For 2026, Netflix Is Doubling Down On Original Storytelling And Comedies

Rather than chasing sequels and reboots, Netflix is betting its 2026 movie strategy connected a monolithic finance successful original storytelling and a renewed attraction connected nan theatrical comedy.

The streaming giant’s request for original contented is one of nan main reasons Netflix fought fiercely to get Warner Bros. But moreover aft losing nan bid to Paramount earlier this month, nan privilege remains.

“We’re zigging wherever bequest studios are zagging,” Dan Lin, Netflix’s movie chairman, said Wednesday astatine Netflix’s slate arena successful Hollywood.

Last year, 18 of nan apical 20 theatrical films were based connected already established intelligence property, for illustration pinch sequels and remakes. The only 2 original ideas to break done were Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” and Zach Cregger’s “Weapons.” Both of these films were received good by audiences and earned aureate statues astatine this year’s Oscars.

Lin said that astatine Netflix, 2025’s slate was nan “exact opposite,” wherever half of nan films it released past twelvemonth were based connected original storytelling.

“We person a very patient contented budget. So if there’s a awesome movie retired there, we’ll spell retired and either build it aliases get it,” Lin said.

Bela Bajaria, nan company’s main contented officer, said nan institution isn’t excessively concerned pinch nan theatrical constituent that different studios tin connection erstwhile hunting for these original stories, arsenic Netflix is simply a streaming-first company.

“We’ve ever had competition. This isn’t really immoderate different,” said Bajaria. “It’s to understand what nan title is, not caput successful nan soil astatine all. [We have] to understand what nan marketplace is and proceed to look ahead.”

It’s not conscionable original ideas that Netflix is scouting; nan streamer’s besides looking to capable gaps successful genres. In caller years, comedies person fallen retired of favour pinch awesome studios — leaving room for streamers for illustration Netflix to expand. This year, Netflix is looking to break done pinch upcoming drama productions for illustration Kevin Hart’s bachelor party-driven “72 Hours,” John Cena and Eric André’s buddy drama “Little Brother” and Eva Longoria’s “Fifth Wheel,” which Lin describes arsenic “our type of ‘Bridesmaids.’”

“We’re taking nan chance, and we’re making nan movies,” Lin said. “It’s what we’re delivering, I hope, [it’s] what audiences want and what they’re craving. There are a batch of genres that you conscionable can’t find successful theaters anymore. So, we’re making those kinds of movies.”

In summation to emphasizing comedies, there’s a batch of opportunity to create young big films, Lin said. Netflix has upcoming titles specified arsenic “Voicemails for Isabelle,” starring Zoey Deutch and Nick Robinson, and “Roommates,” pinch Sadie Sandler, to tie successful younger movie watchers.

One genre successful which Netflix doesn’t spot overmuch occurrence is unrecorded philharmonic adaptations, truthful it’s “not an area that I’m leaning into,” Lin said. He first joined nan institution successful 2024 and has since green-lighted 88 films.

Netflix subscribers watch astir 7 movies a month, according to nan streamer’s data. So, pinch nan push for original stories, nan streamer is hoping to meet its consumers’ demands.

The existent strategy is to merchandise up to 4 “event films” a year. For 2026, Netflix is looking astatine Greta Gerwig’s “Narnia” adjustment and David Fincher’s follow-up to “Once Upon a Time ... successful Hollywood” arsenic its large hitters.

“It’s each very nether wraps correct now, but it’s thing that I’m conscionable truthful thrilled astir because it was nan book of my childhood. It was nan book bid that I loved, and I lived through, and I spent truthful overmuch clip imagining myself wrong of Narnia,” Gerwig said successful a video connection during nan Netflix event. “It’s been a joyousness and an grant to beryllium nan personification who gets to ideate this universe.”

Gerwig’s “Narnia” is group to deed Imax this Thanksgiving and commencement streaming connected Netflix travel Christmas.