Streaming platforms are starting 2026 with a bang, rolling out an impressive slate of new TV shows and blockbuster movies, much to the delight of audiences looking for fresh entertainment this January. On January 14, major services including Netflix, Disney Plus, Apple TV, HBO Max, Peacock, and Paramount Plus collectively added 20 new titles, spanning genres from gripping mysteries and nail-biting thrillers to beloved franchise films and reality TV favorites.
According to The TV Answer Man, Netflix’s big draw this week is the addition of all three seasons of Veronica Mars. Originally airing twenty years ago, this drama/mystery series stars Kristen Bell as a high school student moonlighting as a private investigator. The show’s enduring appeal lies in its blend of light comic touches and engaging mysteries, making it a favorite for viewers who like a show that can run in the background—right up there with classics like Friends and The Office. Bell’s performance, showcasing her early star power, continues to attract both nostalgic fans and newcomers.
Apple TV, meanwhile, premiered the much-anticipated second season of Hijack, starring Idris Elba. The first season saw Elba’s character, a master negotiator, fighting for survival when a plane was hijacked by a group of terrorists with mysterious motives. The new season ups the ante, placing Elba on a Berlin underground train taken hostage. Viewers can expect the same tension and layered storytelling that made the first season a standout. As The TV Answer Man notes, "Elba’s character has conflicting motivations which are slowly revealed throughout the seven-episode first season and the actor does a splendid job of keeping his cards close to the vest until each revelation is served." The eight-episode second season promises even more twists and high-stakes drama.
Disney Plus delivered the season finale of Made In Korea, a Korean spy thriller that has steadily gained a following. The six-episode series stars Hyun Bin as Baek Ki-Tae, a corrupt intelligence officer, and Jung Woo-Sung as a principled prosecutor determined to bring him down—even at great personal risk. The action-packed finale wraps up a season filled with moral dilemmas and atmospheric suspense, and fans will be pleased to hear that a second season is already in production. Disney Plus also added new episodes of Hey A.J.!, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, and all episodes of Pole to Pole With Will Smith, giving subscribers a wealth of new content to explore.
But perhaps the biggest headline-grabber of the week is Peacock’s acquisition of the entire Hunger Games film franchise. As reported by multiple sources, Peacock has added five Lionsgate sci-fi adventure blockbusters to its streaming library: The Hunger Games (2012), The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013), The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 (2014), The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 (2015), and the latest prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (2023). These films, which have collectively grossed over $3.3 billion worldwide, are based on Suzanne Collins’ best-selling dystopian novels and star Jennifer Lawrence as the iconic Katniss Everdeen. The franchise also features a star-studded cast including Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland, Rachel Zegler, Tom Blyth, Hunter Schafer, Peter Dinklage, and Viola Davis.
The arrival of these films on Peacock is a major coup for the platform, giving subscribers instant access to a cultural phenomenon that has captivated audiences for over a decade. The original movies, directed first by Gary Ross and then by Francis Lawrence, follow Katniss Everdeen as she navigates the deadly politics of Panem, a dystopian society where children are forced to fight to the death in the annual Hunger Games. The prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, dives into the backstory of a young Coriolanus Snow and features new faces such as Rachel Zegler and Tom Blyth. As described by the official synopsis, "In what was once North America, the Capitol of Panem maintains its hold on its 12 districts by forcing them each to select a boy and a girl, called Tributes, to compete in a nationally televised event called the Hunger Games. Every citizen must watch as the youths fight to the death until only one remains. District 12 Tribute Katniss Everdeen has little to rely on, other than her hunting skills and sharp instincts, in an arena where she must weigh survival against love."
Peacock’s Hunger Games collection isn’t just a nostalgic binge opportunity—it’s also timely. Lionsgate is set to release yet another prequel, Sunrise on the Reaping, on November 20, 2026. This new film will center on a young Haymitch Abernathy, played by Joseph Zada, and will explore the 50th Hunger Games. The cast includes Mckenna Grace, Whitney Peak, Jesse Plemons, Maya Hawke, Elle Fanning, Kieran Culkin, Glenn Close, and Ralph Fiennes, promising another star-studded entry in the franchise.
Elsewhere in the streaming world, HBO Max added several true crime and reality series, including Evil Lives Here (Season 19), Killer Confessions: Case Files of a Texas Ranger (Season 1), and Suddenly Amish (Season 1). Paramount Plus brought Bar Rescue (Season 9) and Peppa Pig (Season 10) to its lineup, catering to both reality TV enthusiasts and families with young children. Peacock, in addition to the Hunger Games films, premiered Love Island All Stars (Season 3) and The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City (Season 6 reunion), further expanding its reality TV offerings.
Notably, Hulu and Amazon Prime Video had no new releases on January 14, a rare quiet day for two of the industry’s biggest platforms. This left the spotlight firmly on their competitors, whose content drops have generated considerable buzz among subscribers and critics alike.
For TV fans and movie lovers, this week’s streaming updates offer a little something for everyone—whether it’s revisiting old favorites, diving into new dramas, or catching up on the latest in reality TV. The strategic timing and variety of these releases underscore the increasing competition among platforms to capture viewers’ attention and loyalty. As streaming services continue to battle for dominance, one thing’s for sure: audiences are the real winners, with more choices and more stories than ever before.
With blockbuster franchises, acclaimed dramas, and international hits all arriving at once, January 2026 is shaping up to be a memorable month for streaming. As the landscape evolves and new titles keep coming, viewers can look forward to a year filled with surprises, nostalgia, and plenty of binge-worthy entertainment.
