Netflix Today Added 35 New Releases: The 2 to Watch

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man – Buy Me a Coffee!

Netflix today (January 1, 2026) added 35 new TV shows and movies to its streaming lineup. Here are the two to watch, in my humble opinion:

Man on Fire (2004)
What Kind of Movie: Action/Drama
Who’s In It: Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning, Christopher Walken
Denzel Washington plays John Creasy, a former CIA intelligence agent turned alcoholic who’s hired to protect Pita, the young daughter (Dakota Fanning) of wealthy parents in Mexico City. The seemingly easy gig turns upside down when the daughter is kidnapped in a shootout that leaves Creasy fighting for his life. The subsequent events as Creasy seeks revenge, and the return of the young girl, makes Man on Fire one of the best action pictures of this century. Denzel is magnetism personified as the ruthless former government assassin who employs all his skills to set things right. Christopher Walken is also exceptional as Creasy’s former CIA colleague, as is Fanning as Pita, matching Denzel step for step in several pivotal scenes. The Denzel-Dakota chemistry was renewed in 2023 when the now 30-year-old Fanning had a supporting role in Denzel’s The Equalizer 3. (This time, she played a CIA officer!)

Erin Brockovich (2000)
What Kind of Movie: Drama/Comedy
Who’s in It: Julia Roberts, Albert Finney
The 2000 drama from director Steven Soderbergh stars Julia Roberts at her peak as the real-life environmental activist. While Julia took home most of the awards — Best Actress at the Academy Awards — the film isn’t the same without a Lou Grant-like turn by Albert Finney as Ed Masry, Erin’s attorney and partner in her legal crusade. Finney is great and so is the direction by Soderbergh although you wouldn’t expect anything less from him. This is a movie that has you rooting for the main character from beginning to end. Inspiring. Entertaining. And fun.

Shows & Movies Added Today (January 1, 2026) to Netflix

January 1
Dr. Seuss’s Red Fish, Blue Fish: Season 2
Love from 9 to 5
My Korean Boyfriend
Run Away
Time Flies
12 Years a Slave
30 Minutes or Less
Becky
Brüno
Colombiana
Conan the Destroyer
Dawn of the Dead
Despicable Me
Despicable Me 2
District 9
Dune
Erin Brockovich
Falling Skies: Seasons 1-5
Forever My Girl
Free Solo
Ghostbusters: Answer the Call
Green Room
Harry and the Hendersons
Hellboy
Johnny Mnemonic
Just Go With It
Lone Survivor
Man on Fire
Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life
My Girl
Only the Brave
Pitch Perfect
Priscilla
Twins
Wild Things

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