Streaming, TV: What to Watch to Start the Year Right?

Scrolling through endless catalogs on your streaming platforms while dinner gets cold? That’s terminado. Do It In Paris makes your life easier with a finely curated selection of the best movie releases this January on MyCanal, OCS, Arte, Netflix, and Prime Video. All set? Let’s go!

The pitch. Edmond Dantès (Pierre Niney), a naval officer, is arrested on his wedding day for a crime he didn’t commit. After 14 years in prison, spent alongside an abbot, Edmond escapes and finds the treasure of his unfortunate companion, making him immensely wealthy. But Edmond has only one thing on his mind: revenge against those who ruined his life. His beloved (Anaïs Demoustier) didn’t wait for him, and the men who betrayed him thrived. He becomes the Comte de Monte-Cristo and sets out to track down his enemies…

Why we loved it. This major opus of French cinema, which reached 8 million viewers in less than three months, needs no introduction. The five-star cast makes us want to watch and rewatch the nearly three hours of this film, which flies by as we marvel at the flawless performances of Pierre Niney, Anaïs Demoustier, Laurent Lafitte, Vassili Schneider, Anamaria Vartolomei, and more. Edmond Dantès’ thirst for vengeance keeps us glued to our seats through all the twists and turns, with breathtaking declarations of love and epic sword duels. A new must-watch of French cinema to kick off the year in style.

Le Comte de Monte-Cristo, available on Canal+.
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The pitch. A banquet hall accidentally books two weddings at the same time. Both parties are quickly disenchanted, and the happiest day of the young couples’ lives turns into a disaster. Enter Margot (Reese Witherspoon), the sister of one bride, and Jim (Will Ferrell), the father of the other. Neither will stop at anything to ensure a beautiful ceremony for their loved ones. Jim is determined to give his beloved daughter the wedding of her dreams, but Margot, a formidable wedding planner, refuses to let the celebration she organized for her sister fall apart. The battle is on.

Why we loved it. You Are Cordially Invited is a truly wild, feel-good comedy that we all needed. From a father ready to toss the bride into the lake to a sister grabbing the mic during speeches, this wedding weekend is anything but restful. From napping with an alligator to a dock collapsing into the water with the entire bridal party, the chaos never stops. This hilarious comedy is a must-watch to chase away the winter blues. P.S.: Iconic Reese Witherspoon continues to make us laugh just as she did in Legally Blonde—and we can’t get enough!

You Are Cordially Invited, available January 30 on Prime Video.
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The pitch. The very young Chanteraide (François Civil) is a “Golden Ear” for the French Navy. His role: use his hyper-precise hearing to identify vessels near his submarine. Known for being 100% infallible, he makes a mistake that puts his crew under fire from Iranian aircraft. Determined to regain the trust of his comrades, he goes all-in—even involving himself in a nuclear conflict between France and Russia, despite being sidelined by his superiors (Reda Kateb, Omar Sy). Can Chanteraide single-handedly prevent a nuclear apocalypse?

Why we loved it. If you’re a fan of high-stakes films packed with nuclear threats, torpedo strikes, and last-minute escapes, The Wolf's Call is a sure bet. François Civil delivers a flawless performance as a hyper-driven naval officer with perfect hearing, introducing us to the existence of this improbable yet crucial role. Imagine detecting the number of blades, their speed, the size of a submarine, and its distance—all from a faint sound traveling through the vast oceans. A gripping thriller with an intensely claustrophobic atmosphere, it’s the perfect watch to enjoy under a blanket, savoring the relief of not being in his shoes.

The Wolf's Call, available on Netflix.
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The pitch. At the very end of the 19th century, Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis: The Last of the Mohicans, In the Name of the Father), a prospector for gold and silver, hears rumors of a supposed river of oil flowing beneath the ground in California. The opportunity is too good to pass up, so he sets out with his adopted son H.W. (Russell Harvard) to try his luck. In this desolate place, the only entertainment is the small village church led by Eli Sunday (Paul Dano), a charismatic priest and son of the farmers whose land Daniel has seized. But as Daniel—an embodiment of capitalism—achieves success, this newfound wealth shifts everything: faith, community relationships, and father-son bonds all begin to crumble. Daniel seems willing to do whatever it takes to fill his pockets. How far will he go?

Why we loved it. Paul Thomas Anderson (Magnolia, Punch-Drunk Love) delivers an absolute masterpiece of American cinema with There Will Be Blood, which swept awards in 2008: the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Drama, the Oscar for Best Actor, the Oscar for Best Cinematography, and the Silver Bear for Best Director at the Berlin Film Festival. The clash between a man driven by an insatiable thirst for gold and power and a priest with near-frenzied faith gives this film an otherworldly western feel you simply can’t miss!

There Will Be Blood, available on Arte.TV.
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The pitch. Forget Covid and imagine a virus spreading in the near future. The catch? People slowly transform into anthropomorphic creatures with animal characteristics. François (Romain Duris) and his son Emile (Paul Kircher, critically acclaimed for his lead role in Leurs Enfants Après Eux) move to the South to accompany Lana, the family matriarch who has transformed into a creature and is being sent to a cutting-edge care center. But the truck transporting the patients crashes, and the creatures escape. Father and son embark on a desperate chase to find Lana, trying to stay ahead of the police, where Julia (Adèle Exarchopoulos) appears to be the only sympathetic soul. But there’s a twist: Emile discovers he’s gradually transforming into a creature himself. Can François find his wife and protect his son?

Why we loved it. The Animal Kingdom takes us to a wildly offbeat post-apocalyptic world where each anthropomorphic creature is stunningly lifelike. No surprise there: at the 2024 César Awards, this masterpiece by Thomas Cailley (Les Combattants, Ad Vitam) won Best Costumes, Best Sound, Best Visual Effects, and Best Cinematography. But it’s more than just beautifully designed animal costumes: The Animal Kingdom is, above all, a heartfelt ode to familial love, portraying a father ready to do anything to protect his irreversibly transformed wife and safeguard his son.

The Animal Kingdom, available January 15 on OCS.
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Discover also what to do in Paris this January or the best cult series of 2024 to catch up on.