James R | On 29, Dec 2014

It’s going to be a very happy New Year for Amazon, judging by its line-up of new films and TV shows available to stream next month. From advertising exec Don Draper to time-travelling bomb defuser Jake Gyllenhaal, it’s a selection that finds room for a bit of everything, whether it’s a new season of a stop-motion kids series or last year’s Oscar-winning Best Film.

Here are the top 10 new releases coming soon to Amazon Prime UK in January 2015.

Mad Men Season 5 – 1st January

Newly married to Megan, Season 5 of Mad Men sees Don Draper try to navigate his way through 1966 and 1967, while Lane, Peter, Roger, Joan and Peggy all face their own fresh starts.

Shaun the Sheep Season 3 – 1st January

Aardman’s animated series is so popular with young viewers that they’re about to release a feature length movie. Until then, Season 3 of Shaun the Sheep will be more than enough to keep children entertained. Baa-rilliant.

Gus – 2nd January

Who said mules can’t play football? This 1976 live action Disney flick joins the long line of House of Mouse movies about anthropomorphised animals. It’s far from classic, but it might hit the retro spot for some.

Bon Voyage – 9th January

Based on the 1856 novel of the same name, this 1962 live action Disney movie follows a family crossing the Atlantic Ocean, picking up two Academy Award nominations along the way.

Byzantium – 9th January

Gemma Arterton plays a vampire in Neil Jordan’s quietly stunning British film. Seeking shelter at a seaside resort, Arterton impresses less with her seductive manner and more with her ruthless devotion to protecting her daughter (Saoirse Ronan). Between the neon signs and dark streets, this is a touching horror that is as creepy as it is moving.

12 Years a Slave – 10th January

Artist-turned-director Steve McQueen has made a name for himself for tackling difficult subjects head-on – and for doing it beautifully. 12 Years a Slave continues the first part of that tradition, but skips the second, as the director presents Solomon Northup’s horrible true story of being captured and forced into slavery with minimum fuss – and maximum power. Chiwetel Ejiofor leads an astonishing cast in a film that feels as important as it is upsetting.

Read our full review.

Web Therapy Season 4 – TBC January

Lisa Kudrow stars in this original web series – which later transitioned to traditional TV – about a therapist with limited patience for others’ problems, instead offering online sessions for three minutes at a time. Seasons 1 to 3 were added just before Christmas.

Aladdin – 23rd January

Known the world over as a panto, this Disney version of the Arabian Nights tale is arguably the best, as a diamond-in-the-rough street rat takes on the evil sorcerer Jafar and tries to win the hand of Princess Jasmine. Alan Menken’s songs are superb and the animation is lovely, but the show is stolen by Robin Williams as the big blue genie. You never had a friend like him.

Black Sails Season 2 – 25th January

After Season 1 sailed onto Amazon Prime last April, Toby Stephens returns as ruthless pirate Captain Flint – who runs the ship in the run-up to the events of Treasure Island. Season 1 showed promise among its gritty aquatic adventure. Season 2 could well deliver upon it.

Read our review of Black Sails Season 1.

Source Code – 29th January

If Hitchcock made science fiction, it would probably turn out something like this. Trains, romance, an unsuspecting male lead (Jake Gyllenhaal); it’s all delightfully North by Northwest, right up until the train goes kaboom. Eight minutes later, it happens again. And again. All the while, Captain Stevens tries to find and defuse the bomb – and woo his fellow passenger (Michelle Monaghan). Between the mainstream wit and time travel smarts, this is a cracking caper on a train.

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