As the festive season approaches, streaming services are unwrapping a bumper selection of new and classic content for UK audiences. From highly anticipated franchise returns to poignant director's cuts and landmark anniversaries, December's schedule is packed with viewing options.
Major Franchise Returns and New Series
Netflix leads the charge with several high-profile releases. The streaming giant debuts 'The Abandons' on 4 December 2025, a western saga focusing on class divides and a power struggle for resource-rich land, starring Gillian Anderson and Lena Headey. Later in the month, on 12 December, Daniel Craig reprises his role as the southern detective Benoit Blanc in 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery'. The film, featuring an all-star cast including Glenn Close and Jeremy Renner, sees Blanc investigating the murder of a New York priest.
Also on Netflix, Rowan Atkinson returns to his physical comedy roots in 'Man vs Baby' from 11 December, while Prime Video delivers the second season of the critically acclaimed video game adaptation, 'Fallout', on 17 December. Season two will see Ella Purnell's vault dweller and other characters venture to the iconic, ruined location of New Vegas.
Notable Films and Cultural Highlights
Disney+ offers a treat for music fans with 'Taylor Swift: The End of an Era', a six-part documentary series about her record-breaking Eras Tour, available from 12 December. The platform also marks a major cinematic anniversary, as the original 'Back to the Future' film turns 40 this year, with the entire trilogy available to stream.
On Binge, a new adaptation of Peter Shaffer's play 'Amadeus' arrives on 21 December, starring Paul Bettany as Salieri and Will Sharpe as Mozart. For film purists, HBO Max presents the director's cut of Peter Weir's 'Picnic at Hanging Rock' (1975), which is notably seven minutes shorter than the original theatrical release. The platform also adds Barry Jenkins' Oscar-winning masterpiece 'Moonlight' on 15 December.
Platform Spotlights and Honourable Mentions
Stan brings a slice of culinary artistry with the documentary 'Jiro Dreams of Sushi' from 8 December, profiling the legendary 100-year-old chef Jiro Ono. It also hosts the new Australian comedy 'Sunny Nights', starring Will Forte and D'Arcy Carden, from 26 December.
ABC iview offers a nostalgia trip by making all four seasons of the seminal Australian drama 'The Secret Life of Us' (2001-2005) available now. SBS On Demand caters to world cinema fans with the French coming-of-age cheese-making drama 'Holy Cow'.
Other key releases include Brad Pitt's Formula One film 'F1' on Apple TV (12 December), the cyber-thriller 'The Copenhagen Test' on Binge (27 December), and the festive comedy 'Oh. What. Fun.' starring Michelle Pfeiffer on Prime Video now.
With such a diverse array of content spanning gritty westerns, intricate mysteries, celebrated documentaries, and restored classics, streaming services are ensuring viewers have plenty to enjoy throughout the holiday period and beyond.
