5 best new Netflix shows (and 4 old shows) to watch in December 2023

As the year winds down, Netflix naturally adds fewer new release shows, but while there might not be as many heavy hitters as we’re used to, there’s still plenty to add to your watch list. The streamer has premiered or will premiere a handful of new Netflix shows, with the added bonus of older shows, whether throwbacks or current shows new to Netflix, that are must watches.

Between a long-awaited new season of a hit show and the premiere of a teen series fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty and Heartland will adore, the new shows have something for every viewer. Meanwhile, fans looking for a throwback binge can tuck into the complete series of Martin or the glory days of The Hills. And there’s much more where that came from!

Let’s get the list started with the first new Netflix show of the month, Sweet Home season 2.

Sweet Home season 2

After a two-year hiatus, the suspenseful Korean drama series returned for its second season on Dec. 1, and it’s really been a long time coming. The new season picks up with the survivors, but they’re not quite out of trouble just yet. If you haven’t started watching the series, you definitely need to give it a try. The first season contains 10 episodes, while the second contains eight, making a light but semi-lengthy binge-watch. What’s more, a third season has already been confirmed for release in 2024, so you don’t have to worry about cancellation.

Young Sheldon

While technically not an “old” show in the traditional sense, The Big Bang Theory prequel spinoff premiered back in 2017, making it older than the new series making their big premieres this month. Young Sheldon made its arrival on Netflix around Thanksgiving and stayed put in the top 10 as fans new and old watched the hilarious origin story of Sheldon Cooper. The first six seasons of the hit sitcom are available on Netflix just in time for the upcoming seventh and final season to premiere on CBS in 2024.

My Life with the Walter Boys

If you’re a fan of Prime Video’s hit teen drama series The Summer I Turned Pretty, then you’re going to love Netflix’s new show My Life with the Walter Boys. There’s a teen girl and a couple brothers in the mix, but instead of a beach, they’re on a farm. After 16-year-old Jackie loses her family, she moves from New York to Colorado with her mom’s longtime friend and her large family. She has a dream of getting into Princeton, but her grief, new life, and budding romances threaten to throw her off course. The new series drops on Dec. 7.

The Crown season 6 part 2

Ready to see how the series comes to an end? After the huge release of the first part of the final season of Netflix’s Emmy Award-winning drama series The Crown in November, the last six episodes of the season — and series — will drop on Dec. 14. It’s a can’t-miss television event as the historical drama inches closer and closer to present day, including Prince William and Kate Middleton’s love story. By far, it’s going to be the biggest new series release in December, and one that will likely stay put on the top 10 through the new year.

Martin

Lately, Netflix has been all about the acquisitions, and we likely have the unprecedented success of Suits for more and more throwback series being added to the platform. Over the years, we have watched lots of old school sitcoms like Sister, Sister and Seinfeld on Netflix, and on Dec. 15, another one’s coming for our watch list. All five seasons of Martin Lawrence’s ’90s sitcom Martin arrive for streaming, and fans are going to love revisiting this one. The series features an excellent cast, including Tisha Campbell and Tichina Arnold, and boasts over 100 episodes binge-watch!

Carol & the End of the World

Although adult animated series on Netflix can either have a long shelf life (BoJack Horseman, Big Mouth) or expire quickly (Tuca & Bertie, Captain Fall, etc.), the streamer has never attempted an animated limited series until now. Carol & the End of the World centers on the titular Carol, a reserved woman who must find her comfort among a community living it up as the end of the world nears. The series premieres on Dec. 15 and comes from Dan Guterman, who previously worked as a writer on The Colbert Report, Community, and Ricky and Morty.

The Hills

Even though the first two seasons of MTV’s pop culture-defining reality series The Hills will be leaving in December 2023, the third and fourth seasons will be added on Dec. 15. We all love watching shows from the beginning, but The Hills season 3 and 4 are arguably where the juiciest drama goes down, including the much debated feud between Lauren Conrad and Heidi Montag. Sure, the reality series wasn’t all “real,” but it’s one of the most popular and famous of the format that fans still can’t get over. Watch the two last full seasons of LC’s run on the show on Netflix this month!

Money Heist: Berlin

After the series arrived on Netflix in 2019, Money Heist became a super-popular series on the streamer. It’s no surprise that it has spawned a whole franchise, including Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area and Money Heist: Berlin, which premieres on Dec. 29. Berlin delivers what viewers love about the franchise with a focus on the character of Berlin at his prime. This is one series fans won’t want to miss, and it’ll sure be a huge hit during New Year’s Eve weekend.

Star Trek: Prodigy

The animated series Star Trek: Prodigy technically isn’t old, but it isn’t new either — even if it’s new to Netflix. The series first premiered on Paramount+ in October 2021, where it for for 20 episodes until December 2022. The streamer canceled and removed Prodigy in June 2023, but Netflix saved the series in October 2023. Before the second season premieres in 2024, Netflix drops the 20-episode first season on Christmas Day. Catch up with the series since 20 more Star Trek: Prodigy episodes are on the way!

What Netflix shows will you be watching in December 2023?