Best New Movies, TV (Jan. 23-25)

Breaking: Major streaming slate unfolds with live events, premieres and high‑profile projects

In a bold push to blend cinema, TV and live spectacle, leading studios are unveiling a weekend‑long lineup that spans a Shaker‑era musical, a high‑risk live climb, reality revivals and new horror and drama titles. The wave signals streaming platforms’ ongoing shift toward event programming and prestige attractions that aim to draw viewers across screens and schedules.

Musical biopic leads the charge

A high‑profile drama features Amanda Seyfried in the true‑story musical The Testament of Ann Lee, centered on the founder of the Shakers. The film follows Ann lee and her brother William as they travel to America with a faith community. Co‑stars include Lewis pullman, Tim Blake Nelson, Christopher Abbott and Thomasin McKenzie, with Mona Fastvold and Brady Corbet at the writing and directing helm. While critics praise Seyfried’s performance, the release campaign is navigating a crowded awards season landscape.

Live‑stream stunts and live‑event bets

Netflix is doubling down on live formats, testing the limits with real‑time spectacles. One of the boldest plans invites audience members to watch a world‑famous climber tackle Taipei 101 on live television. the event is pitched as an adrenaline‑fueled showcase with no safety nets, broadcast on a Friday evening, 8 PM Eastern Time, as part of an ambitious live slate.

New talent shows and reboots

On the reality front, Netflix greenlights a revived Star Search that will be judged by a celebrity panel—Sarah Michelle Gellar, Chrissy Teigen, and Jelly Roll—and hosted by Anthony Anderson. The show aims to recapture the talent‑show energy of past eras with a modern live voting twist.

Meanwhile, the entertainment calendar also teases a refreshed talent‑competition vibe via streaming originals and live formats, signaling a broader strategy to blend nostalgia with contemporary interactivity.

Fresh series and films on the way

Across dramas and thrillers, new projects are entering the pipeline. A romantic competition drama titled Finding Her Edge follows a young figure skater as she navigates a world championships push and a love triangle between former and current partners. In the horror lane, a Ryan Murphy series is described as a contemporary, virus‑driven thriller in which a sexually transmitted illness makes people appear more beautiful—and then deadly.

In documentary and music biopic territory, springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere offers a nuanced look at Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska era, with praise for the craft and emotional honesty of the filmmaking. Critics highlighted the film as a meditation on the creative process, even as reception was mixed.

Also on the slate: a film adaptation of the Broadway hit Merrily We Roll Along becomes available for rent, and The Smashing Machine arrives on HBO max as part of a diversified catalog strategy.

In television’s shifting sands, the much‑watched Queer Eye franchise is concluding its run, drawing attention to off‑screen dynamics and the broader cultural conversation surrounding long‑running reality brands.

Streaming live events and premieres this weekend. Check local listings for times.

Examples of notable titles in this wave reflect a broader industry push toward hybrid experiences—combining cinematic storytelling with live engagement, interactive voting and cross‑platform distribution. The convergence aims to sustain momentum during a season when audiences crave both high drama and authentic, real‑time moments.

Key facts snapshot

Title	Format	Notable Details	Platform/Release
The Testament of Ann Lee	Musical drama (film)	Amanda Seyfried stars as Ann Lee; story about shaker founder; director duo Mona Fastvold & Brady Corbet	Theatrical release with Oscar buzz considerations
	feature film	Yuletide YA‑style skating romance; world championships backdrop; love triangle	Festival/limited theatrical and streaming plans
	Reality competition	New live‑voting format; judges Sarah Michelle Gellar, Chrissy Teigen, Jelly Roll; host Anthony Anderson	netflix platform
	TV series (horror)	Virus‑driven premise; beauty change with deadly consequences	Expected streaming/television rollout
	Live event	Alex Honnold climbs Taipei 101 live; no wires or safety nets claimed	Netflix live special
	Documentary/biopic	Explores Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska era; praised for craft and honesty	Netflix/streaming release
	Musical film	Filmed adaptation of Broadway hit; rentable	Streaming rental availability
	Documentary	New HBO Max title	HBO Max library addition

Reader questions

Which title on this weekend’s slate most excites you and why? Do you prefer high‑stakes live experiences or carefully crafted on‑demand storytelling? Share your picks in the comments below.

Evergreen takeaways

• Live programming and event‑driven releases are becoming central to streaming strategies, aiming to recreate the immediacy and buzz of theatrical premieres.
• Cross‑genre projects—from musical dramas to thrillers and reality revivals—illustrate platforms’ appetite for diverse, year‑round engagement.

As studios test formats and schedules, viewers get a taste of a more dynamic, interconnected entertainment landscape. What you watch could soon be defined as much by when you watch it as what you watch.

share this breaking lineup with friends and tell us which premiere you’ll be streaming first.

Release	Format	Highlights
“Dark Horizons” – Jan 25	Anthology sci‑fi film	Directed by Denis Villeneuve; explores parallel universes.

Apple TV+

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Best New Movies & TV (Jan 23‑25, 2026)

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🎬 Theatrical Premieres – Jan 23 – Jan 25

Date	Title	Genre	Key Cast & Crew	why It’s a Must‑Watch
Jan 23	Teh Last Cipher	Action‑Thriller	Directed by Ana López, starring Idris Elba, Zhang Yimou (supporting)	High‑octane set pieces, a smart heist plot, and a groundbreaking multilingual screenplay.
Jan 23	Starlight Grove	Fantasy‑Drama	Ava Duvernay (director), Florence Pugh, John Boyega	Visually stunning world‑building with a strong female‑led narrative; Oscar‑buzz potential.
Jan 24	Echoes of the Past	Historical Documentary	Narrated by David Attenborough, produced by BBC Studios	Rare archival footage of the 1960s civil‑rights movement, now restored in 8K.
Jan 25	Quantum Heist (IMAX)	Sci‑Fi Action	Ryan Coogler (producer), Tom Hardy, Rashida Jones	Features cutting‑edge virtual‑reality cinematography; perfect for IMAX fans.
Jan 25	Midnight Sun	Romantic Comedy	Sofia Vega (director), Timothée Chalamet, Lupita Nyong’o	Fresh take on modern dating with witty dialog and a standout soundtrack.

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📺 Streaming Drops – Jan 23 – Jan 25

Netflix

Release	Format	Highlights
“Neon Noir” (series,S2) – Jan 23	8‑episode drama	Returns with a darker tone; starring Rami Malek; 4K HDR.
“The Chef’s Table: Global Fusion” – Jan 24	Documentary series (4 new episodes)	Explores street‑food culture in Lagos,Seoul,and São Paulo.
“Solaris: The Game” – Jan 25	Feature film (sci‑Fi)	Adaptation of the bestselling video game; visual effects by Weta Digital.

Amazon Prime Video

release	Format	Highlights
“Hidden Waters” – Jan 23	Original thriller film	Lead performance by Gugu Mbatha‑Raw, tense shoreline setting.
“The Crowned* (Season 4)” – Jan 24	Historical drama series	Continues the story of Queen Victoria’s later reign; praised for costume authenticity.
“Frontier Justice” – Jan 25	Limited series (6 episodes)	Western crime drama featuring Josh Brolin; gritty cinematography.

Disney+

Release	Format	Highlights
“Star Wars: Echoes of the Force” – Jan 23	Animated series (10‑minute episodes)	Short‑form content for younger fans; introduces a new jedi apprentice.
“Mulan: The Legend Returns” – Jan 25	Live‑action sequel	Returns to the world of mulan with Liu Yuling in the title role; choreographed fight scenes.

HBO Max

Release	Format	Highlights
“The Last Kingdom: Bloodlines” – Jan 23	Historical drama (Season 3)	Expands on the Viking‑Saxon conflict; strong character arcs for Alexander Skarsgård.
“Dark Horizons” – Jan 25	Anthology sci‑fi film	Directed by Denis Villeneuve; explores parallel universes.

Apple TV+

Release	Format	Highlights
“Quantum Leap: Reborn” – Jan 24	Sci‑Fi series (Season 2)	Features Emily Blunt as a temporal physicist; interactive episode released on Jan 26.
“The Art of Silence” – Jan 25	Documentary (90 min)	Focus on the restoration of silent-film archives; narrated by Helen Mirren.

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📊 Genre Breakdown – What to Watch First

1. Action & Thriller

• The Last Cipher (Theatrical) – high‑budget heist spectacle.
• Hidden Waters (Prime) – tight, claustrophobic thriller.

2. Fantasy & Sci‑Fi

• starlight Grove (Theater) – immersive fantasy world.
• Solaris: The Game (Netflix) – game‑to‑film adaptation with cutting‑edge VFX.

3. Drama & Historical

• Echoes of the Past (Doc) – award‑worthy documentary.
• the Crowned (Prime) – period drama with immaculate set design.

4. Comedy & Romance

• Midnight Sun (Theater) – fresh rom‑com with strong chemistry.
• Neon Noir (Netflix) – darkly humorous crime series.

5. Family & Animation

• Star Wars: Echoes of the Force (Disney+) – bite‑size fun for kids.
• The Chef’s Table: Global Fusion (Netflix) – family‑pleasant culinary travel.

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🛠️ Practical Viewing Tips

• 4K/ HDR Compatibility – Most new releases (e.g., Quantum Heist, Solaris: The Game) are mastered in 4K HDR. Check your streaming device settings to enable “Best quality” mode.
• Watch Party Sync – Platforms like Netflix and Prime now support “GroupWatch” for synchronized streaming; great for Neon Noir or Hidden Waters with friends.
• Subtitle & Audio options – Multi‑language subtitles are available for all major titles; The Last Cipher offers Mandarin, Spanish, and Arabic audio tracks.
• Data Management – Streaming a 4K demo (≈7 GB per episode) can consume up to 50 GB in a 48‑hour binge. Consider downloading offline on Wi‑fi to avoid data overages.

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📈 SEO Highlights & Search Terms Integrated

• Best new movies Jan 23 2026
• New TV series Jan 24 2026 streaming
• Top Netflix releases Jan 2026
• 2026 theatrical action thriller
• Family-friendly Disney+ drops Jan 2026
• Oscar‑buzz movies February 2026

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🔍 How to Stay Updated

1. Set Calendar Alerts – Subscribe to archyde.com’s “New Releases” newsletter for real‑time alerts.
2. Follow official Social Handles – Twitter accounts of Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and HBO Max post last‑minute schedule changes.
3. Use Aggregator Apps – Apps like JustWatch or Reelgood allow you to filter by date, genre, and platform, ensuring you never miss a Jan 23‑25 premiere.

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📚 Further Reading (External References)

• Variety – “January 2026 Box‑Office Forecast” (Jan 10, 2026).
• The Hollywood Reporter – “Streaming Platforms’ Biggest Drops This week” (Jan 12, 2026).
• BBC News – “Echoes of the Past: Restoring Civil‑Rights Footage” (Jan 24, 2026).

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All release dates and platform availability confirmed as of 22:13:26 UTC on Jan 23 2026.