As everyone prepares to shut down for the Thanksgiving holiday, one of the things we’ll all probably be doing after spending time with family and enjoying good food is streaming content from our favorite services — like Netflix, among others. On that score, there are, as always, plenty of new Netflix releases coming between now and the end of this week to give you something to do during your free time over the holiday — and we’ll take a closer look at five of the more interesting forthcoming titles below.
Swimmers
We’ll start with an inspirational tearjerker of a movie (coming to Netflix Nov 23() Based on the true story of two sisters, and their difficult journey from Syria war to Rio as refugees.
When we meet the Mardini sisters in Netflix’s Swimmers, they’re living a somewhat normal life in Syria before the civil war broke out there. They’re swimming competitively under the instruction of their father, who’s a swim coach. The girls are nearly hit with a bomb four years later. Their escape plan begins.
“The Swimmers is a film about female emancipation that shows how inner strength rises out of suffering,” Netflix provided this statement from director Sally El Hosaini. “It explores the power of ambition and freedom.
“Female ambition is so often a dirty word, but I wanted to celebrate it. I saw an opportunity to make complex heroes out of the type of modern, liberal Arab women who exist, but rarely appear on our screens. The type of Arab women I know, who Yusra and Sara are, who I am. That’s why this story resonated so deeply with me.”
Addams Family Spinoff and more Netflix Releases
Let’s take a more lighthearted note. November 23 will also see Netflix release a highly anticipated Addams family spinoff about the family’s solemn, pale, and death-obsessed only daughter, Wednesday. It’s appropriately named. WednesdayJenna Ortega plays the role of title.
It’s focused on Wednesday’s time as a student at Nevermore Academy — and, fittingly, Netflix has chosen to release it on … you guessed it … a Wednesday.
“When we first heard Al Gough and Miles Millar’s pitch for Wednesday we were struck, like an arrow from a crossbow, right in our hearts,” In press materials for the release, Teddy Biaselli, a Netflix executive, explains.
“They nailed the tone, the spirit, and the characters, but gave us a fresh way into this story.”
Gwendoline Christy (as principal Larissa Weems), Jamie McShane(Sheriff Galpin), Percy Hynes Whites (Xavier Thorpe), Hunter Doohan (“Tyler Galpin”), Emma Myers (Enid Sinclair), Joy Sunday are all part of the eight-episode cast. Christina Ricci (who popularized Wednesday’s character on the big-screen) also stars in the series.
More titles
Meanwhile, let’s take a closer look at a few more titles still to come this week that are also worth checking out, including new docuseries as well as an all-new show about royalty.
Ghislaine Maxwell: Filthy RichThis streamer shows the docuseries that Jeffrey Epstein and Jeffrey Epstein are involved in about the socialite who was disgraced. “goes beyond the headlines of the Ghislaine Maxwell case to tell the definitive story of Epstein’s mysterious accomplice, illuminating how her class and privilege concealed her predatory nature.” Release Date: November 25.
Blood, Sex & RoyaltyThis series of three episodes is almost everything Crown It isn’t. A bawdy, dishy, and modern take on British royal drama that offers a window into the steamy and intrigue-filled lives of some of history’s most memorable monarchs. From Netflix’s logline: “In the 16th century, Anne Boleyn navigates treacherous sexual politics and rises to become Queen of England. She forges history as she reshapes King Henry VIII’s worldview, but she’s expected to give birth to a male heir and makes powerful enemies along the way.” Release date: November 23.
Another Netflix movie to watch
Finally, for an antidote to some of the heavier Netflix releases mentioned above, another release worth streaming is all about everyone’s favorite Mexican street food.
Taco Chronicles This series premiered first on Netflix in 2019. It features interviews with chefs, food writers and owners of taco stands. From Netflix’s show synopsis about the show’s third season (coming Nov 23):
“The taco may leave Mexico, but Mexico doesn’t leave the taco. Across the US border, Mexican cooks keep the tradition alive and experiment with new flavors.”
Additional Netflix news: Netflix Top 10: What’s the most watched show in the world?