'Tis the season for cozy TV — theoretically. This December brings us the return of Virgin River, maybe the most iconically cozy show out there right now, but it's looking pretty lonely in a sea of violent, murder-heavy shows, like the Dexter prequel Dexter: Original Sin, the second season of Squid Game, and the Keira Knightley spy thriller Black Doves. Even Margo Martindale is turning to a life of crime in The Sticky. If you want TV that taps into the stress of the season, you're in luck. If you want escapism, other than Virgin River, you'll want to bookmark Hallmark's Christmas movie calendar.
Our guide to the best TV and streaming movies in December is divided into four sections: the best shows to watch this month, the best shows to watch by streaming service, a roundup of this year's Christmas movie options, and a calendar of TV highlights. Whatever you're looking for, you'll find it below.
More:
- The new TV shows coming this winter
- The complete guide to fall TV
- All the renewed and canceled shows in November
The best shows to watch in December
Black Doves (Dec. 5, Netflix)
Ben Whishaw and Keira Knightley — need we say more?Black Doves is a thriller set in London following a spy (Knightley) who, with the protection of fellow spy Sam (Whishaw), investigates the assassination of her lover (Warrior's Andrew Koji). Why yes, she does uncover a massive conspiracy in the process. How did you know? As if the cast wasn't good enough already, Sarah Lancashire (Happy Valley) plays Knightley's boss. -Tim Surette [Trailer]
The Sticky (Dec. 6, Prime Video)
Remember that great Canadian maple syrup heist of 2011-2012 that saw thieves make off with more than 3,000 tons of pancake dressing? Well, in the limited seriesThe Sticky, Prime Video is remembering it for you and adding some dramatic details to make it entertainment.Margo Martindalestars as a syrup farmer whose farm gets shut down by the government, forcing her to team up with a Boston mobster (Chris Diamantopoulos) and a French-Canadian security guard (Guillaume Cyr) to make ends meet by siphoning syrup from the country's national reserve.Jamie Lee Curtisalso stars. -Tim Surette [Trailer]
Dexter: Original Sin (Dec. 13, Paramount+ With Showtime)
Call it Young Dexter! Your favorite serial killer with a conscience gets the origin story all great TV characters deserve in Dexter: Original Sin. Set in 1991, the prequel series shows us how Dexter Morgan (played here by Patrick Gibson) became a murderer and introduces Dexter to other familiar faces from the Showtime series. Christian Slater plays Dexter's dad Harry, and Patrick Dempsey and Sarah Michelle Gellar also star. Note: The series airs on Showtime two days after its streaming debut. Here's everything we know about Dexter: Original Sin. -Tim Surette [Teaser]
Laid (Dec. 19, Peacock)
What happens when you realize that your "body count" is becoming an actual body count? In the twisted rom-com Laid, a young woman (Oscar nominee Stephanie Hsu) discovers that all the people she has had sex with are dying under mysterious circumstances. Creators Nahnatchka Khan and Sally Bradford McKenna promise a heartwarming reaffirmation of the power of love... beneath all the blood and death. Zosia Mamet, Michael Angarano, and Tommy Martinez also star. -Tim Surette [Trailer]
Virgin River Season 6 (Dec. 19, Netflix)
Get your comfiest sweaters ready. Just when it seemed like we weren't going to get any new episodes of Virgin River this year, Netflix surprised us with the news that the cozy drama is returning for Season 6 just in time for the holidays. On screen, spring is in the air, and showrunner Patrick Sean Smith has teased that Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge) and Jack (Martin Henderson) will be in wedding planning mode. And to go along with those wedding bells, can we interest you in some bell bottoms? (Sorry.) Expect '70s-set flashbacks focused on Mel's parents, who could get their own prequel spin-off. The Virgin River cinematic universe is just getting started. -Kelly Connolly [Teaser]
Squid Game Season 2 (Dec. 26, Netflix)
For reasons unbeknownst to us, Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) has decided to play another round of Squid Game. That's right — after narrowly escaping death in the Korean thriller's first season, Player 456 thought, "Let's do this again!" Of course, we're expecting his agenda for returning to the arena to be unveiled in Squid Game Season 2. In the meantime, there's nothing to complain about when it comes toHwang Dong-hyuk's global phenomenon of a show coming back with a new iteration of life-or-death games. Lee Byung-hun, Gong Yoo, and Wi Ha-jun are reprising their roles as the Front Man, the Salesman, and Hwang Jun-ho, respectively. Season 2's cast also includes Park Sung-hoon, Yim Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Jo Yu-ri, and Choi Seung-hyun. Here's everything we know about Squid Game's new season. -Kat Moon[Trailer]
What's on Netflix, Max, Hulu, Amazon, and more in December
Netflix's best new shows and movies in December
The holiday season must be here, because Netflix's December offerings are bountiful. But be warned: Not every title is holly jolly. To start, Squid Gameis returning for Season 2 more than three years after the Korean thriller premiered, and anyone who's binged Season 1 knows there's nothing joyous or festive about the series — though the infamous challenges based on children's games can have you fooled initially. And at first glance, new series No Good Deed may appear to be an upbeat comedy, since it's starring Lisa Kudrow and Ray Romano, but all is not what it seems in the luxurious home they're trying to sell. Also coming to Netflix in December are the adaptation of Gabriel García Márquez's 1967 novelOne Hundred Years of Solitudeand a music biopic with Angelina Jolie as its lead. Here's our list of the best shows and movies on Netflix in December, plus everything coming to and leaving Netflix in December.
More on Netflix:
- The best shows on Netflix right now
- The best movies on Netflix right now
- The new TV shows and movies on Netflix in November
HBO and Max's best new shows and movies in December
Happy holidays! If you find yourself needing a break from the stress of decorating and shopping for gifts, there are enough things coming to Max this month to distract you. On the TV end, there's the adult animated DC series Creature Commandos — TheSuicide Squad fans, this one's for you — and the second season of Chuck Lorre's Sebastian Maniscalco-starring series Bookie. The very funny creator and star ofStarstruck, Rose Matafeo, will also drop her second stand-up special, called On and On and On. On the movie end, there are plenty of things to watch with your family over the holiday break, including Tim Burton's long-awaited Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Clint Eastwood's legal thriller Juror #2, and the Christopher Reeve documentary Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story. Maybe the last two mostly fall in the "watch with your dad" category. Here's our list of the best shows and movies on HBO and Max in December, plus everything coming to HBO and Max in December.
More on HBO and Max:
- The best movies on Max right now
- The best shows on Max right now
- The new TV shows and movies on HBO and Max in November
- Max review: Everything to know about the streaming service
Hulu's best new shows and movies in December
Original programming on Hulu is light this December, after November brought us some impressive titles likeSay Nothing andInterior Chinatown.The new comedy special Ilana Glazer: Human Magic is the main highlight, and if the Broad City star's past work is any indication, we can expect this title to brighten our holiday season. Also coming to Hulu in a bit of fortunate timing in December is Ridley Scott's 2000 film Gladiator.The epic arrives shortly after his sequel Gladiator II hits theaters. On the documentary side,Bad Actor: A Hollywood Ponzi Scheme is one to watch. The film premiered at Tribeca Film Festival earlier this year and is a story about deceit, fame, and what really goes on in Hollywood. Here's our list ofthe best shows and movies on Hulu in December, plus everything coming to Hulu in December.
More on Hulu:
- The best TV shows on Hulu right now
- The best movies on Hulu right now
- The new TV shows and movies on Hulu in November
- How much does Hulu cost? Plans, pricing, channels, and more
Amazon Prime Video's best new shows and movies in December
Rest in peace, Freevee. Amazon's free, ad-supported streaming service is no more, having been phased out in November because Amazon finally realized that it never needed it in the first place. Instead, all of Freevee's content has been incorporated into Prime Video, where it is still free and where it always should have been. That said, December is the first month Amazon has announced its new streaming offerings since Freevee was binned, and there isn't a new, ad-free option among the bunch. But if you do have an Amazon Prime account and want to use it for more than just free delivery on last-minute Christmas gifts, you'll find a few things worth keeping an eye out for on Prime Video, including Margo Martindale in the maple syrup heist drama The Sticky and the animated series Secret Level, a collection of shorts based on the world of video games. Here's our list of the best shows and movies on Amazon Prime Video in December, plus everything coming to Prime Video in December.
More on Amazon:
- The best movies on Amazon Prime Video right now
- The best shows on Amazon Prime Video right now
- The new TV shows and movies on Amazon Prime Video in November
- Amazon Prime Video pricing, channels, and deals
Peacock's new shows and movies in December
In December, girls are going wild on Peacock. The Simple Life stars Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie revive their friendship in front of the cameras for Paris & Nicole: The Encore, a docuseries following the duo as they try to make a play based on their catchphrase "Sanasa." And in the dark comedy Laid, a woman (Stephanie Hsu) revisits her sexual history when her past partners start dying under mysterious circumstances. Rounding out the wildness is the docuseries Girls Gone Wild: The Untold Story, which looks at sleazebag Joe Francis and his company that made millions off exploiting intoxicated spring breakers into taking off their clothes for a series of video cassettes. Also coming to Peacock in December are plenty of Hallmark Christmas movies and the streaming premiere of James McAvoy's horror film Speak No Evil. Here's our list of everything coming to Peacock in December.
More on Peacock:
- The best movies on Peacock right now
- The best shows on Peacock right now
- The new TV shows and movies on Peacock in November
Paramount+'s new shows and movies in December
The TV trend of going way back to visit popular TV characters in their younger years has hit one of the medium's most popular serial killers. If you've ever wanted to see how Dexter's Dexter Morgan found his groove, you'll be able to in the new Paramount+ with Showtime series Dexter: Original Sin. The drama premieres Dec. 13 and follows Dexter, now played by Patrick Gibson, as he learns the ropes of controlling his dark urges from his father Harry (Christian Slater). Here's everything we know about Dexter: Original Sin. As a reminder, this will only be available on the Paramount+ with Showtime subscription plan and not the basic Paramount+ plan. Here's our list of everything coming to Paramount+ in December.
More on Paramount+:
- The best shows on Paramount+ right now
- How to get a Paramount+ free trial and deals
- The new TV shows and movies on Paramount+ in November
Disney+'s new shows and movies in December
These are the words every geek both loves and loathes to hear: "There's a new Star Wars show on Disney+." But the Mouse House spent a gazillion dollars to acquire the rights to Star Wars to make TV series set in that universe, so it will keep churning them out regardless of the overblown reaction by hardcore Star Wars fans. Call me an optimist, but the newest series, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, looks like a good time. For families, anyway. The series follows a group of youngsters on an adventure after they discover an ancient relic on their home planet, leading them to cross paths with a mysterious character played by Jude Law. Here's our list of everything coming to Disney+ in December.
More on Disney+:
- The best shows on Disney+ right now
- The best movies on Disney+ right now
- The new TV shows and movies on Disney+ in November
Tubi's new shows and movies in December
Our pick of the month is Starz's pirate drama Black Sails, which ran from 2014 to 2017 and depicted the turbulent, hedonistic, and violent lifestyle of 18th century seafaring plunderers including Anne Bonny, Charles Vane, and Blackbeard. It's centered on Captain Flint (Toby Stephens) and his crew as they hunt for legendary treasure while evading rival pirates and the Royal Navy. It's got action and drama, and some scantily clad (and not clad at all) pirates, if you're into that. As for movies, the Rush Hour, House Party, and Sicario franchises will be streaming at the top of the month. Here's our list of everything coming to Tubi in December.
More on streaming:
- The best shows and movies on Apple TV+ right now
- The new TV shows and movies on Tubi in November
Christmas movies and holiday films to stream in December
If you want to spend December watching a woman get together with a sentient version of Frosty the Snowman who has abs, have we got good news for you: That movie is real, it's called Hot Frosty, and it's on Netflix now. For this and more films featuring romances built on magic, harmless lies spinning out of control, and/or the best male stripper show a small town has ever seen (also a real movie), check out our holiday movie roundups.
- Classic Christmas movies and where to watch them
- New Christmas movies to stream this year
- Hallmark Christmas movie schedule
- Lifetime Christmas movie schedule
- Great American Family Christmas movie schedule
December TV calendar highlights
Sunday, Dec. 1
Earth Abides (Limited Series, MGM+)
Tuesday, Dec. 3
CMA Country Christmas (Special, ABC)
Fortune Feimster: Crushing It! (Comedy Special, Netflix)
Hard Knocks: In Season With the AFC North (Season 4, HBO)
Jung Kook: I Am Still the Original (Limited Series, Disney+)
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew (Season 1, Disney+)
Wednesday, Dec. 4
Christmas in Rockefeller Center (Special, NBC)
The Only Girl in the Orchestra (Documentary Short, Netflix)
Pop Culture Jeopardy! (Season 1, Prime Video)
The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On (Season 3, Netflix)
Thursday, Dec. 5
Black Doves (Season 1, Netflix)
Creature Commandos (Season 1, Max)
Glitter & Greed: The Lisa Frank Story (Docuseries, Prime Video)
Jentry Chau vs. The Underworld (Season 1, Netflix)
White Lies (Season 1, Sundance Now)
Friday, Dec. 6
A Nonsense Christmas With Sabrina Carpenter (Special, Netflix)
Paris Has Fallen (Season 1, Hulu)
The Sticky (Season 1, Prime Video)
Monday, Dec. 9
The Great British Baking Show: Holidays (Season 7, Netflix)
The Real Full Monty (Special, Fox)
The Simpsons Funday Football (Sports, Disney+)
Tuesday, Dec. 10
Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was... (Comedy Special, Netflix)
Secret Level (Season 1, Prime Video)
Wednesday, Dec. 11
Dream Productions (Limited Series, Disney+)
Makayla's Voice: A Letter to the World (Documentary, Netflix)
Maria (Film, Netflix)
One Hundred Years of Solitude (Season 1, Netflix)
Queer Eye (Season 9, Netflix)
Thursday, Dec. 12
Bookie (Season 2, Max)
No Good Deed (Season 1, Netflix)
Paris & Nicole: The Encore (Limited Series, Peacock)
Friday, Dec. 13
30 for 30: The New York Sack Exchange (Documentary, ESPN)
Carry-On (Film, Netflix)
Dexter: Original Sin (Season 1, Paramount+ With Showtime)
Joe Mande: Chill (Comedy Special, Hulu)
Saturday, Dec. 14
92nd Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade (Special, The CW)
Sunday, Dec. 15
An Evening With Dua Lipa (Special, CBS)
Monday, Dec. 16
Little Big Town's Christmas at the Opry (Special, NBC)
Tuesday, Dec. 17
Aaron Rodgers: Enigma (Docuseries, Netflix)
Ronny Chieng: Love to Hate It (Comedy Special, Netflix)
The Simpsons: O C'mon All Ye Faithful (Special, Disney+)
Wednesday, Dec. 18
iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2024 (Special, ABC)
Julia's Stepping Stones (Documentary, Netflix)
A Saturday Night Live Christmas (Special, NBC)
The Secret Lives of Animals (Docuseries, Apple TV+)
Thursday, Dec. 19
Fast Friends (Season 1, Max)
Laid (Season 1, Peacock)
Nate Bargatze's Nashville Christmas (Special, CBS)
Rose Matafeo: On and On and On (Comedy Special, Max)
Virgin River (Season 6, Netflix)
Friday, Dec. 20
Ilana Glazer: Human Magic (Comedy Special, Hulu)
Josh Groban & Friends: Home for the Holidays (Special, CBS)
National Christmas Tree Lighting (Special, CBS)
The Six Triple Eight (Film, Netflix)
Sunday, Dec. 22
The 47th Kennedy Center Honors (Special, CBS)
What If...? (Season 3, Disney+)
Tuesday, Dec. 24
Your Friend, Nate Bargatze (Comedy Special, Netflix)
Wednesday, Dec. 25
Doctor Who (Christmas Special, Disney+)
Thursday, Dec. 26
Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas (Variety Special, NBC)
Squid Game (Season 2, Netflix)
Tuesday, Dec. 31
Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2025 (Special Event, ABC)
Michelle Buteau: A Buteau-ful Mind (Comedy Special, Netflix)
New Year's Eve Live: Nashville's Big Bash (Special Event, CBS)
