What To Watch This Week: Stream Our Top 13 TV and Movie Picks (Dec. 22–Jan. 4)

Sicily Express | Netflix | Comedy

Series premiere, Monday, Dec. 22: This five-episode holiday miniseries comes from the Italian comedy duo of (Salvo) Ficarra & (Valentino) Picone. The pair portray two Sicilian nurses who commute to work from Milan on cheap flights and whose efforts to get home are thwarted by their boss. Valentino’s daughter makes a holiday wish and the men discover a magical dumpster that lets them teleport between cities. A Christmas miracle—er, unmiracolo di Natale! —Randy Harward, Senior Staff Writer

Africa Cup of Nations | beIN SPORTS | Live soccer

Live sports, Starts Sunday, Dec. 21, various times: The premier soccer tournament in Africa is certain to be breathtaking and full of surprises. This year’s competition takes place through Christmas and New Year’s while other top leagues are just starting their winter breaks. Morocco is the host nation this year and will attempt to knock off Ivory Coast, which won the 2023 tournament as a host. Other teams in the mix will be Egypt, Senegal, and Algeria. But as with any tournament like this, a Cinderella story could emerge, making this must-watch soccer. —Alex Vejar, Junior Sports Writer

Music Box: Happy and You Know It | HBO, HBO Max | Documentary, music

Movie, Thursday, Dec. 25: The latest film in Bill Simmons’ Music Box series tackles kids’ music, which is both a blessing and a curse to parents with young children. Sometimes the shiny, happy, silly songs get on your last nerve—but not if you’re listening to the right kids’ artists. The doc, directed by Penny Lane (Listening to Kenny G), features interviews with The Wiggles’ Anthony Field, Caspar Babypants (Chris Ballew of The Presidents of the United States of America), Laurie Berkner, Divinity Roxx, and “Baby Shark” songwriter Johnny Only. —Randy Harward, Senior Staff Writer

Sanctuary: A Witch’s Tale | AMC+, Sundance Now | Drama, fantasy

Season 2 premiere, Thursday, Dec. 25: This fantasy-drama series is based on the V.V. James novel Sanctuary: A Novel of Suspense, Witchcraft, and Small Town Secrets (2020, Dreamscape Media). The second season picks up a year after the first season’s witch hunt, with Sarah Fenn (Elaine Cassidy) and daughter Harper (Hazel Doupe) hiding in Scotland “as anti-witch laws spark hate crimes. When Sarah returns to Sanctuary, a new murder and rising tensions pull her into a dangerous fight to protect her daughter and her magic.” The seasons’ six episodes air weekly on Sundance Now and stream on AMC+ starting today. —Randy Harward, Senior Staff Writer

Stranger Things | Netflix | Drama, horror, science fiction

Season 5, Part 2 premiere, Thursday, Dec. 25: Merry Christmas, Stranger Things fans! I got you this reminder that you probably didn’t need about the second episode drop of Stranger Things’ fifth and final season! Keep it with your unwanted socks and other misfit gifts—or remember it’s the thought that counts. P.S. Don’t forget the final episode on Wednesday, Dec. 31. —Randy Harward, Senior Staff Writer

The Copenhagen Test | Peacock | Thriller

Series premiere, Saturday, Dec. 27: Simu Liu (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) plays intelligence agent Alexander Hale, who discovers his brain has been bugged. Hale elects to keep the hack active while he and his agency (including Scream’s Melissa Barrera as the love interest) work to find the responsible party—and keep Hale alive. The series is executive produced by James Wan (Saw, The Conjuring). —Randy Harward, Senior Staff Writer

Ricky Gervais: Mortality | Netflix | Stand-up comedy

Series premiere, Tuesday, Dec. 30: “I think that this is my most honest and confessional show so far,” says Ricky Gervais in a sneak peek of his latest comedy special. “Not in an Edinburgh Fringe type way—’Oh, my parents died so I went all autistic.’ None of that. My parents did die, but I’m pretty sure I’m not autistic ‘cause once someone gave me a Rubik’s Cube and I put it straight in the fuckin’ bin.” (I’m on the spectrum, and I laughed heartily at this.) —Randy Harward, Senior Staff Writer

Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest | ABC | Holiday, variety

Special, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 8:00 p.m. ET: For this year’s iteration of the longtime New Year’s Eve institution, host Seacrest is joined by co-hosts Chance the Rapper, Julianne Hough, and Rita Ora—plus more than three dozen musical guests. Among the performers: 4 Non Blondes, Busta Rhymes, Chance the Rapper, Chappell Roan, Charlie Puth, Demi Lovato, Diana Ross, Les Sserafim, Lil Jon, Little Big Town, Mariah Carey, New Kids on the Block, Rick Springfield, The All-American Rejects, Wyclef Jean, and more. —Randy Harward, Senior Staff Writer

College Football Playoff Quarterfinals | ESPN | Live football

Live sports, see dates and times below: The highest level of college football is here as the world gets ready for the College Football Playoff. Four games of quarterfinal action in just two days—sign me up. Here is every detail about the CFB quarterfinals so you can watch along with ease (all times Eastern):

• Cotton Bowl (Ohio State vs. Miami): Wednesday, December 31, 7:30 p.m.
• Orange Bowl (Texas Tech vs. Oregon): Thursday, January 1, noon
• Rose Bowl (Indiana vs. Alabama): Thursday, January 1, 4:00 p.m.
• Sugar Bowl (Georgia vs. Ole Miss): Thursday, January 1, 8:00 p.m.

—Alex Vejar, Junior Sports Writer

NHL Winter Classic | HBO Max, TNT, truTV | Live hockey

Live sports, Friday, Jan. 2, 8:00 p.m. ET: The New York Rangers and Florida Panthers will face off in the 2026 edition of pro hockey’s showcase of outdoor games played in either football or baseball stadiums. This one will be held at loanDepot Park, home of MLB’s Miami Marlins. The Rangers and Panthers have been middle-of-the-pack teams in the Eastern Conference so far this season. But there’s a lot of season left, and both teams have plenty of reasons to believe they make the postseason. This should be an awesome game to watch. —Alex Vejar, Junior Sports Writer

2026 United Cup | Tennis Channel | Live tennis

Live sports, Friday, Jan. 2, Various times: This is one of the more exciting and interesting non-major tennis tournaments that exists. Many of the top players in the world play on mixed-gender teams and represent their countries in the process. Among those representing the United States in 2026 are Taylor Fritz and Coco Gauff, the top-ranked players in the country. Other notable names expected to compete are Iga Swiatek, Naomi Osaka, Stan Wawrinka, and Alexander Zverev. You can also check out the full draw. —Alex Vejar, Junior Sports Writer