News

“Wednesday” super fans have something extra to be thankful for this morning — even if Wednesday herself is none-too-pleased.

Netflix is putting Wednesday Addams in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which actually streams live on Peacock, not on Netflix.

The new “Wednesday” float will be “accompanied by an army of lookalike Wednesdays” and “a special performance” of “Paint It Black” by indie-pop star Bishop Briggs. We guess the Rolling Stones, who wrote and recorded “Paint It Black” in 1966 were unavailable… for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Wednesday, played by Jenna Ortega in Netflix’s smash-hit series, famously hates the Thanksgiving holiday — especially since she started working at the fictitious Pilgrim World tourist attraction.

“Netflix has tapped into Wednesday’s apathy and bold nature to create a float and a moment within the historic parade to delight fans as they await Season 2,” per the press release.

Anyway, Float Wednesday is...

Hey kids! Are you ready to learn about a terrifying, real-life monster called Churn? Math class just got real.

In the fast-paced, slim-margined streaming industry, lowering churn is the new growing-subscribers — and soon, bundling alone won’t be enough. Forward-looking streamers already need The Next Big Idea ™ to retain their user base. Their solution, according to the researchers at global-entertainment firm Ampere Analysis, are in the play room fighting over Barbie dolls as I type this.

Though these micro-est economics students may not use their own allowance money on the family’s suite of SVOD services, they have as much influence over the lineup — if not more — than others. As any parent already knows, we’re way past the outdated “Happy wife, happy life” nonsense: The only real chance of having a happy life is whatever rhymes with “Occupied kids.”

New data backs it up. Ampere has found that households...

Exclusive: Higher Ground, the media company started by President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, has extended its creative partnership with Netflix. As part of the deal, Higher Ground will have a multiyear first-look deal with Netflix for all of its film and TV projects.

The relationship has been a fruitful one so far, as Higher Ground has become one of Netflix’s top suppliers of tastemaker film and TV projects. This comes on the heels of Netflix revealing that the Higher Ground film Leave the World Behind with Mahershala Ali and Julia Roberts topped all of Netflix viewing in the second half of 2023 and that Bodkin, the Will Forte crime drama series, debuted on Netflix’s Top 10 weekly global list.

Higher Ground’s recent projects with Netflix include Rustin, American Symphony, Leave the World Behind, Working: What We Do All Day and Bodkin. Rustin, a feature film that tells the...

Exclusive: Tonia Davis, who has been the Head of Motion Pictures for five years at Higher Ground, is transitioning out of the role. She will remain a producer on upcoming projects at the studio.

Higher Ground Productions President Vinnie Malhotra will continue to oversee the company’s film and television divisions.

Davis tells us, “I am immensely proud of the work we have done together at Higher Ground, including winning an Academy Award and bringing important and entertaining stories to audiences around the world. Now is the right time for me to start my next chapter and I am excited to continue to produce alongside the team at Higher Ground.”

Higher Ground’s Joe Paulsen adds, “Tonia has been an integral part of Higher Ground since the beginning. We are so grateful for her work and dedication over the past five years and excited to continue producing with her during...

The Jackson 5 have found their harmony once again for the upcoming biopic “Michael” from director Antoine Fuqua and Oscar-winning producer Graham King.

After a worldwide search led filmmakers to cast Jackson’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, as the King of Pop, with 9-year-old Juliano Krue Valdi as the younger Michael, fans have been eagerly waiting to see who would round out the rest of the Jackson family.

The film, which is scheduled to hit theaters on April 18, 2025, is currently in production. Oscar-nominee Colman Domingo assumes the role of family patriarch Joe Jackson with Nia Long as mother Katherine Jackson, plus Miles Teller as lawyer John Branca.

Now, the eight actors who will portray Jackson’s four brothers — who come together to form the massively popular singing group the Jackson 5 — have been revealed: Jamal R. Henderson plays Jermaine Jackson in the film’s later years, while Jayden Harville plays the younger version.

Ada Twist, Scientist is a series for children about a girl scientist who with her best friends finds answers to the questions on day-to-day mysteries. This series is created by Chris Nee. .

Ada Twist, Scientist is a wonderful series for kids to learn the wonders of science. It is based on the (also wonderful) books by Andrea Beaty, who has a whole gang of the most efficient children to explain to us, in an entertaining and very funny way, the marvels that the world of science holds.

The series of Ada Twist, Scientist is now in its fourth season on Netflix and, after the success of the previous three and its unparalleled educational value, it is a safe bet for parents and educators who want their children, in the future, to discover the wonders that black holes hold within them.

Or maybe we’d better leave it to the machines,...

There’s very little time left in March 2023, which means April is upon us. If you subscribe to Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, HBO Max, Showtime, Prime Video, or Hulu, listen up. Discover what’s coming to your favorite streaming platforms in the way of new shows and returning series in April.

New shows coming to Netflix, Hulu, and more in April 2023 | Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images Netflix: ‘Firefly Lane’ concludes with season 2 part 2 on April 27

The long-awaited final Installment of Firefly Lane comes out in April 2023, but not until the end of the month. That gives fans plenty of time to read the books on which the Netflix series is based and give season 1 and the first half of two a rewatch. Moved up from the original June release date, Firefly Lane Season 2 Part 2 drops on Netflix on April 27.

Netflix releases, new additions, and returning series in April 2023

Aside from Firefly Lane,...

So many great stories in history start out with the key players hating each other — as it is in Netflix and A24’s “Beef,” streaming on Netflix in April. Amy (Ali Wong) and Danny (Steven Yeun) meet via parking lot bump turned action-movie car chase, their lives connecting and their road rage lingering in weeks and months after the incident. In reviewing the series, IndieWire’s Ben Travers said that “’Beef’ does a fine job balancing Amy and Danny’s practical intelligence and impractical passions; their bitterness toward the other driver ebbs and flows as their personal lives better or worsen, and it’s in these moments that the half-hour drama thrives.”

The series from Lee Sung Jin premieres on April 6. See below for more titles coming to Netflix in April 2023.

April 1

“28 Days”

“A League of Their Own”

“American Hustle”

“Battleship”

“The Birds”

“Born on the Fourth of July...

When The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder debuted last year on Disney+, it called back to the bygone era of Black TV sitcoms in which its 2001 Disney Channel predecessor shined. One where Black families, culture and people were not only celebrated on the small screens in living rooms across the country, but the central focal point of multiple simultaneously airing (though mostly live-action) series.

Its return on Feb. 3, however, pointed to a stunning reality. While the original series aired in the 2000s alongside a handful of animated kids shows also featuring Black leads, including Filmore!, Static Shock, Tutenstein and Little Bill, there has since been only a handful of animated shows aimed at non-adult audiences that explicitly center Black leads and, more specifically, their families.

“Ralph [Farquhar] and I always thought there were gonna be people coming up beside us, making shows that will continue to display this potpourri of Blackness in animation,...

As the back-to-school rush arrives, Netflix has dropped a perfect mix of new titles and classic flicks right in time to procrastinate homework, work and whatever else life has in store.

This month, the streaming service will serve up a dark comedy featuring Camila Mendes, Ana de Armas’ rendition of Marilyn Monroe and a highly anticipated reunion episode of “Love is Blind.”

As far as library titles, “A Little Princess,” “Clueless,” “If Beale Street Could Talk,” “The Notebook” and “This Is 40” will find a home on Netflix. The streaming service will also add parts of beloved film series, including “Despicable Me,” “Austin Powers” and “Resident Evil.”

Also Read:

‘Resident Evil’ Canceled at Netflix After 1 Season

Check out the complete list of what’s coming to Netflix this month:

Sept. 1

Fenced In

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Stone Ocean Episodes 13-24

Liss Pereira: Adulting

Love in the Villa

Off the Hook...

With five nods, “Abbott Elementary” was the most-nominated series at this year’s Television Critics Awards. The hit comedy is going home with four wins, including the top prize: program of the year.

This makes “Abbott” not only the TCA’s biggest winner this year, but the only series to receive more than one award. (The only nomination the show didn’t win for was Janelle James in the individual achievement in comedy category — because she lost to “Abbott Elementary” creator and star Quinta Brunson.)

The TCA consists of more than 200 professional journalists covering television. The organization announced the winners of the 38th annual TCA Awards on Saturday.

Mandy Moore won in the drama individual achievement category for her work in the fifth and final season of NBC’s “This Is Us,” which was shut out of this year’s Emmy nominations. Another highlight was the award for talk, variety and sketch shows,...

Netflix owned the Annie Awards on Saturday, picking up 20 of the night’s 31 competitive trophies during the virtual show. The streamer’s “The Mitchells vs. the Machines” was named best animated feature, topping the film categories with eight wins while “Arcane” ruled the TV side with nine, including best TV/media – general audience.

Neon’s animated documentary “Flee,” by Jonas Poher Rasmussen, was named best indie feature.

In addition to the top film award, “Mitchells,” from Sony Pictures Animation for Netflix, won awards for writing, FX, character design, production design, voice acting and editorial. The victory could give it an edge at the Academy Awards, with final Oscar voting set to start Thursday.

“This team never settled for anything that wasn’t original, bold or new and they broke the rules,” said Christopher Miller, who produced the film along with his Lord Miller partner Phil Lord and Sony Pictures Animation’s Kurt Albrecht.

Netflix’s “The Mitchells vs. the Machines” dominated the 49th annual Annie Awards on Saturday, winning eight awards to only three for Disney’s “Encanto.” While “Mitchells” from Mike Rianda and Jeff Rowe has won more critics’ awards than “Encanto,” the Disney film has won virtually every Hollywood guild award and is the prohibitive favorite to win the Oscar for Best Animated Feature.

“Mitchells” won in every one of the eight categories in which it was nominated at the Annie Awards, including Best Feature, Best Direction, Best Writing and Best Voice Acting (Abbi Jacobson). The three wins for “Encanto” – for character animation, music and storyboarding – came in categories in which “Mitchells” was not nominated.

Netflix won an additional 12 awards in the 13 TV categories, nine of them for “Arcane.” Overall, the company was nominated in 25 categories and won in 20 of those.

The result was reminiscent of Annie ceremonies in 2009 and 2011, when...

Netflix announced Tuesday that it will be premiering Ali Wong’s new comedy special, “Don Wong,” on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14.

The special is Wong’s third with Netflix, following 2016’s “Ali Wong: Baby Cobra” and “Ali Wong: Hard Knock Wife” in 2018. “Don Wong” was filmed at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in New Jersey in November 2021, and features Wong discussing her deepest fantasies, the challenges of monogamy and her feelings about single people.

The project is the latest addition to a slate of projects between Wong and Netflix, including the 2019 film “Always Be My Maybe” and the upcoming series “Beef.” Wong also voices characters on animated shows including Netflix’s “Ask the StoryBots,” “Ada Twist,” “Scientist” and the Emmy-winning adult comedy “Big Mouth.”

“Don Wong” is directed by Nahnatchka Khan, with Wong serving as executive producer alongside Ravi Nandan, Inman Young, Alli Reich and Corey Deckler for A24.

Netflix’s investment in animation has paid off in a big way, as the streamer picked up a whopping 52 nominations at the 49th Annie Awards. Following behind is Disney, which received 29 bids between its film and TV projects.

Taking place on Feb. 26, 2022 at UCLA’s Royce Hall and presented by the Los Angeles branch of the International Animated Film Association, the Annie Awards recognize excellence in cinema and television.

Netflix picked up nine nominations for “Arcane,” its series based on Riot Games’ online multiplayer game “League of Legends.” The hit film from Sony Pictures Animation “The Mitchells vs. The Machines” earned eight nods, and Netflix’s own limited series “Maya and the Three,” directed by Jorge Gutierrez, has seven.

While Disney lagged behind Netflix for total nominations, the studio’s “Raya and the Last Dragon” led all content with 10 nominations, followed by its studio sibling “Encanto,” which picked up nine.

The Rose Parade will get a little touch of This Is Us as stars Chrissy Metz and Susan Kelechi Watson will host NBC’s coverage of the annual holiday tradition.

NBC unveiled on Wednesday that the This Is Us co-stars will emcee the network’s telecast. the 133rd Rose Parade, presented by Honda, will broadcast from Pasadena on Saturday Jan. 1 from 8:30-10 a.m. Pt. Their hosting stint comes just days before This Is Us premieres Jan. 4 for its sixth and final season on NBC. The upcoming broadcast will mark NBC’s 95th year airing the Rose Parade.

“I’m excited to be hosting the iconic Rose Parade in one of my favorite cities with one of my favorite people, Susan Kelechi Watson,” Metz said.

Added Watson: “Metz, me and the iconic Rose Parade … New Year’s Day doesn’t get much better than this!”

In October, Tournament of...

A holiday tradition returns from most coronavirus restrictions this year, as the 95th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday goes back to semi-normal.

Floats, balloons and celebrities will go 2.5 miles through Manhattan, starting in the borough’s Upper West Side at 77th and Central Park West and ending in midtown at the Macy’s flagship. Last year, the “parade” was limited to a one block area, with specators discouraged.

The event will be televised at 9 Am Et on NBC, Telemundo and Peacock, with the West Coast on delayed broadcast starting at 9 Am Pt. The Today show crew of Al Roker, Hoda Kotb, and Savannah Guthrie will host the show.

Everyone who is particpating in this year’s parade is vaccinated, but there are no such requirements for spectators.

Performers scheduled to appear in the parade include Jon Batiste, Kelly Rowland, Nelly, Mickey Guyton and Carrie Underwood. They will be...

IMDb TV released the official trailer for courtroom series “Judy Justice.” The new series premieres Nov. 1 and marks the judge’s return to the televised bench.

The reality court program, presided over by Judge Judy Sheindlin, adjudicates real-life cases filed from all over the country. Joining Judge Sheindlin in the courtroom are bailiff Kevin Rasco, a retired Los Angeles probation officer and entrepreneur; stenographer Whitney Kumar, a board-certified California court reporter; and Sarah Rose, a law clerk and Judge Sheindlin’s granddaughter.

“Judy Justice” is directed by Randy Douthit who also executive produced along with Scott Koondel, with co-executive producer Amy Freisleben. Watch the trailer below.

Also in today’s TV news roundup:

Dates

HBO Max announced that Season 2 of “Craftopia” will premiere on Oct. 7. Crafting YouTuber Lauren Riihimaki, Aka LaurDIY, serves as executive producer and host of the competition series, where crafters compete in eight Halloween and holiday-themed challenges...

Netflix has handed Chris Nee’s animated preschool programs Ridley Jones and Ada Twist, Scientist Season 2 renewals.

Created and executive produced by Nee, Ridley Jones will return for Season 2 in November 2021. Ridley and her friends, Peaches, Fred, Ismat, Dudley and Dante will continue their nightly adventures when the lights go out, the doors lock shut, and all the exhibits come to life at The Museum of Natural History.

Ada Twist, Scientist developed by Nee and showrun and executive produced by Kerri Grant, will return in 2022. The series follows a pint-sized scientist with a giant-sized curiosity, who aspires to discover the answer to absolutely everything. Ada, along with her best friends Iggy Peck and Rosie Revere will be back to explore more ways science is a part of everyday life. Additional executive producers are Wonder Worldwide’s Mark Burton, Higher Ground’s Tonia Davis and Priya Swaminathan, author Andrew Beat and illustrator David Roberts.