Here Are The Must-Watch Shows And Movies To Watch Before You Go Back To Work After The Holidays

This week in Screen Time, I recommend two movies and two shows that you need to watch this weekend, including the series finale of Stranger Things and an award-worthy performance by Amanda Seyfried. Plus, why you should just stay inside and binge-watch The Beast in Me so we can then discuss! Also, before we officially kick off 2026, I share some of my favorite Cast Wars videos we did on BuzzFeed Celeb last year. Let’s go!

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Here's what the newsletter is covering this week:

Stranger Things — watch for: An epic finale fit for one of the biggest shows of all time

Streaming on Netflix

Well, we’ve reached the end of one of (if not THE biggest) Netflix series of all time. That’s right. The massive series finale of Stranger Things is now streaming, and since it dropped on New Year’s Eve. I’m assuming if you’re a massive fan, like me, you’ve already watched it, or you were saving it for this weekend. Whatever the case is, I won’t spoil anything here, but I hope all your favorites make it out alive, and it’s exactly the ending you hoped it would be. Let’s hope we’re talking about how great the series finale of Stranger Things is, and not lumping it in with some of the worst series finales of all time. I’m looking at you, How I Met Your Mother and Game of Thrones. 

But yes, after nearly 10 years, and only 42 episodes, Stranger Things has officially come to an end. If you need me, I’m probably starting a rewatch from the very beginning, searching for Easter eggs I might’ve missed, and genuinely just remembering how many good TV moments and great characters the Duffer brothers created with this show.

The Beast in Me — watch for: Some Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys magic

Streaming on Netflix

Since I’m a huge fan of everything Claire Danes does, and I genuinely believe The Americans, starring Matthew Rhys, is one of the greatest TV shows of all time, The Beast in Me seemed like a no-brainer for me to watch. Created by Gabe Rotter and executive produced by Jodie Foster and Conan O'Brien, this limited series follows acclaimed author Aggie Wiggs (Danes), who has left public life and is unable to write her next book following her young son's tragic death. However, she suddenly finds inspiration for her next book when Nile Jarvis (Rhys) moves next door. Nile is a famed real estate mogul who was once the prime suspect in his wife's disappearance. Fascinated (and horrified) by Nile, Aggie finds herself hunting for the truth while wrestling with her own demons. 

Alongside Danes and Rhys, who each give us two more great and mesmerizing performances, the cast is rounded out with equally compelling performances by Brittany Snow, Natalie Morales, Jonathan Banks, and more. It’s the perfect show to binge-watch this weekend.

F1 — watch for: A thrilling sports movie that puts you right in the driver’s seat

Streaming on Apple TV

If you’re like me and missed this one in theaters, then you’re in luck because it’s now streaming on Apple TV. The film follows Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt), a once-promising phenom of Formula 1 racing whose career was cut short after an accident. Now, 30 years later, he’s approached by his former teammate Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), owner of a struggling F1 team, to come back and drive alongside newcomer Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), a hotshot rookie who wants to leave his mark on the sport. 

This movie makes it feel like you were dropped right in the middle of an F1 race, which is the highest compliment I can give it. What helps make this movie so fast-paced and exciting is that Lewis Hamilton was a producer, and real F1 drivers are featured in the film. For any fan of the sport, I really believe this is a must-watch film, and for any movie fan, I think you’ve got to check this one off your list. Honestly, I’m still not over Simone Ashley basically being cut from the movie (THEIR LOSS!!!), but nonetheless, as a sports movie fan, this one hits all the right notes.

The Testament of Ann Lee — watch for: Amanda Seyfried’s Oscar-worthy performance

In theaters now

Amanda Seyfried in a historical musical drama that is earning her critical acclaim and will potentially lead to her second Oscar nomination? SAY LESS! Directed by Mona Fastvold and written by Fastvold and Brady Corbet, the duo behind The Brutalist, the movie follows Ann Lee (Seyfried), a spiritual leader in the 18th century who rises from obscurity to create a radical religious movement known as the Shakers. As Ann gains followers, persecution intensifies, while she fights to protect those who believe in her, all while trying to create a perfect utopia. 

If you’re a fan of Seyfried’s work, like me, you really don’t want to miss this one. Add in great supporting performances by Lewis Pullman, Thomasin McKenzie, Christopher Abbott, Tim Blake Nelson, and more, and you’ve got a movie that will surely have any cinephile in your life buzzing. Again, it’s Seyfried who really shines in this one, as she captivates the audience from the moment she opens her mouth until the very end.

As we kick off 2026, we’re still looking back on some of our favorite celeb videos from the previous year. So, in case you missed it, let me introduce you to one of my favorite interviews we do: Cast Wars! That’s right. We spent last year testing some of the biggest casts on how well they know each other, each other’s work, and so much more. It became so competitive, it was hilarious, and it simply made my day every time. So, I’m gifting you our very first Cast Wars videos from last year, and I cannot wait to do more in the year ahead!

Click on the videos below to watch the Ginny & Georgia cast, the Fantastic Four cast, the Warfare cast, The Summer I Turned Pretty cast, the Thunderbolts* cast, the Cobra Kai cast, AND the Critical Role cast get SUPER competitive in games of Cast Wars. And yes, Joseph Quinn competed twice with two different casts, LOL.

Well, that's all I've got for this week's edition of Screen Time. Come back every week to get more TV and movie recommendations, find out which celebs we're working with, and so much more!

Have a question for me, or want to tell me what you’re watching right now, or have a suggestion of what I should watch next? Send it to me now at screentime@buzzfeed.com, in this Google form, or in the comments below!