New on Netflix in January 2026: Bridgerton Returns, The Rip, Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart, and More

New year, new watchlist. Netflix is kicking off 2026 with a packed January lineup that blends prestige drama, true crime, star-driven thrillers, and buzzy unscripted events. From the return of one of Netflix’s biggest global franchises to high-stakes crime stories and real-life survival tales, January sets the tone for what could be one of the platform’s strongest years yet.

Whether you’re in the mood for lavish romance, pulse-pounding suspense, or conversation-starting documentaries, this month’s slate delivers plenty of reasons to stay in. Here’s a closer look at everything new on Netflix in January 2026 — and why each title deserves a spot on your queue.

New on Netflix — January 2026 (Full Release Table)

Release Date	Title	Type
January 1	Dr. Seuss’s Red Fish, Blue Fish (Season 2)	TV Series
January 1	Love from 9 to 5	TV Series
January 1	My Korean Boyfriend	TV Series
January 1	Run Away	Limited Series
January 1	Time Flies	Movie
January 1	12 Years a Slave	Movie
January 1	30 Minutes or Less	Movie
January 1	Becky	Movie
January 1	Brüno	Movie
January 1	Colombiana	Movie
January 1	Conan the Destroyer	Movie
January 1	Dawn of the Dead	Movie
January 1	Despicable Me	Movie
January 1	Despicable Me 2	Movie
January 1	District 9	Movie
January 1	Dune	Movie
January 1	Erin Brockovich	Movie
January 1	Falling Skies (Seasons 1–5)	TV Series
January 1	Forever My Girl	Movie
January 1	Free Solo	Documentary
January 1	Ghostbusters: Answer the Call	Movie
January 1	Green Room	Movie
January 1	Harry and the Hendersons	Movie
January 1	Hellboy	Movie
January 1	Johnny Mnemonic	Movie
January 1	Just Go With It	Movie
January 1	Lone Survivor	Movie
January 1	Man on Fire	Movie
January 1	Monty Python's The Meaning of Life	Movie
January 1	My Girl	Movie
January 1	Only the Brave	Movie
January 1	Pitch Perfect	Movie
January 1	Priscilla	Movie
January 1	Twins	Movie
January 1	Wild Things	Movie
January 1	No Tail to Tell	TV Series

Release Date	Title	Type
January 2	Found (Seasons 1–2)	TV Series
January 2	Land of Sin	Movie
January 3	The Following (Seasons 1–3)	TV Series
January 5	WWE Raw (Live every Monday)	Live Series
January 6	Pokémon Horizons Season 3: Rising Hope (Part 1)	TV Series
January 7	11.22.63	Limited Series
January 7	Marcello Hernández: American Boy	Comedy Special
January 7	Unlocked: A Jail Experiment Season 2	TV Series
January 8	His & Hers	Limited Series
January 8	Love Is Blind: Germany	Reality Series
January 9	Alpha Males	TV Series
January 9	People We Meet on Vacation	Movie
January 9	Prodigal Son (Seasons 1–2)	TV Series
January 13	The Boyfriend Season 2	Reality Series
January 14	Veronica Mars (Seasons 1–3)	TV Series
January 14	The Queen of Flow Season 3	TV Series
January 15	Agatha Christie's Seven Dials	Limited Series
January 15	Bone Lake	Movie
January 15	Love Through a Prism	Reality Series
January 15	The Upshaws Part 7	TV Series
January 15	To Love, To Lose	Movie

Release Date	Title	Type
January 16	Can This Love Be Translated?	TV Series
January 16	The Rip	Movie
January 16	Southland (Seasons 1–5)	TV Series
January 19	Sandokan Season 1	TV Series
January 20	Just a Dash (Seasons 1–3)	TV Series
January 20	Rizzoli & Isles (Seasons 1–7)	TV Series
January 20	Star Search	Reality Series
January 21	Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart	Documentary Series
January 22	Cosmic Princess Kaguya!	Animated Series
January 22	Finding Her Edge	Movie
January 23	The Big Fake	Documentary Series
January 23	Skyscraper Live	Live Special
January 27	Mike Epps: Delusional	Comedy Special
January 29	Bridgerton Season 4, Part 1	TV Series

Bridgerton Season 4

Netflix’s crown jewel romance returns with a fairy-tale-inspired fourth season that shifts the spotlight to Benedict Bridgerton. Known for its lush visuals and addictive storytelling, the series leans into class, identity, and forbidden love as Benedict becomes captivated by a mysterious Lady in Silver—only to discover the truth is far more complicated. Season 4 refreshes the formula while keeping the sweeping romance fans expect, making it one of January’s most anticipated releases.

The Rip

Starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, The Rip is a slick crime thriller centered on a discovery that changes everything: $24 million hidden inside a Miami safehouse. As Lieutenant Dane Dumars and Detective Sergeant J.D. Byrne debate what to do next, greed, loyalty, and paranoia collide. Stylish and tension-filled, the film leans into moral gray areas and escalating consequences, delivering the kind of star-powered thriller Netflix excels at.

Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart

This powerful true-crime series revisits one of the most harrowing abduction cases in recent history. Told with care and restraint, Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart focuses on survival, resilience, and the long road to healing rather than sensationalism. The series adds depth and perspective to a story many think they know, making it both emotionally challenging and essential viewing.

People We Meet on Vacation

Based on the bestselling novel, People We Meet on Vacation follows Alex and Poppy, two unlikely friends who take one trip together every summer—until one vacation changes everything. Starring Tom Blyth and Emily Bader, the film blends humor, longing, and emotional vulnerability, capturing the messy space between friendship and love. It’s a warm, character-driven romance ideal for viewers looking for something heartfelt.

Star Search

A modern reimagining of the classic talent competition, Star Search brings live performances and real-time audience voting into the streaming era. Contestants face instant eliminations as viewers directly shape the outcome, creating genuine stakes and unpredictability. The result is a fast-paced, interactive series that blends nostalgia with modern reality TV energy.

Skyscraper Live

Few Netflix events will feel as nerve-wracking as Skyscraper Live. Free solo climber Alex Honnold attempts to scale Taipei 101 in real time, pushing human endurance to its limits. Part documentary, part live spectacle, the special delivers edge-of-your-seat tension and a jaw-dropping reminder of what the human body—and mind—can achieve.

Free Bert

Comedian Bert Kreischer brings his signature unfiltered humor to scripted television in Free Bert. Playing a chaotic father navigating life after enrolling his family in an elite school, Kreischer blends outrageous comedy with surprising heart. The series leans into culture shock, parenting panic, and self-inflicted chaos, making it a breezy and bingeable addition to January’s lineup.

What This Means for Netflix in 2026

January’s lineup shows Netflix doubling down on variety and scale—balancing global franchises like Bridgerton with buzzy originals, true crime, and live-format experiments. It’s a strategy designed to keep subscribers engaged across genres, moods, and age groups right from the start of the year.

Scroll through, add a few titles to your list, and get comfortable—because Netflix’s 2026 starts strong. Final Thoughts: Netflix Starts 2026 Strong

Netflix is clearly wasting no time in 2026. January’s lineup balances big returning franchises, ambitious originals, true-crime deep dives, and crowd-pleasing reality series, offering something for every kind of viewer. Whether you’re settling in for the romance of Bridgerton, diving into gripping thrillers like The Rip and Run Away, or exploring powerful real-life stories such as Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart, the month delivers variety without sacrificing quality.

With a mix of global stories, star-driven projects, and bold experiments like live events and international originals, Netflix’s January 2026 slate sets a confident tone for the year ahead. If this month is any indication, subscribers can expect bigger swings, broader genres, and plenty of conversation-starting content in the months to come.

So update your watchlist, clear your evenings, and get ready—2026 on Netflix is just getting started. 🎬🍿