Netflix new releases — 7 shows and movies you need to stream this week (Jan. 26-Feb. 1)

Netflix is all about "Bridgerton" this week. Yes, other shows are coming to the streaming service — and more than a few live events — but this historical romance drama is the talk of "the ton." Here's what to check out this week while you're waiting on "Bridgerton" season 4 part 1 to drop, and what to watch once you've finished binging all four new episodes.

Malcolm McMillan

Malcolm has been covering the latest in streaming shows and movies since 2023. Every week, he hunts down the top shows and movies to watch on Netflix.

New on Netflix this week: Top picks

'Bridgerton' season 4 part 1

Bridgerton Season 4 | Date Announcement | Netflix - YouTube

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If you've never seen "Bridgerton," this alternate history romance drama is set in the Regency era of British history. Specifically, it's set in a reality in which George III opted to legitimize racial equality and granted titles to several people of color due to the African heritage of his wife, Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel).

But the true stars of the show are the eight Bridgerton siblings: Anthony (Jonathan Bailey), Benedict (Luke Thompson), Colin (Luke Newton), Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor), Eloise (Claudia Jessie), Francesca (Hannah Dodd), Gregory (Will Tilston), and Hyacinth (Florence Hunt). Each season focuses on the love story of a specific sibling, and in season 4, it's Benedict's time to shine.

Part 1 drops the first half of the eight-episode season this Thursday and has Benedict needing to navigate the complexities of British high society. That gets complicated when he tries to woo a mysterious Lady in Silver, whose real name (unbeknownst to him) is Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha).

Watch "Bridgerton" season 4 part 1 on Netflix starting Jan. 29

'Mike Epps: Delusional'

Mike Epps: Delusional | Official Trailer | Netflix - YouTube

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Mike Epps is a comedy legend and is no stranger to Netflix. In addition to his hit sitcom, "The Upshaws," Epps has produced a whopping five hour-long specials for the streaming service.

In "Mike Epps: Delusional," he's back at it again, and this time, he's diving into breakups, fame and being completely confident in yourself even when you're totally wrong. If you need a laugh this week, then this comedy special needs to be added to your watchlist.

Watch "Mike Epps: Delusional" live on Netflix starting Jan. 27

'Monday Night Raw: 2026' (Netflix live event)

Top 10 Raw moments: WWE Top 10, Jan. 19, 2026 - YouTube

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"WWE Raw" is one of the wrestling empire's two ongoing series that show off the top wrestlers in the game. Every Monday, fans of spandex and suplex alike tune in to watch wrestling's biggest stars face off against each other in the ring. There's drama, trash talking, shocking moments and knock-down drag-out fights. In short, it's a wrestling fan's dream and better than any soap opera you're watching

After a few weeks of traveling abroad, "Raw" is back in North America this Monday for a few hours of mayhem in Toronto. The headline event? Seeing which team will get to challenge the Usos for the World Tag Team Championship. Don't miss it.

Watch "WWE: Raw" live on Netflix today at 3 p.m. ET

'Glitter & Gold: Ice Dancing'

Glitter & Gold | Official Trailer | Netflix - YouTube

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The Milano Cortina Winter Olympics 2026 are almost here. And while you'll need to head to Peacock to catch the winter games, Netflix still has you covered if you want to go behind the scenes with those hoping to secure gold.

In "Glitter & Gold: Ice Dancing," we dive into an event that's as much showmanship as it is athletic talent, but you can't win without both. Watch as duos hoping to compete for Olympic medals go through rigorous training and maintain strong partnerships in the most trying situations, before seeing them compete on the Italian ice later this February.

Watch on "Glitter & Gold: Ice Dancing" on Netflix starting Feb. 1

'Star Search' (Netflix live event)

"Star Search" is finally back after a few decades off. This 1980s-90s competition show to find the next great talents was iconic back in its heyday, but aside from an ill-fated 2003 reboot, it's been largely forgotten.

But it's now back for real and already there's been one round of competition. The show is hosted by Anthony Anderson, with Jelly Roll, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Chrissy Teigen serving as celebrity judges. A few potential stars have already been sent home, so make sure to tune in this Tuesday (and Wednesday) to catch the drama live.

Watch "Star Search" live on Netflix every Tuesday and Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET starting Jan. 20

'The American President'

The American President Official Trailer #1 - Martin Sheen Movie (1995) HD - YouTube

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If you've seen "The West Wing," then you've seen how commanding Martin Sheen can be in the halls of the White House. But just a few years earlier, he wasn't portraying the president. Instead, he was White House Chief of Staff A. J. MacInerney in the romantic comedy drama "The American President," another Aaron Sorkin story that would directly inspire and influence the hit TV series.

In this Sorkin script, the American president is Andrew Shepherd (Michael Douglas), and he's single and ready to mingle. Well, he's a widower who's running the free world, but what's the difference? So when he spots the fiery environmental lobbyist Sydney Ellen Wade (Annette Bening), he decides to shoot his shot and bring her as his date to a state dinner. Can these two keep their personal and professional lives apart? You'll have to watch to find out.

Watch "The American President" on Netflix starting Feb. 1

'Ex Machina'

Ex Machina | Official Trailer HD | A24 - YouTube

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If you liked "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple," then "Ex Machina" is definitely worth checking out. It's quite possibly the best movie of writer/director Alex Garland's career (who also wrote "The Bone Temple") and is an incredible science fiction film.

This movie stars Domhnall Gleeson as Caleb, a programmer who gets to spend a week at the home of his company's legendary CEO, Nathan Bateman (Oscar Isaac). Once he's there, though, he discovers that he's there to test a humanoid robot (Alicia Vikander) with an artificial intelligence that's already passed a Turing test. Nathan wants Caleb to see if she's truly capable of being human, and the twists this movie takes will have no problem holding your attention.

Watch "Ex Machina" on Netflix starting Feb. 1

Everything new on Netflix: Jan. 26-Feb. 1

JANUARY 26

"Monday Night Raw: 2026" (Netflix live event) (weekly event)

WWE's groundbreaking, Superstar-studded in-ring series delivers live action, drama and unmatched athleticism every week.

"My Sesame Street Friends: My Sesame Music"

JANUARY 27

"Mike Epps: Delusional" (Netflix comedy special)

Comedy superstar Mike Epps returns to the stage for his fifth Netflix stand-up special, Delusional. With his signature charm and sharp humor, Epps delivers a fresh set packed with big laughs and memorable moments, sharing hilarious and unfiltered stories of how a little delusion and a lot of hustle made him a star.

JANUARY 29

"Bridgerton" season 4 part 1 (Netflix series)

The fourth season of Bridgerton turns its focus to bohemian second son Benedict (Luke Thompson). Despite his elder and younger brothers both being happily married, Benedict is loath to settle down -- until he meets a captivating Lady in Silver at his mother's masquerade ball.

FEBRUARY 1

"Glitter & Gold: Ice Dancing" (Netflix documentary)

Ahead of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games, go inside the high-stakes, high-drama world of ice dancing as the sport's top couples skate for gold and glory.

• "The American President"
• "The Bucket List"
• "Crazy, Stupid, Love."
• "Ex Machina"
• "Flipped"
• "Focus"
• "The Glass House"
• "Heartland" season 18
• "Hell or High Water"
• "Homefront"
• "How to Train Your Dragon"
• "How to Train Your Dragon 2"
• "Independence Day"
• "Lee Daniels' The Butler"
• "Letters to Juliet"
• "Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates"
• "The Mirror Has Two Faces"
• "Mississippi Grind"
• "Mrs. Doubtfire"
• "Night at the Museum"
• "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian"
• "Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb"
• "Rumor Has It…"
• "Vertical Limit"
• "The Way Home" season 3
• "You've Got Mail"
• "Zero Dark Thirty"

Leaving Netflix This Week

Leaving 1/29/26

"Prison Break" seasons 1-5

Leaving 2/1/26

"28 Days Later"
"Charlie's Angels"
"Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs"
"Did You Hear About the Morgans?"
"Dr. Dolittle"
"Dr. Dolittle 2"
"Forever My Girl"
"Groundhog Day"
"I Still Know What You Did Last Summer"
"Kath and Kim" seasons 1-4
"Licorice Pizza"
"Memoirs of a Geisha"
"Parasite"
"Radio"
"RV"
"The Patriot"
"The Terminator"
"What Lies Beneath"

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