Netflixs

Thriller fans might have just found their next obsession

Netflix viewers addicted to new mystery thriller Below should watch this ‘gripping’ drama next.

For those who have yet to tune in, Below is a fresh supernatural series that landed on the streaming platform last week, and has since climbed to the top of the most-watched chart. Starring Josh Hartnett, the drama is set in a remote town called Snook’s Arm.

When the tight-knit community is terrorised by a mysterious sea creature, a dedicated fisherman and father (Hartnett) must find a way to protect his children and fellow neighbours.

Many fans are already hunting for their next obsession after binge-watching the entire six-episode drama in a matter of days. A 2018 series titled The Terror might just be the what viewers are looking for, and it’s available to stream on NOW.

The supernatural horror series is named after Dan Simmons’ 2007 book of the same title, which also provides the story for the first season. It tells a fictionalised version of the real lost expedition of British Royal Navy Officer Captain Sir John Franklin in 1845.

After leaving England on a mission to explore uncharted waters, two ships find themselves frozen and trapped in ice. Those onboard must fight for survival all while being stalked by a mysterious entity.

A synopsis for the show reveals: “As things worsen and civilized behaviour disintegrates in favour of survival at any cost, the crew must simultaneously battle the elements, the supernatural, and eventually themselves.”

The thriller has three seasons in total, but each series takes on a different story. While the other instalments captivated some viewers, season one is better suited for fans of Below.

And it is ‘even better’ than the Netflix series, according to Rotten Tomatoes scores. The Terror has a rare 94% score, while Below has a less impressive 87% rating.

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Viewers have also shared glowing reviews for the series, with many hailing it as one of the best thrillers to come out in recent years. “One of The Top Twenty Television Shows not only this decade: but indeed this Century so-far,” shared one fan.

Someone else raved: “The show draws you in immediately. After only two episodes it’s the only thing on right now, for me, that’s a must-watch. The characters are well-written and multi-dimensional. The story is intriguing.”

A third viewer shared their own verdict, commenting: “Grim, grisly & utterly gripping,” while a fourth added: “I binge-watched Season One, couldn’t stop. Amazing performances.”

While a final fan agreed with the high praise, saying: “One of those series which will have an impact on you for ever. A masterpiece!!!”

The Terror is available to stream NOW

Streaming giant Netflix has unveiled its list of brand new Christmas films that will be released on their platform one per week beginning on November 4

TV schedules are always a major talking point when Christmas approaches – and it appears Netflix are embracing the festive spirit early by unveiling their Yuletide films for 2026, much to their subscribers’ excitement.

Even though we tend to go for the classics of Home Alone, Elf and The Grinch, it can be nice to try a new film, even if it does end up with you not being able to get back two hours of your life. It can be a chance to laugh, cringe, or even debate with family while spending that all-important time together.

Annually, the streaming platform adds four seasonal offerings to its already vast catalogue of movies. And now this year’s titles have been unveiled, as television critic Kate Ellen discussed.

“Every year Netflix announces four films in the run-up to Christmas, and we’ve had some real bangers,” she began in a TikTok video, highlighting Hot Frosty and The Merry Gentlemen as past examples. “Last year wasn’t so strong, but this year I think it is their [Netflix] best line-up yet.”

Kate proceeded to list each title, the first of which is available on Netflix early next month, with the others following every Wednesday.

A Dog’s Perfect Christmas – November 4

Ellen revealed that the first to arrive is A Dog’s Perfect Christmas, which lands on Netflix as early as November 4. She said: “It stars Dennis Quaid and Jess from Gilmore Girls [Milo Ventimiglia] as a Basset Hound who apparently can talk.

“Apparently Dennis is like a grumpy grandad who lost his wife a few years ago, and this year it’s up to him, the Basset Hound and his teenage granddaughter to pull the family together and save Christmas.”

Netflix adds in a brief synopsis: “From the bestselling author of A Dog’s Purpose, a tale of a family in crisis where a teenager, her grandfather and his trusty basset hound struggle to keep the household together at Christmas.”

The Gospel of Christmas – November 11

Seven days later, Tyler Perry’s The Gospel of Christmas arrives on Netflix.

“This one is set in New York and follows a pastor [played by actor and singer, Tank] who has inherited his family’s church,” Ellen went on.

“Apparently he’s going to be battling temptation and doubt – and needing to rediscover his faith before Christmas.”

Netflix’s synopsis adds: “Hark! The herald angels sing – and that’s not all they’re getting up to. A brand-new Tyler Perry movie is being gift-wrapped and tied up with a ribbon, right on time for the holiday season, and it features a series of vocal performances that are not to be missed.”

Guarding Stars – November 18

A week later is when “things get really exciting”, according to Ellen.

“This [Guarding Stars] stars Blair from Gossip Girl [Leighton Meester] and Dean from Gilmore Girls [Jared Padalecki],” she reported. “Jared plays an action movie star and Leighton is his no-nonsense bodyguard who is there to protect him over Christmas.”

Ellen also pointed out that Meester has already proven she is “good in Christmas romances”, having starred in the 2023 rom-com EXMas.

Netflix describes the film with this synopsis: “An upcoming holiday romantic comedy movie about a no-nonsense bodyguard assigned to protect a charming action star over the holidays. Of course, sparks fly, secrets unravel, and Christmas gets a lot more complicated!”

In a Holidaze – December 2

Rounding off Ellen’s list as December approaches is In a Holidaze, starring former Dance Moms favourite Maddie Ziegler.

She said: “She’s [Ziegler] playing a directionless 20-something who, after a romantic mistake of epic proportions, gets stuck inside a time loop, living the same Christmas at her family’s cabin again and again. And apparently she keeps going until she finds out what makes her happy.”

IMDb further explains: “Maelyn Jones’ holiday takes an unexpected turn when her wish for happiness at her family’s snowy Utah cabin results in a time-loop, forcing her to relive Christmas repeatedly.”

Writing in response to Kate’s clip, one TikTok user exclaimed: “I’m so excited for In A Holidaze! Based on a book I hope it’s good.”

A second person shared: “Oh I’m excited!” While a third pointed out: “You forgot to mention the leading lady for ‘the Gospel of Christmas’ is Fantasia who is a American Idol winner and Grammy Award winner and Golden Globe nominated.”

So, as you can see, this year’s festive schedule is absolutely jam-packed!

Skydance-owned Paramount Pictures has taken over the lease for the Bay Theater in Pacific Palisades and intends to reopen the cinema, which has been closed since the January 2025 Palisades fire last year.

Paramount plans to upgrade the theater with state-of-the-art projection systems and in-seat food and drink service, Rick Caruso, whose company owns the Palisades Village shopping center where the Bay Theater is located, said in an interview. Caruso is founder and executive chairman of the real estate firm Caruso.

Paramount plans to show first-run theatrical movies from all studios. The theater will be operated by The Lot, a La Jolla-based luxury dine-in theater chain with four locations in California. The theater is expected to reopen later this year, Caruso said.

“The comeback of this movie theater is a great signal for all of L.A.,” he said. “Los Angeles is resilient, and we’re going to show the country that Los Angeles can bounce back from a terrible, terrible disaster, and the comeback is going to be much greater than the setback.”

Palisades Village reopened in August after more than $100 million in renovations, including major infrastructure work. The upscale outdoor mall survived the Palisades fire, but needed refurbishment to eliminate any potential contaminants from the blaze.

Caruso declined to share terms of Paramount’s lease agreement, saying only that it was long-term. Paramount declined to comment on the size of its investment in the theater.

Caruso said he brought up the Bay Theater over lunch last year with David Ellison, chief executive of Skydance, who was then working to acquire Paramount. The two were discussing that deal and Ellison’s belief in the importance of the movie theater business to the industry.

“Together with Caruso, we are proud to help bring the Bay back to life as a place for the Pacific Palisades community to gather around the shared experience of cinema,” Ellison said in a statement. “This theater has always meant more than movies alone — it’s woven into the fabric of this neighborhood, and helping restore it is a privilege.”

The Bay Theater was previously leased by Netflix, which took it over in 2021. The company used the theater to host special events, screen classic films and showcase its own original theatrical movies.

Caruso described Netflix and company Chief Executive Ted Sarandos as “incredible stewards” of the theater, adding that Sarandos was “very much a gentleman” in having the discussion about Paramount stepping in at the theater.

The Bay Theater announcement comes just about a week after Paramount completed its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The newly combined company, which took the name Skydance after the deal closed, must release at least 30 films a year as part of a settlement agreement with 12 state attorneys general over antitrust claims.

Ellison has long extolled his love of movies and appeared at the CinemaCon movie theater owners convention earlier this year to reiterate his commitment to theatrical releases.

Studios were barred from owning theaters for decades under the Paramount consent decrees, which a federal judge terminated in 2020. Netflix has since operated the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood and the Paris Theater in New York.

“Through our curated offering and dedicated hospitality, we look forward to welcoming the Pacific Palisades community back to the movies, the way they were intended to be shared,” Adolfo Fastlicht, founder and chief executive of The Lot, said in a statement.