What are you going to be watching over the break? We round up everything coming to streaming services for the next three weeks, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Apple TV+, ThreeNow, Neon and TVNZ+.
The biggies
Boy Swallows Universe (on Netflix from January 11)
This limited series, based on Trent Dalton’s semi-autobiographical novel of the same name, follows a precocious boy and his selectively mute brother as they embark on a “suburban odyssey” of love and redemption after the Brisbane underworld tears their family apart. Fair warning: your tears may be jerked by this one. / Sam Brooks
Marvel Studios’ Echo (on Disney+ from January 10)
Once upon a time, a new Marvel Studios series would be something to celebrate. Now, however, it’s merely worth a shrug. That being said, I have to say I’m actually interested in this one: Maya Lopez (Alaqua Cox), pursued by Kingpin (Vincent D’Onofrio), is forced to flee New York for her hometown in Oklahoma, where she comes to terms with her past and reconnects with her Native American roots. Perhaps the reason I’m excited is that it sounds nothing like a Marvel show! / SB
Criminal Record (on AppleTV+ from January 10)
Does AppleTV+ have the best hit rate of any of the streaming services? I’d say so! In this eight episode crime thriller, two detectives (Peter Capaldi and Cush Jumbo) are drawn into a confrontation by an anonymous phone call regarding an old murder case. One detective is in the early stages of her career, the other is a well-connected veteran determined to protect his legacy. Thrilling! / SB
The notables
Berlin (on Netflix from December 29)
Did you know there is a character called Berlin, played by Pedro Alonso, in Netflix’s hit series Money Heist? Now there’s also a prequel series featuring that character, played once more by Alonso, and a gang of associates as they attempt an audacious heist: stealing $44m worth of jewels in one night. / SB
Broadchurch (all seasons on ThreeNow from January 2)
There’s never a bad time to binge watch Broadchurch, and now all three seasons are in the same place so you can do just that. In the first season, Detective Inspector Alec Hardy (David Tennant) and Detective Sergeant Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman, pre-Oscar) investigate the death of an 11 year old boy. The subsequent seasons follow the aftermath of Danny’s death, and the rippling impact it has on the town. It’s a show that pretty much everybody who has ever seen it loves, and everybody can’t be wrong, right? / SB
Doctor Who: The Church on Ruby Road (on Disney+ from December 26)
It’s been a hard few years to be a Doctor Who fan. Several mediocre seasons made it seem as though the show was destined to be cancelled for the second time in its 60-year history. But now, with returning talent behind and in front of the camera in the form of writer Russell T. Davies and stars David Tennant and Catherine Tate, it’s starting to feel like Doctor Who has once more been saved from extinction. The uniquely British show has partnered with Disney+, bringing international production values to a programme that has historically been made on a shoestring budget. Hype for these three specials, celebrating six decades of the Time Lord, is at an all-time high. / Stewart Sowman-Lund
The films
Fast X (on Neon from January 1)
Is Fast X a good movie? Absolutely not! Is Fast X a great movie? Absolutely yes. If you’re on the internet in 2023, I doubt you need the premise of the Fast and Furious series summarised, but just in case, it’s essentially The Avengers, but with cars, Vin Diesel and occasionally Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson star. / SB
Good Grief (on Prime Video from January 5)
Dan Levy makes his directorial debut in this film about a man, played by Levy himself, who joins his best friends (Ruth Negga and Himesh Patel) to Paris for a weekend getaway following the death of his parents. That sounds pretty heavy, but turns out it’s actually a romantic comedy! Why not! / SB
Many, many Mission: Impossible films (on Neon from December 26)
I do not exaggerate when I say one of the best things you could do with your Christmas break is to watch all six of the pre-Dead Reckoning Mission: Impossible films. They’re all really good, especially the series’ late pivot into a joyfully ridiculous, stunt-driven star vehicle. Do yourself a favour and give them all a watch, and we’ll see you all next year with more things coming to streaming! / SB
Netflix
December 25
Ricky Gervais: Armageddon
December 26
Thank You, I’m Sorry
December 27
Hell Camp: Teen Nightmare
December 28
Pokemon Concierge
December 29
Berlin
January 1
Fool Me Once
Bitconned
You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment
January 4
The Brothers Sun
Society of the Snow
January 5
Gyeongsang Creature: Part 2
Good Grief
January 7
Dual
Alice
January 10
The Trust: A Game of Greed
Break Point: Season 2
January 11
Boy Swallows Universe
Champion
Sonic Prime: Chapter 3
January 12
Love is Blind: Sweden
Lift
January 14
Minions: The Rise of Gru
Neon
December 26
The Black Demon
Hypnotic
Mission: Impossible
Mission: Impossible II
Mission: Impossible III
Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol
Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation
Mission: Impossible – Fallout
December 27
Blaze and the Monster Machines: Seasons 6-7
The Big Sick
Stuart Little 2
December 28
Shallow Grave
The Wedding Singer
Waterworld
December 29
sMothered: Seasons 3-4
December 30
Dr. Pimple Popper
Santiago of the Seas: Season 2a
High Society
December 31
Rush Hour
Rush Hour 2
January 3
Rugrats: Season 1
Belgravia: Season 1
January 5
Bump: Season 4
January 6
Nella the Princess Knight: Season 1-2
January 8
Ben 10 Ultimate Alien: Season 2
The Thing About Pam
January 11
Frank of Ireland
January 12
The Powerpuff Girls: Season 3
January 13
Steven Universe Future: Season 1
January 14
Quantum Leap: Season 2a
TVNZ+
N/A
ThreeNow
December 27
Bounty Hunters: Seasons 1-2
Lil Jon Wants To Do What?: Season 2
January 2
Broadchurch: Seasons 1-3
January 3
Code of a Killer
January 4
All That Glitters: Season 2
January 8
Alaskan Bush People
January 9
River
January 11
Informer 3838
January 14
The Bridge: Seasons 1-2
Prime Video
December 28
The Pope’s Exorcist
January 1
Marry My Husband
Wicker Park
West Side Story
Invaders from Mars
Once Bitten
The Long Riders
Mystic Pizza
Joy Ride
January 2
Bank of Dave
January 4
Barbarian
January 5
Foe
James May: Our Man in India
January 12
Role Play
Jesus Revolution
Disney+
December 26
The Church on Ruby Road
December 27
Raffa: Season 1
January 3
Ishura: Season 1
Truth and Lies: The Last Gangster
January 10
Marvel Studios’ Echo
Bob’s Burgers: Season 14
The Secret Life of Dancing Dogs: Season 1
January 11
Daughters of the Cult
Apple TV+
January 10
Criminal Record
AMC+/Acorn TV
December 25
The Madame Blanc Mysteries
January 8
Cheat
Shudder
January 1
Possession (1981)
Tower Block
Homebound
January 8
Swallowed
The Outwaters
Hayu
N/A