The holiday streaming race is in full swing, and this week’s lineup feels like a curated sampler platter perfect for marathon couch sessions: big studio sequels, prestige reimaginings, buzzworthy genre series, concert events, and a splash of operatic British reality chaos.
The built-in marketing momentum is a key reason many of us carve out time each November to write our annual streaming turkey list. Industry trackers like Nielsen’s The Gauge and Antenna consistently highlight Thanksgiving week as one of the peak periods for viewing and subscriber sign-ups—and this year, all the major players have arrived fully loaded.
Here’s a guide to the latest stories arriving on Netflix, Prime Video, Peacock, Hulu, Max, Shudder, and other streaming services—including a few gems to carry you through to New Year’s Eve.
Big Movie Premieres on Netflix, Max, Hulu, and Peacock
Peacock welcomes The Bad Guys 2, a high-energy caper perfect for family co-viewing this season. Following the first film’s global box office success of over $250 million, this sequel dives deeper into the franchise’s kinetic blend of hand-drawn and CG animation. A star-studded voice cast featuring Sam Rockwell, Awkwafina, Marc Maron, and Zazie Beetz brings the characters to life with splashy set pieces and a redemption arc with attitude.
Max presents The Conjuring: Last Rites, a franchise finale that reunites Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga for one last chilling case from the Warrens’ legendary files. With the Conjuring Universe having grossed over $2 billion worldwide, this installment caters to longtime fans with its mix of diabolical lore, attic suspense, and a greatest-hits tour of haunted history.
Over on Hulu, The Roses reimagines Warren Adler’s divorce satire with director Jay Roach and writer Tony McNamara orchestrating an A-list showdown between Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch. The tone is wickedly witty but measured, favoring a slow-burn approach over scorched-earth, boosted by comedic performances from Andy Samberg and Allison Janney.
For those craving holiday counterprogramming that’s thorny and intimate, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You is available to rent or buy on Prime Video. Rose Byrne delivers a raw, tightly wound performance as a mother unraveling under pressure—a gripping actor’s showcase that lingers in the mind.
Buzzworthy TV and Specials on Netflix, Peacock, and Prime Video
Prime Video’s The Mighty Nein adapts fan-favorite characters from Critical Role’s Campaign 2 into an animated epic. The longer episode runtimes allow the quirky misfits’ traumas and triumphs to unfold deeply, with original cast members like Laura Bailey, Ashley Johnson, and Matthew Mercer translating their renowned chemistry into cinematic stakes. The first three episodes are live now, with new chapters releasing every Wednesday.
Peacock’s The Celebrity Traitors brings Britain’s hit format stateside with a star-studded twist. This riotous series features household names such as Stephen Fry, Tom Daley, Charlotte Church, and Alan Carr navigating social strategy mixed with camp hilarity. All nine episodes are ready to stream.
Netflix’s A Man on the Inside Season 2 returns viewers to Ted Danson’s affably earnest detective now working undercover at a liberal arts college. Created by Mike Schur, the series feels like the streamer’s heartfelt answer to Friends, combining gently twisty cases with a fresh wave of warmth as Mary Steenburgen joins the cast.
Also on Netflix, The Great British Baking Show: Holidays Season 8 brings back familiar bakers, festive challenges, and the cozy charm that fuels year-end social media chatter. It’s the TV equivalent of a warm mince pie.
Music and Live Events on Netflix and Prime Video
This week’s standout streaming picks include:
But Where Are You Really From? on Netflix, a six-episode series exploring cultural identity through richly drawn characters.
John Cena’s Last Raw on Netflix, a behind-the-scenes look at the WWE icon’s final Monday Night Raw match at Madison Square Garden—a smart archival nod doubling as fan service.
One Shot with Ed Sheeran, premiering on Netflix, is an hour-long single-take concert film following the British superstar as he performs spontaneously across London, blending busker rawness with cinematic style.
Amazon Prime Video’s Hazbin Hotel: Live on Broadway features a one-night-only concert with the animated hit’s cast, energized by a cosplay-charged crowd—a must-watch for fans.
Selena y Los Dinos on Netflix offers an intimate portrait of Selena Quintanilla through family footage and new interviews, emphasizing the artistry over iconography.
Horror Highlights on Prime Video and Shudder
Prime Video’s Shelby Oaks is a found-mystery drama about a woman searching for her missing sister in Ohio woods. Writer-director Chris Stuckmann builds dread through whispered lore and absence rather than jump scares.
Shudder debuts Buen Chico (Good Boy), a tight indie chiller featuring horror veteran Larry Fessenden—a fresh choice for late-night scares this week.
Coming Soon: Train Dreams on Netflix
Next month, Netflix will release Train Dreams, an adaptation of Denis Johnson’s novella starring Joel Edgerton as a railroad worker navigating America’s early 20th-century upheavals. Created by the Sing Sing duo Greg Kwedar and Clint Bentley, with score by Bryce Dessner and cinematography by Adolpho Veloso, it promises to be a quietly stunning film to recommend.
Quick Picks:
- Families: The Bad Guys 2; The Great British Baking Show: Holidays
- Horror Fans: Last Rites; Shelby Oaks
- Buzz Magnets: The Mighty Nein; The Celebrity Traitors UK
Happy streaming!
