Best new movies and TV series on Neon: December 2022

Neon continues to bring in a convoy of quality shows and films this October. See our handpicked highlights below followed by the full release schedule.

Top picks: TV

His Dark Materials: Season 3 (December 6)

It’s the final season of BBC and HBO’s epic Philip Pullman adaptation, and James McAvoy’s Lord Asriel is assembling a mighty army to make the last few episodes as action-packed as possible. All the daemons, ice bears, witches and assorted friends and foes who’ve survived the last two seasons should pick sides against the Authority, with Dafne Keen’s Lyra playing a pivotal part if she’s able to evade the creepy religious organization on her tail. The showrunners have said they would pad the series out to nine seasons if they could, so if the wrap-up feels a tad overburdened with story and character, you know why.

Chucky: Season 2 (December 9)

Jumping ahead a year after this new Chucky series’ teen protagonists seemingly defeated the homicidal titular moppet, he’s of course not done with menacing them and picking off their most problematic family members. Sweet gay teens Jake and Devon are facing issues in their fledgling relationship, and the bully Lexy who’s been added to the good side is hating the oppressive new Catholic school they’ve all been shipped off to. Also, very importantly, Jennifer Tilly continues to play Tiffany playing Jennifer Tilly herself, whose Hollywood friends are concerned about her demonic behaviour. It’s all too much fun, like playing with dolls at the weird goth kid’s house.

Shaq: Limited Series (December 18)

Here’s your chance to get up close and personal with one of basketball’s larger-than-life characters. Produced by HBO, the four-part docuseries chronicles Shaquille O’Neal’s ascent to MVP status, prosperous business career, and four championships. In the trailer, he talks about clowning some fool who insulted him: “‘You’re 6’9 and you can’t dunk?’ I gave him the beat-down of his life.”

Top picks: Movies

The Batman (December 1)

Finally streaming after its dark ‘n broody cinematic release earlier this year, Matt Reeves’ take on Gotham’s dark knight perhaps didn’t take as many risks as it needed to stand out from the million other decent Batman stories we’ve sat through. But Robert Pattinson was inspired casting, bringing an emo boy vulnerability to rich Bruce Wayne and his less friendly superhero alter ego alike. And hey, Colin Farrell was quite hilarious as The Penguin, too, especially when he rags on Batman and Commissioner Gordon for not figuring out the quite-obvious mystery of the plot yet.

The Northman (December 3)

Human society sucks because we let this gnarly Robert Eggers film become a box office flop. It’s got everything: Viking lacrosse, wild bacchanals in the woods, weighty Shakespearean themes, Björk…and Alexander Skarsgård gives a transformative, intimidating lead performance. The Northman is more of a blockbuster than Eggers’ previous, more niche horror films, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The budget and celeb cast have been used here to epic effect, so if you never managed to witness it all on the big screen, Neon is a highly recommended second option.

Back To The Future trilogy (December 24)

I know a few families who gather around the Christmas tree to watch the LOTR trilogy every holiday: I even know a girl who watches every Bourne movie with her dad on Christmas Eve, for some reason. In my own fam, Robert Zemeckis’ Back To The Future franchise is often thrown on while meals are being prepared and plates set out—maybe because the film’s themes of family, legacy, and nostalgia nicely match the vibe of the season? In any case, the arrival of all three films on Neon is cause for celebration, with some of the 80s most robust plotting, hilarious and iconic moments, and perfectly cast roles (Crispin Glover is especially wonderful).

Everything Coming to Neon this December

December 1

Aftertaste
Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone
Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince
Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 1
Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2
The Batman
Assassins
The Dissident
Girls Can’t Surf
My Zoe

December 2

Gossip Girl: Season 2
Paw Patrol: Season 7 Part A
Dashing in December
Gingerbread Miracle
The B*tch Who Stole Christmas
A Hollywood Christmas
PAW Patrol: Mighty Pups
PAW Patrol: Jet to the Rescue
Werewolves Within