Five Netflix releases to keep an eye out for this week
The dread of the standard workweek is fading by the day, and Netflix is largely to thank for transforming the routine into an evolving, immersive entertainment experience.
With a steady stream of engaging originals, every day brings a new adventure, whether you want to play detective, dive into deep academic rabbit holes, expand your knowledge of history, or simply leap across a portal to disconnect from reality.
While Netflix has already checked off all those with its July lineup so far, that doesn’t mean the streamer plans to hit the brakes anytime soon. If anything, the mantra of the month is: make room for more.
So, for those waiting with their notepads out, here’s an overview of the five Netflix releases to keep an eye out for this week.
Five Netflix releases to watch out for this week
The Hawk (Jonathan Watson, 2026)
Netflix is planning to start the week with a platter of funny bones with The Hawk, marking Will Ferrell’s first television comedy. Releasing on July 16th, the sports comedy series tells the story of a washed-up former world champion golfer, Lonnie “The Hawk” Hawkins, who refuses to retire. Obsessed with completing a career Grand Slam, the fading golf superstar from 2004 orchestrates a chaotic comeback that’s anything but easy.
Besides overcoming his own family’s doubts, Hawkins must battle highly skilled young athletic stars, including his own son, Lance, golf’s new golden boy. The Hawk follows his journey of pushing back against all odds, most importantly, his ego, despite struggles with his body that screams quit, as he drags everyone he loves into his wild rollercoaster ride, inviting equal parts criticism, comedy, and applause.
23 000 Lives (Markus Goller, 2026)
Scheduled to arrive on July 17th, 23 000 Lives is a touching German drama, inspired by the true story of Jugend rettet, AKA Youth to the Rescue, during the Mediterranean refugee crisis. The activist group, comprising young, inexperienced members, were driven by a desire to change things about the rising death toll as countless people lost their lives in the sea trying to reach Europe.
The film details how, despite a lack of sea experience, Youth to the Rescue launched a crowdfunding campaign to buy an old ship and save hundreds of thousands of lives, refusing to sit back and watch innocents die. However, what starts as a rescue mission soon evolves into a perilous journey, testing their morals and ideals of law and justice as the mission sparked by hope is confronted with back-to-back reality checks.
Heartstopper Forever (Wash Westmoreland, 2026)
The highly anticipated feature-length finale, Heartstopper Forever, the upcoming bittersweet coming-of-age send-off for Heartstopper series fans, is finally making its way to Netflix on July 17th. So, if you’re one, you’d better be here for it before the spoilers pour in. The movie is set to conclude the fan-favourite story of Nick Nelson and Charlie Spring, picking up immediately after the third season finale.
Heartstopper Forever follows the inseparable couple as they navigate the harsh realities of long-distance romance when Nick prepares to leave their hometown for university, and Charlie finds new independence at school, forcing the boys to face never-before-seen challenges. In addition to Nick and Charlie, the Netflix film focuses on the wider friends’ group as they confront the fleeting shortcomings of growing up, shifting dynamics, and moving on.
The East Palace (Choi Jung-kyu, 2026)
Also arriving on July 17th is the long-awaited horror K-drama The East Palace on Netflix. The supernatural drama series follows Gu-cheon, a ghost-slaying swordsman, who can penetrate the world of the dead and living, and Saeng-gang, a court lady born with the ability to hear the dead, as they’re summoned to uncover the mystery behind the strange events plaguing the royal palace after the crown prince’s death.
The East Palace follows the duo as they investigate the Crown Prince’s palace, battling evil entities and navigating the dangerous voices of the spirit realm, amidst the constant surveillance of the divisive king, who seems unusually difficult to read. The fantasy K-drama series captures Gu-cheon and Saeng-gang’s treacherous journey through a world where power, hidden histories, and restless spirits are connected with a deadly curse.
The Map of Longing (Laura M Campos and Gemma Ferraté, 2026)
Finally, wrapping up the highlights of the week is the Spanish limited series, The Map of Longing, based on Alice Kellen’s novel. The emotional drama follows Greta, who loses her sister Lucy in a tragic turn of events, putting an inconclusive end to the only purpose in her life: being Lucy’s stem-cell donor. Completely torn apart by grief, Greta turns to “The Map of Longing,” a board game Lucy specifically created for her.
Although designed for entertainment, The Map of Longing becomes a guiding light in Greta’s life. It not only pushes her down a road of self-discovery but also to confront her deepest fears and find healing in the process. Along this journey of personal growth, The Map of Longing also captures how people can make way for love once they start loving themselves for who they are, exploring the power of self-belief in a world that doesn’t fail to doubt.