January can feel really long, can't it? And with lots of states back in lockdown mode and many families social distancing, January 2021 may be the longest ever. Thankfully, there is some fantastic content landing on Netflix and other streaming services like Hulu, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime throughout the entire month.
There are some really fun films to look forward to watching with the kids, as well as quite a few nostalgic classics, dramas, and romantic flicks to enjoy. So yeah, none of us will be at a loss for things to watch in the first month of this much-anticipated new year. Just be sure to have plenty of snacks and warm blankets on hand for the many hours that will likely be spent snuggling on the couch watching movies.
Somewhat surprisingly, HBO Max seems to be welcoming more new content to its library than any of the other streaming services, perhaps indicating to new users that their new subscriptions were indeed a good decision. The growing streaming service has been making a big marketing push over the past several months, and clearly, its ready to compete with the more established streaming giants in 2021.
Keep reading to see which must-watch movies are coming to each streaming service, and gear up for some irresistible family films and nostalgic picks.
Must-See Drama on Netflix: 'The Departed'
The two-and-a-half-hour long, multiple Academy Award winning Martin Scorsese film, The Departed, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg, Anthony Anderson, and Jack Nicholson is the perfect steeped-in-drama film to catch on a chilly winter afternoon.
Must-See Dramatic Comedy on Netflix: 'Julie & Julia'
For those more inclined towards gentler, more lighthearted films, 2009's Julie & Julia, starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams is a must-see, or in many cases a must-see-again. It's the real-life story of blogger Julie Powell's quest to cook her way through Julia Child's first cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking.
Must-See Family Comedy on Netflix: 'Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs'
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs is a kid favorite that spent much of 2020 dropping off and on Netflix every few months, so there's no reason to expect anything different this year. This visually appealing animated feature isn't just fun for kids though, its message of self acceptance and respect is inspiring for the whole family.
Must-See Family Adventure on Netflix: 'Hook'
Time to introduce the kiddos to the wonders of the 1991 fantasy film Hook, starring Robin Williams and Dustin Hoffman! Hook's been available to stream in the past, but it's been a while, and this twist on the classic storybook tale of Peter Pan is really something that every kid should see at least once.
Must-See Romantic Comedy-Drama on Netflix: 'Mystic Pizza'
We could watch Julia Roberts in Mystic Pizza (or pretty much any movie) any day. This '80s classic takes us straight back to childhood when she became an icon of the rom-com genre.
Must-See Romantic Comedy on Netflix: 'Can't Hardly Wait'
Any '90s teen movie just brings back so many memories. Whether from middle school or high school, all those flicks starring the likes of Reese Witherspoon, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Rachael Leigh Cook, and Jennifer Love Hewitt, like 1998's Can't Hardly Wait, take us straight back to our formative years. We can practically smell the Tommy Girl.
Must-See Drama on Hulu: 'Dead Poets Society'
We could all use a bit of inspiration right about now, am I right? The Robin Williams classic, Dead Poets Society is about a teacher who uses poetry to help his students tap into their inner selves and live life true to who they are. It's a moving and inspirational film, especially for creative types, and would actually be great to watch with older kids.
Must-See Romance on Hulu: 'Love & Basketball'
Love & Basketball starring Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps is a must-watch simply because it makes us feel good. The film which is honestly kind of underrated is about a couple who've known each other since childhood and whose love transcends every challenge and obstacle as they grow into adulthood. It's so romantic, but there's also so much realness.
Must-See Family Comedy on Hulu: 'Shrek'
No more hunting around for a streaming service to watch this family favorite. DreamWorks' Shrek will be available on Hulu this month. Starring Mike Myers and Cameron Diaz, it's about an ogre who must help a group of fairy tale creatures rescue a princess so he can return to his solitary lifestyle.
Must-See Family Adventure on Hulu: 'Night at the Museum'
Yup, another Robin Williams film has made the list. We're not sure if a chunk of his library of work was recently released, but we're sure glad to see so many of his awesome films now available to stream. Also starring Ben Stiller, Night at the Museum is a fantastically fun film about a night guard at a natural history museum who discovers the artifacts come to life at night.
Must-See Fantasy Romance on Hulu: 'The Princess Bride'
Fans of the sci-fi and fantasy genres will be happy to know the classic 1987 film The Princess Bride is landing on Hulu this month. This cult favorite is about a bedridden boy whose grandfather reads him a fantastical story from a book that's been passed down in their family for generations. The adventure tale surprisingly captures his interest and he finds himself utterly lost in the exciting story.
Must-See Romantic Comedy on Hulu: 'Look Who's Talking'
While some scenes in 1989's Look Who's Talking, starring John Travolta and Kirstie Alley, were more than a little bit inappropriate for us to be watching as small children, we freaking loved this movie. There was something so hilarious about the story being told from the baby's perspective and we suppose that whole idea was fascinating when we were little more than babies ourselves.
Must-See Drama on HBO Max: 'Roots'
While there are many more "woke" movies to watch these days, 1977's Roots, starring LeVar Burton, which was originally released as a TV mini-series, made major waves at the time and is required viewing for anyone in need of a base-level understanding of the pervasive and enduring racial tensions in America. It's the story of one man's family from its original enslavement to their liberation.
Must-See Neo-Noir Comedy on HBO Max: 'Pulp Fiction'
Oh, because who doesn't need to see that scene with John Travolta and Uma Thurman? Even if it's just to "get" the ubiquitous pop culture references that stem from the Quentin Tarantino-directed Pulp Fiction, this film is a must-see. It's almost three hours long though, so be sure to set aside an entire evening for it.
Must-See Musical Fantasy on HBO Max: 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'
The remake of '70s-era Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, starring Johnny Depp, is sure to charm kids of all ages with its bright colors, fantastical set, and the mind-bending magical, candymaking Charlie witnesses at Wonka's chocolate factory.
Must-See Musical Comedy on HBO Max: 'Happy Feet'
It's winter, so what better time to watch some adorable animated penguins frolic around in the snow than in January. Happy Feet is a sweet film about a young penguin who discovers he isn't capable of the traditional mating call of his kind. Instead, he possesses a completely unique talent.
Must-See Adventure Comedy on HBO Max: 'Pee-wee's Big Adventure'
What '80s baby didn't love watching the ridiculous adventures of Pee-wee Herman. 1985's Pee-wee's Big Adventure is a classic and while it's admittedly bizarre, it's just the type of fodder that transfixes children. About an eccentric man who loses his bike and sets off on an adventure to find it, it spawned not only a TV series, but two sequels.
Must-See Comedy on HBO Max: 'Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back'
We realize this is totally a stoner flick, but it's definitely one of those movies that takes us straight back to a specific time in our lives. So much about this film, which premiered in 2001, from its wardrobe to the way it's filmed and even its subject matter, is absolutely definitive of the 1990s.
Must-See Dramatic Comedy on Amazon Prime: 'Soul Food'
Starring Vanessa Williams and Vivica Fox, Soul Food is a touching movie about a family struggling through the trials of life when their matriarch falls ill. Desperate to keep his family together, her grandson plots a scheme to reunite everyone. This film's authentic portrayal of the challenges of family relationships is cathartic in a way, and helps bring a lot of perspective to viewers battling similar situations.
Must-See Romance on Amazon Prime: 'St. Elmo's Fire'
OK, so we definitely weren't watching St. Elmo's Fire, starring Demi Moore and Rob Lowe, back in 1985, but our moms or older siblings sure were and that totally makes it nostalgic. Plus, it's just a really great film about a group of college kids transitioning into adulthood that so many of us can relate to since we've been through it.
Must-See Campy Horror on Amazon Prime: 'Vampire in Brooklyn'
Because … yes! Anyone whose already seen this campy film, starring Eddie Murphy and Angela Bassett, already knows it's great. It's about a Caribbean vampire who disembarks a ship in Brooklyn looking for a woman who is said to be half human and half vampire, only he doesn't realize she's been on the hunt for him, too. It's undeniably cheesy, but in the absolute best way possible.
