The Binge-Watch List: Movies and Series to Tune In to this January

In the last month of 2021, we’ve seen cinemas going back into full swing, and at the current moment, there’s no sign of them slowing down. The first month of 2022 promises to be filled with great entertainment content from both the silver screens and the streaming platforms

Continue reading to discover the films and shows that are January’s must-watch.

Movies

1. House of Gucci

In theatres on 13 January

Perhaps the most anticipated release of all for this month is Ridley Scott’s House of Gucci. Based on Sara Gay Forden’s The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed, the on-screen adaptation will bring you exactly that.

Lady Gaga, who portrays Patrizia Reggiani, and Jared Leto, who plays the character of Paolo Gucci, have both received critical acclaim for their performance on the film. Alongside them are Adam Driver (Maurizio Gucci), Jeremy Irons (Rodolfo Gucci), and Al Pacino (Aldo Gucci).

Although the real-life house of Gucci opposed to the creation of this crime-drama film, it has already achieved theatrical success, already banking almost US$130 million.

2. The 355

In theatres on 13 January

The next all-girls spy action film is coming this month, and it stars Jessica Chastain, Lupita Nyong’o, Diane Kruger, Penélope Cruz, and Fan Bingbing.

Chastain told Deadline that she “love[s] the Bourne movies, the Mission: Impossible films, and wondered why, except for Charlie’s Angels, there hadn’t been a trye female ensemble action-thriller spy film.” This film aspires to bridge the gap that franchises such as The Bourne Identity, James Bond, and Mission: Impossible have left the male-dominated genre with.

The 355 follows a group of international spies who work together to stop a terrorist organisation from starting the third World War.

3. Hotel Transylvania: Transformania

Streaming on Amazon Prime on 14 January

Also known as Hotel Transylvania 4, this instalment of the franchise will bring to you a never-before-seen twist to this cartoon family dynamic, where the human, Johnny, becomes a monster, while the vampire, mummy, werewolves, and other monsters turn into a human. Following the switch, the group is on a quest to reverse the effects before their transformations become permanent.

Although Adam Sandler no longer voice the character of Count Dracula, Andy Samberg and Selena Gomez continue to voice the other lead characters.

4. Riverdance: The Animated Adventure

Streaming on Netflix on 14 January

Originally released in the United Kingdom by Sky Cinema, Riverdance: The Animated Adventure is coming to Netflix.

Based on the Irish Riverdance, the animated film follows a young Irish boy named Keegan (Sam Hardy), who’s been at a heart loss after his grandfather (Pierce Brosnan) passed away. He and his Spanish friend Moya (Hannah Herman Cortes) go on a journey to a magical world to learn about Riverdance as well as the dangers of the Hunstman.

Lilly Singh, Brendan Gleeson, and Aisling Bea are also amongst the voice cast.

5. Redeeming Love

In theatres on 21 January

Just the right movie to get you into that Valentine’s day mood. Based on a historical romance novel of the same title, the story is about the relentless love and perseverance of a young couple against the backdrop of the American Old West during the California Gold Rush.

The movie stars Abigail Cowen as Angel, Tom Lewis as Michael Hosea, Famke Janssen as Duchess, and Nina Dobrev as Mae.

6. The King’s Daughter

In theatres on 21 January

Based on a novel that beat George R. R. Martin’s A Game of Thrones for the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1997, The King’s Daughter is a fantastical adventure film that is narrated by Dame Julie Andrews and stars Pierce Brosnan as King Louis XIV, Kaya Scodelario as Marie-Josèphe, Benjamin Walker as Yves De La Croix, and Fan BingBing as the Mermaid.

In this movie, the King captures and steals the life force of a mermaid, believing that he can achieve immortality. However, a discovery made by his daughter puts a halt to his plans. Conspiracy ensues, as Marie-Josèphe attempts to release the sentient creature.

Series

7. The House

Streaming on Netflix on 14 January

Animation is not only for the young. In Netflix’s stop-motion dark comedy anthology series The House, each chapter depicts three different and surreal tales of the individuals who made the residence their home.

The show will take viewers across different generations, featuring a poor family in one episode, an anxious developer in the next, and a fed-up landlady in the other.

8. The Green Planet

Premieres on UnifiTV channel 501 and BBC Player 10 January

With environmentalism being at the forefront across 2021, let’s kickstart the new year with BBC’s The Green Planet. Presented by famed natural historian Sir David Attenborough, this five-part series takes its viewers on a journey into the secret, unseen lives of floras, and how—in their own nature—act like animals.

Through the use of pioneering new filmmaking technology, The Green Planet reveals the enigmatic and never-before-seen world of plants.

9. Snowpiercer Season 3

Premieres on Netflix on 25 January

The eternal engine continues to march on. In the third season of this dystopian thriller, we are launched six months into the future following the final episode of season two.

Here, Layton (played by Daveed Diggs), continues to scour the globe for hospitable conditions, while Wilford (played by Sean Bean) remains in hot pursuit. With Melanie (played by Jennifer Connelly) missing in action, Snowpiercer’s fate is up in the air.

10. The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window

Premieres on Netflix on 28 January

The thrill just doesn’t end. In this dark comedy thriller series, the heartbroken Anna (played by Kristen Bell) people-watch alone from the comforts of her house. But things change when a handsome man, Neil (played by Tom Riley) joins the neighbourhood.