Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
It’s now comfortably winter. You can break out your favorite holiday sweaters and start chugging peppermint mochas with minimal judgement. Your favorite streaming services know that all you want to do is cuddle up to escape the cold, and they have you covered this December. Between what’s new on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO, you have hours and hour of amazing options to binge.
Each month, your four favorite platforms add hundreds of hours of content. We know that deciding what you want to watch can be a daunting task, and we’re here to help. Below is our collection of some of the shows and movies we’re most excited for this December. Whether you’re looking for new historically influenced dramas, innovative children’s shows, or blockbuster hits, you’re covered this month.
NETFLIX
White Rabbit Project: Season 1 *Netflix Original
There’s a small part in all of us that wants to push every part of nature to its absolute limits. It’s that urge — the urge to destroy in the name of experimentation and science — that White Rabbit Project promises to fulfill. Starring the build team from Mythbusters, Grant Imahara, Tory Belleci and Kari Byron, this series promises to be Mythbusters to the extreme.
[Stream White Rabbit Project on Netflix December 9]
Barry (2016) *Netflix Original
Every great leader has to start somewhere, and for President Barack Obama, that place was Columbia University. This indie drama about Obama’s life in college was almost universally praised when it made its Toronto debut, and it’s sure to make waves on Netflix. Start watching to see a fictionalized version of our president smoke pot, but keep watching for the up-and-coming talent that fuels this film.
[Stream Barry on Netflix December 16]
Ten Percent: Season 1 *Netflix Original
This December, Netflix is bringing local TV to an international scale. Hosted by San Francisco media professional David Perry, Ten Percent is an interview show that focuses on lesbian, bisexual, gay, and transgender issues.
[Stream Ten Percent on Netflix December 20]
Trollhunters: Season 1 *Netflix Original
The director behind Pacific Rim, Pan’s Labyrinth, and Hellboy has a new Netflix series premiering this December, and it’s all about trolls. Trollhunters follows one 15-year-old boy who unintentionally becomes the defender of the trolls. Featuring the voice acting talents of the late Anton Yelchin and Kelsey Grammer, this is one kids’ show that may be worth tuning into.
[Stream Trollhunters on Netflix December 23]
Captain America: Civil War (2016)
If you don’t want to see all of your favorite Marvel heroes fight each other, then you’re wrong. This box office blowout of a movie chronicles Captain America’s (Chris Evans) superhero-fueled fight with Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.). It’s hard to get more epic than that, and now it’s coming to Netflix.
[Stream Captain America: Civil War on Netflix December 25]
HULU
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
Arguably director Ang Lee’s most iconic movie, this film tells a story set in 19th century Qing Dynasty China. When a warrior’s (Chow Yun-Fat) sword is stolen, it’s up to him and his lover (Michelle Yeoh) to recover it in an epic tale packed with adventure. This film won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and was nominated for Best Picture.
[Stream Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon on Hulu December 1]
Pulp Fiction (1994)
It feels oddly appropriate that Tarantino’s cooly violent movie about betrayal, drugs, and the meaning of life would be available during the holidays. Starring John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, and Uma Thurman, this masterful anthology-styled black comedy was nominated for seven Oscars.
[Stream Pulp Fiction on Hulu December 1]
This is Spinal Tap (1984)
We’re cranking it all the way up to 11 for this one. One of the best mockumentaries of all time, This Is Spinal Tap follows a metal band struggling to get back on top of the charts. Picture a more competent and less violent version of Metalocalypse, and that’s basically what this movie is. If you haven’t already seen this movie about the pains stars have to go through to keep it real, schedule out some time this month.
[Stream This is Spinal Tap on Hulu December 1]
Shut Eye: Season 1 *Hulu Original
What happens when you get sucked into your own con? That’s the question Jeffrey Donovan faces in Hulu’s new original drama about the underworld of psychics. The series follows a group of fake psychics who professionally swindle people out of money. However, when Charlie (Donovan) actually gains psychic ability, things take a turn for the weird.
[Stream Shut Eye on Hulu December 7]
Iron Man (2008)
This month, head back to the beginning of the MCU and delight in Robert Downey Jr.’s sassiness. This was the block office smash hit that helped launch oh-so-many nerdy adaptations, and it holds up quite well. At its core, the first Iron Man is a reckoning story told through one of the funniest superheroes around.
[Stream Iron Man on Hulu December 27]
AMAZON PRIME VIDEO
Caddyshack (1980)
Is there anything more fun than watching teenagers being mystified by weird rich guys? Before there was Red Oaks there was this classic Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, and Rodney Dangerfield comedy. Hailed as one of the funniest movies of all time, you’ll be quoting this one in no time.
[Stream Caddyshack on Prime Video December 1]
Lars and the Real Girl (2007)
Starring Ryan Gosling, Emily Mortimer, and Paul Schneider, this American-Canadian comedy follows a sweet but socially awkward man who develops a platonic relationship with sex doll. It’s an equally odd and charming movie that was met with commercial failure and critical praise. And you thought your love life was a disaster.
[Stream Lars and the Real Girl on Prime Video December 1]
Mozart in the Jungle: Season 3 *Amazon Original
Welcome back to the New York Philharmonic. This comedy about the competitive world of professional music has been nominated for two Golden Globes and an Emmy. Developed by Roman Coppola and Jason Schwartzman, this comedy stars Gael Garcia Bernal. Start practicing your orchestrating technique now.
[Stream Mozart in the Jungle on Prime Video December 9]
The Man in the High Castle: Season 2 *Amazon Original
At long last, the alternative history drama is returning to our lives. This Amazon Original takes place in a universe where the Axis powers won World War II, resulting in the United States being divided into three parts: a Japanese-controlled section, a Nazi-controlled section, and a buffer between the two. However, through this oppression, hope rises.
[Stream The Man in the High Castle on Prime Video December 16]
The Lobster (2016)
Write this one down for date night. Starring Colin Farrell, this weirdly sweet dystopian love story focuses on a society where people must find a mate in 45 days or be turned into the animal of their choice. Will our hero find love or be turned into a lobster? Only time will tell.
[Stream The Lobster on Prime Video December 2]
HBO NOW AND HBO GO
The Green Mile (1999)
Starring America’s dad Tom Hanks, this is arguably one of the best Stephen King adaptations around. The fantasy-drama follows a death row corrections officer (Hanks) as he encounters the oddest inmate he’s ever met, John Coffey. It’s a movie story about both the cruelty and unfairness of life that’s worth re-watching this December.
[Stream The Green Mile on HBO Now December 1]
Keanu (2016)
How can one little kitten cause so much trouble? Created by and starring the brilliant comedy duo Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, Keanu follows two best friends who are catnapped. The ensuing struggle to reclaim their kitten takes the pair through an insane journey into the seedy underworld.
[Stream Keanu on HBO Now December 3]
Westworld: Season 1 Finale *HBO Original
We’re only a few days away from finally knowing all of Westworld’s secrets, and you can almost feel the internet holding its breath. Starring Evan Rachel Wood, James Marsden, Anthony Hopkins, and Jimmi Simpson, this Western sci-fi series about androids and murder has a dark mystery lurking beneath its already-dark premise. Get ready to tweet about this must-see finale.
[Stream Westworld on HBO Now December 4]
The Trans List (2016) *HBO Original
This moving documentary follows a group of individuals who share their insights about what it means and what it’s like to be transgender in America. Created by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, who is known for his intimate and delicate interviews about a variety of subjects, this is a good watch to keep on your radar.
[Stream The Trans List on HBO Now December 5]
Hail, Caesar! (2016)
Start watching this masterful comedy about old school Hollywood to see what the Coen brothers have been up to but keep watching to see Channing Tatum tap dance. Hail, Caesar! follows a Hollywood “fixer” (Josh Brolin) who has to juggle a kidnapped movie star (George Clooney), a pregnant actress (Scarlett Johansson), gossip columnists (Tilda Swinton), and so much other drama. It’s just another eccentric day at Hollywood.
