These Are the Best Shows Coming to Netflix in December

From 'Record of Ragnarök' to 'Stranger Things', These Are the Best Shows Coming to Netflix in December

Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers on Stranger ThingsImage via ©Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection

By Laura Adams Published 20 minutes ago

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This is it, folks. The holiday season is officially in full swing, and before we know it, we’ll be stepping into 2026. But as the year winds down, it’s the perfect moment to look back and appreciate all the incredible series we got to enjoy over the past twelve months. From long-awaited returns to exciting new premieres, 2025 delivered everything from heart-pounding finales to comforting binge-worthy gems. And while many of us are gearing up for cozy family gatherings, festive meals, and well-earned downtime, there’s still plenty of room to squeeze in a few last great watches before the countdown to the new year begins.

Luckily, the year isn’t over just yet, and Christmas isn’t the only thing worth getting excited about. December is bringing a final wave of must-see releases to Netflix, and we’ve gathered the best of them all in one place to help you make the most of your holiday break. Whether you're ready to dive into the highly anticipated final season of Stranger Things or craving something delightfully chaotic like Rowan Atkinson’s Man vs. Baby, this month’s lineup has something for everyone. Below, you’ll find our top series recommendations hitting Netflix before the ball drops.

7 'The Abandons' (2025)

Available December 4

Lena Headey staring out in front of a storefront in The AbandonsImage via Netflix

Set in the Washington Territory in 1854, The Abandons follows the widowed matriarchs of two vastly different families. Gillian Anderson’s Constance rules over the Van Nesses, a dynasty built on wealth, privilege, and a ruthless grip maintained through fear, intimidation, and extortion. Opposite them are the titular Abandons, a found family of orphans taken in and fiercely protected by the unwavering Fiona Nolan, played by Game of Thrones star Lena Headey.

Tensions escalate quickly when Fiona repeatedly rejects Constance’s relentless attempts to buy her land, which contains a valuable silver lode. As pressure mounts, the feud between the families spirals into violence, betrayal, and a brutal struggle for survival. Blending frontier grit with emotional depth, the series doesn’t just explore power and greed, but also loyalty, chosen family, and a forbidden romance that blossoms amid the chaos. The Abandons is rich with crime, secrets, and character-driven storytelling, making it a must-watch for fans of The English and Taylor Sheridan’s 1923.

6 'Man Vs Baby' (2025)

Available December 11

Rowan Atkinson holding a baby and a baby bottle with a confused expression in Man Vs Baby

Rowan Atkinson in Man Vs Baby.Image via Netflix

While you might know Rowan Atkinson best as the iconic Mr. Bean, he also created and starred in Man Vs Bee, where he played Trevor Bingley, a recently divorced man who becomes a house-sitter to make ends meet. What should have been a simple job quickly spirals into chaos when he enters into an all-out war with a stubborn bumblebee, wreaking havoc throughout a high-tech mansion and ultimately landing Trevor in court for the destruction he caused.

Now, Atkinson returns with a sequel to Trevor’s story, but this time, the chaos comes in a very different form. After taking a break from house-sitting and picking up work at a school, Trevor unexpectedly ends up in charge of a missing baby who was left behind during a Christmas event. But when a house-sitting opportunity too good to refuse lands in his lap, Trevor finds himself facing a new kind of challenge: keeping up with a demanding job and caring for his tiny companion, all while trying to avoid another disaster of epic proportions. With Atkinson’s signature physical comedy and warm humor, Trevor’s next adventure promises even more heartfelt mishaps and plenty of holiday mayhem.

5 'The Manny' Season 3 (2023-)

Available December 17

Jimena and Gabriel from The MannyImage via Netflix

Created by Carolina Rivera and La Granja TV Narrative, this family comedy series follows Jimena, a soon-to-be divorcée trying to raise her three children while competing for the presidency of the company she works for, all while dealing with the chaos of her future ex-husband. Enter Gaby, a male nanny who seems almost too good to be true: kind, handsome, and amazing with the kids. It doesn’t take long for sparks to fly between them. But Gaby has his own reasons for wanting to get close to Jimena and her family, and their differences, secrets, and ambitions complicate their budding romance even further.

In Season 3, Jimena faces her biggest challenges yet as she struggles to keep the company afloat while her relationship with Gabriel is hit with serious setbacks. Funny, romantic, and packed with heartfelt drama, The Manny defies stereotypical family roles while remaining entertaining, warm, and full of charm.

4 'Owning Manhattan' Season 2 (2024-)

Available December 25

Ryan Serhant Says 'Owning Manhattan' Shows the Reality of NYC Real Estate

Image via Netflix

If you watched Million Dollar Listing: New York, you’d immediately recognize the young real estate agent Ryan Serhant. Over the years, Serhant has built his empire from the ground up, launching his own brokerage, expanding his brand, getting married, and becoming a father. After a long hiatus and ten seasons on Million Dollar Listing, plus one season of Sell It Like Serhant, he’s officially back with Owning Manhattan.

Now, in Season 2, Ryan sets his sights on the elite uptown housing market, where competition is fiercer, and the stakes are higher than ever. But breaking into one of the most exclusive real estate territories in the world won’t be easy. Rivalries within the team, clashing egos, swirling gossip, and inevitable betrayals threaten to derail his plans.

3 'Record of Ragnarök' Season 3 (2021 -)

Available December 5

A man with his eyes bandaged raising his right hand in Record of Ragnarok

Image from Netflix anime series 'Record of Ragnarok'Image via Netflix

After a two-year hiatus, Record of Ragnarök is finally returning with Season 3. Based on the manga written by Shinya Umemura and Takumi Fukui and illustrated by Azychika, this anime series tells the story of how every thousand years, all the gods across every religion convene to decide humanity’s fate. This time, disgusted by mankind’s selfishness and greed, the divine council unanimously chooses to wipe humans out for good. But before the sentence can be carried out, Brunhilde, one of the thirteen Valkyries of Valhalla, invokes Ragnarök: a last-chance tournament where humanity’s thirteen greatest warriors battle thirteen gods in brutal one-on-one duels.

Though the gods initially scoff at the proposal, Brunhilde cleverly exploits their pride and manipulates them into accepting the challenge. With the rules set, she must now gather the strongest figures from across human history and prepare them to face divine beings far beyond mortal limits. Premiering on Netflix on December 10, the new season once again pits legendary human warriors against gods from mythologies around the world. The tournament spans thirteen rounds, with the first side to reach seven victories determining the ultimate outcome. If humanity triumphs, they’ll secure their survival for another thousand years.

2 'Emily in Paris' Season 5 (2020 -)

Available December 18

Emily in Paris? More like Emily’s European Adventures. Season 5 takes the beloved expat far beyond the City of Light, whisking audiences to the Eternal City and across Italy for her biggest and boldest chapter yet. After Season 4 ended with Emily (Lily Collins) stepping into a whirlwind romance with a charming Italian fashion heir and securing a new apartment in the heart of Rome, it was clear that her Parisian era was evolving into something much broader. Now, with the Rome branch of Agence Grateau officially underway, Emily is embracing la dolce vita head-on.

But Rome is only the beginning. Season 5 expands Emily’s world even further as she trades cobblestone streets for gondola-lined canals in Venice. The shift in setting opens the door to brand-new professional challenges, high-fashion chaos, and, of course, plenty of romantic entanglements. From fresh faces to unexpected alliances that could make or break her career, Emily’s latest adventures promise the sparkle, drama, and escapist charm fans have come to love, now with a glamorous, distinctly Italian twist.

1 'Stranger Things' Season 5, Volume 2 (2016-2025)

Available December 25

Hawkins' heroes looking down in Stranger Things 5

Hawkins' heroes in Stranger Things 5Image via Netflix

After nearly a decade and five unforgettable seasons, Stranger Things is finally approaching its long-awaited conclusion. Over the years, we’ve watched Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), Mike (Finn Wolfhard), and the rest of the gang grow up on-screen, battling one supernatural terror after another. Now, in the show’s climactic final season, Hawkins is still reeling from the catastrophic opening of the Rifts, its people permanently scarred by the horrors that spilled out of the Upside Down. Meanwhile, our heroes share one mission: find Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) and destroy him for good.

Complicating matters, the government has placed Hawkins under strict military quarantine, escalating its pursuit of Eleven and forcing her back into hiding. And as the anniversary of Will Byers’ disappearance approaches, an eerie sense of déjà vu settles over the town. To end the nightmare once and for all, every ally must return, and the full party will need to stand together one final time. With Season 5, Volume 1, premiering over Thanksgiving and immediately crashing the platform, the series proves its power a decade later. Despite mixed reviews and the lowest Rotten Tomatoes score of the franchise, there’s still plenty left to uncover before we say goodbye to Hawkins forever.

Stranger Things TV-14 Drama Mystery Horror Science Fiction Release Date 2016 - 2025-00-00

Cast Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, David Harbour, Winona Ryder, Natalia Dyer, Joe Keery, Charlie Heaton, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink, Priah Ferguson, Maya Hawke, Cara Buono, Brett Gelman, Matthew Modine, Paul Reiser, Dacre Montgomery, Jamie Campbell Bower, Nell Fisher, Sean Astin, Christopher Convery, Eduardo Franco, Joseph Quinn Seasons 5 Genres Drama, Mystery, Horror, Science Fiction Powered by

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