While Netflix is famous for hit shows like Stranger Things and Squid Game, the company is clearly making a big push into movies. They have a strong lineup of films planned for 2026, suggesting they’re more committed to cinema than ever before. 2026 promises to be a huge year for entertainment, with lots of new shows and movies competing for viewers. Beyond their popular TV series, Netflix has invested in several major films that are expected to keep subscribers entertained throughout the year.
Netflix isn’t sticking to just one kind of movie this year. While action movies like Extraction with Chris Hemsworth have been big successes, they’re also releasing romantic comedies, crime thrillers, survival stories, and a new take on a beloved book series. We’ll see familiar faces like Sally Field, find out what happens with a famous on-screen couple, and watch Millie Bobby Brown try out a role that isn’t about fighting monsters. As a dedicated Netflix fan, I’m excited to see these new films and will be ranking them based on how well they’ll keep me entertained at home instead of going to the cinema.
6
‘Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man’ – March 20
Before you get upset that I ranked this movie sixth, I want to say I haven’t watched Peaky Blinders yet. However, I’ve been watching Cillian Murphy’s career grow since his early roles in films like Batman Begins and Red Eye. The fact that Peaky Blinders is getting a spin-off film – just like my number one pick – suggests it’s a really great series, because Netflix usually only continues shows that are worth investing in. Immortal Man will bring back Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby, the notorious gangster who spent six seasons building a criminal empire with his family in Birmingham, England.
5
‘Apex’ – April 24
The main draw of the new film, Apex, is its impressive cast: Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton. Both actors are familiar faces on Netflix – Theron starred in The Old Guard and its sequel, and Egerton led 2024’s Carry-On. But Apex promises their most compelling performances yet, as Theron plays a rock climber grappling with grief who finds herself hunted by Egerton’s chilling serial killer.
This thrilling movie takes place in the Australian outback and follows Charlize Theron as she battles for survival. I’m especially excited to see her performance, as I loved her work in Young Adult and I’m eager to see how she portrays a woman fighting for her life in such a dangerous environment. Plus, Eric Bana joins the cast after delivering a strong performance in the popular Netflix series Untamed, which is coming back for another season. With three talented actors from Netflix in one suspenseful survival thriller, I can’t wait to watch it!
4
‘Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew’ – Nov. 26
Netflix
Everyone is eagerly anticipating Greta Gerwig’s take on The Chronicles of Narnia after the huge success of Barbie. She’ll begin with The Magician’s Nephew, the first book in C.S. Lewis’ Narnia series in terms of the story’s timeline. This is a different approach than Disney’s previous Narnia films, which started with The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe in 2005 and continued with Prince Caspian (2008) and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010).
Greta Gerwig recently created a huge world with the Barbie movie, and now I’m really excited to see what she does with Narnia, especially since she loves the books. She’s quickly become a highly respected director with films like Lady Bird and Little Women under her belt. With a fantastic cast including Daniel Craig, Carey Mulligan, and Emma Mackey as the White Witch, her adaptation of The Magician’s Nephew is sure to be a major topic of conversation next winter. However, even though it’s set to be one of the biggest films of 2026, there are still three other movies I’m even more eager to see.
3
‘Remarkably Bright Creatures’ – May 8
HarperCollins
I’m much more enthusiastic about Sally Field’s connection with an intelligent octopus than I am about the idea of Meryl Streep voicing a lion. That’s because Remarkably Bright Creatures is one of the best books I’ve read recently. In fact, while reading it, I kept imagining Sally Field as the character Tova, so I was thrilled when she was cast! It’s a truly touching story about a widow who works as a night janitor at an aquarium and forms an unlikely bond with a remarkably clever octopus named Marcellus.
I’m really looking forward to seeing how the movie portrays Marcellus, especially if they include his narration from the book. I’m also thrilled that Field is playing Tova – she’s perfect for such a sweet character. Because it’s a Netflix film, I’m hopeful that Remarkably Bright Creatures will be as moving as the book and become a beloved family movie when it’s released in 2026.
2
‘Enola Holmes 3’ – Summer
Netflix
After the exciting conclusion of Stranger Things, Millie Bobby Brown is back as Enola Holmes, and it’s fantastic! While Eleven is known for her power, Enola is charmingly unconventional, often speaks directly to the audience, and is a brilliant detective just like her brother Sherlock. I really enjoyed the first two Enola Holmes movies, and I’m thrilled to see another one, especially with Henry Cavill reprising his excellent role as Sherlock Holmes.
The third Enola Holmes movie, starring Louis Partridge and Helena Bonham Carter, proves Netflix will continue a series if viewers are interested – just like they did with The Kissing Booth and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. This new installment is expected to be the series’ most complex and exciting yet, similar to Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. In fact, it’s one of only a few 2026 releases that promises to be truly satisfying.
1
‘Heartstopper Forever’ – Release Date TBA
Netflix
While it may not be as widely popular as Stranger Things, Heartstopper is a truly wonderful show, and that’s why I’m most looking forward to Heartstopper Forever, the movie coming to Netflix in 2026. For fans like me, it’s going to be a bittersweet ending – we’ll be sad to say goodbye to Nick and Charlie. Their beautiful love story has unfolded over three seasons, and it’s one of the most moving LGBTQ+ romances ever filmed. The movie will focus on whether Charlie and Nick can maintain their relationship while facing the challenges of growing up and potentially going their separate ways. I’m really hoping they end up together, because over the past four years, these characters have given so many viewers a much-needed sense of hope, especially at a time when LGBTQIA+ people around the world are still fighting for their basic rights.
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Ultimately, the most impactful stories on Netflix don’t just reflect life – they offer a glimpse of what life could be. While movies like Apex and Narnia provide thrilling entertainment, Heartstopper Forever is a particularly meaningful offering, assuring a generation of LGBTQIA+ viewers that they deserve to love freely and embrace their true selves. Beyond the return of beloved actors like Sally Field and Millie Bobby Brown, it’s one of the best things Netflix could give its audience.
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2026-01-22 18:53