Dials debuts on Netflix on Jan. 15.
9. Can This Love Be Translated?
Kim Seon-ho (Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha) and Go Youn-jung (Alchemy of Souls) star in Netflix's new Korean rom-com. Written by the Hong sisters and directed by Yoo Young-eun, Can This Love Be Translated? follows interpreter Joo Ho-jin (Kim) and famous actor Cha Mu-hee (Go), who pair up while filming a travel reality dating show called Romantic Trip. Love languages might be fake according to science, but could this K-drama prove otherwise? — S.C.
Starring: Kim Seon-ho, Go Youn-jung, Sota Fukushi, Choi Woo-sung, and Lee Yi-dam
How to watch: Can This Love Be Translated? debuts on Netflix on Jan. 16.
8. Primal, Season 3
Master animator Genndy Tartakovsky's Emmy–winning series Primal is back, with a big shakeup. The show's main Neanderthal, Spear (voiced by Aaron LaPlante), died at the end of Season 2. In Season 3, though, he's back — as a zombie. The massive creative swing keeps this prehistoric epic fresh, offering up new opportunities for self-discovery, gore, and some surprisingly funny fight scenes. (Sometimes, your rotting corpse just falls apart mid-battle, you know?) — B.E.
Starring: Aaron LaPlante
How to watch: Primal Season 3 is now on HBO Max, with new episodes streaming every Monday.
7. One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things Season 5
Whether you loved or hated the ending of Stranger Things Season 5, you should check out One Last Adventure, a behind-the-scenes documentary about the making of the fifth and final season. Director Martina Radwan spent a year with the Stranger Things writers' room and production team, and the result is an intimate peek into the creative process behind one of TV's biggest hits.
One Last Adventure has already stirred up its fair share of controversy within the Stranger Things fandom. Season 5's detractors have moved from theorizing that there's a secret ninth episode to believing the Duffer Brothers used ChatGPT to write Season 5, due to a shot of a blurry tab icon that might be the ChatGPT logo. However, Radwan confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that she didn't see any unethical use of generative AI in the writers' room. — B.E.
Starring: The Duffer Brothers
How to watch: One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things Season 5 is now streaming on Netflix.
6. Ponies
Craving a bit of intrigue? Then, you might appreciate Peacock's new espionage thriller series, Ponies, created by Susanna Fogel and David Iserson.
Set in 1977, Moscow, the show focuses on undercover CIA, or more specifically the wives of two slain agents who are determined to uncover the truth of their husbands' demises. Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson star as new widows Bea and Twila, who are both officially "PONIs" — persons of no interest — as far as the KGB is concerned. So, who better to probe the mysteries of Moscow to unearth what even their agent husbands could not? Imagine Laverne & Shirley colliding with a Mission: Impossible plotline, and you'll have some sense of what's in store. — K.P.
Starring: Emilia Clarke, Haley Lu Richardson, Adrian Lester, Artjom Gilz, Nicholas Podany, Petro Ninovskyi, and Vic Michaelis
How to watch: Ponies debuts on Peacock on Jan. 15.
5. Dust Bunny
After giving audiences such sensational (and sensationally twisted) shows as Dead Like Me, Pushing Daisies, and Hannibal, Bryan Fuller makes his feature directorial debut with a monster movie that feels like Amélie meets Léon: The Professional.
The story centers on a young girl (Sophie Sloan), plagued by the monster (a massive dust bunny) under her bed. So, naturally, she looks for a hitman to take care of the creature. Lucky for her, there's one living in her building. And he's played by Hannibal's Mads Mikkelsen. The result is a monster movie that is whimsical, gnarly, thrilling, and fun.
In my review, I wrote, "Dust Bunny is exactly the kind of movie fans should expect from Fuller, but it's also wildly surprising. As soon as it ended, I wanted to watch it again — not just for the fun of it, but to assure myself it was real and not some strange dream sparked from too much sour candy."* — K.P.
Starring: Mads Mikkelsen, Sophie Sloan, Sheila Atim, David Dastmalchian, and Sigourney Weaver
How to watch: Dust Bunny is now available for rental or purchase on Prime Video.
4. Song Sung Blue
"Sometimes you just need a feel-good movie and a good tearjerker, and writer/director Craig Brewer delivers both with Song Sung Blue," I wrote in my review.
Based on the incredible true story of Lightning and Thunder, a Neil Diamond cover band out of Milwaukee, Song Sung Blue tells a story of love, music, and how both can help us overcome incredible tragedy. Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson star as the married musical couple at the film's center. Together they craft electric chemistry, rousing song numbers, and a love story that hits with the force of a runaway car.
As I concluded in my review, "All this makes for a feel-good movie that can be jarringly intense, because the bad times can come out of nowhere. (C'est la vie!) But like a great Neil Diamond song, Song Sung Blue will find its way into your heart, where it will linger."* — K.P.
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson, Michael Imperioli, Ella Anderson, Mustafa Shakir, Fisher Stevens, and Jim Belushi
How to watch: Song Sung Blue is now available for rental or purchase on Prime Video.
3. Twinless
One of the best movies you might have overlooked in 2025, Twinless is a dark comedy written and directed by James Sweeney, who also co-stars. But don't expect a vanity project.
Sweeney stars as Dennis, a young gay man in Portland, Oregon, who struggles to make lasting connections. That is, until he meets Roman (Dylan O'Brien) in a support group for people grieving the loss of a twin. At a glance, these two seem like total opposites. But they share something in common, though it's not what Roman — or the audience — might assume. What begins as a comedy with sharp observational humor soon plunges into exciting psychological terrain. O'Brien has been cheered by critics for his spectacular performance, while in my review, I praised Sweeney for his writing and direction, writing, "Twinless is a jewel of queer cinema, rough, radiant, and beguiling. Seek it out. Then watch it again." — K.P.
Starring: Dylan O'Brien, James Sweeney, Aisling Franciosi, Chris Perfetti, François Arnaud, Tasha Smith, Lauren Graham, Susan Park, Cree, and Katie Findlay
How to watch: Twinless begins streaming on Hulu on Jan. 16.
2. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy
Ever wish that Star Trek got a bit more high school? Then you'll squee over Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Teen drama meets sci-fi thrills with this new series from Gaia Violo, which focuses on the school where cadets learn the ways of Starfleet, meaning science, diplomacy, and bravery — for starters.
If that genre mash-up alone isn't enough to get you giddy, then how about this: Holly Hunter stars as Captain Nahla Ake, a tough-as-nails commander with a sharp mind, a compassionate heart, and a breezy attitude that already has me swooning. Then, along with a terrific ensemble cast, rich with rising stars, THE Paul Giamatti stars as Nus Braka, a space pirate who is this first season's Big Bad. Could this be as good as it sounds? I can assure you, it's better. — K.P.
Starring: Holly Hunter, Paul Giamatti, Sandro Rosta, Karim Diané, Kerrice Brooks, George Hawkins, Bella Shepard, Zoë Steiner, Robert Picardo, Tig Notaro, and Oded Fehr
Best of Streaming this week:
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
Westeros is back on TV in HBO's latest Game of Thrones spin-off, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. You'll find no large-scale battles or dragons here, though. Instead, this series, which takes place about a century before Game of Thrones, focuses on the unlikely friendship between hedge knight Ser Duncan "Dunk" the Tall (Peter Claffey) and his new squire Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell). This unusual pair is off to a tournament at Ashford Meadow, where jousting, sword fights, and displays of chivalry await.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' smaller scale works wonders, offering up a lighter, funnier take on Westeros. Claffey and Ansell's charming chemistry only elevates this take further, and the result is a surprisingly sweet series bursting with warmth. As I wrote in my review, "It's a welcome switch-up in HBO's Game of Thrones lineup, and proof that the world of Westeros can be more than just a brutal cage match between warring families. More than that, though, it's a balm for the soul." — B.E.
Starring: Peter Claffey, Dexter Sol Ansell, Finn Bennett, Bertie Carvel, Tanzyn Crawford, Daniel Ings, and Sam Spruell
How to watch: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premieres on HBO and HBO Max at 10 p.m. ET on Jan. 18.
(*) denotes a blurb came from a prior list.