January Television: The Best Shows to Start the Year

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So it’s January. The holidays are over, the decorations are packed away, and honestly? The sofa is calling. This is the month where I always find myself down a rabbit hole of “what should I actually watch?” I’m not a TV critic. I’m just someone who spends way too much time scrolling through streaming apps. So I’ve been putting together a list of shows worth your time this January. Some are new, some are hidden gems, and some are things I’m only just getting to myself.

Why January Is Actually a Great Month for TV

First, let’s talk about timing. January is genuinely one of the best months for new TV. Networks and streamers know people are staying home more. They drop their good stuff early in the year to catch our attention. According to Variety’s TV preview coverage, several major streaming platforms will launch prestige titles specifically in January. So we’re actually in luck. The couch-potato lifestyle is essentially a seasonal programming strategy. I’m choosing to see that as a win.

Also, there’s no pressure in January. You can watch something just because it sounds interesting. You don’t need a recommendation from someone at a party. You’re allowed to just… explore.

New Shows Worth Keeping An Eye On

Every January brings a wave of new releases. The tricky part is sorting through what’s actually good. I’ve been checking out IMDb’s new releases section, which updates weekly and is genuinely helpful. It covers US and international titles.

Right now, shows getting early buzz include new seasons of long-running dramas and some fresh limited series. Limited series are especially good for January because you can actually finish them. There’s something really satisfying about completing a whole story in a week or two. If you want to track what’s coming, JustWatch is a free site that lets you filter new releases by your streaming subscriptions. It works in the US, UK, Australia, and most of Europe, too.

The short version: don’t just trust the algorithm. Browse intentionally.

Crime and Thriller Shows That Hit Different in Winter

There’s something about cold, grey January that makes crime dramas feel extra compelling. I’ve been going back to shows in this genre a lot lately. One I keep recommending is The Fall (available on Netflix in many regions). It’s a slow-burning psychological thriller set in Belfast. Gillian Anderson is absolutely brilliant in it. It came out a few years ago, but honestly, it holds up so well.

If you want something newer, Slow Horses on Apple TV+ has been getting consistent praise since it launched. It’s a British spy thriller based on Mick Herron’s novels. The lead character is deliberately unglamorous, and that’s kind of the point. It’s sharp and a little dark. You can find more details about it at Apple TV+’s official site.

For US readers, Mindhunter on Netflix (technically finished, unfortunately) is still one of the best crime dramas ever made. If you haven’t seen it, January is the perfect time to finally fix that.

Feel-Good Shows Because January Can Be Rough

Okay, not everything needs to be dark and intense. January also brings that post-holiday slump for many people. So sometimes you just want something warm and enjoyable. I’ve been looking into comfort TV recommendations, and there are some genuinely great options.

Ted Lasso on Apple TV+ is one that comes up constantly in conversations about feel-good TV. It’s about an American football coach hired to manage a British soccer team. It sounds ridiculous, and yet it’s genuinely one of the kindest, most uplifting shows I’ve seen. All three seasons are out now. More info at Apple TV+.

Another one I stumbled on recently is Schitt’s Creek, a Canadian comedy that found a massive global audience on Netflix. If you haven’t seen it yet, I genuinely envy you. Going in fresh is such a treat.

And for something lighter and easy to dip in and out of, The Great British Bake Off (called The Great British Baking Show in the US) is on Netflix and is basically television Valium. In the best possible way.

International Shows Worth Exploring

This is something I’ve been getting more into lately. January feels like a good time to branch out and try something outside your usual comfort zone. International TV has genuinely exploded in quality over the last few years.

Dark (Germany, Netflix) is one of the most intricate and mind-bending shows I’ve ever watched. It’s a sci-fi thriller about a small town and a missing child. Watch it in German with subtitles. The dubbed version loses something. It ran for three seasons and has a complete, satisfying ending. That last point matters more than people admit.

Money Heist (Spain, Netflix) is another one that hooked a global audience. It’s a heist thriller with style to spare. The first two seasons in particular are genuinely gripping. You can find both on Netflix globally.

If you’re interested in Asian drama, Squid Game from South Korea is obviously still very relevant (Season 2 landed at the end of 2024). But if you want something slightly calmer, My Mister is a Korean drama about an unlikely friendship that’s been praised for its emotional depth. Check it out on Viki, which is a great platform for Asian content with subtitles.

Documentaries That Are Worth Your January Time

I always forget about documentaries until someone mentions one, and I end up watching it for three hours straight. January is actually a great month for this genre, too. It’s the time of year for reflection and learning new things.

Wild Isles on BBC iPlayer (and available internationally through various means) is a stunning nature documentary narrated by David Attenborough. It focuses on British wildlife, but it’s visually gorgeous enough to transcend geography. If you’ve seen it, you probably already know what I mean.

For something more socially focused, The Last Dance on Netflix (about Michael Jordan and the 1990s Chicago Bulls) is consistently cited as one of the best sports documentaries ever made. Even if you don’t follow basketball at all, it’s a fascinating look at ambition, legacy, and team dynamics. Really worth your time.

Documentary Storm is also a great free website for finding full documentaries across all genres. No subscription needed.

Older Shows That Are Still Completely Worth It

I’ve been thinking about this a lot recently. There’s this pressure to always watch the newest thing. But honestly, older shows that you missed are just as valid. January is a great time to catch up.

The Wire (HBO/Max) is one I resisted for years because it felt like homework. Then I started it and couldn’t stop. It’s set in Baltimore and examines crime, policing, politics, and the media over five seasons. Widely considered one of the greatest TV shows ever made. More info at HBO’s official site.

Fleabag (Amazon Prime) is only two seasons, and you could finish the whole thing in a weekend. Phoebe Waller-Bridge wrote and starred in it. It’s funny and heartbreaking, and unlike anything else I’ve watched. If somehow you haven’t seen it yet, please do yourself a favour this January.

Breaking Bad (available on Netflix in many regions) is another one that comes up constantly when people talk about peak TV. If you started it and stopped, go back. It takes a few episodes to find its feet, and then it becomes genuinely compulsive.

How To Actually Decide What To Watch

This is the part I find hardest personally. There are too many options. So here’s what I’ve started doing. I spend five minutes on Letterboxd’s TV section or Rotten Tomatoes TV to see what’s scoring well. Then I check if it’s available on something I already subscribe to using JustWatch. Then I commit and actually start it instead of watching the trailer for twenty minutes.

The only real rule I try to follow is this: give everything three episodes before you decide. First episodes often aren’t representative. Some of the best shows take a little time to warm up. And January is nothing if not time.

Happy watching. I hope you find something that makes the cold months a little more worth it.