Best new movies and TV series on Stan: December 2023

Each month, lots of new films and TV shows are added to Stan‘s library. Critic Claire White surveys the month’s selections and picks for titles most worth watching. For the full list of everything arriving on the platform, scroll down.

Top Picks: TV

The Famous Five (December 10)

When I think of children’s adventure stories, I think provocative Danish director Nicholas Winding Refn. Known for his neon-drenched, dark underbelly films such as Drive and The Neon Demon, Refn has switched gears as creator of a new adaptation of the Enid Blyton children’s classics The Famous Five. Following five young daring explorers on action-packed adventures, these feature-length episodes will sure excite.

Superstore: Seasons 1-6 (December 15)

Brooklyn Nine-Nine, who? The Office, what? Although Stan is not the first to house this workplace comedy series, it has been missing from streaming for a little bit so I for one welcome its arrival. With short punchy episodes about the life of retail workers in a big box store (think Big W), you might think watching a show about co-workers is the last thing you want to do after a long day at work but take it from a retail worker: it’s a great way to unwind.

Bump: Season 4 (December 26)

One of Australia’s favourite drama series is back for season 4. Set two years after the end of season 3, now “fully grown adults” Oly and Santi continue to struggle to stabilise their young family as Jacinda grows into a vibrant seven-year-old. Meanwhile Angie throws herself headfirst into the climate crisis, which, while admirable, totally seems like it will end well. This season also welcomes comedian Steph Tisdell and tennis champ Dylan Alcott to
the cast!

Top Picks: Movies + Specials

How to Blow Up a Pipeline (December 12)

Speaking of the climate crisis, a group of environmental activist’s plot to disrupt an oil pipeline by, you guessed it, blowing it up, in this suspenseful thriller. Staring Sasha Lane, Forrest Goodluck, Ariela Barer and Lukas Gage, this film has left audiences feeling exhilarated with every moment taut and expertly utilised in building tension and galvanising urgency.

Spencer (December 18)

Although Elizabeth Debicki delivered a phenomenal performance as Princess Diana on Netflix’s The Crown, the show still focused on the Queen’s perspective, which is uninteresting. Spencer, the languishing biopic by Pablo Larraín, however, is only interested in Diana, and the way the monarchy trapped her in their stifling clutches. Kristin Stewart nails Diana’s devastating habit for looking up through her eyelashes in this haunting film that plays out more like a ghost story.

Scrapper (December 28)

Feeling a little more hopeful, Scrapper is a tender father-daughter dramedy about 12-year-old Georgie (outstanding newcomer Lola Campbell) who lives alone in her London flat, getting by with her resourcefulness until her estranged father (Harris Dickinson, bleach blonde) shows up. As they tentatively being to learn how to be in each other’s lives, this is undoubtedly a two-hander from two strong performers (Harris Dickinson is the actor of our generation, I’m always saying this) in a touching debut film by Charlotte Regan.

All titles arriving on Stan in December

December 1

Power Book II: Raising Kanan: Season 3 Premiere
On the Wandering Paths
Amazing Wedding Cakes: Seasons 1-2
Sesame Street: The Nutcracker

December 2

The Tuxedo
Miss Fisher & the Crypt of Tears
The Legend of the Christmas Witch

December 3

Noah
The Yellow Sea

December 4

The Truth About Improving Your Mental Health
We Baby Bears: Season 1
A Thousand Lines

December 5

Super Pumped: Season 1
Copycat
The Shadow of the Day

December 6

Freddie: The Final Act
Unruly
Marlina The Murderer In Four acts

December 7

Django Unchained
Craig of the Creek: Season 4, Part 1
Surviving R. Kelly: Seasons 2-3

December 8

The Calling: Season 1 Premiere
Ghost Riders (2007)
Hey Arnold! The Movie

December 9

The Famous Five: Season 1 Premiere
Sin City II: A Dame to Kill For
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2

December 10

Revealed: Ben Roberts-Smith: Truth on Trial Premiere
Twilight
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2