Welcome to the first of what I hope will be many previews to come of the shows and series that will be heading to and leaving from Netflix in the month of January.
First, let's clear up a couple of questions you may have:
1. Why do you have Cobra Kai listed as sometime in January when elsewhere it says January 8?
They ultimately moved it to January 1. Based on the popularity and other films/shows around it, I suspect they'll be fine there.
2. Why is the Office listed as Renewed on this site and is scheduled to leave on January 1 elsewhere?
It was a mistake on my part. And Netflix.
I saw things that made me think that they were working on a temporary renewal of maybe 1-6 months to give us more time to ease into an Office-free Netflix.
And apparently they were just delaying the reveal until later when everyone and their mother knew Peacock kept throwing around the word exclusive. Ask them on Twitter why they didn't just list it as leaving on December 1 like everyone else.
And check your local listings for Cozi TV (probably part of the digital NBC set of stations). They have Office mornings and afternoons on Sunday.
Alright, it's time to tackle the list.
Coming Soon:
Films:
Original Division:
This month offers a bit of everything for the Netflix viewer.
On the first, What Happened to Mr. Cha? is a Korean film about an aging star coming to terms with who he is now. The next day, Asphalt Burning offers a man taking on a rival for his soon to be wife on a German racetrack.
A pair of documentaries make their way to Netflix on the 6th. Ratones Paranoicos takes a look at an enduring rock band from Argentina while Tony Parker: The Last Shot focuses on the French point guard who overcame naysayers to have a successful career for the San Antonio Spurs. The next day, Pieces of a Woman debuts examining the emotional aftermath of a woman's miscarriage and how it affects her relationships.
On the 8th, two very different films make their way to the streaming service. Charming is an animated take on the classic tale with a prince desperately trying to find true love before a spell wipes out that emotion from everyone in his kingdom. Stuck Apart is about a man trying to keep it together when he faces a mid-life crisis.
The 11th offers the documentary Crack: Cocaine, Corruption, and Conspiracy taking a look at the legacy of the cheap, popular 1980s drug. While the 15th debuts Outside the Wire which features a drone pilot and an android teaming up to stop a nuclear attack in a war zone. This one stars Anthony Mackie. Also on that day, Double Dad takes a look at a girl who escapes from a hippie commune in search of her father.
The 22nd offers two different films offering glimpses in unexplored worlds. The White Tiger explores the rise of an Indian driver from humble beginnings to becoming wealthy. So My Grandma's a Lesbian takes a look at how the nuptials between a Spanish woman and Scottish guy are threatened when her grandmother decides to tie the knot herself.
A quartet of titles winds things up for January. On the 27th, Penguin Bloom which examines how caring for an injured magpie chick brings a dysfunctional family together with Andrew Lincoln and Naomi Watts. The biggest title on the 29th is The Dig which teams up Ralph Fiennes and Carey Mulligan in a tale of a widow finding unexpected wealth on her property. Finding Ohana, also on the 29th, also deals with hidden treasure as two Brooklyn siblings bond while looking for it with some new friends at Oahu. And finally, there's Below Zero where a cop tries to protect himself from a prison van breakout in the middle of a cold snap.
Acquired Division:
A bit thin at times this month, but there's some fresh blood among the stream of mostly familiar titles.
A bunch of titles make their way here on the first. For classic film lovers, any opportunity to tackle Bonnie and Clyde, Cool Hand Luke, and Enter the Dragon are good ones. Those looking for Oscar nominated fare will find what they're looking for in Goodfellas, The Departed, and Catch Me if You Can. Those looking for some laughs can find them with Superbad, Eddie Murphy: Raw, and The Naked Gun. If you like more family oriented fare, the first Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs shows up. Those seeking stars in films will be content with Mystic Pizza and Julie and Julia. Sex and the City fans will be pleased by both films showing up this day. And finally, Liam Neeson's amnesia thriller Unknown pops up on the first.
On January 5, David Fincher's remake of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo appears on Netflix. Is it as good as the original? No, but thanks to Rooney Mara and Daniel Craig, it's a solid version.
Things heat up with the 10th when Harmony Korine's Spring Breakers drops. Four coeds find their spring break in Florida taking an interesting, unexpected turn. The next day, The Intouchables lands for those who have Omar Sy fever following the Lupin series. And Al Acecho on the 12th offers a thriller involving a park ranger trying to outsmart poachers.
A pair of family films drops on the 15th. Hook is a modern take on the Peter Pan story as Peter Pan tries to regain his mojo at Neverland to get his kids back from the clutches of Captain Hook. Penguins of Madagascar has them taking on an octopus with a serious grudge against penguins.
Families can also curl up on the 16th with A Monster Calls about a friendship between a stressed young boy and a monster. Also on that date, Radium Girls explores female workers creating watches not aware of the materials they're working with. Jason Statham fans can rejoice on the 18th as Homefront returns. It has him as a DEA agent learning about the quiet place he's chosen for himself and his daughter.
The 20th offers the thriller Sightless where a recently blinded woman starts to get suspicious of her caretaker. And on the 31st, Fatima explores skeptical adults concerned about ghosts and three Portuguese children bonding.
TV:
Originals Division:
Not a bad month if you like Netflix original series.
YouTube acquisition Cobra Kai has proven popular since it made its way to Netflix and the third season drops on the first which winds up the wild finale of the previous season. Home improvement fans will take note that Dream Home Makeover also drops on the 1st. Also on that date, Headspace offers a Guide to Meditation that might help make 2021 a better year. For those inspired by Marie Kondo, The Minimalists: Less is Now might serve to clear out the clutter in your home. And Monarca, the story of a tequila magnate and his family surviving in Mexico appears on the 1st. Finally, Jenni Rivera: Mariposa del Barrio takes a look at the rise of the Mexican singer from her humble beginnings.
If you enjoyed the recent special with David Spade, Fortune Fleimster and London Hughes, I've got good news as The Netflix Afterparty is now a series where they interview various people about their projects while showcasing their brand of humor. Episodes start to drop on the 2nd.
The 4th offers foodies a look at the history and culture of the pork belly as Korean Porkbelly Rhapsody starts its first season. The 5th offers a trio of very different series. The kid's series Gabby's Dollhouse might appeal to cat fans while Nailed It! Mexico unleashes comic culinary catastrophe on its viewers. And finally, Nicolas Cage talks about The History of Swear Words on the 5th. I think you'll know whether this is for you or not based on those words.
What happens when you die? Surviving Death takes a look on the 6th. A quartet of series drops on the 8th. The Idhun Chronicles features the continuing adventures of a boy seeking revenge on the murder of his parents. Inside the World's Toughest Prisons is pretty self-explanatory. Lupin features Omar Sy as the gentleman thief looking to hit a big score on his latest heist. And Martin Scorsese has an intimate conversation with Fran Lebowitz on the streets of New York in Pretend It's a City.
There's a miniseries on the Night Stalker coming on the 13th for those who like true crime stories. It focuses on several detectives determined to capture the serial killer.
Several new shows drop on the 15th. Bling Empire takes a look at wealthy Asian Americans as they party and live on the tony streets of Los Angeles. The final season of Carmen Sandiego about a goodhearted thief drops on that day as well. For those loving Simpsons/Futurama humor, Disenchantment releases its third season on the 15th.
The animated family series Hello Ninja stealthily sneaks its fourth season for Netflix viewers on the 19th. The next day shows off two different, but interesting series making their debuts. Spycraft will intrigue those who are fans of spy films/shows like James Bond while Daughter from Another Mother explores the unusual family formed by two mothers whose children were switched at birth. The 21st takes a look at the latest efforts of struggling talent agents to stay afloat when Call My Agent releases its fourth season.
A lot is happening on the 22nd. Blown Away showcases those gifted with blowing glass as they compete for a title. Busted releases its third season of Korean stars trying to solve mysteries. The debut of Fate: The Winx Saga which has already garnered a bit of controversy, but we'll see if the show is worth the hype. And the second season of Jurassic World: Camp Crustaceous rounds out the series we'll be seeing on that date.
The 23rd offers the story Love featuring Marriage and Divorce where three successful women find their love lives taking a turn for the worse. Go Dog Go is an animated series about a trio of dogs who solve mysteries and help people that drops on the 26th. 50M2 is a tale of mistaken identity and hitmen from Turkey that appears the next day. And the 30th features the feel good docuseries called We Are: The Brooklyn Saints about a top pee-wee football team.
Acquired Division:
Not exactly a stellar month as there's more leaving this month than coming in. I guess they're hoping the original series can make up the difference?
A trio of Nickelodeon imports show up in January. On the 1st, Abby Hatcher's first season drops where a girl tries to keep her Fuzzly friends out of trouble in her family's hotel. The Haunted Hathaways focuses on a family who befriends a family of ghosts in their new home in New Orleans on the 1st while the 15th unveils Henry Danger about an 8th grader with a secret job as a sidekick to a superhero.
On the fifth, Bad Boys spinoff LA's Finest releases its first season focusing on Mike Lowrey's girlfriend (and Marcus's sister) Syd who has to adjust to a new partner while fighting crime. The latest season of The Last Tango in Halifax with Derek Jacobi drops on the 12th.
The 15th offers two series. Kuroko's Basketball is an anime focusing on an unsung member of a middle school hoops dynasty getting his chance to shine in high school. Meanwhile, The Magicians has a group of people trying to save the world in a world where magic is threatened.
Departing Soon:
Lots of titles leave on the 1st. Starting with classics Airplane, the Back to the Future trilogy and all four Indiana Jones films. Indie fans will also mourn as Being John Malkovich, An Education, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Fargo and Her all walk out as well. Those looking for laughs will miss Baby Mama, Barbershop, The Interview and Not Another Teen Movie while those romantically inclined will feel sad about missing out on Definitely Maybe and The Notebook. And horror fans will be spooked by the departure of Cape Fear, Poltergeist, Session 9 and Splice.
Among notable titles that were recently announced, the saddest ones were Cloud Atlas, Frost/Nixon and the Jurassic Park trilogy. Also, we'll miss Song of the Sea, V for Vendetta and Super Dark Times.
TV fans will be sad as the series Gossip Girl, Grand Hotel, The Office and The Inbetweeners all take curtain calls on the first. Also bummed will be fans of Morgan Freeman as The Story of God and The Story of Us both leave on that day.
On January 8th, The Tudors finds itself exiting stage left as the Showtime series leaves the streaming service. The 9th marks an end of an era as Mary Poppins Returns leaves Netflix, the last exclusive Disney title in their deal. Fans of the Taken trilogy may or may not miss the two seasons provided by the TV series prequel leaving on the 12th.
The 15th marks the end of Haven as the five seasons heads off into the sunset. Also on that day, the Paul Thomas Anderson directed Master takes off as well.
The next day, we lose Oscar nominated films Dallas Buyers Club and A Serious Man along with Emmy contender Waco. Club won a pair of awards for its acting, so there's that.
The 17th sees the close of Friday Night Tykes as that series heads elsewhere, although I think with We Are: The Brooklyn Saints, there may be a replacement in the wings already.
On the 21st, not one, not two, but three fireplaces see their embers taken down as Fireplace for Your Home leaves Netflix. January 25th is the date that the romantic drama between a teacher and a Mountie called When Calls the Heart departs the service.
January 27th when both Shadow of Truth and We Are Your Friends leaves Netflix while the odd indie drama Swiss Army Man departs on the 30th. January 31 marks the last time The 100 Foot Journey will be taken, at least for now.
So what do you think? What films and series are you looking forward to? What ones will you miss when they leave?
