As the new year approaches, streaming services are offering a compelling mix of epic finales, guilty pleasures, and thought-provoking documentaries to keep viewers entertained. From the long-awaited conclusion of a global phenomenon to a melancholic journey through Wales, here are the seven best shows to add to your watchlist this week.
The End of an Era in Hawkins
The final season of Stranger Things arrives on Netflix from New Year's Day, promising a maximalist, fan-serving conclusion to the beloved sci-fi saga. The town of Hawkins is more isolated than ever, still under quarantine and military rule following the terrifying events of season four. With Vecna's influence spreading and Eleven, played by Millie Bobby Brown, on the run, the odds are heavily stacked against the show's young heroes.
Creators the Duffer brothers have crafted what is described as an "incredibly exciting" start to 2026 for devotees. While the scope may feel more focused, the finale is constructed with signature flair, ensuring the series bows out with the ambitious scale that made it a worldwide hit.
A Poetic Odyssey and Reality Chaos
For a more contemplative watch, Y Crwydryn (The Wanderer) is available now on BBC iPlayer. This poetic documentary follows country singer Wil Tân as he travels through the small towns and villages of Wales, discovering the vibrant, living tradition of music in local pubs and halls. The film becomes a poignant meditation on ageing and mortality, as Tân finds deeper resonance in the themes of classic country songs.
In stark contrast, Netflix serves up another dose of reality TV indulgence with Members Only: Palm Beach, available from Monday 29 December. This series delves into the garish, status-obsessed world of Florida's elite, where old-money residents like Hilary Musser clash with ambitious newcomers such as Ro-mina Ustayev in a dramatic power struggle for social dominance.
True Crime, Stand-Up, and Thrilling Adaptations
The week also brings a chilling true-crime story to the platform. Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story lands on Netflix from Tuesday 30 December. The documentary unravels the horrific case of YouTuber Ruby Franke and her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt, whose popular channel, 8 Passengers, masked severe child abuse, leading to their arrest and conviction.
Comedy fans can catch Ricky Gervais: Mortality, also streaming from Tuesday 30 December. In his latest stand-up special, Gervais ponders life and death, continuing his monumentally successful career while distancing his style from what he might call "tedious mawkishness."
For thriller enthusiasts, an adaptation of a Harlan Coben novel arrives. Run Away starts on Netflix from New Year's Day, starring James Nesbitt and Minnie Driver as parents searching for their missing daughter, Paige. The mystery deepens as a detective and a private investigator also join the hunt in a drama described as being as "overripe as leftover Christmas brie."
A Dark Alpine Mystery
Finally, Channel 4 offers a new case for The Teresa Battaglia Cases from Friday 2 January. The complex criminologist, played by Elena Sofia Ricci, returns to the Friulian Alps to investigate the murder of a young policewoman. The case is mysteriously linked to a long-lost, possibly mythical painting known as The Sleeping Nymph, said to be created with human blood. Teresa must solve the macabre puzzle while grappling with concerning cognitive problems that threaten her work.
With this diverse lineup, from the epic to the intimate, the first week of 2026 provides plenty of reasons to stay indoors and stream.
