Disturbing thriller watched over 265,000,000 times returning to Netflix in December-Caroline Westbrook-Entertainment – Metro

Netflix is dishing up some bumper festive fare (Picture: Ahmet Serdar Eser/Anadolu via Getty Images)

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – if you’re a fan of Netflix that is. December is looming, and that means we’re getting a bumper crop of new titles from the streaming platform to see us through the festive season and into 2025.

Whether it’s blockbuster movies, festive originals, Oscar-friendly fare or just returning favourites we’ve waited all year to see, there are more treats coming on Netflix in the coming weeks than there are gifts in Santa’s sack.

One of those is the new series of Squid Game which we’ve been waiting years for. However, your patience is finally being rewarded just days before 2024 comes to an end.

Given that season 1 is the most-watched Netflix show of all time – with 265,200,000 views no less – we’re expecting season 2 to be monumentally huge too.

The action takes place three years after the events of season 1, and sees original winner Gi-hu (Lee Jung-jae) returning as a fresh batch of hopefuls gather to take on the life-or-death challenge.

The trailer’s got everyone on the edge of their seats so consider us excited. You can see this one over your festive leftovers from Boxing Day – December 26 .

Squid Game is back! (Picture: Netflix)

Here are just some of those you can look forward to over mulled wine and hot chocolate in the next few weeks…

1. That Christmas

Which Christmas? That Christmas (Picture: Netflix)

Netflix has already dished up its fair share of festive treats this year, and here’s another – this one aimed at younger viewers.

Based on the books by Four Weddings And A Funeral scribe Richard Curtis, the animated comedy centres on a small seaside town whose Christmas plans are put in jeopardy by the worst snowstorm of all time.

Will everybody be reunited for the big day – and what does Santa have to do with it all?

With a voice cast that includes the likes of Bill Nighy, Brian Cox, Fiona Shaw and Katherine Parkinson, you’ll be able to watch this one from December 4.

2. The Ultimatum: Marry Or Move On season 3

The Ultimatum is back for more commitment-shy couples (Picture: Netflix)

Another month, another reality series returns – and this time it’s the turn of The Ultimatum, the popular show in which couples have to decide whether they’ll walk down the aisle with their current flame, connect with an alternative admirer – or walk away altogether.

Expect yet more drama and conflict as the latest batch of couples are faced with the ultimate choice.

This one drops on to the platform from December 4.

3. Churchill at War

December still has room for documentary series (Picture: Netflix)

So we get it’s Christmas and many of us want to watch something heartwarming about a snowman coming to life or a plucky turkey saving the festive season – but there’s always room for documentaries where Netflix is concerned.

Which means in among the seasonal cheer we can also look forward to this docuseries which focuses on Winston Churchill’s pivotal role in World War II – and the events whicih made him the ideal leader for such a tumultuous era.

You can get your fix of history from December 4.

4. Black Doves

Black Doves promises a healthy dose of festive action (Picture: Netflix)

An all-star cast assembles for this Christmas-set spy thriller, brought to us from the creator of Giri/Haji and The Lazarus Project.

Keira Knightley takes the lead as Helen, the dedicated wife of a politician – who also happens to be a spy working for a top-secret organisation.But when her secret lover is murdered she is reunited with old friend Sam (Ben Whishaw), a suave assassin, as they unite to track down his killer.

Expect a mix of butt-kicking action, whipsmart one-liners and snowy backdrops when this one premieres on December 5.

5. Biggest Heist Ever

Biggest Heist Ever weaves a bizarre tale (Picture: Netflix)

Another documentary heading our way, Biggest Heist Ever also taps into viewers’ true crime obsession as it tells the story of  Ilya “Dutch” Lichtenstein and Heather “Razzlekhan” Morgan – a husband and wife duo who were recently jailed for laundering stolen Bitcoin to the value of $11bn (£8.7bn).

The trailer suggests that we’re in for a wild ride, with the pair leading a double life as aspiring rappers, posting videos of their efforts on social media.

You can see it all for yourself when it drops on December 6.

6. Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was

Jamie Foxx is the latest performer to get his own Netflix comedy special (Picture: Netflix)

Former Oscar-winner Jamie Foxx is set to return to Netflix early next year alongside Cameron Diaz in the movie Back In Action – but before then we get to see him head back to the comedy stage in this Netflix special.

What’s he going to talk about? Well that’s being kept under wraps – but you can find out for yourself when the special is unleashed on December 10.

7. Polo

The world of professional polo comes under the spotlight (Picture: Netflix)

This one comes to us courtesy of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and their company Archewell Productions – and the title pretty much tells you what you can expect.

The docuseries takes a behind the scenes look at the sport, offering a never-before-seen look into the players’ lives both on and off the field as they gear up for the US Open Polo championship.

Sounds pretty mint to us. You’ll be able to watch it from December 10.

8. Queer Eye season 9

Queer Eye is back – and it’s welcoming a new cast member (Picture: Netflix)

Listen up Queer Eye fans – the show is back for its ninth Netflix season this month, and this one’s going to look a bit different, as newcomer Jeremiah Brent steps into the fray to replace Bobby Berk.

Otherwise it’s business as usual as the team head off to Las Vegas to make over more willing volunteers – among them a former showgirl struggling to regain her confidence.

We can’t wait. Tune in to the fabulousness from December 11.

9. One Hundred Years Of Solitude

The classic novel comes to the screen (Picture: Netflix)

You may well have read Gabriel Garcia’ Marquez’ epic 1967 novel, set in the fictional town of Macondo and focusing on seven generations story of the Buendia family, set against a turbulent backdrop of Latin American history.

Now it’s heading Netflix’s way, with this adaptation, filmed in the author’s native Colombia, set to arrive on screens.

This one’s being released in two parts – so you’ll get the first eight episodes on December 11, with the release date for the remaining eight yet to be confirmed. We reckon they’ll be worth the wait.

10. 1992

90s nostalgia meets mystery in this crime thriller (Picture: Netflix)

Could this crime thriller be set in 1992 by any chance? You’re not wrong there.

1992, directed by Spanish filmmaker Álex de la Iglesia, centres on a grieving widow and an ex-cop haunted by his past, who team up to investigate a series of murders – the work of a particularly angry serial killer – linked to the Seville Expo 92.

You’ll be able to get your hands on this bit of 90s nostalgia from December 13.

11. Carry-On

Will Christmas be cancelled in Carry-On? (Picture: Sam Lothridge/Netflix)

It wouldn’t be the festive season without a high-octane action thriller to while away the hours to the big day, now would it?

If you’re one of those folk who maintain that Die Hard is a Christmas movie, then Carry-On looks to be right up your street. Taron Egerton takes the lead in this one, as an airport security worker whose Christmas Eve shift is thoroughly ruined when he has to stop a mysterious traveller from putting a flight in danger.

Prepare for this one to take off from December 13.

12. Parenthood (Seasons 1-6)

Parenthood is heading to Netflix – all six seasons worth (Picture: NBC)

It isn’t just new shows and films hitting Netflix this month – as fans of the US series Parenthood will also have the chance to relive the show all over again when all six seasons are released on to the platform.

The series, which ran from 2010-2015, is loosely based on the 1989 Steve Martin comedy-drama, and centres on three generations of the Braverman family, a clan living in the San Francisco Bay area.

You’ll be able to dive into this family story from December 15.

13. Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret

Judy Blume’s classic has found itself a home on Netflix (Picture: Lionsgate)

While Netflix originals might be dominating the release slate this month, there’s still room for a few decent cinema releases – including this underrated gem from 2023.

Based on Judy Blume’s iconic coming-of-age novel, this 70s-set saga centres on 11-year-old Margaret, who has to negotiate puberty, friendship and first love when she moves from Manhattan to suburban New Jersey.

Grown-up cast members Rachel McAdams and Kathy Bates shine, but it’s the youngsters – particularly newcomer Abby Ryder Fortson. You can relive your childhood reading matter from December 17.

14. Operation Mincemeat

Get your fill of Operation Mincemeat in December (Picture: Netflix)

Another recent cinema hit makes its way on to Netflix this month, this one focusing on the successful British deception operation to disguise the 1943 invasion of Sicily during World War II.

It’s an incredible story with an all-star cast which includes the likes of Colin Firth, Matthew MacFadyen, Kelly McDonald, Johnny Flynn and Jason Isaacs.

You’ll be able to get your fill of this one from December 17.

15. Virgin River (Season 6)

We’ve been eagerly awaiting the return of Virgin River (Picture:NETFLIX)

If you’ve been awaiting the return of Virgin River, your patience is set to be rewarded in December when the popular show returns for its sixth – count ’em! – sixth series.

The wedding of Mel Monroe (Alexandra Breckenridge) and Jack Sheridan (Martin Henderson) is the focus of attention this time – with the pair learning more about each other and their loved ones as they prepare to tie the knot.

The small-town saga is back on our screens from December 19.

16. The Six Triple Eight

A history lesson worth learning (Picture: Netflix)

The latest effort from director Tyler Perry is among the arrivals on Netflix this month, bringing a fascinating true story to the screen.

The wartime drama centres on the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, a predominantly black battalion of the Women’s Army Corps, who battled discrimination and challenging conditions to address a backlog of mail caused by the war.

With Kerry Washington leading the cast, this is one you’ll want to add to your viewing schedule.

It’s being delivered to Netflix from December 20.

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