All the upcoming Netflix Originals you need to put on your watchlist
Netflix built serious momentum in 2019 with a slate that mixed prestige dramas, bold animation experiments, and crowd-pleasing crowd-pleasers. The service had already delivered cult hits like Russian Doll and The Umbrella Academy, but the year’s full lineup showed how quickly the platform was scaling ambitious originals across every genre. Many of those projects have since completed their runs or spawned sequels, which makes revisiting the original watchlist a useful snapshot of where Netflix stood at the time.
That year also marked a shift toward long-form storytelling that could live on the platform for years afterward. Limited series and documentaries became reliable anchors, while films like The Irishman proved the streamer could compete at the highest production levels. The titles below all made it to release, and several have continued to shape conversations about what Netflix does best.
After Life
Ricky Gervais starred as Tony, a man who loses his wife and responds by deciding to live without filters. The premise leaned into dark humor while tracking how his blunt behavior strained his family and coworkers. The series premiered in March 2019 and ran for three seasons across 2019, 2020, and January 2022 before concluding after season three. Gervais’s track record with sharp sitcoms helped the show find an audience even when his stand-up material polarized viewers.
Ultraman
The 2019 anime series gave the classic Japanese hero a sleek, modern update that leaned into fluid CGI action. The show arrived as part of Netflix’s growing push into international animation and delivered the flashy, high-energy fights fans expected. A separate CG-animated feature, Ultraman: Rising, followed in 2024 and earned Emmy recognition for its technical work. That success helped clear the path for additional anime projects in later years.
The Highwaymen
Woody Harrelson and Kevin Costner played the Texas Rangers tasked with tracking Bonnie and Clyde. The film offered a grounded counterpoint to the 1967 classic by focusing on the lawmen rather than the outlaws. Released in 2019, it delivered a steady, character-driven crime story that appealed to viewers who wanted a more traditional take on the famous case.
Turn Up Charlie
Idris Elba played a struggling DJ who agrees to look after his famous friend’s wild child. The sitcom leaned on Elba’s natural charm while mixing light comedy with music-industry cameos. It premiered in March 2019 and was canceled after its single season, closing the book on what could have been a longer run for the comedian-actor.
Triple Frontier
Charlie Hunnam, Garrett Hedlund, Pedro Pascal, Oscar Isaac, and Ben Affleck starred as former special-ops soldiers attempting a high-stakes heist across South America. Director J.C. Chandor brought the same slow-burn tension he used in A Most Violent Year to a more action-oriented script. The 2019 release gave Netflix a solid mid-budget thriller that still holds up for viewers who like tense ensemble crime stories.
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance
The ambitious puppet-driven fantasy series expanded the world of the 1982 film with new characters and a larger rebellion storyline. Taron Egerton, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Nathalie Emmanuel voiced key roles among the Gelflings. Released in August 2019, the show earned strong reviews but was canceled after its single season, leaving fans with one complete arc instead of the planned continuation.
The Dirt
Douglas Booth and the rest of the cast portrayed Mötley Crüe during their wildest Sunset Strip years. The film leaned into the band’s documented excesses while delivering the expected mix of backstage chaos and arena spectacle. It arrived in 2019 as a direct adaptation of the group’s memoir and remains one of Netflix’s louder rock biopics.
The King
Timothée Chalamet starred as Prince Hal in David Michôd’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s Henriad plays. Joel Edgerton co-wrote and appeared on screen alongside a stacked ensemble that included Robert Pattinson and Lily-Rose Depp. The 2019 release blended court intrigue with battlefield action and gave Michôd his largest canvas to date.
Paddleton
Mark Duplass and Ray Romano played neighbors who form an unlikely bond when one receives a terminal diagnosis. The quiet dark comedy focused on friendship and small rituals rather than big dramatic swings. Released in 2019, the film showcased both actors’ ability to carry understated material without overplaying the emotion.
Paris Is Us
The French drama followed a group of young Parisians navigating love, parties, and personal uncertainty. Its kinetic style and neon-lit nightlife sequences echoed the energy of Gaspar Noé while staying more grounded in character. The 2019 release brought a distinctly European energy to Netflix’s growing international slate.
Our Planet
David Attenborough narrated the high-end nature documentary that showcased ecosystems under pressure. The series stood out for its scale and visual clarity, and it quickly became one of the platform’s most rewatchable nonfiction titles. Viewers returned to it repeatedly after the initial drop, drawn by both the footage and the measured narration.
All the Bright Places
Elle Fanning and Justice Smith played two teens dealing with trauma who find connection through a shared school project. Supporting turns from Alexandra Shipp and Keegan-Michael Key added depth to the young-adult adaptation. The 2019 film leaned into emotional territory while giving both leads room to show range beyond their blockbuster work.
When They See Us
Ava DuVernay directed the four-part miniseries about the Central Park Five, following the group from their wrongful 1989 arrest through decades of legal battles and post-release life. The project used a large ensemble of newcomers alongside established performers to trace how the case stayed in public view long after the initial headlines. Released in 2019, it remains a reference point in discussions of wrongful convictions and media framing.
Unicorn Store
Brie Larson made her directorial debut with a story about a struggling artist who receives a mysterious invitation. Samuel L. Jackson, Bradley Whitford, and Joan Cusack appeared in key supporting roles. The 2019 film gave Larson a chance to explore indie roots between her larger franchise commitments.
Love, Death, and Robots
Tim Miller and David Fincher executive-produced the adult animated anthology that mixed sci-fi, horror, and dark comedy across short, self-contained stories. The 2019 release proved there was an audience for high-production-value animation aimed at mature viewers. Its success helped open doors for additional seasons and similar anthology experiments.
The Irishman
Martin Scorsese directed Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci in the sprawling organized-crime epic that reunited the filmmaker with several longtime collaborators. Extensive de-aging technology allowed the actors to portray younger versions of their characters across decades. The film premiered in November 2019 and delivered the kind of patient, character-focused crime story Scorsese had been building toward for years.
Our Planet Franchise Evolution
The original 2019 series expanded into multiple follow-ups that kept the same high production values and Attenborough narration. Our Planet II arrived in 2023 with a tighter focus on animal behavior, while Life on Our Planet released later that year under the Amblin and Silverback Films banner. These extensions showed how a single well-received documentary could sustain a long-running nonfiction franchise on the platform.
Netflix Animation Milestones Since 2019
The 2019 releases of Ultraman and Love, Death + Robots helped establish Netflix as a destination for ambitious adult animation. Ultraman: Rising earned Emmy attention in 2024 and demonstrated that the earlier investment in CG features could pay off. The platform has since previewed additional 2026 anime titles, including Dandelion and Sparks of Tomorrow, that build on the same mix of international talent and technical ambition.
When They See Us Cultural Legacy
Ava DuVernay’s miniseries continues to surface in conversations about wrongful convictions and media accountability. By spanning decades, the project gave viewers a long view of how the Central Park Five case affected the men involved and the broader public record. Its influence shows up in later true-crime storytelling that prioritizes the subjects’ full timelines rather than just the initial arrests.
2026 Netflix Slate Highlights
Current programming plans include Bridgerton season four in January 2026 along with new films such as The Rip and People We Meet on Vacation. These releases sit alongside additional seasons of established series like The Night Agent and Outer Banks. The lineup keeps the platform’s mix of prestige drama, genre fare, and original films moving forward without losing the volume that defined the 2019 slate.
