New Movies + Shows to Watch this Weekend: Netflix’s ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ + More

Where to Stream:

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

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We may still be one week away from Christmas, but it looks like the holiday came early this year thanks to the big title drop we are seeing from our favorite streaming platforms this weekend! Whether you use Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime or all of the above to get some entertainment, each streaming service has put out top-notch movies and shows in which everyone will love. But where to start? For what it’s worth, here’s our thoughts on what to watch this weekend and where to stream it.

New Movies and Shows to Stream This Weekend: Ma Rainey’s Black BottomOn Pointe and The Grand Tour Presents: A Massive Hunt

We are not ready for this weekend’s streaming options, but we also cannot wait to check them all out. First up on Netflix is the highly-anticipated film,Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Not only is it already a widely-acclaimed film, but it also marks the last movie the late, great Chadwick Boseman ever completed! And once you’ve cried your eyes out watching our Black Panther one last time, you can pivot (literally) and check outOn Pointe, the amazing and unprecedented docuseries about New York’s School of American Ballet on Disney+. And if you are more of a gearhead, James May’s The Grand Tour series is back with another feature-length film called The Grand Tour Presents: A Massive Hunt that you can check out on Amazon Prime Video. We told you that you wouldn’t be ready for this weekend’s streaming lineup! But to get started, check out some highlights from the great movies and shows now streaming we’ve listed below:

New on Netflix December 18: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Break out the tissues, folks, because the film we have all been waiting for — yet dreading at the same time — is finally here: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is new on Netflix this weekend. Based on the famed August Wilson play of the same name, this drama flick centers on the legendary “Mother of the Blues” Ma Rainey, and the young trumpet player Levee — whose infectious ambition inspires his fellow band members into an explosion of stories, lies and truths that will change them, forever. Starring Viola Davis as the iconic Ma and Chadwick Boseman (in his final role) as Levee, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom will hit differently than what producer Denzel Washington originally intended; nevertheless, the heart at the center of one of the top movies out on Netflix this month is felt that much more thanks to the impact Boseman left behind.

Stream Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom on Netflix

New on Disney+ December 18: On Pointe

If you thought ballet looked easy, you will find yourself sorely mistaken after watching On Pointe, the original docu-series that is new on Disney+ this weekend. This six-part series takes an unprecedented dive into a season at the School of American Ballet (SAB) in New York City, following students ranging from 8 to 18 years old  as they pour blood, sweat and tears into their dreams of becoming professional ballet dancers. Watch the more seasoned dancers rigorously train for professional careers and the younger students get put through their paces as the school prepares for the annual holiday classic: “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker” at Lincoln Center. You won’t want to miss taking advantage of this unprecedented access to the famous ballet institution, so check out On Pointe as fast as you can jeté across the floor!

Stream On Pointe on Disney+

New on Amazon Prime Video December 18: The Grand Tour Presents:  A Massive Hunt

New on Amazon Prime Video this weekend is The Grand Tour Presents: A Massive Hunt, the most action-packed adventure on four wheels possible. The latest installment in The Grand Tour feature-length series, A Massive Hunt picks back up with car enthusiasts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, James May just after completing their watery escapades in the Mekong. Relieved to be back on four wheels again, the hosts embark on what was supposed to be a cushy road trip with sports cars only to find themselves pulled into a bizarre challenge that leads them to Madagascar, where they must tackle the world’s toughest road. Think they can do it? Find out in The Grand Tour Presents: A Massive Hunt.

Stream The Grand Tour Presents: A Massive Hunt on Prime Video

Full List of New Movies and Shows on Streaming This Weekend

The options above only scratch the surface, so you know that this weekend’s full lineup will have amazing options for what to watch this weekend! For the full breakdown of the best movies and shows to stream now, or if you’re still undecided on what to stream this weekend, then check out the complete list below:

New on Netflix- Full List

Released Friday, December 18

Guest House (2020)
Home for Christmas: Season 2 *NETFLIX ORIGINAL
Jeopardy! Champion Run V
Jeopardy! Champion Run VI
Jeopardy! Teacher’s Tournament
Jeopardy! College Championship
Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom *NETFLIX FILM
Sweet Home *NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Released Sunday, December 20

Rhys Nicholson Live At The Athenaeum (2019)

New on Hulu- Full List

Released Friday, December 18

The Hero (2017)

New on Amazon Prime Video- Full List

Released Friday, December 18

Blackbird (2020)
The Grand Tour Presents: A Massive Hunt *Amazon Original Special

New on Disney+ – Full List

Released Friday, December 18

Arendelle Castle Yule Log (Premiere) *Disney+ Original
Buried Truth of the Maya
Cosmos: Possible Worlds (S1)
Disney Channel Holiday House Party
Disney Parks Sunrise Series (S1)
Disney Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure (S3)
Dory’s Reef Cam (Premiere) *Disney+ Original
Eddie the Eagle
Extras – Beyond the Clouds: Creating Zach’s World *Disney+ Original
Into the Woods
Miraculous World: New York, United Heroez
On Pointe (Premiere) *Disney+ Original
The Mandalorian – Season Finale: “Chapter 16” *Disney+ Original
The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse – “Supermarket Scramble” & “Just the Four of Us” *Disney+ Original

New on HBO- Full List

Released Friday, December 18

Diego Torres Sinfonico, Season 1 (HBO)
Hasta Que La Boda Nos Separe (aka The Wedding Unplanner), 2020 (HBO)

Released Saturday, December 19

Wendy, 2020 (HBO)

Released Sunday, December 20

I Used To Go Here, 2020 (HBO)

New on Starz- Full List

Released Friday, December 18

Big Bully (1996)
Chill Factor (1999)
Hoffa (1992)
Jagged Edge (1985)
Major League II (1994)
Major League: Back To The Minors (1998)
Mickey And The Bear (2019)
Radio (2003)
Sin (2002)
State And Main (2000)
The Crush (1993)
The Hit List (2010)
The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)
The Surrogate (2020)
Tijuana Jackson: Purpose Over Prison (2020)
Wild America (1997)
Wrongfully Accused (1998)

Released Saturday, December 19

Birth (2004)

Released Sunday, December 20

Power Book II: Ghost: Episode 108

New on Showtime- Full List

Released Saturday, December 19

The Cuban

Released Sunday, December 20

Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story
Hollywoodland
Honey
Honey 2
Honey 3: Dare To Dance
The Blues Brothers

New on BritBox- Full List

Released Friday, December 18

A Tale of Two Cities (1980) | New to BritBox | 8 X 30
Martin Chuzzlewit (1994) | New to BritBox | 5 X 55, 1 X 90

Released Saturday, December 19

Dombey and Son (1983) | New to BritBox | 10 X 30
Great Expectations (1981) | New to BritBox | 6 X 55
Great Expectations (2011) | New to BritBox | 3 X 60

Released Sunday, December 20

Bleak House (1985) | New to BritBox | 8 X 50
Bleak Old Shop of Stuff | New to BritBox | 3 X 30