What’s new on Showmax in January 2024

Happy New Year! And it’s really going to be happy when you’re a Showmax subscriber, with some great new series and movies coming at the beginning of the year.

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Showmax Originals

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New episodes of your favourite Showmax Originals are streaming this month. Who’s behind the mayhem in Trompoppie? New episodes are streaming on Thursdays until 15 February, when all will be revealed.

Love reality? Then you’ll definitely be watching Sports Wives, with new episodes on Tuesdays, and Kwa Mam’Mkhize, with new episodes on Thursdays.

Nigerians are loving Wura S2, based on SA hit The River, and six-part legal drama Agu.

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International series 

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The Good Doctor S6 | Binge from 15 January

Check your heart rate! Season 6 of The Good Doctor picks up after last season’s cliffhanger ending on the rooftop of the St Bonaventure Hospital. 

As the brilliant autistic surgeon Dr Shaun Murphy, Freddie Highmore has racked up Best Actor nominations at the likes of the Critics’ Choice, Golden Globes, People’s Choice and Teen Choice awards.

Created by Emmy-winning showrunner David Shore (House M.D.), The Good Doctor has an 8/10 rating on IMDB and has won multiple awards. 

Heels S2 | Binge from 19 January

Teen Choice winners Stephen Amell (the Arrowverse’s Oliver Queen/Green Arrow) and Alexander Ludwig (Bjorn Ironside in Vikings) return in Season 2 of Heels, which brings us back to rural Georgia and the family-owned, small-town wrestling organisation, Duffy Wrestling League (DWL). As they work to find their own identities as a “face” (good guy) or a “heel” (villain), brothers and rivals Jack and Ace Spade continue to fight over their late father’s legacy and their individual versions of success.  

Heels has an 8/10 rating on IMDb, with a 91% critics’ rating for the final season on Rotten Tomatoes. As the critics’ consensus there says, “There are no jobbers in Heels’ second season, which utilises the full breadth of its ensemble to show-stopping effect.”

Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin | First on Showmax | Binge from 8 January

The Peacock comedy series Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin sees Adam Devine (The Righteous Gemstones’ Kelvin) return in his Pitch Perfect role as Bumper Allen.

Ten years after college, singing a cappella has become just a hobby for the former Treblemaker, who’s now working as a security guard at his alma mater. But when a phone call from his old rival Pieter Krämer (Flula Borg, The Suicide Squad’s Javelin) reveals that one of Bumper’s songs has gone viral in Berlin, he decides to drop everything and move to Germany for a shot at pop stardom. Sarah Hyland (Modern Family’s Haley) co-stars.

Developed and executive produced by multiple-Emmy nominees Elizabeth Banks (Shrill, Cocaine Bear) and Megan Amram (The Good Place, Silicon Valley), Bumper in Berlin also boasts a get-up-and-dance soundtrack with hits from the likes of Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Shaggy, Aha, and Guns N’ Roses. Season 2 is coming to Showmax soon too. 

Blindspotting S2 | Binge from 12 January

The spin-off sequel to the award-winning 2018 film of the same name, Blindspotting picks up the story of Miles’ long-time girlfriend Ashley, who was forced to move herself and their son, Sean, in with Miles’s mom and half-sister after he was sent to prison. The final season picks up nine months later, with Ashley feeling the stress as Sean’s birthday and Miles’ first family visitation weekend are both coming up fast. 

As Ashley, Emmy and Grammy winner Jasmine Cephas Jones (Mrs. Fletcher) has been nominated for several awards. Her co-stars include Helen Hunt, Kaitlynn Simone (Treasure in Empire) and Tamera Tomakili (Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty).

It has 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. AV Club called Season 1 “one of the best film-to-TV adaptations in years.” Speaking about Season 2, they say, “Starz’s hidden gem is back [in] …an uproarious, insightful return… [continuing] to shine a light on the ludicrous, beautiful, and often harsh realities of life, while celebrating the power of music and dance… There’s just nothing like it on TV.”

Essex County S1 | Binge from 29 January

This five-part series follows two interconnected families in rural Canada, and is adapted from the acclaimed Essex County Trilogy graphic novel.

Molly Parker (House of Cards) plays country nurse Anne, who’s caring for her uncle, Lou (Stephen McHattie, A History of Violence). Child actor Finlay Wojtak-Hissong plays Lester, who has to go live with his uncle Ken (Brian J Smith from World on Fire, The Matrix Resurrections), a stoic farmer.

Toronto Guardian praises the show’s “brilliant writing,” calling it “beautifully executed and perfectly cast… truly an event to watch.” Essex County was nominated as Best TV Series at the 2023 Venice TV Awards and picked up Directors Guild of Canada awards for its editing and production design. 

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Movies

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Transformers: Rise of the Beasts | 29 January 

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is set in 1994 and centres on ex-military electronics expert Noah Diaz and artifact research intern Elena Wallace as they work with the Maximals and the Beasties to fight an invasion that threatens to consume Earth. It’s both a prequel to 2007’s original Transformers and a standalone sequel to 2018’s Bumblebee. Both of these, plus the other films, are streaming on Showmax. 

It stars Emmy nominees Anthony Ramos (In the Heights) as Noah and Dominique Fishback (Judas and the Black Messiah) as Elena, with Grammy-nominated Nigerian-American hip-hop artist Tobe Nwigwe as Reek. Also listen out for the likes of Ron Perlman, Michelle Yeoh, Peter Dinklage and award-winning Zimbabwean actor Tongayi Chirisa as transformers. 

Screen Rant calls it, “The perfect summer movie,” while Geeks hails it as “perhaps the best Transformers movie since the first.” 

Shazam! Fury of the Gods | 22 January

Teenager Billy Batson (Asher Angel from Andi Mack) and his adult superhero alter-ego, Shazam (Critics’ Choice nominee Zachary Levi, aka Marvel’s Fandral), have annoyed the wrong people goddesses in this epic #1 box office hit movie. Now, Billy and his foster siblings will have to grow up fast as they face off against the Daughters of Atlas.

The sequel to 2019 blockbuster Shazam!, it also stars the likes of Oscar winner Helen Mirren, Djimon Hounsou (Marvel’s Korath), Rachel Zegler (West Side Story), Lucy Liu (Charlie’s Angels), MTV Movie Award winner Jack Dylan Grazer (It) and Teen Choice winner Adam Brody (The O.C.). 

IndieWire praised the film’s “humour, sweetness, and delightfully human heroes, [which remain] bright spots in a genre too often obsessed with the dark and the gritty.”

Fantasy Football | 1 January

Teenager Callie discovers she can magically control her father’s performance on the American football field through her gaming console, transforming him from a fumblitis-plagued journeyman to a star running back bound for superstardom.

Fantasy Football stars Marsai Martin (Black-ish), who also gets a producer credit at just 19 years old, alongside NBA star LeBron James (Space Jam: A New Legacy). 

Omari Hardwick (Power’s James “Ghost” St Patrick) plays her dad, opposite the likes of Kelly Rowland and Rome Flynn (How to Get Away with Murder).

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Non-Fiction

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Libby, Are You Home Yet? | First on Showmax | Binge from 24 January

Winner of Best Factual Series at the 2023 BAFTAs, the timely and sensitively-told documentary series Libby, Are You Home Yet? tells the story of 21-year-old Libby Squire, who wasn’t allowed to enter a nightclub because she was drunk, so was sent home by her friends in a taxi – but never arrived. 

Libby, Are You Home Yet was also named Best True Crime Documentary at the Broadcast Digital Awards, who described it as ““A masterclass in true crime storytelling” and “a stark portrait of grief that told a parent’s worst nightmare in a sensitive and moving way.”

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Local

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Lavish | Binge from 26 January

Named Best TV Drama at this year’s SAFTA awards, Lavish follows a group of fabulous 30-somethings as they navigate death, divorce and disasters. Sometimes, the soft life is harder than it looks… and darker than most are willing to admit. Mzansi Magic has already ordered a second season. 

Nhlanhla Kunene (Eric in Adulting) stars as Jabu, with Jessica Nkosi (Isibaya) as the glamorous Zozi, SAFTA winner S’Dumo Mtshali (iNumber Number) as Khulu, Ayanda Bandla (uBettina Wethu) as Kat, Kanyi Nokwe (The Queenstown Kings) as Nomzamo and Tshenolo Seabi (Isithembiso, Scandal!) as Mpumi. 

Sunday Sexy Love S2 | Binge from 11 Jan

Crowned Best Variety Show at the 2023 SAFTAs, Mzansi Magic’s Sunday Sexy Love returns for a sizzling second season with comedienne and host Tumi Morake getting us up-close and personal with some of South Africa’s best-loved celebrity couples as they open up about what makes their relationship work. The fact that some of the relationships have since ended just adds to the interest. 

Couples include Toll Ass Mo and Mome, Naked DJ and Kayleigh, presenter Nozibele ‘Nozi’ Qamngana-Mayaba and her hubby Skhu, The Real Housewives of Durban star Nonku and Dumisani “RD” Ndlazi, The Wife star Abdul Khoza and his wife Baatile Themane and more.

Silwerskerm Short Films | From 5 January 2023

The kykNET Silwerskerm Film Festival has launched the careers of many of South Africa’s top filmmakers through its short film programme, from Nosipho Dumisa and Amy Jephta to Rene van Rooyen and Christiaan Olwagen. 

In January, among other highlights, look out for ‘n Doop om Stilte, winner of Best Short Film and Best Directing for Emilie Badenhorst and Kanya Viljoen, on 11 January; Die Blokke, which won Best Actor (Gershwin Mias), Script and Cinematography, and As, which won Best Actress (Roeline Daneel).

Gqeberha: The Empire | Binge from 15 January

Set in Gqeberha, Mzansi Magic’s telenovela centres on businessman Luzuko Mxenge, who seems to have it all: success, money, love, family, power and respect – plus three beautiful (but very different) wives… But why let that stop him from wanting more? 

Mbulelo Grootboom (Skemerdans) stars, with Zikhona Sodlaka (Blood Psalms) and Zandile Msutwana (The Queen), Kay Bikitsha (The Queen), Anele Matoti (1960), breakout heartthrob Thembinkosi Ngcukana, and rising star Akhenime Mfenyana.

Filmed in the Eastern Cape, Gqeberha: The Empire is produced by Phathu Makwarela and Gwydion Beynon of Tshedza Pictures, who’ve given us shows like Adulting, Outlaws, and The River. 

Elders: Frankryk | Binge from 4 January

Season 6 of kykNET’s SAFTA-winning lifestyle and travel programme Elders followed host Erns Grundling and the team to France ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup to give us a taste of the host country – which will also be welcoming the Olympic Games in 2024. 

Join Erns as he explores some of France’s most beautiful destinations. Along the way, we’ll get to take in some of France’s most breathtaking landscapes and indulge in the rich culture of the region. And of course, there’s all that delicious French food and drink to discover. 

Uncle Limbani S3 | Binge from 4 January

Nominated for Best Original Comedy Series at the 2023 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, Uncle Limbani centres on a mischievous, alcohol-loving gardener who is in perpetual pursuit of ways to get rich quick so that he can live his dream life. His efforts land him in constant trouble with his demanding girlfriend, his tolerant employers and his bossy domestic worker.

Season 3 once again stars comedian Henry BJ Phiri as the titular Uncle Limbani. 

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Family favourites

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Star Trek: Prodigy S1 | 1 January

Star Trek: Prodigy invites younger viewers (and grown-up fans) to boldly go alongside an intrepid group of enslaved teenagers who hijack the Protostar, a derelict Starfleet vessel, to escape and explore the galaxy.

The animated series has already won a Children’s and Family Emmy Award, with a further four nominations, including for Outstanding Animated Series. It has a 94% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 4/5-star rating from Common Sense Media, where they recommend it for ages 7+, saying “Star Trek: Prodigy is a treat for the eyes… entertaining, fun, and fast-paced… bringing new life to the beloved franchise for the next generation,” and adding that, “although intended for a younger audience, this new take on a treasured series can be enjoyed by the whole family.”

Baby Shark’s Big Show! S1 | 1 January 

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water (without getting that sticky song in your head), Baby Shark’s Big Show is coming to Showmax!

This fun-filled preschool series follows Brooklyn “Baby” Shark and his best friend, William the fish, as they journey on comedic adventures in their hometown of Carnivore Cove.

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More to watch on Showmax in January 2023

1 January

Aliens Abducted My Parents and Now I Feel Left Out | Casper | Crawl | Ghoster | Little Rascals | Maggie Moore | Monster House | Nina’s World S2 | Rugrats S1 | Upon The Magic Roads

4 January

Bait | Immortal City Records | The Magnificent Butcher | Mamma Mia! | Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again | Mini World: Powers Awaken | My Ma Kook Beter As Joune S2 | Rocketman | The Dead And The Deadly | Timecrafters: The Treasure of Pirate’s Cove | Warriors 2 | Witness To Murder: A Darrow Mystery | XO Goals S1

8 January

Butterfly Lovers | Contraband | Fist of Legend | Million To One | The Lost Bladesman | Million To One | Postman Pat S8 | Riki Rhino: The Bird Kingdom | Uzulu Nomhlaba

10 January

Dangerous Breed: Crime. Cons. Cats

11 January

Crescent Gang | Johnny English Reborn | The Legend of La Llorona | Seventh Son

15 January

2002 | Battleship | The Black Demon | Postman Pat: Special Delivery Services S3 | Redeemed | Undercover Brother | The Moon Warrior

18 January

Ambush | Blinding Lights | Central Intelligence | The Eagle | Ngikhethele S1

22 January

The Huntsman: Winter’s War | Powerbirds S1 | Snow White and The Huntsman | Waist Deep

25 January

The Boss | The Five Year Engagement | Heart of a Champion | Koppestamp | My Perfect Wedding | 

29 January

Deadly Ruphoria | The Hulk | Kick-Ass 2 | Kokkedoor Vuur en Vlam S1