The best new TV shows and films to watch on Netflix in January: From a new Harlan Coben thriller to the return of a much-loved historical romance

After the excesses of December – the late nights, the rich food, the endless Christmas tipples – January is when we finally get serious about staying in. The good news? Netflix is more than pulling its weight when it comes to content to binge. 

From glossy period dramas and twisty thrillers to cosy rom-coms and true-crime documentaries that will have you Googling long after the credits roll, the streaming giant has lined up a slate of new releases made for winter evenings on the sofa. Some bring back familiar favourites, others offer fresh new plotlines – but all of are worth cancelling your plans for. 

Run Away 

Release date: 1st January

Harlan Coben knows a thing about writing smash hit TV series. His previous adaptations (think Fool Me One and Missing You) have been global chart-toppers, and this latest thriller looks set to follow suit. Run away follows Simon, who seemingly has the perfect life – until his teenage daughter Paige runs away. When he finally finds her, vulnerable and living rough, he thinks he’s been given a second chance. But when an encounter turns violent and Paige disappears once again, Simon is sent into a dangerous underworld where long-buried secrets threaten to tear his family apart.

HIS & HERS

Release date: 8th January

When a body is found in a quiet Georgia town, reporter Anna Andrews (Tessa Thompson) and detective Jack Harper (Jon Bernthal) are both pulled into the investigation – and both have reasons to lie. The twist? They’re estranged spouses, each telling their own version of the truth. It’s a slick, slow-burn thriller built on shifting narratives, buried secrets and the ultimate question of who to believe. Fans of Gone Girl, add this one to your to-watch list. 

People We Meet on Vacation

Release date: 9th January

Based on the bestselling novel by Emily Henry, this long-awaited rom-com adaptation finally lands on Netflix this January – and trust us, it’s worth marking your calendar for. People We Meet on Vacation stars Tom Blyth and Emily Bader as Alex and Poppy, unlikely best friends who’ve spent a decade taking summer holidays together… without ever addressing the obvious. As old feelings start to surface, their carefully balanced friendship is put to the test, with sun-drenched locations, slow-burn tension and plenty of will-they-won’t-they moments along the way. Expect heart, humour and the kind of slow-burn romance that unfolds over years. 

Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials

Release date: 15th January

Another Christie classic gets the Netflix treatment with this glossy three-part mystery based on The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie. Set in 1920s England, the story begins with a lavish country house party where a practical joke goes very wrong – and ends in murder. BAFTA Rising Star winner (and former YOU Cover star) Mia McKenna-Bruce leads as the fizzingly curious Lady Eileen ‘Bundle’ Brent, an unlikely sleuth drawn into a tangled conspiracy. With masked balls, sharp dialogue and plenty of twists, this looks like perfect armchair-detective viewing for January nights in.

Star Search

Release date: 21st January

The iconic talent show that helped launch the careers of Beyoncé, Britney Spears and Adam Sandler is back – and this time, it’s live. Hosted by Anthony Anderson, the revamped Star Search sees singers, dancers, comedians and kids’ acts compete on a global Netflix stage, with viewers voting in real time. High stakes, big emotions and instant career-changing moments are all part of the appeal. Think old-school talent show nostalgia, but supercharged for a streaming-age audience.

Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart

Release date: 21st January

In 2002, the disappearance of 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart became one of the most high-profile missing-person cases in U.S. history. This powerful documentary revisits her nine months in captivity – and this time, told in Elizabeth’s own words. Blending archival footage with exclusive new interviews, the film explores the psychological toll of her abduction, the media storm surrounding the case, and the extraordinary resilience that helped her survive. 

Bridgerton (Season 4, Part 1)

Release date: 29th January

Season four finally turns the spotlight on bohemian Bridgerton brother Benedict (Luke Thompson), who’s been happily avoiding marriage – until a chance encounter with a mysterious ‘Lady in Silver’ at a masquerade ball changes everything. As Benedict searches society for his masked dream woman, he finds himself drawn instead to Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha), a clever, resourceful maid with secrets of her own. With gentle nudges from Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie) and the watchful eye of matriarch Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell), a Cinderella-style romance unfolds. Expect lavish balls, forbidden love and the kind of slow-burn period romance Bridgerton does best.