‘Sex, Explained’

Starts streaming: Jan. 2

Janelle Monáe narrates this Vox docuseries, which I would not recommend watching with your parents or in public. The series does exactly what its title says — in great detail. Combining graphics, interviews and demonstrative footage and guided by Monáe’s warm, nonjudgmental voice-over, the series offers a thorough education of even the most taboo aspects of its subject matter. The opening episode on sexual fantasies, especially, does not hold back from visualizing its topic in ways we can’t really describe in this paper. As informative as the series is, it’s also funny: Later episodes explore the history of birth control and fertility science, comparing the sperm’s journey with the 1986 film “Labyrinth.”

‘Leslie Jones: Time Machine’

Starts streaming: Jan. 14

Leslie Jones always seems like she’s having the most fun onstage, and this hourlong special is no exception. She looks back at her life decade by decade, comparing, for example, the passage of time in her 30s with the fate of a ripe banana and roasting today’s 20-somethings for marching in protests instead of being joyfully irresponsible. Now in her 50s, she is very funny on what it’s like to be making money and being “white people famous,” and on the various ways her body is letting her down. At one point she sings Tevin Campbell’s “Can We Talk” and jumps up and down with what definitely seems like spontaneous joy when the crowd sings it back. The special is also directed by the “Game of Thrones” creators, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss.

‘Grace and Frankie’

Starts streaming: Jan. 15

The gals are back for a sixth season of shenanigans, and fans will be pleased to find that we’re in classic “Grace and Frankie” territory: Businesses get launched, family tensions bubble away, Frankie smokes weed, Grace drinks martinis, and both try to build relationships with men that will rival their love for each other. The chemistry between Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin gets a lot of attention, as it should, but it is also a joy to see Tomlin’s Frankie in a scene with her ex-husband, played by Sam Waterson. Also: The Hanson daughters wear some really excellent suits this season. This is one of the sweetest shows on the air.

Also arriving:

Jan. 1

“Messiah”

“The Circle”

“Catch Me If You Can”

“City of God”

“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”

“Free Willy"

“Julie & Julia”

“Kill Bill” Volumes 1 and 2

“Pan’s Labyrinth”

“The Ring”

“The Talented Mr. Ripley”

“True Grit"

“Up in the Air”