As we recently reported, the UK government is considering changes to the UK TV Licence to make it more relevant to today's services, with the potential of even lowering the fee for British households.

These proposals include adding streaming services, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ to the licence, meaning you'll need one to stream content – even if you're only using your mobile phone.

But what does the TV Licence cover now, when is it mandatory, and how much does it cost?

We answer these questions and more in this handy guide to the UK TV Licence as it stands, with one eye on how it could change in the future.

Why do I need a TV Licence?

Rather uniquely, the UK's main broadcaster – the BBC – is a public funded organisation rather than commercial. That means it doesn't carry adverts, but is paid for through a form of taxation – ie. the TV Licence.

Each household that watches live TV in the UK is required to pay a fee (monthly or yearly) and the government then dispenses that money to the Beeb to spend on its programming and operations.

Where it can become confusing for some is that while the BBC is the beneficiary of the TV Licence fee, it is mandatory to pay it even if you only watch other channels.

Indeed, all live TV is covered by the TV Licence, including the vast array of TV channels in the electronic programme guide – whether free or paid-for via the likes of Sky or Virgin Media. The same is true when watching live TV content on YouTube or Prime Video in the UK.

The licence is also required if you watch and stream content on BBC iPlayer, even if it's not live (ie. on demand).

What aren't currently covered by the TV Licence are sole streaming services when not viewing live TV content. For example, you can watch Stranger Things or Squid Game on Netflix without needing a TV Licence, but if you watch a live show such as WWE Raw or Smackdown, you will.

So, do I need a TV Licence to watch Netflix and Amazon Prime Video?

As mentioned above, you don't generally need a TV Licence to watch content streamed via the likes of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and Apple TV. Not even YouTube.

But, that depends on what you watch. If you watch any live shows broadcast on the streaming platforms, you do need one. And considering each of them is moving more and more into live TV, they are entering a grey area.

This is where the UK government's new proposals come in. It is already proving hard to encourage all households to purchase a licence, with only a reported 80% in the UK said to be paying already.

That's a lot lower than the amount of households thought to be watching the BBC or other eligible television programming – that's reportedly 94%.

The shortfall is an issue for the BBC, which is growing having to cut budgets and jobs as its funding shrinks. Which is why both the BBC board of governors and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport are considering different plans to alter the licence to suit changing trends.

This could lead to streaming services being covered by the TV Licence completely, regardless of whether you are watching live TV or on demand content. In that scenario, you will require a TV Licence no matter what, where or on what device you watch.

We're keeping a close eye on any further developments, and will update in due course.

How much does a TV Licence cost in the UK?

A UK TV Licence currently costs £180 per year which covers an entire household. That includes student or shared accommodation if you watch TV in a single shared area. Businesses also need at least one TV Licence to show live TV content in the office or in hotel rooms.

If you only have a black and white TV, you only have to pay £60.50 per year.

Note, if you are found to be recording or watching live TV without a TV Licence, you can be fined up to £1,000.

And finally, what has the BBC ever done for me?

As part of its drive to get more UK households paying for a TV Licence, the BBC has made its own commercial titled: "What has the BBC ever done for me?"

Starring comedian and presenter Romesh Ranganathan, it looks at the most popular programming and initiatives that are synonymous with the corporation, to remind viewers exactly how much it might mean to their daily lives.

It's well worth a watch.

Govee has just announced its latest collaboration with Disney’s Moana on three exclusive new smart lighting effects. Launched to celebrate the live action Moana film, the Govee x Moana partnership is designed to bring the film to life, with ocean and island-inspired lighting.

I’ve covered smart lighting for a while, and Govee is one of my favourite lighting brands, mainly due to its many collaborations. Previously, Govee has partnered with films like Dune: Part Two and Zootopia 2 on special lighting effects, and more recently, the brand collaborated with House of the Dragon on fantasy-inspired TV backlighting.

Now, Govee has collaborated with one of my favourite Disney films, Moana, in celebration of the new live action film which is coming out in July. Moana will be in theatres, but those who have Disney+ will be able to stream it in their own homes, which makes this lighting collaboration even more exciting.

Available across all Govee indoor lights, the Govee x Moana collaboration features three exclusive lighting effects which you can select in the Govee app. Inspired by themes in the movie, the lighting scenes set the mood for your next movie night and make your streaming experience more immersive.

The lighting effects available are Wayfinding, Motunui and The Heart of the Island. Wayfinding is inspired by adventure, and is a combination of blue tones to represent the ocean and the sky. Motunui, the island where Moana lives, is a mixture of blues and greens, while The Heart of the Island is all about green and gold as inspired by the Heart of Te Fiti.

As mentioned, the Moana effects are available on all indoor lights in the Govee app. Personally, I think the Govee Ceiling Light is the best model to use these effects on as it completely fills your home with colour.

Another great option is the Govee TV Backlight collection which allows your lights to sync to your TV so it feels like you’re part of the action.

It's always fun when one of the biggest and best streaming services on the market makes a proper splash by adding a massive release, fresh from cinemas. That's absolutely the level of hype appropriate for the film that Disney+ just announced it'll be adding on 29 July, a day before it's even available to digitally rent or buy: The Devil Wears Prada 2.

The sequel that we didn't even really realise people wanted came to cinemas earlier this year, and scored some pretty impressive box office numbers – scoring some $677 million dollars, according to some reports. That made it a huge success, which means it's even better news that Disney is adding it for free.

Crucially, I think most fans would agree, The Devil Wears Prada 2 managed to thread the needle by reuniting all of the most important members of the original cast. That means, of course, Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep, but also the all-important supporting members, Stanley Tucci and Emily Blunt. They're all here and seem to be having the best time of their lives.

Once again, the movie sees Hathaway playing Andy Sachs, and once again it opens with her coming to fictional magazine Runway with a new job. This time she's returning to the fold to be the new Features Editor, and she's looking to make a splash without (hopefully) annoying her old boss Miranda (Streep).

The print media not exactly having the best time (I wouldn't know a thing about that, of course), the movie circles around the idea of how Andy can help Runway retain its position as an icon of the magazine world. It's a fun little concept, but the real joy is, like in the first movie, all in the interactions between Miranda and the whole rest of the world.

Streep is basically chewing the scenery here, in the best way, and Emily Blunt outdoes herself, too – they get to have all the fun. If you loved the first movie, this is an automatic must-watch, as far as I'm concerned, so you either need to get Disney+ or check that your subscription will still be active in late July.

Millions of Disney+ subscribers have once again lost access to Dolby Vision, even when paying for Premium membership.

Disney has had to remove the HDR option from its streaming service after losing a patent case filed by US firm InterDigital. It affects 11 countries across Europe.

In February, we reported that both Dolby Vision and 3D streaming options were removed from Disney+ across EU member states. At the time, Disney said that they were unavailable due to "technical challenges".

It became apparent that the enhanced picture services were suspended due to a dispute with InterDigital, which claimed the technology used by Disney impinged on its patents. An injunction had been imposed by a German court.

However, it seemed Disney found a workaround and Dolby Vision was restored in countries outside of Germany itself. Now that is no longer the case.

According to InterDigital (via FlatpanelsHD), a new injunction has been imposed by the Unified Patent Court. This covers several countries in the EU (not the UK): "The Mannheim Local Division of the Unified Patent Court (UPC) ruled that InterDigital is entitled to an injunction over Disney's infringement of an InterDigital patent covering certain video encoding techniques related to HEVC and confirmed the validity of this patent," it said.

"The UPC is a pan-European patent court which issues decisions that apply across multiple countries in the European Union (EU); here, the injunction against Disney spans 11 EU countries."

Disney has responded with confirmation: "As a result of litigation before a European patent court, we have been required to make changes to the availability of Dolby Vision and 3D in Denmark and several neighbouring countries," it said.

"We are disappointed that we have had to do this, and we share our customers' frustration."

It has also been revealed by FlatpanelsHD that Amazon Prime Video, which uses similar streaming technology, has brokered a deal with InterDigital so that it can continue to offer Dolby Vision to subscribers.

Disney has shared a behind-the-scenes look at how it's bringing the Muppets to one of its most popular theme park rides, and the footage is trippy.

The clip shows performers wearing motion-capture suits while acting out scenes for a new Muppets-themed version of Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Walt Disney World. So far, so normal. Then you notice one of them is riding around on a mobility scooter pretending to be Kermit the Frog.

The motion-capture process is being used to capture movements and performances that will later be transformed into digital Muppet characters.

Watching real humans act out the roles is already entertaining enough, but seeing iconic characters recreated through modern animation technology feels like something straight out of sci-fi comedy.

It's also a reminder of how sophisticated motion-capture technology has become. The same techniques used in blockbuster movies and video games are now helping bring theme park attractions to life. This lets Disney create more expressive characters and immersive experiences than traditional animatronics alone have been able to offer.

There is something wonderfully strange about seeing beloved felt-covered characters created using the same technology behind some of the world's most advanced digital effects.

The footage also highlights how quickly the line between physical attractions and digital entertainment is blurring. Theme parks are starting to borrow techniques from gaming, film and virtual production to create experiences that weren't possible a decade ago.

Today's motion-capture performers in funny suits could be helping create tomorrow's most convincing digital characters.

If you spot a motion-captured Kermit rolling silently towards you on a scooter, maybe seeing this first won't leave you quite so horrified.

It's almost easy to forget just how much of a sensation The Bear was when it first arrived. This little-heralded show about an ailing local sandwich joint in Chicago was a proper word of mouth hit, making stars out of multiple cast members and attracting some truly crazy cameos for subsequent seasons. Now, just four years later, it's about to end with its fifth season.

That's a remarkably quick period of time to get four seasons out, obviously, and the show has stood out as one of, if not the single best reason to get Disney+ here in the UK thanks to that hookup with FX. It's a delightful series, and extremely digestible thanks to often quite short episodes, and now we've got a sense of what to expect from its final season.

One of the criticisms of later seasons of The Bear has been that it tends to retread the same territory, with the core cast enduring some calamity from a maintenance perspective, then just about coming together by the end to make an important night go off okay. Main characters like Carmy and Syd, meanwhile, increasingly get frayed mentally, with their ability to work together constructively always looking suspect.

Well, don't expect a radical change of direction in Season 5 – the trailer makes it clear that The Bear (the in-show restaurant, that is) will have at least one huge problem. It looks like crazy weather will bring a wild flood with it to the place, and test everyone to their limit while they try to deal with it at a time when the restaurant simply cannot afford to stay closed.

It'll be fascinating to see how brutal or kind the ending of the show ends up being – at a time when many of us know full well that restaurants and the wider service industry are under huge pressure around the world. Will Carmy's dream restaurant rescue itself from financial oblivion, or is it moreso a case of "one last hurrah"?

We'll know when the last season airs on 26 June, so if you're not subscribed to Disney+ already you'll want to set a reminder to change that nearer the end of the month. This is one of those finales that likely will have a major surprise or two up its sleeve, if only in the form of one more wild cameo. Don't be against it!

Nothing quite hits home like a dystopian thriller and the sequel to The Handmaid's Tale is no exception. The Testaments has racked up over 45 million hours of streaming across Disney+ and Hulu, so confirmation of Season 2 will come as a relief for Margaret Atwood fans.

The Testaments was published in 2019 as a sequel to the original 1985 novel The Handmaid's Tale and was instantly snapped up for TV production. Of course, with The Handmaid's Tale running to six seasons - and extending well beyond the premise of the original novel - The Testaments has seen some adaptation.

The first season - with the finale scheduled for 27 May - is mostly focused on the first half of the source novel, leaving plenty of scope for what comes next in the coming-of-age story based in the Gilead universe.

That was the plan all along, so the renewal shouldn't come as a surprise. Showrunner Bruce Miller has split The Testaments narrative down into a multi-season run and because The Handmaid's Tale show contained so much, there are plenty of threads to pull on.

What really works about these adaptations, is that Margaret Atwood worked with the showrunners with this sort of development in mind, resulting in a coherent story that really expands on the original novels, while still paying homage to the universe that they created.

At the moment we don't have a trailer for the new season - as that would surely contain spoilers - but we know that The Testaments novel contains some plot lines set well into the future, which are perfect for later seasons of the show.

Exactly how the next season will unfold remains to be seen, but it's sure to focus on Agnes and Daisy's storyline, the destiny of Aunt Lydia, and a whole lot more. Will we see the return of June Osborne (Elisabeth Moss) in Season 2? That all remains to be seen.

There could be some major changes coming to Disney+, to turn it into much more than just a streaming service.

Disney will reportedly look to turn the Disney+ application into a "super app", with an array of new features, including the possibility of booking trips to the brand's theme parks.

This comes from Disney itself, which recently shared quarterly earnings and short term ambitions for Disney+. In a shareholders letter, it revealed it is looking to "build Disney+ beyond a premium streaming video service".

This was expanded on by the brand's CEO, Josh D’Amaro: "Disney+ becomes the primary relationship between Disney and its fans, the place where everything comes together," he said during the subsequent earnings call (via Variety).

"I think we have a real opportunity to deepen our direct relationships with our fans, and we can do this by creating a much more connected Disney experience.

"We’ll do that across streaming and sports and games and experiences, and we’ll put Disney+ right at the middle, playing an increasingly central role. It’ll be a more connected fan experience, and we’ll use technology as an accelerant."

The idea seems to be that all of Disney's current apps will be rolled into one – Disney+.

That means you'll be able to book holidays, park tickets, buy merchandise, even navigate a Disney theme park while you're there, all within the same app you watch Star Wars, Marvel and Hulu content.

That might make it more cluttered for those who don't do any of those things, but it doesn't sound like the TV apps will be affected. This could be strictly a mobile shift.

That being said, the idea of adding games to the TV service sounds fine. Netflix offers a similar sideline, with family and party games available to play on TVs using mobile devices as controllers. Maybe Disney wants to head in this direction too?

Whatever it chooses to do with Disney+, the current streaming-only format is set to change forever.

When you think sci-fi, there's a very good chance you think Star Wars. You'd be right, too – George Lucas' creation has become one of the biggest franchises in the world, and certainly one of the most influential science fiction universes ever created, shaping the imaginations of a few generations of kids.

Still, while there's more Star Wars than ever to enjoy on Disney+, at a time like Star Wars Day (every 4 May), you might be looking for a palate cleanser. While everyone and their nan's trying to remind you of where to watch Star Wars, we thought we'd instead point you towards some sci-fi streaming shows you might not have tried yet.

These are space-faring shows that have perhaps been a little underrated, and might scratch that Star Wars itch while still giving you something new.

The Expanse

• Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video

This show had a fairly classic streaming-era trajectory, in that it started as a Netflix original but got canned a few seasons into its run, before fan outcry led Amazon to pick it up for Prime Video, where you can now watch the whole series in most regions. It has six seasons in total, and adapts about two-thirds of an excellent series of source novels (all of which I've read).

Don't worry, though, that doesn't mean it ends on a cliffhanger. The showrunners knew they were likely to bow out after the sixth season, so things are tied up really nicely while leaving a bit of wiggle room in case it's ever revived. This is crunchier sci-fi than Star Wars, set in a version of reality much closer to our own, and looks at what human civilisation might look like after we spread through our own solar system, but no further (at least when the show opens). With fun, fast-paced mystery plotting and some great characters, The Expanse is a must-sample for any sci-fi fan.

Foundation

• Streaming on: Apple TV

If you're more into the grand, sweeping style of sci-fi than gritter fare, then Foundation is almost certainly something to check out. Based on Isaac Asimov's frankly incredible novels, it tells a story of the far-flung future, full of philosophical themes. In a semi-utopian time, if a branch of academics figured out how to foresee the future with near-total accuracy, what would actually happen?

That's the question Foundation poses, interrogated how an autocratic leader would choose to react, how the populace would approach the matter, and how those very academics would plan for a future in which even catastrophic collapses don't lead to the end of humanity. It's stirring stuff, but most crucially it's beautiful to look at, thanks to Apple TV's production values, which really are the best in the streaming business.

Dune: Prophecy

• Streaming on: HBO Max

The most recently-launched show in this showcase, Dune: Prophecy hoped to piggyback a little on the massive success of Denis Villeneuve's mainline Dune movie adaptations, which are simply fantastic. This is a prequel series, taking a look at how the witches of the Bene Gesserit order actually managed to line things up to ensure the arrival of Paul Atreides centuries later.

That's quite a grand description, but the show itself therefore concerns itself more with space politics and manoeuvring in a way that makes it more like Game of Thrones than some other more action-packed shows. There are still big moments, but this is classic HBO stuff, making for a slower pace and a more thoughtful approach than you might expect. With another season on the way, Star Wars Day might be a great opportunity to see if Dune: Prophecy is up your street.

With the recent arrival of HBO Max to the UK, Disney+ has slashed its prices for a limited period. You can get the streaming service from just £3.99 if you're quick in signing up.

That's for the Standard with Ads tier, although the other tiers are reduced too – by even bigger amounts. You can get Standard for just £6.99 per month (with a £3 saving) or Premium for just £9.99 (a £5 saving).

Existing subscribers will miss out this time, sadly, but if you have left the service in the past or are a new member, you can grab the offer until 6 May 2026.

A Disney+ Standard with Ads plan usually costs £5.99 per month and includes 1080p streaming with up to 5.1 audio. You can stream on two devices simultaneously, but cannot download shows or movies to watch offline. This tier is ad-supported too.

Disney+ Standard is still 1080p with 5.1 sound but removes the adverts. It also adds the ability to download content to watch on up to 10 devices.

And finally, Disney+ Premium is the highest tier. It ups the image and audio quality to 4K HDR (Dolby Vision) and Dolby Atmos respectively. And you can stream on four devices simultaneously. You also get offline downloads. It's usually priced at £14.99 per month.

What can you watch on Disney+?

Most likely timed for the annual Star Wars May 4th celebrations, this deal will give you access to all of the Star Wars shows and films ever released (pretty much). You also get all of Disney's own animated and live action movies, Pixar, and the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe catalogue.

Disney+ in the UK is also the home of Hulu, so there is a vast array of original content and series to binge, including A Thousand Blows, The Handmaid's Tale, Only Murders in the Building, and dramas from the FX channel. Alien Earth is a particular highlight.

Disney also recently started to show live football matches from LaLiga in Spain and the Women's Champions League.

There are quite a few upsides to the streaming age that we're all living through, along with a fair few downsides, but the variety of genres that are now getting major airtime in people's living rooms and lounges is always impressive to consider. High up that list, in my opinion, is the raunchy adult drama – people can't get enough steamy, sexy, gossipy material.

A perfect example was served up in late 2024 by Rivals, on Disney+ and Hulu. It adapted the first of a series of much-loved novels by Jilly Cooper that make absolute no bones about being silly and sexy. Unsurprisingly, with a great cast and some really fun scripts, it was received really well, and now it's back with a second season that we all knew was on the way.

The first proper trailer for the new season confirms that basically the whole central cast is returning, including the return of David Tennant as Lord Tony Baddingham, who unknowingly kicked off one heck of a fight last season when he tried to bring in new blood to his TV production company Corinium.

Now he's in a two-horse race against new rival, Venturer, led by Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) and Declan O’Hara’s (Aidan Turner). Crucially, though, while those business moves are key to the overarching plot of the series, the real juice and meat is in the many love affairs swirling around them – and it's clear that we're going to get plenty more steamy action this season.

To be fair, probably for obvious rating reasons, the trailer is actually relatively tame in terms of its hints about love scenes, although the final stretch does imply that we'll get plenty of, shall we say, mature moments. There are so many couples in the show, after all, including the likes of Danny Dyer andKatherine Parkinson, that viewers are almost likely to be feasting from that point of view.

The show returns to Disney+ on 15 May, in less than a month's time, although crucially that'll only be when the first half starts. We don't yet have a confirmed window for the second batch of episodes, so you'll want to keep an ear out for more news on that front.

Although it can be a little complicated to choose between the many, many subscriptions and tiers on the market, when you take in the whole picture, it's fair to argue that we're in the golden age of streaming right now. We've written a few times here at T3 about how that's doubly true for sci-fi fans, but luckily, the eating is also good for lovers of fantasy.

It's a genre that has scaled the highest heights of popularity thanks to shows like Game of Thrones, and while there aren't quite as many fantasy shows coming down the immediate pike compared to the upcoming slate of sci-fi additions, there are still some massive projects for you to look forward to.

I've gathered some of the ones you should care about most, right here, with information about when to expect them all – so keep reading to see what massive fantasy shows you should know about. No new seasons or shows that already exist, just new projects!

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

• Coming to HBO Max – Christmas 2026

Rumoured to be perhaps the most expensive TV production of all time (at some $100 million per episode, not per season), the HBO version of Harry Potter has been the topic of intense debate and interest – with J K Rowling's insane political views doing its stars no favours at all.

Still, regardless of that furore, you can probably put safe money on this being one of the biggest TV launches in history for HBO, tapping into a franchise that's already spawned two enormous film series and shows no signs of losing fans. After Hogwarts Legacy became a gargantuan hit in the gaming world, brace for another bout of Pottermania when the show arrives at the end of this year.

God of War

• Coming to Amazon Prime Video – no date announced

Don't be shocked if we get a teaser for this one sometime this summer – even if Amazon is playing its cards close to its chest in terms of the show's timings. 2016's reboot-slash-sequel to the God of War series was noticeably cinematic in its style, full of interesting camera work and a more introspective attitude to Kratos' unbridled fury, now that he's a father.

Navigating through the world of Norse gods and goddesses, this should be an enticing adaptation of one of the most celebrated games of the last decade, and it'll be really interesting to see how close of an adaptation it is. Given its very solid work on the Fallout show, Amazon seems like a relatively safe pair of hands for this fantastical but presumably violent journey.

Fourth Wing

• Coming to Amazon Prime Video – no date announced

So many of the biggest fantasy series and movies of all times come from one clear source – novels. There's a huge canon of staggering fantasy literature out there, from historic greats like The Lord of the Rings to more recent fare, and this series is going to tap into one of the most current obsessions: romantasy.

This subgenre is focussed a little harder on love affairs, but in interesting and innovative settings, perfectly encapsulated by Fourth Wing, which is being adapted by Prime Video from Rebecca Yaros' novels. This could be a huge moment for a book genre that has become absolutely massive, if it can break out and become an equally big show, but the asterisk is that we don't have any information about when it might move into production.

The Stormlight Archive

• Coming to Apple TV – no date announced

If you had to pick the biggest fantasy author on the planet right now, it would be quite a short contest. No one seems to shift books quite like Brandon Sanderson, both in terms of how many he sells and how many he writes – he's a machine, but has carefully guarded the rights to his stories over the years. That's finally resulted in a major partnership with Apple TV, though.

He'll help the streamer develop Mistborn into a movie franchise, but the TV project will be The Stormlight Archive, which promises to be longer and more sprawling. Fans adore this series of books, and Apple is the best streaming service on the planet, in my opinion, so this might be the strongest prospect of the whole lot on this list.

Powerless

• Coming to Amazon Prime Video – no date announced

The last project I'm shining a spotlight on is another really interesting one from a strategic point of view, since it indicates that Prime Video is in the process of preparing to bet big on romantasy. As well as Fourth Wing, it's also acquired the rights to the Powerless trilogy, which is similarly beloved by its ultra-fans and similarly purple in terms of its subject matter.

With a perhaps slightly more traditional world of magic, the books are also noteworthy because they're arguably aimed at slightly younger readers than some others, making them young adult fiction. That might make this even more commercially viable, but it could also limit the series' appeal, something that Amazon will have to finesse if it does manage to bring this one to full production at some point in the next couple of years.

With a new competitor on the block in the form of HBO Max, subscribers of other streaming services might find they're getting added bonuses and boosts too. That includes Disney+.

It has announced that all subscribers in the UK, Europe and Asia-Pacific regions can now access a new dedicated section, with ESPN launching on the streaming service outside of the US.

Disney+ has already been dabbling with sports coverage in recent times, with exclusive live matches from the UEFA Women's Champions League and LiLiga games shown in the UK.

Other regions also get live football (soccer) and additional sports.

However, the addition of ESPN to the service adds a whole lot more, plus a range of documentaries, studio shows and sports-themed movies.

"We’re excited to build on the success we’ve already had with sports fans, as we bring more of ESPN to Disney+ subscribers in Europe and APAC,” said the president of Disney+, Alisa Bowen.

All manner of sports will be added to the platform soon, depending on the region, but you can now catch up with the likes of the NCAA Men's and Women's Basketball Championships (which recently streamed on Disney+).

Are live sports available on other streaming services?

Live sports coverage seems to be the new battleground for streaming services, with Amazon's Prime Video airing some Champions League matches in the UK, Netflix showing boxing and WWE's live programming, and HBO Max UK also being the new streaming home of TNT Sports.

Depending on the rights, the Disney-owned ESPN service could have a major advantage over rivals, however, considering its dominant position in the States.

Hopefully we'll see some more, bigger tournaments and events streaming soon.

Sky recently announced that it was expanding its Ultimate TV package with some great, free extras – namely the HBO Max, Disney+ and Hayu streaming services.

That means Sky Glass, Sky Stream and Sky Q customers are getting standard membership to each of them at no extra cost. And that's on top of Netflix, which is already included.

But in a surprise move, the first of the trio of new additions has already arrived. Disney+ Standard with Ads is now available to Sky Q customers, plus those with Ultimate TV on Sky Glass or Sky Stream. It's also free for Sky customers with the Essential TV package and the Sky Cinema add-on.

Many (us included) didn't expect Disney+ to arrive so soon. It was thought that it would be added when HBO Max launches next week – on 26 March. So it comes as a very pleasant shock.

How to get Disney+ for free on Sky

If you are a Sky Glass or Sky Stream customer, you should see a new Disney+ rail on your TV with details on how to activate your subscription. It will give you the £5.99 Standard with Ads tier at no cost, which includes access to all of the shows and films on the platform (with advertising support).

However, if you want to upgrade your subscription, you can do that at a reduced rate too – you'll pay the difference between the new tier's cost and the £5.99 of the Standard with Ads fee.

For example, if you want 4K HDR (Dolby Vision) streaming and Dolby Atmos sound, you can upgrade at £9 extra per month, rather than the usual £14.99 price.

Also, if you have an existing Disney+ subscription, you can move your account over to Sky and continue with your account with the saving applied.

HBO Max will be slightly different when it launches next week as it'll be completely new to the UK. We'll update you on details closer the time.

With Disney+ now added, the Sky Ultimate TV plan is formidable – all of the UK's Freeview channels, plus all of Sky's own live and on demand, Netflix and now Disney+ too. That's many 1,000s of hours of TV shows and movies to watch immediately.

HBO Max and Hayu will add to that soon – all for just £24.99 per month, which even includes a Sky Stream puck to stream it on.

And if you also want an internet deal to go along with that, Sky is currently offering a discount on its TV and 300Mbps full fibre broadband bundle. You can get Ultimate TV plus the broadband plan for just £39 per month (down from £41). That's without an upfront fee, too.

When I think back to the shows that defined my childhood TV habits, there's no way a list of the greats can exclude Malcolm in the Middle. Its zany mixture of classic sitcom setups and almost sketch comedy-esque sidetracks was a brilliant equation that made it a favourite for pretty much a whole generation of kids, all of whom are now adults.

A reunion has been on the cards for ages, and now it's finally happened – after much of 2025 was taken up with teases from the main cast about the show coming together, Disney+ and Hulu have finally given us a proper trailer. The revival has a new subtitle: Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair, from the unbelievably famous line that closes the show's theme tune.

As suspected, the show picks up the story of Malcolm and his family years after the show ended. Malcolm (Frankie Muniz) is now living a happy life with his daughter and new girlfriend, maintaining his work-life balance and carefully ignoring his crazy family. His parents are distraught about the situation, though – his mum (Jane Kaczmarek) is furious and his dad (Bryan Cranston) is devastated.

His older brother Reece (Justin Berfield) is using this all to his advantage, living at home, while Christopher Masterson as Francis is still clearly in the picture. Youngest child Dewey one of the only actors to have been replaced, now played by Caleb Ellsworth-Clark, and seems to be a presence largely on video calls. It's a fun mix, and the quick cuts in the trailer make it clear that mad side stories will return in force.

There's no way Malcolm's going to maintain his distance from his family, and his family are clearly not going to get any more normal. If anything, it looks like the degree of commitment that Bryan Cranston will show might even be higher than in the original series – he's got at least two nude scenes in the trailer alone, after all.

Frankly, that's the best possible sign that the show is going to lean into the wildness of the original, since Cranston was long on the record as being keen to participate only if he felt it was in the right spirit of things. We'll all know more when the four-part show hits Hulu and Disney+ on 10 April.

When it comes to major and conspicuously long-running sci-fi streaming shows from recent years, there's no ignoring The Handmaid's Tale. This adaptation of a hugely influential and popular novel by Margaret Atwood was an immediate sensation when it came out in 2017, and went on to last for an impressive six seasons.

In that time it won its fair share of awards, and while it took some criticism for the way its story tended to reset between seasons, nonetheless stands as a pretty superb example of how to adapt such an ambitious work. Now, we're getting more of the story, thanks to the long-awaited debut of a sequel series, The Testaments.

This, too, is based on Atwood's work, after the author revisited her tale of Gilead's slow downfall years later. It picks up the story by focusing on a younger generation, with some continuity in terms of characters. The Handmaid's Tale had one main character, June, played by Elizabeth Moss, and it's June's daughter who takes centre stage this time around.

She'll be getting folded into an eerie and upsettingly old-school girl's school, in the hopes of reporting from Gilead to let people on the outside know how the regime has adapted since the events of the previous series. While there, she'll come to learn the trials and tribulations of these young women, which will doubtless involve some harrowing moments.

Possibly the most exciting fact revealed by this trailer (at least to me) is that Chase Infiniti will play a huge role, too. She's playing the main schoolgirl that Daisy will get close to, and after breaking out in a massive way last year with One Battle After Another, there's no doubt of what she can do with the right script and director.

We're only around a month away from the start of The Testaments, too. It'll premiere on 8 April here in the UK on Disney+ as yet another interesting Hulu production that gets grafted onto the streamer. We're not complaining! It's an exciting addition.

It was little under two weeks ago when Sky announced it will be including free HBO Max and Disney+ with its Ultimate TV plan from late March, with Hayu to follow. And that's on top of Netflix, which is already available.

This'll be for existing and new subscribers with Sky Glass, Sky Stream and Sky Q devices. And considering prices start at just £24 per month for the multiple streaming services and Sky TV, that's a shockingly good offer. One I'd recommend to most.

I just won't be partaking in it myself, though. I'll continue with Sky, but will be putting my hand in my pocket for further upgrades.

That's because the add-ons do come with restrictions. The subscriptions included with Sky are each service's entry-level option – you get HBO Max Basic with Ads and Disney+ Standard with Ads, with both restricting content to 1080p video and 5.1 surround sound. That's the same as with Netflix, which has been part of the Ultimate TV package for a while.

Why I pay extra for my streaming services

As something of an AV enthusiast who has invested considerably in my home entertainment setup over the years, I just can't live with 1080p (Full HD) streaming. Many will be more than happy, but I'd rather upgrade my subscriptions.

I don't even mind the adverts, but I'd much rather watch the new season of House of the Dragon in 4K and with Dolby Vision on my 65-inch OLED, and listen to its Dolby Atmos mix. So, I'll be paying extra for my own HBO Max Premium subscription to go on top of my existing Sky package. I already have Disney+ and Netflix Premium.

That equates to an additional spend of around £50 per month, which is no small change, but considering that's around the same as two 4K Blu-rays, it's a price I'm willing to pay for the additional quality.

Of course, most are looking to cut back on their entertainment spend, and that's where Sky's new offer is frankly unbeatable. From 26 March, it'll be just £24 per month for Sky's Entertainment channels, the UK Freeview channel lineup, a Sky Stream box, Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+ and Hayu when it's added from July.

Even at their most basic level, the streaming services are worth over £20 per month when combined. You really can't beat it.

And hey, when you can afford it, you can always upgrade your services at a later date too.

Disney+ is reportedly in the throes of a patent dispute that has affected its picture quality in some regions.

The streaming service is said to have ditched Dolby Vision and 3D options across the EU – with users in Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal and Poland said to be affected.

FlatpanelsHD also claims that viewers in Nordic countries are reporting a similar lack of the high-end HDR standards on shows and movies, like Tron: Ares.

Disney itself claims that it is down to "technical issues", although it is coincidentally timed with a patent dispute case currently underway in Germany. If so, that could lead to the problem rolling out to other regions, too.

"Dolby Vision support for content on Disney+ is currently unavailable in several European countries due to technical challenges," said the streamer to FlatpanelsHD.

"We are actively working to restore access to Dolby Vision and will provide an update as soon as possible. 4K UHD and HDR support remain available on supported devices."

What is the Disney+ patent dispute

The patent dispute has been filed by American company InterDigital, which has been awarded an injunction against the service by a German court.

This, it says, restricts the service from using the disputed technology in Germany. And considering how the EU operates, that seems to be why other European countries have been "switched off" as well.

The latest injunction specifically relates to HDR streaming technology, and was actually issued by the court last November.

It's not yet known whether Disney has filed an appeal.

As FlatpanelsHD notes, Disney+ has also removed all references to Dolby Vision across its European and US support pages.

As things stand, we can still stream 4K content in the UK with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. It works on multiple devices, including Sky Stream and Apple TV 4K boxes.

While there are plenty of incredible, multi-season shows available on streaming platforms – programmes that are as much part of pop culture as decent viewing – there are also a fair few lurking in the back end that are perfect to binge on.

That's because they run for a single, glorious season – giving you a condensed story before you move on to something fresh. And, because many of them last for no more than eight episodes, you might even be able to cram them all into a weekend.

Here are three such shows – each just a single season long – that we highly recommend checking out. You can see them on Disney+, Prime Video or Now/Sky (in the UK), so you will need a subscription – but you might find trial offers available if you don't already.

Devs (Disney+)

To simply try and define and explain Devs in a short form would be a disservice to the show. Written and directed by the legendary Alex Garland (Civil War, Ex Machina), the sci-fi show is an exploration into loss and the drive to change by whatever means necessary, no matter the cost.

You can tell you're in for an interesting ride when you realise that it also delves into pre-determinism, quantum mechanics, fate, simulation and multiverse theories. And that's in just eight episodes in total.

It is intelligent, raw, powerful and unforgiving. And while it's not for everyone, Devs has grown a loyal fan base.

Characters are rich and well developed, acting with real motivation and drive, while performances are universally fantastic – there's special mention for a beautifully reserved Nick Offerman.

Take your time, focus and listen to this one. It is absolutely worth it, and could well change how you look at the universe. Or you could simply enjoy Offerman’s glorious beard.

The English (Prime Video)

Tales of revenge are nothing new, but when they're delivered this well, they can resonate long after the final scenes.

The English is the simple story of a mother driven to revenge through the murder of her son. She travels across the world, from England to a newly formed America, in order to kill those responsible, and nothing will stop her.

It is bolstered by a fabulous script from Hugo Blick, Federico Jusid superb soundtrack, and phenomenal cinematography by Arnau Valls Colomer. There is also extraordinarily sensitive and carefully paced acting from a great cast, including Emily Blunt as the lead.

There is no sentimentality in The English. The brutality of the wild west permeates every frame and at no point do you feel safe. There is a constant, looming dread over and every character is flawed. There are no heroes here, just people trying to survive during a time of huge upheaval.

Certainly, there's no let up and you won't feel particularly joyful as the six episodes draw to a close, but you'll be glad you took the ride.

Quarry (Now/Sky – UK, Prime Video – US)

Almost a decade old, Quarry is a drama that perhaps didn't get the recognition it deserved in the mid-2010s, but has stood the test of time well. You could release it again today.

Directed by Greg Yaitanes of Banshee fame, it is based on a series of novels written by Max Allan Collins and tells the story of US Marine returning from Vietnam in 1972 to hostility and an America that has no love for his service.

He finds himself dropped into a world where his marriage at breaking point and society sees him as an outcast. Unable to find work and being increasingly alienated, we follow his struggles over a tight eight episode season.

Quarry is unrelenting, powerful, and at times shocking. It is a prime example of peak television, with a stunning central performance from Logan Marshall-Green.

This is a show that deserves to be watched, especially in just a couple of sittings.

Marvel's TV output has long been the centre of major discussion – it's been a rollercoaster ever since the big push on Disney+ first started a few years ago, and has seen massive highs during lockdowns and some fairly awkward lows at times since then. Now, though, the MCU has its first big critical hit in a little while.

Wonder Man streams from today on Disney+ worldwide, and it's sitting on a hugely impressive 93% score on Rotten Tomatoes at the time of writing, from advance reviews, with the Metacritic aggregate score at 75, making it one of the best-reviewed shows Marvel has ever made.

Of course, with the show dropping today, the pool of people who're able to watch it will massively, irreversibly widen – which means these review averages are likely to flex quite a lot as more and more critics who didn't get advance screeners give their take on the show. Whether that'll see the needle move up or down will doubtless be something the suits at Marvel watch very keenly in the next week.

Still, the early signs are enormously positive for a show that looks like it's very deliberately trying to subvert the usual genre tropes. It stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Simon Williams, an actor struggling to get by in Hollywood, as he vies for (and clearly lands) the role of a lifetime in a reboot of a vintage superhero movie.

Little does he know that the process of getting the part and playing it might just awaken actual, real-life powers in him, and that those powers could make his life much more complicated, rather than just solving all his issues overnight. One of his key personal supports, meanwhile, is Trevor Slattery, the cheeky actor played by Ben Kingsley to such comic effect in Iron Man 3.

This isn't Abdul-Mateen II's first brush with superheroes, since he's played Black Manta in a few DC movies, but it looks like his Marvel debut might go substantially better for him (at least in terms of reviews). Check the show out for yourself if you're a Disney+ subscriber, and see what you make of it – given outlets like Collider have called it "truly phenomenal", what's the worst that could happen?

Disney+ has launched on Meta Quest, meaning there's a native app allowing owners to watch the full catalogue of entertainment on Meta's popular VR headset.

Select content will also be presented in Dolby Vision with Dolby Atmos audio, as long as you have a Premium subscription to the streaming service.

The confirmation means that subscribers to Disney+ will be able to watch content from big franchises such as Star Wars, Marvel and Pixar on their headset, for a personalised viewing experience.

It will also be possible to download content to the Quest headset for watching on the move.

The Meta Quest is positioning itself as a personal movie theatre, adding Disney+ to the selection alongside Netflix, YouTube and Prime Video, while Peacock is also offered for live sports content in the US.

Why stream TV and films on a Meta Quest

The advantage of watching using a device like Meta Quest is reduced distractions. It's right there in front of you, so rather than looking at your phone with all the notifications and interruptions that brings, using a headset can lead to a really immersive experience.

Disney+ presents itself in the exact same way as Prime Video, with the ability to enlarge the screen like you're in a personal cinema.

There's the option to view it flat or curved – which looks more immersive – while there's also a slider to adjust the real-world brightness around the screen you're watching on.

A "darker" function makes it more cut-off, while "lighter" is a reminder that you're still sitting at home. I watched a little Thor Ragnarok and while the large screen is great, it's possible to see the pixels, so it's not as sharp as on the best TVs.

Dolby Atmos on Meta Quest?

The audio through the Meta Quest's speakers sounds good too. It's not quite the same as a full Atmos experience at home, but it's definitely entertaining.

The downside of watching through a headset is that some might find it more tiring, because of the weight of the headset and because there's no break for the eyes – it's always on a fixed position, compared to watching on a TV or phone when you'd occasionally look elsewhere, providing some relief from eyestrain.

VR headsets are in a strange place at the moment. Since the first iteration of these devices about a decade ago, they've come back with renewed purpose, with Meta Quest the most successful device out there.

That mostly comes down to longevity and affordability: unlike the Apple Vision Pro that while technically excellent is too heavy and too expensive for most users and the new Galaxy XR which is not widely available (and also too expensive).

It feels like we're on the cusp of another wave of headsets, powered by Android XR that come with the advantage of Gemini AI to allow for a more personalised experience with conversational control, while offering access to a full range of services.

To really capture the attention of the buying public, I think such headsets will need to come down in price to rival the Meta Quest, before people will take them seriously. At the same time, while a range of games and services are available, it's not until we see mass adoption (most likely though platform dominance and affordability) that the developer community will really throw themselves behind the technology.

The addition of Disney+ is welcome and for those with a Meta Quest headset already, this is a great way to catch up with the latest movies.

As the weekend draws near, you might be wondering what it holds for you in the world of streaming – with those precious weekend slots generally being when most of us do out binge-watching. If you're anything like us here at T3, you've probably got more than one streaming subscription on the go, too.

So, I've taken a wide look at what's coming to all the best streaming services out there right now, to bring you some of the highlights of the next week. This covers some huge shows but also some much less well-known ones, too, so be sure to check through the whole list to get some inspiration for what you could watch in the next seven days.

Hijack Season 2

• Streaming on: Apple TV weekly

The second season of Hijack was a long time coming, but it's in progress now, and thanks to Apple TV's weekly release schedule you'll be able to watch the show's latest episode on Wednesday, 21 January (and then every Wednesday onwards until it ends). Idris Elba is back for another locked-down high-stakes situation.

This time, rather than being locked on a plane journey that's been taken over, he's on a high-speed train, which means that the writers an come up with a whole heap of new ways for him to try to rope people into helping him thwart a load of baddies.

Steal

• Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video from 21 January

Sophie Turner is about to have a very big year, much of it with the help of Prime Video, for whom she's about to start filming a new series as the iconic Lara Croft, otherwise known as Tomb Raider. Before then, though, she has a new thriller series coming out, which looks like a great showcase for her talents.

She'll play Zara, a financial worker who gets tied up in all sorts of murky dealings when criminals seemingly force her to send them billions of pounds, untraceably. She might know more than it first seems, though, and the show seems to be about exploring whether she can get away without being offed by either those same criminals or law enforcement.

The Big Fake

• Streaming on: Netflix from 23 January

Some of Netflix's best content isn't in the English language, as proven by the excitement building around this super fun-looking Italian series. It tells the morally questionable rags-to-riches story of one Toni Chichiarelli, making his way through Rome in the 1970s.

The costumes look amazing, the mob mentality is clearly going to play a big role, and the whole thing has a slightly playful, knowingly sexy tone that could make it a real hit. Plus, there's every chance it'll have a soundtrack to die for. Don't bet against it all ending very badly for Toni, though.

Drops of God Season 2

• Streaming on: Apple TV from 21 January

This is one of the most unique shows that Apple TV has ever made, but it might well have flown completely under your radar. Its first season told a super interesting story – as main character Camille flew to Japan under the instructions of her now-dead father's will. He was a world-renowned wine expert, and she was forced to complete a series of tests against his best student, Issei, to earn her inheritance.

Without spoiling how that ended, the second season will seemingly pick up with both characters taking on a new challenge, as they try to figure out where the world's greatest wine actually came from. It looks like another sumptuous and touching journey, and might be a great lesser-known option.

UEFA Champions League Matchday 7

• Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video on 20 January

It's been a while now since Amazon became a part-time player in the world of big football rights, and it currently gets the pick of each round of UEFA Champions League games here in the UK, taking that game on Tuesday of each gameweek.

So, if you're a lover of the game, you'll want to be seated on 20 January for Inter Milan v Arsenal, which is a simply huge game. Arsenal are surging in this year's league phase, and Internazionale remain one of the biggest names in the game, so this should be a tactically interesting test for the Gunners.

Cosmic Princess Kaguya!

• Streaming on: Netflix from 22 January

There's never a bad time to watch a charming anime movie, and this one looks utterly delightful, telling a story that some people might know from Studio Ghibli's sumptuous The Tale of the Princess Kaguya. This is a far more modern version of the tale, though, transposing things into the idol scene with a whole heap of music.

That might make it more of an acquired taste, to be fair, and you'll probably know whether it's up your street from just a 30-second sampling of the trailer that I've embedded above. That's all good, though, since there's so much coming out this week regardless.

Undercover Miss Hong

• Streaming on: Netflix from 17 January

K-dramas have gone from something a little less well-known in recent years to being some of the biggest streaming hits you could possibly find, with Squid Game having really led the charge on that front. This is a far more light-hearted affair, though, focusing on a hilarious workplace scenario.

Main character Hong Keum-bo will go undercover to investigate potential financial irregularities at a big company, but will need to dice with how she comes to be friends with fake colleagues. More to the point, she's also got a very personal connection to the company's CEO, and it might well be romantic. This looks like a lovely light treat.

While CES 2026 announcements have mostly been good news, the latest from Disney+ leaves me concerned. It is said to be branching out into TikTok-style vertical video.

The goal of this new feed, according to Deadline, is to drive people to use the app more often. And presumably attract a younger audience.

The announcement came from CES, specifically directed at advertisers attending the event. It said that this will cover a variety of areas including sports, news and entertainment.

Erin Teague, Disney's EVP of product management, said it will contain "original short-form programming, repurposed social clips, refashioned scenes from longer-form episodic or feature titles, or a combination."

Currently any apps that use short form videos appear to be big hits with younger users. Since clips from Disney shows and movies spliced onto current social media do so well, it makes sense for Disney itself to get in on the action.

Since TikTok, Instagram Reel and YouTube Shorts are doing well with these clips, it might be time Disney takes them back.

So while this is "meeting people where they are," as Teague put it, this does feel like another app vying for attention.

Here's hoping this doesn't make the minimalism and simplicity of using Disney+ any less decent than it currently is.

Disney+ subscription: pricing and availability

The Disney+ streaming service is available to use across a whole host of devices including TVs, phones, tablets, consoles, computers and more. You will need a subscription to get access to all the Star Wars, Marvel, National Geographic, Hulu and other content.

At time of publishing a subscription is priced from £5.99 per month (with ads) going as high as £15.99 per month (ad free) for a top-end 4K stream quality.

The advent of a new year is a very big deal in the world of streaming, in case you couldn't tell. Now that Netflix has finally got all of its Stranger Things episodes out into the wild, some of the other contenders to be the best streaming service going can come into the limelight a bit more again.

In the case of Disney+, it looks like January 2026 will be a very interesting month, with some big additions coming to the platform from a surprisingly and impressively wide range of genres. There are new arrivals after periods in the cinema, but also some really interesting pure streaming debuts, and I've gathered the five most interesting for you right here.

Tron: Ares

• Streaming from: 7 January

It was a long wait for a sequel to Tron: Legacy, which had aimed to reignite the whole Tron franchise back in 2010 but slightly fizzled out despite a truly stellar soundtrack from Daft Punk. Jared Leto apparently moved mountains to make Ares eventually happened, so its box office capitulation might not bode well for him (which might not be the biggest shame).

The movie's coming to Disney+ early in the month, though, and while it didn't exactly meet with rave reviews, it definitely has some stunning visuals to share, including CGI of the very highest quality. My main hope is that Greta Lee's career doesn't suffer for starring in this, since she's unequivocally brilliant in everything else I've seen her in.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2

• Streaming from: 21 January

Another series that needed a bit of a jolt to really get going, the reboot of Percy Jackson has proved a much better fit on streaming than it was in movie format, as proved by its return for a second season. This time Percy's diving into the Sea of Monsters, which is fairly full of peril, as you might be able to guess.

The show's a rip-roaring time, and is fully family friendly, too, which makes it something of a unicorn. It looks like the stakes will be as high as ever for Percy, too, with some truly famous mythological baddies coming out to see if they can take down Poseidon's son.

Pole to Pole with Will Smith

• Streaming from: 14 January

Will Smith's rehabilitation continues apace after his Oscars slap debacle, and this sort of series makes it look a lot like he's all the way back. That said, whether the public think he's normal is quite another question. Still, in this glossy nature series Smith will take us on a wild journey encompassing both poles of our planet.

That means a whole lot of icy terrain, and some of the most endangered species still living in the wild, from penguins to polar bears. It looks like the show will aim to give a proper sense of how tough it is to even exist in these insane environments, and I'm hoping it'll also properly delve into that environment is under threat from our emissions.

Wonder Man

• Streaming from: 27 January

I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that this is the most interesting streaming release Marvel's had coming for years. Wonder Man takes place in the world of the Avengers, as proven by the presence of Trevor Slattery (Ben Kingsley), but it seems to be rooted in a very different genre.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II will star as an aspiring actor who feels an almost otherworldly desperation to land the role of Wonder Man, a reboot of a vintage superhero franchise being updated by a maverick director. This is a story all about the business of making superhero movies, which is pretty meta from Marvel. It looks charming, and will doubtless have some big twists to offer on arrival.

The Tale of Silyan

• Streaming from: 9 January

For those who want a more touching and heartfelt movie experience from Disney+ this month, and especially those who love a good documentary, The Tale of Silyan looks ideal. Telling the unlikely story of a bond between a struggling farmer and an injured stork that he finds on a landfill.

This looks like a gorgeous film, and potentially a pretty upsetting one given how much of it will be concerned with ecological disaster and climate change – but these are topics we can't ignore. It's from an Oscar-nominated director, too, so there's every chance that this could be a really special film.

Even in the age of streaming services, cinema is far from dead. And don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

We had some great releases in both theatres and online over the last 12 months, and 2026 is looking even better for the industry. There are some huge movies coming throughout the year ahead that should knock your socks off.

Indeed, we've found it hard to list just 26 that we're looking forward to – which will mostly release first on the big screen, before eventually making it onto your TV via the likes of Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ and Apple TV.

So grab yourself a bucket of popcorn and check out our top tips for the hottest films heading your way – all listed in chronological order.

We Bury The Dead

Theatrical release date: 2 January 2026

One of two zombie flicks to kick off the year, this tiny budget, independent horror movie was made and filmed in Australia in 2024, but is finally making it onto the big screen.

It could reinvent actor Daisy Ridley and help her shake off the Star Wars baggage, while the trailers so far very much put it head-to-head with the 28 Years... franchise.

This time we get failed US military weapon tests, weird mutant zombies, and a personal quest for closure. The trailers have been amazing so far, and it looks like we're getting frantic, gory and genuinely unsettling horror to start 2026.

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple

Theatrical release date: 16 January 2026

After the release this year of 28 Years Later this year, we get the second instalment at the start of next.

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple continues the story of Spike (Alfie Williams) and Dr Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) as they navigate their way through a broken and lawless England, pursued by the infected and things a lot worse.

The last film was great, with some truly memorable scenes and a weird but amazing ending. This one promises to expand on that.

Hopefully, it does well enough to prompt the much talked about third outing and finishes it all off perfectly.

The Rip

Streaming release date: 16 January 2026

While Netflix is often criticised for harming cinema attendances, it is also one of the companies investing heavily in new movies. And that's likely to continue even more if the purchase of Warner Bros. goes through.

In the meantime, the streamer will release The Rip – reuniting Ben Affleck and Matt Damon in an R-rated action cop movie. It even throws action star Scott Adkins into the mix, for good measure.

The trailer looks great – gritty, adult and packed full of solid action scenes. Could this become one of the rare straight to Netflix movies that are actually really good?

Mercy

Theatrical release date: 23 January 2026

In the near future, a detective (Chris Pratt) stands on trial accused of murdering his wife. He has 90 minutes to prove his innocence to the advanced AI Judge (Rebecca Ferguson) he once championed, before it determines his fate.

With this premise and a really good cast, this could well prove to be a solid Minority Reports style thriller. And while it's made by Amazon, it'll initially be exclusive to theatres.

Also, let's face it, more sci-fi is never a bad thing – so lets just hope this doesn't go the same way as Electric State.

Send Help

Theatrical release date: 30 January 2026

Sam Raimi is back in the director's chair for the first time since Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and he's back to arguably what he does best.

Send Help looks a good, old fashioned horror movie. A seemingly power mad business executive and his entourage are caught up in a plane crash with only him and his downtrodden assistant left alive. And stranded on a desert island, it soon becomes very clear that he isn't in charge anymore.

The trailer is great and the movie looks to be an absolute blast. It's pure horror fodder for those of us who love this kind of thing.

Scream 7

Theatrical release date: 27 February 2026

Dogged by behind-the-scenes drama, lawsuits and numerous actors choosing the exit door, Scream 7 will finally hit screens in 2026.

There is hope for it though, with Neve Campbell finally returning to the franchise to take on "Ghostface" once more.

There is a story too, but it is hardly important at this point. People get killed, heroes get chased, there'll undoubtedly be a twist and we'll all move on to the next. It's bound to be pure popcorn cinema, so just enjoy it!

Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man

Theatrical release date: 6 March 2026

Steven Knight's follow-up (and finale) to his award-winning BBC TV series will finally hit cinemas at the start of March, with a Netflix streaming release scheduled for a fortnight later.

It sees Cillian Murphy return to once more fill the boots of Birmingham gangster Tommy Shelby, although this time he'll be joined by a several Hollywood A-listers, including Rebecca Ferguson, Barry Keoghan and Tim Roth. The ever-dependable Stephen Graham reprises his Peaky Blinders character too.

This will be essential viewing for every fan of the series, although it'll be baffling for those who haven't seen the show beforehand. We suggest you do that right away.

The Bride

Theatrical release date: 6 March 2026

It's going to be difficult in 2026 to find a film as strangely ambitious as The Bride.

It's a heavily stylised Frankenstein story, centred on the creatures quest for a companion. And while that tale has been told several times before, this looks especially amazing considering its 1930s gangland Chicago setting.

The cast is huge, and with very little known so far about any wider storyline, it's definitely one to keep an eye on. Seeing Christian Bale as "The Creature" will take some getting used to, for sure.

Project Hail Mary

Theatrical release date: 20 March 2026

Based on the incredible novel by Andy Weir (The Martian) and with Ryan Gosling heading up the cast, Project Hail Mary has the potential to be the biggest sci-fi hit of the year.

The novel is very popular and it seems for once that fans are supportive of the film rather than planning protests!

My only concern is this… if you haven't read the book, under no circumstances watch any of the current trailers. They are extremely spoiler heavy to say the least!

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

Theatrical release date: 3 April 2026

Mario is back! Luigi is back! Nintendo is back baby!

Despite being universally hated by the critics, the first Super Mario movie made pretty much all the money on the planet and so in 2026, we get a second and seemingly more ambitious film.

With all the main cast and crew back from the original and bringing in a whole load of new characters (Yoshi?), the film will clearly be very similar in terms of tone and story just with more bright, colourful and loud things in it.

The kids will love it, critics will once again hate it, and it will make even more money.

The Devil Wears Prada 2

Theatrical release date: 1 May 2026

20 years after the release of the original, Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt are back, reprising their roles in a movie that was promised for so long but looked like it would never happen.

This time with roles reversed, Streep is fighting to control her empire in an ever changing world and industry.

We also have current Hollywood favourite Sydney Sweeney added to the cast for the sequel, plus Lucy Liu, Lady Gaga and the legendary Kenneth Branagh. Expect fashion, sly comments and a whole load of backstabbing.

The Mandalorian & Grogu

Theatrical release date: 22 May 2026

There is a rumour going around that in this first full length Mandalorian movie, Pedro Pascal might even take his helmet off for longer than a few seconds. We all live in hope.

But no matter the helmet situation, there is no doubt that this will be a huge release for Disney and should do big things at the box office.

The trailer looks just like a ramped up version of the TV show and there has clearly been a lot of money put into this. Fingers crossed we get a decent plot and perhaps some character growth and development between all the laser beams and CGI aliens.

Masters Of The Universe

Theatrical release date: 5 June 2026

He-Man is coming back – and it might even make for a good movie this time.

He may well end up being updated a touch – possibly with less 80s muscle tone and hopefully more story. Certainly, the casting of Nicholas Galitzine (The Idea of You) as He-Man himself is promising, as he plays a normal guy from Earth who discovers he is the long lost Prince of Eternia.

It all looks and sounds great but remember, Jared Leto is in it as Skeletor, so the chances of the movie bombing are also on the tipping point.

Scary Movie 6

Theatrical release date: 12 June 2026

You might well sit there and think to yourself, "Does the world actually need a reboot of the Scary Movie franchise?" And the answer to most would be, "Absolutely not!"

However, considering the franchise is still in the hands of the very talented and funny Wayans brothers, you might end up being pleasantly surprised. At least it'll be a bit of a laugh.

Also, it'll be 13 years since the last instalment when released, so there are plenty of new horror and slasher films for the franchise to parody. There's no reason at all for this not to work, therefore. Ahem.

Toy Story 5

Theatrical release date: 19 June 2026

More Toy Story! Surely that's all we need to say.

But just to flesh things out a bit, the gang are all back, including Woody, who has clearly had a full change of heart after his choices at the end of the last film.

And that will likely be more than enough for everyone.

Supergirl

Theatrical release date: 26 June 2026

After her debut in 2025's Superman, Milly Alcock gets her own film, reprising her role as Kara Zor-El in Supergirl.

One interesting thing with the film is the addition of Jason Momoa to the cast, not as Aquaman, but as the legendary space-faring, super violent bounty hunter Lobo. It marks Momoa’s departure from his previous incarnation, and shows James Gunn’s commitment to moving away from the previous films.

Its hard to imagine a family friendly film doing actual justice to the character of Lobo, so we await this one with bated breath.

Shrek 5

Theatrical release date: 30 June 2026

Shrek 5 finally reunites the original cast of Myers, Murphy and Diaz, and there's a good chance that this could actually be more than just a blatant cash grab from an aging franchise. It could actually be… good.

Fingers crossed then for this, especially as it'll bring Mike Myers back to our screens ahead of a perpetually rumoured return for Austin Powers.

Moana

Theatrical release date: 10 July 2026

We're not actually sure Moana needed a live action remake this soon, but there we are. Disney has decided to continue the rehash of its library with a new version of the much-loved animated feature less than a decade after its original release.

And at least Dawyne "The Rock" Johnson returns. So, as he famously sang in the first, excellent film: "You're welcome!"

The Odyssey

Theatrical release date: 17 July 2026

After winning pretty much every award possible in 2023 with Oppenheimer, director Christopher Nolan takes on the classic Homer text, The Odyssey, for what will surely be the most ambitious epic of the year.

It has arguably the greatest cast ever assembled and takes advantage of new advances in IMAX camera systems, so there is a huge industry buzz about this.

We certainly can't wait to check it out in an IMAX cinema near us this coming summer.

Evil Dead Burn

Theatrical release date: 24 July 2026

After the huge critical and commercial success of 2023’s Evil Dead Rise, it seemed only a matter of time before we got another instalment in this massively popular horror franchise.

And with the legendary Sam Raimi still writing and producing, Evil Dead Burn has every chance of being another fan favourite.

Certainly, if his Instagram account is anything to go by, director Sébastien Vaniček (Infested) is happy with the movie so far.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Theatrical release date: 31 July 2026

As the old theme song famously went: "Spider-Man, Spider-Man… does whatever a spider can!" This clearly means coming back to our screens with yet another huge budget blockbuster superhero movie.

Tom Holland returns as the world's oldest teenager and this time he's bringing Jon Bernthal's Punisher with him?

First impressions look great, Spider-Man is always a popular franchise and as long as Marvel Studios is careful not to sully the adult nature of The Punisher too much, this could work.

We have high hopes for this one.

Coyote vs. ACME

Theatrical release date: 28 August 2026

Ok, so this is a complicated one.

Coyote vs. ACME is famous for being the third film David Zaslav shelved during his time as the CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery as a tax write-off. The first were Batgirl & Scoob!: Holiday Haunt which were each shelved near the end of post-production in August 2022.

However, unlike the former two, the film's rights were successfully sold to an alternative distributor. And so, while the film has sat on a shelf for around a decade, it will finally make it to the big screen in 2026.

And that includes John Cena too, who just so happens to star in the part animated/part live action comedy.

Clayface

Theatrical release date: 11 September 2026

We currently know very little is known about the new DC Universe movie Clayface, save for the eponymous character being one of Batman's villians.

Writer Mike Flanagan (Doctor Sleep) has also revealed that the film will take inspiration from Batman: The Animated Series, and specifically its telling of the origin of the shape-shifting blob of mud.

The film is still currently shooting in a dressed up Liverpool (the same location as the last Batman) with the aim of a release later in the year. It'll feature a cast of younger, lesser known actors in place, and there are rumours that it'll lean heavily on the horror side of things.

Street Fighter

Theatrical release date: 16 October 2026

Could Street Fighter be the surprise hit of the year? It's certainly got the mega cast.

And, thanks to a teaser trailer shown during The Game Awards 2025, it looks like it could be a whole lot of fun, to boot.

To be honest, we just need a load of weird and wonderful fighters doing fighting stuff, plus a bunch of gaming Easter eggs. And that it's better than the 1994 big screen adaptation. Although that really won't be very hard at all.

Avengers: Doomsday

Theatrical release date: 18 December 2026

At this point, what more can honestly be said about Marvel and the Avengers franchise that hasn't already been said.

2026 brings us the next huge instalment of the ongoing saga and the return of Robert Downey Jr. – this time as Dr Doom. Who might also be... well, you never know.

And Cap is back too, as shown in the first teaser trailer. So it won't just all be Thunderbolts and younger heroes. Plus, with the Russo brothers behind the camera again, you can bet it'll be the biggest and most expensive movie of the year.

Dune: Part Three

Theatrical release date: 18 December 2026

More Dune is always a good thing, and 2026 sees the final instalment of Dennis Villeneuve’s trilogy – before he turns his directorial eye to Bond.

With the story of Paul Atreides reaching new heights in the second film, it should be amazing to see the resolution of his story, the possible look into the Holy War, and the rise of the next generation of the family.

The full cast is returning and it's only a shame that we'll have to wait until just before next Christmas to see it all play out.

In the history of Hollywood, it is difficult to think of another movie franchise as huge and all-encompassing as the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It's an absolute juggernaut that has spanned decades, made billions of dollars, and launched entire careers.

There have been some amazing films and TV shows attached to the MCU. And while there have been some absolute disasters too – Eternals and Echo, we're looking at you – the list of standout hits is lengthy.

It's growing too, with 2025 seeing the MCU finally finding its feet once more. So, in preparation of even more top-notch superhero action to come, here are our 20 favourite Marvel movies and shows you need to watch.

They're all available to stream on Disney+, so you can sit back, hit play and find out just why everyone went mad for these superpowered screen stars first time around.

Avengers: Infinity War / End Game

The final films of the hugely successful MCU "Phase 3", Avengers: Infinity War and End Game are the epitome of cinematic events.

The culmination of the whole "Thanos is the big bad guy" saga, the two movies brought the entire Avengers storyline to a close with truly epic scale and focus. Pretty much every single character is involved from all of the franchises, the films are huge and ambitious, and Marvel Studios proves it's not afraid to make hard choices.

It's fair to say that the MCU never got any better than this, with some even thinking it should have ended right here. Watch as a back-to-back double bill, if possible!

Iron Man

Not content with reinventing the superhero genre on screen, and making a superstar out of one of Hollywood's most divisive and troubled actors, Iron Man effectively started the whole MCU.

Way back in 2008, producer Kevin Feige had an idea for a series of linked films, starting with Tony Stark's big screen debut. The rest is history.

Casting Robert Downey Jr as the enigmatic tech billionaire, it came out of nowhere and gave audiences a glimpse of the massive action ride that was to come.

It's also a fantastic film in its own right, and gained legendary status with THAT post-credits Samual L Jackson "Nick Fury" scene. Truly awesome.

Wandavision

The first major MCU TV series to take full advantage of the new Disney+ streaming service, Wandavision was a brave and bold choice.

Instead of going with a more traditional smash 'em up action show featuring one of the more recognisable characters – like Hulk or Iron Man – it focuses on the Scarlet Witch, Wanda Maximoff and her hubby The Vision.

It also adopts a unique style – presented in the themes of 50s, 60s, 70s, and then 80s sitcoms. And that made it an interesting choice in terms of tone and scale.

Wandavision is surreal and confusing at times, but always intriguing, and certainly not at all what people expected. It's a more thoughtful and adult work that proves superhero content could be for grown ups as well.

Thunderbolts

There is only so much bright, flashy, CGI-riddled action that an audience can take and so the MCU waned in the aftermath of Avengers: End Game.

However, Marvel gave us Thunderbolts* in 2025 and took its franchise in a whole new direction. It's paid off.

The movie takes largely ignored characters from other MCU movies and puts them together in a team of so-called rejects (a la DC's Suicide Squad). It makes for an all together darker and more emotional film than you might expect.

With themes of grief, abandonment and guilt, Thunderbolts* is a superb welcome return for the MCU in general – proving it can succeed in the box office and on streaming services again.

Avengers: Age Of Ultron

The thing that has allowed the MCU to grow and develop into the force of nature it is today is its ability to adapt and to change tone with absolute clarity and focus.

It does comedy really well, for example, as well as family adventure. And in cases such as Avengers: Age Of Ultron, it does existential threat and horror with real passion.

In many ways, Age of Ultron is a horror film. The protagonist is a self-aware, AI construct given form, and is as dark and relentless as the Terminator. It's also as cold and calculating as any supervillain seen before.

Chilling and voiced by the always fantastic James Spader, Ultron really is something special.

The Punisher

After numerous failed film adaptations, the two, very adult series of The Punisher are must-watch TV.

With John Bernthal at the helm as Frank Castle, AKA The Punisher, it changes and updates his back story, but keeps the heart of what makes the character so visceral in the comic books.

The show certainly does what the films never managed, they get the tone right. There are no superhero costumes, no comical bad guys, and there are absolutely no attempts to dumb down or make the show family friendly.

The Punisher needs to be violent, gory and unrelenting, and the two seasons that started on Netflix are exactly that. We're hoping Disney's rumoured return keeps up the good work.

Logan

Since the release of Deadpool & Wolverine in 2024, the door has officially been opened to accept X-Men characters to the MCU. So with this in mind, we're claiming Logan to be essential viewing.

Based on the Old Man Logan comic book series, the film brings us a future reality where Wolverine has grown older, been abandoned, and is being hunted. He's also desperately trying to keep his friend and mentor, Charles Xavier, alive during his final days.

It's a hugely (or should we say Hugh-ly?) dark, gritty and adult look at the concept of heroes. Logan is stunning in every way, and Jackman gives his best performance to date.

The script work is so much better than expected too, and the film looks beautiful.

The Avengers

The culmination of the entire "Phase 1" of the MCU, Avengers is a prime example of when Marvel and Kevin Feige got things absolutely spot on.

After a bunch of build-up movies, which created the backstory and groundwork for all of our favourite characters, this particular blockbuster brings them together in a huge cinematic spectacle and absolutely blows its audiences away.

It's difficult to explain today just how amazing it was back in 2012, to see everyone together in huge CGI battles, but it was a statement that the MCU was here to stay and would only get bigger. Awesome.

Black Panther

Historic, culturally important and a bloody good superhero movie as well, Black Panther is very much a key part of the history of the MCU and cinema in general.

The late Chadwick Boseman plays the Prince of the fictional African nation of Wakanda, who rises to take his place as leader and protector of his people, while also donning the lycra pants of the mythical Black Panther. And on the back of massive box office numbers, it became the only Marvel movie to be nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars! Bold.

It's a lavish, visually stunning film with real heart and some amazing action sequences and characters.

Deadpool & Wolverine

Deadpool & Wolverine is the film that comic book fans cried out for, and finally and officially brought Ryan Reynolds' Wade Wilson to the MCU. Wolverine too.

Funny as hell, violent, and absolutely packed full of Easter eggs and cameo appearances, it smashed the box office and then some.

Is it the best film ever?.. Not really. But it's about as much fun as you can have on a two-hour or so binge. You'll also be humming N-Sync's Bye Bye Bye for days afterwards.

Thor

Watching 2011’s Thor now, it seems nowhere near as good as I remembered. It's a bit dated, bland, and the CGI work is passable at best. But there's no doubting how huge and important the film was back then.

Thor did something that was very hard to do, it took a character who was essentially an immortal, unstoppable god, and made him human and relatable. He's funny, clumsy and ultimately ordinary – something that works well on screen.

The film also made Hemsworth an overnight star, set him on the path to the full MCU Avengers legacy and added a huge piece to the puzzle. It's not a great film, but an essential part of the franchise.

Loki

Another of the growing MCU + TV shows, Loki is a strange one. Giving its audience a different perspective on Thor's half-brother both post Endgame, it's so much better than we could have hoped.

The two seasons are heavily stylised and unique, determined not to fall in with everything that had gone before. They take us on a fantastic journey into time, dimensions and the Marvel multi-verse.

The Loki show is also deep and sad at times, while Tom Hiddleston shows why the trickster god is one of the more interesting characters in the MCU. It also sets up the backdrop and overarching plot for pretty much every show and movie to come after.

Doctor Strange

Doctor Strange is a really good film – not just a good comic book or superhero movie.

It charts the story of Doctor Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), a skilled but arrogant surgeon who, after an accident that leaves him crippled, decides to go on a quest across the world to find a miracle cure. That results in him becoming a dimensional space wizard with a cool cape and a mortgage-free New York property.

Cumberbatch is great in the role and the film is a whole lot of fun. It features great effects work too, along with some fantastic action set pieces.

Ant Man

Ant Man is an oddity – it's a superhero film based on a minor character and is fronted by an actor better known for his comedy roles. But if we learned anything from Die Hard and the big screen debut of Bruce Willis, it's that action heroes don't have to be huge, muscle bound hunks to do a great job.

This is what Paul Rudd does in Ant Man too. And it results in one of the MCU’s lighter and more comedy focused films.

It proved a huge success in cinemas and adds a greatly needed fun element to the mix.

Guardians Of The Galaxy

There are many who feel that the MCU is at its best when it delivers fun, upbeat and action packed films… Guardians Of The Galaxy is arguably the best example of this.

Before director James Gunn jumped ship and went over to form the rival DC cinematic universe, he gave us this story of a band of rag tag space rogues, brought together to fight a galactic evil despite being hopelessly outgunned.

Not only is it very funny, it features some really strong writing and gave us some of the most iconic characters within the MCU. Spawning two more films, Guardians remains one of the most popular series within the MCU.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps

In 2025 and after several non-canon movies, Marvel finally brought the legendary Fantastic Four to the ongoing MCU. And to great effect.

With an all-star cast, including Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Joseph Quinn, Marvel’s "first family" arrive in a bold, flashy and retro future styled alternative universe. We get the iconic Silver Surfer and huge "Eater of Worlds" Galactus too.

It's a whole lot of fun, fast-paced, and is very family friendly. It also marks a new direction for the MCU and the opening of an entire new phase.

Daredevil / Daredevil: Born Again

As with The Punisher, Daredevil is a Marvel property that for years sat outside the MCU. Originally screened by Netflix, it was loosely linked but not officially part of Marvel's Cinematic Universe.

However, that's now all changed. The show switched over to Disney+ and has been accepted into the fold, and we even got a brand new follow-up in the form of Daredevil: Born Again.

It's equally excellent and there's no doubt that Charlie Cox's Matt Murdock will be integral to the whole MCU going forward.

Captain America: The First Avenger

Steve Rogers, AKA Captain America, is the heart and soul of the Avengers.

A symbol of hope, purity and honour, Cap' is everything that a hero should be, and this huge budget introduction tells his origin story in superb fashion.

Steve Rogers starts out being seen as too weak to join the US Army at the start of WW2, but after being selected to take part in a secret "super soldier" project, he soon becomes the greatest American hero.

This is a great superhero popcorn flick. It's packed with action, great characters, and a legendary villain.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

The first Marvel film to feature a central character of Asian heritage, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings deeply embraced the culture and history of the area to its advantage. This gave us a really interesting and different film than many of its peers.

The movie is also lauded by many critics for its dynamic fight scenes, striking visuals, and standout performances by Simu Liu and Tony Leung. It's appreciated for its cultural representation and mythological elements too, but sadly (and perhaps strangely) there is still no sign of a sequel to this day.

Captain America: Civil War

Who would have thought a superhero movie dealing with political fallout and negotiation would have been so much fun.

With many fearing the actions of superheroes, the US government decides to push for the Hero Registration Act, a law that limits a hero's actions. This results in a division in The Avengers and a split between the group's most prominent members.

Iron Man stands with the Act, but Captain America feels that saving the world is daring enough and that they cannot rely on the government to protect the world. This escalates into an all-out war between Team Iron Man and Team Captain America.

That gives us some great set pieces, culminating in a huge all-out superhero fight in an airport that is worth the ticket price alone. Everyone fights, everyone does a load of superhero stuff and it looks great.

As the year comes to an end, it must be said that 2025 has been particularly outstanding for lavish, bold and ground breaking television.

It's been year in which we have had more streaming service options than ever before, and we've been pretty much spoiled for choice on a month by month basis. Indeed, there has never been a better time to be a couch potato – with so much available to watch that it's a wonder any of us have managed to leave the house.

Here then (in no particular order) is our list of the best 25 shows of the year – each available to stream on the likes of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Now and more. There should be something for everyone here.

Monster: The Ed Gein Story (Netflix)

Charlie Hunnam stars as the notorious and influential serial killer Ed Gein in the latest instalment of Ryan Murphy’s Monster anthology franchise.

It's a show that has divided audiences, and will likely shock, upset and leave you wondering why we're all obsessed with creepy guys who like to eat people..

But when something is this well made, there's actually a simple answer.

Chad Powers (Disney+)

Based on the YouTube prank shorts from Eli Manning, Chad Powers stars Glen Powell as disgraced college quarterback Russ Holliday who decides to don a disguise to re-enter the league under a new persona.

It's like Mrs Doubtfire but with more American football and fewer weird Scottish accents.

The Studio (Apple TV)

Seth Rogan stars as Matt Remick, a high level movie studio executive who must navigate the cut throat and, at times, ludicrous movie industry.

Feeling like a bigger budget Curb Your Enthusiasm at times, The Studio hilariously exposes the world of expanding media and declining audiences.

It's honest, awkward and, most importantly, very, very funny. And it's a truly great show that's absolutely worth a watch.

Dept. Q (Netflix)

Painfully overlooked by many Netflix viewers, Dept. Q is a fantastic police thriller series following Carl – a detective relegated to a new cold case agency following an attack that almost killed him.

Amazing performances, razor sharp script work, and a genuinely intriguing main case makes this absolute binge-worthy television.

Task (Now / Sky)

The new series from writer/creator Brad Ingelsby (Mare Of Easttown), Task follows FBI agent Tom Brandis (an on-form Mark Ruffalo) as he investigates a string of violent robberies in the rural suburbs of Philadelphia.

It's gritty, raw and unrelenting, with real emotional punch – and it wholly deserves to be on your list this year.

Alien: Earth (Disney+)

The first live action TV series based in the Alien universe, Alien: Earth is set two years before the events of the first movie and introduces us not only to a new raft of xenomorph creatures, but also to a world of rival corporations at war.

Earth's corporations are desperate to get their hands on Alien tech no matter the cost, and that provides a backdrop to one of the best Alien outings in many years.

We get all new characters and a second season has been rightfully confirmed.

The Assassin (Amazon Prime Video)

The always superb Keeley Hawes stars as Julie in this six episode Prime Video series about a retired killer forced to go on the run with her estranged son, after her deadly past finally catches up with her.

Cue a load of shoot outs, some really solid fight scenes, and a whole bunch of beautiful locations.

It's popcorn television at its best – entertaining albeit instantly forgettable.

Mobland (Paramount+)

There is no-one better than Tom Hardy for whispery, mumbling London gangster, and when you add Pierce Brosnan, Helen Mirren and Paddy Considine to the mix, you've got a Guy Ritchie classic.

As with most of Ritchie's back catalogue, Mobland is quite ridiculous but outrageously entertaining. Things blow up, people get killed in horrible ways, and everyone seems to have swallowed the script from Snatch.

That could well be your cup of Rosie Lee.

A Thousand Blows (Disney+)

Stephen Graham and James Nelson-Joyce’s take over of television in 2025 began in February this year with Disney’s A Thousand Blows.

It follows the fortunes of Hezekiah and Alec, two best friends from Jamaica as they fight for survival on the violent streets of Victorian London’s East-End, and is beautifully shot.

It also features some absolute stand out performances from Graham, Malachi Kirby and Erin Doherty.

Wayward (Netflix)

A glimpse into the world of the troubled teen industry, Wayward explores a town with a sinister underbelly. It deals with the intricacies of teens, their struggle to find a place in the world.

In all honesty though, the whole show is just a vehicle to showcase the powerhouse that is Toni Collete and we are fine with that. More Collette is always a good thing.

It's a weird, creepy show and perfect for the dark nights.

Murderbot (Apple TV)

This amazing Apple TV sci-fi show was largely ignored when released and that's surely a crime.

Alexander Skarsgard stars as Murderbot, a self-named (not the best choice) security android struggling with new found emotions and free will while trying to keep the humans under his care alive on a dangerous and hostile planet.

Skarsgard is amazing, David Dastmalchian is amazing – but nobody watched the show. You should all be ashamed of yourselves because it's fantastic.

Adolescence (Netflix)

Netflix’s biggest TV success of 2025 is a show that became a political and social talking point.

Adolescence is a show that has transcended entertainment, having been studied and examined by pretty much every group dedicated to social change as an insight into a hidden and growing problem.

Stephen Graham once again delivers a stunning performance as a dad dealing with the aftermath of a shocking family event, while trying to continue to live a semi-normal life.

Some TV shows are important and will be remembered – this is the very definition of that.

Mix Tape (iPlayer)

This is a soft and fluffy romantic comedy series to watch for free on BBC iPlayer, and is perfect for those of us who spent hours of their lives desperately trying to create the ultimate mix tape for someone we fancied. Or so I'm told…

It's funny, relevant, warm, and will absolutely resonate with many of us of a certain age in the best of ways.

I made loads of tapes in the end. Spotify playlists just aren't the same.

The Bondsman (Amazon Prime Video)

Sometimes you just need a TV show that is big, stupid, gory fun. And this is it.

The legendary Kevin Bacon stars as Hub Halloran, a bounty hunter resurrected after his murder and given a second chance at life on the understanding that he hunts demons, monsters and other creepy horrible things.

It's loud, shooty and isn't afraid to get bloody. The Bondsman will never win an Emmy award but it will fill an afternoon.

Marvel Zombies (Disney+)

More Marvel, more animation, more MCU plot development. This new animated series follows that renowned comic books of the same name and fits into Marvel’s What If universe.

In it, you can expect Marvel heroes and humans battling not only hordes of undead but also fellow superheroes, such as The Hulk who have become zombies – and with their associated powers.

It's a cartoon series, but adult in nature. And it's very gory, but a load of fun.

Down Cemetery Road (Apple TV)

Another huge Apple TV release sees Ruth Wilson and Emma Thompson team up as investigators into crime, conspiracy and a government cover up.

As with Slow Horses, Down Cemetery Road is based on a novel written by the amazing Mick Herron, and so the show is very similar in terms of tone, script work and character development.

It has a great cast, a superb script, and is generally brilliant. Get a free Apple subscription and binge this one.

Untamed (Netflix)

Eric Bana plays Kyle Turner, a grief stricken National Parks service agent investigating a brutal death at Yosemite National Park.

The investigation sends him on a collision course with dark secrets inside the park as well as in his own past, resulting in a beautiful looking show that really uses the setting to its advantage.

Untamed is tense, well written, and well worth a watch.

Black Rabbit (Netflix)

Black Rabbit stars Jude Law and Jason Bateman as New York-based brothers desperately trying to survive and keep hold of their city hotspot in a world of crime, fame and murder.

Law is the dependable one, while Bateman is turbulent and foolhardy, which makes for a fantastic drama that is constantly tense and unforgiving.

The characters are fleshed out and realistic, and the locations are gritty, run down and tangible.

For me, Black Rabbit is THE hidden gem of 2025.

Your Friends & Neighbours (Apple TV)

John Hamm (Mad Men) plays Andrew "Coop" Cooper, a hedge fund manager who resorts to burglary after losing his job and a crippling divorce.

Targeting his own wealthy neighbours to fund and maintain his family’s lifestyle, he makes a fateful mistake and breaks into the wrong home.

This is another huge and lavish Apple TV production with the always reliable Hamm at the helm.

Lazarus (Amazon Prime Video)

Some shows are subtle, grounded and well thought through, others are just a bit mental and make no real sense. Lazarus is definitely in the latter category, but still worth a watch.

Sam Claflin plays a therapist who after experiencing a personal loss, begins having disturbing experiences that can't be explained.

Admittedly, performances are all over the place, it's riddled with plot holes and in many cases, makes no real sense. However, it's perfect for a hungover afternoon on the sofa when there is nothing else to fill your time.

Dying For Sex (Disney+)

Based on the Wondery Podcast of the same name about Molly Kochan, Dying For Sex tells the tragic story of a woman diagnosed with terminal, metastatic breast cancer who abandons her husband and begins to fully explore her sexuality.

Criticised by some for its attitude towards relationships, the show presents a bold statement on personal choice and living life by your own rules.

House Of Guinness (Netflix)

Created by Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders, A Thousand Blows), House Of Guinness follows the aftermath of the death of real-life brewery mogul, Sir Benjamin Guinness and the impact of his will on his four adult children.

It mixes beautifully shot period drama with the violent elements from Blinders, and so feels very similar. Peaky fans will love it.

Smoke (Apple TV)

Smoke is further testament to the sheer power and money behind Apple's TV platform.

Taron Egerton plays Dave Gudsen, a troubled detective and arson investigator on the hunt for two serial arsonists who always seem to be one step ahead. It's a strange show with a lot of twists and turns, but absolutely stands out as well worth a watch.

Victoria Beckham (Netflix)

After the success of Beckham, focusing on hubby David, this 2025 fly on the wall docu-series makes a lot of sense. It follows the former Spice Girl’s journey to fashion designer and mother of four, and tells her side of the story.

It's a literal who’s who of A-list celebs, musicians, movie stars, models, and fashion designers. Victoria also comes across well and David continues to be... well... David.

Give this a watch if you want a glimpse into a life you will probably never have. And might never actually want.

Paradise (Disney+)

This post apocalyptic 10 part drama series came out of nowhere but became a sleeper hit.

It stars Sterling K Brown as Xavier Collins, a secret service agent tasked with protecting the president before and after the end of the world. And not only does it centre on a great premise and setting, it has a really solid script to boot.

Paradise is genuinely interesting and features plenty of twists and turns.

In the run of my daily job, it's pretty common for me to find out, with a jolt, about a streaming show that I've literally never heard of before, despite actively covering streaming additions all the time. There are simply too many shows, I'd say! Still, it can be a nice surprise to find out about a show that clearly did well enough to merit a second season, just like The Artful Dodger.

This Disney+ series first came out in 2023, and it turns out to have got the reception that Disney was hoping for, as it's now on its way back with more episodes, and will drop on 10 February 2026, as confirmed by this first proper trailer. The Australia-set show picks up the story of Dickens' famous little tyke 15 years after the events of Oliver Twist.

The Dodger, played by Thomas Brodie-Sangster, now goes by the more adult name Jack Dawkins, and is trying to make his way in Australia after fleeing Britain in the wake of his arguably innocent misdeeds. His plans, both financial and amorous, have been upended by the arrival of his old boss Fagin (David Thewlis clearly having the time of his life).

All this is played out while Jack fences and flirts with Maia Mitchell as Lady Belle Fox, who's clearly under some pressure to drop her association with Jack this time around. Her family are levying some pretty steep demands on her, including her consent to marry a very different, rather more stiff-upper-lip man. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out which direction things might go in this time around.

The show honestly looks pretty charming, with a strange mixture of period drama and the sort of humour and tone that reminds me of Pirates of the Caribbean, in all the best ways. It's clear that its fans are thrilled by the return, too, with the comments under that YouTube trailer upload full of people saying they were worried the show was cancelled after a single season.

It just goes to show that even the biggest and best streaming services need to keep up the cadence of not just new material but also returning seasons – it's the only way to stay relevant and satisfying!

As streaming services have grown to be even more important in our lives over the last year, it's great to see that cinemas have also seen some resurgence.

That's largely thanks to some of the major studios supporting theatres and releasing their biggest blockbusters in cinemas first. So it's been a great year to watch a movie with a bucket of popcorn and a bunch of strangers.

And with the same films hitting streaming a few months later, those who'd prefer to curl up on the sofa (or even watch on a smartphone) are catered for too.

So, in alphabetical order, here are 25 great examples of films from 2025 available to stream right now and where you can watch them.

A House Of Dynamite (Netflix)

The director of Point Break and The Hurt Locker, Kathryn Bigelow, returned to the director's chair after an almost nine year break with this tense and claustrophobic story about a single, unattributed nuclear missile being launched at the United States.

Dripping with the signature realism that Bigelow brings to her films, A House Of Dynamite is as divisive as it is impressive.

It's definitely not for everyone and garners criticism in equal measure to praise, but it's a film that's absolutely worth a watch.

All Of You (Apple TV)

I'm not crying, you're crying! You certainly will be at this amazing romantic drama written by Brett Goldstein (Ted Lasso) and William Bridges (Stranger Things).

Goldstein and Imogen Poots play Simon and Laura, best friends since University who in later life find themselves battling the feelings they have towards each other while navigating their individual relationships.

Unrequited love, fate and integrity are each explored in this absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking film.

It truly is one of the best of the year and once again reminds us what a national treasure Brett Goldstein is.

Ballad Of A Small Player (Netflix)

With a limited cinematic release and therefore quick turnaround onto Netflix, Colin Farrell’s Ballad Of A Small Player is the very definition of a hidden gem.

With his past and gambling debts rapidly catching up with him, Farrell’s Lord Doyle goes on the run to Macau to lay low. While there he meets a kindred spirit who might be his salvation.

It's a stunning, stylish and visually striking film that makes up for its small budget and lack of promotion by just being really good. Find it and give it a watch.

Echo Valley (Apple TV)

Kate (Julianne Moore) is dealing with a personal tragedy while owning and training horses in the isolated and picturesque Echo Valley. But the quiet is disrupted when her daughter, Claire (Sydney Sweeney), arrives at her doorstep, frightened, trembling and covered in someone else's blood.

Here begins thoughtful thriller that looks at the concept of victimhood, abuse and the strength to rise above it all.

Solid central performances set Echo Valley above many of its type and the film is ultimately a rewarding watch.

Eden (Amazon Prime Video)

Based on a factual account, Eden deals with a group of outsiders who settle on a remote island only to discover their greatest threat isn't the brutal climate or deadly wildlife, but each other,

It features an all-star cast, including Jude Law, Ana De Armas, Vanessa Kirby, Daniel Bruhl and Sydney Sweeney, while legendary director Ron Howard steers the ship.

It looks beautiful and due to being based on real events, is as shocking as you might imagine.

Eenie Meenie (Disney+)

With a tiny budget, zero publicity and a release almost hidden by Disney, this solid little crime thriller has largely fallen under the radar.

Samara Weaving plays Edie, a reformed teenage getaway driver dragged back into her criminal past when offered a way to save the life of her unreliable ex-boyfriend.

It has a great script, great action sequences and solid performances, so is a film well worth catching.

F1 The Movie (Apple TV)

A film that started life as Days Of Thunder 2 (until Tom Cruise pulled out), F1 The Movie is nothing short of car porn.

Brad Pitt is as handsome as ever, everything is shiny and oversaturated, at no point is there anything not going fast or making noise. The race sequences are as close to the real thing as you can get.

I believe there is some kind of story and plot involved somewhere, but I'm not sure that's important really.

Frankenstein (Netflix)

To date, there must have been over 400 feature films based on Frankenstein’s monster. And with this in mind, it seems mildly pointless to get excited about yet another one.

However, this version is directed by Guilermo Del Toro, has an all star cast and is seen by Del Toro himself to be his magnum opus.

Oscar Issac plays Victor Frankenstein, the doctor obsessed with defeating the concept of death itself, and Jacob Elordi is his creation.

Visually stunning, bold and lavish, the film is a masterpiece in filmmaking and could well become known as Del Toro’s finest work. It's superb and needs to be seen.

Happy Gilmore 2 (Netflix)

It took 29 years to get Happy Gilmore 2 to our screens. Why? Well that's a huge question, but let's just be happy (pun intended) that we got it in our generation.

This is a direct sequel to Adam Sandler's iconic 1996 comedy, and we see our hero Happy a lot older but still not any wiser.

Circumstances have lead him back to golf, and once more there are bad guys, good guys, a vast array of cameos and a tournament that has to be won.

It's certainly not groundbreaking, but it is a solid slice of fun that those of us with long memories will enjoy purely for the nostalgia.

Hedda (Prime Video)

A reimagining of Henrik Ibsen’s 1891 stage drama stars Tessa Thomspon as the titular Hedda Gabler.

It's a lavishly told, cinematic and highly modernised tale of a woman unhappy with her lot in life, although the Prime Video adaptation has split critics with some praising and some condemning.

Check it out for yourself though, as it's certainly bold movie.

Highest 2 Lowest (Apple TV)

After a five year break from film making, Spike Lee is back, with Denzel Washington and Jeffrey Wright in tow.

Highest 2 Lowest is a story of power, morality, art and responsibility. Washington stars as David King, a music mogul who finds himself in the middle of a targeted ransom plot that descends into a life or death moral dilemma.

It's a film that drips Spike Lee from every pore and reminds us of why he became so adored in the first place. Just do yourself a favour and watch with the sound down as the soundtrack is an "interesting choice" to say the least. You have been warned.

I Like Me (Prime Video)

Those of us of a certain age will have grown up with the comedy legend that was John Candy.

From Planes, Trains And Automobiles to Uncle Buck, Candy was by far the greatest comedy actor of his time and when he died in 1994 at the painfully young age of 43, we all lost a huge talent.

I Like Me is a beautifully crafted and sensitive biopic that is clearly produced by real fans of the actor. It's funny, heartbreaking, life affirming, and is a lovely and gentle watch.

KPop Demon Hunters (Netflix)

Directed by Maggie Kang and inspired by her own Korean heritage, KPop Demon Hunters seemingly came from nowhere to become one of the biggest hits of 2025.

It was certainly Netflix’s biggest hit of the year and a franchise that will no doubt spawn a thousand spinoffs and adaptations.

The film has crossed generational as well as cultural boundaries too, to become something really special. Not many straight to streaming movies get dragged into cinemas after release and get a singalong version made!

Nickel Boys (Prime Video)

Nickel Boys is a strikingly assured and ambitious debut fiction-feature from director RaMell Ross.

It is composed almost entirely of point-of-view (POV) shots, and while that's been tried a handful of times on film before (such as in the 40s noir The Lady of the Lake), it's never been pulled off so intricately and effectively as here.

Bi-perspectival, we experience the gazes of two different characters, Elwood and Turner (Ethan Herisse and Brandon Wilson), teenagers incarcerated in a Jim Crowe-era juvenile detention centre that amounts to a borderline death-camp for its Black prisoners.

The film is brutal, raw and can be a difficult watch, but boy is it worthwhile.

Predator: Killer Of KIllers (Disney+)

An animated instalment of the long running Predator series, Killer Of Killers is a three-story anthology piece charting the Predators' battles against worthy humans across the ages.

With stunning animation, gory and adult aimed content and some genuinely great set piece battles, the film is every part of the franchise and breathes new life into it.

Stay until the end of the credits too, for a classic Predator easter egg.

Steve (Netflix)

For every ‘Fast And Furious’ and for every Marvel style CGI action blockbuster there is a ‘Steve’. Following Cillian Murphy’s titular character ‘Steve’ the film shows the daily struggle of a headteacher tasked with dealing with young adults deemed problematic and unfit for mainstream schooling. The absolute victory in ‘Steve’ is the central performance by Cillian Murphy which is nothing short of outstanding. Honest, raw, nuanced and naturalistic, truly special and award worthy.

The Accountant 2 (Amazon Prime Video)

After the surprise success of the first Accountant film, it seemed only a matter of time before Ben Affleck was brought back for a second.

This time it's a buddy cop-style film with equal emphasis on John Bernthal's brother character. So double the action, double the mayhem and half the actual plot.

It's to do with missing people or something, but that's not really important. The two brothers shoot a load of people with big guns, in cool ways – that's enough really.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps (Disney+)

Marvel finally introduced the legendary Fantastic Four to the ongoing MCU this year, and quite some style.

With an all star cast, including Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Joseph Quinn, Marvel’s "first family" came to our screens in a huge, bright, flashy and retro styled alternative universe. And considering that they spend time under attack from the iconic Silver Surfer and the pretty huge Galactus, it's a whole lot of fun, to boot.

The film certainly saw a departure from the previous bleak and depressing MCU movies and shows, and was all the better for it.

The Gorge (Apple TV)

There is a huge Gorge somewhere in the world and down at the bottom there are monsters and all kinds of bad stuff that wants to get up.

And for plot reasons, instead of closing it over or siting thousands of soldiers and tanks around it, the world has put its faith in Miles Teller and Anna Taylor-Joy to defend literally miles of ground on their own.

It's a film that can be enjoyed without having your brain switched on, even with the huge gaping plotholes as wide as the gorge itself. It's stupid CGI riddled fun.

The Roses (Amazon Prime Video)

This is a satirical black comedy based on the classic 1989 film The War Of The Roses, and sees Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Coleman as a married couple who over time drift apart and begin a campaign of escalating cruelty towards each other.

There are great central performances from the two British icons, and they set this one apart from others of its type to make it well worth a watch.

The Thursday Murder Club (Netflix)

Based on the international best selling novels by Richard Osman, The Thursday Murder Club is the first in what we can only imagine will be a string of films and TV adaptations.

Directed by the legendary Chris Columbus and with an all star cast of British film legends, this faithful adaptation was partly written by Osman himself has been a huge success for Netflix.

It's surely a must see for all fans of "cozy crime", just don't expect shootouts and explosions – it's more cake and bus passes.

The Woman In Cabin 10 (Netflix)

Keira Knightley stars in this straight to streaming Netflix mystery thriller about a travel writer who discovers a gruesome secret while travelling aboard a luxury cruise ship.

It was released with practically no promotion, but is a solid and functional thriller with a strong central performance.

The Woman In Cabin 10 does exactly what it sets out to do and a decent watch.

The Woman In The Yard (Now / Sky)

In this 2025 Blumhouse original film, a mysterious woman repeatedly appears in a family's front yard, often delivering chilling warnings and unsettling messages. This leaves them to question her identity, motives and the potential danger she might pose.

It's a solid mystery thriller with horror elements, and is lavish and visually striking. It also holds enough twists and turns to keep your attention.

It's not the scariest movie of all time, but a good entry point into the genre.

Thunderbolts* (Disney+)

The only Marvel movie in the current phase that didn't cost over $200 million to make is also considered one of the best in years.

Thunderbolts* carries on the ongoing saga of the MCU with the focus on some of the franchise’s lesser known, arguably peripheral characters.

It's darker and perhaps more thoughtful than previous instalments too, and seems more focused on the emotional and human elements of the characters than all out CGI battles. It's all the better for it.

Warfare (Amazon Prime Video)

When it comes to brutal reality in film, there is currently nobody quite like Alex Garland. Straight from helming his hit Civil War, he brought us Warfare.

Written by Garland and real life Iraq war veteran Ray Mendoza, the movie is based on the latter's own experiences, so is a brutal, violent and visceral glimpse into the terror and panic of modern infantry combat.

It's loud, shocking, and at no point willing to allow its audience respite. Raw honesty at its most cinematic.

Govee has just announced its first-ever collaboration with Disney ahead of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Zootopia 2, which hits theatres on 26th November. The partnership brings a playful twist to smart lighting, letting fans recreate the colourful world of Zootopia at home through themed lighting scenes.

Govee’s no stranger to big creative partnerships either. Since 2017, the brand has been redefining smart living with innovative, customisable lighting, and it’s previously teamed up with the Dallas Mavericks to elevate the at-home courtside experience and launched an upgraded TV Backlight 3 Lite in collaboration with Warner Bros.

“Lighting is an expression of joy,” said Eric Wu, CEO of Govee. “With our wide range of outdoor lights and DIY-friendly customisation options, families can easily create an atmosphere that perfectly captures any mood or occasion. Our collaboration with Zootopia 2 is all about sparking imagination, fostering family connections, and making every moment at home feel a little bit more magical.”

As part of the launch, users can access new lighting scenes inspired by Zootopia 2 characters such as Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde, Flash and Gary De’Snake. These effects can also be synced across multiple Govee lights using the SceneStage feature in the Govee Home app.

Supported devices include the Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights Prism, Curtain Lights Pro, Christmas Sparkle String Lights, Outdoor Garden Lights, and Outdoor UpDown Wall Light, meaning there are plenty of ways to experiment with themed displays.

Amongst all the big hitting sci-fi epics, crime dramas and, at this time of year, horror movies and shows, there's one series that really shines as something a bit different. As funny as it is clever, Only Murders in the Building has become a rip-roaring success on Hulu and Disney+ over the last few years – and now there's great news for fans.

Disney has announced that, with the finale of Season 5 having aired this week, Season 6 has been commissioned and will appear on its streaming service in the future. And the best news for those on this side of the pond – it'll be set in London this time around.

Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez will be heading to the UK to continue their podcast-related sleuthing, although we don't know yet who will join them on the overseas adventure.

I personally haven't seen the Season 5 finale – and even if I had, I wouldn't want to give you any spoilers, so don't currently know what the set up for the shift in location is. All that's likely is that there'll be guest stars and cameos from some of the finest movie and TV stars – hopefully a few Brits this time.

I would pay good money for Danny Dyer to pop up, that's for sure.

If you've not watched Only Murders in the Building yet, you have a treat to binge.

Three neighbours who seemingly have nothing in common apart from a love of true crime podcasts team up to solve a murder in their own building, and start a new podcast in the process. It's co-written by Martin, so is as funny as it is gripping. And it leaves you guessing each season until the very end.

You can see all five seasons (of 10 episodes each) on Disney+ now (Hulu in the US) and they range from 30 to 45 minutes apiece, so are great to rattle through.

Disney+ starts at £5.99 in the UK, and you can whip through all of the seasons easily in a month. It's definitely a good alternative to the rest of the streaming fare out there today.

Advent calendars used to be so simple – a basic cardboard diorama with serrated doors for each day. You flipped each open as the days rolled past to reveal a tiny picture of an angel or donkey.

The most fun you'd have is opening the one marked "24" on Christmas Eve, which was generally double-sized and almost always hid the nativity.

Expectations had to be tempered, but it was what the calendar represented that was the exciting bit – each reveal meant you were closer to the big day itself and, hopefully, a Scalextric set with the six-wheel Tyrell P34 as one of the racers.

Things are very different these days. You can get advent calendars sporting jewellery, makeup, scented candles, and beers behind each door. Even posh chocolates have become passé.

Lego is certainly one brand to capitalise on this, with its annual calendars hiding brick builds from several of its own and third-party licensed ranges. And it's Lego Star Wars calendar is arguably the most popular each year. However, there's a new luxury rival to help you countdown to Christmas, and it has the geek appeal to maybe steal Lego's crown.

Exclusive to the Disney Store is the Star Wars Lightsabers Advent Calendar, which seems to be even more exciting for franchise fans. That's because it gives you 12 replica Lightsabers, as used by characters in the movies – one every two days.

Each is presented in a mini transparent case and sat on a plinth, so you can display them after opening.

As well as a few others, there are lightsabers used by Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Kylo Ren and even Princess Leia. Details for them are printed on the back of each case.

In short, the set is nicely presented and would be a great present for any Star Wars fan. It costs £90 from the Disney Store, with shipping due to start later this week (from 25 October 2025).

Of course, it's not particularly festive as such, and doesn't feature anything like C-3PO in a holiday sweater (as featured in the 2025 Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar) but hey – who wouldn't want a lightsaber to help carve the Christmas turkey?

Bringing the Alien franchise to the small screen could have gone so badly, but Disney+ / Hulu's Alien: Earth is so respectful to Ridley Scott's 1979 masterpiece that it not only worked, it achieved a 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

That should ensure a second season, although we're still yet to hear confirmation. It also seems to have kickstarted the Alien movie franchise back into familiar territory. And its most important character might be on the cards for a comeback.

Sigourney Weaver has recently revealed that she's interested in reprising her role as Ellen Ripley in a new film.

Speaking during the recent New York Comic Con (via The Hollywood Reporter), she said that the first 50 pages of a draft script have given her food for thought: "Walter Hill is a very good friend of mine, and he wrote 50 pages where Ripley would be now, and they are quite extraordinary. I don’t know if it’s going to happen, but I have had a meeting with Fox, Disney, or whoever it is now," Weaver explained.

"I said I have never felt the need. I was always like, ‘Let her rest, let her recover.’ But what Walter has written seems so true to me."

The prospect of working with Hill on a new Ripley-lead Alien movie seems to be more tangible than ever before: "I think it’s a very strong first 50 pages, and I’m thinking about working with Walter to see what the rest of the story would be," she added.

A new Alien movie starring Sigourney Weaver, at last

Whether this comes to fruition is up to the Disney gods, it seems. There's certainly interest from Weaver, who has previously suggested that Alien Resurrection was her last.

In many ways, while Alien 3 turns out not to be as bad as I thought on its release in the 90s (possibly thanks to the Assembly Cut) and Alien Resurrection has its moments, nothing has matched Ripley's energy in the original and James Cameron's sequel, Aliens. It'd be great to see her bow out in a potentially better film.

Walter Hill has also helped steward the series since Scott's first movie, so if Weaver thinks his new vision is correct, there's no reason to think otherwise.

Here's hoping.

The rise of streaming has been nothing short of incredible. Netflix and Prime Video (formerly Lovefilm) just about got the ball rolling a couple of decades ago, the speed of growth in more recent times is extraordinary.

Then there are many, many alternatives that have popped up since, such as Disney+, Apple TV+, Paramount+ and a few others without "plus" in their names. It's a phenomenal amount of content at your fingertips – if you want to pay for it.

It's also a staggering amount of adverts you're likely to watch if you don't subscribe to the higher tiers.

That's the less welcome side of streaming services, with many offering cheaper ways to get shows and films into your home, as long as you don't mind watching waves of commercials.

There's perhaps an even less savoury side to that too – I've certainly noticed over the years that adverts on streaming platforms (and broadcast TV, to be honest) are played at a higher volume than the content the punctuate. This has always been intentional, as advertisers vie for your attention, but it can be particularly annoying to have to lunge for the remote each ad break.

Some TVs have measures to combat this, automatically adjusting the volume of advertising to mitigate the inconvenience, but many do not. Thankfully though, even if your set or sound system does not, it might be that we won't have to worry much longer.

The US state of California has passed a law that prohibits streaming services from transmitting adverts that have louder audio than the content they accompany. And that could send shock waves around the globe, with other regions considering following suit.

"We heard Californians loud and clear, and what's clear is that they don't want commercials at a volume any louder than the level at which they were previously enjoying a program," said California Governor Gavin Newsom (via the BBC) when he signed the new law.

Sadly, even in the state, viewers will still have to put up with aural discrepancies for a few months longer – the law doesn't come into effect until 1 July 2026. But it's a start.

And hopefully, as the services have to introduce their own technologies to standardise their volume output, it will be implemented elsewhere too.

There is a common misconception that sci-fi movies are all laser beams, spaceships and aliens, and are aimed at children and adults with way too much disposable income. This is not remotely the case.

Well, it is a bit. But the sci-fi genre is also far more than that. It's a blending of high-concept ideas and styles designed to enhance audience experiences. New stories that don't always stick to scientific tropes or realities, allowing the viewer to see fresh ideas and different perspectives.

Real sci-fi isn't afraid to take existing themes and modify them with an other-worldly twist.

You can take horror and set it in a future setting, you can take modern day urban drama and add a single character or element that turns it on its head, or you can take a historical biopic and mould it into alternative history.

Sci-fi movies can provide some of cinema's most shocking moments and memorable films, too.

Here then are three films that loosely fit into the sci-fi category, but also present something special, shocking and memorable.

Greenland, Prime Video

Greenland is a thriller that combines the tension of a 70s disaster movie with the scale and production we associate with a modern day sci-fi blockbuster. It finds the ever reliable Gerard Butler racing around the US with his family desperately trying to survive when faced with a planet killing comet that is hurtling towards Earth.

As cities across the globe are destroyed by mere fragments of the comet, Gerry and Co battle against the growing decline of civilisation, lawlessness, the greed and hatred of the human condition, and the overwhelming realisation that the end is very much nigh.

Greenland succeeds in its ambitions due to a really solid level of direction and a real understanding of tone. The film gradually ramps up the tension, leaving its audience shook and exhausted by the end.

Also, on a lighter note, Butler once again gives outstanding beard energy.

Signs, Disney+

Overshadowed by several of his other movies, such as The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable and, more recently, Knock At The Cabin, Signs was M Night Shyamalan's first venture into sci-fi territory.

With a small scale, rural American backdrop and a focus on family drama over explosive spectacle, the film outlines an Alien invasion from the viewpoint of one small group of people in a small corner of the Earth.

Although not ambitious in terms of scale, Signs is an absolute masterclass in terms of storytelling, pace and tone. Its script is,l in my opinion, one of the best examples of naturalistic writing, while perfect direction from the filmmaker makes it an absolute joy to watch, even 23 years later.

It can be funny, has real depth and emotion, and really delivers is in its use of the fear of the unknown. It also features some of the best jump scares in film. Signs is classic sci- fi, updated and done right.

Tell me it didn't shock you when you first watched that Brazilian home-made birthday video scene!

The End We Start From, Netflix

It's easy to believe that all sci-fi movies have to be lavish, expensive, CGI riddled epics that push the boundaries of cinema and are set thousands of years in the future. Thankfully, this isn't always the case, and it seems that dystopian science fiction is at its best when smaller in scale – much like The End We Start From.

It tells the simple story of a heavily pregnant woman trying to reach the safety of home after an ecological and environmental crisis. London is being sunk by rising floodwater, and the film tells this tale with gritty realism, both in terms of look and its overall tone.

The constantly amazing Jodie Comer tackles the lead and the movie seems determined to push her to her limits. Disaster after disaster strikes, obstacles are to be overcome and the feeling of dread is ever present.

The theme of apocalypse can sometimes be a cliche in science fiction, but instead of nuclear war or asteroids, we have the sad and depressing mundanity of slowly rising water caused by environmental collapse.

Tense, dark and depressing at times, The End We Start From tackles difficult themes well. Don't expect space aliens or lightsabers, but do expect to come away from it exhausted.

After many years of waiting, UK and European TV viewers will finally get the Hulu streaming service next week. Of sorts.

The 17-year old service will be available in multiple regions for the first time on 8 October, but you won't need a new subscription. That's because it will become part of the Disney+ streaming app internationally (with the US to follow next year).

The launch will be accompanied by a redesign of the Disney+ experience, with a fresh new look and the replacement of the current Star tile with Hulu.

Its inclusion will mean that there will be six brands available on the Disney+ homepage – Disney, Pixar, Star Wars, Marvel, National Geographic and Hulu.

Of course, not much will change content-wise – at least initially. Most of the shows available on Hulu in the States is already on Disney+ – such as Only Murders in the Building and A Thousand Blows. These will now be available under the Hulu tile.

The US redesign includes easy to reach sections for Disney+, Hulu and ESPN, although the latter is not applicable in other regions.

We're still waiting to see what the final version for the UK and Europe will look like, but stills of the new US homepage have been released. If they are an indication of what global subscribers can expect, we're all in for a treat

The top of the homescreen looks much cleaner, with a bigger area to showcase individual shows. You also get the other tiles further down the page – on their own rail.

Disney+ did go up in price in multiple regions recently, including the US and UK, but it's good to see that the service is moving forward – both in content and the way it is presented.

In the UK in fact, we also get a large amount of programming from local broadcasters, such as ITV and Channel 4. While not as exciting as Alien: Earth, say, I've particularly enjoyed binging my way through Car S.O.S. recently.

The service has certainly come a long way since its launch in the UK five years ago – and it's now far from being solely associated with Disney movies, Star Wars and the MCU.

Disney+ is flying when it comes to great shows and movies, with more on the way. Not only have we finally seen the finale of the stunning Alien: Earth, and are thoroughly enjoying season five of Only Murders in the Building, but Thunderbolts* has been added to the movie lineup, with The Fantastic Four: First Steps also on the horizon.

However. all this great new content comes at a cost... literally. After recently raising US subscription prices for its streaming service, Disney has now pushed the same to the UK.

As of yesterday, 30 September, a Disney+ Standard with Ads subscription costs £5.99 per month (from £4.99). That gives you access to 1080p streaming with 5.1 audio, but it's ad supported and doesn't include offline downloads.

A Disney+ Standard subscription also gets a £1 rise, to £9.99 per month. While the yearly plan goes from £89.90 to £99.99. The streaming quality is the same as the above, but you don't get adverts and can download shows and films on up to 10 devices.

Finally, the Disney+ Premium plan soars to £14.99 per month, with the yearly plan costing an extra £20 – now at £149.90 for the 12 months.

In addition to those, if you want to share your account with a family member in a different location, that'll now cost you £4.99 per month on top of the plan for Standard with Ads members, and £5.99 per month for the other two tiers.

Of course, if you already have an annual subscription and chose to renew it before 30 September, you won't have to pay the new prices until the paid-for period expires.

In all honesty, while this might come as an inconvenience to many subscribers on a limited budget, it's only a relatively small rise in comparison with some other bills – such as mobile networks and broadband providers. Especially considering the quality of programming that's been appearing on the platform of late.

But then, it is competing with a vast number of other streaming services, and so it's becoming harder to justify paying for more than one of them at a time. Which to choose is now coming down to individual shows.

The movie industry isn't exactly a stranger to remakes – just like in the world of gaming, it's becoming incredibly common for executives to dive into their grab-bag of existing franchises to see what could be ripe for a new version. It's not always the movies you expect, either, as proved by a new film coming to Disney+ very soon.

The Hand That Rocks the Cradle is hitting the streaming service on 22 October, and remakes a 1992 cult classic that you might have heard of, but I'd almost be surprised if you'd seen. The new film stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Maika Monroe, and it's pretty clear from the trailer that it'll go to some dark places as its plot unfolds.

Winstead plays Caitlin, a mother looking to hire a nanny to help with the challenge of rearing her first child, who comes across Polly (Monroe), who seems for all the world to be the perfect candidate, not least because of her impeccable recommendations from past clients. Caitlin hires Molly, and after a serene start it seems clear that cracks will start to show fairly quickly.

The trailer makes it obvious that something's not right with Molly, not least with her ability to ignore a crying baby that she's explicitly meant to be caring for, but it's also clear that Caitlin herself might have some secrets, too. This is a story all about manipulation and lies, and Molly's ability to win over the child in her care is key.

It also looks like it'll have at least two distinct time periods, too, with some scenes showing a young child and others showing a much older one – although I might be misinterpreting and there are actually two kids in question, something that should become easier to figure out either in subsequent trailers or when the movie hits Disney+.

Returning to my point, The Hand That Rocks the Cradle is an interesting choice for a remake, sitting on Rotten Tomatoes scores in the mid-60s from both critics and audiences to suggest it's not hated but isn't exactly widely beloved. Time will tell whether it's a masterful choice by the big brains at Disney, or a slightly pointless one.

Disney+ has announced yet another price hike for 2025, but seemingly only in the US for now.

Each plan on the service will go up by $2 or $3, including bundles that include Hulu, ESPN and/or HBO Max.

A support page on the Disney+ website explains that each of the prices will be raised on 21 October 2025, although customers can avoid paying the new fees by purchasing a yearly subscription beforehand. That will therefore cover 12 months access as the current cost.

The basic Disney+ plan, which includes ads, will rise to $11.99 per month (from $9.99), but doesn't have a yearly option so you can't save there. However, the Disney+ Premium plan, which doesn't have ads and includes Dolby Atmos audio, can currently be secured for $159.99 for a whole year. That will rise to $189.99 in October.

When paid for monthly, Disney+ Premium will increase to $18.99 per month (from $15.99).

Most Disney+, Hulu and ESPN bundles will see similar raises, as will Disney+, Hulu and HBO Max bundles.

Disney has plans to merge Disney+ with Hulu in the new year, while also introducing a Hulu rail into the streaming service in other regions, replacing Star.

The announcement of the price rise follows the release of the first trailer for The Mandalorian and Grogu, which Disney will hope will drive users back to its service to catch up on the three existing seasons.

The movie could also prove pivotal in attracting a new audience to Disney+.

As for a price hike for other regions, it has been known in the past that Disney slowly rolls out increases globally. Nothing has been announced as yet, but it does tend to work out that way.

Even when you keep super active tabs on what movies and series are heading to streaming services at all times, like I do for T3, there are ways for things to creep through the gaps. Last week I spent a series of days moving from Edinburgh down to the south, and that meant a few days without internet, and without the time to check up on the latest trailer uploads.

So, imagine my mild surprise when my YouTube algorithm helpfully served me up the trailer for Sacramento this week, almost as if it knew I'd missed that the movie's out now and available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu. That's right – it's not even coming soon, but rather can be watched right now.

The movie looks like a pretty charming little road-trip comedy with long-term friends Michael Cera and Michael Angarano navigating the challenges of ageing together – each facing their own little crisis about the fact that they're not as free as they used to be. In the background, Cera's character is married to Kristen Stewart, who seems to be a supportive presence late on in her pregnancy.

It's a simple setup, with Maya Erskine added in as an enigmatic romantic prospect for Angarano's character, but really the whole point of the movie is watching the two leads navigate a challenging time and come to a more mature viewpoint about what the next few years of their lives will look like. All this set against the backdrop of a beautiful drive through the Californian countryside.

If that doesn't persuade you, though, I have good news – the movie already had its big wave of reviews, and it looks really positive for it. Sacramento is sitting on a score of 84% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, which is fairly enviable, even if its audience score is a little more middling right now.

That suggests this could be a great one to add to your watchlist if you're on the lookout for easygoing movies that could take you through a pleasant evening without too much stress or world-ending tension.

Fresh from his success at the Emmys, having won directing, writing and best lead actor awards for Apple TV+'s The Studio, Seth Rogen has been hired by a rival streaming service to bring back a much-loved comedy classic.

Disney+ has secured his production company's services to make a new special episode of The Muppet Show – the first in over 44 years.

Rogen himself will reportedly produce it, with one guest confirmed already: controversial pop songstress Sabrina Carpenter. If successful, it is expected that the variety special will be turned into a full series.

All of the major Muppets are said to be returning, including Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear and Gonzo. And according to Deadline, the cast of puppeteers will include Dave Goelz, who has worked with The Muppets for more than 50 years.

How to watch The Muppet Show

Older readers will no doubt remember The Muppet Show, which aired on ITV from 1976 to 1981 in the UK. However, if you've never managed to catch an episode, and only know the madcap puppets from their numerous movies, all five original seasons are available to watch on Disney+ now.

It's a lesser known fact that their first appearance was actually in two made-for TV specials in the early 70s, and were created more for adult viewing than family – The Muppets Valentine Show and The Muppet Show: Sex and Violence. They're not on Disney+ but you can view them in their entirety on YouTube here and here.

As for a release schedule for the new one-off/pilot, Disney is yet to say and these are early days in its production. So we don't expect to see anything until 2026, really.

So head over to Disney+ and check out the original run in the meantime. You'll be surprised how well the episodes still hold up today.

The streaming game isn't just down to who you can lure in to front up your new series, but at the same time, it never hurts when one of the biggest and best streaming services on the market nabs an A-lister for a project. Disney+ last week provided the perfect case in point, in partnership with FX and Hulu: a trailer for its new series The Lowdown, which has Ethan Hawke in the lead role, looking like he's having a whale of a time.

The show will start on Disney+ (here in the UK) on 24 September, and in the US you'll be able to catch it in a few places depending on what memberships you have access to. It looks like a really fun and twisty mystery series, with Hawke at its heart as a unique character who might be more than a little magnetic to watch.

Hawke plays Lee Raybon, a local nut in Tulsa who has a penchant for uncovering crazy stories and conspiracies – with a somewhat unclear record as to whether those stories end up being true. He tries to place them in local papers with mixed success, and seems to be a magnet for trouble, whether in the form of the disgruntled subjects of his stories or full-on criminals.

He starts to suspect he's on to something big, though, when one of his pieces about a powerful local family seems to have consequences – the death of one of that family (Tim Blake Nelson). He leaves Lee a tranche of documents to go through, it would seem, and they pull him further into the story (to the likely detriment of his teenage daughter, who might be the more responsible half of their relationship).

There are some really fun names involved in the project aside from just Hawke (who's a blockbuster on his own). There's a role for Peter Dinklage as one of Lee's associates, and Twin Peaks' Kyle MacLachlan as another member of that powerful family (possibly an adversary, therefore).

Plus, crucially for discerning TV fans, the show has been created, executive produced, written, and directed by Sterlin Harjo, who did the same swathe of roles for the widely-acclaimed Reservation Dogs. That makes this a highly-awaited follow-up that could become a cult hit even if it doesn't break out into the mainstream, which it could!

If you're trying to make a list of the most bankable new stars of cinema, and you put an age limit of around 40 years old on it, to see who's really part of a new generation of powerful names, Glen Powell has to feature on it. Over the last few years he's gone from a fun background name to a leading actor, with a string of big hits – and now he's in a new Hulu and Disney+ series that looks like it could be supreme fun.

Chad Powers will star Powell as an aspiring college football (the American type, on this occasion) player called Russ Holliday whose plans go up in flames when his selfish attitude throws a championship or game for his team. He's forced into something of a life reset, but can't let the sport go, and comes up with a genuinely zany plan to get back into the game.

Inspired by the classic movie Mrs Doubtfire, Holliday decides to go to a combine to get himself picked by a team under a false name, with makeup and prosthetics to make him look as unrecognisable as he can manage. His new persona is called Chad Powers, and is a kindhearted soul from West Virginia who just so happens to be unbelievably talented at throwing a pigskin.

He manages to get into a team, and from there the game is all about consistency, both in terms of on-field performance and off-field acting. After all, the more attention you attract for your impressive sporting abilities, the more interviews and scrutiny you come under, and Holliday is clearly going to have his work cut out for him when it comes to getting through these.

It looks like Powell will be using his charm to the max, and his comic timing, too – something that he's already shown off in movies like Hit Man and Anyone But You. In fact, the disguises in Hit Man make it sort of a fit with this new series, in a funny sort of way, and should demonstrate that Powell is able to swing for the fences when he needs a fun performance.

The show's a Hulu production but that means, as we're familiar with by now, that it'll hit Disney+ at no extra cost here in the UK, which is always a welcome little boost. It's a great example of the sort of show that Disney+ needs, in my opinion, to make it stand out as more than just a destination for Marvel and Star Wars properties.

There's little doubt that the Marvel Cinematic Universe lost its way over the last few years, with more flops than hits both in theatres and on TV. The Marvels sank without much trace, while Captain America: Brave New World barely made a splash before finding a home on Disney+.

And, as good as some thought they were, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, Secret Invasion and Echo seemed to be victims of viewer exhaustion.

But things seem to be on the up. Deadpool's first MCU outing was a box office success, while Daredevil: Born Again was a much welcomed return for the man without fear, and Thunderbolts* reinvigorated interest in the franchise with a witty, sharp take on the superhero group.

Scored a mighty 93% by viewers on Rotten Tomatoes, Marvel's loose take on the Suicide Squad was clearly loved on its cinematic release, and you can very soon find out why yourself as it's about to hit Disney+ at last.

Variety reports that the Florence Pugh, David Harbour starrer will arrive on the streaming service next week, from 27 August 2025.

It's already available to rent or buy via services like Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video, but this will be the first time that you'll be able to watch it at no extra cost (beyond a Disney+ subscription).

You never know, it might reinvigorate your interest in the MCU again – much like it has many others. After all, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is doing the round in cinemas today and also looks the bees knees. Maybe Marvel is back in form. Let's hope so.

How much is Disney+?

There are three Disney+ tiers in the UK, with varying levels of access at different price points.

Disney+ Standard with Ads is supported by commercials and presents all content in 1080p and with 5.1 audio. You can stream on up to two devices simultaneously, but there's no offline viewing included. It costs just £4.99 per month.

Disney+ Standard offers the same picture and audio quality, but adds offline viewing on up to 10 devices. That costs £8.99 per month, £89.90 for a whole year.

Disney+ Premium is the flagship tier with 4K HDR (Dolby Vision) video and up to Dolby Atmos audio. It also expands simultaneous streams to four devices, and includes offline viewing too. It is priced at £12.99 per month (£129.90 for a year).

Some regions, including the US, have slightly different plans so check with your local version for more information.

The world of streaming, whether you subscribe to one of the best streaming services on the market or one of the lesser-known alternatives, is a tough one to navigate if you don't want to miss out on the best shows. After all, to watch them all you'd probably need subscriptions to a whole heap of different platforms, which could be a bit of a pain in the behind.

Case in point – despite a few years of good intentions, I've never seen an episode of Only Murders in the Building, the hit comedy mystery show. It's now back for a fifth season on Disney+ and Hulu, depending on where you live, and the trailer for that season underlines how much I've been missing out.

Selena Gomez, Martin Short and Steve Martin are all back in the starring roles as three residents of what has become America's most famously deadly apartment building. There's been yet another murder, or at least they think there has – the trailer makes it clear that a cover-up might be part of this season's plot.

As always, some huge celebrity guest stars are gracing the season to act as potential villains for our heroes to haphazardly sort through as they collect clues. This time there are multiple multi-Oscar winners on board, too, which is quite something: Meryl Streep is here, as is Christoph Waltz – that's a fairly unbelievable calibre of guest star, you have to say.

Quite how things will turn out is anyone's guess, and it's my understanding that therein lies the entire pleasure of Only Murders, as its characters collect clues at the same pace as the audience learns them. Of course, there's also the additional joy of seeing a couple of comedic legends in the form of Short and Martin, bouncing off the surprisingly superb foil that is Gomez.

All of this is to say that, once again, I'm convinced I need to watch this show. The new season starts on 9 September, but given I'm starting from nothing, there's no real reason to wait around. Now I just need to find some time to actually watch the thing...

I spend a lot of time monitoring new releases and trailers from the biggest and best streaming services on the market, and one major trend that has been impossible to ignore in the last few years has been the popularity of sci-fi franchises. Still, that doesn't mean that it's the only genre the big streamers are investing in.

Each of them seems to have at least one big fantasy franchise on the go as well, from Prime Video's The Rings of Power to Netflix's The Sandman – and Disney+ is a big contender on this front. A couple of weeks ago, it unveiled the first teaser for the second season of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, and I completely missed it. The trailer is well worth a look, though!

The trailer confirms what any fan of the first season likely already knows – Percy will be back at Camp Half-Blood to continue his education in what it means to be the son of a god, and to continue to develop his rather unique powers. Rather than a summer of uninterrupted learning and training, though, he'll soon be pulled into another messy and action-packed adventure.

This season is based on the second book in the long-running franchise, The Sea of Monsters, and that means it takes on the realm of Poseidon. Percy has much to learn, not least the fact that he has a cyclops for a brother, while the threat of Kronos continues to loom closer and closer over the camp. The book unsurprisingly has a more nautical theme, given its main setting is the aforementioned sea.

After the misfire that was the big-screen cinema adaptation of the series, this streaming series seems to be doing much better – and hopefully has more of a chance of actually getting through the whole list of books without getting cancelled. That's always a risk when long-running franchises get adapted, and it would be a shame if it happened for a second time here.

Based on this trailer, though, Percy Jackson fans should feel pretty confident about at least the next run of episodes – they're looking nice and premium.

Generally speaking, when leaks start to spread about a big-budget adaptation heading to one of the biggest and best streaming services out there, you have to take them with quite a big pinch of salt. You never know who the source might be, if there even is one, after all.

In this case, though, while we haven't been able to see the page in question for ourselves, it looks a lot like huge videogame publisher Ubisoft might have spoiled its own news by publishing a web page early – and leaked its own project. The page was apparently live long enough for a good few people to have viewed it and spread the story, before promptly disappearing.

What was the page? Well, it was a press release announcing a partnership between Ubisoft and FX to work on adapting the Far Cry game series into a TV show. That's pretty exciting, and the fact that FX's shows generally air on Disney+ means that it could be a really big new series for that streamer.

The show will apparently be structured as an anthology series, with each season telling a story divorced from the ones that go before and after it. That's pretty apt, since it's how the game series has also unfolded, with no direct sequels other than some pretty chunky expansions and DLC episodes.

It also means that we might see some truly memorable villains from gaming make their way to the silver screen – Far Cry's baddies have always tended towards the psychopathic, and form a big chunk of the appeal of each new game.

What setting is chosen first is a mystery, though, as the release didn't go into much detail on what we'd see, or how long it might take to materialise. Or, at least, the people who saw the release while it was live haven't said anything about that side of things.

It's still entirely possible that this isn't something that ever gets officially confirmed – who knows if Ubisoft just drafted a release in case the agreement did move forward. Still, it's quite a lot of smoke for there to be no fire at all, so don't be surprised if you see a more official rollout of this news pretty soon.

Years in the making, Alien: Earth will debut on Disney+ this week, with the first two episodes arriving on the streaming service on Wednesday 13 August. I've seen them and all I can say right now is that you're in for a hell of a ride.

From the opening scenes of the first episode, it's clear that the show exhibits its love of the original, 1979 Alien on its sleeve. And that continues to be apparent throughout. It's a show made by fans for fans, and is arguably Disney+'s finest sci-fi series outside of Star Wars.

However, as good and important it is to the 46-year franchise, it may never have been made if it wasn't for the rise of streaming platforms. Streaming has allowed filmmakers to be more experimental and tell extended stories, whether that be longer form cinema or episodic programming. It's something I discussed with two of the stars of the new show, Babou Ceesay (Morrow) and Samuel Blenkin (Boy Kavelier).

"I heard Martin Scorsese talking about the Irishman saying that he wouldn't have had the opportunity to make it if it wasn't for a streaming service – in that case, Netflix," said Ceesay.

"It's the way people are consuming content. You go where the audience goes. And with respect, I live in Africa and I wouldn't have access to terrestrial channels over there. So for me, it keeps me connected to the rest of the world.

"I'm a big fan of streaming services."

It also brings more jobs for actors to the table.

"Well, for now," added Blenkin.

"Yeah, for now. AI acting is coming in soon. So this is probably an awesome swan song," Ceesay jokingly concluded.

Alien: Earth will be far from a swan song, hopefully. Indeed, the duo revealed hopes that sequel could be on the table. Certainly, from what I've seen so far, it screams out for one (although in space, no-one can hear you scream, of course).

Hopefully it'll also inspire new Alien movies. And I hope the tone – being set between Alien and Aliens, with 70s-inspired set and tech design – continues. There is, after all, just one true Alien film, as Ceesay and Blenkin agree.

"You're aware that Scott produced this show?" Ceesay said.

"There's only one," exclaimed Blenkin. "The Original!"

"If James Cameron was the producer of this, then maybe the second one," laughed Ceesay.

The first two episodes of Alien: Earth will be available on Disney+ in the UK, Hulu in the US from Wednesday 13 August 2025. Each of the following eight episodes will be released on subsequent Wednesdays.

No sooner have we seen the finale of one of the best sci-fi series in many years than a sequel has started filming.

The Handsmaid's Tale was supposedly done and dusted. Episode 10 of season 6 was always meant to be the last – providing a definitive (if not controversial) ending to the entire "handmaid's tale".

However, reports are that the sequel is now in production in Canada, with major character Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd) having been spotted on the streets of Dundas.

According to local news source, The Hamilton Spectator, Dowd was seen in an SUV outside a picturesque house in the area, having recently shot a scene.

What is the sequel to The Handsmaid's Tale?

Of course, the fact there's a TV sequel to The Handmaid's Tale shouldn't come as that much of a surprise – author Margaret Atwood did write a follow-up novel after all. And this new series will be based on The Testaments, as it's called.

In fact, Hulu announced back in 2019 that a continuation of the story had been greenlit – but considering so many episodes and seasons of the original were still to be made, plans were largely forgotten.

One person that is highly unlikely to appear in the new show is Elisabeth Moss, who finished June Osborne's story at the end of season 6. Indeed, the second novel also switches attention to Aunt Lydia, along with Agnes Jemima (AKA June's daughter Hannah), and new character known simply as Daisy.

Still, it may answer some of the questions that were left hanging at the end of The Handmaid's Tale. Not least what happens to Hannah after the fall of Gilead.

Where you'll be able to watch The Testaments

As with The Handmaid's Tale, it is probable that The Testaments will be available to watch on Hulu in the US. However, it's highly likely that the service will have been integrated with Disney+ by the time of release.

The rights to The Handmaid's Tale were a bit different in the UK. The run was streamed on Amazon Prime Video, with terrestrial broadcasts handled by Channel 4. But considering Hulu will also become a part of Disney+ in the UK and other regions in the coming months, it would not be surprising to learn that The Testaments will be available on that streaming service instead.

That's also likely to be the case with other regions in which Disney+ operates.

One of my favourite unsung movies of recent years was 2019's Ready or Not, a brilliantly fun, gory thriller that was unafraid of committing to its ideas, and it gave me a real appreciation for Samara Weaving, who starred in it. Now she's back with what looks like another really engaging genre flick, and it'll hit Disney+ this month, on 22 August.

Eenie Meanie looks like a rip-roaring ride of a movie, with Weaving starring as Edie, a specialist getaway driver who's just about the best in the business. Her one weakness is a now-ended relationship with John (Karl Glusman), who's landed himself in seriously hot water and some major debts, as the trailer below explains.

He owes millions of dollars to a major crime lord, played with glee by none other than Andy Garcia, and the only way she can disentangle herself from the whole affair is by helping him make good. How to do that? Why, the simple matter of a casino heist, of course. Nothing could be simpler – except that this job looks more than a little challenging.

That's only enhanced by the fact that the only car she has access to is an old banger, which means she'll need to do a little bit of team-building. That's just about the most classic part of a heist movie, for me. Driving out of a casino (literally) with millions in cash means you need some help, after all.

So, with the addition of some side characters to help with different parts of the job, and the enthusiastic but slightly slapdash help of John himself, Edie looks like she's going to take on the heist. All of this seems fun enough, but what's most exciting are the glimpses of car chases that we get in the trailer, which shows enough to make me hope there are a good handful of them to enjoy.

In fact, it's all extremely reminiscent of Edgar Wright's tremendous Baby Driver, which also featured a getaway driver in the main role, and boasted some amazing driving choreography. If Eenie Meanie can get anywhere near that level, it'll be a huge hit for Disney+, you'd have to say.