Soul and Wonder Woman 1984 bring Hollywood home for the holidays
David Canfield Rounds Up the Biggest Movies Set To Stream This Winter, Including ‘The Prom’ and ‘Soul’
EW Movies Editor, David Canfield, gives us the scoop on some new movies including Netflix’s star-studded adaptation of ‘The Prom,’ ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ starring Chadwick Boseman in a knockout performance, & Pixar’s imaginative new film ‘Soul’!
We know TV has a lot to offer, be it network, cable, premium channels, or streaming platforms including Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Facebook Watch, and others. So EW is here to help, guiding you every single day to the things that should be on your radar. Check out our recommendations below, and click here to learn how you can stream our picks via your own voice-controlled smart-speaker (Alexa, Google Home) or podcast app (Spotify, iTunes, Google Play).
FRIDAY
Soul
HOW/WHEN & WHERE TO WATCH: Streaming on Disney+
Pixar takes another introspective look at the nature of humanity, but don’t call Soul the next Inside Out — even if the whole concept evokes similar imagery and ideas, and even if the director of Inside Out is also involved on this new film. Soul centers on New York City music teacher Joe (voiced by Jamie Foxx), who finally gets his big break by landing a gig playing piano for a reputable jazz performer at a club in Manhattan. Sadly for him, he takes a fatal spill down a manhole and finds his spirit heading toward the Great Beyond. Frantic to return to his mortal body, Joe finds himself at the You seminar, a cosmic space where souls get all the character traits before heading down to earth. It’s another touching tale from directors Kemp Powers and Pete Docter that explores what makes you you, and also what makes you happy. Work isn’t everything. The fact that this is also the first Pixar film to feature a predominantly Black voice cast isn’t lost on the creators, either. The studio is already planning to diversify its future film slate to reflect more diverse stories and experiences. —Nick Romano
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Wonder Woman 1984
HOW/WHEN & WHERE TO WATCH: Streaming on HBO Max
Come for the golden armor, stay for the immortal romance: “I think sometimes superhero films may feel like they have to fit in the love story just to tick the box,” Chris Pine, who returns in WW84 (we can’t yet tell you how) as Diana Prince’s great love, Steve Trevor, tells EW. “Whereas I think in this, the love story is part and parcel of the spine of the lead character. And that is who Wonder Woman is: She leads with love and compassion and protectiveness, and these qualities are nurtured by a good, strong relationship.” But does he mind playing second banana, in a sense, to a demi-goddess? “No!” he says, laughing. “I would say my role is as friend and lover-cum-bodyguard who’s trying his best to help Diana on her mission. I’m like the Watson to her Holmes.” —Leah Greenblatt
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Bridgerton
HOW/WHEN & WHERE TO WATCH: Streaming on Netflix
Series Debut
Based on a series of romance novels by Julia Quinn, Bridgerton follows the titular family as its eight siblings vie for love on the Regency-era marriage market. Season 1 centers on eldest sister Daphne (Phoebe Dyvenor) as she strikes up a fauxmance with Simon, the Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page), only to fall for him for real. “It’s not your grandmother’s period [piece],” quipped showrunner Chris Van Dusen to EW. And he’s not wrong — from its inclusive casting to its steamy interludes, Bridgerton is everything romance readers have been waiting for with plenty of intrigue on offer for those new to the genre too. If you wanted some smolder with a side of yearning for Christmas, look no further than Bridgerton. It’s a Christmas gift that’s sure to leave its viewers thoroughly satisfied. —Maureen Lee Lenker
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What Else to Watch
Streaming
Burrow (short Pixar film) — Disney+
Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian Season 2 (special) — Disney+
We Can Be Heroes (movie) — Netflix
Check local listings
Call the Midwife Holiday Special — PBS
8 p.m.
The Christmas Caroler Challenge (season finale) — The CW
9 p.m.
Surprising Santa Claus (special) — HGTV
SATURDAY
What Else to Watch
Streaming
Downton Abbey (entire series available) — BritBox
Letterkenny (season premiere) — Hulu
Fast & Furious: Spy Racers Sahara (season premiere) — Netflix
9 p.m.
History’s Greatest Mysteries — History
SUNDAY
The Masked Dancer
HOW/WHEN & WHERE TO WATCH: 8 p.m. on Fox
Series Debut
For now, the Sun is setting on The Masked Singer, so The Masked Dancer is waltzing in to take its place until the spring. Craig Robinson hosts the spin-off event, while Ken Jeong reprises his role on TMS to join the panelists’ table with Paula Abdul, Brian Austin Green, and Ashley Tisdale. Throughout the nine episodes, we’ll meet two teams, Group Fire and Group Ice, before they get whittled down one by one until someone is crowned winner in episode 9. EW already has exclusive looks at all 10 costumes and we know the contestants have some pretty crazy credentials (including a total of 20 Emmy wins and 4 Olympic gold medals!). Given how weird and wonderful Masked Singer is, don’t expect anything less from its sister show. Where else are you going to see a Sloth bust a move to compete against a Tulip dancing to Ariana Grande? —Rachel Yang
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The Real Housewives of Potomac
HOW/WHEN & WHERE TO WATCH: 9 p.m. on Bravo
It’s been an intense reunion for our Maryland ’wives so far. Monique brought her receipts binder and Candiace brought her folded crying-napkin; Ashley brought excuses for Michael and Karen brought contempt for Gizelle’s chaotic home décor. But that was just the warmup for what they’re all going to bring in the 90-minute third and final installment in an already-explosive, yellow-clad confrontation, for which the husbands — with a few select and notable omissions — join the cast on the socially-distanced couches to help finish cleaning up the many, many messes of season 5. Buckle up. —Mary Sollosi
Related content:
What Else to Watch
Streaming
Death to 2020 (special) — Netflix
8 p.m.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta — Bravo
9 p.m.
The Outpost — The CW
Pennyworth (back-to-back eps/winter finale) — Epix
Restaurant Hustle 2020: All on the Line — Food Network
Shameless: Hall of Shame (special series debut) — Showtime
10 p.m.
*times are ET and subject to change
