Note: This feature was first published on 2 December 2021.
Closing 2021 out the fun way.
It’s the final month of the year, but that doesn’t mean streaming services are winding down their new releases. A host of new TV shows and movies debut this month and surprisingly, not too many of them are Christmas-themed. Netflix is putting out a ton of content throughout the month as usual, headlined by the big Money Heist finale and a dramedy called Don’t Look Up, led by Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence. Star Wars fans can also look forward to the return of the legendary ex-bounty hunter Boba Fett, as he tries to make Tatooine his own.
Here’s everything new worth watching in December 2021:
The Power of the Dog (1 December) – Netflix
Benedict Cumberbatch in a Western? Sign me up twice. The Power of the Dog follows a domineering rancher (Cumberbatch), who doesn't respond kindly when his brother brings home his new wife and son. This seems to be a slow-burn character drama that eventually devolves into complete chaos, and I honestly have no idea which way it's going to go. Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit-McPhee also star.
Money Heist Season 5, Volume 2 (3 December) – Netflix
The world’s greatest heist is coming to an end. Money Heist has been one of Netflix’s most successful series worldwide, and it’s coming to a conclusion in December. Whether or not you’re ready to say farewell to these characters, it’s time for one final binge!
And Just Like That… (9 December) – HBO Max/HBO GO
In this era of TV revivals and sequels comes HBO’s continuation of Sex and the City. This show reintroduces viewers to Carrie, Miranda and Charlotte (minus Samantha, as Kim Cattrall chose not to return) in their 50s, as they navigate life and friendship two decades after the original series.
The Expanse Final Season (10 December) – Amazon Prime Video
The Expanse has held the ‘best ongoing sci-fi’ throne for years now, but all good things must come to an end. Holden and the shaved-down crew of the Rocinante embark on a quest to protect the Inner Planets from the threat that Marco Inaros and his Free Navy pose to the galaxy. As he fights alongside the Combined Fleet of Earth, a new power rises on a distant planet beyond the Rings. Amazon, please give this show a few movie sequels. Pretty please?
The Witcher Season 2 (17 December) – Netflix
We’ve been waiting a long time to see where Geralt and Ciri go after finally meeting in Season 1’s finale, and now we finally have an answer: Kaer Morhen! As Geralt journeys with his Child Surprise to the witcher stronghold, Yennefer seems to be dealing with her own problems after the Battle of Sodden. In typical Witcher fashion, lots of monsters are sprinkled into the trio’s adventures too.
Cobra Kai, Don't Look Up, Boba Fett and more!
Don’t Look Up (24 December) – Netflix
This is one of Netflix’s most star-studded projects yet. Two low-level astronomers discover an incoming comet that threatens to destroy the planet, and embark on a massive media tour to warn the public of it. Unfortunately, no one believes them – not even the President of the United States. Adam McKay (Anchorman, The Big Short) writes and directs while Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Jonah Hill, Meryl Streep, Timothee Chalamet, Ariana Grande, Cate Blanchett, Chris Evans and more star.
The Silent Sea (24 December) – Netflix
If star-studded dramedies aren’t your thing, maybe sci-fi K-dramas are more in your bag. The Silent Sea is set in the year 2075, with the Earth devastated by the depletion of natural resources. An elite team is sent to an abandoned research base on the moon for a special mission. When the crew begins to die one-by-one however, it becomes clear that this mission is unlike any other. This has a pretty strong cast, too! Bae Doona, Gong Yoo, Lee Joon, Kim Sun-young, Lee Mu-saeng and Lee Sung-wook star.
Swan Song (27 December) – Apple TV+
This tearjerker looks like the perfect accompaniment to all your post-Christmas blues. Set in the near future, Mahershala Ali stars as Cameron, a husband and father who gets diagnosed with a terminal illness. He is then presented with an experimental and unorthodox way to keep his family company after death: cloning himself. Will he continue to keep his illness secret using the clone, or choose to let the family deal with his death together? Naomie Harris, Glenn Close and Awkwafina also star.
The Book of Boba Fett (29 December) – Disney+
The bounty hunter who needs no introduction. This spin-off of The Mandalorian follows the iconic Boba Fett as he attempts a hostile takeover of Tatooine’s criminal underworld with his partner Fennec Shand. The criminals affected by this takeover aren’t taking kindly to it however, and it looks like Fett is going to have trouble maintaining the peace.
Cobra Kai Season 4 (December 31) – Netflix
The cast of Cobra Kai return to fight for the very soul of Valley. This time around, Johnny Lawrence and Daniel LaRusso are teaming up to train the younger generation taking part in the All Valley Tournament. Their rival, John Kreese is once again in charge of his dojo and plans to beat them at their own game. Whichever dojo loses has to leave the Valley forever – so the stakes are high, to say the least.
Keyword: Here are the new TV shows and films you should absolutely binge in December 2021