Welcome to Streaming Rewind, a weekly breakdown of the new and noteworthy as we work to help readers wade through the absolute deluge of television series and movies in the streaming space.
Somehow, December returned. With it comes several new series while shows like Apple TV+’s Silo and ABC/Hulu’s Abbott Elementary keep chugging along with their respective seasons. Here’s a look at what you can dig into this week if you somehow have time on top of all of the other things you’re watching and playing!
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew (Disney+)
Like Andor, we’re all going to collectively agree that we’re not saying the “Star Wars” part, right? Either way, the newest Star Wars series is on Disney+ this week. Skeleton Crew follows a group of kids on a misadventure through the galaxy, featuring Jude Law and a band of space pirates, as well as a mysterious planet no one seems to have heard of. The reviews are overwhelmingly positive. Everyone at IGN seems to really enjoy it too. And then there’s me, the TV grump, continuing to grouse over the fact that we don’t make pilots anymore and TV is worse off for it. Anyway, it’s basically another eight-hour movie situation. If that bugs you less than it bugs me you’ll probably have an OK time, even with the series wanting to imitate that good ol’ Amblin feeling with a fourth of the charm.
Creature Commandos (Max)
You waited very patiently, so I suppose you may have the start of the DCU as a treat. While Creature Commandos is an animated series and the live-action kick-off will be with James Gunn’s upcoming Superman film, the Max series is a fun one because the voices of the characters will play them both in the animated version of the series and their live-action versions in their appearances throughout the rest of the DCU. Funner still for Harley Quinn fans: Alan Tudyk will be reprising his role as Clayface here as well. Given Gunn’s proclivity for lovable misfits and success in bringing little-known (anti)heroes into canon, you should definitely move this one up on your watch list.
Juror #2 (Available to Rent)
The devil works hard, but Nicholas Hoult works harder. He’s dominating the second half of 2024 with Juror #2, The Order and Nosferatu (and will be coming your way next year in Superman as the wretched Lex Luthor). In Clint Eastwood's latest — and reportedly last — film, Hoult plays a morally conflicted juror in a high-profile murder case. If you’re looking for some prestige this week, you’ll be able to rent this bad boy wherever you do movie renting.
Squid Game Season 1 (Netflix)
Yes, yes, I am putting an older title on the list again, but it’s for your benefit. Squid Game Season 2 is right around the corner and how much of the highly acclaimed series do you actually remember from two years ago? Now’s your chance to catch up before Lee Jung-Jae returns to our living rooms and lives as Seaong Gi-hun for Squid Game’s second season.
New and Notable This Week
- Star Wars: Skeleton Crew — December 2 (Disney+)
- Juror #2 (Clint Eastwood’s latest film) — December 3 (On Demand)
- Smile 2 — December 3 (Paramount+)
- Creature Commandos — December 5 (Max)
- Beetlejuice Beetlejuice — December 6 (Max)
- The Sticky — December 6 (Prime Video)
- Speak No Evil — December 6 (Peacock)
- The People’s Joker — December 6 (MUBI)
- Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story — December 7 (Max)
