There's no better way to ring in the new year than by streaming the best new movies and shows, starting with the highly anticipated finale. Stranger Things season 5 the bookies' favorite film of awards season. Getting through the first weekend of the year can be challenging as you're probably still recovering from the busy Christmas and New Year celebrations, but these games will lift your spirits.
Below we've compiled a list of 6 great new movies and shows on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, HBO MaxApple TV Plus and Hulu, some of best streaming services there. We've got some exciting titles this time around, like a remake of the classic '80s comedy, a must-see horror gem released last year, and new episodes of some fan-favorite shows.
New films
The Naked Gun (Prime Video)
Accessible: All over the world
Watch now: Prime Video
One of the funniest comedies of 2025 is now on Prime Video, and we can't think of a better way to start the new year. Somewhere between a remake and a reboot, The Naked Gun brings back the saga's goofy-fun sense of humor, which, of course, includes plenty of fart and sex jokes.
The acid cop satire first began with Leslie Nielsen's Frank Drebin, who made his debut on the TV show Vice Squad and then starred in his own film, The Naked Gun: From the Files of Vice in 1988. Starring Liam Neeson, Pamela Anderson and Paul Walter Hauser, the new film follows Frank Drebin Jr. as he tries to solve a murder involving a tech mogul while doing everything he can to save his police department from destruction. turn it off.
The Naked Gun will be available to stream on Amazon Prime starting December 29th. To find out more, check out our list of all the films. best movies on Prime Video right now.
One Battle After Another (HBO Max)
Accessible: US
Watch now: HBO Max
As awards season continues, you might want to watch the movie that could win the most awards this year, and you can do so on HBO Max right now. Paul Thomas Anderson's critically acclaimed One Battle After Another has been available to stream for a few weeks now, but chances are you missed it amid the Christmas festivities. Now that 2026 is officially here and the Academy Awards are just around the corner, there are no more excuses.
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Teyana Taylor, Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall and Chase Infinity. The film follows Bob, a former revolutionary living off the grid (and in a state of paranoia) with his daughter Willa. When she goes missing, he must confront his radical past to find her.
One Battle After Another will be available to watch on HBO Max starting December 19. Read more in our article. Review of “One Battle After Another”and check out our guides to best hbo shows And best hbo movies.
Together (Hulu)
Accessible: US
Watch now: Hulu
Would you like to start the new year with fear? Alison Brie and Dave Franco's horror film Togetherness arrived on Hulu this week as one of the latest must-see films in the genre. A real-life married couple goes through a nightmarish journey in this film from director Michael Shanks, which combines body horror with dark comedy and climaxes to the soundtrack of the Spice Girls.
The pair play Millie and Tim, who move from the city to the countryside, bringing with them a host of family problems. Things get strange after a couple goes for a walk in the woods and stumbles upon a mysterious source of water, which they feel compelled to drink, leading to a radical transformation in their love, their lives and their flesh.
“Together” will be available to stream on Hulu starting December 31st. Read more in our list best hulu shows watch now.
New TV shows
Season 5 finale of Stranger Things (Netflix)
Accessible: All over the world
Watch now: Netflix
After ten years, Stranger Things has officially come to an end—so be sure to watch the final full-length episode as soon as possible to avoid spoilers! After airing most of last season's episodes between late November and Christmas, the hit Netflix show finally delivered its finale on New Year's Eve, offering all the answers to the story's biggest questions. Who's dying? Who will survive? And is Vecna ​​finally defeated? You'll have to watch and find out.
When you're ready to dive into the latest episode, be sure to check out our Stranger Things Season 5 Ending Explained guidance to remember everything and be emotionally prepared for anything that might happen. Most importantly, enjoy the ride, as this is the last time we'll see the whole gang together again, from Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) to Steve (Joe Keery). We will definitely miss them!
The third part of Stranger Things season 5 is already available to watch on Netflix. best netflix shows watch now.
Palm Royale, season 2, episode 8 (Apple TV Plus)
Accessible: All over the world
Watch now: Apple TV Plus
We're nearing the end of season two of Palm Royale, so this is a friendly reminder to catch up before the finale! You may not have heard of it, but this drama starring Kristen Wiig is a great watch on Apple TV Plus, and it might be just what you need to start the new year. In the star-studded production, Wiig plays Maxine Dellacorte, an outsider trying to find her footing in the cutthroat world of Palm Beach high society.
The new season, which also stars Laura Dern, Allison Janney, Ricky Martin, Carol Burnett and many others, follows Maxine, who becomes a social outcast after a controversial public scandal. Now she will have to use all her wits to prove her belonging to this exclusive society, and some secrets threaten to derail her plans.
Palm Royale Season 2 Episode 8 is available on Apple TV Plus starting December 31st. See our listings for more details. best movies on Apple TV Plus And That best TV shows on Apple TV Plus.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Season 2, Episode 5 (Disney Plus)
Accessible: All over the world
Watch now: Disney Plus
Percy Jackson and the Olympians continues on Disney Plus with a second season released just in time for fans to enjoy as the new year arrives – and it's the perfect show for viewers of all ages, including kids! WITH season three has already been confirmedwe know this is a teen fantasy adventure for the long haul.
Adapting Rick Riordan's second novel from the Sea of ​​Monsters book saga, the new series of episodes will see Percy on “an epic odyssey into the Sea of ​​Monsters in search of his best friend Grover and the only thing that can save the camp, the legendary Golden Fleece,” according to the logline. “With the help of Annabeth, Clarisse, and his newly minted cyclops half-brother Tyson, Percy's survival becomes essential to stopping Luke, the Titan Kronos, and their impending plan to destroy Camp Half-Blood – and ultimately Olympus.”
Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 Episode 5 is available to stream on Disney Plus from December 31st. See our listing for more details. best TV shows on Disney Plus.
Looking for something else to watch? Check out our list best netflix movies or best movies on Disney Plus.
