Big studios are not shy about their slate of releases. It’s common for them to start marketing two, sometimes three, years in advance to get the hype machine rolling. However, streaming doesn’t work like that. Companies like Netflix are arguably as big as their theatrical competition, but when it comes to their release slate they tend to take it one month at a time. If something big is coming out like Stranger Things the final season, yeah you know it’ll be in 2022, but not which month, or which specific day it’ll drop. Streaming marketing is just playing a different game out there which is why it can be difficult making a list such as this.

So, I’ve tried my best and came up with six titles that I am genuinely pumped for that I know will be coming out this year, and I’m sure these titles will surprise you as much, if not more than they did me as I made my final checks. There’s also so much streaming content out there that your list might be completely different from mine, and that’s awesome. I’m not a fan of Stranger Things, but I know a massive audience is waiting for bated breath on that last season. Some other hyped shows coming back are ones that I haven’t seen before, like Amazon’s final season of The Expanse. Love the books, but I haven’t watched an episode. So, without further ado, let’s dive into what I think are the most interesting projects dropping this year…

The Offer - Paramount+

I’m a sucker for stories about the making of stories. Paramount+ has been trying to catch up over the pandemic as they try and find their own voice. Previously CBS All Access, this streaming pillar is still finding its wings and I think this is one of their more interesting subjects, which is a dramatization of the making of The Godfather.

Francis Ford Coppola is a celebrated filmmaker with some of the most terrible luck in producing films. They made a documentary about the making of Apocolypse Now, which had a lot of trouble and well worth a read or watch, and from the brief history that I know about Paramount and The Godfather, I cannot wait to see what they offer. They announced the cast and they have some very interesting actors attached. It premieres April 28, 2022.

Halo - Parmount+

I never played the video games. I never read the comics. Halo was always present in my life because my friends were obsessed with it, but I was a PlayStation kid, and from a family that couldn’t afford two game systems, so I only participate from the sidelines. That said, I understand what a landmark Halo is in the video game world, and from what I’ve seen of my friends joyfully playing it I can understand the creativity that hooked a generation. As somebody unfamiliar with the franchise, I am very excited to be introduced to this with fresh eyes. Streaming has been a wonderful place for science fiction and fantasy series, and if Paramount+ puts enough effort into this series as they do to the Star Trek universe, then I cannot wait to be transported to another world.

The Cuphead Show! - Netflix

Once again, I haven’t played Cuphead. Truthfully I haven’t been much of a gamer since my time at college, but boy do I remember when Cuphead dropped. I couldn’t believe the amount of love and detail the game showed of classic cartoons. It was surreal to see character designs and movement reminiscent of 30s animation in a modern world. It truly is a work of art. Now with Netflix at the betting table, The Cuphead Show! looks equally as impressive and insane as the game. You can tell that a lot of love has been poured into those cels, and I’m a sucker for supporting anything that has traditional animation. The series drops on Netflix February 18, 2022.

Unicorn: Warriors Eternal - HBO Max

Genndy Tartakovsky is one of my favorite creators. He created Dexter’s Laboratory, Samurai Jack, Star Wars: Clone Wars, Primal, and now Unicorn: Warriors Eternal that will be premiering on HBO Max and Cartoon Network. His most well-known project is probably the Hotel Transylvania franchise. And not to mention he’s been involved in tons of cartoons over the years, to the point where it’s very likely that you have seen his work at some point in your childhood.

Not much is known about this show other than it has ancient heroes embodying teens in search of a unicorn. Tartakovsky is a very emotional creator and has experimented with silence and the effect it has on the audience over the years. Whatever he has planned for this series I know I’ll be a crying mess by the end of it and I cannot wait.

The Lord of the Rings - Amazon Prime Video

I love Lord of the Rings, but I wouldn’t say I’m the biggest fan out there. I enjoyed the books and the movies, never going further than that. I’m not a history expert of Tolkien nor am I interested in watching hours of YouTube content that breaks down each age in the Lord of the Rings universe, but this may be a game changer for fans and non-fans alike. This series has the potential of changing how streaming approaches IP forever. Why do I say that? Because Amazon paid $250 million just for the rights. None of that is for production, and Amazon basically dropped the equivalent of a modern-day blockbuster’s budget on licensing. With production plans for five seasons, Amazon is estimated on spending $1 billion on a show that hasn’t premiered yet. The Lord of the Rings will be the most expensive show ever produced.

What the show is actually about is still a mystery, mostly. Amazon has confirmed that it will not be retelling anything in the movies. Which means no Fodo, Bilbo, Smaug, or Sean Bean. This series will take place in the Second Age of Middle-Earth, which for those playing at home is basically the flashback in Fellowship of the Ring. What we will most likely see is the creation of the rings of power, the rise of Sauron, and the wars between him and the elves, as well as a possible focus on Númenor. There is a lot riding on this show, and I think people who are not interested in this fantasy epic will still have their eyes glued to the news because of how unprecedented this all is. With luck, this series will drop in September of 2022.

And there we have it. That’s what is making me excited to live on in 2022. Lots of good animation and genre fair this year. If you like what you saw please do not hesitate to share.

And if you really liked what you read, well, here’s a sexy subscribe button for ya. All my content is free, so all you’ll be chancing on are the occasional annoying emails in your inbox letting you know that I’m still kicking.

Let me know what you are excited about for streaming this year below, and I hope you all stay cozy this fine day.