Netflix Unveils Star-Studded 2026 Australia-New Zealand Lineup: From Action Thrillers to Contemporary Reimaginings
Netflix has announced its 2026 Australia-New Zealand lineup, featuring a star-studded cast including Alan Ritchson, Charlize Theron, and Florence Pugh. The lineup includes international productions shot in Australian locations and with local crews. Victorian filmmaker Patrick Hughes directed "War Machine," an action sci-fi film set during an elite military selection program's final 24 hours. Theron stars in "Apex," an action thriller filmed in the Blue Mountains and Canberra, while Pugh headlines "East of Eden," a contemporary reimagining of John Steinbeck's novel shot in New Zealand.
The third season of "Heartbreak High" will premiere on March 25, following the graduating class of Hartley High as they navigate a revenge prank gone wrong. Additionally, Netflix unveiled a first look at "My Brilliant Career," an adaptation of Miles Franklin's novel filmed in Adelaide. Other Australian productions include "Allen," a film from Ludo Studio, and "Breakers," the first Netflix series filmed in Western Australia.
Peter Berg's "The Mosquito Bowl," based on Buzz Bissinger's book about college football stars enlisting in the Marines after Pearl Harbor, was filmed in Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The animation slate includes "Stranger Things: Tales From '85" and "Steps," a Cinderella reimagining produced in Sydney. Amanda Duthie, Netflix's content director for the region, emphasized the importance of telling local stories that resonate with audiences.
Netflix has invested over AU$10 million in building capacity in the Australian and New Zealand screen industries since 2021, focusing on paid placements, training, and development initiatives for emerging and underrepresented practitioners. The 2026 slate showcases a diverse range of stories from the region, highlighting the talent and creativity of local filmmakers and actors.