Well, we made it. 2022 is almost over. And what a year it has been in the worlds of film, TV, and gaming. It feels like we’re finally getting back to business as usual after almost three years of Covid-related disruption. But what does the future hold? What are the best movies and TV shows coming to Netflix in January 2023?
It has been widely reported that 2022 was a mixed year for Netflix. Subscriber numbers have been up and down. And aside from a few notable exceptions, Netflix Original content failed to generate much buzz this year.
We’ve also been spammed with seemingly endless amounts of true crime. It’s an incredibly popular genre, no doubt. But these limited series releases are becoming increasingly formulaic and predictable.
Of course, the oddly-titled Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story got people talking. But not necessarily for the right reasons. While it was unsettlingly gripping and racked up one billion views in just two months, many critics and viewers felt it was exploitative. The show arguably glorified one of recent history’s most notorious serial killers.
This probably wasn’t the reaction the streaming giant was hoping for. A point further illustrated by the company’s muted promotion of the series prior to its release.
Netflix also ramped up its efforts to tackle password sharing between families and friends in 2022. With so many people sharing their log-in details, these moves unsurprisingly caused a significant backlash and complaints from viewers.
Anyway, enough about the year that has been and onto the year that’s coming. What does Netflix have in store for 2023 as the New Year begins? Check out our list of the best movies and TV shows coming to Netflix in January 2023…
Best Netflix Movies and TV Shows – January 2023
5. The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker
Release date: 10th January 2023
The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker is yet another true crime story from Netflix, but with a twist. It tells the story of homeless man Caleb “Kai” McGillvary, who – while wielding a hatchet – saved innocent people from an attack in the street.
When the story was covered on TV news, Kai shot to viral fame online and became a celebrity of sorts. The world wanted to know everything about this charismatic nomad, until sinister reports surfaced of a dark past involving murder and mystery.
4. Vikings: Valhalla – Season 2
Release date: 12th January 2023
Season 2 of Vikings: Valhalla arrives in January and picks up after the fall of Kattegat. It will also rejoin explorer Leif Eriksson, his sister Freydis Eriksdotter, and prince Harald Sigurdsson.
As end of the Viking Age draws closer, the characters are now fugitives in Scandinavia and must venture to new lands and battlefields.
With a third season already confirmed, it’ll be interesting to see how this second instalment plays out.
3. The Pale Blue Eye – (Best Netflix Movies and TV Shows in January 2023)
Release date: 6th January 2023
Christian Bale stars as Augustus Landor, a detective in 1830 who is called to a US Military Academy in West Point, New York to investigate strange murders.
When a young cadet is found hanged with his heart cut from his chest, Landor must figure out what’s happening, why, and who’s to blame.
Bale’s character receives help from another cadet – Edgar Allan Poe – as he attempts to break a code of silence among the cadets and put an end to the gruesome crimes.
2. KALEIDOSCOPE
Release date: 1st January 2023
KALEIDOSCOPE is a brand-new anthology series about a crew of thieves preparing for the biggest heist in history, with $7 billion hanging in the balance.
Giancarlo Esposito plays mastermind Leo Pap who is leading the team to crack the most secure vault in the United States, all while contending with the world’s fiercest security team and the FBI.
This action-packed eight-episode series is also something of a first for Netflix. Every viewer will watch it in a different order, altering their perception of its narrative. Described as a “streaming experience”, you’ll be dropped into the show at a random point in KALEIDOSCOPE‘s 25-year plot.
While you’ll eventually see every episode (which are named after colours, hence the show’s name) and be able to connect all the dots, this non-linear story is sure to get people talking as everyone will experience it differently.
1. MADOFF: The Monster of Wall Street
Release date: 4th January 2023
This is January’s one to watch. MADOFF: The Monster of Wall Street recounts the rise and fall of powerful Wall Street financier Bernie Madoff who orchestrated the largest Ponzi scheme in history.
But this isn’t just the tale of his role in the decades-long fraud. The documentary will examine who aided Madoff, what they knew, and how the colossal con was committed.
It will also explore Madoff’s personality and ego and what drove him to commit his crimes, as well as the failure of the regulatory agencies that should’ve stopped him sooner.
Which of these titles are you most excited for in January? Let us know in the comment section below and don’t forget to check out our other Film & TV articles…
