The highly anticipated second season of “Squid Game” on Netflix and renowned singing sensation Andrea Bocelli’s Christmas TV special are among the latest offerings in television, films, and music coming to screens near you. In addition to these highlights, curated by entertainment journalists at The Associated Press, viewers can look forward to the British coming-of-age film “Bird” by filmmaker Andrea Arnold and Mariah Carey’s festive special preceding the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers game.
**NEW MOVIES TO STREAM DEC. 23-29**
British filmmaker Andrea Arnold, known for works like “Fish Tank,” presents her latest film, “Bird,” now available on MUBI. The movie delves into the life of Bailey, a 12-year-old navigating a challenging upbringing in Kent. Her encounters with a mysterious stranger named Bird lead to a transformative journey filled with fantastical elements. In a review by AP’s film writer Jake Coyle, the fusion of Arnold’s typically grounded style with elements of magical realism in “Bird” is described as creating a sense of inauthenticity, leading to a unique viewing experience. Alongside “Bird,” MUBI is also offering Arnold’s previous works “Fish Tank” and “Wasp” for streaming.
**NEW MUSIC TO STREAM DEC. 23-29**
Embrace the holiday spirit with a musical extravaganza as the Recording Academy collaborates with the iconic Andrea Bocelli for “Christmas with Andrea Bocelli and Friends: A Grammy Holiday Special.” This heartwarming event, featuring Bocelli alongside his family and special guests like Jennifer Hudson, Dua Lipa, Sofia Carson, and Josh Groban, will air live and on-demand on Paramount+ on Christmas Eve at 8 p.m. ET. Celebrate the season with these talented performers in an unforgettable evening of festive music.
On Christmas Day, music fans can indulge in a special treat as Mariah Carey takes the stage to perform her timeless hit “All I Want for Christmas Is You” during the NFL Christmas Gameday festivities. Viewers with a Netflix subscription can catch this pre-recorded performance ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers game at 1 p.m. ET, as well as during the Baltimore Ravens versus Houston Texans game at 4:30 p.m. ET. Stay tuned for a halftime spectacle featuring Beyoncé, ensuring a perfect blend of sports and pop culture entertainment for the whole family.
**NEW SHOWS TO STREAM DEC. 23-29**
Prepare for the return of the thrilling series “Squid Game” as its highly awaited second season premieres on Netflix. Lead actor Lee Jung-jae reprises his role in the seven-episode season, which has already garnered a nomination for best drama series at the 2025 Golden Globe Awards. The show revolves around a deadly game where contestants facing financial distress are lured into competing for a cash prize, only to discover the perilous stakes involved.
