The fall slate features Ben Affleck, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charli XCX, and… Jacob Tremblay as the Unabomber.

10 must-watch Netflix movies coming in fall 2026

The fall slate features Ben Affleck, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charli XCX, and... Jacob Tremblay as the Unabomber.

By Brianna Zigler

August 28, 2026 7:30 p.m. ET

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Carter Faith in ‘Heartland’; Anya Taylor-Joy in ‘Sacrifice’; Norm MacDonald on ‘The Tonight Show With Jay Leno’ on Aug. 5, 1993. Credit:

Awards season is almost upon us, and buzzy flicks like *Dune: Part Three**,* *The Social Reckoning**,* and *Primetime* have everyone’s attention.

But while the big screen will be showcasing some of the season’s most anticipated theatrical releases, you can still head to the small screen for films that are just as intriguing. Netflix has an impressive lineup on its fall slate, featuring stars like Chris Evans, Ben Affleck, Jessica Chastain, and Léa Seydoux, in movies ranging from a drama about a notorious domestic terrorist to a satirical thriller, a new crime drama from Affleck’s Artist’s Equity production company, and much more.

** is here to break down the most exciting movies set to premiere on Netflix this fall.

Jacob Tremblay in ‘Unabomber’.

**Available to stream: **Sept. 25

If you can believe it, *Room* breakout Jacob Tremblay is finally all grown up — and he’s playing the “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski! *Unabomber* charts Kaczynski’s early days as a gifted Harvard prodigy and his transformation into a domestic terrorist. Russell Crowe plays Professor Henry Murray, who subjected Kaczynski to controversial psychological experiments beginning when he was only 17, while Shailene Woodley plays FBI agent Joanne Miller, who leads the manhunt for Kaczynski decades later.

“That’s the interesting part: I think me, as well as many other people, just wouldn’t see me as that kind of character,” Tremblay told EW in August 2026.

“So I think right off the bat, that’s something that drew me to this role,” he continued. “[It’s] out of my comfort zone, but also just completely out of the ordinary and something I’d never really done before, a character I’ve never played. And exploring a whole new world, really.”

**Director: **Janus Metz

**Cast: **Russell Crowe, Jacob Tremblay, Shailene Woodley, Annabelle Wallis, Alexander Ludwig, Steven Ogg, Marc Menchaca

Tyler Perry’s Doing Life

‘Tyler Perry’s Doing Life’.

**Available to stream: **Oct. 2

*Tyler Perry**’s Doing Life* centers on the unlikely connection formed between a single mother (Naomi Baker) and a reformed ex-con(Jay Reeves). Described by Netflix as a “gritty and gripping urban drama,” the film centers on a mother fighting to survive day by day, and a man imbued with untapped talent who find in each other an unlikely second chance.

**Director: **Tyler Perry

**Cast: **Naomi Baker, Jay Reeves, Tamberla Perry, Karen Obilom, Jasmine Sargent, Lucky Johnson, Danielle Moné Truitt

Who is Martin Mull?

Martin Mull in London on April 18, 1973.

Michael Putland/Getty

**Available to stream: **Oct. 7

This documentary, codirected by the late Bob Saget and Neil Berkeley, paints a portrait of comedian and actor Martin Mull, who died in 2024 at age 80. Mull wore many hats throughout his multifaceted career, including actor, musician, and painter. *Who is Martin Mull? *traces his life both through his own words and those of his famous friends, including Steve Martin, Tom Waits, and David Alan Grier.

**Director: **Bob Saget and Neil Berkeley

Kerry Washington and Ben Affleck in ‘Animals’.

**Available to stream: **Oct. 9

Ben Affleck returns to the director’s chair for the first time since 2023’s *Air *in this political thriller about a Los Angeles mayoral candidate (Affleck) and his wife (Kerry Washington) whose son is kidnapped. In their struggle to raise the ransom payment, they are drawn into a “web of deception,” and “forced to make choices — and reveal secrets — that could tear their world apart,” per the official synopsis.

*Animals* is the second Netflix film starring Affleck in 2026, following *The Rip**,* which he also produced through Artists Equity, the production company he cofounded with Matt Damon. For *The Rip,* Artists Equity negotiated an unusual deal with the streamer that allowed the film’s cast and crew to earn bonuses if it met certain performance benchmarks. *Animals* also reunites Affleck with his *Rip* costar Steven Yeun.

**Director: **Ben Affleck

**Cast: **Ben Affleck, Kerry Washington, Gillian Anderson, Adriana Paz, Ray Fisher, Christopher Woodley, Steven Yeun

Norm: The Tale of Norm Macdonald

Norm Macdonald on ‘The Tonight Show With Jay Leno’ on Aug. 5, 1993.

Margaret Norton/NBC

**Available to stream: **Oct. 16

Comedy titan Judd Apatow helms this portrait of late comedian Norm Macdonald, who died of cancer in 2021 at age 61.** ***Norm: The Tale of Norm Macdonald* traces Macdonald’s life and career, from his days killing it on *SNL* and deadpanning his way through “Weekend Update” to his legacy as a master of absurd, dry humor and a beloved fixture of the comedy scene. The film uses archival footage, personal photos, and rare home videos contributed by fans and friend, allowing Norm can tell his own story. The documentary aims to showcase both Macdonald’s singular genius and his lasting influence on stand-up and comedy.

**Director: **Judd Apatow

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Anya Taylor-Joy in ‘Sacrifice’.

**Available to stream: **Oct. 16

This exciting ensemble drama stars Chris Evans as Mike Tyler, “a movie star in the midst of an existential crisis,” per Netflix. At a gala packed with celebrities and uber-wealthy elites, Mike is kidnapped by Joan (Anya Taylor-Jay), a radical warrior with a passionate following who believes three people must be sacrificed in order to save the world.

Director Romain Gavras, son of acclaimed Greek-French filmmaker Costa-Gavras, got his start directing music videos for artists including Kanye West and Jay-Z, M.I.A., and Jamie xx. After codirecting the 2008 Justice documentary *A Cross the Universe*, he made his narrative feature debut with 2010’s *Our Day Will Come*. *Sacrifice *marks the French director’s first English-language feature. His previous film, *Athena *(2022)*,* was also released by Netflix.

“It was like being a kid in a toy shop,” Gavras told EW in April 2026 about getting to work with his star-studded cast. “I feel very lucky that all these amazing actresses and actors came to Greece on this spectacular unconventional adventure with me.”

**Director: **Romain Gavras

**Cast: **Chris Evans, Anya Taylor-Joy, Vincent Cassel, Ambika Mod, Sam Richardson, Jonatan “Yung Lean” Leandoer, Jade Croot, Miriam Silverman, Charli XCX, John Malkovich, Salma Hayek Pinault

SCTV: The Greatest Show You’ve Never Heard Of

The cast of ‘SCTV’: (clockwise from top left) Rick Moranis, Dave Thomas, John Candy, Eugene Levy, Catherine O’Hara, Joe Flaherty, and Andrea Martin.

**Available to stream: **Oct. 30

This documentary shines a light on a Canadian sketch comedy series that remains one of the most influential comedy shows of all time, helping launch stars like Catherine O’Hara, John Candy, and Martin Short. *​​*

*SCTV: The Greatest Show You’ve Never Heard Of* traces the rise, fall, and lasting legacy of *SCTV,* a small-scale production that became a cultural phenomenon, through interviews with cast members, rare archival material, behind-the-scenes stories, and a contemporary reunion in Toronto. According to Netflix, the documentary is “a testament to the timeless power of collaboration and the lasting influence of artists whose work continues to influence comedy around the world.”

**Director: **Jason Hehir

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our ******EW Dispatch newsletter******.***

Possible Love

Jeon Do-yeon in ‘Possible Love’.

**Available to stream: **Nov. 6

South Korean director Lee Chang-dong returns with his first film since 2018’s acclaimed *Burning* in this story about the complicated, intertwined relationship between two married couples. Mi-ok (Jeon Do-yeon) and her laid-off husband Ho-seok (Sul Kyung-gu) live a quiet life with their young son, but at a funeral they become acquainted with documentary filmmaker Ye-ji (Cho Yeo-jeong) and her husband Sang-woo (Zo In-sung), a much wealthier couple. When Mi-ok agrees to be filmed for Ye-ji’s documentary about laid-off workers, she finds herself attracted to Sang-woo, and fractures slowly begin to appear in both couples’ relationships.

**Director:** Lee Chang-dong

**Cast:** Jeon Do-yeon, Sul Kyung-gu, Zo In-sung, Cho Yeo-jeong

Carter Faith in ‘Heartland’.

**Available to stream: **Nov. 13

Jessica Chastain stars as former country megastar Misty Jones in this upcoming mystery-thriller. Jones emerges from self-imposed isolation to investigate the disappearance of her niece, a rising country star. To find her, Jones must navigate the seedy underbelly of Nashville while confronting a past she would rather leave behind. Joining Chastain are Garrett Hedlund (*Tulsa King*), John Hawkes (*Eastbound & Down*), and Ross Lynch (*The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina*).

**Director: **Shana Feste

**Cast: **Jessica Chastain, Garrett Hedlund, Carter Faith, Ross Lynch, Paul Sparks, Jennifer Nettles, John Hawkes

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our ******EW Dispatch newsletter******.***

Gentle Monster

Lea Seydoux and Regina Fritsch in ‘Gentle Monster’.

**Available to stream: **Nov. 18

*Gentle Monster* comes from Austrian director Marie Kreutzer, who previously helmed 2022’s *Corsage,* starring Vicky Krieps. This new film centers on concert pianist Lucy (played by Léa Seydoux) who relocates her family from Munich to the countryside in hopes of easing her husband Philip’s (Laurence Rupp) severe burnout. However, a visit from police one morning threatens to tear their family apart, as Lucy is forced to confront the possibility that her husband may have committed the unthinkable.

At the same time, the lead investigator on the case, Elsa (Jella Haase), grapples with troubling truths about her own father. The supporting cast also includes legendary French actress Catherine Deneuve, known for films like *The Umbrellas of Cherbourg *(1964) and *The Young Girls of Rochefort *(1967).

**Director: **Marie Kreutzer

**Cast:** Léa Seydoux, Laurence Rupp, Jella Haase, Catherine Deneuve

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Source: “EW Movie”