Picture Credits: Netflix and the 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 track of 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 combed through the massive programming announcements from the Lido and Toronto to bring you a complete guide to every Netflix project making a splash this September.
Note: For the first time ever, What’s on Netflix will have boots on the ground at TIFF specifically, and we’re planning extended coverage throughout the week. Stay tuned!
Venice & TIFF Netflix Lineup 2026
Some films are so big they simply have to play both major festivals. Here are the Netflix titles crossing the pond for back-to-back premieres:
Ink
Director: Danny Boyle
Festivals: Venice (In Competition / Opening Film) & TIFF (Special Presentations)
Not only is Netflix bringing Danny Boyle’s latest drama to both festivals, but Ink has also landed the highly coveted Opening Film slot at Venice! Netflix previously scooped up the US and Latin American rights to this highly anticipated film, which tackles the rise of The Sun newspaper and Rupert Murdoch. With Boyle behind the camera, expect a kinetic, fast-paced dive into the cutthroat world of British tabloid journalism that will set the Lido on fire before heading to Canada.
Possible Love (Ga-Neung-Han Sa-Rang)
Director: Lee Chang-dong
Festivals: Venice (In Competition) & TIFF (Special Presentations)
Cinephiles, rejoice! Legendary Korean director Lee Chang-dong is making his highly anticipated return to the big screen, and Netflix has stepped up to finance and distribute the film globally. Competing for the prestigious Golden Lion in Venice before acting as a cornerstone of TIFF’s Special Presentations, 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 massive World Premieres, TIFF remains a crucial launching pad for Netflix’s diverse lineup of international dramas, acclaimed acquisitions, and highly anticipated series.
On Behalf of My Son
Section: TIFF Platform
Director: Gabriel Martins
Netflix is continuing its fantastic partnership with Brazilian production powerhouse Filmes de Plástico to bring us this emotionally devastating new drama. Directed by Gabriel Martins (the filmmaker behind the critically acclaimed Mars One), the film follows Vicentina (Rejane Faria), a 75-year-old mother who is shattered when her son, a bus driver, dies in a horrific accident. When speculation mounts that he may have caused the crash intentionally, she embarks on a courageous, heartbreaking journey to seek out the victims’ families.
Gentle Monster
Section: TIFF Special Presentations
Director: Marie Kreutzer
Austrian filmmaker Marie Kreutzer (Corsage) is bringing her dark new drama to the festival, and Netflix has already secured the rights. Starring Léa Seydoux, this promises to be a gripping and moody addition to the streamer’s European film lineup.
La Bola Negra
Section: TIFF Special Presentations
Directors: Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi
Fresh off a massive prize win at Cannes, this Spanish-language film from “Los Javis” (the brilliant minds behind the hit series Veneno) was acquired by Netflix for both a US theatrical run and a streaming debut. If their previous work is anything to go by, prepare for something bold, emotional, and visually stunning.
In Waves
Section: TIFF (Animation)
Netflix’s animation division has been on an absolute tear lately, and In Waves looks to be their next big artistic triumph. This animated feature is quietly building buzz, and a 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 movie has already appeared at multiple festivals, including most recently at Annecy in France, where we got to review and speak to the movie’s creators.
The Series Heading to TIFF
Netflix isn’t just stopping at movies this year—they’re also making a splash in TIFF’s TV categories.
Below
Section: TIFF Primetime (Opening Series)
Creator: Jesse McKeown
BELOW. Josh Hartnett as Calvin in episode 106 of Below. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix© 2026
Netflix is kicking off TIFF’s entire Primetime lineup with the World Premiere of Below, a twisty six-part limited series that sounds right up our alley. Hailing from Canadian writer/creator Jesse McKeown, the show stars Josh Hartnett as Calvin Penney, a big-hearted but stubborn fisherman in a small Newfoundland town who is still haunted by his father’s mysterious death decades prior.
Things take a wild turn when an unidentified sea creature begins terrorizing his close-knit hometown. Determined to keep his son Wade (played by Stranger Things star Charlie Heaton) and the rest of his family safe, Calvin teams up with a visiting marine researcher (Mackenzie Davis) to confront the monster and unearth the island’s deeply buried secrets before it’s too late. Blending local myth, thrilling suspense, and heartfelt humor, this genre-bending series promises to dive deep into themes of family, community, and terrifying change. Landing the opening slot in the Primetime block is a massive vote of confidence, so expect this to be your next weekend binge-watch!
Missing in Action?
While Netflix is incredibly well-represented, one major title was noticeably absent from Thursday’s Venice announcement. Here Comes the Flood, the highly anticipated new thriller from director Fernando Meirelles (City of God), starring Denzel Washington and Robert Pattinson, was heavily rumored to be heading to the Lido. Likewise, many had expected the yet-to-be-titled Cliff Booth movie to be making an appearance at some point. Fingers crossed we hear more soon.
Which of these Netflix titles are you most excited to check out? Let us know in the comments down below!
