Netflix – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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With nearly 150 million subscribers around the world, Netflix has a commanding lead in the streaming wars. But it’s also facing heavy competition from deep-pocketed conglomerates like Disney, Apple, and AT&T, and an ongoing wave of narrow, targeted streaming sites like CBS All Access and DC Universe, which can draw on popular existing franchises for original content. As fewer companies are willing to license out their films and shows to other streaming sites, Netflix is pouring billions of dollars annually into its own original content. Follow along with The Verge as we look at Netflix’s new films and shows, its evolving strategies against new entrants in the market, and how it’s leveraging its technological and marketing lead.

Charles Pulliam-Moore
Charles Pulliam-Moore
Get in the robot, Sydney.

Netflix has announced the leading cast for its upcoming Gundam movie from director Jim Mickle (Sweet Tooth), and the lineup looks like… an interesting group of faces, to say the least.

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The least cast of Netflix’s Gundam movie.
Image: Netflix
Stevie Bonifield
Stevie Bonifield
Former NBC News anchor Brian Williams is hosting Netflix’s latest original podcast.

We’re Back! With Brian Williams is among a handful of new shows coming to the platform including Allegedly, Shut Up Evan, The Puzzle Room with David Kwong, and The Rotten Files. They’ll join the streamer’s growing library of video “podcasts,” which are only available on Netflix, with no RSS feed downloads.

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Andrew Webster
Andrew Webster
“It’s an amazing art form that is way too limited in people’s minds.”

That’s Brad Bird talking about animation, just as Netflix released the first batch of images for his upcoming retrofuturistic detective movie Ray Gunn. It doesn’t have a premiere date yet, but we do know the main cast, which includes Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson, and Tom Waits as a one-eyed alien.

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A still image from the animated film Ray Gunn.
A still image from the animated film Ray Gunn.
A still image from the animated film Ray Gunn.
1/3Image: Netflix
Charles Pulliam-Moore
Charles Pulliam-Moore
Netflix is doubling down on One Piece.

Before Netflix’s live-action One Piece adaptation returns for a third season in 2027, the streamer will also debut a new One Piece Lego animated special this September, which will make a good companion for WIT Studio’s upcoming The One Piece anime remake series.

The title card for <em>One Piece: The Battle of Alabasta</em>
Art from Wit Studio’s <em>The One Piece.</em>
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The title card for One Piece: The Battle of Alabasta
Image: Netflix
Andrew J. Hawkins
Andrew J. Hawkins
Today’s Artemis II lunar flyby will be livestreamed on Netflix.

The streaming giant missed out on the April 1st launch of Artemis II, but will broadcast today’s historic flight around the Moon.

At 1PM ET, the capsule will fly past the Moon’s far side, which always faces away from the Earth, and it will also stream on NASA’s official YouTube channel. NASA also made a deal with Netflix last year to feature some of its content.

Charles Pulliam-Moore
Charles Pulliam-Moore
Here Piggy, Piggy.

If you thought writer Jack Thorne’s Adolescence was a stressful watch, the new trailer for his take on Lord of the Flies might be a bit much to take in before the series hits Netflix on May 4th.

Charles Pulliam-Moore
Charles Pulliam-Moore
Ben Affleck’s AI startup says it’s a cost-saver.

Though Netflix insisted that it bought Ben Affleck’s AI company InterPositive to help filmmakers, Deadline reports that one of the startups big selling points listed in its 2024 patent application is its ability to bring production costs down by millions of dollars.

Andrew Webster
Andrew Webster
Even more stranger things.

The main series feels like it just ended, but Netflix is headed back to Hawkins pretty soon. Here’s the latest trailer for Stranger Things: Tales From ‘85, which starts streaming on April 23rd.

Andrew Webster
Andrew Webster
We’ve got Stranger Things at home.

Now that Stranger Things is overthe main series, anyways — you can finally own the whole thing on disc. Arrow Video is releasing a box set of the complete series on Blu-Ray and 4K UHD, which will be available in July. I hope the collection spans exactly 11 discs.

Andrew Webster
Andrew Webster
“It was very difficult trying to come up with something that no one had ever seen.”

Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein won a handful of Oscars last night, including one for best make-up and hairstyling. Last year I had the chance to talk to Mike Hill, who designed the creature from the film, about his relationship with del Toro and all the work that went into recreating the character.

Andrew Webster
Andrew Webster
A new batch of assassins.

Last year Netflix confirmed that its long-gestating Assassin’s Creed series was still happening, and now we have further proof of life thanks to a casting announcement. Noomi Rapace, Sean Harris, Ramzy Bedia, and Corrado Invernizzi have joined the cast, though there’s still no word on when it’ll start streaming.

Bespoke AI models are the next big thing in filmmaking

Ben Affleck’s AI startup, recently purchased by Netflix for around $600 million, has a different approach to gen AI.

Charles Pulliam-Moore
Jay Peters
Jay Peters
Overcooked, now with a Demogorgon.

The stressful-yet-delightful party game is now available as one of Netflix’s streaming TV games that you control with your phone. This version lets you play as 10 “Netflix celebrity chefs,” including the famous Stranger Things monster.

Netflix is also working on an Overcooked reality show.

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Terrence O'Brien
Terrence O'Brien
Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos says he’s not pivoting to another studio after losing out on Warner Bros.

In an interview with Bloomberg, he explained why he backed out of the deal and said Netflix pursued Warner because it was a unique opportunity. “We definitely wanted this asset. We didn’t need it,” he said, praising its “incredible IP” and long history. But he was clear the plan was to just move on:

Is there a world in which you guys go after another studio in the next 6 to 12 months?

Unlikely. We are builders, not buyers. All that is still true.

So how are you going to use that $2.8 billion?

Just keep investing in the business.

Richard Lawler
Richard Lawler
Warner Bros. says Paramount’s latest offer is superior to its current deal with Netflix.

A four-day clock for Netflix to respond just started, but here are the details of the offer that include a starting price of $31 per share and other assurances, like:

“…a $7 billion regulatory termination fee payable by PSKY in the event the transaction does not close due to regulatory matters, payment by PSKY of the $2.8 billion termination fee that WBD would be required to pay to Netflix to terminate the existing Netflix merger agreement, an obligation of Larry J. Ellison and an associated trust to contribute additional equity funding”

Richard Lawler
Richard Lawler
Warner Bros. says Paramount Skydance’s new bid might become better than Netflix’s.

Warner Bros. Discovery is telling shareholders it’s “continuing to engage” with Paramount after receiving its latest offer yesterday.

The new bid offers $31 per share, “a daily ticking fee equal to $0.25 per quarter beginning after September 30, 2026,” plus $7 billion from Paramount if regulators block the deal, and $2.8 billion to pay Netflix’s termination fee, among other details. If the board likes this bid better, it says Netflix will have four days to respond.

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Meredith Haggerty
We’re doing Pride and Prejudice again.

Jane Austen’s signature work is being adapted for Netflix. Think Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016), but no zombies, so think the 2005 film starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen, but a series, so think the 1995 miniseries starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth.

It’s scheduled for release sometime later this year; Emma Corrin and Jack Lowden star.

Jay Peters
Jay Peters
Netflix will livestream a rematch between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

Netflix’s latest livestreamed boxing match will take place on September 19th at the Las Vegas Sphere.

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Richard Lawler
Richard Lawler
Ted Sarandos: “This is a business deal, it’s not a political deal.”

The Netflix boss is apparently not too worried about Trump’s meddling in his company’s attempt to purchase Warner Bros. He told BBC Today that Netflix’s offer left Hollywood with five major studios instead of four, and Trump, “likes to do a lot of things on social media.”

However, on Monday afternoon, Bloomberg reported Paramount Skydance has submitted another competing offer, improving on its previous $30 per share bid.

Charles Pulliam-Moore
Charles Pulliam-Moore
I Am Frankelda is coming to Netflix

I Am Frankelda co-writer / directors Arturo and Roy Ambriz’s stop motion dark fantasy film about a girl with a strange connection to another dimension — has been acquired by Netflix and is slated to debut on the streamer sometime later this year.

A Star is born

One night in the audience of Netflix’s most ambitious live show yet.

David Pierce
Emma Roth
Emma Roth
Paramount ups its offer for Warner Bros. Discovery, again.

Now, Paramount is offering to cover the $2.8 billion termination fee that Warner Bros. Discovery would owe Netflix for abandoning the $82.7 billion merger agreement. It’s also tossing in a $0.25 per share “ticking fee” that it would pay shareholders for every quarter its deal hasn’t closed beyond December 31st, 2026.

Charles Pulliam-Moore
Charles Pulliam-Moore
This isn’t even Tony Tony Chopper’s final form.

There’s a lot to see in Netflix’s new trailer for the live-action One Piece’s upcoming second season, but the most surprising reveal here is a fresh look at Tony Tony Chopper’s (Mikaela Hoover) Walk Point form that turns him into a much more normal-looking reindeer. The show’s out March 10th.

Antonio G. Di Benedetto
Antonio G. Di Benedetto
Netflix’s drip feed of new Sesame Street episodes continues March 9th.

The next four episodes of Sesame Street are dropping soon on Netflix and will include a cameo from Miley Cyrus.

Will they also go back to having a Letter and Number of the Day and a proper ending song? I won’t hold my breath, but I’ll still be bitter.