New York Times What To Watch: The Picks Behind The Buzz
- 01. New York Times What to Watch: The Picks Behind the Buzz
- 02. Understanding the NYT "What to Watch" Section
- 03. Top Movie Picks Behind the Buzz
- 04. Essential TV Shows to Watch in 2026
- 05. Critics' 2026 Anticipated Picks
- 06. How NYT Watch Tab Works
- 07. Practical Guidance for Educators and Parents
- 08. Newsletter and Ongoing Resources
New York Times What to Watch: The Picks Behind the Buzz
The New York Times "What to Watch" section delivers curated entertainment recommendations from top critics, featuring the best movies and TV shows across streaming platforms. For 2026, critical favorites include Ryan Coogler's "Sinners" (top-rated 2025 film with 101 critic votes), Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another" (97% Rotten Tomatoes score), and emerging 2026 TV hits like "The Pitt" Season 2 on HBO Max.
Understanding the NYT "What to Watch" Section
The phrase "NYT what to watch" refers to The New York Times' dedicated television and film recommendations platform that provides expert reviews, curated lists, and streaming guidance for viewers overwhelmed by endless options. Launched originally as "Watching" in 2016, the service evolved into a comprehensive destination within the Times app, including the new TikTok-like "Watch tab" announced October 22, 2025, featuring vertically oriented news videos refreshed daily.
This platform distinguishes itself through critic-approved selections rather than algorithm-driven suggestions, helping viewers discover quality content across Netflix, Hulu, Apple TV+, HBO Max, and theatrical releases. The Times recently expanded beyond traditional critics picks, polling 16 newsroom staffers to identify 25 notable films representing diverse tastes.
Top Movie Picks Behind the Buzz
Film enthusiasts seeking guidance find "Sinners" dominates critical consensus as the best film of 2025, with Ryan Coogler's psychological horror set in 1932 Mississippi receiving 101 of 150+ critic votes (70% of submitted lists). The film marks Coogler's bold departure into horror, altering Academy Award landscape traditionally overlooking the genre.
Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another" represents the most incendiary movie of 2025, opening September 26, 2025, with Warner Bros. Pictures. The $130 million production-Anderson's priciest film-stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, and Benicio del Toro, drawing loose inspiration from Thomas Pynchon's 1990 novel "Vineland". Martin Scorsese championed it as "a fascinating and extraordinarily made film [with] extraordinary performances everywhere".
Essential TV Shows to Watch in 2026
The 2026 television landscape features 20 shows everyone will discuss, including Netflix's "How to Get to Heaven from Belfast" (February, Lisa McGee's follow-up to "Derry Girls") and Andy's memoir adaptation "The Life Inside". Beloved series making comebacks include "The Night Manager" (returning after a decade), "Industry," "Hijack," and "Rivals".
"The Pitt" stands out as 2025's most necessary series, a medical drama starring Noah Wyle as an emergency room physician at a financially struggling urban hospital, described as a rare nostalgic revival executed effectively with genuine warmth. Season 2 arrives January 8, 2026, on HBO Max.
- How to Get to Heaven from Belfast - Netflix, February 2026: Three friends journey across Ireland uncovering past truths
- The Night Manager - Return after decade: Spy thriller comeback
- Pride & Prejudice (Dolly Alderton retelling) - Netflix: Emma Corrin and Jack Lowden spark diverse opinions
- Half Man - BBC: Richard Gadd ("Baby Reindeer") explores modern masculinity
- Scrubs revival - ABC, February 25, 2026: Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke, Donald Faison return
Critics' 2026 Anticipated Picks
On January 1, 2026, Times critics published "8 Things Our Critics Are Looking Forward to in 2026", highlighting Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" using IMAX cameras to capture the classic narrative. The film represents a major cinematic event based on the 2,000-year-old text, following Nolan's Oscar-winning "Oppenheimer".
David E. Kelley's career marks its 40th anniversary in television with "M's Got Troubles" premiering on Apple TV+ April 15, 2026-his 14th series created in the past decade. The series continues Kelley's remarkable work ethic showing no signs of diminishing.
| Title | Platform | Release Date | Critical Score | Why Watch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sinners | Theaters | April 2025 | 101/150 critic votes | Best 2025 film, psychological horror |
| One Battle After Another | Theaters | Sept 26, 2025 | 97% RT, 96% Metacritic | PTA's priciest film, DiCaprio/Penn |
| The Pitt (S2) | HBO Max | Jan 8, 2026 | "Most necessary 2025" | Medical drama, Noah Wyle |
| How to Get to Heaven... | Netflix | February 2026 | Lisa McGee creator | "Derry Girls" follow-up |
| Scrubs Revival | ABC | Feb 25, 2026 | 16-year return | Zach Braff, original cast |
How NYT Watch Tab Works
The new Watch tab launched October 27, 2025, for Android users presents a scrollable collection of vertically oriented videos capped at three minutes. Content spans the Times' editorial portfolio including newsroom insights, Opinion section contributions, NYT Cooking, The Athletic, and Wirecutter.
Access requires creating a registered account, with the Times aiming to attract 15 million subscribers by 2027 through enhanced journalism accessibility. Starting early 2026, the Watch tab inventory becomes accessible to advertisers via open beta for vertical video advertising.
- Create a Times account to register for Watch tab access
- Download The Times app (Android available October 27, 2025)
- Swipe through the stand-alone, daily-updated video stack
- Explore content across news, Opinion, Cooking, Athletic, Wirecutter
- Save TV shows from What to Watch lists for later viewing
Practical Guidance for Educators and Parents
For school administrators and parents seeking values-aligned entertainment guidance, the NYT platform provides expert reviews helping families make informed decisions about content appropriateness. The section includes "Skip if you're easily offended" and "Watch if you want..." qualifiers helping viewers assess suitability.
The Times' comprehensive coverage extends beyond entertainment to interviews with cast and crew, analysis of industry trends, and insights into the creative process-valuable for educators discussing media literacy with students.
"Watching is the New York Times's platform for recommendations on television and films. You can subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter here."
Newsletter and Ongoing Resources
Viewers can subscribe to the bi-weekly "Watching" newsletter receiving curated recommendations directly. The Times also offers "On Your List: What to Read, Watch and Try Next" interactive features allowing users to save TV shows from What to Watch lists.
For best movies on specific platforms, the Times maintains dedicated lists: "The 30 Best TV Shows on Netflix Right Now" (updated March 13, 2025) and "The 50 Best Movies on Netflix Right Now". These continuously updated lists help viewers navigate streaming overwhelming choices.
Everything you need to know about New York Times What To Watch The Picks Behind The Buzz
What makes "Sinners" the top 2025 film according to critics?
"Sinners" earned 110 votes from 150+ critics in World of Reel's mid-year poll, appearing on 70% of submitted lists, making it comfortably the top film of 2025 (so far). Ryan Coogler's psychological horror set in 1932 Mississippi follows Sammie (Miles Caton) entering his father's congregation troubled, unfolding over 137 minutes.
Where can I watch "One Battle After Another"?
The film debuted in Los Angeles September 8, 2025, and opened theatrically September 26, 2025, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. With a 97% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes from 66 reviews and 96% on Metacritic, it remains in theaters as of early 2026.
Is the NYT "What to Watch" list free to access?
Basic "What to Watch" recommendations on the website are freely accessible, but the new Watch tab within the app requires creating a registered account. Some premium content and personalized features may require a Times subscription.
How often does NYT update their what to watch recommendations?
The Watch tab features videos refreshed daily, with up-to-date selections throughout each day showing top news and content from all editorial sections. Traditional "What to Watch" lists like "Best TV Shows on Netflix" are continuously updated.
What streaming services does NYT "What to Watch" cover?
The platform covers all major streaming services including Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, Apple TV+, Paramount+, and Disney+, plus theatrical releases and traditional television. GoWatchIt integration scans major and niche streaming services displaying where films are available.
Can I save shows to a personal watchlist on NYT?
Yes-the original "Watching" service included a personal watchlist feature allowing users to save films for later viewing. Current "On Your List" interactive features similarly enable saving TV shows from What to Watch lists.
