Best new shows and movies to stream in January 2022

December was a bumper month full of blockbusters and some great binges, but January is no slouch, either. There are Oscar hopefuls hitting the streamers after late-December theatrical premieres; some long-awaited second seasons of shows delayed by Covid; and the final seasons of two dark favorites. Plus, two spin-off series we’re not sure anyone asked for.

Read on for premiere dates and even more of what to stream in January!

New movies streaming in January 2022

New limited series and TV shows to stream in January

Upcoming sports events to stream

What’s streaming in February 2022?

New movies streaming in January 2022

The Tender Bar

Release date: January 7
Where: Amazon Prime Video

Ben Affleck is earning raves for his turn as a rough around the edges bartender in this coming-of-age film directed by George Clooney. Based on a memoir by Tye Sheridan, The Tender Bar tells the story of a fatherless boy growing up amongst his colorful family on Long Island (Affleck plays his wise uncle).

The Eternals

Release date: January 12
Where: Disney+

Despite an Oscar-winning director and a superstar cast, this latest entrant to the MCU bombed in theatres when it came out last fall. Semi-curious, patient viewers will now be rewarded with a chance to check it out on Disney+.

The Tragedy of Macbeth

Release date: January 14
Where: Apple TV+

Shakespeare? Check. Acting royalty Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand? Double (double toil and trouble) check. Black and white cinematography, just in case it wasn’t clear this is a SERIOUS film? Aye. In less expert hands such a film might collapse under the weight of such heavy expectations, but given this one was directed by Joel Coen (who was behind many of the best films of the last few decades), we can’t wait to check it out. The Tragedy of Macbeth hit theaters on Christmas and is currently rated “94% fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes, where it’s been praised as a minimalist masterpiece.

A Hero

Release date: January 21
Where: Amazon Prime Video

This Iranian film won the Grand Prix at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival, and was directed by two-time Oscar winner Asghar Farhadi. A Hero depicts Rahim, a man imprisoned for unpaid debts who visits his family during a two-day furlough. As he becomes entangled in an increasingly complex scheme, the audience must decide whether he’s a hero worth rooting for or just an irredeemable con up to his old tricks.

The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild

Release date: January 28
Where: Disney+

This one’s unlikely to win any Oscars, but seems like an easy kid-pleaser due to its combination of Ice Age franchise bona fides and the addition of dinosaurs to the winning formula.

New limited series and TV shows to stream in January

Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts

Release date: January 1
Where: HBO Max

The first Harry Potter movie premiered 20 years ago, and the [now very wealthy] stars have pulled out their time-turners to reminisce! This retrospective reunion special will combine behind-the-scenes footage, interviews with cast and crew, and a look through all eight movies in the Harry Potter franchise. Check out our comprehensive guide to the Harry Potter reunion for more details.

The Bachelor Season 26

Release date: January 3
Where: ABC / Hulu

The drama continues in the newest season of the hit reality show, which sees former contestant Jesse Palmer take over hosting duties from Chris Harrison. Looking for love is the oh-so wholesome former Bachelorette romantic Clayton Echard, who has said in press interviews that he found the season “wild” and “chaotic.” The Bachelor will air a new episode every Monday on ABC, and will be available to stream one day later on Hulu. See our Bachelor guide for more.

The Righteous Gemstones Season 2

Release date: January 9
Where: HBO

This black comedy satire about a family of wealthy and debauched televangelists premiered in 2019 and is one of many shows that was delayed by Covid. Danny McBride, John Goodman, and Walton Goggins headline the hilarious cast. Season 2 will see more intra-family tussling, and Jason Schwartzman joins the cast as a nosy investigative reporter who just might expose the family’s many misdeeds.

Euphoria Season 2

Release date: January 9
Where: HBO Max

High school: even more dramatic and intense than you remember it to be! The first season of this drama portrayed drug addiction, sexual assault, the mental fallout of social media, obsessive love affairs, and much more. Two one-off specials followed series stars Rue (Zendaya) and Jules (Hunter Schafer) in the aftermath of the Season 1 finale. Season 2 picks up with Rue persevering in the wake of their devastating breakup.

Cheer Season 2

Release date: January 12
Where: Netflix

Netflix’s cheerleading docu-series was one of the last pre-pandemic hits, and the streamer dropped a surprise announcement in late December that a follow-up season would debut January. Season 2 will span the Covid challenges of Navarro College’s 2020 season, along with the fallout from sexual misconduct allegations against breakout star Jerry Harris. The Cheer universe will also expand to look at nearby rival Trinity Valley Community College.

The Peacemaker

Release date: January 13
Where: HBO Max

Were you a fan of The Suicide Squad? If so, chances are you’ll want to check out John Cena in this R-rated spinoff action-comedy series. Cena reprises his role as the arrogant, caustic vigilante assassin who lives by the creed, “I cherish peace with all of my heart. I don’t care how many men, women and children I kill to get it.” Action movie legend Robert Patrick will also star as Peacemaker’s father, Auggie Smith, who molded him into the semi-demented killing machine we see today.

How I Met Your Father

Release date: January 18
Where: Hulu

This is actually the second attempt at a spinoff of the long-running sitcom How I Met Your Mother (the Greta Gerwig-led version never made it past the pilot). Hilary Duff anchors the cast as she lives through various dating misadventures in present-day New York City, while Kim Cattrall steps into Bog Saget’s future narrator role. The series will consist of 10 weekly episodes.

Ozark Season 4 (Part 1)

Release date: January 21
Where: Netflix

After an extra tumultuous Season 3, Ozark’s fourth and final season will be split up into two parts, with seven episodes dropping in January and seven more streaming at an unspecified date. We pick up with the money-laundering Byrde family moving further up the ladder of a Mexican drug cartel. Will they finally be able to escape the criminal life that first brought them to the Ozarks? Somehow we suspect they won’t all make it out alive…

Billions Season 6

Release date: January 23
Where: Showtime

The final season of this series about financial high-flyers in New York City starts off on a new note, with series lead Bobby Axelrod (Damian Lewis) having fled to Switzerland. Will Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti) finally prevail in the name of justice? And at what cost?

Sports events to stream in January

January has got to be one of the best sports streaming months of the year. It kicks off with NCAA college football bowl games and a number of outstanding New Year’s Day matches in the EPL. The expanded NFL playoffs start on January 15, while the first tennis major of the year, the Australian Open, begins on January 17. Elsewhere in soccer, top teams Inter Milan and AC Milan will both jostle for command of Serie A; rivals Lyon and PSG face off in Ligue 1 on January 9; and PSV Eindhoven and Ajax will do battle in the Eredivisie on January 23.

What’s streaming in February 2022?

Emmy winners The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Killing Eve will both return, while Bel-Air (a 60-minute drama reboot of the famous Will Smith sitcom) comes to Peacock. Another intriguing series debut: the dark satire Severance on Apple TV+. And it will be a huge sports month, too, with the Winter Olympics, the Super Bowl, and the start of Six Nations rugby.