Need to take a break from Christmas movies and not sure what to watch on Netflix this month? We’ve got you covered. As usual, Netflix has a whole lot of new shows streaming in December 2020, from its ever-growing arsenal of originals to some slept-on network shows making their way to streaming for the first time, and even the all-time comfort-watch that isJeopardy!And heck, if you really want to stick with the holiday vibe, but you’ve already watched all your seasonal favorites, you may dig into the making of two holiday movie classics withThe Holiday Movies That Made Us.
Here’s a comprehensive list ofevery new movie and TV show new to Netflix in December, but if you’re looking for some guidance, check out our curated list of the best new shows and original series below.
1. The Holiday Movies That Made Us
Available:December 1
An offshoot of the seriesThe Movies That Made Us(which is itself an offshoot of the seriesThe Games That Made Us), the new two-episode seriesThe Holiday Movies That Made Ustakes us behind-the-scenes of two beloved modern Christmas classics;ElfandThe Nightmare Before Christmas. If you’ve seen those other shows, you’ll be familiar with the format, which features interviews with the creators behind the beloved titles. Those interviews are intercut with film clips and reaction shots, sometimes to a frustrating degree, but all the same, they do a good job bringing the strange stories of creative development to life, usually with some juicy little anecdotes from the folks who were there. If you’re a fan of either film, it’s pretty fascinating to see the highs and lows of how they were created, including howElfwas almost sabotaged by a studio cut, the alternate ending pitch that inspiredTim Burtonto kick a hole in the wall, and an enlight behind-the-scenes look at the making ofThe Nightmare Before Christmasthat will, hopefully, finally make people realize we need to be putting a lot more respect onHenry Selick’s name.
2. Big Mouth: Season 4
Available:December 4
As the theme song promises, the incredibly crass tweeners ofBig Mouthare continuing to go through changes, with Season 4 picking up right where Season 3 left off. After some ill-advised kissing has led to a brutal split between one-time best friends Nick (Nick Kroll) and Andrew (John Mulaney), a whole new assortment of emotions are coming for them, not to mention a wonderful assortment of new guest stars. Joining the cast this season areSeth Rogen,Josie Totah,Lena Waithe,Quinta Brunson,John Oliver,Sterling K. Brown,Paul Giamatti,Maya Erskine, andAnna Konkle— withAyo Edebiriinheriting the role of Missy (previously played byJenny Slate) by season’s end. As always, the wildly graphic discussions of sex and biology come coupled with some genuinely heartfelt storytelling about what it’sreallylike growing up these days. No matter how much the characters ofBig Mouthmight change, that fact remains forever the same. -Liz Shannon Miller
3. Selena: The Series
Selena Quintanillais a legend. The late pop star transcended traditional boundaries – language, age, genre – to become an international celebrity. Her tragic death at the hands of a fan cemented her to that iconic status reserved only for the very famous who die devastatingly young. And the 1997 film starringJennifer Lopezonly expanded and secured that cultural legacy. But she’s not just a legacy or a poster on your wall that reminds you to dare to dream; she was a human, and a phenomenal one at that, and Netflix’s new series promises to explore the origins and lifetime of the woman beyond her indelible cultural imprint. While there’s not much to learn here that fans haven’t seen before, and I do wish it made more room to explore the internal life of Selena herself, the first six episodes ofSelena: The Series(billed as the first of two installments) is a charming family drama anchored in the love of music.
4. Song Exploder: Volume 2
Available:December 15
Inspired by the podcast of the same name, Netflix’sSong Exploderis a fascinating, inspiring docuseries about the creative process behind some of the catchiest, most beloved songs in the world. The new season rolls out four all-new episodes, featuring Dua Lipa, The Killers, Nine Inch Nails, and Natalia Lafourcade; each breaking down the behind-the-scenes journey to one of their chart-topping hit songs. If you love music, or even if you’re just curious how the heck pop stars write those hit songs,Song Exploderis an endlessly insightful and educational look at the many minds, moments, and spontaneous bursts of inspiration that go into the making of good music.
5. Jeopardy!
Available:December 18
While we collectively mourn the loss ofAlex Trebek, we can also celebrate all the joy he brought to us for so many years with multipleJeopardy!episode runs arriving on Netflix in December. That includesJeopardy! Champion Run V, Jeopardy! Champion Run VI, Jeopardy! Teacher’s Tournament, Jeopardy! College Championship, andJeopardy! Tournament of Champions. It’s always fun to play along with the trivia, but if you want a reminder of why Trebek was one of the legends of his field, check out what Daniel Radcliffe had to say about the host on his recent (and outrageously endearing)episode ofHot Ones, and then go watch Trebek host the heck out of these championship runs to see all that passion in action.
6. Bridgerton
Available:December 25
Seduction! Snobbery! Scandal! If you want a glamorous, modernized update on the painstaking courtships and politicking of high society that’s also horny-as-heck, mark your calendars forBridgerton. From Shondaland and creatorChris Van Dusen, inspired by the bestselling historical romance novels byJulia Quinn, the series follows the Bridgerton family as they seek to wed well and climb the social ranks while a mysterious figure known as Lady Whistledown isXOXO Gossip Girl-ing all their most private drama in her society papers. With glittering spectacle and candy-colored costuming,Bridgertonpromises to be the binge-worthy, lusty, super-soapy drama of the season.
7 . Dare Me
Available:December 29
One of the most recent “canceled-too-soon” titles to leave it small but dedicated fanbase grieving after a one-and-done debut,Dare Meis poise to find new life with Netflix audiences when it hits the streamer this month. “There’s something dangerous about the boredom of teenage girls,” the narration warns, teasing some dark and foreboding crime that’s about to unfold, but the series’ primary focus is on the star cheerleaders in a small midwestern town, from their melodramatic dynamics to the punishing pursuit of perfection in their sport. Moody, atmospheric, anddramaticas hell, the USA Network original might have fared better as a binge-watched streamer, to begin with, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself sucked into the pulpy 10-episode run, only to wind up one of the heartbroken when you realize it’s already over.
8. Best Leftovers Ever!
Available:December 30
If you like reality cooking competitions and also want to improve your home chef game, Netflix has the perfect new show to ring in the New Year. ImagineChopped!but instead of random-ass ingredients, the contestants are given random-ass leftovers to re-prepare as a whole new dish. These types of cooking shows are always an impressive display of creativity, but there’s something extra tangible and practical about making the ingredients leftovers. After all, I probably (hopefully) will never have to figure out how to make a meal out of turkey ice cream cake, mashed potato candy, and green bean ice pops (yes, that’s a real challenge), but I sure would love to learn how to give all that pad thai takeout a second life.
9. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina 4
Available:December 31
You can always count onChilling Adventures of Sabrinato do the most, and the fourth and final season looks to be no different. And how could it be, what with the tangle of dangling threads and world-changing developments left in the aftermath of the Season 3 finale. Now, we’ve got two Sabrinas; one ruling as Queen of Hell, while the other maintains her “normal” life in Greendale. And aside from the inevitable cosmic mess that’s probably going to cause, there’s all that pesky Lovecraftian terror Faustus is conjuring, not to mention, the general soapy struggles of hormonal teenagers, witches or not.
