January is often seen as a slow month for new releases, but the leading streaming services are keeping things exciting with several highly anticipated new movies and shows launching just in time for the weekend.
This week features a brand-new Game of Thrones spinoff, the return of beloved series, a much-discussed documentary, and even a blockbuster that didn't quite hit the mark last year. Read on to explore this weekend's top offerings – Amelia Schwanke, senior entertainment editor
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (HBO Max)
The HBO universe expands with the arrival of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, a nearly flawless adaptation of The Hedge Knight, set about 100 years before Game of Thrones. This series introduces the beloved duo of Ser Duncan 'Dunk' the Tall and 'Egg' to a broader audience.
For more insights, check out my review of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms to understand why it's the underdog story that the franchise needs right now. After that, discover everything you need to know about A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and my episode 1 guide to find out where to watch it. – Tom Power, senior entertainment reporter
One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things season 5 (Netflix)
Fans of behind-the-scenes content will find a two-hour documentary about the making of Stranger Things season 5 intriguing. However, One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things season 5 has sparked frustration among fans due to several creative choices, including speculation about AI involvement in the scriptwriting.
Additionally, there was a belief that a secret extra episode would be released, but this documentary confirms that won't happen. – AS
The RIP (Netflix)
Starring longtime friends Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, The RIP is an action crime thriller that they produced for Netflix. However, my review of The RIP suggests it falls short of expectations, catering to the short attention spans of the Netflix generation.
Inspired by true events, The RIP follows police officers who discover a hidden fortune during a routine investigation, leading to a moral dilemma about what to do with the money. – TP
Hijack season 2 (Apple TV)
Idris Elba returns as Sam Nelson, who must now manage a hijacked subway train in the second season of Hijack, recently premiered on Apple TV.
This season promises to build tension as it unfolds in a snowy Berlin. Elba continues to embody the everyday hero we need in challenging times. – Jasmine Valentine, entertainment reporter
Tell Me Lies season 3 (Hulu/Disney+)
The return of Tell Me Lies season 3 brings three episodes at once, but the weekly releases provide a much-needed pause.
Following last season's shocking finale, the dynamics between Bree, Evan, and Stephen become increasingly complicated, with Stephen resorting to cruel mind games. – JV
- Watch Tell Me Lies season 3 on Hulu (US) and Disney+ (internationally)
Ponies (Peacock)
Ponies has premiered with a 93% Rotten Tomatoes score, raising expectations for this thriller on Peacock.
Set in 1977 Moscow, it follows two secretaries at the American Embassy who become embroiled in a CIA investigation after their husbands die under mysterious circumstances. Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson star in this promising setup. All eight episodes of Ponies are available now. – Lucy Buglass, senior entertainment writer
The Running Man (Paramount+)
Edgar Wright's adaptation of Stephen King's The Running Man has received mixed reviews, but it is considered an improvement over the 1987 film. The 2025 version, featuring Glenn Powell, follows a blacklisted laborer who enters a deadly reality show for a chance at a billion-dollar prize. – LB