10 Must-Watch Netflix TV Shows and Movies Coming in December 2026

December is a good month to let a streaming queue make the decisions for you. The evenings are long, the calendar fills quickly, and the question is rarely whether there is something to watch; it is whether a new series can justify taking over a night that might otherwise go to a familiar favourite. Netflix’s December 2026 slate offers a useful mix: a Jane Austen adaptation, a new chapter for Emily Cooper, a submarine conspiracy from the creator of Bodyguard, a return to the world of Cliff Booth, and stories from Thailand, Japan, India and the United States.

This guide keeps the ten titles in the order supplied for this feature, with the countdown running from number ten to number one. The list is an anticipation ranking rather than a verdict on finished performances: most of these projects have not premiered, so claims about quality would be guesswork. Instead, each placement reflects what is confirmed now—its premise, creative team, format, source material, returning characters and the kind of viewing experience its setup promises. Where a logline is all the platform has disclosed, we stay with that rather than filling gaps with invented plot.

The range is part of the appeal. Viewers looking for a tightly plotted thriller have Trinity; romance fans can choose between a new Austen adaptation, a Japanese second-chance comedy and the final season of Emily in Paris. Those after family drama can try Unaccustomed Earth, while Give Me Some Sugah and Bad Day point toward very different kinds of pressure-cooker story. The two most prominent film events—The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth and Pride and Prejudice—also make the month feel unusually busy before Christmas.

Release calendars can shift, and Netflix’s catalogue is not identical in every country. The dates below reflect Netflix’s announced December schedule and the currently stated release windows; some film dates are US-specific, and local availability or start times can differ. For a release that matters to your plans, check the title’s Netflix page in your region on the day. We have corrected a few early descriptions where the official synopsis is more specific: Unaccustomed Earth is a family drama with a romantic thread, Give Me Some Sugah is not simply a bakery-origin story, and My Crazy Feminist Girlfriend is a Japanese film adapted from a Korean novel.

If you are choosing what to save for a quiet night or a holiday weekend, the most helpful detail is not just a title but the shape of the story: a one-day comedy, a final-season reunion, or a limited drama you can finish in a few evenings. This guide gives you that quick distinction while keeping the announced dates and regional caveats close at hand.

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10. Empress of Flames

Ananthip in a red and gold robe stands in the throne room after a battle in Empress of Flames. — Ananthip in the throne room. Image credit: Netflix; official series still.

Story and premise: Ananthip is the last surviving heir to a Thai throne after her father is assassinated, and survival means leaving the palace that should have been hers. Exile gives her time to understand how power changed hands, but it also places distance between her and the people, history and political machinery she must eventually face. The six-episode series follows her attempt to return and reclaim her position while a web of palace loyalties, betrayals and old grievances threatens to turn the restoration of a crown into another struggle for control.

Why it may work: That premise gives the series a clear engine: a displaced heir, a dangerous court and a personal reason to challenge the people who benefited from her family’s fall. The limited six-episode run is an advantage for viewers wary of a sprawling palace saga; it suggests a defined arc with room for political manoeuvring and emotional history.

Why it ranks here: It opens this list at number ten because the premise is compelling but the publicly confirmed detail is still relatively slim. The revenge-and-return framework is familiar, and the strongest selling point today is the cultural setting and its six-part format.

Who should watch: Choose this if you like dynastic stories about succession, survival and the cost of reclaiming power. It may suit viewers who enjoy palace intrigue but want a compact season rather than an open-ended historical serial.

Where to watch: Netflix has announced a worldwide release on 3 December 2026. Its official trailer announcement identifies the series as a six-episode Thai royal revenge drama.

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9. My Crazy Feminist Girlfriend

Mei Nagano in an official character portrait for My Crazy Feminist Girlfriend. — Mei Nagano as “the girlfriend.” Image credit: Netflix; official Netflix production image.

Story and premise: Haruki’s first love reappears seven years after their breakup, and the reunion makes it impossible for him to treat the past as neatly finished. In the intervening years she has become a feminist, while Haruki’s ideas about romance and what counts as “normal” have not necessarily kept pace. Their renewed contact turns into a romantic comedy about two people trying to work out whether affection can survive a real disagreement about values, expectations and the habits they bring into a relationship. The film stars Mei Nagano and Taisei Kido and adapts Min Ji Hyoung’s Korean novel into a Japanese live-action story.

Why it may work: That conflict gives the film a more specific hook than a standard “exes meet again” comedy. A reunion can generate easy nostalgia; a clash over gender roles and everyday assumptions gives the characters something present-tense to negotiate. The premise could let humour come from mismatched expectations while still asking whether the couple can listen to each other rather than merely win an argument.

Why it ranks here: Number nine reflects its appealingly clear romantic setup, balanced against the fact that Netflix has shared less about the supporting cast and the film’s tone than it has for several larger December releases. Its second-chance framework is familiar, but the premise’s discussion of “normal” relationships gives it a sharper angle than a purely nostalgic reunion.

Who should watch: This should interest fans of contemporary romantic comedies, exes-to-lovers stories and films where a couple has to talk through the beliefs that shape daily life.

Where to watch: The Japanese film arrives globally on Netflix on 3 December 2026. Netflix’s main-trailer announcement confirms the cast, adaptation source and second-chance premise.

8. Trinity

Katherine Decker and crew inside the USS Kansas submarine in Trinity. — Katherine Decker aboard the USS Kansas. Image credit: Netflix Tudum.

Story and premise: Commander Katherine Decker is second-in-command aboard the USS Kansas, a nuclear submarine where decisions carry consequences far beyond the vessel. Her professional world shifts when she becomes connected to Webb Preston, a charismatic Secretary of Defense. That relationship draws her into a political conspiracy with the potential to push the United States and its rivals toward a global conflict. The seven-episode thriller is created by Jed Mercurio, known for Bodyguard, and stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Richard Madden.

Why it may work: The enclosed submarine setting can make political stakes feel immediate. A crew cannot simply leave the situation, and decisions made at sea are tied to a larger chain of authority that viewers only gradually see. That structure suits Mercurio’s interest in institutions under stress, while Mbatha-Raw’s lead role gives the story a character whose professional judgment and private connections may pull in different directions.

Why it ranks here: It reaches number eight because it has one of the month’s strongest high-concept setups and a proven thriller creator, yet it remains a new property without audience history. That puts it above the more lightly detailed releases below it, but below titles with returning characters, a beloved literary source or a major film legacy.

Who should watch: Fans of contained military thrillers, political conspiracies and institution-focused dramas should put it on their watchlist. If you liked the tension of Bodyguard or submarine stories in which every order matters, this is the clearest match.

Where to watch: Netflix lists all seven episodes for 1 December 2026. Its official Trinity cast and release update confirms the premise, creator and leads.

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7. Give Me Some Sugah

Lenore Lindsey in a Netflix still from Give Me Some Sugah. — Lenore Lindsey. Image credit: Netflix Tudum.

Story and premise: Lenore Lindsey is a Chicago bakery owner whose life changes after she learns of an extraordinary discovery. Netflix’s description frames the discovery as a reason for her to reclaim lost time, heal old wounds and find a renewed sense of purpose. Taraji P. Henson plays Lenore in a drama inspired by a true story, with Tasha Smith directing and a cast that includes Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Russell Hornsby and Joey Bada$$.

Why it may work: The title suggests warmth and flavour, while the premise points toward a more layered family and personal drama. That contrast can give the setting emotional texture: a bakery is a place of routine and community, but the story’s turning point pushes Lenore to reconsider her past rather than only improve her shop.

Why it ranks here: At number seven, it benefits from a strong lead and a premise with emotional stakes, but sits below the more sharply defined thriller and high-profile returning or legacy titles.

Who should watch: Pick this if you enjoy dramas about second chances, family history and people finding a new direction later in life. It may also appeal to viewers who appreciate a grounded Chicago setting and a central performance-driven story.

Where to watch: The drama is scheduled for Netflix on 16 December 2026. Netflix’s official December calendar identifies Henson’s character and the true-story inspiration in its December release announcement .

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6. Unaccustomed Earth

Two women sit together on a porch in a still from Unaccustomed Earth. — A quiet moment in Unaccustomed Earth. Image credit: Netflix Tudum.

Story and premise: Parul Chaudhury, played by Freida Pinto, returns from Mumbai to Cambridge with her husband and child after five years away. Coming home means stepping back into a Bengali-American Indian community whose relationships and memories have continued without her, including her connection to Amit, her first love, played by Siddharth. Inspired by Jhumpa Lahiri’s short-story collection, this eight-episode family drama follows several connected families as private histories, marriage, parenthood and old feelings come into contact. The romance is one thread, not the whole fabric: Parul’s return reopens questions about belonging, the life she built elsewhere and the choices that shaped her family.

Why it may work: The adaptation has an inviting structure for viewers who like intimate dramas where a homecoming alters the meaning of ordinary conversations. A first love returning to the picture can be an easy romantic hook, but the larger ensemble and cultural setting give the story more room to consider family identity and what “home” means after years away. Eight episodes can sustain several perspectives while keeping the season bounded.

Why it ranks here: It earns number six because the creative and literary foundation is unusually promising and the official premise has clear human stakes. It ranks below Bad Day only because the latter has a tightly defined one-day hook and sits in the middle of a major release month; this series may ultimately prove richer, but its ensemble and adaptation ambitions are harder to assess in advance.

Who should watch: Viewers who enjoy literary adaptations, intergenerational family stories and slow-burn romantic tension should add it to the queue.

Where to watch: All eight episodes are set to arrive on Netflix on 17 December 2026. The platform’s official cast and series feature confirms the Lahiri inspiration and family-drama framing.

5. Bad Day

Cameron Diaz in a still from the Netflix action comedy Bad Day. — Cameron Diaz in Bad Day. Image credit: Netflix Tudum.

Story and premise: A single mother promises her daughter that she will get her to an important event, then faces a day that seems determined to make the promise impossible. A cascade of obstacles turns an ordinary schedule into an escalating test of patience, improvisation and commitment. Cameron Diaz leads the action comedy, with Danielle Brooks among the announced cast. The film’s premise is clean and easy to picture: one parent has a goal, the clock keeps moving, and each new complication raises the cost of being late or giving up.

Why it may work: That simple goal gives the film a built-in pace. A story unfolding across one unusually difficult day can keep momentum without requiring a complicated mythology, and a parent-child promise supplies a personal reason to care when the mishaps become larger.

Why it ranks here: At number five, Bad Day sits in the centre of the list because it has an immediately understandable hook and an appealing lead, but the premise is intentionally broad. It is more concrete than the lower-ranked titles with less disclosed plot, while the entries above it have stronger built-in story worlds or more specific creative and literary frameworks.

Who should watch: Try it if you like brisk comedies about impossible errands, family promises and people improvising their way through a mess.

Where to watch: Netflix’s calendar lists Bad Day for 11 December 2026. The official release announcement identifies Diaz’s role and the promise-to-her-daughter premise.

4. The Murder of JonBenét Ramsey

Melissa McCarthy and Clive Owen as Patsy and John Ramsey in the Netflix limited series. — Melissa McCarthy and Clive Owen as Patsy and John Ramsey. Image credit: Netflix Tudum.

Story and premise: This limited series revisits the 1996 murder of six-year-old JonBenét Ramsey and the public scrutiny that followed her death. Melissa McCarthy plays Patsy Ramsey and Clive Owen plays John Ramsey. The story concerns a real, unsolved case, so the drama’s subject is not a mystery with a known fictional answer but the investigation, media attention and lasting consequences surrounding a family. Netflix describes the series as examining the case and its aftermath; responsible viewing means keeping that distinction clear and not presenting speculation as fact.

Why it may work: A dramatization of a real case has to manage two things at once: it needs to make a complex timeline understandable, and it has to remember that the people involved are not characters whose pain exists only to create suspense. McCarthy and Owen are major casting choices for a restrained family drama, but the subject matter asks for care more than sensationalism.

Why it ranks here: It reaches number four because the subject carries immediate cultural significance and the cast signals a serious dramatic treatment, while the real-world sensitivity makes it a more demanding recommendation than a standard thriller.

Who should watch: This is for viewers interested in true-crime drama who are comfortable with unresolved cases and media scrutiny.

Where to watch: The limited series is scheduled for Netflix on 10 December 2026. Netflix’s official cast and release report confirms the date and lead roles.

3. Emily in Paris — Season 6

Emily Cooper on a sunny beach in a still from Emily in Paris Season 6. — Emily Cooper in Greece. Image credit: Netflix Tudum.

Story and premise: Emily Cooper is back for another chapter of her life in Europe, where career opportunities and romantic complications keep demanding that she make choices before she has every answer. Netflix has confirmed that season six will be the final season, giving the story a defined endpoint after Emily’s years of professional and personal reinvention. The returning series stars Lily Collins and has built its premise around Emily navigating work, friendships, fashion and relationships in Paris and beyond. Netflix has described new destinations as part of the final season’s landscape, but the full plot and exact balance of those storylines remain under wraps.

Why it may work: A final season changes the pleasure of a familiar show. Outfits, locations and the quick rhythm of workplace and romance plots are still part of the appeal, but now each choice can feel like it is carrying the series toward a conclusion.

Why it ranks here: It earns number three because a confirmed final season gives its arrival genuine event value for returning viewers. It ranks above the standalone dramas because it brings years of character investment and an anticipated conclusion; it sits below the top two because a finale can only pay off what the earlier seasons established, and Netflix has not yet revealed the ending’s shape.

Who should watch: This is the obvious pick for established fans of the series, especially viewers who enjoy romantic workplace comedy, aspirational travel and fashion as part of the storytelling.

Where to watch: Netflix has scheduled the final season for 24 December 2026. Its season six update confirms the ending and release date.

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2. The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth

Brad Pitt as Cliff Booth in an office still from The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth. — Brad Pitt returns as Cliff Booth. Image credit: Netflix Tudum.

Story and premise: Cliff Booth returns, with Brad Pitt reprising the character he played in Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood . David Fincher directs a film written by Quentin Tarantino, bringing together a director known for controlled crime and thriller filmmaking with a screenwriter returning to one of his Hollywood-era creations. The official logline and most story details have been kept close, so the safe expectation is a new story centred on Cliff rather than a full explanation of what he does next. Its release plan is also split: the film is set for a Netflix arrival on 23 December, with a US IMAX window beginning 25 November.

Why it may work: The creative combination is the hook. Pitt’s performance helped make Cliff memorable as a relaxed, capable figure whose calm could conceal something more dangerous, and the character’s return invites the question of what a solo story can reveal without simply repeating the earlier film. Fincher’s precision may create a different texture from Tarantino’s 2019 Hollywood portrait, while Tarantino’s writing keeps the project connected to that original world.

Why it ranks here: This is number two because it has the month’s most striking filmmaker-and-star pairing and a direct connection to a widely discussed film, while the limited plot information prevents it taking the top place.

Who should watch: Fans of Tarantino’s Hollywood stories, Pitt’s Cliff Booth and Fincher’s controlled tension should be curious. Viewers who want a confirmed plot before committing may want to wait for a trailer or fuller synopsis.

Where to watch: Netflix lists 23 December 2026; the announced US IMAX run begins 25 November. The official Netflix release calendar and Netflix’s release announcement are the current references.

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1. Pride and Prejudice (2026)

The cast of Netflix's Pride and Prejudice (2026) in a group still. — The Bennet family and principal cast in Netflix’s Pride and Prejudice. Image credit: Netflix Tudum.

Story and premise: Elizabeth Bennet meets the proud Mr Darcy in Jane Austen’s story of first impressions, family pressure and social class. The six-part adaptation follows the Bennet family as Mrs Bennet tries to secure futures for her daughters, while Elizabeth insists on judging character for herself. Emma Corrin plays Elizabeth, Jack Lowden is Darcy and Olivia Colman is Mrs Bennet. Their early encounters are marked by mutual misreading; the larger conflict asks whether Elizabeth can trust her judgments and whether Darcy can confront the assumptions that shape how others see him.

Why it may work: Six episodes can give the social visits, family tensions and changes in judgment more room than a feature film. Corrin and Lowden bring a new pairing to the central roles, while Colman adds a distinctive presence to a family whose comedy and anxiety matter equally. Writer Dolly Alderton and director Euros Lyn are confirmed creative leads.

Why it ranks here: It takes number one because it pairs a durable story with a six-part format, a high-profile cast and confirmed creative leads. That proposition is more clearly defined than the secretive Cliff Booth film, and it can welcome viewers without years of prior character investment.

Who should watch: Austen readers, period-drama fans and anyone who enjoys romance shaped by wit, social observation and changed minds should start here. New viewers can watch it as a fresh limited series.

Where to watch: Netflix has announced the six-part series for 3 December 2026. Its official cast and release feature confirms the leads and date.

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Conclusion

Netflix’s December slate moves between comfort viewing and stories with sharper edges. Emily in Paris offers returning fans a final chapter, Trinity builds its tension inside a submarine and a political crisis, while Unaccustomed Earth appears ready to give family history and romantic memory equal weight. Bad Day is the direct choice for a fast comic story, and The Murder of JonBenét Ramsey asks for a more careful, emotionally demanding kind of attention. Around those titles, the Thai royal drama, Japanese relationship comedy and Taraji P. Henson-led story give the month a broader international and tonal range than a slate made up only of familiar franchises would have.

Our number one pick is Pride and Prejudice because the six-part format, confirmed cast and enduring character dynamics make it the most complete proposition on the schedule. That is an anticipation call, not a review: the series still has to make Elizabeth’s perspective and Darcy’s change convincing to earn the affection the novel already enjoys. The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth is the most intriguing wildcard, particularly for viewers interested in the Fincher-Tarantino pairing, while Emily in Paris carries the clearest promise of closure for people who have followed Emily from the beginning.

Which December release is already on your calendar? Tell us whether you would start with the period romance, the submarine thriller, the returning comedy or another title, and share a film or series you think belongs on the list. If Netflix changes a date in your region, check the local title page before planning a watch party.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When does Pride and Prejudice arrive on Netflix?

Netflix has announced 3 December 2026 for its six-part adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel. Emma Corrin plays Elizabeth Bennet, Jack Lowden plays Mr Darcy and Olivia Colman plays Mrs Bennet. Netflix’s current announcement is the source for the date; release timing can vary by region, so check the title page in your local catalogue on release day. This is a new limited series rather than a continuation of a previous adaptation.

Is Emily in Paris season 6 the final season?

Yes. Netflix has described season six as the final season of Emily in Paris, with the announced release date of 24 December 2026. Lily Collins returns as Emily Cooper. The complete story details have not been disclosed, so this guide avoids predicting which relationships or career choices will define the ending. Viewers who have not watched the earlier seasons will get more from the finale after seeing how Emily’s work and romantic life have changed.

When can I watch The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth?

Netflix currently lists the film for 23 December 2026. A US IMAX window has been announced for 25 November, ahead of the streaming date. Brad Pitt returns as Cliff Booth, David Fincher directs and Quentin Tarantino wrote the film. The story synopsis remains limited, and release arrangements may differ outside the United States. Check Netflix and local cinema listings for the schedule that applies where you live.

What is Trinity about on Netflix?

Trinity is a seven-episode political conspiracy thriller set partly aboard the USS Kansas nuclear submarine. Gugu Mbatha-Raw plays Commander Katherine Decker, the vessel’s second-in-command, and Richard Madden plays Secretary of Defense Webb Preston. A connection between them draws Decker into a conspiracy with potentially global consequences. Jed Mercurio, the creator of Bodyguard, is behind the series. Netflix has announced 1 December 2026 as its release date.

Is The Murder of JonBenét Ramsey a true story, and is the case solved?

The limited series dramatizes the real 1996 murder of JonBenét Ramsey and the investigation and public attention that followed. The case remains unsolved; the series should not be treated as proof of any theory or as a fictional mystery with a confirmed culprit. Melissa McCarthy plays Patsy Ramsey and Clive Owen plays John Ramsey. Netflix has announced 10 December 2026. The subject involves a child victim and a grieving family, so some viewers may find it distressing.

What is Unaccustomed Earth based on?

The Netflix series is inspired by Jhumpa Lahiri’s short-story collection Unaccustomed Earth. Its eight-episode story follows Parul Chaudhury, played by Freida Pinto, as she returns from Mumbai to Cambridge with her family after five years away. She reconnects with Amit, her first love, while the drama follows connected Bengali-American Indian families. The announced release date is 17 December 2026. Netflix describes it as a family drama with romantic elements.

Is Give Me Some Sugah a series about starting a bakery?

Netflix describes Give Me Some Sugah as a drama inspired by the true story of Lenore Lindsey, a Chicago bakery owner played by Taraji P. Henson. An extraordinary discovery prompts Lenore to reclaim lost time, heal old wounds and find purpose. The bakery is part of her life, but the announced premise is broader than launching a business. Tasha Smith directs, and the Netflix calendar lists 16 December 2026.

What is My Crazy Feminist Girlfriend adapted from?

The Netflix film is a Japanese live-action romantic comedy adapted from a Korean novel by Min Ji Hyoung. It stars Mei Nagano and Taisei Kido. The plot follows Haruki as he encounters his first love seven years after their breakup; she has become feminist, and they clash over what makes a relationship “normal.” Netflix has announced a global release on 3 December 2026. It is a Japanese film based on Korean source material, not a Korean television series.

When do all the December Netflix releases become available in the UK?

The dates in this guide follow Netflix’s announced schedule, but Netflix release times and catalogue availability can vary by market. Some film listings have US-specific theatrical windows, and a title’s local page is the best place to confirm whether it appears in the UK catalogue on the same date. The UK release calendar can also be updated after an initial announcement. Check the Netflix app or website close to the date for current regional details.

Which Netflix December release is best for a family watch?

That depends on ages and viewing preferences. Bad Day is described as an action comedy about a mother trying to keep a promise to her daughter, but Netflix has not supplied a full age rating here. Pride and Prejudice is a romantic period drama, while Trinity and The Murder of JonBenét Ramsey have mature thriller or true-crime subject matter. Review each title’s local rating and Netflix content notes before choosing for children.

More Places to Find Great Movies and TV Shows

For official release details, see Netflix Tudum’s December movie and series calendar, which lists release dates and selected premises, and Netflix Media Center’s Pride and Prejudice listing, which provides information about the adaptation. Netflix’s Empress of Flames trailer announcement offers additional official details for the Thai series. For wider entertainment coverage, TV Guide publishes listings and television coverage, while Rotten Tomatoes collects film and television reviews and audience information.