Best new shows & films streaming this week – quick links
Stan: new this week
Thelma – 20 January
Film. While trying to control her feelings for a female friend who’s in love with her, a confused religious girl awakens her own subconsciously-controlled psychokinetic powers. Starring Eili Harboe and Kaya Wilkins.
The Walsh Sisters – 22 January
Series. Directed by Ian Fitzgibbon (Hullraisers, Moone Boy) and inspired by Marian Keyes’ best-selling novels, The Walsh Sisters follows the lives of Anna, Rachel, Maggie, Claire and Helen in their Dublin home town as they navigate the peaks and troughs of their late 20s and 30s.
This is a sisterhood full of in-jokes, hand-me-down resentments and more than a few old wounds. But their DNA, history and shared love of power ballads keep the Walsh sisters together in the face of heartbreak, grief, addiction and parenthood.
Sunshine – 24 January
Film. In 2057, an international crew of astronauts is sent on a dangerous mission to reignite the dying sun. Directed by Danny Boyle and starring Cillian Murphy and Rose Byrne.
Disney+: new this week
Hoops, Hopes & Dreams – 19 January
Documentary Short. This 20-minute film by artist Glenn Kaino sheds light on the untold story of how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and an all-star team of civil rights activists took to basketball courts to connect with young voters, and how their strategy echoed in politics through President Obama’s historic campaign.
The documentary made its debut at Sundance 2025 before snagging “Best Documentary Short” at the Cleveland International Film Festival. It blends historical footage, vivid animation, and thoughtful interviews with voices like Andrew Young, Jemele Hill, and Jerry West, among others.
FX’s The Beauty – 22 January
Series. This new science-fiction series created by Ryan Murphy and Matt Hodgson takes a leaf (or, a limb?) from Hollywood’s newfound obsession with body horror (think The Substance). When international supermodels begin dying in gruesome and mysterious ways, FBI Agents Cooper Madsen (Evan Peters) and Jordan Bennett (Rebecca Hall) uncover a conspiracy that threatens the future of humanity. The investigation leads them directly into the crosshairs of The Corporation (Ashton Kutcher), who will stop at nothing to protect his trillion-dollar empire.
BritBox: new this week
The Guest – 22 January
Series. This brand new psychological thriller follows Ria Powell, a cleaner at rock bottom, whose chance encounter with the dazzling and wealthy Fran Sharp pulls her into a world of glamour and opportunity. But, it comes at a cost. As Ria becomes increasingly enmeshed in Fran’s luxurious orbit, their bond twists into a dangerous game of power, obsession and deceit. Stylish, tense and full of sharp social commentary, The Guest offers a gripping look at how easily admiration can curdle into something far darker.
Starring Gabrielle Creevy (In My Skin, Black Doves), Eve Myles (Torchwood, Killing Eve), Clive Russell (Game of Thrones, Ripper Street), Emun Elliot (Paradise, Game of Thrones), Julian Lewis Jones (Justice League, House of Dragons) and Sion Daniel Young (Lost Boys & Fairies, Slow Horses).
AMC+, Acorn TV, Shudder: new this week
The Vanishing Triangle – 19 January
Series. Investigative journalist Lisa Wallace (India Mullen, Normal People) publishes an article about her mother’s murder, which sparks the disappearance of Amy Reynolds. Alongside Detective David Burke (Allen Leech, Downton Abbey), the two work together to find Amy.
Their investigation takes them around Ireland, as more girls go missing. As they follow every lead, some end up dead ends, but all the while, the killer plays psychological torture games with Lisa, putting her in compromising situations. As they get closer to finding the killer, David and Lisa learn more about the long-rooted corruption in the Gardaí system. To cover their tracks, high-ranking Gardaí members blackmail David with his own secrets. The investigative trail finally leads Lisa to the killer, where they face off again after all these years. In the end, she must confront her childhood trauma in order to save the missing girls.
Mother of Flies – 23 January
Film. In this Shudder Original film, Mickey faces a deadly diagnosis, but she isn’t ready to die yet. Heading into the woods with her father, she seeks dark magic at the hands of a mysterious recluse, Solveig, who has an intimate relationship with death and roots that go deep in the land.
For three days, Mickey endures Solveig’s extreme rituals of death magic. But every cure has its cost, and every curse is another’s gift. As buried secrets claw their way to the surface, the veil between the living and the dead begins to unravel, and Mickey finds herself facing dark truths that only the dead and the dying can know.
ABC iview: new this week
Always Was Tonight – 21 January
Special. Popular broadcaster and proud Gamilaroi man Tony Armstrong is in the hosting seat for this sharp new satirical special. Filmed live at the ABC’s studios in Sydney, Always Was Tonight is set to decolonise the news – one headline at a time. Landing squarely in the ongoing national conversation around 26 January, the special promises to bring a fearless First Nations lens to the stories shaping the country.
The Piano UK Season 3 – 25 January
Series. Hosts Claudia Winkleman and Mika are back, joined by new mentor and seven-time Grammy winner Jon Batiste, as they begin their search for the UK’s best amateur pianists.
Australian of the Year – 25 January
Special. Leigh Sales hosts the Australian of the Year Awards, live from Canberra. The Prime Minister will present four prestigious awards: The Australian of the Year, The Young Australian of the Year, The Senior Australian of the Year, and Australia’s Local Hero 2026. The event includes a live performance by singer and songwriter Casey Donovan.
SBS On Demand: new this week
Dolly Parton: Here I Am – 19 January
Documentary. A landmark documentary that explores the extraordinary life and music of Dolly Parton. Featuring incredible archive footage and exclusive interviews with Dolly and stars like Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, this film lifts the lid on the songwriting genius behind ‘I Will Always Love You’, ‘Jolene’, ‘9 to 5’ and a host of other chart-topping hits.
From her humble beginnings to her global success, we discover how a young girl from the Smoky Mountains conquered Nashville to become the Queen of Country Music.
James May And The Dull Men – 19 January
Documentary Series. James May recently discovered the online phenomenon of ‘Dull Men’s’ forums. Now, from his Wiltshire home, his shed and the pub he owns, he will embark on a glorious ‘summer of dull’. Inspired by these forums, James will create his own solutions to the questions he finds there.
Rachael Ray’s Meals in Minutes Season 2 – 19 January
Series. Rachael Ray demonstrates her creativity and flair from her personal home kitchen and cooks a complete meal in minutes, from comfort food to sophisticated fare for entertaining.
River Cottage Everyday – 19 January
Series. Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is going back to basics with simple recipes for everything, from breakfast to baking, to bring a little bit of River Cottage to our lives.
Portillo’s 200 Years of the Railways – 20 January
Documentary Series. 2025 marked the 200th anniversary of Britain’s greatest gift to the world: the passenger railway. Michael Portillo embarks on a journey to explore what the railways have done, what they continue to do, and the potential they hold to improve our future.
He looks at how the railways propelled a second wave of the Industrial Revolution and shaped the social landscape of modern Britain and the world at large. He travels around the UK, visiting areas like Shildon – home to a branch of the National Railway Museum which houses the world’s first ever passenger steam locomotive, Locomotion No 1. Ultimately, he reveals how this feat of British engineering changed the course of history.
The Great Cookbook Challenge With Jamie Oliver – 21 January
Series. The Great Cookbook Challenge is a new cooking competition format in which the UK’s best undiscovered cooks compete against each other to win a life-changing prize: a book deal with a major UK publisher to have their very own cookbook published. Over the course of seven episodes, cooks of all abilities, representing all kinds of cuisines, will compete for this first-of-its-kind deal. Hosted by Jamie Oliver.
Robson Green: World’s Most Amazing Walks – 22 January
Documentary Series. Robson Green tackles some of the world’s most spectacular walks, exploring a rich seam of history, culture and community with every step. In each episode, Robson explores one iconic route, getting to know the amazing people and places along the way, delighting in the local culture, food and incredible views.
These walks include the ruggedly beautiful Great Glen Way in Scotland, the fascinating Hadrian’s Wall in the north of England, Dorset’s UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Jurassic Coast, a bountiful Wachau Valley Trail in Austria, Poland’s historic Eagle’s Nests Trail, the relaxed Douro Valley in Portugal, the pilgrimage of the Camino de Santiago in Spain and finally the D-Day Landing Beaches of Normandy, France. Lace up your walking boots and join Robson on the World’s Most Amazing Walks.
Icons Unearthed: The Simpsons – 24 January
Documentary Series. Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie Simpson are household names around the world thanks to the longest-running scripted primetime television series of all time: The Simpsons. This series dives into who and what has kept this beloved series rolling for so long, unpacking backstage stories, legal and creative disputes, production changes, and the continual comedy gold that has made this series the ultimate animation juggernaut.
Our Tiny Islands – 24 January
Documentary Series. Our Tiny Islands explores a set of magical island-hopping adventures across Britain’s greatest hidden treasures. Celebrating the secret places, extraordinary people, surprising jobs and gripping local history that make their ‘tiny islands’ wonders of the world.
There are 6289 islands scattered across Britain’s waters, but only 803 are large enough to be drawn on a map. Yet what they lack in size they make up for in character, culture and community. These rugged and breath-taking landscapes are unique, yet all with a story to tell about Britain.
Paramount+: new this week
Tim Rex in Space Season 2 – 21 January
Children’s Series. This animated series returns for season two, with Tim the Tyrannosaurus Rex and his family back for even bigger adventures and even bigger solutions. Alongside his big brother Tommy, little sister Tia, and triceratops best mate Kai, Tim continues to tackle kid-sized problems with dino-sized creativity, all set against the wildly imaginative backdrop of outer space.
Canada Shore Season 1 – 22 January
Reality Series. Ten Canadians, unlimited drama, and a summer unlike anything else! Filmed on the shores of Kelowna, British Columbia, the series brings together a group of bold and unapologetic Canadian singles for a whirlwind season of romance, friendships, and full-throttle fun.
Coast to coast, these larger-than-life roommates are ready to party, flirt harder, and turn every night into memories (and maybe a little mayhem). But it’s not all hook-ups and hangovers. Beneath the chaos is a crew that laughs together, fights together, and somehow becomes a family.
The Sloth Lane – 25 January
Animated Film. After a terrifying storm destroys their home, a speedy sloth named Laura and her kooky family are forced to move to the big city with nothing but their prized family recipe book, and a rusted old food truck. The family’s delicious food soon catches the eye of a quick-witted cheetah named Dotti (voiced by Ghostbusters’ Leslie Jones) who will stop at nothing to revive her failing fast-food business, Zoom Fuel.
Featuring great Aussie voice talent including Dan Brumm (Uncle Stripe in Bluey) and Remy Hii (Spider-Man: Far From Home).
HBO Max: new this week
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms – 19 January
Series. From the world of Westeros comes a new half-hour original drama – an endearing tale that follows the unlikely adventures of an unexpected duo. Set a century before the events of Game of Thrones, the six-episode season follows two improbable heroes roaming Westeros: Ser Duncan the Tall, a brave but untested young knight, and his small but sharp-witted squire, Egg.
In an era when the Targaryens still rule from the Iron Throne and the memory of dragons has yet to fade, great destinies, formidable enemies, and perilous exploits await these mismatched yet inseparable companions.
Binge: new this week
Bake Off: The Professionals Season 10 – 19 January
Series. Britain’s top professional pastry chefs return as 12 elite duos from renowned hotels, patisseries, bakeries, contract caterers and culinary schools tackle ambitious challenges set by world-class patissiers Benoit Blin and Cherish Finden. Hosts Liam Charles and Ellie Taylor guide the action.
The Strangers: Chapter 2 – 23 January
Film (2025). Survivor Maya (Madelaine Petsch, Riverdale) returns in this chilling American horror-thriller directed by Renny Harlin. When masked killers learn she’s still alive, their reign of terror resumes in a remote hospital and rural town. Expect relentless suspense, bloody violence and unceasing dread.
Prime Video: new this week
Steal – 21 January
Film. Steal is a contemporary, high-octane thriller about the heist of the century and the ordinary office worker, Zara (Sophie Turner), who finds herself at the heart of it. A typical work day at pension fund investment company Lochmill Capital is upended when a gang of violent thieves burst in and force Zara and her best mate Luke (Archie Madekwe) to execute their demands. But who would steal billions of pounds of ordinary people’s pensions and why?
Starring Sophie Turner, Archie Madekwe and Jacob Fortune-Lloyd.
Apple TV: new this week
Drops of God Season 2 – 21 January
Series. The hit, International Emmy Award-winning Best Drama Series adapted from the New York Times bestselling Japanese manga series of the same name returns.
In season two, Camille and Issei are thrust into their most perilous challenge yet: uncovering the origin of the world’s greatest wine, a mystery so profound that even their legendary father, Alexandre Léger, could not solve it.
