Netflix's November 2026 lineup brings together an exciting mix of new releases, including Fool Night, the dystopian anime from Sunrise and Shaft; The Blue Road, a cross-border crime thriller connecting Japan and South Korea; and The Body, an unsettling coming-of-age horror drama. On the film side, Cannes award winner The President's Cake and Heartland, starring Jessica Chastain, are also set to arrive.
With such a rich lineup this autumn, November gets a special BIG 5 selection. From international dramas and films to anime and reality shows, this guide highlights 30 titles by genre, including notable overseas Netflix releases that have yet to be confirmed for Japan.
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🔥 Scheduled for release on Netflix in November 2026 | A Bountiful Fall: This Month's BIG5
November brings such a rich variety of releases that choosing just one genre would be a waste. This month's BIG 5 spans five very different worlds: a young girl's journey under a dictatorship, a teen horror story where guilt and the supernatural collide, a mystery shaped by music and disappearance, a cross-border criminal investigation, and a future where humans can be turned into plants.
This month, the usual BIG 4 expands to a special BIG 5. Here are five standout picks from Netflix's November 2026 lineup.
The President's Cake | For the President's Birthday, a Young Girl Desperately Gathers Ingredients for the Cake
- Release Date:November 10, 2026
- Original title:The President's Cake
- Country:Iraq
- Genres:Film / Drama, Social Commentary, Coming-of-Age
【Synopsis】
In the 1990s, Iraq was suffering from shortages of supplies due to economic sanctions. At school, nine-year-old Ramia was assigned the task of making a cake to celebrate President Saddam Hussein’s birthday. It was a time when even obtaining ingredients was difficult. Ramia set out for town with her friends, where she encountered various adults.
【Highlights】 The feature directorial debut of Hasan Hadi, winner of the Caméra d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Through a child's eyes, the film captures everyday life and injustice under a dictatorship. After its Japanese theatrical release in July 2026, the film comes to Netflix. Rather than a sweeping tale of heroism, it follows one young girl's journey to find the ingredients for a birthday cake.
The Body | A Dance Team Initiation Spirals into a Town-Wide Nightmare
- Release Date:November 11, 2026
- Original title:The Body
- Country:United States
- Genres:Drama / Coming-of-Age, Mystery, Horror
- Episodes:8
【Synopsis】
A dance team made up of girls who attend a Catholic school. On Halloween night, a ritual held to welcome new members takes an unexpected turn, and the girls begin to be plagued by visions of ghosts and ominous premonitions. Eventually, the mysterious events spread beyond the school grounds.
【Highlights】 A coming-of-age horror series from Quinn Shephard, who also worked on Under the Bridge. Religious guilt, teenage friendship and rivalry, and supernatural terror collide in a story shaped by the intense dynamics of a school dance team. Its echoes of 2000s teen movies add another intriguing layer.
Heartland | A Former Country Star Searches for Her Missing Niece in Nashville
- Release Date:November 13, 2026
- Original title:Heartland
- Country:United States
- Genres:Movies / Mystery, Suspense, Music
【Synopsis】
Misty Jones (Jessica Chastain), once a star of the country music world, had stepped away from the spotlight to live a quiet life. However, when her niece—a rising star in her own right—goes missing, she decides to return to Nashville. The closer she gets to uncovering the secrets hidden behind the glitz of the music industry, the more her own past comes to light.
【Highlights】 Jessica Chastain, who won the Academy Award for Best Actress, stars in the film and does her own singing. Garrett Hedlund and Ross Lynch also co-star. Set in the world of country music, this gripping mystery has another intriguing element: how the songs will weave into the unfolding story.
The Blue Road | Son Suk-ku and Eita Nagayama Unravel a Cross-Border Serial Murder Mystery
- Release Date:November 20, 2026
- Original title:푸른길 (Pureungil)
- Country:Republic of Korea
- Genres:Drama / Crime, Suspense, Investigation
【Synopsis】
A series of bizarre murders, each accompanied by mysterious messages, has occurred in South Korea and Japan. Detectives from both countries decide to collaborate on the investigation, and as they follow the clues, they begin to see a connection between the cases that spans national borders. However, the truth was hiding closer to home than anyone could have imagined.
【Highlights】 Starring Son Suk-ku and Eita Nagayama, this crime thriller is based on a manga and helmed by Han Jun-hee, known for D.P. As two detectives from different countries work together to solve a shared mystery, what will they uncover? The cross-border investigation and the clash of languages and cultures add another layer of intrigue.
Fool Night | A Dystopia Depicted by Sunrise and Shaft: A Future Where Humans Turn Into Plants
- Release Date:November 26, 2026
- Original Work:Kasumi Yasuda, “Fool Night”
- Country:Japan
- Genres:Anime / Science Fiction, Drama, Dystopia
【Synopsis】
In a future where thick clouds blanket the Earth and nearly all plant life has died, humanity survives by producing a small amount of oxygen through tenka, a process that transforms humans into plants. Struggling to make ends meet, Toshiro Kamiya (voiced by Koki Uchiyama) considers undergoing the transformation, while Yomiko Horai (voiced by Minako Kotobuki) is involved in the process. Their paths cross in a world that raises a fundamental question about the value of human life.
【Highlights】 Sunrise and Shaft join forces for the first time to adapt Kasumi Yasuda's manga, with Atsushi Yukawa directing and Jin Tanaka handling series composition. This dystopian sci-fi story asks what it means to be human in a society that survives by turning people into plants. How will the two studios bring its distinctive world to life? All episodes arrive on Netflix worldwide on November 26.
"Fool Night," a manga originally created by Kasumi Yasuda. Set in a world where "Transfloration"—a phenomenon that transforms humans into plants—exists, this science fiction work explores the meaning of life.
Why not take your time to fully appreciate the unique world depicted in the anime through the original manga as well?
View Volume 1 of the original manga "Fool Night" on Amazon →
Beyond the BIG 5, the rest of the lineup unfolds by genre. There are returning spy thrillers, acclaimed Korean films, inventive animated adventures, and documentaries exploring the worlds of music and photography.
📺 International Series | Returning Spies, a Royal Finale, and True-Crime-Inspired Drama
The spies of Black Doves are back, while The Empress returns for its final season. Elsewhere, the lineup stretches from an Arctic-set comedy and a Spanish crime drama to a series inspired by a massive cryptocurrency fraud scandal.
Black Doves Season 2 | Keira Knightley’s Spy Returns for Another Dangerous Mission
📅 Release Date: November 5, 2026
【Synopsis】
Helen (Keira Knightley) leads a double life as a politician's wife and an informant for a covert organization. With her husband Wallace preparing to become prime minister, her secrets are more dangerous than ever. Meanwhile, her old friend Sam (Ben Whishaw), a professional assassin, is drawn into another web of intrigue.
【Highlights】
The second season of this British spy thriller. With new cast members, including Neve Campbell, joining the show, Helen and Sam’s bond faces new challenges. The series captivates with its unique style, blending politics, romance, and betrayal with dark humor and suspense.
✨ More Must-Watch International TV Shows
North of North, Season 2 (Canadian Drama)
📅 Release Date: November 5, 2026
Set in a small town in Canada’s Arctic Circle, this comedy centers on a young woman navigating life while grappling with a new job, family relationships, and romance. Through the hustle and bustle and warmth of everyday life, the show also offers a glimpse into life and culture in the Arctic Circle.
📺Watch "North of North" on Netflix
The Empress, Season 3 (German Drama)
📅 Release Date: November 12, 2026
Emperor Franz (Philip Froissant) returns from war carrying deep emotional scars, while his wife Elisabeth (Devrim Lingnau) struggles to protect their marriage and fulfill her responsibilities to the empire. The popular historical romance reaches its final chapter in Season 3.
📺Watch "The Empress" on Netflix
Murder in Galicia (Spanish Drama)
📅 Release Date: November 13, 2026
A crime drama inspired by a real-life incident in Spain. An investigator, suspecting that a domestic incident may have been part of a larger scheme, pursues the truth while facing opposition and preconceived notions from those around him. This mystery, based on a true story, revolves around overlooked warning signs of danger.
📺Watch "Murder in Galicia" on Netflix
The Altruists (American TV Series)
📅 Release Date: November 19, 2026
Set against the backdrop of the bankruptcy and massive fraud at the global cryptocurrency exchange FTX, this drama portrays the ideals, ambitions, and downfall of young entrepreneurs. Starring Julia Garner and Anthony Boyle, it explores how money and power can cloud people’s judgment.
📺Watch "The Altruists" on Netflix
🎭 Variety & Reality | Serious Comedy Showdowns and Battle of Wits
Japan's Last One Standing returns with a new format, challenging comedians to survive through the power of storytelling. South Korea's The Devil's Plan is also back for Season 3, while Love Village continues the romantic journeys that began in October.
Talk Survivor! DEAD or LAUGH | Chidori and 29 Comedians: If You Don't Make Them Laugh, You're Out Immediately
📅 Release Date: November 10, 2026
【Synopsis】
Led by Chidori, a group of comedians engage in a talk battle using their personal anecdotes as weapons. Under the harsh rule that anyone who fails to make the audience laugh is eliminated, unexpected stories emerge one after another against the backdrop of a dramatic world.
【Highlights】
In addition to a total of 29 comedians, the drama segments feature an all-star cast of actors. The theme song is “Hanataba” by Sambomaster and Aina the End. This combination of comedy, drama, and music showcases a new side of the series. The series consists of 8 episodes.
✨ Another Must-Watch Variety and Reality Show
The Devil's Plan Season 3 (South Korean Reality Series)
📅 Release Date: November 10, 2026
A popular South Korean survival show where contestants from diverse backgrounds face off using their wits and psychological tactics. In a game where logic alone isn’t enough to win, the question is: Who will they team up with, and when will they betray them? The new season promises another round of shifting alliances, betrayals, and psychological battles.
📺Watch "The Devil's Scheme: Devil's Plan" on Netflix
📌 Upcoming Releases
Love Village Season 3 (Episodes 21–23) (November 3) | The dating reality series featuring older adults continues from October, with Episodes 21–23 arriving on November 3.
🎬 Movies & Documentaries | A Journey into the Worlds of Love, Society, Photography, War, and Music
The lineup of films ranges from Japanese romances that invite viewers to reflect on life to Korean dramas, documentaries about photographers who changed the world, and stories of athletes whose lives were upended by war. There are also films that get you in the Christmas spirit early.
One Year to Live, Buy a Man | Ko Shibasaki and Eiji Akaso in an Unconventional Love Story
📅 Release Date: November 5, 2026
【Synopsis】
Yui Katakura (Kou Shibasaki), a 40-year-old woman who has always led a steady life, is suddenly told she has only one year left to live. Just as Yui begins to think she no longer needs to scrimp and save, she meets Sena (Eiji Akaso), a host with pink hair. Their relationship begins to unfold from an unexpected agreement in which she “buys” him.
【Highlights】
Based on Toriko Yoshikawa's novel, this adaptation brings together director Hiroki Kazama, known for silent, and screenwriter Yoshikazu Okada. The film approaches the weighty subject of a terminal diagnosis with warmth, humor, and an unconventional take on adult relationships.
Based on the novel of the same name by Toriko Yoshikawa. The story depicts the strange relationship between a woman who has been given one year to live and a host who appears before her.
If the movie made you curious about how these two characters live their lives, why not check out the original novel? The linked edition is in Japanese.
View One Year to Live, Buy a Man (Japanese Edition) on Amazon →
Possible Love | Lee Chang-dong Returns After Eight Years with a Story of Two Couples
📅 Release Date: November 6, 2026
【Synopsis】
Miok (Jeon Do-yeon), who lives with her unemployed husband, meets documentary director Ye-ji (Cho Yo-jeong) after attending a funeral. As the two couples—whose financial situations and values differ—become more involved in each other’s lives, they are forced to confront the desires they have been ignoring and the cracks in their relationships.
【Highlights】
Acclaimed director Lee Chang-dong, known for Burning and Poetry, returns with his first film in eight years. Starring Jeon Do-yeon and Sul Kyung-gu, this Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize winner at the Venice Film Festival takes a quietly penetrating look at the complexities of human emotion.
Avedon | Ron Howard Explores the Vision of a Photographer Who Changed an Era
📅 Release Date: November 11, 2026
【Synopsis】
From fashion icons to politicians and ordinary people, Richard Avedon is known for his portrait photography that delves into the inner lives of his subjects. Through rare photographs, archival footage, and testimonies from those who knew him, this program traces the life of a photographer who left an indelible mark on 20th-century visual culture.
【Highlights】
Directed by Ron Howard, known for films such as *Apollo 13*. This documentary, produced with special access to Avedon’s personal archive, prompts viewers to reflect on how a single photograph can shape the spirit of an era. It’s a must-see for photography enthusiasts.
"In the American West" is a seminal photo book featuring portraits of people Avedon met in the American West.
Through 103 black-and-white photographs, you can explore the perspective of a photographer you may have discovered in a documentary.
View the photo book "In the American West" (40th Anniversary Edition) on Amazon →
The Mosquito Bowl | College Football Stars Who Headed to the Battlefield
📅 Release Date: November 25, 2026
【Synopsis】
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, young stars of American college football put their sporting careers aside and enlisted in the Marines. As they prepared for the brutal invasion of Okinawa, they took part in a legendary football game alongside their fellow servicemen. For many, it would be the last game they ever played.
【Highlights】
Based on the book by nonfiction writer Buzz Bissinger, this film was directed by Peter Berg. Starring Nicholas Galitzine and Bill Skarsgård, it depicts the friendship among young men on the eve of the Battle of Okinawa and the futures that were taken away by the war.
Based on the nonfiction book *The Mosquito Bowl: A Game of Life and Death in World War II* by Buzz Bissinger. This book traces the fates of young men bound together by football during World War II.
For those who want to learn more about the real-life events behind the movie. *English version*
View the original book, "The Mosquito Bowl," on Amazon →
✨ Another Must-See Movie
Guarding Stars (American film)
📅 Release Date: November 18, 2026
A composed, no-nonsense bodyguard is assigned to protect a popular action star over the Christmas holidays. She intends to keep things strictly professional, but unexpected events gradually change their relationship. Starring Leighton Meester and Jared Padalecki, this romantic comedy is based on Katherine Center's novel The Bodyguard (English edition).
Also appearing in the film is Noah LaLonde, who plays Cole in the Netflix series My Life with the Walter Boys. For more on the show's characters and story, see the My Life with the Walter Boys series guide.
📺Watch “Guarding Stars” on Netflix
🎬 This one will also be available starting in November
・A Dog's Perfect Christmas (November 4) | A heartwarming holiday drama about a family spending Christmas with their dog. Featuring Dennis Quaid and others.
・The Child (November 27) | Set in 1980s Spain, this drama follows a mother grieving the accidental death of her young son and the boy's grandfather, who struggles to come to terms with the loss.
🎨 Anime & Animation | A Mechanical Western and a New Fairy Tale
Alongside BIG 5 pick Fool Night, the anime lineup includes Bass X Machina, a steampunk Western set in a lawless frontier, and Steps, a fresh take on Cinderella told from the perspective of her stepsisters. The Japanese animated feature Toritsukare Otoko also joins Netflix this November.
Bass X Machina | A Father's Fight for His Family in a Lawless Steampunk West
📅 Release Date: November 3, 2026
【Synopsis】
A steampunk-style Wild West where outlaws, machines, and supernatural threats run rampant. To protect his family, a father named Bass ventures into the wilderness as a vigilante. However, the choices he makes in the name of justice may end up hurting the very people he seeks to protect.
【Highlights】
An animated series for adults inspired by the real-life sheriff Bass Reeves. The creative team behind titles such as "Devil May Cry" brings to life a world that blends science fiction and the Western genre. Brian Tyree Henry serves as a voice actor and executive producer.
Steps | Cinderella's Stepsisters Take Center Stage in a Fairy Tale Turned Upside Down
📅 Release Date: November 20, 2026
【Synopsis】
Lilith, Cinderella’s stepsister, has always been relegated to a supporting role in the Cinderella story. When she and her younger sister, Margo, steal a magic wand and attempt to take over the kingdom’s ball, the fairy-tale world itself begins to crumble. A new villain seizes the throne, forcing Lilith to join forces with her former rival, Cinderella.
【Highlights】
A new Netflix animated film that reimagines the classic Cinderella story from the villain’s perspective. In addition to Lilith (voiced by Ali Wong) and Cinderella (voiced by Amanda Seyfried), the cast includes Stephanie Soo and Daniel Radcliffe. Along with this star-studded voice cast, the film’s music—including a song by BLACKPINK’s JENNIE—is also worth noting. Voice actor names listed are from the English-language cast.
✨ Another Must-See Anime Movie
Toritsukare Otoko (Japanese Animated Film)
📅 Release Date: November 7, 2026
Giuseppe (voiced by Masaya Sano) is a young man who becomes so absorbed in whatever catches his interest that he loses sight of everything else. When he meets Pechka (voiced by Moka Kamishiraishi), a girl carrying emotional scars, an unusual romance begins. Based on Shinji Ishii's novel, this animated film tells a mysterious and heartwarming story about how sincere feelings can gradually reach another person's heart.
The novel *The Obsessed Man* by Shinji Ishii. This story depicts the encounter between Giuseppe, a young man who can’t stop once he becomes absorbed in something, and Petika, a girl with emotional scars.
You can also enjoy this mysterious and heartwarming world—woven from sincere yet clumsy emotions—in the novel.
View "Toritsukare Otoko" on Amazon →
🌐 Upcoming Titles to Watch Overseas (Release Date in Japan TBD)
Here are the titles that have been announced for release on Netflix overseas in November 2026, but for which we have not yet confirmed a simultaneous release in Japan. The release schedule and availability in Japan are subject to change.
Gentle Monster (Original Title) | A pianist played by Léa Seydoux sees her daily life unravel amid suspicions about her husband
📅 Scheduled International Release Date: November 18, 2026
*Distribution in Japan has not been confirmed at this time.
【Synopsis】
Concert pianist Lucy (Léa Seydoux) moves to the countryside with her husband Philip (Laurence Rupp), hoping the change of scenery will help him recover from severe burnout. But just as they begin settling into their new home, an unexpected police visit throws their lives into turmoil. Faced with disturbing questions about her husband, Lucy begins to doubt everything she thought she knew.
【Highlights】
Directed by Marie Kreutzer, known for Corsage, and featuring Catherine Deneuve. When confronted with a side of a loved one you never knew existed, what do you believe? This intriguing psychological drama also features a musician as the protagonist.
✨ There Are Still More Notable International Films to Check Out
- Will Trent Seasons 1–4 (November 3) | A crime drama following an investigator whose exceptional powers of observation help him solve complex cases. Earlier seasons are being added to Netflix in the United States.
- Tyler Perry's The Gospel of Christmas (November 11) | A Christmas musical film from Tyler Perry, telling a heartfelt story through the uplifting sounds of gospel music.
- Alicia's Law (Part 1: November 11 / Part 2: December 9) | A new Mexican adaptation of the popular legal drama The Good Wife, exploring the challenges of a lawyer whose professional and personal lives become increasingly intertwined.
- Always on Call (November 26) | A Norwegian medical drama following people working in emergency medical services, capturing both the pressure of saving lives and the human stories behind the profession.
- The Hunting Wives Season 2 (November 26) | The American suspense drama returns with another tangled web of secrets, desires, and murder, as its complicated relationships take new turns.
- The Hunchback, Soul of Paris (November 27) | Starring Vincent Cassel, this French film offers a fresh perspective on the story of Quasimodo.
📅 List of Upcoming Netflix Releases for November 2026
We've compiled the titles scheduled for release in Japan in November, as featured in this article, in chronological order. You can click on a title to jump to the relevant section. For titles confirmed to be available only internationally, please see the "International Releases" section above.
- 📅 November 3 |Aino-sato Season 3 (Episodes 21–23)(Japan / Dating Reality Show—Episodes 21–23)
- 📅 November 3 |Bass X Machina: Bass X Machina(American Animation / Sci-Fi & Western)
- 📅 November 4 |The Goth Family's W!ndful Christmas(American Movie / Christmas Family)
- 📅 November 5 |Black Doves Season 2(British Drama / Spy Thriller)
- 📅 November 5 |North of North Season 2(Canadian Drama / Comedy-Drama)
- 📅 November 5 |A Man with One Year to Live(Japanese Film / Drama)
- 📅 November 6 |Love in Case of Emergency(South Korean Film / Drama)
- 📅 November 7 |The Haunted Man(Japanese Animated Film / Romance, Fantasy)
- 📅 November 10 |The President's Cake(Iraqi Film / Drama)
- 📅 November 10 |The Devil's Scheme: Devil's Plan—Season 3(South Korean Reality Show / Brain Survival)
- 📅 November 10 |Talk Survivor! DEAD or LAUGH(Japanese Variety/Comedy)
- 📅 November 11 |Avedon(American Film / Documentary)
- 📅 November 11 |The Body—Our Cross—(American TV Series / Teen Horror)
- 📅 November 12 |The Empress Season 3(German Drama / Historical Romance)
- 📅 November 13 |Murder in Galicia(Spanish Drama / Crime Mystery)
- 📅 November 13 |Heartland(American Film / Music & Mystery)
- 📅 November 18 |Guarding Star(American Film / Christmas Romance)
- 📅 November 19 |The Altruists(American TV Series / Based on a True Story / Crime)
- 📅 November 20 |Purungil – The Blue Path –(Korean Drama / Crime Thriller)
- 📅 November 20 |Steps(American Animated Film / Fantasy)
- 📅 November 25 |Mosquito Bowl(American Film / War / Based on a True Story)
- 📅 November 26 |Fool Night(Japanese Anime / Science Fiction & Dystopia)
- 📅 November 27 |El Niño(Spanish Film / Drama)
*Streaming information is current as of October 2026. Titles, release dates, and regions may be subject to change. Please check the official Netflix pages for each title or official announcements for the latest information.
Summary | November 2026: A Bountiful Autumn of Discovering New Worlds
Netflix’s November lineup features a diverse range of titles with vastly different settings and themes, from the everyday life in Iraq depicted in *The President’s Cake* to the Japan-South Korea joint investigation in *Purungil: The Blue Road*, the unsettling coming-of-age story in *The Body: Our Cross*, and the futuristic society portrayed in *Fool’s Night*.
In the film *Heartland*, country music is intertwined with a missing persons case, while *Love in a Flash* depicts the fragility of human relationships through the lives of two couples. On the other hand, there are also films that might make you want to explore genres you don’t usually watch, such as “Avedon,” which follows the life of a photographer, and “Lilith and Cinderella’s Fairy-Tale Kingdom,” in which Cinderella’s stepsister drives the story forward.
Whether you want to enjoy the latest installment in a popular series or dive into a title you’ve never heard of before, the choice is yours. Why not add an unexpected title to your watchlist this fall?
You May Also Like
- Summary of Upcoming Netflix Releases for October 2026 | East of Eden, Lupin Part 4, and More
- Prime Video October 2026 Releases | Carrie, The Terminal List Season 2, and More Notable Titles
- Fall 2026 Movie Guide | Must-See Releases in Japan from September to November
Bob’s Shelf brings together things connected to the works and articles featured on Bob’s Toy Box.
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"The Body," "The Blue Road," "Black Doves," "Last One Standing: DEAD or LAUGH," "One Year to Live, Buy a Man," "Bass X Machina," "Steps" © Netflix, Inc. "Heartland" Photo: Tina Rowden / Netflix. "Possible Love" Courtesy of Netflix © 2026. "Avedon" Photo: Bruce Weber. "The Mosquito Bowl" Photo: Kane Skennar / Netflix. "Gentle Monster" © Frédéric Batier / Film AG.
*The information on this page is current as of October 2026. Please check the official Netflix website or official announcements for each title for the latest streaming information. Release dates, titles, and regions of availability are subject to change. For titles available internationally, same-day release in Japan has not been confirmed. This article contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Bob’s Toy Box earns from qualifying purchases.
