Feel like your holiday watchlist could use a little more grit? December isn’t all about candy canes and cheerful specials—this month’s streaming releases are diving into the darker side of entertainment. It’s the perfect time to switch things up and settle in for something bold.
Our TV buffs at Russell’s Appliance & Electronics have gathered this month’s top titles – so get those watchlists ready and let’s go!
What’s Streaming on Netflix?
- That Christmas (Dec. 3): A historic snowstorm throws everyone’s Christmas plans into chaos—including Santa’s—in this festive and heartwarming tale.
- Subservience (Dec. 4): Megan Fox stars as Alice, an advanced AI brought into a family’s home. But when her behavior becomes dangerous, they must grapple with trust and the darker side of technology.
- Black Doves (Dec. 4): Set against the glittering yet dangerous backdrop of London at Christmastime, this gripping spy thriller follows Helen Webb (Keira Knightley), a wife, mother, and covert operative. When her secret lover is assassinated, Helen is thrust into a high-stakes game of betrayal and survival. Forced to team up with her old friend Sam Young (Ben Whishaw), a charming but deadly assassin, she uncovers a conspiracy that links London’s criminal underworld to a looming geopolitical crisis.
- One Hundred Years of Solitude (Dec. 10): Generations of love, betrayal, and magical realism come alive in this adaptation of Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude, set in the mythical town of Macondo.
- Maria (Dec. 10): Angelina Jolie delivers a stunning performance as Maria Callas, capturing the legendary soprano’s struggles with fading fame, her legacy, and the sacrifices she made for her art.
- No Good Deed (Dec. 11): From the creator of Dead to Me comes a dark comedy series that follows three families vying to purchase the same charming 1920s Spanish-style villa, each believing it will solve their unique problems. As the competition intensifies, the current owners, played by Lisa Kudrow and Ray Romano, grapple with their own secrets tied to the house. The ensemble cast includes Linda Cardellini, Luke Wilson, Teyonah Parris, and Abbi Jacobson.
- Carry On (Dec. 12): A TSA agent, played by Taron Egerton, is forced to let a dangerous package onto a Christmas Day flight, plunging him into a tense battle to prevent catastrophe while navigating deception and high-stakes consequences.
- Six Triple Eight (Dec. 19): This powerful film tells the true story of the 6888th Battalion, the only all-Black, all-female unit to serve overseas during World War II, as they cleared a massive mail backlog to boost soldiers' morale and leave an enduring legacy of determination and service.
What’s Streaming on Prime Video?
- The Sticky (Dec. 5): Inspired by the real-life Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist, Margo Martindale stars as Ruth Landry, a Canadian maple syrup farmer who, fed up with the oppressive syrup cartel, assembles a ragtag team to pull off the heist of the century: stealing the country's multimillion-dollar maple syrup surplus.
- The Bikeriders (Dec. 9): Set in the 1960s Midwest, this gritty drama follows the rise of the Vandals Motorcycle Club through Kathy’s eyes (Jodie Comer), as the group transforms from outsiders to a dangerous gang. Austin Butler delivers a standout performance as Benny, embodying the rebellious spirit of the era in a tale of loyalty, identity, and power.
- Beau is Afraid (Dec. 12): Joaquin Phoenix stars in a surreal, darkly funny story about a man battling anxiety and his fraught relationship with his mother. It’s unsettling, emotional, and completely unforgettable.
What’s Streaming on Hulu?
- Selena + Restaurant (Dec. 2): In this next chapter of her cooking journey, Selena Gomez trades her home kitchen for the pros, taking on new culinary challenges and adventures.
- Dead Sea (Dec. 5): A young woman and her friends survive a fatal accident at sea but are rescued by a fishing boat hiding dark secrets that turn their salvation into a nightmare.
- Summer Camp (Dec. 5): Diane Keaton, Kathy Bates, and Alfre Woodard reunite as lifelong friends returning to their childhood summer camp. Old memories, laughs, and new challenges make for a heartwarming trip.
- The Convert (Dec. 6): In 1830s New Zealand, a former soldier searching for peace is pulled into a clash between Māori chiefs and British colonists, forcing him to choose sides in a fight for redemption.
- Blink (Dec. 16): A Canadian family creates vivid memories for their kids, who are slowly losing their sight to a rare condition, in this inspiring documentary about resilience and love.
- Darkness of Man (Dec. 19): Jean-Claude Van Damme stars as a former Interpol agent who must protect the son of a murdered informant while battling a violent gang and his own dark past.
- The Inheritance (Dec. 19): A young lawyer discovers her late father’s hidden prisoner, unraveling a web of lies that forces her to face tough moral questions and her family’s secrets.
- Amber Alert (Dec. 27): Two strangers, played by Hayden Panettiere and Tyler James Williams, find themselves on a tense pursuit of a vehicle tied to a child abduction, facing fear and tough choices along the way.
What’s Streaming on Everything Else?
- Star Wars: Skeleton Crew (Dec. 2 – Streaming on Disney+): Four kids stranded in the galaxy must rely on each other—and a mysterious Force-user (Jude Law)—to find their way home in this thrilling adventure.
- Fly Me to the Moon (Dec. 5 – Streaming on Apple TV+): During the Apollo 11 mission, a marketing expert (Scarlett Johansson) is hired to give NASA a fresh image. When her bold ideas clash with a launch director (Channing Tatum), things spiral as the White House pitches a shocking plan: faking the moon landing.
- Nature of the Crime (Dec. 9 – Streaming on Max): This documentary follows three men nearing parole hearings after decades in prison, exploring their rehabilitation, crimes, and what justice really means.
- Dream Productions (Dec. 10 – Streaming on Disney+): Inside Riley’s dream studio, a glitter-obsessed director teams up with an ambitious daydreamer to create the next tween sensation in this mockumentary-style comedy.
- Bookie S2 (Dec. 11 – Streaming on Max): In Season 2, a Los Angeles bookie faces chaos as legal sports betting threatens his livelihood. Juggling shady clients, family drama, and risky bets, he fights to keep his world intact.
- Elton John: Never Too Late (Dec. 12—Streaming on Disney+): This emotional documentary brings Elton John’s rise to stardom to life, leading up to his unforgettable final North American concert at Dodger Stadium.
Who says December has to be merry and bright? This month’s lineup proves that dark and daring can make for unforgettable streaming nights. If you have any questions about upgrading your TV or audio systems, stop by and chat with our experts at Russell’s Appliance & Electronics. We’ll help you find the perfect setup to make every twist, turn, and plot reveal feel like you’re right there in the action. See you soon!