A new year, a new selection of great titles available from the most popular streaming services – and sometimes, they even intersect with the franchises we feature! We want to give you a round-up regularly of some of the best you can stream to compliment your loot when it arrives, so this month: Get psyched with us for ORIGINS, and these titles:
Superman
The last son of Krypton has some of the best streaming options available this month, as January brought all of Warner Bros. original series of films starring Christopher Reeve to Netflix, plus Superman Returns starring Brandon Routh. If you’re a Supes fan, there’s never been a better time for a marathon! Though we definitely recommend steeling yourself for Superman III, co-starring Richard Pryor – though it’s underrated, Reeve as “bad” Superman who doesn’t shave and drinks scotch all day is 10/10! – and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace.
Really, what can we say about Superman IV other than two words: Nuclear Man.
(Warner Bros.)
(We could say a lot more, actually…) In other Clark Kent/Kal-El options, if you’ve got Amazon Prime you can stream the first three complete seasons of the excellent Superman: The Animated Series.
Captain America
(Marvel Studios)
As was heavily publicized last year, Netflix is now “the exclusive U.S. pay-TV home of the latest films from Disney, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and Pixar” – and that deal is really starting to pay off if you’re a subscriber. Among other titles, last year’s massive Marvel blockbuster Captain America: Civil War just arrived, so you can stream that epic runway smackdown to your heart’s content! (And though Cap is in Loot Crate this month, we won’t even judge you if you’re Team Iron Man.)
Unfortunately, the deal is only for 2016 releases and forward, so The Avengers and Avengers: Age of Ultron have dropped off the Netflix roster. So have the Marvel animated series, which aren’t available on any streaming service other than pay-per-episode venues. (If you’ve got it to spend, we recommend Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
(Nickelodeon)
Let’s get the bad news out of the way: The original 1980’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series is not currently available to stream anywhere. Sad times!
That said, there are other ways to get your fix of Turtle Power, the best options being on Hulu: The 2014 TMNT feature film is available there, as is the current Nickelodeon CG-animated series. Our favorite option though, is Nick’s Half Shell Heroes: Blast To the Past cartoon, which showcases adolescent Turtles in a feature length adventure. Mike’s little freckles, you guys! Too cute.
Donkey Kong
(DiC/DHX Media)
Sadly, Donkey Kong never really made it into the realm of TV or movies, as a title in itself. Later iterations of the characters would eventually hit the big and small screens, though. There was of course the infamous Super Mario Bros. movie (not available to stream currently – don’t all cry at once), and for a brief period in the 1990s there was a combination live action/cartoon series that was… wacky. And amazingly, Netflix does have The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!
Here’s what you need to know about this: Legendary wrestling icon and rubber band-enthusiast Captain Lou Albano plays Mario. The cartoons have a catchy rap theme and Toad is adorable. There are many random guest stars, and even Elvira, Mistress of the Dark turns up at one point because, why not? It’s so 90’s. In other words, worth at least a look for nostalgia’s sake.
