If your Netflix watchlist is looking a little barren there's a good reason – the number of movies released in the first few months of 2026 fell to an 8-year low
We’re only a few months into the year, but if you’ve been feeling like there isn’t that much to watch on Netflix at the moment, that’s because fewer original movies have been added in 2026 than in over eight years.
In a new study by French newsletter Netflix & Chiffres (H/T What’s On Netflix), it has been found that fewer Netflix original movies have been added to the streamer in the first quarter of 2026 since 2017. From the start of January to the end of March 2026, just 23 Netflix features have been added to the site, which is a step down from 2025, which saw 34 films premiere on the platform.
The decline is nothing new, as the streamer has slowly been releasing fewer and fewer movies since it hit its peak in 2022, when 50, yes, fifty, original films hit the site that year. What’s more interesting is that the site is choosing to cut movies in Western areas, rather than evenly across the globe. In the first quarter of 2026, only four Netflix original movies originated from the US and Canada, and just six titles were released from European countries.
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However, the reduced output is not necessarily a bad thing. Just this year, we have seen many great movies hit the streamer, from Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s most recent team-up in The Rip, to sci-fi action film War Machine starring Alan Ritchson, and the long-awaited Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man. So, it seems like this is a choice of quality over quantity.
Choosing to invest in bigger budget movies could be the reason why fewer titles are appearing on our screens. However, there are other factors at play, including a change in leadership in the film division and the lasting effects of the 2023 strikes. But the streamer is still adding movies from elsewhere, thanks to licensing deals with Universal and Sony Pictures.
In terms of shows, the streamer has released fewer series than last year, with 49 shows airing in the first quarter of 2026. But, there is still a lot to look forward to in both sections. Just this month, original movies due to hit the streamer include shark horror Thrash and tense thriller APEX starring Taron Egerton and Charlize Theron. In TV land, there’s Beef season 2, Man on Fire, and Stranger Things: Tales From ’85.
For the full list, check out our guide to what’s new on Netflix in April 2026. Fill out the rest of your watchlist with the best Netflix movies and the best Netflix shows.
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