This week in streaming, we’re taking a true four-quadrant approach. There’s something for everyone — whether you’re into pulse-pounding thrillers adapted from bestselling novels, a nostalgic series inspired by 1980s cinema starring one of the great actors of our time, or you want to check in with one of the most controversial, headline-making comedians of the last few years.
Cross (Season 2) on Amazon Prime
First up on our streaming radar is Cross, returning for a second season. The gritty crime thriller, based on the Alex Cross series by author James Patterson, follows forensic psychologist and homicide detective Alex Cross as he tackles the most dangerous and psychologically complex cases in the nation’s capital.
The first season established Cross as more than just a detective — he’s a profiler with an uncanny ability to get inside the minds of killers and corrupt CEOs. The new season raises the stakes, pushing him deeper into Washington’s underbelly, where conspiracies run higher and the threats feel real. Cross is operating almost like the city’s Batman by targeting the elite while balancing a personal life. But different from Gotham City’s knight, Cross doesn’t have the protection of a cape and cowl. If you like your crime dramas tense, smart, and packed with twists, this one delivers plenty of heart-rate-spiking moments.
Cross is streaming now on Amazon Prime Video.
The Lincoln Lawyer (Season 4) on Netflix
Fantastic movies sometimes just need to stand alone. There have been several action franchises that were huge cinematic blockbusters that tried to be adapted for television, but found no true audience. Some titles come to mind are the adaptation of Lethal Weapon for television on Fox, or how about that Rush Hour adaptation that only lasted a season?
With some shows like Cape Fear on the horizon, starring Amy Adams and Javier Bardem — which early footage promises will be a slam dunk from Apple TV — it can be done. The Lincoln Lawyer first took to the big screen with Matthew McConaughey in 2011, and then was adapted beautifully for television on Netflix.
The Lincoln Lawyer is based not only on the film, but also on the Michael Connelly group of bestselling books, and it follows Mickey Haller, who is somewhat a prototypical pretty-boy, charismatic defense lawyer in Los Angeles who can often be seen working out of the backseat of his chauffeured Lincoln. You get it? He’s a Lincoln lawyer.
Now we gear up for the return of The Lincoln Lawyer for a fourth season. It’s a bingeable favorite that fans continue to flock to it season after season. Mickey must constantly navigate court battles, moral dilemmas, a checkered past, and unforgettable clients.
The Lincoln Lawyer season four is streaming on Netflix.
The ‘Burbs on Peacock
Continuing our journey through film-to-TV adaptations, Peacock has quite the ambitious offering: an adaptation of The ‘Burbs. Some will lovingly remember the 1989 cult film of the same name that starred a young Tom Hanks, but this version stars Keke Palmer, who I feel has been on an understated entertainment run over the last several years. Keke Palmer, in succession, has done One of Them Days with SZA, The Pickup with Eddie Murphy, Good Fortune with Seth Rogan, is currently filming Spaceballs 2 with Mel Brooks, and now not only stars as Samira in The ‘Burbs, but also serves as an executive producer.
Keke knows that she can bring dramatic chops, but she is also one of the funniest working women today. If you listen to her podcast, or in any interview — especially her recent Hot Ones interview — Keke is a walking shot of espresso and one of those actresses who leaps off the screen with the kind of presence you can feel even through Wi-Fi.
As for plot, The ‘Burbs follows Keke Palmer and Jack Whitehall as a newly married couple who move from the city into an idyllic suburban hometown, and what starts as a peaceful new beginning quickly turns rather odd as old neighbors’ secrets and eerie behavior spark Samira’s suspicion.
The ‘Burbs is streaming now on Peacock.
Katt Williams: The Last Report on Netflix
When I was a young kid growing up as an early-’90s millennial, I found several comedians to be at the top of their game. Chris Rock, especially with specials like Bigger and Blacker and Bring the Pain, was an icon of comedy and remains so. Chappelle, although controversial in his last several specials, is still a master orator who could tell a poetic tale that rivals that of Robert Frost. Then there was Katt Williams, who landed on my radar from his work on Wild ’N Out.
Katt’s first comedy special was the highly quoted,The Pimp Chronicles and followed it up with a massive sequel, It’s Pimpin’ Pimpin’, where he discussed America electing its first Black president and the tale of poor little Tink Tink.
Recently, Katt Williams made headlines when he appeared on NFL Hall of Famer and former ESPN and FS1 analyst Shannon Sharpe’s podcast Club Shay Shay, in which Katt directed his ire at Diddy, Steve Harvey, Kevin Hart, and claimed to read an ungodly amount of books a year, as well as several other exclamatory statements that made that interview the most-watched podcast interview in YouTube history, with eighty-plus million views.
And now, Katt Williams is back with his fourth Netflix stand-up special, Katt Williams: The Last Report, which will premiere on February 10. This is a follow-up to Katt Williams: Woke Folk, which became the most-watched comedy special of 2024. Believe that Katt is going to come with the jokes and come for your throats.
Katt Williams: The Last Report is streaming on Netflix this week.
This article appears in Private: Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2026.