This image released by Disney shows Mickey Mouse and Maia Kealoha from the 40th Anniversary Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade in Orlando, Fla.Β
Jennifer Lawrence playing a new mother whose behavior becomes increasingly erratic in βDie My Love" and three more βStranger Thingsβ episodes are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you.
This image released by Disney shows Mickey Mouse and Maia Kealoha from the 40th Anniversary Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade in Orlando, Fla.Β
Kenslie McGuire/Disney via AP
Also among the streaming offerings worth your time this week, as selected by The Associated Pressβ entertainment journalists: Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade featuring Gwen Stefani and Nicole Scherzinger, the Chinese animated epic βNe Zha II" and Simu Liu starring as an intelligence analyst whose brain has been hacked in Peacockβs βThe Copenhagen Test.β
New movies to stream from Dec. 22-28
Jennifer Lawrence plays a new mother whose behavior becomes increasingly erratic in Lynne Ramsayβs βDie My Love,β streaming on Mubi on Dec. 23. Robert Pattinson plays her husband in this story adapted from Ariana Harwiczβs novel. In his review for The Associated Press, Film Writer Jake Coyle wrote called it βa jagged, go-for-broke psychodramaβ raging with a βprimal punk spirit.β He added, βthereβs plenty to admire in Ramsayβs uncompromising and delirious portrait of marital hell, particularly in the bracingly raw performance of Lawrence.β
The Chinese animated epic βNe Zha II,β which is the highest grossing animated movie of all time with over $2.2 billion in ticket sales, is coming to HBO Max on Wednesday. The film tells the story of a rebellious little child, Ne Zha, born as the reincarnation of a demon to mortal parents, who is out to prove his fate is not predetermined. Michelle Yeoh lent her voice to the English language dub, which she said βimmerses you into our culture.β The first film is available to stream on Netflix, but itβs possible to just dive right into the sequel.
If you like holiday movies with a side of tears, βGoodbye June,β streaming on Netflix on Christmas Eve, might just be the ticket. Kate Winslet directs and stars in this family drama about four adult children (Winslet, Andrea Riseborough, Johnny Flynn, Toni Collette) coming to terms with the fact that their mother, June (Helen Mirren), is dying. In my review, I wrote that it was an admirably solid, if generic, drama thatβs elevated by a distinguished cast and moments of humor, grace and insight.
Speaking of holiday viewing, itβs also worth noting that Prime Video is getting two of the yearβs biggest movies: βA Minecraft Movie,β on Monday, and βSinners,β on Friday, Dec. 26.
-- AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr
New music to stream from Dec. 22-28
Itβs wholesome holiday fun for the whole family! Kicking off at 10 a.m. ET on ABC and streaming at 11 a.m. ET on Disney+, Hulu and the Disney YouTube channel on Christmas Day, music fans can tune into the annual Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade. Itβs not just for the kids: The special will feature musical performances from Gwen Stefani,Coco Jones, Iam Tongi, Lady A, Nicole Scherzinger, Mariah the Scientist and Bebe Rexha.
β AP Music Writer Maria Sherman
New series to stream from Dec. 22-28
Make your Christmas stranger. The next block of installments of β Stranger Thingsβ β that's episodes 5-7 β drop like a present as the fifth and final season continues. When we last checked out Hawkins, Vecna was deep into a dastardly plan, Demogorgons were menacing and Will Byers was coming into his own powers. The very last episodes will stream on New Yearβs Eve.
Simu Liu stars as an intelligence analyst whose brain has been hacked in Peacockβs new espionage thriller, βThe Copenhagen Test.β In addition to Liu, the series' regulars include Melissa Barrera, Sinclair Daniel, Brian dβArcy James, Mark OβBrien and Kathleen Chalfant. All episodes debut on Dec. 27.
Β βMembers Only: Palm Beachβ is a new Netflix reality show that follows the exclusive, high-end social scene of one of Floridaβs most affluent areas, as experienced by five women who are part of the community. βThereβs a lot more beneath the sunshine than anyone expects, because nobody goes lower than high society,β Taja Abitbol, one of the stars, explains. It premieres on Dec. 29.
