If you've spent the last ten minutes scrolling through the Netflix homepage until the trailer previews start to feel like a fever dream, I get it. We’re deep into January 2026, and the "post-holiday slump" is hitting the streaming giants hard. Or at least, that’s what it looks like on the surface. Honestly, there's actually a massive amount of high-heat content dropping right now if you know where to look.
From a gritty Ben Affleck and Matt Damon reunion to a long-awaited return to Westeros, the schedule for whats new on streaming this week is surprisingly stacked. We aren't just talking about filler content or those obscure European procedurals that usually populate the mid-month slots. This week is about heavy hitters and high-budget swings.
The Big One: Affleck and Damon’s Gritty Return in The Rip
Forget the "Air" vibes for a second. The Rip, which hit Netflix on Friday, January 16, is a different beast entirely. It’s a crime thriller that feels like a throwback to the 90s heist movies we all claim they don't make anymore.
The plot centers on a team of Miami cops who stumble upon a literal mountain of cash in a derelict stash house. Naturally, everything goes south immediately. Trust evaporates. People start making very bad decisions. Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are together again, but don't expect the brotherly love of Good Will Hunting. This is cynical, dusty, and incredibly tense. It’s easily the biggest movie to land on the platform since the start of the year.
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Why everyone is talking about the tone
Most critics, including the team at Tom’s Guide, have noted that this isn't your typical "Netflix Original" action flick. It’s got a "gritty" texture that feels more like a theatrical release than a weekend stream. If you’re into movies like Training Day or Triple Frontier, this is your Saturday night sorted.
Returning to the World of Westeros: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, Sunday, January 18, is the day marked in red on your calendar. HBO Max is finally premiering A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
This isn't House of the Dragon. You won't see twenty different CGI lizards burning down cities. Instead, this is based on George R.R. Martin’s "Dunk and Egg" novellas. It’s a smaller, more character-driven story set about a century before the original series. It follows Ser Duncan the Tall (a massive, naive knight) and his tiny squire, Egg.
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- The Vibe: More "adventure of the week" than "political backstabbing."
- The Stakes: Personal and local, which is a refreshing change of pace for this franchise.
- The Release: Episodes drop weekly, so don't expect to binge the whole thing by Monday morning.
What Else is Hitting the Small Screen?
While the big movies take the headlines, the TV side of whats new on streaming this week is where the "hidden gems" are hiding.
Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials (Netflix)
Mia McKenna-Bruce and Helena Bonham Carter star in this new mystery miniseries. It’s written by Chris Chibnall, the guy who gave us Broadchurch. If you like a classic "whodunnit" with a bunch of wealthy people in a big house being terrible to each other, this is a must-watch. It dropped on January 15, so the spoilers are already starting to leak onto X (formerly Twitter).
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy (Paramount+)
This one is polarizing. It’s basically Star Trek meets a teen drama. Holly Hunter stars as Captain Nahla Ake, and Paul Giamatti is playing the villain. It’s a bold swing for Paramount+, focusing on the younger generation of cadets. The first two episodes landed on January 15. If you're a purist, you might hate the "high school" energy, but the production value is undeniably high.
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Tell Me Lies Season 3 (Hulu/Disney+)
The toxic relationship drama everyone loves to hate is back. Lucy and Stephen are back together, and if the first two seasons taught us anything, it’s that this will end in a total psychological train wreck. It’s addictive, messy, and perfect for a mid-week binge.
Subscription Creep: The News You Won't Like
It wouldn’t be a week in 2026 without a price hike, right? Spotify just announced they’re bumping their U.S. prices by another $1 to $2 starting next month. This follows a trend we've seen across Netflix, Max, and Disney+ recently.
We’re getting to a point where "cord-cutting" actually costs more than the old cable packages did. If you're trying to save a few bucks, now is the time to look at those "one-month-and-cancel" strategies. Sign up for Max for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, watch it, then bounce.
Pro-Tips for Your Weekend Watchlist
- Watch "A Big Bold Beautiful Journey" on Netflix. It’s a Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell rom-com with a sci-fi twist. It was a theatrical release last year that just hit streaming on January 17.
- Check out "Twinless" on Hulu. It’s a dark comedy starring Dylan O'Brien that explores grief in a way that is somehow both hilarious and devastating.
- Finish "The Upshaws" Part 7. This is the final run for Mike Epps’ sitcom on Netflix. It’s solid, reliable comfort food TV.
Actionable Next Steps
To make the most of whats new on streaming this week, start by prioritizing the "weekly" drops first to avoid spoilers on social media. Set your HBO Max (Max) notifications for Sunday night for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. If you’re looking for a one-and-done movie experience, download The Rip for offline viewing if you're traveling. Lastly, check your recurring subscriptions; with the new Spotify hike and recent Hulu adjustments, it's a good time to prune any services you haven't touched since December.