One week into the new year, Netflix hasn’t wasted any time unveiling a wide range of television and film programming to add to its extensive streaming library, with an impressive wave of entertainment kicking off January 2023. From fan-favorite movies to Netflix original anime, there truly is something for everyone as the digital platform looks to maintain its momentum going into 2023. And CBR is here to provide a fresh set of suggestions of what to watch this weekend to keep audiences entertained as they continue to stay inside and keep warm.
Here are all the biggest and best binge recommendations on Netflix for the first full weekend of the new year, from classic movies freshly arrived to the streaming service’s catalog to the chance to catch up on popular TV series.
The Way of the Househusband Returns for a New Season
Netflix continues to remain a powerhouse in the production and distribution of original anime, kicking off the year with a new season of The Way of the Househusband. Adapting the manga series of the same name by Kousuke Oono, the popular show blends comedy and crime action in equal measure. Season 2 picks up right where the hit anime left off and then some, as protagonist Tatsu faces familiar rivals and associates from his criminal career before he retired into domesticity.
Despite his intimidating physical appearance, Tatsu settles into a world of routine chores and responsibilities to maintain his home while his wife furthers her career in design. However, figures from Tatsu’s past regularly disrupt his retirement, leading to old grudges and unresolved feuds being reignited. Expertly paced and balanced, The Way of the Househusband stands as one of Netflix’s strongest original anime programs.
The Walking Dead’s Grand Finale Rises From the Grave
After an enormously successful run, The Walking Dead concluded its main series with its 11th season last year, wrapping up the television phenomenon. While the zombie horror franchise created by Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore has spawned a number of spinoff series, the main story that began in 2010 has come to a bloody finish. The final season is now available to stream on Netflix for those who may have missed the show’s triumphant end or are looking to revisit the entire series in full.
The Walking Dead Season 11 has Daryl Dixon lead his fellow survivors to face two rival factions, the Commonwealth and the Reapers, as they rebuild civilization after the zombie apocalypse. As the fiery conflict for the fate of Alexandria looms, old grudges resurface as humanity’s last battle begins. A genuine triumph in comic book adaptations and horror television, The Walking Dead ends its run on a strong note.
Top Gun Shows Where It All Began
One of the biggest movies of last year is Top Gun: Maverick, bringing Tom Cruise back to the hotshot role that made him an international superstar. But as Maverick grabs streaming records on Paramount+, the 1986 film that started it all has landed on Netflix. With its memorable soundtrack, high-flying action set pieces and charismatic cast, Top Gun continues to share the need for speed with audiences worldwide.
Named after the top flight program within the U.S. Navy, Top Gun has Maverick and his wingman Goose enter the program to prove they’re the best pilots in the Navy. As Maverick romances the squadron’s psychiatrist, he forms rivalries and endures tragedy before the pilots face a shadowy enemy for aerial supremacy. A quintessential movie in defining ‘80s cinema, Top Gun holds up over 35 years later as the ultimate showcase of how Cruise catapulted himself among Hollywood’s elite.
The Rocky Series Takes Its Big Swing
While Rocky Balboa is not expected to appear in this year’s Creed III, the Italian Stallion’s solo cinematic adventures have found a home on Netflix. From the Academy Award-winning original film to the stylized slugfests from the ‘80s, Rocky stands as one of the most successful sports movie franchises of all time. The first five films in the series are all available to stream on Netflix as the ultimate weekend boxing binge.
The Rocky series is written — and often directed — by Sylvester Stallone, making a household name of the actor and filmmaker for his portrayal of the eponymous boxer. As Rocky gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to face the world heavyweight champion Apollo Creed in the ring, he finds love with a local woman named Adrian. The sequels follow Rocky and Adrian’s lives together as Rocky makes a name for himself in the boxing community, facing the world’s fiercest fighters for the title.
Road to Perdition Shows a Very Different Side of Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks may have fostered a reputation as Hollywood’s definitive nice guy, but he decidedly played against type in the 2002 crime film Road to Perdition. Adapting the Max Allan Collins and Richard Piers Rayner comic book series of the same name, Hanks is joined by an all-star cast, including a young Daniel Craig and Paul Newman in one of the legendary actor’s final major roles. The film is now available to stream on Netflix, making it an essential watch for anyone who missed the overlooked classic the first time around.
Mob enforcer Michael Sullivan is betrayed by the Illinois crime syndicate he works for, leaving only himself and his young son — played by future Superman Tyler Hoechlin — alive after their entire family is ambushed. As Michael shows his son the ropes in staying alive during the ‘30s crime scene, the two Sullivans grow closer as they seek vengeance on those who massacred their loved ones. A tour-de-force from the whole cast and crew, Road to Perdition is an underrated crime saga that gives Newman his effective swan song while showing Hanks in a completely different light than the bulk of his celebrated career.
