It’s that time of the year again! Christmas day is drawing closer and closer and during this time of year, we often revisit a lot of Christmas classics like “Home Alone”, “The Nightmare Before Christmas”, “It’s A Wonderful Life” and much more. But this time, let’s explore some of the new shows on offer this month!
Heat up the popcorn, grab your favourite pillow, curl up with a loved one, and get ready for a journey to the magical land of streaming platforms!
EDITOR’S PICK
“Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio”
Release date: 9th December
Where to watch: Netflix
Academy Award-winning director Guillermo del Toro and award-winning, stop-motion legend Mark Gustafson reimagine the classic Carlo Collodi tale of the fabled wooden boy with a whimsical tour de force that finds Pinocchio on an enchanted adventure that transcends worlds and reveals the life-giving power of love.
SERIES
1. “Emily in Paris: Season 3”
Release date: 21st December
Where to watch: Netflix
One year after moving from Chicago to Paris for her dream job, Emily finds herself at a crucial crossroads in every aspect of her life. Faced with two very different paths, Emily will have to decide exactly where her loyalties lie – at work and in her romantic life – and what those decisions mean for her future in France, all while continuing to immerse herself in the adventures and surprising twists and turns that life in Paris provides.
2. “Recipe for Farewell”
Release date: 2nd December
Where to watch: Astro tvN (CH 395 HD)
Chang-Wook is in his 40’s. He works as a translator and a humanities instructor. His wife suffers from terminal bowel cancer. She also has difficulties eating, because of digestive problems. She asks Chang-Wook to cook for her every day, even though the only thing he knows how to make is ramen. Chang-Wook begins to cook for his wife and she eats little bits of his food, which he cooks with love and care.
3. “Dragon Age: Absolution”
Release date: 9th December
Where to watch: Netflix
With great power at stake, a group of rebel mages and thieves goes head-to-head against a sinister force possessing a dangerous artifact. When a heist against the most powerful man in Tevinter goes south, an elven mercenary named Miriam (Kimberly Brooks) is forced into a desperate fight for survival. Now, to save herself and her friends, Miriam will have to confront the tragic past she’s spent a lifetime trying to escape.
4. “His Dark Materials: Season 3”
Release date: 6th December
Where to watch: Astro HBO (CH 411 HD)
“His Dark Materials” returns to an epic conclusion. After the shocking events of Season 2, the third season finds Lyra and Will separated but determined to travel through multiple worlds to find and protect one another. Once reunited, the prophesied child and the bearer of the Subtle Knife must journey to The Land of the Dead, a dark place from which no one has ever returned.
5. “Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area Part 2”
Release date: 9th December
Where to watch: Netflix
This Korean “Money Heist” remake stars an ensemble cast led by Yoo Ji-tae, Kim Yunjin, and Park Hae-soo. Thieves overtake the mint of a unified Korea. With hostages trapped inside, the police must stop them – as well as the shadowy mastermind behind it all.
6. “National Treasure: Edge of History”
Release date: 14th December
Where to watch: Disney+ Hotstar
Jess Valenzuela, a 20-year-old brilliant and resourceful dreamer, sets off on an exploration to search for answers about her family history. And with the help of her friends, she embarks on the adventure of a lifetime to uncover the truth about the past and save a lost Pan-American treasure.
7. “Alchemy of Souls: Season 1 Part 2”
Release date: 10th December
Where to watch: Netflix
A powerful sorceress in a blind woman’s body encounters a man from a prestigious family, who wants her help to change his destiny. In part 2 of this series, Jang Uk becomes a hunter of the soul-swapped, when a young woman, a prisoner in her own home, seeks his help to reclaim her freedom.
8. “Big Bet”
Release date: 21st December
Where to watch: Disney+ Hotstar
Big Bet is an upcoming South Korean streaming television series revolving around a legendary figure in the Philippines’ casino world. “Big Bet” tells the story of a man, once dubbed the king of the casino, who lost his everything in an unfortunate series of events. He returns to the gambling scene, this time betting his life.
9. “Gudetama: An Eggcellent Adventure”
Release date: 13th December
Where to watch: Netflix
Having resigned themself to the fact that they will just end up on someone’s plate, Gudetama just wants to be lazy all the time. But swept up by the go-getting overbearing chick Shakipiyo, they leave the refrigerator and head out into the world. Together, these polar opposites go on an adventure to find their mother!
10. “Three Pines”
Release date: 2nd December
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
“Three Pines” is a mystery streaming television series starring Alfred Molina, based on the novel series by Louise Penny centered on Chief Inspector Armand Gamache. This inspector investigates murders seeing things that others do not: the light between the cracks, the mythic in the mundane, and discovers long-buried secrets and faces a few of his own ghosts.
11. “The Witcher: Blood Origin”
Release date: 25th December
Where to watch: Netflix
Set in an elven world 1200 years before the world of “The Witcher, Blood Origin” tells a story lost to time – one of seven outcasts who unite against an unstoppable power that took everything from them. Their blood quest gives rise to a prototype Witcher in a conflict that brings about the conjunction of the spheres when the worlds of monsters, men, and elves merged to become one.
12. “Gannibal”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4Eb6E29BS4
Release date: 28th December
Where to watch: Disney+ Hotstar
Set in Kuge, a fictional Japanese village, “Gannibal” follows newly hired local police officer Daigo Agawa. While things start off promisingly for the new arrival, a series of alarming events begin to unfold that will lead Daigo to the horrifying realization that something is deeply wrong with the village and those who live there. Thrown into a hostile environment with suspense around every corner, will the latest police officer to roam the streets of Kuge village be able to bring those responsible to justice before it’s too late?
13. “Alice in Borderland: Season 2”
Release date: 22nd December
Where to watch: Netflix
To solve the mystery of the “Borderland” and return to his original world, Arisu and his comrades must take on even more difficult and dangerous games. The story follows Arisu and Usagi as they hope to return to their original world by making it through a variety of deadly games. But even if all the cards are in order, will they be able to return to their original world?
14. “Ejen Ali: Season 3 Part 2”
Release date: 24th December
Where to watch: Disney+ Hotstar
This season 3 is a continuation of “Ejen Ali: The Movie”, where Ali is forced to hand over IRIS to MATA. He then participated in the MATA Arena Competition and was introduced to many other trainees from various places. Will he be able to continue his duties as an agent?
MOVIES
1. “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery”
Release date: 23rd December
Where to watch: Netflix
In the follow-up to Rian Johnson’s “Knives Out”, tech billionaire Miles Bron invites his friends for a getaway on his private Greek island. When someone turns up dead, Detective Benoit Blanc is put on the case. He travels to Greece to peel back the layers of a mystery involving a new cast of colourful suspects.
2. “The Boss Baby: Christmas Bonus”
Release date: 6th December
Where to watch: Netflix
Christmas Eve takes a twisty turn for the adventurous when the boss baby accidentally swaps places with one of Santa’s elves and gets stranded at the North Pole in Santa Claus’ toy shop. What will Boss baby do? Stay tuned to find out!
3. “White Noise”
Release date: 30th December
Where to watch: Netflix
At once hilarious and horrifying, lyrical and absurd, ordinary and apocalyptic, “White Noise” dramatises a contemporary American family’s attempts to deal with the mundane conflicts of everyday life while grappling with the universal mysteries of love, death, and the possibility of happiness in an uncertain world.
4. “The Binge 2: It’s A Wonderful Binge”
Release date: 9th December
Where to watch: Hulu
A funny take from the movie “The Purge”, “The Binge” follows three teenagers preparing to participate in the one day when it’s legal to drink alcohol and take drugs. In this new sequel, The Binge happens miraculously on Christmas. Unleashing a new holiday adventure featuring magical storybooks, catchy songs, and more.
5. “Who Killed Santa? A Murderville Murder Mystery”
Release date: 15th December
Where to watch: Netflix
Senior Detective Terry Seattle is back and this time, the case is critical. Along with his two celebrity guest stars, Jason Bateman and Maya Rudolph, he is on a mission to figure out who killed Santa. But here’s the catch: Jason Bateman and Maya Rudolph aren’t being given the script. They have no idea what’s about to happen to them.
6. “Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical”
Release date: 25th December
Where to watch: Netflix
A brand new take on the Tony and Olivier award-winning musical. “Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical” tells the story of an extraordinary girl, with a vivid imagination, who dares to take a stand to change her story with miraculous results.
7. “Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again”
Release date: 9th December
Where to watch: Disney+ Hotstar
Nick Daley, son of Larry, becomes the new Night Guard at the Museum of Natural History. However, when he forgets to lock the basement door, an old foe returns with a new plan to take over the world. “Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again” is the first animated film in the “Night at the Museum” film series and the fourth instalment overall.
8. “Scrooge: A Christmas Carol”
Release date: 2nd December
Where to watch: Netflix
Charles Dickens’ ageless legend is reborn in this supernatural, time-travelling, musical adaptation of the definitive Christmas story. With his very soul on the line, Scrooge has but one Christmas Eve left to face his past and build a better future. Featuring re-imagined songs, “Scrooge: A Christmas Carol” is one for a new generation to sing.
9. “Troll”
Release date: 1st December
Where to watch: Netflix
Deep inside the mountain of Dovre, something gigantic awakens after being trapped for a thousand years. Destroying everything in its path, the creature is fast approaching the capital of Norway. But how do you stop something you thought only existed in Norwegian folklore?
10. “Emancipation”
Release date: 9th December
Where to watch: Apple TV
“Emancipation” follows Peter, an escaped slave who sets off on a life-or-death journey to the northern U.S. after fleeing the Louisiana plantation that physically and mentally tortured him. Based on the true story of Gordon – also known as ‘Whipped Peter’ – the harrowing photographs of the man’s scarred back were used by American abolitionists to prove just how inhumane the slave trade could be.
DOCUMENTARIES & REALITY
1. “Drain The Oceans: Season 5”
Release date: 5th December
Where to watch: Disney+ Hotstar
Uncover some of the world’s most intriguing and iconic mysteries beneath the ocean with archaeological detectives as they explore major historical events and curious ocean legends using advanced technology in the return of “Drain the Oceans” Season 5.
2. “Alaska: The Next Generation: Season 4”
Release date: 1st December
Where to watch: Disney+ Hotstar
The next generation of Alaskans works to prepare for winter’s return. As bears, awaken Chris and Jessi Morse defend their home. Sonta and Chevie Roach teach their children survival skills. Johnny Rolfe explores new territory for food. The Rowlands complete necessary building projects. Alex Javor settles in at Deadman Lake.
3. “Too Hot to Handle: Season 4”
Release date: 7th December
Where to watch: Netflix
Ten singletons enter a lavish villa in the Caribbean hoping to fall in love harder, faster, and more intensely than ever in a high-stakes dating show called “Wild Love” hosted by TV legend Mario Lopez. Little do they know that “Too Hot to Handle” is back and Lana is as watchful as ever. Will this wild cast be able to stick to the rules and abstain from sexual contact? Or will temptations prove too strong to resist?
Puteri Teja contributed to this article.
