Netflix is bolstering its content offerings in Australia and Fresh Zealand with a robust 2026 slate featuring a mix of high-profile international productions and locally-sourced stories. The lineup showcases stars like Alan Ritchson, Charlize Theron, and Florence Pugh, signaling a continued investment in the region’s creative industries. This announcement comes as Netflix seeks to strengthen its position in the ANZ market with compelling content for a diverse audience.
The upcoming releases leverage Australian and New Zealand locations and crews, demonstrating Netflix’s commitment to supporting local talent and economies. From action-packed thrillers to sweeping period dramas, the slate promises a variety of genres and narratives. Amanda Duthie, Netflix’s newly appointed content director for the territory, emphasized the importance of authentic storytelling, stating, “Throughout my career, I’ve seen that local stories resonate most powerfully when they’re deeply specific, true to a character, a community or a moment in time.”
Among the most anticipated projects is “War Machine,” an action sci-fi feature starring Alan Ritchson, set to premiere on March 6. Filmed across Victoria, Australia – including Bright, Myrtleford, Melbourne, and Docklands Studios – the film follows an elite Army Ranger unit during a high-stakes survival mission. Ritchson is joined by a stellar cast including Dennis Quaid, Stephan James, Jai Courtney, Esai Morales, Blake Richardson, Keiynan Lonsdale, and Daniel Webber. Patrick Hughes, known for his work on “The Hitman’s Bodyguard,” directed the film and co-wrote the screenplay with James Beaufort.
Charlize Theron takes the lead in “Apex,” an action thriller directed by Baltasar Kormákur. Filmed in the Blue Mountains and Canberra, the April 24 release likewise stars Taron Egerton and Eric Bana. The story centers on a grieving woman who pushes her limits in the Australian wilderness, only to find herself caught in a dangerous game. Production credits include Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, David Ready, Ian Bryce, Charlize Theron, A.J. Dix, Beth Kono, and Kormákur himself.
A Literary Adaptation and Returning Favorites
Florence Pugh headlines the limited series “East of Eden,” a contemporary reimagining of John Steinbeck’s classic novel, filmed in New Zealand. The series delves into the multigenerational saga of the Trask family, with a renewed focus on the complex character of Cathy Ames. Joining Pugh is a strong ensemble cast including Christopher Abbott, Mike Faist, Hoon Lee, Tracy Letts, Martha Plimpton, Ciarán Hinds, Joseph Zada, and Joe Anders. Zoe Kazan and Jeb Stuart serve as co-showrunners and writers, with Garth Davis and Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre directing.
Returning for a third and final season, “Heartbreak High” will premiere on March 25. The Fremantle Australia and NewBe series, created by Hannah Carroll Chapman, follows Hartley High’s graduating class as they navigate the fallout from a revenge prank. The series stars Ayesha Madon, James Majoos, Chloé Hayden, Asher Yasbincek, and Thomas Weatherall.
New Series and Unscripted Content
Netflix also offered a first look at “My Brilliant Career,” an adaptation of Miles Franklin’s iconic novel, filmed in Adelaide. Philippa Northeast stars as Sybylla, a young woman in 1901 Australia determined to pursue a writing career despite societal expectations. Liz Doran adapted and wrote the series, with Alyssa McClelland and Anne Renton directing.
Additional Australian productions include “Allen,” a film from Ludo Studio (the creators of “Bluey”) starring T.J. Power and created by Daley Pearson, filmed in Brisbane and the Gold Coast. “Breakers,” the first Netflix series filmed in Western Australia, stars Antony Starr, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Oliver Edis, and Annabel Wolfe in a drama about American backpackers drawn into a mysterious surf community. Peter Berg’s “The Mosquito Bowl,” based on Buzz Bissinger’s book, also filmed in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and features Nicholas Galitzine, Bill Skarsgård, and Ray Nicholson.
On the unscripted front, “The Golden Ticket,” filmed on the Gold Coast, challenges contestants in a retro-futuristic game inspired by Roald Dahl’s world. The animation slate includes “Stranger Things: Tales From ’85,” produced by Sydney-based Flying Bark Productions, and “Steps,” a Cinderella reimagining from Netflix Animation Studios, featuring the voice talents of Ali Wong and Stephanie Hsu.
Since 2021, Netflix has invested more than AU$10 million ($7 million) in the Australian and New Zealand screen industries, supporting emerging and underrepresented practitioners through paid placements and training initiatives. This continued investment underscores Netflix’s long-term commitment to the region.
The 2026 slate represents a significant investment in local storytelling and production capabilities. As these projects move closer to release, audiences can anticipate a diverse range of content that showcases the talent and landscapes of Australia and New Zealand. Further details regarding specific release dates and promotional activities will be announced in the coming months.
What are you most looking forward to from Netflix’s ANZ slate? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
