This week brings a massive wave of fresh entertainment to your screens and speakers, featuring long-awaited returns and thrilling new stories. From a major hip-hop comeback to a powerhouse Hollywood reunion on Netflix, here's your essential guide to what's worth watching, listening to, and playing.
Blockbuster Films and Must-See Series
The streaming world is buzzing with high-profile releases. Leading the charge is the action thriller "The Rip," premiering Friday, January 16 on Netflix. This film marks the exciting reunion of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, who star as Miami police officers. Directed by Joe Carnahan, the plot revolves around their unit discovering a huge sum of cash in an abandoned stash house, an event that tests their loyalty. The impressive supporting cast includes Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, and Kyle Chandler.
In other streaming news, all 26 classic James Bond films are arriving on Netflix starting Thursday. This move by Amazon MGM is set to build anticipation for the next installment in the iconic spy series. For thriller fans, Idris Elba returns for "Hijack" Season 2 on Wednesday. His character, still scarred from the plane hijacking in season one, faces another crisis—this time on a train. Meanwhile, Agatha Christie enthusiasts can look forward to "Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials," a three-part mystery landing on Netflix Thursday, starring Helena Bonham Carter and Martin Freeman.
Major Music Releases and Sonic Adventures
The music scene witnesses a landmark event with the release of A$AP Rocky's first full-length album in eight years, "Don't Be Dumb," out Friday. His last studio project, "Testing," was released in 2018. The lead single, "Punk Rocky," offers a taste of his new direction, blending alt-rock and dream-pop sounds. Also dropping on Friday is pop-R&B vocalist Madison Beer's third LP, "Locket." Early tracks suggest this could be her most compelling work yet, featuring songs like the Ariana Grande-esque "Bittersweet" and the energetic "yes baby."
For listeners seeking more experimental sounds, the collaborative album "Tragic Magic" by Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore offers an ambient soundscape created with harps and synthesizers. It's a unique, poetic listening experience.
Docuseries, Games, and More
Will Smith embarks on a global adventure in the new National Geographic docuseries "Pole to Pole with Will Smith," debuting Tuesday. This isn't a typical travel show; it's a five-year project that takes Smith to all seven continents, from the Amazon jungles to the Himalayas. The series will stream on Disney+ and Hulu.
Gamers have a significant release to dive into with "The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon," available Thursday on PlayStation, Switch, and PC. This English translation of the latest chapter from Nihon Falcom is the 14th entry in the beloved Trails series, featuring a mix of real-time and turn-based combat as humanity prepares to explore space.
Other notable releases include the Hulu series "Tell Me Lies" Season 3 on Tuesday, continuing its story of toxic relationships, and the Peacock thriller "Ponies" on Thursday, starring Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson as widows of CIA operatives in the 1970s Soviet Union.
