If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to spend less time in front of the box and more time doing something productive, best cancel your Netflix membership as there are so many good things arriving on the streaming service in January 2020 that I don’t think I will have time to do anything else at all for the first four weeks of the year. Just the list of back catalogue movies that Netflix is adding to their library is amazing.

Highlights

Messiah (Season 1) – 1 January

This show promises to appeal to homeland fans. Michelle Monaghan plays a CIA agent investigating a charismatic young man, played by Mehdi Dehbi, who claims to be the Messiah returned, and is delivering miracles to prove it. Is this the second coming, or is something more sinister at work.

Spinning Out (Season 1) – 1 January

Kaya Scodelario stars in this drama about an ice skater on the edge as she tries to make a career for herself in the cut-throat competitive world. Clearly inspired by the success of the I, Tonya biopic, expect more than your bargained for from the Olympic hopeful.

Dracula (Season 1) – January 4

A new British show from the creators of Sherlock, Claes Bang will star as the titular character in the first three episodes of this new show. The show promises to be an origin story that adds humanity to the character without taking away any of his signature dread. Looking forward to the costumes as well as the storytelling.

Giri/Haji (Season 1) – 10 January

The Netflix/BBC collaboration is finally coming to the streaming channel as Takehiro Hira plays a Japanese police officer who finds himself in London investigating the disappearance of his brother and the true perpetrator behind the crimes of which he is accused. Kelly Macdonald also stars in this clash of cultures.

October Faction (Season 1) – 23 January

Based on the comic book series by Steve Niles, we will follow globetrotting monster hunters Fred and Deloris, played by Tamara Taylor and J.C. MacKenzie, as the death of their father forces them to return to their hometown. The two hide their identities, but they may discover new kinds of monsters in this tranquil community.

Rise of Empires: Ottoman (Season 1) – 24 January

Netflix’s Rise of Empires brand takes on the Ottomans, looking at the life of 15th century Ottoman ruler Mehmed the Conqueror. Using a mix off scripted action and documentary elements we’ll see the conquest of Constantinople as it transforms from the Roman capital to the Ottoman.

Omniscient (Season 1) – 29 January

This new Brazilian sci-fi thriller is set in a world where everyone is monitored 24 hours a day, a woman comes across a murder that cannot be accounted for. Our protagonist takes it on herself to investigate and discovers that the system may not be all that it seems.

The Stranger (Season 1) – 30 January

In this short British mini-series, Richard Armitage plays a man whose life is turned upside down when a stranger tells him a secret about his wife. Also starring Siobhan Finneran, Hannah John-Kamen, and Anthony Head (yep, Giles from Buffy).

Diablero (Season 2) – 31 January

A new Mexican series based on the popular comic books, when a young girl goes missing, a priest finds himself joining forces with a demon hunter and his unusual allies to dive into the supernatural in order to recover her. Starring Chistopher Von Uckermann, Horacio Garcia Rojas and Gisselle Kuri.

Ragnarok (Season 1) – 31 January

Norse series pitched as a coming of age drama, but what is the connection between our young characters, the old gods, and the end of the world? As climate change seems to indicate the coming of a second Ragnarok, our characters decide that something must be done, and that the key to averting disaster lies in their sleepy little town.

Netflix Original Shows

The Circle (Season 1) – 1 January

The U.S. version of this reality competition show in which young people compete to be the most popular.

Sex Explained (Limited Series) – 2 January

This docuseries looks at the facts behind one of life’s mysteries, sex. The biology of attraction, the history of birth control and the secret to good sex.

Anne with an E (Season 3) – 3 January

The final season of the show about the delightful misfit orphan that finds herself lighting up the life of a spinster and her bachelor brother.

Go! Go! Cory Carson (Season 1) – 4 January

Kids series starring an array of adorable cars living in Bumperton Hills

AJ and the Queen (Season 1) – 10 January

Comedy series starring Ru Paul as a drag queen travelling the US in an RV with a orphan stowaway.

Medical Police (Season 1) – 10 January

Two American physicians find themselves in Brazil where they discover a deadly virus. They must find a cure and uncover a conspiracy.

Zumbo’s Just Dessert’s (Season 2) – 10 January

An Australian competitive baking show offering something a bit different to the staple British shows.

Grace and Frankie (Season 6) – 15 January

Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlinson are back as two women rebuilding their lives after their husbands declare that they are in love with one another.

Hip Hop Evolution (Season 4) – 17 January

The Canadian docuseries continues its exploration of the evolution of hip hop, moving into the early noughties.

Nailed It! Germany (Season 1) – 17 January

The German edition of the series that sees amateurs compete to recreate complicated baking feats.

Sex Education (Season 2)- 17 January

Otis returns as our amateur sex therapist battling the influence of his other and social outcast partner in crime.

Tiny House Nations (Volume 2) – 17 January

Reality series looking at how people make comfortable homes in tiny houses, with renovation experts helping families adjust to less space.

Family Reunion (Part 2) – 20 January

We finally see if the McKellan family are happy with their move to Georgia or decide to head back to Seattle.

World Party (Season 4) – 21 January

Our hosts continue their exploration of the world and finding out how different people around the world go about having fun.

Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac (Season 1 – Part 2) – 21 January

The Netflix take on the Saint Seiya stories wraps its first series. Will Seiya finally find his missing sister?

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (Part 3) – 24 January

Our favourite young witch is back as she delves into darker worlds than we are used to from the 90s show.

The Ranch (Part 8) – 24 January

We will be saying goodbye to the Bennetts in this final season of the comedy starring Ashton Kutcher and Danny Masteron.

Country Song (2010) – 27 January

Gwyneth Paltrow stars in this music drama directed by Shana Feste about a rising country-music songwriter.

Shimla Mirchi (2020) – 27 January

Directed by Ramesh Sippy, this Indian comedy movie tells series of events that take place after a man’s love-letter mistakenly is delivered to the girl’s mother.

We Are Your Friends (2015) – 27 January

Written and directed by Max Joseph, this musical drama starring Zac Efron about a DJ trying to find his way in life.

Next in Fashion (Season 2) – 29 January

Another reality competition series, this time with fashion designers competing to show their skills. Alexa Chung hosts

Ainori Love Wagon: African Journey (Season 1) – 30 January

A Japanese reality show about finding true love, on the bus! How many of the fourteen participants will return as couples?

Bojack Horseman (Season 6 – Part 2) – 31 January

The adults animation favourite is back as Bojack continues to try and make it big in Hollywood.

Netflix Original Movies & Specials

A Fall From Grace – 17 January

In this Tyler Perry film a law-abiding woman finds herself indicted for murdering her husband. As her lawyer delves into the case, he finds a greater conspiracy at work.

Fortune Feimster: Sweet & Salty – 21 January

New stand up special from Feimster that explores her southern roots and tells the story of her sexual awakening.

Back Catalogue Shows

Drugs, Inc. (Season 6) – Documentary style show about how drugs are sold and processed and how police work to fight them.

(Season 6) – Documentary style show about how drugs are sold and processed and how police work to fight them. Good Girls (Season 2) – Suburban mothers breaking the mould and becoming players.

(Season 2) – Suburban mothers breaking the mould and becoming players. Saint Seiya (Seasons 4 & 5)- Anime in which young people become superheroes to help the goddess Athena save the planet.

Back Catalogue Movies