Whats new to streaming this week? (Jan. 23, 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.
22. The Big Fake
Forging great artworks is not an easy criminal task — you have to make the viewer believe they're looking at the work of ancient masters like Monet, Michelangelo, or Magritte. It’s the key talent of Toni Chichiarelli (Pietro Castellitto) of Netflix’s The Big Fake, a glitzy drama from Italian director Stefano Lodovichi (The Guest Room). Set in '70s Rome, the film sees Toni drawn into a glamorous underworld of wheeling and dealing in fakes, which gets more tumultuous and dangerous with each masterpiece. — Shannon Connellan, UK Editor
Starring: Pietro Castellitto, Giulia Michelini, Andrea Arcangeli, Pierluigi Gigante, Aurora Giovinazzo, Edoardo Pesce, and Claudio Santamaria
How to watch: The Big Fake debuts on Netflix on Jan. 23.
21. Drops of God, Season 2
Consider yourself a bit of a sommelier? Could you blind taste a glass in front of you? Well, Apple TV's French-Japanese drama Drops of God takes the world of wine extremely seriously. Based on the Japanese manga series of the same name, Drops of God Season 1 followed the death of wealthy wine boss Alexandre Léger (Stanley Weber), who pitted his traumatised daughter Camille (Fleur Geffrier) and dedicated student Issei (Tomohisa Yamashita) against each other in a super somm-off — all to inherit his covetable private wine cellar. This season, there are even more quaffable questions about Léger they'll try to resist answering — but these two can't help themselves when it comes to identifying wine. — S.C.
Starring: Tomohisa Yamashita, Fleur Geffrier, and Tom Wozniczka
How to watch: Drops of God Season 2 is now streaming on Apple TV, with new episodes Wednesdays.
20. Free Bert
Stand-up comedian Bert Kreischer get his own sitcom with Free Bert. Known as a shirtless party animal, Bert finds himself in complicated terrain as his daughters get accepted into an elite private school. Sure, all parents embarrass their kids. But being known as the comedian who doesn't wear his shirt? Next-level cringe.
With family fun and plenty of f-bombs, Free Bert is a show of class conflict and ballsy comedy. — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor
Starring: Bert Kreischer, Arden Myrin, Chris Witaske, and Mandell Maughan
How to watch: Free Bert is now streaming on Netflix.
19. Skyscraper Live
Alex Honnold is about to do something wild, dangerous, and frankly, flummoxing.
The daring Free Solo pro climber gained fame for becoming the first person to climb Yosemite's El Capitan without safety ropes. Now, he is set to do it again — only this time he's picked Taipei 101, one of the tallest buildings in the world at 101 stories high. And he's going to do it live on Netflix, in real time.
Honnold's rope-free skyscraper climb will come with live commentary from sports anchor Elle Duncan, with special guests dropping by throughout. Honnold has checked in on Instagram, posting that he was "getting over my jet lag and feeling pretty good. Getting psyched!" — S.C.
Starring: Alex Honnold, Elle Duncan, Emily Harrington, Mark Rober, Seth Rollins, and Pete Woods
How to watch: Skyscraper Live streams live on Netflix Jan. 23 at 8 p.m. ET.
18. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
I have no love for these latest relaunched Ghostbuster movies. They retconned the best bits of the previous franchise to turn Egon into a deadbeat dad whose death left behind a sullen daughter (Carrie Coon) and precocious grandkids (Mckenna Grace and Finn Wolfhard), who must bust ghosts despite their generational trauma.
I called Ghostbusters: Afterlife a "soulless ode to nepotism." Yet I admit this frosty sequel isn't so bad. In my review, I wrote, "This makes for a new chapter that is overcrowded with characters, CGI ghouls, and science yelling. While at points, there's jokes that actually land (thanks to the likes of Kumail Nanjiani and Patton Oswalt), overall, this sequel is a confounding mix of fan service and inexplicable choices meant to cater to a broad audience." — K.P.
Starring: Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts, Kumail Nanjiani, and Patton Oswalt
How to watch: Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is now on Hulu.
17. Finding Her Edge
Attempting to ride the coattails of HBO's wildly popular sports romance Heated Rivalry, Netflix's latest romance is also set on the ice. Adapted from Jennifer Iacopelli's YA novel and very loosely inspired by Jane Austen's Persuasion, Finding Her Edge follows figure skater Adriana Russo (Madelyn Keys), whose quest for corporate sponsorship sees her in a pretend relationship with her skating partner, Brayden (Cale Ambrozic). But what of her former skating partner, Freddie O’Connell (Olly Atkins), who also happens to be Adriana's first love?
Reader, you might be thinking, didn't Netflix already have an ice skating YA series? You'd be correct; Netflix cancelled ice skating drama Spinning Out, starring Kaya Scodelario, after just one season in 2022. Hmmm. — S.C.
Starring: Madelyn Keys, Cale Ambrozic, Harmon Walsh, Alexandra Beaton, and Olly Atkins
How to watch: Finding Her Edge is now streaming on Netflix.
16. Handsome Devil: Charming Killer
If you're craving a new true crime watch, this three-part documentary series could scratch that itch — or leave you irritated.
Handsome Devil: Charming Killer dives into the homicidal rampage of Wade Wilson, who, because he shares his name with a certain MCU anti-hero, has been dubbed the "Deadpool Killer." The facts of the case are harrowing, involving a string of assaults, two of which turned into cold-blooded murder. Yet when Wilson's case made headlines, lots of people flocked to social media to swoon over this "handsome devil."
This mini-series attempts to explore the charm (and manipulation) that lured men and women to pursue him romantically while he was behind bars, even as he was on trial for multiple homicides. Alongside lawyers and journalists, the filmmakers also interview a couple of Wilson's exes — including a former fiancee that began their relationship after his arrest. Yet they fall short of answering some nagging questions. The show's makers seem most interested in the shocking details of the crimes and the troubling fans who rose around him than they do the deeper impacts of the case and the online harassment Wilson's survivor faced.
While this one is shocking, it's more infuriating than informative. I'd keep scrolling for a much better true crime doc below. —K.P.
How to watch: Handsome Devil: Charming Killer is now on Paramount+.
15. Queer Eye, Season 10
There's been a lot of talk recently about Queer Eye behind the scenes, from alleged feuds to one cast member retreating from promo citing fears of "being bullied." It's been a long road of exposés and of responses. So, after 10 seasons of uplifting makeovers, a whole town revamp, and groundbreaking onscreen representation, it's a strange vibe knowing Queer Eye is dropping its final episodes amid it all. Set in Washington, D.C., the final season will see Antoni Porowski, Tan France, Karamo Brown, Jonathan Van Ness, and Jeremiah Brent meeting, making over, and inspiring folks from the capital while reflecting on the show's legacy. It's a weird time to bid farewell to one of the most feel-good shows on TV knowing what we know and/or suspect about how the cast really feels about each other. — S.C.
Starring: Antoni Porowski, Tan France, Karamo Brown, Jonathan Van Ness, and Jeremiah Brent
How to watch: Queer Eye Season 10 is now streaming on Netflix.
14. WWE: Unreal, Season 2
Digging its anchor further into the world of WWE, Netflix takes you behind the scenes of the complex production puzzle that is wrestling with docuseries Unreal — and there's a brand-new season. This time around, director Chris Weaver and showrunner Erik Powers give you a seat in Gorilla Position, tracking the road to SummerSlam 2025 at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium, through writing, choreography, technical production, backstage drama, and more. Expect appearances by Cody Rhodes, Rhea Ripley, Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch, Naomi, and many more. — S.C.
Starring: Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch, Cody Rhodes, Rhea Ripley, Pat McAfee, Jelly Roll, R-Truth, Iyo Sky, Naomi, Chelsea Green, Penta, and Lyra Valkyria.
How to watch: WWE: Unreal Season 2 is now on Netflix.
13. Venom: Let There Be Carnage
This 2021 superhero movie dared to ask what's better than one extraterrestrial symbiote running amok on Earth? The answer? Two extraterrestrial symbiotes running amok on Earth.
This Spider-Man spinoff sequel stars Tom Hardy as ever-in-trouble Eddie Brock and his symbiote frenemy Venom. This chaotic duo finds their world rocked when an interview with serial killer Cletus Kasady (Woody Harrelson, dusting off that Natural Born Killers energy) gets infected, transforming him into the monstrous Carnage.
In her review for Mashable, Alison Foreman wrote upon the film's release, "Despite the chaos, Let There Be Carnage is supremely watchable. You’ll follow the main narrative with ease, find respite in the moments Michelle Williams’ Anne is forced to take control of her ex-boyfriend(s), and otherwise have an amazingly weird time. It’s breezy, yet bold; silly, yet compelling; a flurry of fuckery you won't want to miss. If you liked the first Venom, you'll enjoy his second outing just as much. After all, 'we are Venom' and three years later, that’s still rad as hell." — K.P.
Starring: Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, Naomie Harris, Reid Scott, Stephen Graham, and Woody Harrelson
How to watch: Venom: Let There Be Carnage is now on Disney+.
12. Star Search
No need to check your calendar. Star Search, the reality TV competition series before we even called it that, is back. Anthony Anderson steps into Ed McMahon's shows, taking the role of host of this talent competition, while Jelly Roll, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Chrissy Teigen will serve as judges for a flood of aspiring singers, dancers, comedians, magicians, and surprising performers.
The original series ran from 1983 to 1995, and featured appearances from the likes of Aaliyah, Adam Sandler, Alanis Morissette, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Dave Chappelle, Beyoncé, and Pitbull. So, watching this Netflix relaunch means you could be watching the a new star be born — live! — K.P.
11. Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!
Mel Brooks is a living legend of comedy. Since his outrageously funny directorial debut, 1967's The Producers, Brooks has been making audiences cackle with a long list of sensational spoofs like Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, and Spaceballs (to name a few). But how much do you know about the man behind the masterclass of silliness?
In this two-part documentary, Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio look back on Brooks' incredible career and life with the man himself, his collaborators, and a slew of comedians who see him as an inspiration. — K.P.
Starring: Mel Brooks, Ben Stiller, Bill Pullman, Dave Chappelle, Conan O'Brien, and many more
How to watch: Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man! is now streaming on HBO Max.
10. Um, Actually, Season 11
Do you love trivia? Or being pedantic? Well, then Dropout's Um, Actually is the show for you! Each week, host Ify Nwadiwe challenges three players to find the error in long-winded facts about everything from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Doctor Who to Lord of the Rings and Buffy The Vampire Slayer. And unlike at a party, where such attention to detail can be downright grating, here, it's pretty hilarious.
But hey, remember. It's not enough to be right. You got to start your answer with "Um, actually." After all, this is basically Jeopardy! for funny nerds, like Dimension 20's Brennan Lee Mulligan and Critical Role's Matt Mercer. But that's not all. Take a look at the guest list for Season 11, and feel free to geek out in anticipation. — K.P.
Starring: Ify Nwadiwe, Brennan Lee Mulligan, Matt Mercer, Erika Ishii, Jordan Myrick, Angela Giarratana, Zac Oyama, Jarvis Johnson, Ally Beardsley, and Oscar Montoya
How to watch: Um, Actually Season 11's premiere is now streaming on Dropout.
9. The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants
SpongeBob SquarePants is the gift that keeps on giving. Created by the late Stephen Hillenburg, the Nickelodeon cartoon series that debuted in 1999 has offered over 300 episodes, spin-off shows like Kamp Koral and The Patrick Star Show, plus a growing list of movies. And it just doesn't get old to see this gleeful fry cook giggle.
In The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, the titular hero is on a quest to become a swashbuckler, like his mentor/boss Mr. Krabs. The ghost pirate known as The Flying Dutchman promises he can get SpongeBob to his goal. But curiously, it's not the goofy goober's bravery or swordsmanship that attracts the attention of this nefarious figure, it's his outstanding bubble-blowing abilities.
This adventure is supremely silly, action-packed, and ultimately sweet. If you're looking for a movie to shut your brain off and just enjoy, you'd be hard-pressed to make a better choice than this. — K.P.
Starring: Tom Kenny, Mr. Lawrence, Jill Talley, Bill Fagerbakke, Carolyn Lawrence, Clancy Brown, Ice Spice, Arturo Castro, Mark Hamill, Regina Hall, and Rodger Bumpass
How to watch: The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants is now available for rental or purchase on Prime Video.
8. Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere
The Bear star Jeremy Allen White unleashes his inner Bruce Springsteen in this musical biopic from writer/director Scott Cooper. Instead of focusing on the Boss' career as a whole, Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere zeroes in on the making of Springsteen's sixth studio album, Nebraska, which he recorded sparsely on a four-track in his bedroom. The film parallels the production with Springsteen's struggles with depression, crafting a solemn portrait of the musician.
While White turns in an admirable performance as Springsteen, the rest of the film pales in comparison, hitting standard biopic beats like troubled childhoods and the flashes of genius that lead to a great song. As I wrote in my review, "While the film's music remains classic as ever, and while White does an admirable job channeling Springsteen, Deliver Me From Nowhere fails to deliver anything revelatory about the actual emotions behind the music."* — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Jeremy Strong, Paul Walter Hauser, Stephen Graham, Odessa Young, Gaby Hoffmann, Marc Maron, and David Krumholtz
How to watch: Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere comes to Hulu on Jan. 23.
7. Smosh Hospital
YouTube comedy collective Smosh skewers your favorite hospital dramas in this ridiculously fun, partially improvised live show, now available on VOD.
In the vein of The Pitt, ER, and Grey's Anatomy, Smosh Hospital follows the personal and professional lives of the nurses and doctors working at Loving Embrace Memorial. There's just one catch: Each character is played by two actors, and every time one of them breaks, the other takes their place. The result is a madcap improv carousel where everyone tries to make their scene partners laugh.
You'll get more mileage if you're already a Smosh fan, especially when it comes to the show's many inside jokes, but if you've got 90 minutes to spare and need a break from the tension headaches caused by The Pitt, this is a worthy cure. — B.E.
Starring: Angela Giarratana, Courtney Miller, Shayne Topp, Arasha, Tommy Bowe, Trevor Evarts, Olivia Sui, Amanda Lehan-Canto, Anthony Padilla, Chanse McCrary, Damien Haas, Keith Leak, Noah Grossman, and Spencer Agnew
How to watch: Smosh Hospital is available for purchase on VOD until Feb. 1.
6. Mother of Flies
Do you know the Adams family? We're not talking the fictional spooky, ooky ones. We're talking the real-life filmmaking family behind such trippy indie horror movies as The Deeper You Dig, Hellbender, and Hell Hole.
Their latest, Mother of Flies, is written, directed by, and starring mother Toby Poser, father John Adams, and their youngest daughter, Zelda Adams. This witchy story follows a young woman with a terminal cancer diagnosis. Having convinced her father to drive her deep into the woods to meet a self-proclaimed witch (Poser), the pair set out on a strange adventure of faith and fear. Creepy and trippy, Mother of Flies is sure to make your skin crawl. — K.P.
Starring: Toby Poser, Zelda Adams, Lulu Adams, and John Adams
How to watch: Mother of Flies debuts on Shudder on Jan. 23.
5. The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins
From the creators of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and 30 Rock comes a mockumentary sitcom that teams up Tracy Morgan and Daniel Radcliffe.
Blending a barrage of pop culture references with daffy humor from comedy masters, The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins centers on the eponymous former NFL star (Morgan), who was publicly disgraced over a gambling scandal decades ago. Looking to reboot his image, he invites a high-strung documentarian (Radcliffe) into his home, where he's coddled by his young girlfriend, his spoiled son, his dopey bestie, and his manager/ex-wife. But can they all agree on a vision for how this has-been should be seen?
If you like Robert Carlock and Sam Means' previous shows, you'll like relish their latest as well. Frankly, the chaotic possibilities of Morgan and Radcliffe alone have us hooked. — K.P.
Starring: Tracy Morgan, Erika Alexander, Precious Way, Jalyn Hall, Bobby Moynihan, and Daniel Radcliffe
How to watch: The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins' premiere is now streaming on Peacock, with new episodes on Sundays.
4. Merrily We Roll Along
In 2023, the hottest ticket on Broadway was Merrily We Roll Along. Sure, the Stephen Sondheim show flopped when first launched in 1981. But this revival offered Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff, and Lindsay Mendez, three dynamic and massively talented performers who each got a Tony Award nomination for their work here. (Groff and Radcliffe won, and so did the show for Best Revival of a Musical).
But don't fret if you couldn't get into this heralded live event, because their incredible performances were recorded for posterity — and home viewing.
Directed by Maria Friedman, Merrily We Roll Along is the story a friendship between three aspiring dreamers — told in reverse. The show begins with movie producer Franklin Shepard (Groff) hosting a wild party in his lavish home, where his best friend, Mary Flynn (Mendez), is throwing back booze and throwing out barbs, while his former collaborator, Charley Kringas (Radcliffe), is nowhere to be seen. From there, the show works back to through their highs and lows, to their idealistic youth. It's a stunner of a production, in no small part because of the charismatic trio's verve in tackling such tough material. But be warned, this could kick you into a mid-life crisis — whatever your age. — K.P.
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff, and Lindsay Mendez
How to watch: Merrily We Roll Along is now available for rental or purchase on Prime Video.
3. Cosmic Princess Kaguya!
Cosmic Princess Kaguya! hits Netflix this week, promising a dazzling trip through the virtual realm of Tsukuyomi, all set to music composed with Yamaha's unique singing synthesizer software known as Vocaloid. The feature debut of Shingo Yamashita (Chainsaw Man, Jujutsu Kaisen) the anime film is inspired by Japanese folktale The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, with songs by Vocaloid producers like HoneyWorks, kz (livetune), ryo (supercell), Aqu3ra, yuigot, and 40mP.
Moon-born Kaguya (voiced by Yuko Natsuyoshi) befriends Earthling, songwriter, and honour student Iroha (Anna Nagase). Not wanting to return to her lunar home, Kaguya instead wants to become Tsukuyomi's top idol, with Iroha's help. But they'll first need to meet "the diva of Tsukuyomi," Yachiyo (Saori Hayami), and suss out the competition.
"Shingo Yamashita's Cosmic Princess Kaguya! presents a virtual world so dazzling and well-run you'll wish it actually existed," I wrote in my review. "A modern fairy tale rooted in gaming and streaming culture, Cosmic Princess Kaguya! not only offers a sweet story of love, independence, connection, and finding your voice, but also imagines a simply beautiful online space devoid of the internet's worst elements." — S.C.
Starring: Yuko Natsuyoshi, Anna Nagase, and Saori Hayami
How to watch: Cosmic Princess Kaguya! is now streaming on Netflix.
2. Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart
Elizabeth Smart's survival story is horrific; however, this documentary is hopeful. Among interviews with police officers, witnesses, and the Smart family, Elizabeth herself speaks of her experience with an incredible clarity and a sharp wit that will inspire and may even have you cackling at the expense of her criminal captor.
In 2002, Smart's story made national headlines, first when the 14-year-old was abducted from her family home in the middle of a summer night. Nine months later, the nation was in awe when she was found alive.
The first half of Benedict Sanderson's documentary recounts the details you might remember from the coverage at the time, about the crime, the suspects, and the flummoxed cops. In the second half, Smart reveals what she endured in captivity, but also what she's learned about survival, letting go of shame, and moving on. A thoughtful mix of darkness and light, Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart is a true crime doc well worth your time. — K.P.
Starring: Elizabeth Smart
How to watch: Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart is now streaming on Netflix.
Best of Streaming this week:
The Beauty
Ryan Murphy's latest series, The Beauty, opens with a bang, as Bella Hadid spontaneously combusts after going on a Paris catwalk killing spree. (I dare you not to get hooked after that.)
Hadid's character Ruby is one of many supermodels infected with the Beauty, a sexually transmitted disease that turns its hosts into the most beautiful versions of themselves. Side effects include blowing up, which is why FBI agents Madsen and Bennett (Evan Peters and Rebecca Hall) are on the case. In their search, they'll cross paths with the wealthy Corporation (Ashton Kutcher), who plans to sell the Beauty to the masses — and kill anyone who stands in his way.
What follows is a heady cocktail of body horror and corporate conspiracies, punctuated by the occasional on-the-nose commentary on beauty standards. (Of course, the show is adhering to the same standards it critiques, creating a feedback loop of aggravation that never lets up throughout the show.) In the end, though, The Beauty is at its best when it's unhinged, and it's unhinged often. As I wrote in my review, "The Beauty is Ryan Murphy at his Ryan Murphy-est, which is to say that it's maximalist, deranged chaos." — B.E.
Starring: Evan Peters, Anthony Ramos, Jeremy Pope, Ashton Kutcher, Rebecca Hall, Amelia Gray Hamlin, Ari Graynor, Bella Hadid, Ben Platt, Billy Eichner, Isabella Rossellini, Jessica Alexander, Julie Halston, Lux Pascal, Meghan Trainor, Nicola Peltz Beckham, Peter Gallagher, and Vincent D’Onofrio
How to watch: The first three episodes of The Beauty are now streaming on Hulu.
(*) denotes a blurb came from a prior list.
