Netflix has unveiled its content plans for 2026, revealing a substantial lineup of returning series, new movies, and live events. The announcement confirms the continuation of popular franchises like Stranger Things, Bridgerton, and One Piece, alongside fresh adaptations of literary classics and high-profile original films. This expansion solidifies Netflix’s position as a dominant force in streaming, and demonstrates the platform’s strategy of balancing established hits with new, attention-grabbing projects.
TV Series Highlights
Several key series will return in 2026. Bridgerton Season 4 will be released in two parts (January 29th and February 26th), while One Piece: Into the Grand Line arrives on March 10th. Emmy-winning Beef gets a second season on April 16th, alongside new installments of Lupin and the sci-fi series 3 Body Problem.
Notably, the Stranger Things universe expands with the animated Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 and the spinoff The Boroughs. Other confirmed returns include The Diplomat, The Night Agent, The Lincoln Lawyer (premiering February 5th), and The Witcher (its final season). Reboots and adaptations are also prominent, with Little House on the Prairie reimagined as a fairy tale-survival saga, A Different World continuing the legacy of Dwayne Wayne, and East of Eden starring Florence Pugh and Christopher Abbott.
Movie Slate: From Blockbusters to Indie Picks
Netflix’s 2026 film lineup is equally ambitious. Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ Narnia will hit theaters in November before streaming in December. Cillian Murphy reprises his role in Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, releasing in theaters March 6th and on Netflix March 20th. Other confirmed titles include the third Enola Holmes movie, Heartstopper Forever, and the action thriller The Rip starring Ben Affleck and Matt Damon (January 16th).
The slate also includes Animals (Ben Affleck, Kerry Washington), the action-packed Apex with Charlize Theron, Lena Dunham’s romantic comedy Good Sex (starring Natalie Portman), and the heist thriller Here Comes the Flood with Denzel Washington and Robert Pattinson. Ladies First, starring Sacha Baron Cohen, promises a subversive comedy, while The Mosquito Bowl offers a WWII drama. French romance Quasimodo and the adaptation of Remarkably Bright Creatures (starring Sally Field) round out the diverse selection.
Live Events and Sports Programming
Beyond scripted content, Netflix is doubling down on live events. Star Search returns with a rebranded format, airing live on Tuesdays and Wednesdays starting January 20th. Extreme sports fans will get Skyscraper Live on January 23rd, featuring Alex Honnold’s latest climb. The platform will also stream Major League Baseball games (including MLB Opening Night on March 25th and the Home Run Derby on July 13th) and NFL Christmas Gameday for its third year.
Netflix’s 2026 lineup is a clear statement of intent: the streaming giant is not just competing for viewers but actively shaping the future of entertainment by blending established franchises with bold new projects and high-stakes live events.
