This year has been full of great TV shows and new movies, so much so that I’m struggling to finish my viewing list! However, as 2024 approaches, there are plenty of new releases planned to keep us entertained until the new year. The top streaming services don’t seem to be slowing down, with still highly anticipated series and Christmas specials on the horizon.
There may be no more turkey in the fridge, but that shouldn’t stop you from watching the best Christmas specials Doctor Who after this week’s final episode. For even more streaming recommendations, be sure to explore these seven underrated films of 2024 and this list of nine canceled series on Netflix to round out your eye selection with some lesser-known gems too! – Amelia Schwanke, entertainment editor
Squid Game season 2 (Netflix)
Squid Game: Season 2 | Official trailer | Netflix – YouTube
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The long-awaited moment has finally arrived! Season 2 of Squid Game is here and Netflix invites us to dive back into these deadly ordeals this holiday season. I looked forward to this moment, being one of the millions of viewers who were captivated by the first season. The story takes place three years after the original events, and the protagonist Seong Gi-hun decides to return to the games instead of hoarding his prize. It’s not a common choice, that’s for sure, but he finds his 456 player tracksuit.
I can no longer contain my excitement for the return of Squid Gameso this is gifted to be one of my series to devour this holiday. It’s about time for one of Netflix’s best series to return, after all!
Lucy Buglass, entertainment editor
Doctor Who : Joy to the World (Disney Plus)
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Since the reboot of Doctor Who in 2005, this British science fiction institution became a staple of the festive season. Indeed, every year (almost) we have been treated to a new Christmas special episode, and fortunately, 2024 is no exception.
Joy to the Worldwhich will air on Disney Plus outside the UK (where it launches on BBC One/BBC iPlayer) on Christmas Day, will follow the eponymous Time Master and his new companion Joy (Nicola Coughlan from Bridgerton) as they explore the Hôtel du Temps. Christmas specials Doctor Who have varied in quality over the years, and I hope this one will be more of a good vintage.
Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter
What If…? saison 3 (Disney Plus)
The final season of What If…?Marvel’s first animated series, is currently streaming. As with its predecessors, new episodes of Season 3 have been released daily since December 22, so you already have five episodes to catch up on (if you’re reading this on December 27, of course) with this Marvel Phase 5 series.
So far, I have rather enjoyed the stories than season 3 of What If…? has been told, but I still feel like this Marvel Cinematic Universe project was a missed opportunity for the comics giant. Given its concept and comic book namesake, this could have been a more daring and creative work. Unfortunately, this is not the case, and that is why it will never appear in our selection of the best Disney Plus series.
Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter
Your Fault (Prime Video)
My Fault (Culpa mía) might not qualify as one of Prime Video’s best movies, but young adult dramas are my weakness, so I’ll watch the sequel Your Fault. Based on the book series Guilty by Mercedes Ron, this Spanish-language romantic drama features Noah (Nicole Wallace) and Nick (Gabriel Guevara) whose passion meets new challenges as Noah heads off to college and Nick begins his career.
The first film was the most watched non-English film on Prime Video in 2023, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the second is also a big hit with viewers.
Grace Morris, entertainment editor
ChiefsAholic: A Wolf in Chiefs Clothing (Prime Video)
Being a well-known sports fan must be pretty neat, and that’s exactly the experience had by Xaviar Babudar, aka ChiefsAholic, who was compared to a god in the aforementioned trailer. All this until he was unmasked as a bank robber. This story is pretty crazy and I can’t wait to watch it!
When ChiefsAholic was arrested in Bixby, Oklahoma, it revealed a series of bank robberies committed across the Midwest, exposing a secret life. His arrest is documented through his own interviews and the legal journey that followed, as we discover how this Internet sensation robbed 11 banks, stealing more than $800,000 across seven states and laundering the proceeds through casinos. Even if you’re not a huge NFL fan, this story is incredible and perfect for fans of true-life stories. A potential candidate for our selection of the best Prime Video series? Maybe.
Lucy Buglass, entertainment editor
NFL on Christmas Day (Netflix)
The long-awaited moment of the big NFL Christmas games, where the Kansas City Chiefs (winners of Super Bowl LVIII) face the Pittsburgh Steelers, as well as the Baltimore Ravens against the Houston Texans, finally came to fruition this week, with the Christmas gift offered to Netflix subscribers, who were able to watch both matches live on December 25.
To top it off, Mariah Carey opened the show with her Christmas classic before Beyoncé took the stage during the halftime show with her first live performance of tracks from the ‘Cowboy Carter’ album. According to Nielsen data, these two games became the most watched in NFL history, with an average audience of 24 million viewers. Go sports!
Amelia Schwanke, entertainment editor
Alien Files: Reopened (Max)
Alien Files: Reopenedwhich landed on Max, explores 75 years of UFO phenomena as investigators seek to uncover the truth behind well-known cases through forensic analysis. With the help of a team of experts, they uncover who is behind government disinformation, false abduction stories, and infiltration of the UFO community. This series challenges perceptions, leaving audiences wondering who and what they can really believe.
I’ve never watched a docuseries about aliens before, but maybe it’s time I give it a try. I don’t expect this to make our list of Max’s best series, though…
Grace Morris, entertainment editor
For additional streaming suggestions, check out our guides to the best movies on Netflix, Max, the best series on Paramount Plus, and Hulu.
