The streaming wars deliver a massive weekend for mystery and action fans, with the highly-anticipated premiere of one of the year’s biggest blockbuster sequels dropping directly onto Netflix. This weekend, December 12–14, 2025, is dominated by high-stakes thrillers, major franchise returns, and a new wave of international crime dramas, ensuring your watch list is packed with fresh, high-quality content. Forget last week’s binges; the new releases across Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video are set to redefine your weekend viewing experience.
The centerpiece of this weekend’s new streaming lineup is undoubtedly the return of a beloved detective, alongside a pair of intense, star-studded thrillers making their streaming debut on Hulu. From the dark streets of Barcelona to the high-pressure world of undercover agents, the content arriving on Friday, December 12, 2025, is fresh, unique, and ready to be devoured by audiences looking for a compelling escape.
The Weekend's Biggest Premiere: A Global Detective Returns (Netflix)
The biggest title of the entire month—and arguably the streaming year—arrives this Friday, giving subscribers a major reason to stay glued to their screens. The third installment in a beloved franchise headlines a strong slate of new Netflix movies and series.
1. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (Netflix Original Film)
The world’s most famous detective, Benoit Blanc, returns in a brand-new case that promises to be his most challenging and darkly comedic yet. This third film, directed by Rian Johnson, sees Daniel Craig reprise his role as the master sleuth, this time tackling a mystery with a distinctly gothic and theatrical flair.
The film follows Blanc as he investigates a new, complex murder among a fresh ensemble cast of suspects. While plot details remain tightly guarded, the title and early buzz suggest a case steeped in old-world secrets and theatrical misdirection. Fans of the previous films, Knives Out and Glass Onion, will be eager to see how the franchise evolves its signature blend of whodunit suspense and sharp social commentary. The star-studded cast is a major draw, featuring both veterans and rising stars, making this an essential Friday night watch.
Release Date: Friday, December 12, 2025
2. City of Shadows (Netflix Original Series)
For those craving a gritty, international police procedural, City of Shadows is your next binge-watch. This Spanish thriller series is set in the vibrant, yet dark, backdrop of Barcelona. The plot centers on a spectacular and complex crime that rocks the city, forcing two unlikely police investigators to work together to unravel a web of secrets and corruption.
The series stars Isak Férriz and Veronica Echegui, known for their powerful performances in other Spanish-language thrillers. Based on the novel by Aro Sáinz de la Maza, the show is penned by Carlos López and Clara Esparrach, promising a high-stakes, gripping mystery that is already being tipped as a potential global hit for the platform.
Release Date: Thursday, December 11 or Friday, December 12, 2025
Hulu's Double-Dose of High-Octane Thrillers (New for December 12)
Hulu is leaning heavily into the action and crime thriller genres this weekend, offering two brand-new, must-see movie premieres that are perfect for a weekend watch party. Both films feature recognizable stars in intense, high-concept scenarios.
3. Neighborhood Watch (2025 Film)
This psychological crime thriller features a compelling premise and a strong cast, including Jack Quaid and Jeffrey Dean Morgan. The story introduces Simon McNally (Jack Quaid), a young man recently released from an institution who suffers from a mental disability. When Simon becomes convinced he has witnessed a brutal abduction, he reports it to the police.
The police, including a skeptical detective (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), refuse to believe him, forcing Simon to take the investigation into his own hands. The film explores themes of trust, perception, and the lengths one will go to uncover the truth when no one else will listen. It's a suspenseful ride that will keep you guessing.
Release Date: Friday, December 12, 2025
4. Under Fire (2025 Film)
If you prefer your thrillers with more explosions and buddy-cop dynamics, Under Fire is the perfect choice. This 2025 action-thriller stars Dylan Sprouse and Mason Gooding as two undercover agents. The twist: they unwittingly discover they are both working the same drug cartel case, but on opposite sides.
The mismatched pair, DEA agent Griff and FBI agent Abbott, must quickly set aside their differences and their conflicting missions when they become the target of a deadly sniper. The film is a race against time, with the agents having to rely on each other to survive and take down the powerful cartel at the heart of the operation.
Release Date: Friday, December 12, 2025
Top Binge-Worthy Series and Major Announcements
While the biggest premieres drop on Friday, the rest of the streaming landscape is offering up a wealth of content that is either new this month or highly anticipated in the week ahead. These shows are ideal for a full weekend binge or to get ahead of the next major wave of releases.
5. The Abandons (Netflix Original Series)
Though it premiered earlier in December, Kurt Sutter’s new Western series, The Abandons, is the perfect weekend commitment. Set in the 1850s, the series is a gritty, action-drama focusing on a family of adoptive mothers who are forced to fight back against a corrupt and powerful force attempting to steal their land.
The plot centers on a war between two matriarchs on the lawless frontier, with blood ties, land, and motherhood at the core of the conflict. The series features a stellar cast, including two-time Emmy winner Gillian Anderson and Lena Headey, making it one of the most compelling and ambitious new shows of the year.
6. Fallout Season 2 (Prime Video - Coming Next Week)
While not technically this weekend, the buzz surrounding the upcoming premiere of Fallout Season 2 on Prime Video is impossible to ignore. The highly-anticipated second season of the post-apocalyptic drama is set to premiere on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, just a few days after the weekend ends.
This season will follow Lucy and The Ghoul’s journey toward New Vegas, with the show adopting a weekly release schedule for its eight episodes. Use this weekend to catch up on the critically acclaimed first season if you missed it, or dive into the original video game lore to prepare for the next chapter of the Wasteland saga.
7. Plane (2023 Film) (Hulu Library Addition)
For a straightforward, popcorn-munching action movie, Hulu is adding the 2023 film Plane to its library this weekend. Starring Gerard Butler as a pilot and Mike Colter as a convicted murderer, the film follows a commercial pilot who is forced to make a crash landing in a war-torn territory after a massive storm. The surviving passengers are then taken hostage by dangerous rebels, forcing the pilot to team up with his unlikely prisoner to save everyone. This is a great, explosive option for an easy-to-watch Saturday night movie.
How to Choose Your Weekend Stream
With so many new movies and series premiering, deciding what to watch can be the hardest part of your weekend. Here is a quick guide based on your viewing preferences:
- If you want the biggest blockbuster: Go for Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery on Netflix. It's the most high-profile premiere.
- If you love international crime: Start City of Shadows on Netflix for a dark, Spanish-language thriller.
- If you need a new action movie: Choose between the buddy-cop intensity of Under Fire (Hulu) or the Gerard Butler-led survival story of Plane (Hulu).
- If you’re looking for a deep binge: Catch up on the critically praised Western, The Abandons, on Netflix.
No matter your choice, the weekend of December 12–14, 2025, is a goldmine for streaming enthusiasts, with high-quality, fresh content dominating the major platforms. Enjoy the new releases!
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