Thanksgiving brings a veritable feast of great shows and movies to watch this weekend. A host of new releases and episodes shine through NetflixAnd the Disney PlusAnd Hulu and other streaming services for you to catch up on after you’ve stuffed yourself with turkey.
The broadcast list includes a file Andor season 1 finalewhich TG’s Henry T. Casey notes as “The best Star Wars show by a mile. The final episode concludes this chapter in the Rebel saga, but more is on the way.
As far as the new series goes, Welcome to the Chippendales chronicles the founding of a male striptease troupe, while Wednesday focuses on everyone’s favorite goth girl from the Addams Family. As everything old becomes new again, Criminal Minds: Evolution CBS crime drama revives with new killers to their profile.
Plus, more holiday fare is arriving in the form of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Special and A Christmas Romance starring Justin Hartley.
Here’s our guide on what to watch this weekend.
The final episode of season 1 of Andor (Disney Plus)
Andor has quietly proven to be one of the best shows of the year and certainly the best Star Wars project in recent years. Yes, even more so than The Mandalorian (sorry my dear Yoda, you’re awesome though). The dynamic first season comes to a close with a finale that does everything Andor has so far masterfully done – blending a thrilling psychological chess match, propulsive action and provocative political drama.
And as it has throughout the season, Andor’s finale encompasses much more than the titular character’s journey. This was a real ensemble cast, with excellent performances from Diego Luna and main cast members Stellan Skarsgård, Genevieve O’Reilly and Denise Gough. Fortunately for all of us, the story isn’t over yet Andor season 2 In preparation.
streaming now Disney Plus (Opens in a new tab)
Welcome to the Chippendales (Hulu)
Kumail Nanjiani stars in this dramatization of the establishment of male stripper Chippendales. It’s the kind of thriller series based on a true story that abounds on Hulu. In fact, creator Robert Siegel released Pam & Tommy earlier this year.
Somen ‘Steve’ Banerjee starts out as a gas station attendant before betting big on a backgammon club. When he fails, he teams up with choreographer Nick De Noya (Murray Bartlett) to turn it into a women-oriented strip club. They enlist the help of outrageous fashion designer Denise (Juliette Lewis) and accountant/Steve Ashford (Analeigh Ashford). And, of course, they need a brownie cow to perform like the Chippendales.
streaming now Hulu (Opens in a new tab)
Wednesday (Netflix)
Tim Burton wasn’t somehow, and surprisingly, involved with the Addams Family franchise until producing and directing the first episodes of this spin-off series. It centers on the delightfully dark Adams’ daughter, Wednesday (Jenna Ortega).
After a disturbing piranha incident, parents Gomez (Luis Guzmán) and Morticia (Catherine Zeta-Jones) head off Wednesday to a boarding school for outcasts. At Nevermore Academy, Wednesday nurtures her budding psychic abilities, gets drawn into an investigation into a killing spree and stumbles upon a supernatural mystery involving her parents.
streaming now Netflix (Opens in a new tab)
Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (Disney Plus)
Although the Guardians of the Galaxy appeared in 2022’s Thor: Love and Thunder, their latest standalone project came out in 2017. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is slated for release next May, but in the meantime, writer/director James Gunn is offering fans this holiday treat.
Most of the entire cast returns: Chris Pratt as Peter Quill/Star-Lord, Dave Bautista as Drax, Karen Gillan as Nebula, Pom Klementieff as Mantis, Vin Diesel as Groot and Bradley Cooper as Rocket. In an effort to make Christmas unforgettable for Quill, the Guardians journey to Earth to find the perfect gift. Banter and revelry ensue.
streaming now Disney Plus (Opens in a new tab)
Criminal Minds: Evolution (Paramount Plus)
Paramount Plus is building its service on revivals, reboots, and continuations of popular ViacomCBS franchises. The latest is Criminal Minds: Evolution, which is the 16th season of the procedural crime drama. Joe Mantegna, Adam Rodriguez, and Paget Brewster are among the original cast members returning as elite FBI professionals.
The team faces their biggest threat yet, an UnSub (Unknown Subject) who has used the Covid pandemic to build a network of serial killers. When the world re-opens, the network begins to function. The Analysts must hunt them down, one murder at a time, and track down the UnSub leader.
streaming now Paramount Plus (Opens in a new tab)
Pitch Perfect: Berlin Bumpers (Peacock)
Pitch Perfect might be one of the most underrated movie franchises that has ever existed. The a cappella musical-comedy doesn’t discount the “potential of a cinematic universe.” However, the first film of 2012 was an undeniable success and two films followed. Now, Pitch Perfect is moving into the world of television with Bumper in Berlin.
As the title indicates, it centers on Bumper (Adam Devine) a few years after the events of the films. He’s working as a security guard at Barden University when his TikToks go viral in Germany. Bumper is convinced to move to Berlin to pursue a musical career.
streaming now peacock (Opens in a new tab)
Noel Diaries (Netflix)
Hallmark and Lifetime may be giants in the Christmas romance genre, but Netflix has entered the space with great success in recent years. This Is Us star Justin Hartley is headlining one of his first projects since the end of the dystopian family drama.
When bestselling novelist Jake Turner returns home for Christmas to settle his estranged mother’s estate, he discovers a diary full of secrets. He is linked to an intriguing young woman named Rachel (Barrett Doss), who has a mission of her own. As they explore their pasts together, they may build a future neither of them ever imagined.
streaming now Netflix (Opens in a new tab)
More new shows to watch this weekend
Love Lizzo (HBO Max)
A documentary featuring the singer talking about body positivity and self-love.
streaming now HBO Max (Opens in a new tab)
Blood and Water Season 3 (Netflix)
The teen crime thriller returns for a massive cliffhanger follow-up.
streaming now Netflix (Opens in a new tab)
Hip Hop The Nutcracker (Disney Plus)
Rev Run by Run DMC offers a hip-hop reimagining of classic ballet.
streaming now Disney Plus (Opens in a new tab)
