I’m getting spoiled by the sudden availability on streaming services of Oscar worthy big screen movies. The latest is “The Two Popes” (Netflix, streaming) starring Anthony Hopkins as Pope Benedict XVI and Jonathan Pryce as the future Pope Francis. It’s from Fernando Meirelles, director of “City of God,” and written by Anthony McCarten, who wrote “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
Also fresh from the theaters this month is “The Aeronauts” (Amazon, streaming), the film from Tom Harper starring Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones and Tom Courtenay.
A new fantasy series getting its start today is “The Witcher” (Netflix, streaming). Based on the Polish books that spawned the video game series, Henry Cavill plays monster hunter Gerald of Rivia.
A second season comes for “You” (Netflix, streaming) the notable thriller that began life on Lifetime but picked up its audience by streaming. Penn Badgley returns but has another woman to stalk played by Victoria Pedretti.
“The Morning Show” (Apple+, streaming), an absorbing but not entirely successful look at daily TV news and the #MeToo movement, ends its first season.
A couple of dog stories are on the new Disney streaming service. The movie “Togo” (Disney+, streaming) focuses on the famous dog sled team that also included Balto, while in the new series “Pick of the Litter” (Disney+, streaming) follows the progress of a puppy in becoming a guide dog for the blind.
Another pair of classic episodes of “I Love Lucy” (CBS, 8 p.m.) are newly colorized.
John Legend, Chris Martin, Stormy, Raphael Saadiq, Sting and H.E.R. perform in Royal Albert Hall for the “Global Citizen Prize” (NBC, 8 p.m.), spotlighting activists in varied fields.
The legacy of the creator of the Marvel comic book line that led to a huge movie franchise is reviewed in the special “Celebrating Marvel’s Stan Lee” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
On “Van Helsing” (Syfy, 10 p.m.), the President and Ivory figure out what happened in the Dark Realm
Why your phone is tracking you may be found in “UFOs: Secret Alien Technology” (History, 10 p.m.).
“In the Long Run” (Starz, 10:50 p.m.) has a Christmas special.
More unsavory locales are revealed in “Trending Fear” (Travel, 11 p.m.).
There’s an Anthony Quinn double feature on Turner Classic Movies tonight with “Zorba the Greek” (8 p.m.) and “Lawrence of Arabia” (10:30 p.m.). Then comes a couple of movies from 1987, “Made in U.S.A.” with music from Sonic Youth, and “Border Radio” (4:30 p.m.) with music from Flesh Eaters, Green on Red, John Doe and the Blasters.
During the day on TCM are films from Ann-Margaret, “The Cincinnati Kid” (6:30 a.m.), “Once a Thief” (8:45 a.m.), “Viva Las Vegas” (10:45 a.m.), “Bus Riley’s Back in Town” (12:30 p.m.), and from Michael Parks who’s in “Wild Seed” (2:15 p.m.), “The Happening” (4 p.m.) and “Savannah Smiles” (6 p.m.).
College bowl football games begin with Charlotte vs. Buffalo (ESPN, 2 p.m.) in the Bahamas Bowl, Utah State vs. Kent State (ESPN2, 7:30 p.m.) in the Frisco Bowl.
Also, it’s Wisconsin Whitewater vs. North Central Illinois (ESPNU, 8 p.m.), in the Division III final.
NBA action includes Dallas at Philadelphia (ESPN, 8 p.m.).
Hockey has Toronto at Rangers (NHL, 7 p.m.).
Men’s college basketball includes North Dakota State at Marquette (Fox Sports 1, 9 p.m.).
College wrestling has Oregon State at Nebraska (Fox Sports 1, 7 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Julia Stiles, Scott Wolf. The View: Paul Reiser, Helen Hunt, Darlene Love. The Talk: Carnie and Wendy Wilson, cast of Broadway’s “Frozen,” Vanessa Williams. Kelly Clarkson: Sterling K. Brown, Karen Gillan, Brynn Cartel. Tamron Hall: Holly Robinson Peete, cast of “Dear Evan Hansen,” Jacques Torres. Wendy Williams: Cirque du Soleil.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Rep. Adam Schiff (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Eddie Murphy, Greta Gerwig, Orlando Leyba. Seth Meyers: Quentin Tarantino, Aisling Bea, Michael Lewis, Coady Willis (rerun). James Corden: Julie Andrews, Kristen Bell, Gary Clark Jr. (rerun). Lilly Singh: Jenny Slate, Kathryn Hahn (rerun).