Major Franchises Set to Return on Netflix in 2026

Last year marked a significant turning point for Netflix, as it bid farewell to two of its biggest series — Stranger Things and Squid Game. While the streaming giant has a lot on its plate now, its 2026 lineup indicates that it’s not finished with its blockbuster franchises just yet.

The company has unveiled its planned offerings for the year, showcasing a roster filled with major titles. Among the returning series are 3 Body Problem (season 2), the live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender (season 2), and The Witcher (a fifth and final season), though specific premiere dates remain vague, only indicating 2026. Other notable entries include season 4 of Bridgerton, set to drop in two parts on January 29th and February 26th, the second season of live-action One Piece on March 10th, and season 2 of Beef on April 16th. Personally, I’m really looking forward to a new season of the fantastic animated series Long Story Short.

In addition, Stranger Things isn’t completely over yet. A behind-the-scenes documentary on the fifth and final season will be available for streaming on January 12th, and the animated spinoff Tales From ‘85 is also slated for a 2026 release.

The film lineup is a bit quieter, featuring Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man (hitting theaters on March 6th and Netflix on March 20th), Enola Holmes 3 (coming this summer), and Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of Narnia (in theaters in November and streaming in December). The gaming offerings are currently limited, with only an untitled FIFA game on the horizon, which is part of Netflix’s newer TV game initiative.

Beyond the usual content, a significant emphasis this year is on Netflix’s venture into live programming. Kicking off early, the Star Search revival premieres on January 20th, followed by a live skyscraper climb streaming on January 23rd, and the SAG-AFTRA Actor Awards airing on March 1st. This is in addition to events from the WWE, NFL, and a new partnership with MLB.

It’s important to remember that it’s only January, so Netflix is likely to announce more series, films, and events throughout the year, or potentially push back some of these releases.