As the weather turns colder, it’s officially peak binge-watching season, and there’s never been a better time to dive into something new. But with Netflix adding fresh shows and movies every week, it’s easy to feel like you’re always playing catch-up.
You start a series you’ve been meaning to watch, and before you know it, another hit has taken over your feed. Your watchlist keeps growing, your free time doesn’t, and figuring out what’s actually worth a weekend binge can be frustrating.
If you’re looking to catch up on what’s new on Netflix this December 2025 (or just want a quick guide to the most exciting titles you might have missed), you’re in luck. Here are three standout picks that are perfect for a cozy weekend marathon. For more picks, check out the 3 new to Netflix movies to watch this weekend.
‘Emily in Paris’
If you haven’t watched “Emily in Paris” yet, it’s easily one of Netflix’s most talked-about titles and one of its most divisive. This romantic drama remains a show people love to binge just as much as they love to criticize, with critics and viewers regularly disagreeing on whether it’s genuinely good or not. For others, quality is beside the point altogether: this lighthearted series about an American expat embracing her dream life in Paris is, quite simply, the ultimate guilty-pleasure watch.
Season 5 follows Emily Cooper (Lily Collins) as she takes on a new challenge running Agence Grateau’s Rome office after leaving Paris behind. Settling into life in Italy, she juggles her career ambitions with romantic complications involving her new partner and lingering connections from her past. Just when Emily seems to find her footing, a business pitch goes wrong, triggering setbacks that ripple through her professional and personal life.
Stream "Emily in Paris" season 5 on Netflix now
‘Castle Rock’
Anyone currently watching “It: Welcome to Derry” is likely craving more stories rooted in Stephen King’s expansive mythology. Netflix has stepped in by bringing both seasons of “Castle Rock” to its lineup. Though the series was never formally canceled, it still stands as a strong entry in the expanding collection of shows that draw inspiration from King’s characters, settings, and storytelling style.
“Castle Rock” is set in the fictional Maine town of the same name, where strange and unsettling events unfold across two seasons. In the first, lawyer Henry Deaver (André Holland) returns to Castle Rock after a mysterious inmate at Shawshank State Penitentiary asks only for him, prompting questions about the prisoner’s origin and Henry’s own past. The second season follows a younger Annie Wilkes (Lizzy Caplan) as she becomes stranded in the town and pulled into a local conflict involving prominent families.
Stream "Castle Rock" seasons 1-2 on Netflix now
‘What’s in the Box?’
If you enjoy quiz shows such as “The Floor” or “The Quiz with Balls,” then “What’s in the Box?” should be on your watchlist. Presented by Neil Patrick Harris, the competition revolves around 13 massive boxes, each hiding a high-value prize. The challenge is simple: correctly guess what’s inside, claim the reward, and protect it from being taken by another player.
Reach the final round and you could walk away with $250,000. What sets this series apart is its structure. Rather than introducing new players every episode, “What’s in the Box?” tracks eight teams as they compete throughout the season, though only some make it to the finale. Plus, Harris delivers exactly what the role demands from a game show host. He controls the flow of the show, engages warmly with the players, and embraces the more playful exchanges.
Stream "What's in the Box?" on Netflix now
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