7 new movies and TV shows to stream on Netflix, Prime Video, Max, and more this weekend (December 22)
Catch Rebel Moon, Maestro, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, and more
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
DC’sAquaman and the Lost Kingdomis now playing in theaters worldwide, but if you’re the proud owner of aNetflixorDisney Plussubscription, you’d be forgiven for staying indoors this weekend given the quality of on-demand entertainment at your disposal.
Heading up this week’s crop of streaming recommendations is the first entry in Zack Snyder’s new big-budget movie franchise,Rebel Moon, which is joined on Netflix byMaestro, another years-in-the-making passion project, this time from actor-director Bradley Cooper. Superhero fans can enjoy the second season ofMarvel’sWhat If…?on Disney Plus, whilePercy Jackson and the Olympiansalso makes its streaming debut this weekend.
Below, you’ll find our pick of the biggest new movies and TV shows to stream on Netflix,Prime Video,Max, and more this weekend.
Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire (Netflix)
The first installment in Zack Snyder’s long-awaited space opera,Rebel Moon(also known asRebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire), crashes its way onto Netflix this weekend.
This big-budget sci-fi epic follows Kora (Sofia Boutella), a mysterious woman with a tragic past who, after being taken in by a remote farming community on the edge of the galaxy, is dispatched to seek out warriors from neighboring planets in a bid to defeat a new space-faring superpower. If that sounds a lot likeStar Wars, that’s becauseRebel Moonbegan life as aStar Warspitch, but as we learned in ourinterview with Zack Snyderhimself, the film’s influences are much more vast and varied.
Suffice to say,Rebel Moonhas left critics divided, but in our ownRebel Moonreview, we described Snyder’s latest as “an explosive and absorbing sci-fi-centric epic” that’s let down by “an anti-climatic aura” (so while it may be one of thebest Netflix moviesfor spectacle, perhaps not for story satisfaction). A sequel,Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver, is scheduled to release on April 19, 2024.
Now available to stream on Netflix.
Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.
Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Disney Plus)
The latest (but first serialized) attempt to adapt Rick Riordan’s best-selling fantasy novel series,Percy Jackson and the Olympians, begins streaming on Disney Plus this weekend.
This eight-episode series centers on a 12-year-old modern demigod, Percy Jackson (Walker Scobell), who – while coming to terms with his newfound divine powers – must restore order to Olympus when Zeus accuses him of stealing his master lightning bolt. Leah Sava Jeffries, Aryan Simhadri, Jason Mantzoukas, Lin-Manuel Miranda and the late Lance Reddick (in his final TV role) are also among the show’s cast.
In ourinterview with Riordanhimself, the author told us of his extensive involvement in Disney’s new series, which – in ourPercy Jackson and the Olympiansreview– we described as a “watchable, albeit slightly over-serious TV adaptation.” Stay tuned to see whether this one makes it onto our list of thebest Disney Plus shows.
Now available to stream on Disney Plus.
Maestro (Netflix)
Bradley Cooper makes his prosthetic-aided play for next year’s Best Actor Oscar inMaestro, which is now streaming on Netflix.
Thisnew Netflix movie– which represents actor-cum-filmmaker’s first directorial project since 2018’sA Star Is Born– charts the lifelong romantic relationship between famed composer Leonard Bernstein (played by Cooper himself) and actress Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein (Carey Mulligan). Matt Bomer, Sarah Silverman, Maya Hawke and Josh Hamilton also star in this sweeping drama about Bernstein’s struggles to reconcile the many warring parts of himself.
Critics have describedMaestroas “towering and fearless”, with Mulligan, in particular, earning plaudits for her “career-best” performance.
Now available to stream on Netflix.
Marvel’s What If…? season 2 (Disney Plus)
Marvel’s alternate-timelineWhat If…?series resumes with its highly-anticipated second season on Disney Plus this weekend.
Per the show’s official synopsis,What If…?season 2 “continues the journey as The Watcher guides viewers through the vast multiverse, introducing brand new and familiar faces throughout the MCU. The series questions, revisits and twists classic Marvel Cinematic moments with an incredible voice cast that includes a host of stars who reprise their iconic roles.”
Strange Supreme and Captain Carter are among the returning characters, while Nebula, Hela and Happy Hogan make theirWhat If…?debuts in season 2. Episode one is available to stream now, with new entries set to land every day for nine consecutive days.
Now available to stream on Disney Plus.
Dr. Death season 2 (Peacock)
Peacock’s podcast-inspired medical thriller series,Dr. Death, returns for its second season this weekend.
This time, events concern “Miracle Man” Paolo Macchiarini, a charming surgeon renowned for his innovative operations whose murderous ways are uncovered by a group of doctors halfway across the world. Edgar Ramírez, Mandy Moore and Luke Kirby all star.
All eight episodes ofDr. Deathseason 2 – which critics have described as “a disturbing portrait of deceit, romance and complicity" – are streaming now on Peacock.
Now available to stream on Peacock.
James May: Our Man in India (Prime Video)
In light of the success ofClarkson’s Farm(a third season of which is on the way soon), another member ofThe Grand Tour’s popular presenting trio, James May, heads up his own (or rather, another season of his own) Prime Video series this weekend.
Across six episodes,James May: Our Man in Indiafollows the British presenter as he explores the ins and outs of the titular country. “Starting by the Arabian Sea and finishing at the Bay of Bengal, [James’] journey will cross incredible landscapes, from the baking deserts of Rajasthan to the dramatic Himalayan foothills,”Amazonsays.
Critics haven’t had a chance to reviewJames May: Our Man in Indiajust yet, but given the surprisingly wholesome nature ofClarkson’s Farm, we’re inclined to recommend this one to anyone in need of an easy watch this weekend.
Now available to stream on Prime Video.
Gwyneth vs Terry: The Ski Crash Trial (Max)
If you’re someone who cares deeply about the recently concluded Gwyneth Paltrow vs Terry Sanderson ski crash trial, boy does Max have a new documentary just for you.
Called (wait for it…)Gwyneth vs Terry: The Ski Crash Trial, this new Max feature recounts the “sensational” courtroom drama “that took the world by storm.” Now, we wouldn’t necessarily describe Paltrow’s case in those terms, but anyone who enjoyed the mindless entertainment of Netflix’sDepp v. Hearddocumentary may find similarly enjoyment here.
Now available to stream on Max.
You might also like
Axel is TechRadar’s UK-based Phones Editor, reporting on everything from the latest Apple developments to newest AI breakthroughs as part of the site’s Mobile Computing vertical. Having previously written for publications including Esquire and FourFourTwo, Axel is well-versed in the applications of technology beyond the desktop, and his coverage extends from general reporting and analysis to in-depth interviews and opinion.
Axel studied for a degree in English Literature at the University of Warwick before joining TechRadar in 2020, where he then earned an NCTJ qualification as part of the company’s inaugural digital training scheme.
Scotland vs South Africa live stream: how to watch 2024 rugby union Autumn International online from anywhere
Arcane season 2 act 1 ending explained: who is [SPOILER], when is episode 4 coming out, and your biggest questions answered
Red One isn’t perfect but it proves we need more action-packed Christmas movies
