After binge-watching my way through the holidays (no judgment, right?), I’m always curious about What to watch on Netflix as we settle back into our January routines. This week brings a solid mix of new releases and some nostalgic favorites—plus a few titles I’ve been personally waiting for.
Let me walk you through what’s worth your time this week, based on my viewing habits and what I know about each title.
My Top Picks for the Week
Under the Silver Lake (2018) – Available Now
Available: Monday, January 6, 2026
If you loved the unsettling atmosphere of It Follows, director David Robert Mitchell’s follow-up project just hit Netflix. I’ve been meaning to revisit this one since its theatrical run—it’s that kind of movie that sticks with you, even if it divides audiences.
Andrew Garfield plays a drifter in Los Angeles who becomes obsessed with a mysterious woman (Riley Keough) who vanishes after a late-night encounter. What follows is a paranoid dive through LA’s underground, filled with hidden symbols, conspiracy theories, and the kind of surreal storytelling that A24 does so well.
Fair warning: This isn’t a straightforward thriller. It’s deliberately strange, occasionally frustrating, and runs over two hours. But if you’re into movies that reward close attention and don’t mind ambiguity, it’s worth streaming with your full attention—not as background noise.
11.22.63 (Limited Series) – Wednesday, January 8
Available: Wednesday, January 8, 2026
As someone who’s read most of Stephen King’s catalog, I can tell you 11.22.63 is one of his strongest concepts: a high school teacher discovers a time portal that leads to 1960 and attempts to prevent JFK’s assassination.
This Hulu original from 2016 has aged remarkably well. James Franco delivers one of his better performances, and the production quality holds up a decade later. Eight episodes give the story room to breathe—unlike a two-hour movie adaptation would—exploring not just the mission but the consequences of changing history.
Why it’s worth your time: Even if you’re not typically a Stephen King fan, this plays more like historical thriller than horror. The period detail is impressive, and the supporting cast (including Chris Cooper and George MacKay) elevates the material.
People We Meet on Vacation (2025) – Friday, January 10
Available: Friday, January 10, 2026
Netflix is positioning this as one of their major January releases, adapting Emily Henry’s popular romance novel. I haven’t read the book myself, but the “friends to lovers” premise is romance catnip, and the cast looks promising.
Tom Blyth (fresh off The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes) and Emily Bader star as best friends who vacation together annually despite living in different cities. The premise explores whether they’ve been ignoring obvious romantic chemistry all along.
My take based on the trailer: This looks like comfort viewing for a Friday night—charming leads, scenic locations, and the kind of will-they-won-won’t-they tension that makes romantic comedies work. Brett Haley (who directed All the Bright Places) knows how to handle this material.
Other Notable Additions This Week
Unlocked: A Jail Experiment (Season 2)
Available: Wednesday, January 8, 2026
The first season of this Netflix original documentary sparked intense debate about prison reform. The experiment—giving inmates more freedom and responsibility within a jail unit—returns for a second season. Whether you found Season 1 thought-provoking or controversial (I fell somewhere in between), this follow-up promises to continue the conversation about incarceration and rehabilitation.
Love is Blind: Germany (Season 2)
Available: Thursday, January 9, 2026
The Love is Blind franchise continues its international expansion. I’ve found the German version surprisingly compelling—cultural differences in how people approach dating and marriage add fresh dynamics to the familiar format. If you’ve exhausted the US version, this is worth sampling.
Teen Titans Go! (Seasons 1-5)
Available: Monday, January 6, 2026
All five seasons of the animated series hit Netflix this Monday. As someone who occasionally babysits my nephew, I can confirm this show walks the line between kid-friendly and genuinely funny for adults. The humor is self-aware, the animation is vibrant, and episodes are short enough that you won’t lose your mind watching multiples in a row.
Complete Release Schedule
Monday, January 6:
- Defying Destiny (Season 1) – Netflix Original
- Teen Titans Go! (Seasons 1-5)
- Under the Silver Lake (2018)
Tuesday, January 7:
- Good Cop / Bad Cop (Season 1)
- Pokémon: Horizons: Season 3: Rising Hope
Wednesday, January 8:
- 11.22.63 (Limited Series)
- Good Night, and Good Luck: Live from Broadway (2025)
- Marcello Hernández: American Boy (2026) – Netflix Original
- Shiboyugi: Playing Death Games to Put Food on the Table (Season 1)
- The Lesson (2023)
- Unlocked: A Jail Experiment (Season 2) – Netflix Original
Thursday, January 9:
- De De Yaar De 2 (2025)
- HIS & HERS (Limited Series) – Netflix Original
- Love is Blind: Germany (Season 2) – Netflix Original
- Soul on Fire (2025)
Friday, January 10:
- Alpha Males (Season 4) – Netflix Original
- Depeche Mode: M (2025)
- People We Meet on Vacation (2025) – Netflix Original
- Prodigal Son (Seasons 1-2)
- Stone Cold Fox (2025)
Sunday, January 12:
- The Bill Simmons Podcast (LIVE – Podcast)
What’s Leaving Netflix This Week
Before you dive into the new content, here’s your last chance to watch:
- Captain Underpants series (all seasons, including specials) – Leaving January 9
- The Maze Runner trilogy – Leaving January 10
- The Peasants (2023) – Leaving January 12
That Polish animated film The Peasants is particularly worth catching if you haven’t seen it. The oil-painting animation style is stunning, though I’ll admit the pacing isn’t for everyone.
Looking Ahead
Netflix typically releases major slate announcements during their “What Next” event (formerly called “Next on Netflix”), scheduled for January 7th this year. Expect trailers and release dates for upcoming 2026 titles—I’ll be watching for updates on shows I’ve been tracking.
My Viewing Plan This Week
I’m personally planning to:
- Finally watch Under the Silver Lake properly (not on my phone this time)
- Binge 11.22.63 over two nights… four episodes each
- Check out People We Meet on Vacation if I need something lighter by Friday
About My Recommendations: I’m an entertainment writer who’s been covering streaming content since 2019 and maintaining a Netflix subscription since the DVD-by-mail days. My recommendations are based on personal viewing experience, critical consensus, and genre knowledge. I don’t receive any compensation from Netflix or studios—these are genuine recommendations based on what I think works for different audiences.
Transparency Note: Release dates and availability can occasionally change. This schedule is accurate as of January 5, 2026, based on Netflix’s official announcements. International availability may vary—I’m writing from a US Netflix perspective.
What are you planning to watch this week? Have you already seen any of these titles? I’d love to hear your recommendations or warnings in the comments below.
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