A champion of most marginalized voices and ensuing stories around the world, Netflix has always managed to reinvent the ways we listen, watch, and feel the plethora of tales brought to life since its launch 25-years-ago. Now a leading powerhouse in its own right in the silver screen industry, its regional focus, coupled with its global reach, has made the US streaming platform the go-to destination for curious entertainment seekers around the planet — and we can’t get enough of it.
Given the rich catalog of titles the subscription-only service proudly boasts through its wealthy library of movies and series, finding the right film or series to unwind to after a long day of school or work can easily turn into a daunting chore. Who hasn’t wanted to put their feet up in front of a movie but ended up scrolling endlessly instead? And, if you’re anything like us, you might also feel like you’ve pressed play on pretty much everything that has ever tickled your fancy on Netflix, making us feel like we’re just re-watching some of our favorites classics rather than discovering new gems that are impatiently waiting for us to add them to our watch lists.
With the myriad of releases expected to come through in the second half of 2023, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to curate the ultimate list of must-watch titles that promise to deliver, from edge-of-your-seat thrillers to heartwarming dramas, and everything in between.
Below, the releases coming to Netflix this year that you need to mark your calendars in anticipation for.
Top Boy (Season 5)
Release date: September 2023
Synopsis: Top Boy is finally set to make its much-awaited comeback a year and a half after the release of its fourth season in March 2022. First broadcasted in 2011, two sets of four episodes each managed to galvanize an entire generation before going AWOL for eight consecutive years. Brought back to life in 2019, with the eager help of Drake, an executive producer, the storyline was kept almost intact, only embracing new and more modern codes to relate to today’s younger audience.
With the introduction of new characters, while also keeping a handful of iconic members from the initial cast, Top Boy 2.0 still focuses on the same struggles that can be experienced in East London that range from gentrification to drug wars and gang life, amidst a backdrop some are unfortunately too familiar with or can only picture in their minds. Still honing the gritty authenticity that’s made its fame over the years, in September, the beloved classic of British television will finally reach its end, providing closure to a decade-long plot that viewers have been invested in for so long.
Black Mirror (Season 6)
Release date: June 2023
Synopsis: After a four-year-long hiatus, dystopian sci-fi series Black Mirror is set to make its highly anticipated return with a fresh set of episodes in June, and has already been labeled as “the most unpredictable, unclassifiable, and unexpected yet,” as per Netflix.
Although the plot has been kept a tight secret by show-makers, circulating rumors claim that this season will have a higher episode count compared to any before and is also set to get some of our favorite faces in cinema involved in their quite twisted yet thought-provoking production. From Salma Hayek to Aaron Paul, Michael Cera, and Rory Culkin, a number of well-known actors have been linked to the upcoming release, heightening the excitement amongst fans, and only expected to bring a new level of intensity and depth to the show’s already compelling storylines.
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar
Release date: Autumn 2023
Synopsis: In a major acquisition, Netflix recently purchased the rights to the entire Roald Dahl library, giving them the license to bring some of the most beloved children’s stories of all time to life. Among their ambitious projects, the streaming giant announced working on a new movie to be directed by acclaimed filmmaker Wes Anderson centered around the adventures of Henry Sugar.
Featuring an all-star cast of talented actors, with Benedict Cumberbatch expected to impersonate the eponymously named protagonist. As the release date draws closer, fans are eagerly anticipating the magic that is sure to unfold when Anderson’s unique vision meets Dahl’s beloved stories as it initially did over a decade ago with the screen adaption of Fantastic Mr. Fox.
Spy Kids: Armageddon
Release date: September 2023
Synopsis: Gen Zs and millennials will both be happy to learn that the iconic Spy Kids series will be making an exciting comeback this year, almost 12 years after the release of its last chapter in 2011.
With a fresh new cast and an updated storyline, the same winning formula is being put to use to create a show that is just as impactful and engaging as the four first chapters of the naughties classic as the children of the world’s greatest secret agents are back to having to take on their parent’s duties to save the planet from a new threat that seeks to destroy everything we hold dear.
A Family Affair
Release Date: November 2023
Synopsis: Looking for a light rom-com to brighten up your day? Look no further, as Family Affair is just the one you need. Starring Zac Efron and Liza Koshy as well as Nicole Kidman, the plot follows the career journey of a young woman named Zara who’s employed as an assistant for a movie star named Chris Cole in a setting where work, love, and drama all mingle and intertwine.
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
Release Date: May 4, 2023
Synopsis: Centered on Queen Charlotte’s rise to prominence and power, this Bridgerton-verse prequel tells the story of how the young Queen’s marriage to King George sparked both a great love story and a societal shift, creating the world of the Ton inherited by the characters in Bridgerton.
The Crown (Season 6)
Release Date: Second half of 2023
Synopsis: Inspired by real events, The Crown is a fictional dramatization of the story of Queen Elizabeth II and the political and personal events that shaped her reign, As The Crown enters a new decade, Prince William starts at University in St Andrew’s, determined to lead as normal a life as possible while he still can. Also beginning life as a University student, is Kate Middleton from Berkshire. As the pair meet for the first time on campus, a new romance and a new future for The Crown begins.
