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Discover the best movies and TV shows streaming now, with handpicked recommendations from Boston.com.
5 must-watch movies & TV shows streaming right now
The best of what's new streaming on Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney Plus, and more.
Welcome to Boston.com’s weekly streaming guide. Each week, we recommend five must-watch movies and TV shows available on streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Disney+, HBO Max, Peacock, Paramount+, and more.
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For even more great streaming options, check out previous editions of our must-watch list here.
New Movies Streaming
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”
Director Tim Burton brought his trademark macabre style to Massachusetts and Vermont towns last summer when he filmed scenes for “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” the long-awaited sequel to 1988’s “Beetlejuice.” Oscar nominee Michael Keaton is back as the malevolent poltergeist, this time vacillating between friend and foe to three generations of Deetz women: Delia (Catherine O’Hara, “Home Alone”), daughter Lydia (Winona Ryder, “Stranger Things”), and granddaughter/newcomer Astrid (Jenna Ortega, “Wednesday”).
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Astrid is convinced that Lydia, who has become a TV psychic, has never actually seen ghosts, and is playing along for profit and to please her simpering, controlling boyfriend (a very funny Justin Theroux). Astrid’s doubts quickly dissipate when they return to Winter River, Connecticut for the funeral of Delia’s husband (played by Jeffrey Jones in the original).
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” plays out more like long-form sketch comedy than movie, with storylines picked up and abandoned at a furious speed. But it’s infinitely more fun watching a slightly disjointed and completely demented pastiche than a staid legacyquel robotically hitting fan service benchmarks.
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How to watch: “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is streaming on Max.
“Ghostlight”
There were two excellent movies released in 2024 about the healing power of theater. The first, A24’s “Sing Sing,” came out back in July and is about to start another theatrical run ahead of award season, so it may be a while before it’s on a streaming service. The second, IFC Films’ “Ghostlight,” snuck in and out of theaters with less fanfare, but is equally moving.
A favorite at both Sundance and IFFBoston, “Ghostlight” follows a middle-aged construction worker named Dan (Keith Kupferer) who surprises everyone by joining a local theater’s production of “Romeo and Juliet.” Amidst family strife, Dan discovers that the centuries-old tragedy unexpectedly resonates on a personal level.
How to watch: “Ghostlight” is streaming on AMC+.
New TV Streaming
“Black Doves”
After the runaway success of Keri Russell’s spy thriller “The Diplomat,” Netflix has doubled down on the genre with “Black Doves.” A Christmastime caper set in London, Helen (Keira Knightley) is a spy who has been passing the political secrets of her unwitting husband to the Black Doves.
When a member of their organization is killed, Helen teams up with Sam (Ben Whishaw, “Skyfall”) to solve the mystery, which — surprise, surprise — reveals a vast global conspiracy. Co-starring Sarah Lancashire (“Julia”) and Andrew Koji (“Bullet Train”), “Black Doves” is breezy fun with a patina of holiday spirit.
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How to watch: “Black Doves” is streaming on Netflix.
“Pop Culture Jeopardy!”
Ever since Michael Davies took over as executive producer of “Jeopardy!,” the veteran TV exec has worked on producing brand extensions of the long-running quiz show, including this pop culture-focused competition hosted by Colin Jost on Prime Video.
Teams of three (rather than individuals) show off their pop culture knowledge in an elimination-style tournament that will play out over 40 episodes through this spring. It’s basically a reimagining of “The World Series of Pop Culture,” a 2006-07 VH1 show also produced by Davies.
With Jost on hand, there are more laugh lines than the syndicated show, as well as other stylistic changes like a “Triple Play,” in which all three team members have a chance to respond to a three-part clue. But the core gameplay elements of “Jeopardy!” remain intact, and if your knowledge base trends toward reality TV and internet memes instead of ancient history and opera, you’ll feel like a genius.
How to watch: “Pop Culture Jeopardy!” is streaming on Prime Video, with new episodes debuting Wednesdays.
“Star Wars: Skeleton Crew”
Jon Watts, who made Tom Holland a star in the recent MCU “Spider-Man” movies, pitched this spinoff as “Star Wars” meets “The Goonies,” which is exactly how it plays. Four kids (three humanoid, one elephantine alien) end up lost in space after messing around with an old abandoned spaceship on their home planet. With the help of a Force-attuned man (Jude Law) and a droid on the ship (Nick Frost), the kids try to avoid space pirates and find their way home.
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Beyond the pedigree of Watts, “Skeleton Crew” also has individual episodes directed by David Lowery (“A Ghost Story”), Lee Isaac Chung (“Twisters”), and the Daniels (“Everything Everywhere All At Once”).
How to watch: “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew” is streaming on Disney+, with new episodes debuting Tuesdays.
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