PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A year of epic TV and film is officially behind us. We came to the couch, we binge-watched, we conquered streaming. Lights are on and it’s time to go home, everyone — that is, to ring in a new year with even more content. What, you thought we were just going to stop at the stroke of midnight? Nothing could keep us from seeing Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson all grown up and in the same place. Nothing.
That’s right, Hogwarts’ finest are back — and if the “Friends” reunion taught us anything, it’s that seeing old co-stars reminisce about something as generation-defining as the “Harry Potter” franchise is absolute gold.
But before we get to The Boy Who Lived and Friends, let’s start with something a long time coming — a fan fave “Star Wars” baddie finally gets his own series.
No popular character stays dead forever. "Star Wars" fans learned that when fan-favorite bounty hunter Boba Fett reappeared on “The Mandalorian” last year after a seemingly fatal fall into the carnivorous Sarlacc pit in “Return of the Jedi.”
As teased in the “Mandalorian” season finale, Fett (Temeura Morrison) is headlining his own series. He and associate Fennec Shand (Ming-Na Wen) make a play to take over the Tatooine criminal underworld from the ashes of Jabba the Hutt’s empire.
Despite years of (now non-canonical) comics, novels and games, Fett has never been the main character in a “Star Wars” movie or show, so expectations are high. But show creators Jon Favreau and Robert Rodriguez each have phenomenal track records, so there’s every chance this is one “Book” fans will want to keep open.
Premieres Wednesday on Disney+. New episodes weekly.
Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts
Muggles rejoice!
Twenty years ago, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” hit movie theaters, making instant stars out of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint.
Now, the cast and crew of the movies are reuniting to look back on the “Harry Potter” series, their behind-the-scenes memories, and the franchise’s enormous success.
Just don’t expect a certain author to appear. There’s nary a mention of her in the trailer.
Premieres Saturday on HBO Max.
“Hilda” is one of the most adorable shows on Netflix, so we’re confident “Hilda and the Mountain King” will follow suit.
The movie picks up after the season 2 finale of “Hilda,” where she and her mother escaped the Troll Forest. But Hilda awakens to find she’s become a troll, and must now use all of her wits and bravery to get back to normal and save her home of Trolberg.
It’s bound to be a gorgeously drawn, emotional ride.
Premieres Thursday on Netflix.
The fourth season of the “Karate Kid” sequel series brings it all full circle, as a united Johnny and Daniel lead their students to the All-Valley Karate Championships, where they clashed decades ago for the first time.
But Cobra Kai founder John Kreese is ready for them. He’s called on an old friend: “Karate Kid Part III” villain Terry Silver.
Thomas Ian Griffith was easily the best part of the third “Karate Kid” movie, making a meal out of every one of his scenes. We can’t wait to see what insanity he brings to “Cobra Kai.”
Premieres Friday on Netflix.
The Fab Five are back, y’all! And this time, they’re leaning into cowboy chic. Jonathan, Karamo, Bobby, Tan and Antoni head to the Lone Star State in the new season of the feel-good Netflix reality show.
It’s their first season since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and there’s a lot of help and love to give. They’re tackling everything from helping a powerlifter find herself after transitioning, teaching a cowboy how to clean up nicely, and giving a high school a pandemic prom they’ll never forget.
Make sure you have a 10-gallon hat full of tissues when you watch, because everything’s bigger in Texas. Especially the tear-jerking makeovers.
Premieres Friday on Netflix.
Dark secrets from a soccer mom’s (Cush Jumbo) past come to light, entwining her fate with those of a homicide detective (James Nesbitt) and a photojournalist (Richard Armitage).
As Megan fights to protect her idyllic family life from her previous existence, a deadly figure threatens everything.
The latest miniseries from author Harlan Coben (“Safe”) looks like a great, intense weekend binge.
Premieres Friday on Netflix.
All-Star Superman
Superman is dying.
A catastrophe engineered by Lex Luthor brings the Man of Steel too close to the sun, supercharging his Kryptonian cells past their limit. Now, all he can do is attempt to settle his affairs and leave the world a better place.
This animated movie, written by the late, great Dwayne McDuffie (“Justice League Unlimited”), is based on one of the modern classic Superman stories, by comics legends Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely. It’s a whimsical, bittersweet look at what happens when a larger-than-life hero faces his mortality.
Premieres Saturday on HBO Max.
Bob Einstein was also a larger-than-life hero to comedians and comedy fans around the world. While he’s best known to modern audiences as Larry David’s best friend Marty Funkhouser on “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” he was a cult figure for decades as the death-defying, supremely lucky daredevil “Super Dave” Osborne.
Warning: The trailer below contains explicit language.
Sadly, Einstein died of cancer in 2019. To honor him, HBO assembled an amazing cast of comedians and contemporaries, including Steve Martin, Jerry Seinfeld, Larry David, Susie Essman, David Letterman, Norman Lear, Sarah Silverman, JB Smoove, Jimmy Kimmel, and Einstein’s brother Albert Brooks. Yes, that Albert Brooks.
Get those tissues ready. The laughter and tears will more than likely flow in this tribute to a comedy giant.
Currently streaming on HBO Max.
Vice Versa: Chyna (Hulu)
A much more somber remembrance comes to us from Vice, centering on the last days of Joanie Laurer, best known as the trailblazing pro wrestler Chyna.
Warning: The trailer below contains explicit language.
The bulk of the “Vice Versa” episode is footage shot for a planned documentary chronicling Laurer’s return to pop culture prominence after years living in Japan. Unfortunately, it’s clear from the beginning that she wasn’t ready for the spotlight. Forced by her manager to relive past traumas, Laurer slips back into drug abuse and struggles with depression.
Meanwhile, Laurer’s friends and family tell the story of a shy girl who worked to become a physical marvel and an entertainment icon, only to lose everything. “Vice Versa: Chyna” is a sad look at one of wrestling’s most fascinating and heartbreaking figures.
Premieres Saturday on Hulu.
Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker pretty much wrote the book on televangelism. This new biopic chronicles the rise, fall and rebirth of Tammy Faye, in particular.
Their religious broadcast empire was built on charm, grit and, of course, Tammy Faye’s iconic eyelashes. Jessica Chastain stars as the iconic Tammy Faye, taking us through her life and perseverance despite scandal, fraud and competition from rivals. Andrew Garfield plays Jim Bakker, who went to prison for wire and mail fraud.
For anyone who remembers seeing the Bakkers on TV in the ‘70s and ‘80s, you won’t want to miss this.
Premieres Saturday on HBO Max.
