Your guide to what’s coming to streaming TV for the 2021 holiday season
Nov 4, 2021, 8:17 AM
(Perrin Aybara)
SALT LAKE CITY — As the weather turns cold and snowy heading into the holiday season, people are staying inside more and streaming services are offering some tasty morsels for your binge-watching pleasure…or your multi-week enjoyment, if you have the patience!
Expect some big-name series from Marvel and Star Wars to make their debut on streamers, as well as new seasons of current favorites on Netflix and Hulu.
Here is a list of the most-anticipated streaming series coming to your TV in the months of November and December 2021. If you’re looking for movies coming to theaters and streaming this holiday season, check out my preview here.
(NOTE: This list will be updated as shows are added to the schedule or release dates are changed)
NOVEMBER
11/4
Head of the Class – Season 1 (HBO Max)
Sequel to the 1980’s TV sitcom of the same name and using the same premise: A class of overachievers learn important real-life lessons from their high school teacher who pushes them outside their comfort zone. This time, instead of Howard Hesseman, the teacher is played by Isabella Gomez (“One Day At A Time”). Original cast mate Robin Givens returns to the role of Darlene, only now Darlene is head of the Parents’ Association and has an overachieving son in the class.
11/5
Animaniacs – Season 2 (Hulu)
Yakko, Wakko and Dot (voiced by perennial FanX favorites Rob Paulsen, Jess Harnell and Tress MacNeille) return for an all-new season of big laughs and the occasional epic take-down of authority figures in serious need of an ego check. Season two of the re-launched Emmy award-winning series is packed with comedy sketches, pop culture parodies, musical comedy, and self-referential antics. Meanwhile, Pinky and the Brain’s ideas for world domination lead them to a dictator dinner party, a beauty pageant and even the International Space Station.
11/11
Madagascar: A Little Wild – Season 5 (Hulu)
The popular Madagascar characters are back for Season 5 of their adventures as younglings at the Manhattan Zoo. Alex deals with some major jealousy issues when Ant’ney goes viral, Marty gets himself locked inside the public library, the gang helps Melman make it through his first-ever night away from the habitat, and Gloria struggles to cope with saying goodbye when Lala decides she’s ready for a bigger pond.
11/12
The Shrink Next Door – Season 1 (Apple TV Plus)
Inspired by true events, “The Shrink Next Door” details the bizarre relationship between psychiatrist to the stars Dr. Isaac “Ike” Herschkopf (Paul Rudd) and his longtime patient Martin “Marty” Markowitz (Will Ferrell). The series explores how a seemingly normal doctor-patient dynamic morphs into an exploitative relationship filled with manipulation, power grabs, and dysfunction at its finest. Also stars Kathryn Hahn and Casey Wilson.
DISNEY PLUS DAY
To celebrate the second anniversary of the streamer’s launch, Disney Plus will debut multiple digital shorts and specials on November 12th, as well as some movie premieres (including Jungle Cruise and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.)
Olaf Presents – Season 1 (Disney Plus)
Everybody loved Olaf’s comedic retelling of Frozen history in Frozen II, so Disney has created a new series of animated shorts with Olaf “retelling” five favorite Disney animated tales. The charismatic and overly theatrical snowman (voiced by Josh Gad) will take on the iconic roles of Ariel, the genie, Simba, Rapunzel, Moana (and most of the parts in between–with some help from Marshmallow and the little Snowgies), as he entertains you with his abbreviated versions of these beloved tales.
11/14
The Mayor of Kingstown – Season 1 (Paramount+)
Follows the McLusky family – power brokers in Kingstown, Mich., where the business of incarceration is the only thriving industry. Tackling themes of systemic racism, corruption and inequality, the series provides a stark look at their attempt to bring order and justice to a town that has neither. Stars Jeremy Renner (Marvel’s Hawkeye).
11/17
Marvel’s Hit Monkey – Season 1 (Hulu)
In this new animated series from Marvel, after a Japanese snow monkey’s tribe is slaughtered, he joins forces with the ghost of an American assassin (voice of “Ted Lasso’s” Jason Sudeikis) and together, they begin killing their way through the Yakuza underworld. This one is not for kids, despite being animated and from Marvel.
Tiger King – Season 2 (Netflix)
Sudden fame and unwanted attention from the authorities turns up the heat and unearths some stunning revelations on the motivations, backstories, and secrets of America’s most notorious big cat owners. Old enemies and frenemies, including Jeff Lowe, Tim Stark, Allen Glover, and James Garretson return for another season of murder, mayhem, and madness. Thought you knew the whole story? Just you wait.
11/18
Star Trek: Discovery – Season 4 (Paramount+)
Season four of STAR TREK: DISCOVERY finds Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and the crew of the U.S.S. Discovery facing a threat unlike any they’ve ever encountered. With Federation and non-Federation worlds alike feeling the impact, they must confront the unknown and work together to ensure a hopeful future for all.
11/19
Cowboy Bebop – Season 1 (Netflix)
Based on the beloved 1990s anime series, COWBOY BEBOP is an action-packed space Western about three bounty hunters, aka “cowboys,” all trying to outrun the past. Spike Spiegel (John Cho), Jet Black (Mustafa Shakir), and Faye Valentine (Daniella Pineda) form a scrappy, snarky crew ready to hunt down the solar system’s most dangerous criminals — for the right price. For fans of the original, it may help to know that original anime series director Shinichirō Watanabe is a consultant on the series, and original composer Yoko Kanno fills the same role on this live-action adaptation.
Harriet the Spy – Season 1 (Apple TV Plus)
Based on the young adult book that has been much-loved and much-read for multiple generations. Outspoken and perpetually curious. That’s 11-year-old Harriet (voiced by Beanie Feldstein) in a nutshell. But if she’s going to be Harriet M. Welsch, future writer, she’ll need to know everything. And to know everything means she’ll need to spy … on everyone.
The Great – Season 2 (Hulu)
Catherine (Elle Fanning) finally takes the Russian throne for her own — but if she thought coup-ing her husband (Nicholas Hoult) was difficult, it’s nothing compared to the realities of ‘liberating’ a country that doesn’t want to be. She’ll battle her court, her team, even her own mother (Gillian Anderson) in a bid to bring the enlightenment to Russia. Ultimately Catherine will learn that becoming ‘Great’ will ask more of her than she could have imagined.
The Wheel of Time – Season 1 (Amazon Prime)
The Wheel of Time is one of the most popular and enduring fantasy series of all time, with more than 90 million books sold. Set in a sprawling, epic world where magic exists and only certain women are allowed to access it, the story follows Moiraine (Rosamund Pike), a member of the incredibly powerful all-female organization called the Aes Sedai, as she arrives in the small town of Two Rivers. There, she embarks on a dangerous, world-spanning journey with five young men and women, one of whom is prophesied to be the Dragon Reborn, who will either save or destroy humanity.
11/23
Masters of the Universe: Revelation – Part 2 (Netflix)
The war for Eternia continues in the second part of “Masters of the Universe: Revelation,” an innovative and action-packed animated series (from Kevin Smith) that picks up where the iconic characters left off in the 1980s cartoon. With Skeletor now wielding the Sword of Power, the weary heroes of Eternia must band together to fight back against the forces of evil in a thrilling and epic conclusion to the two-part series.
11/24
Hawkeye – Season 1 (Disney Plus)
Jeremy Renner returns to his role as Clint Barton, (aka “Hawkeye” in the Marvel Cinematic Universe) who teams up with another well-known archer from the Marvel comics, Kate Bishop, played by Hailee Steinfeld.
Dragons Rescue Riders: Heroes of the Sky – Season 1 (Peacock)
An all-new original animated series from DreamWorks animation’s viking and dragon world, DRAGONS RESCUE RIDERS: HEROES OF THE SKY is the next chapter following the adventures of viking twins Dak and Leyla, who were rescued and raised by dragons, growing up learning to speak their language.
Hanna – Season 3 (Amazon Prime)
The third season of HANNA continues the journey of the young assassin (Esme Creed-Miles), who was created by a sinister organization Hanna is now secretly trying to destroy Utrax from the inside and free herself from its grasp with the help of her previous nemesis, former-CIA agent Marissa Wiegler (Mireille Enos). Together they have coerced high-ranking Utrax agent John Carmichael (Dermot Mulroney) into aiding their mission, but her fellow young assassins, as well as new foes are starting to suspect Hanna’s plot.
Saved By The Bell – Season 2 (Peacock)
In Season 2, Bayside High gears up to compete in the Southern California School Spirit Competition. Daisy (Haskiri Velazquez) is determined not to get sidetracked by “Bayside nonsense,” but when a cute new student is elected student council VP, she finds herself in way over her head. Mac (Mitchell Hoog) sees the competition as a way to finally step out from his father, Zack’s (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) shadow. Slater (Mario Lopez) and a newly single Jessie (Elizabeth Berkley) grow closer despite their tumultuous romantic past.
True Story – Limited Series (Netflix)
In this Netflix limited series, a world-famous comedian (Kevin Hart) desperately searches for a way out after a night in Philadelphia with his brother (Wesley Snipes) threatens to sabotage more than his success.
11/25
Super Crooks – Season 1 (Netflix)
New anime series based on a graphic novel by comic book legend Mark Millar and produced by renowned Japanese anime studio bones. Luck’s never been on their side, but this crew of small-time crooks with super powers recruited by none other than Johnny Bolt are rolling the dice on one last heist. Their target: A ruthless super-powered crime boss.
DECEMBER
12/10
The Expanse – Season 6 (Amazon Prime)
The sixth and final season of “The Expanse” picks up with the solar system at war, with devastating asteroid attacks on Earth and Mars. As the tensions of war and shared loss threaten to pull the crew of the Rocinante apart, Chrisjen Avasarala (Shohreh Aghdashloo) sends former Martian Marine Bobbie Draper (Frankie Adams) on a secret mission that could turn the tide. Meanwhile in the Belt, Drummer (Cara Gee) and what’s left of her family are on the run and hunted. And on a distant planet beyond the Rings, a new power begins to rise.
12/17
The Witcher – Season 2 (Netflix)
Convinced Yennefer’s (Anya Chalotra) life was lost, Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill) brings Princess Cirilla (Freya Allan) to the safest place he knows, his childhood home. While the Continent’s kings, elves, humans and demons strive for supremacy outside its walls, he must protect the girl from something far more dangerous: the mysterious power she possesses inside.
With Love – Season 1 (Amazon Prime)
A one-hour romantic comedy, written and created by Gloria Calderón Kellett (“One Day at a Time”) that follows the Diaz siblings, Lily and Jorge, who are both on a mission to find love and purpose. Each of the five episodes, set during a different holiday throughout the year, follows them and the Diaz family over the course of 12 months as they experience the highs and lows of life during some of the most heightened days of the year.
12/19
Y:1883 – Season 1 (Paramount+)
Stars Sam Elliott, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, and follows the Dutton family as they embark on a journey west through the Great Plains toward the last bastion of untamed America. It is a stark retelling of Western expansion, and an intense study of one family fleeing poverty to seek a better future in America’s promised land — Montana. Also features Billy Bob Thornton.
12/29
The Book of Boba Fett – Season 1 (Disney Plus)
Following the events of the Season 2 finale of “The Mandalorian,” legendary bounty hunter Boba Fett (Temuera Morrison) and mercenary Fennec Shand (Ming-Na Wen) navigate the galaxy’s underworld when they return to the sands of Tatooine to stake their claim on the territory once ruled by Jabba the Hutt and his crime syndicate before Jabba’s death in Return of the Jedi.
12/31
Cobra Kai – Season 4 (Netflix)
Season 4 finds former rival dojos joining forces to take down Cobra Kai at the All Valley Under 18 Karate Tournament. As Samantha (Mary Mouser) and Miguel (Xolo Maridueña) try to maintain the dojo alliance and Robby (Tanner Buchanan) goes all in at Cobra Kai, the fate of the Valley has never been more precarious. Can Daniel and Johnny bury their decades-long hatchet to defeat John Kreese (Martin Kove) and his teachings? Or will Kreese and his old pal Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith) help Cobra Kai become the face of karate in the valley?
Hopefully you & your family found this preview helpful! Andy Farnsworth does a weekly “What To Watch” segment for the KSL 5 Today morning news show and also hosts the Fan Effect podcast for KSL NewsRadio. Check out his in-depth reviews of movies and streaming TV series on KSLTV.com.