New on Netflix in 2026: The Top 14 Shows and Movies to Watch This Spring

Netflix surpassed 325 million subscribers by the end of 2025 and will invest $20 billion in its programming in 2026, a 10% increase from 2025 (Variety, 2026). The result: a packed spring lineup featuring highly anticipated returns, French originals, and Hollywood thrillers. We’ve narrowed it down to what’s worth watching. No spoilers, just a curated selection so you don’t waste an hour scrolling.

Key takeaways

• Netflix will spend $20 billion on content in 2026, an increase of $2 billion from 2025 (Variety, 2026).
• France has approximately 13.6 million Netflix subscribers, making it the sixth-largest market in the world (World Population Review, 2026).
• Prices in France range from €7.99 to €21.99 per month, and legal sharing through the Spliiit marketplace allows you to split the cost four ways with other subscribers.
• April–May 2026 will feature more than 50 releases per month, including *Acharnés* Season 2, *Apex*, *Bandi*, and the animated series *Stranger Things: Chronicles of 1985*.

How many new Netflix titles will be released each month in 2026?

Netflix will add 40 to 60 titles per month to its French catalog in 2026, including about 15 original productions (Netflix News, 2026). The pace has picked up since the budget increase: a weekly event, a major film every month, and a steady stream of new releases. That’s a lot. Too much, even, if you’re trying to keep up with everything.

The real challenge in 2026 isn’t finding something to watch anymore—it’s filtering through it all. Between remakes, animated adaptations, and sports documentaries, only 15 to 20 percent of new releases are actually worth watching. That’s why a curated selection is more valuable than an exhaustive list.

To understand the pricing logic behind this flood of content, our 2026 guide to affordable legal streaming services breaks down the trade-offs platform by platform.

Top 14 New Netflix Releases to Watch in 2026

We’ve cross-referenced the official schedule, FlixPatrol France’s top picks, and French-language reviews to narrow it down to only the standout titles. Eight series, four films, and two documentaries. All available in April–May 2026 or released within the last six months.

1. Stranger Things Season 5 — 2025 — fantasy series

Target audience: Longtime fans, 80s pop culture enthusiasts. The final season ran from November to December 2025, culminating in a 2-hour-and-8-minute finale on December 31 (Netflix Tudum, 2025). Hawkins faces the Upside Down one last time. The Duffer Brothers bring a decade to a close.

Why watch: The culmination of a phenomenon that has defined Netflix Originals.

2. Stranger Things: Chronicles of 1985–2026 — animated series

Target audience: families, fans of the franchise. Available since April 23, 2026. An animated spin-off set in the years leading up to Season 1, featuring the original voice cast, 25-minute episodes, and an '80s cartoon aesthetic.

Why watch: It’s the perfect way to pass the time until the live-action spin-offs in 2027.

3. Acharnés Season 2 — 2026 — comedy-drama

Target audience: Fans of *Fleabag* and *Succession*. After winning 11 awards for Season 1, Lee Sung Jin’s comedy returns on April 16 with a new cast: two couples who spy on each other, poison each other’s minds, and tear each other down.

Why watch: a ridiculous premise, but brilliantly executed.

4. Bandi — 2026 — French family drama

Target audience: fans of *Le Bureau des Légendes*. The first Netflix production filmed in Martinique, directed by Eric Rochant. Eleven siblings lose their mother and try to stay together despite the turmoil. Released on April 9, the series topped Netflix’s global charts in its first weekend (Puremédias, 2026).

Why watch: France’s breakout hit of the spring, a local drama at the top of its game.

5. Bridgerton Season 4 — 2026 — historical romance

Target audience: fans of period dramas. Part 1 on January 29, Part 2 on February 26, 2026. Benedict takes center stage. Seasons 5 and 6 have already been confirmed (Deadline, 2026).

Why watch: A feel-good romance and a meticulously crafted Shondaland production.

6. October Season 2 — 2026 — Nordic thriller

Target audience: fans of *The Killing* and *Borgen*. Release date: May 2026. The Danish cop from *October* is back on duty in Copenhagen. Tight writing, a wintry atmosphere, and moral dilemmas.

Why watch: Nordic noir at its best.

7. Murder: A How-To Guide Season 2 — 2026 — young adult mystery

Target audience: *Wednesday* fans. Emma Myers returns to her role as an amateur investigator in May 2026. A new murder, a new small town, the same addictive format. 6 fast-paced episodes.

Why watch: A mystery series perfect for binge-watching over the weekend.

8. The Four Seasons Season 2 — 2026 — adult comedy

Target audience: fans of *Big Little Lies*. Tina Fey and Steve Carell are back in May 2026. Three couples, a vacation home, and secrets from the past.

Why watch: a gentler version of *The White Lotus *.

9. Apex — 2026 — survival action film

Target audience: Charlize Theron fans. Released on April 24, 2026, directed by Baltasar Kormákur. A lone climber in the Australian bush, hunted by a killer. Starring Theron, with Taron Egerton as the antagonist (Netflix Tudum, 2026).

Why watch: The pitch is described as “Free Solo meets The Silence of the Lambs.”

10. A Bear in the Jura — 2024/2026 — French black comedy

Target audience: fans of French-style Fargo. Available on Netflix France since April 1, 2026. Franck Dubosc’s film, which won an award at the 2025 César Awards, blends small-town comedy with a Coen-style crime thriller.

Why watch: Catch up on it if you missed it in theaters.

11. Retirement Home 2 — 2024/2026 — mainstream comedy

Target audience: a relaxing evening with the family. Kev Adams and Gérard Depardieu are back in *Les Seniors*, available on Netflix France since April 1. This isn't arthouse cinema.

Why watch it: It's unapologetic, and it does the trick on a Friday night.

12. Predatory Nature — 2026 — disaster film

Target audience: fans of unapologetic B-movies. A coastal town, a Category 5 hurricane, sharks in downtown. That says it all.

Why watch: Netflix has found its niche in uninhibited blockbusters—and that’s a good thing.

13. Rafa — 2026 — sports documentary

Target audience: fans of *Drive to Survive*. A documentary series about Rafael Nadal, May 2026. Exclusive access to family archives, the final season, and his inner circle.

Why watch: It follows in the footsteps of the Netflix documentaries that have redefined the genre.

14. The Coke Clans — 2026 — true crime

Target audience: Narcos fans. Available since April 3. An investigation into European drug trafficking networks, filmed in six countries. Four 50-minute episodes.

Why watch: dense and well-researched, short and effective.

Our curated picks: If you only have time to watch three things this month, go for *Bandi* (the French knockout), *Apex* (for the intensity of a two-hour film), and *Acharnés* Season 2 (for dark humor and food for thought).

For a broader selection of fiction, our guide to the best Netflix series covers the permanent catalog, and our guide to the best Netflix movies lists the must-see films.

How can you make sure you don't miss the next Netflix releases?

Just three simple steps are all it takes to make sure you never miss a major Netflix release. The platform publishes an official calendar updated monthly on about.netflix.com, featuring specific release dates for France (Netflix Press, 2026). Turn on notifications in your profile, and check out the weekly Top 10 in France—the best indicator of what’s really trending.

Here’s a tip we recommend internally at Spliiit subscribe to two TV and movie newsletters (Écran Large, AlloCiné) and stop endlessly scrolling through Netflix. You’ll save 2–3 hours a month on curation, and you’ll come across genuine recommendations instead of the algorithm’s repetitive suggestions.

To compare Netflix with its competitors before deciding where to allocate your budget, check out our comparison of Canal+ vs. Netflix and our comparison of Netflix vs. Disney+ vs. Prime vs. Canal+.

How can I watch new Netflix releases for less in 2026?

Netflix currently charges €7.99 for the ad-supported plan, €14.99 for Standard, and €21.99 for Premium in France (JeChange, April 2026). The Premium price has risen by nearly 10% over the past year, and the elimination of free account sharing in 2023 has closed the door on many multigenerational households. The legal solution on the rise: subscription sharing via dedicated platforms.

Spliiit legally join a Netflix Premium account by paying for just one of the four available spots. The Owner agrees to share with four other people, and the platform ensures secure payment and privacy. The bottom line: access to the full catalog in 4K for up to 7 times less than a solo Premium subscription—check the current price on the Spliiit marketplace. A dedicated article details Netflix subscription rates and sharing options.

For a complete overview of subscription services and potential savings (Disney+, Prime, Canal+, etc.), check out our SVOD guide.

[CTA] Legally shared Netflix Premium—see available offers on the Spliiit marketplace — 4K access, 4 simultaneous screens, 100% legal, cancel anytime.

Summary table: New Netflix releases by genre and target audience

GenreFlagship Title 2026FormatIdealforFantasyStranger Things: Chronicles of 1985Animated SeriesFamily,FansFrench DramaBandiSeriesFansof local fictionBlackComedyAcharnés S2SeriesAdultAudienceRomanceBridgerton S4SeriesCostumeDramaNordic CrimeSeriesOctobre S2SeriesThrillerFansSurvivalApexMovieIntense2-HourEveningSports DocumentaryRafaDocu-SeriesTennisFansTrueCrimeLes Clans de la cokeDocumentaryNarcos Fans

FAQ

What's new on Netflix in April 2026?

Netflix added more than 50 titles in April 2026 in France, including *Apex* (April 24), *Bandi* (April 9), *Acharnés* Season 2 (April 16), *Stranger Things: Chronicles of 1985* (April 23), and the films *Un ours dans le Jura* and *Maison de retraite 2*, which became available on April 1 (Netflix News, 2026).

When will the next seasons of Netflix's flagship series be released?

Season 3 of *Wednesday* is expected in 2027; Season 5 of *Bridgerton* has been in production since March 2026; *Squid Game: The Challenge* Season 3 is coming out this year (What's on Netflix, 2026). *Stranger Things* has ended, but the franchise continues with animated series and live-action spin-offs in 2027.

How can I get Netflix for less legally in 2026?

Three legal options: the ad-supported Netflix plan at €7.99/month, official account sharing at €6.99 per added account, or sharing via a dedicated platform like Spliiit allows you to split the cost by four with co-subscribers legally (see current prices on the Spliiit marketplace). Sharing between separate households has not been permitted on a standard account since 2023.

Are there any notable new French Netflix releases in 2026?

Yes, Eric Rochant’s *Bandi*, filmed in Martinique and released on April 9, 2026, shot to the top of the global Netflix charts upon its release (Puremédias, 2026). As for movies, *Un ours dans le Jura* and *Maison de retraite 2* have been available since April 1.

How much is Netflix investing in new content in 2026?

Netflix expects to spend $20 billion on content in 2026, a 10% increase from the $18 billion spent in 2025 (Variety, 2026). This increase will fund, among other things, the return of *Bridgerton*, an animated version of *Stranger Things*, and live sporting events such as Rousey vs. Carano in May.

Conclusion: How can you make the most of Netflix’s new features?

The Netflix catalog for 2026 is evolving rapidly, fueled by a $20 billion budget and a hybrid strategy combining major series, theatrical films, and live sports. Our advice: aim for two or three new releases a month in your favorite genres, subscribe to a reliable newsletter, and adjust your subscription based on your actual usage.

Less than 10 hours a month? The ad-supported plan at €7.99 is all you need. Into 4K multi-screen streaming? Upgrade to Premium through a legal share on the Spliiit marketplace instead of paying the full €21.99. For more details, check out our guide to affordable streaming or the Netflix free trial in 2026.

Enjoy the show.