Netflix stakes its future on big tentpole hits amid tv void

Netflix is facing a strange year, marked by Oscar nods for indie films but few major wins, while its cash cow Stranger Things has ended its run. Amid HBO's Harry Potter revival and Amazon's James Bond tease, the streamer needs a big new franchise to call its own.

Ben affleck and matt damon team up for tense thriller 'the rip'

In 'The Rip', the duo stars as members of a Miami-Dade police tactical unit investigating a missing stash of seized drugs. Their characters' bond, tested by corruption, drives the tense action. The film's success highlights Netflix's early-year hit.

Peaky blinders legacy lives on in reboot premiere 'the immortal man'

This extended final episode bridges the original series with its reboot, delivering a dramatic end to Tommy Shelby's gangster reign. A must-watch for Peaky Blinders fans, it sets the stage for the sequel series.

With Stranger Things gone and other franchises in flux, Netflix must refocus. For now, its best original films of 2026 include 'The Rip', 'Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man', and documentaries on Red Hot Chili Peppers and BTS.