Here’s what’s new and ready to stream now on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, video-on-demand, and other streaming services …
Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) and Charlotte (Kristin Davis) are back in “And Just Like That…“ (TV-MA), a limited series sequel to “Sex in the City” that follows the three old friend (Kim Cattrall is not part of the reunion) as they navigate life in their fifties. Sarita Choudhury, Nicole Ari Parker, Karen Pittman and Sara Ramírez join the cast and bring a little inclusiveness missing from the original series, and plenty of old friends return, including the Chris Noth, Even Handler, and Willie Garson in his final screen performance. New episodes on Thursdays. (HBO Max)
The British limited series “Landscapers“ (TV-MA) is an offbeat crime drama based on the true story of a seemingly ordinary British couple (played by Olivia Colman and David Thewlis) whose real lives are tangled in fantasy, denial, and murder. Director Will Sharpe brings the cinematic imagination he displayed in “The Electrical Life of Louis Wain.” New episodes on Mondays (HBO Max)
The sixth and final season of “The Expanse“ (TV-MA), the best interplanetary science fiction series since “Battlestar Galactica,” sends the sprawling space drama into the heat of interstellar warfare as Earth recovers from devastating asteroid attacks. New episodes on Fridays. (Amazon Prime Video)
The documentary “The First Wave“ (2021, R) follows a group of doctors, nurses, and patients in one of New York’s hardest hit hospital systems in the first four months of the COVID pandemic. It’s from Oscar-nominated filmmaker Matthew Heineman. (Hulu)
Will Smith travels the world to explore Earth’s greatest wonders, from the ocean depths to active volcanoes to lions on the African plains, in the natural history limited series “Welcome to Earth“ (TV-PG) produced by National Geographic. (Disney+)
A group of misunderstood animals make a break from the zoo to get “Back to the Outback“ (2021, PG) in the animated adventure set in Australia. Features the voices of Isla Fisher, Eric Bana, Guy Pearce, and Jacki Weaver. (Netflix)
Holiday trimmings
“Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas“ (2021, TV-14) is both a holiday musical and a sequel to the TV series starring Jane Levy… and maybe a test run for a possible revival. Streams free with ads, along with every episode of the original series. (Roku Channel)
Also new is the TV variety show “Michael Buble’s Christmas in the City” (TV-PG) (Hulu and Peacock);
- “Groundhog Day”-inspired family comedy “Christmas… Again?!“ (2021, TV-G) (Disney+);
- comedy “The Housewives of the North Pole“ (2021, TV-PG) with Betsy Brandt and Kyle Richards (Peacock).
Pay-Per-View / Video-On-Demand
“Dear Evan Hansen“ (2021, PG-13) brings the hit Broadway musical to the screen with Ben Platt reprising his stage role as an isolated high school kid suddenly accepted because of a lie.
A child who can move through parallel worlds is pursued by a dark figure in “Portal Runner“ (2021, not rated), a family science fiction adventure that was shot in Seattle.
Clint Eastwood directs and stars in “Cry Macho“ (2021, PG-13) as a former rodeo rider bringing a trouble kid and his rooster (named Macho) from Mexico to his estranged father in Texas.
A college girl comes home to her Indian-American family in New Jersey for a revealing reunion in the comedy “India Sweets and Spices“ (2021, PG-13).
Netflix
Sandra Bullock produces and stars in “The Unforgivable“ (2021, R) as a woman released from a twenty-year prison sentence for murder and looking for the little sister she left behind. Vincent D’Onofrio, Viola Davis, and Jon Bernthal costar in this remake of the 2009 British miniseries mystery.
“Saturday Morning All Star Hits! Season 1“ (TV-14), a mix of live-action and animation, celebrates and sends up the Saturday-morning shows of the ’80s and ’90s.
True stories: “Voir: Season 1“ (TV-MA) presents a series of short cinematic essays from contemporary film critics that explore and examine the power of cinema and “Tiger King: The Doc Antle Story“ (2021, TV-MA) is a spinoff of the hit documentary series.
International passport: in the thriller “Two“ (Spain, TV-MA, with subtitles), a pair of strangers wakeup to find themselves literally sewn together at the abdomen. Also new:
- “Asakusa Kid“ (Japan, TV-MA, with subtitles) based on the autobiographical novel by comedian and filmmaker Takeshi Kitano;
- romantic comedy “Still Out of My League“ (Italy, 2010, TV-MA, with subtitles).
Amazon Prime Video
Riz Ahmed stars in the psychological thriller “Encounter“ (2021, R) as a decorated Marine who abducts his children during a mental breakdown: he’s convinced alien insect invaders threatens their lives. Octavia Spencer and Rory Cochrane costar.
“Ed Sheeran: The Equals Live Experience“ (not rated) presents the recording artist performing his new album.
The reality series “The Ferragnez: Season 1“ (TV-Y7) takes viewers into the lives of digital entrepreneur and fashion icon Chiara Ferragni and artist Fedez.
Hulu
The British comedy “Bloods: Season 1“ (not rated) stars Samson Kayo and Jane Horrocks as mismatched paramedic partners in the South London ambulance service.
“Creamerie: Season 1“ (not rated) is a post-apocalyptic dark comedy from New Zealand about a future where a viral plague killed all men… or did it?
A retired hairdresser (Udo Kier) escapes his nursing home for one last adventure to fulfill the dying wish of a former client in “Swan Song“ (2021, R). Jennifer Coolidge, Linda Evans, and Michael Urie costar in the offbeat odyssey.
Brad Pitt travels the globe for a cure for the zombie plague in the action horror “World War Z“ (2013, PG-13).
Two new “Live in Front of a Studio Audience“ TV events are now streaming: reenactments of classic sitcom episodes of “Diff’rent Strokes” and “The Facts of Life” with such stars as John Lithgow, Kevin Hart, Damon Wayans, Jennifer Aniston, Gabrielle Union, and Ann Down as Mrs. Garrett in both episodes. More streaming TV:
- animated medieval comedy “Crossing Swords: Season 2“ (TV-MA);
- new ABC sitcom “Abbott Elementary“ (TV-14) starring Quinta Brunson, Tyler James Williams, and Sheryl Lee Ralph (new episodes on Wednesdays).
HBO Max
Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Alex Gibney delves into the story of Abu Zubaydah, the first high-value detainee put through the CIA’s program of Enhanced Interrogation Techniques (also known as torture), in “The Forever Prisoner“ (2021, TV-MA). More true stories:
- “The Slow Hustle“ (2021, TV-MA) explores the lingering questions behind the death of a veteran Baltimore police detective;
- “Mr. Saturday Night“ (2021, TV-MA) profiles music producer and manager Robert Stigwood and the creation of “Saturday Night Fever.”
The comedy “Limbo“ (2021, R) explores the immigrant experience through the story of a young Syrian musician (Amir El-Masry) awaiting an asylum request on a remote Scottish island.
Streaming TV: Tracy Jordan stars in the comedy “The Last O.G.: Seasons 1-3“ (TV-MA). Also new:
- sitcom “Mike & Molly: Complete Series“ (2010-2016, TV-14) starring Bill Gardell and Emmy-winner Melissa McCarthy;
- young adult superhero series “DC’s Stargirl: Season 2“ (TV-PG) with Brec Bassinger and Luke Wilson.
Disney+
“Tron: Legacy“ (2010, PG) returns the cyberworld of the 1982 film with state-of-the-art digital effects. Garrett Hedlund, Olivia Wilde, and Jeff Bridges star. Also newly arrived:
- Tim Burton’s suburban fairy tale “Edward Scissorhands“ (1990, PG) with Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder;
- animated adventure “Ice Age“ (2002, PG) featuring the voices of Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, and Denis Leary.
AMC+
Jodie Turner-Smith stars as “Anne Boleyn“ (not rated) in the limited series psychological thriller exploring the final months in the life of the doomed with of King Henry VIII. New episodes on Thursdays.
The three-part natural history documentary “Wild Patagonia“ (not rated) explores the landscape and wildlife of the South American region.
Acorn TV
The romantic dramedy “Under the Vines: Season 1“ (not rated) stars Rebecca Gibney and Charles Edwards as bickering city folk who inherit a failing New Zealand winery. New episodes on Mondays.
The Criterion Channel
“Hitchcock for the Holidays” collects 21 films from the master, from his breakthrough masterpiece “The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog“ (1927, silent with music score) to his final film, the lighthearted mystery “Family Plot“ (1976, PG) with Karen Black and Bruce Dern. If you are looking for recommendations, try his snappy British romantic thriller “The Lady Vanishes“ (1938), small town mystery “Shadow of a Doubt“ (1943) with Joseph Cotten, and two of his James Stewart classics, “Rear Window“ (1954) with Grace Kelly and “Vertigo“ (1958), which was voted the greatest film ever made in the 2012 BFI critics poll.
The documentary “Lydia Lunch: The War Is Never Over“ (2019, not rated) is a portrait of New York’s iconic No Wave music and spoken-word artist from underground filmmaking legend Beth B.
The weekly column is featured in The Seattle Times, The Spokesman-Review, and other newspapers.
Don’t miss a single recommendation. Subscribe to the Stream On Demand weekly newsletter (your E-mail address will not be shared) and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
