Must Watch: The Best of January 2025

Must Watch: The Best of January 2025

Welcome to WatchMojo and today we’re revealing our picks for the 10 "must watch" pieces of content that defined the month of January 2025. You’ll find a mix of Movies, TV, Streaming, Podcasts and more and whether you’re looking for something new, or just a reminder of the best of the last month, you’ll find something interesting. Happy Watching!

#10: “Harley Quinn” (2019-)

Season 5
“Harley Quinn” remains the gold standard animated, adult-oriented comic book shows with a comedic edge. It’s showing no signs of losing momentum, although Harley and Ivy commence the season in a rut. That’s nothing a change of scenery can’t solve. Season 5 takes the couple from Gotham’s dystopian slums to the City of Tomorrow. It truly is a brand new day as Harley and Ivy leave their mark in Metropolis. Along the way, they encounter old enemies, new enemies, and one big question mark. In addition to fresh environments, the series continues to expand upon the characters, getting to the root of Ivy’s backstory. Whether or not Metropolis is still standing by the season’s end, we’re strapped in for the best kind of bumpy ride.

#9: “Roy Wood Jr.: Lonely Flowers” (2025)

Society seems more divided than ever. Will Roy Wood Jr.’s standup special be the watershed moment that brings us all together? Probably not, but “Lonely Flowers” is inclined to unite audiences in laughter. They might even walk away with a more empathetic mindset too. Although humanity’s lack of connection is at the center of his commentary, “The Daily Show” correspondent doesn’t go for the targets you might expect. While Wood does tackle important issues like how we treat our veterans, his first Hulu special is more about rude fast-food employees, even ruder gun range employees, and the folly of self-checkout lanes. Watch with a group of friends, share a few laughs, and the world is sure to seem a little less lonely.

#8: “Volunteers”

“Abbott Elementary” (2021-)
Although they share a city in common, “Abbott Elementary” and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” might seem an unlikely combo. One is about elementary school teachers doing their best to make a difference. The other is about the worst people in the world. What started as a joke between Quinta Brunson and Rob McElhenney at the Emmys snowballed into a legitimate crossover, however. As different as these sitcoms are, the jokes practically write themselves as Frank clashes with Mr. Johnson over compost, Dee attempts to steal Gregory from Janine, and Barbara tries teaching Charlie how to read at a kindergarten level. The crossover isn’t over either, as a second chapter will kick off the “It’s Always Sunny” Season 17 premiere.

#7: “One of Them Days” (2025)

January is usually a dumping ground for movies that come and go. Every once and a while, though, a pleasant surprise emerges. This Issa Rae-produced comedy is certainly one of them. Singer SZA makes her film debut alongside the always-charismatic Keke Palmer, playing roommates trying to collect enough money to evade eviction. Even if they find the funds, will they still want to live with each other by the day’s end? The chemistry between the leads, coupled with a sharp script from Syreeta Singleton[a], make for the funniest viewing experience of the new year. Surpassing the 90% threshold on Rotten Tomatoes and opening strong at the box office, “One of Them Days” demonstrates why Hollywood should be making more buddy comedies for theaters.

#6: “The Pitt” (2025-)

More than 15 years after leaving “ER,” Noah Wyle returns to television as another doctor. “The Pitt” isn’t a traditional medical drama with a case of the week, however. Structurally, this Max series is closer to “24” with each episode dedicated to another hour as a group of healthcare workers navigate their way through a lengthy shift. “The Pitt” captures the spontaneity of the emergency department with the characters juggling a waiting room of patients. Occasionally, the characters are given breathing room to address their personal and professional drama. For the most part, though, they’re constantly on the go as crises pile up. It’s a grounded portrayal of ER doctors, offering a taste of the intensity, anxiety, and unpredictability that comes with the job.

#5: “Companion” (2025)

This horror film is best experienced without viewing the trailer or even reading the plot synopsis. Of course, since we’re obligated to share more details, here’s our spoiler-free endorsement. Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid are two of the most promising young performers on the rise. They turn in some of their best work in “Companion,” which centers on a group of friends who gather for a weekend vacation by the lake. One of the individuals in attendance isn’t like the others, leading to a fatal glitch in this getaway. Marking Drew Hancock’s feature directorial debut, “Companion” also reunites several key figures behind 2022’s “Barbarian.” Like that film, “Companion” only gets more twisted as it goes along without skimping on the laughs, gore, or clever themes.

#4: “SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night” (2025)

“SNL” is in the midst of its landmark 50th season with its primetime anniversary special set to air in February. Until then, this docuseries provides an absorbing behind-the-scenes look at Studio 8H, complete with retrospectives from cast members and other key creative talents from throughout the years. The first two episodes explore the show’s casting process, production hurdles, and a sketch’s journey from the writers’ room to the stage. Episode 3 is solely dedicated to “More Cowbell,” unpacking that historic sketch’s development and impact. The final episode delves into the highs and lows of the 1985-86 season, which nearly signified the end of “SNL.” Ultimately, it was an experimental turning point that changed the trajectory of “Saturday Night Live”... and Damon Wayans’ career.

#3: UAP Podcast with Jake Barber

Jacob Barber is far from the first person to claim that the government knows more about UAPs - or UFOs - than they’re letting on. Barber stands out from other whistleblowers, however. A former aerospace mechanic for the U.S. Air Force, Barber claims that he was part of a secret UAP retrievable program. Sitting down with NewsNation’s Ross Coulthart[b], Barber recalled unearthing an egg-like object as big as an SUV. Whatever it was, Barber is convinced it couldn’t have been human. Barber also encountered an “eightgon,” which he described as a disc with eight delineated sections. For believers and skeptics alike, this nearly three-hour interview couldn’t be arriving at a more relevant time as the existence of extraterrestrial life seems more probable than ever.

#2: “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man” (2025-)

After voicing Peter Parker in Marvel’s “What If…?,” Hudson Thames [c]swings back into action with this animated “Spider-Man” series. Although adjacent to the MCU, “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man” sets itself in an alternate universe where Norman Osborn mentors a young Peter. Colman Domingo voices Norman in a cast that includes a few familiar names, including Charlie Cox’s Daredevil and Vincent D'Onofrio’s Kingpin. This is Peter’s story, though, as he balances his freshman year of high school with his newfound superhero duties. Speaking of balance, the 3D cel-shaded designs find a middle ground between the original comics and modern animation in a series that aims to encompass several generations of “Spider-Man.” With at least three seasons given the go-ahead, this web is just getting unraveled.

#1: “Severance” (2022-)

Season 2
The Golden Age of Television isn’t without its drawbacks, sometimes making us wait three years for ten new episodes of our favorite shows. If the first couple episodes of “Severance” Season 2 are any indication, the wait was worth it. The show remains a labyrinth of mystery and mind games where the characters are rarely sure who they can trust - themselves included. The search for answers is only made more involving thanks to the layered characters, subtle humor, and ordinary environment that’s somehow otherworldly. For those who could use a recap of Season One, we’d also suggest listening to “The Severance Podcast,” which will be covering Season Two on a weekly basis as well. However you watch, it’s a show that’ll keep you coming back.


What did you watch in January 2025? What do you still need to catch up with? Let us know in the comments.

[a]https://youtu.be/_BV2pz_XvUs?si=xEm3gx9d1Nva1mT4&t=4437

[b]cool-tart https://youtu.be/VuCPbavls0U?si=sob01pNQ2HWrbN7g&t=5
eight gone https://youtu.be/PGOpHdHSjTE?si=rgCUyzHHtUQB8qcI&t=9
[c]https://youtu.be/VceP9KvK_HA?si=FHuSFnr6pS47geVQ