Netflix 2026 Upfronts: Grown Ups 3, Harlan Coben's New Series, and Bridgerton Creator's Next Project Just Got Greenlit
Netflix 2026 Upfronts: Grown Ups 3, Harlan Coben's New Series, and Bridgerton Creator's Next Project Just Got Greenlit
If you thought Netflix was running out of big swings for 2026, the streamer's latest upfront presentation in New York City proved otherwise. The platform unveiled a slate of brand-new films and series that spans Adam Sandler comedies, Harlan Coben thrillers, and even a Bridgerton creator's next passion project. Here's everything you need to know about the biggest announcements.
Adam Sandler Returns with Grown Ups 3
The headline of the night? Grown Ups 3 is officially happening at Netflix. Adam Sandler is reuniting with longtime collaborator Tim Herlihy to write the script, and Happy Gilmore 2 director Kyle Newacheck will helm the project. Sandler will produce alongside Herlihy, Jackie Sandler, and Jack Giarraputo - yes, the whole Sandler universe is back together.
The original Grown Ups (2010) and its 2013 sequel were massive hits for Sony, pulling in over $500 million combined at the global box office. The franchise featured the legendary ensemble cast of Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade, and Rob Schneider. Bringing this gang back for a third outing - even without the original theatrical studio - feels like Netflix playing to its strongest hand. Sandler's Netflix partnership has already delivered hits like Murder Mystery and Happy Gilmore 2, so expectations are sky-high.
Ben Stiller Leads A Matter of Time - A Heavenly Rom-Com?
On the dramatic side, Netflix announced A Matter of Time, starring Ben Stiller, Nicholas Galitzine, and Bella Maclean, directed by Harry Bradbeer (known for Killing Eve and Fleabag). The film follows an unlikely angel sent from heaven to convince a reclusive man to give up his life for the greater good. When the man agrees, his impending death triggers an unexpected new lease on life - and a romance that threatens to change the course of history. It sounds like About Time meets It's a Wonderful Life, and honestly? We're intrigued.
Bridgerton Creator Chris Van Dusen's Calabasas and Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar
On the TV side, Netflix dropped four major new series announcements. First up: Calabasas, a new YA drama from Bridgerton creator Chris Van Dusen. Set at an elite private school in Calabasas, the series follows the headmaster's ambitious daughter who falls for a boy determined to burn down her glittering world. It's giving Gossip Girl meets Succession energy, and Van Dusen's track record with lush, addictive storytelling makes this a must-watch.
Netflix also extended its partnership with thriller king Harlan Coben, who's already responsible for hits like The Stranger and Fool Me Once. His new series, Myron Bolitar, follows a former NBA player who reinvents himself as a sports agent after an injury ends his basketball dreams. If you've read Coben's book series, you know Myron Bolitar is one of the sharpest, wittiest characters in modern crime fiction - and this adaptation has been years in the making.
Nick Cannon Docuseries and The Retrievals
In unscripted territory, Netflix greenlit a docuseries following Nick Cannon as he raises 12 kids from six different mothers. Expected to arrive in winter 2026, this will undoubtedly be one of the most talked-about shows of the year. Love it or judge it, Cannon's life is undeniably compelling TV.
On the scripted side, The Retrievals is a series inspired by a New York Times podcast by Susan Burton. It tells the harrowing true story of nearly 100 women who were operated on without anesthesia at Yale Fertility Center - because a nurse stole their fentanyl. Produced by Margot Robbie's LuckyChap Entertainment with Molly Smith Metzler (Maid, Sirens) as showrunner, this is shaping up to be one of Netflix's most impactful dramas yet.
The Bottom Line
Netflix's 2026 upfronts show the streamer isn't slowing down. From Adam Sandler's nostalgic Grown Ups 3 to Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar and Chris Van Dusen's Calabasas, the lineup is packed with recognizable names and fresh stories. Plus, Netflix even scored the broadcast rights to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show when it returns to NYC in early 2027 - proving the platform is thinking about every kind of audience.
What are you most excited about? Drop your picks in the comments - and don't forget to bookmark this page, because we'll be tracking release dates as they drop.
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