Image Credit: Netflix and various festivals
The 2026 fall film festival season is officially upon us! With the 83rd Venice Film Festival and the 51st Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) both unveiling their massive lineups this week, we finally have a clear picture of what Netflix’s prestige slate will look like for the rest of the year and into 2027.
If you’re keeping an eye on what’s going to dominate your Netflix queue, these festivals are the ultimate indicator of the streamer’s major awards contenders and buzziest international acquisitions. We’ve scoured the massive programming announcements from Lido and Toronto to bring you a complete guide to every Netflix project making a splash this September.
Note: For the first time, What’s on Netflix will be exclusively bootlegged on the ground at TIFF, and we’re planning expanded coverage throughout the week. Stay tuned!
This article is a work in progress. Keep checking back for further updates.
Venice and TIFF Netflix Lineup 2026
Some films are so big that they simply have to screen at both major festivals. Here are the Netflix titles crossing the pond for back-to-back premieres:
INK
Director: danny boyle
Festival: Venice (in competition/inauguration film) and TIFF (special presentations)
Not only is Netflix bringing Danny Boyle’s latest drama to both festivals, but INK Has also secured the highly coveted opening film slot in Venice! Netflix previously acquired the US and Latin American rights to the highly anticipated film, which tackles The Sun newspaper and the rise of Rupert Murdoch. With Boyle behind the camera, expect a dynamic, fast-paced dive into the cutthroat world of British tabloid journalism that will set the lido on fire before it heads to Canada.
Potential Love (Ga-neung-han sa-rang)
Director: Lee Chang-dong
Festival: Venice (in competition) and TIFF (special presentations)
Movie lovers, rejoice! Legendary Korean director Lee Chang-dong is making his highly anticipated return to the big screen, and Netflix has stepped in to finance and distribute the film globally. Competing for the coveted Golden Lion at Venice before acting as a cornerstone of TIFF’s special productions, this emotional drama is expected to be one of the biggest international hitters on Netflix’s slate this year.
Netflix 2026 TIFF Lineup
While Venice is getting some big world premieres, TIFF remains an important launching pad for Netflix’s diverse lineup of international dramas, acclaimed acquisitions, and highly anticipated series.
from my son
Section: TIFF Platform
Director: gabriel martins
Netflix is continuing its fantastic partnership with Brazilian production powerhouse Filmes de Plástico to bring us an emotionally devastating new drama. Directed by Gabriel Martins (the filmmaker behind the critically acclaimed). mars one), the film follows Vicentina (Regen Faria), a 75-year-old mother who is devastated when her son, a bus driver, dies in a horrific accident. When speculation begins that she may have deliberately caused the crash, she begins a courageous, heartbreaking journey to search for the victims’ families.
gentle monster
Section: TIFF Special Presentations
Director: marie kreutzer
Austrian filmmaker Marie Kreutzer (brooch) is bringing his dark new drama to the festival, and Netflix has already secured the rights. Starring Léa Seydoux, it promises to be an entertaining and moody addition to the streamer’s European film lineup.
la bola negra
Section: TIFF Special Presentations
Director: javier calvo and javier ambrosi
After winning massive awards at Cannes, this Spanish-language film from “Los Jevis” (the genius minds behind the hit series) Veneno) was acquired by Netflix for both a US theatrical run and streaming debut. If his previous work is anything to go by, be prepared for something bold, emotional, and visually stunning.
in waves
Section: Feud (animation)
Netflix’s animation division has been in a complete mess lately, and in waves It looks like this will be his next big artistic triumph. This animated feature has been quietly becoming a buzz, and the TIFF premiere practically guarantees that it’s going to be a gorgeous, prestige-level addition to the streamer’s growing library of adult-leaning and arthouse animation. Of course, the film has already screened at several festivals, including most recently in Annecy in France, where we had the chance to review the film and talk to the makers.
The series is headed to TIFF
Netflix isn’t just limited to movies this year — they’re making a splash in TIFF’s TV categories, too.
Below
Section: TIFF Primetime (early series)
Manufacturer: jesse mcqueen
Below Josh Hartnett as Calvin in episode 106 below. Ten million. Courtesy of Netflix© 2026
Netflix is debuting TIFF’s entire primetime lineup with world premieres BelowAn intricate six-part limited series that sounds right up our alley. The show from Canadian writer/producer Jesse McKean stars Josh Hartnett as Kelvin Penny, a big-hearted but stubborn fisherman in a small Newfoundland town who is still haunted by the mysterious death of his father decades earlier.
Things take a turn for the worse when an unknown sea creature begins terrorizing his nearby hometown. Determined to keep his son Wade (played by stranger things star Charlie Heaton) and the rest of his family are safe, Calvin teams up with a marine researcher (Mackenzie Davis) to confront the monster and uncover the island’s deeply buried secrets before it’s too late. A blend of local myth, thrilling mystery and heartfelt humor, this genre-bending series promises to delve deep into themes of family, community and terrifying change. Landing an early slot in a primetime block is a huge vote of confidence, so expect this to be your next weekend binge!
missing in action?
While Netflix is incredibly well-represented, one major title was noticeably absent from Thursday’s Venice announcement. there are floods hereThe much-awaited new thriller from director Fernando Meirelles (City of GodStarring Denzel Washington and Robert Pattinson), was heavily rumored to be headed to the Lido. Similarly, many people expected the title to not be available yet cliff booth The film is scheduled to be released at some point. We’ll hear more soon.
Which of these Netflix titles are you most excited to watch? Let us know in the comments below!
