What’s New to Stream on Netflix for January 2021

Crossing the Streams is our monthly look at all the offerings hitting the big streaming services each month, and this time we’re checking out the new Netflix arrivals for January 2021. This month’s titles include the latest season of the Karate Kid sequel series, Anthony Mackie as an android, and more!

Netflix Pick of the Month for January 2021

If you’re watching Netflix this month, odds are you’re watching Cobra Kai Season 3. That’s understandable as the little show — still little despite its move from YouTube Red to Netflix — continues to mine gold from The Karate Kid film franchise. Daniel and Johnny are still feuding on and off, and their kids are still brawling, but the highlight this time out sees the return of two women from the films. The former love interests are given more to do and say this time out, and both add more than a little heart and class to the season. The less said about the attempt to humanize and redeem Kreese, though, the better…

New Netflix Films of Note

What Happened to Mr. Cha? is a new comedy from South Korea, and it’s the directorial debut from the writer of 2012’s brilliant Confession of Murder. That alone makes it worth a watch in my humble opinion, and I plan on doing that shortly. Pieces of a Woman arrives on January 7th, and it does so on a wave of good buzz for lead Vanessa Kirby. Her co-star Shia LaBeouf is riding considerably less favorable buzz, but don’t let that distract you from checking out the film.

Outside the Wire (pictured) premieres on January 15th and brings Anthony Mackie back into the Netflix fold after 2019’s Point Blank. It’s another action tale, but this time director Mikael Håfstöm brings a sci-fi element as Mackie plays an android. Last year showed that Netflix is an increasingly solid home for international action, and one I’m looking forward to this month is Below Zero out of Spain. It premieres on January 29th and involves a cop facing off against bad guys on a cold, isolated road.

The Oldest New Arrival

Warner Bros.

Netflix is rightfully criticized for a catalog that’s ridiculously light on older films, and by “older” I mean pre-1980s. To that end, I like to highlight the oldest film they add each month, and for January there are two arrivals that both premiered over fifty-three years ago.

Bonnie and Clyde (1967) is an Arthur Penn classic that takes a pseudo biographical look at a pair of history’s most memorable villains. Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty play the crime-loving couple, and while the bloody finale is its best-remembered scene, the film as a whole is an engaging ride.

Cool Hand Luke (1967, pictured) also presents a title character prone to criminal antics, but Paul Newman’s Luke is an undeniably charismatic guy. He becomes an underdog facing off against cruel and corrupt prison officials, and he becomes the epitome of cool along the way.

New Netflix Series That Might Be Worth a Binge

I’m more of a movie guy, but Netflix has delivered more than a few series gems over the years — the trick is finding them amid the dozens of new shows that premiere each month. A couple of this month’s new arrivals look like contenders, starting with Lupin (pictured), which arrives on January 8th. The show stars Omar Sy (The Intouchables) as a master thief looking for revenge in the streets of Paris, and it’s an adaptation of Maurice Leblanc’s classic character and tales.

Bling Empire premieres on January 15th and looks to be a Dynasty-like show focused on Asian Americans centered in Los Angeles. Their stories are all about the glitz and glamor, and big business and bigger secrets, and while it might end up being slight fun, it’s still a big step in the right direction with its cast and characters.

Last up, Fate: The Winx Saga flies in starting January 22nd on the wings of fairies with its tale of a magical boarding school filled with intrigue, monsters, and teen shenanigans. It’s the latest from the creator of The Vampire Diaries, so proceed accordingly.

The Complete Netflix List for January 2021

Follow all of our monthly streaming guides.