Extraordinary Crime Mysteries, Mythical Worlds and High-Stakes Psychological Thrillers: Inside Netflix's 2026 Chinese-Language Slate

Chinese-language stories on Netflix are resonating with a broader audience than ever before. Over the past year, series such as The Resurrected and I Am Married... But! quickly rose to the top of local charts and sustained strong Top 10 performances across Asia.

At the same time, Born for the Spotlight demonstrated the strength of Chinese-language storytelling on the awards stage, sweeping top honors at the Golden Bell Awards and earning a selection at the Busan International Film Festival.

These successes underscore a growing truth: when storytelling is authentically local and emotionally resonant, it connects far beyond borders.

Building on this momentum, our 2026 slate brings together Chinese-language stories from creators and stars across the region. Leaning into bolder concepts and grittier storytelling that push genre and emotional boundaries, the lineup reflects the range of voices shaping Chinese-language entertainment.

"Chinese-language storytelling is singular in its vibrancy, emotional depth, and willingness to explore complex, darker human truths. We're especially excited by stories that take creative risks and immerse audiences in extraordinary worlds and experiences," says Maya Huang, Head of Chinese Language Content, Netflix. "Our goal is to uplift local storytelling while partnering with Taiwan's creative community to expand access to support, training and resources."

A richer, more ambitious slate

This year's lineup showcases the breadth of Chinese-language storytelling, from fantasy spectacles to intimate character dramas, alongside exciting takes on action, mystery and comedy. Across the slate, our creators are exploring tension, scale and narrative momentum. Each title brings together unique voices, strong creative teams, star power and fresh perspectives.

Opening the slate is Million-Follower Detective, headlined by Hong Kong action icon Ekin Cheng in his first Netflix series, marking his highly anticipated return to the spotlight. Led by the creative team behind hit mystery drama Light the Night, the series follows a veteran detective investigating a mysterious online prophet who accurately predicts the murders of several social media personalities. As the case unfolds, it reveals the generational divides of a world increasingly shaped by digital fame, giving the crime and mystery genre a distinctively modern twist.

One of our most awaited releases, Agent from Above is a large-scale action-fantasy adapted from the first book of the popular novel series "The Oracle Comes" by Taiwanese author Teensy. Inspired by Taoist mythology, the series follows a spirit medium (Kai Ko) who must resolve supernatural disturbances to restore balance between the human and demon realms. Brought to life by Taiwan's leading VFX teams, the series is a visual tour de force that delivers spectacular world-building and artistry, setting a new benchmark that stands shoulder to shoulder with high-end fantasy productions globally.

For darker, edgier storytelling, Confessions reunites the creator and principal cast of award-winning box office hit The Pig, The Snake and The Pigeon. Starring Ethan Ruan, Gingle Wang, Chen Yi-wen and more returning cast, the psychological thriller is director-writer Wong Ching-po's first-ever local series, tracing how a violent crime binds three families across generations of buried resentment and moral reckoning.

On the lighter end of the slate, The Fixers - from the director of 96 Minutes - is a fast-paced action-comedy about a down-and-out man (Christopher Lee) who stumbles into a covert network of operatives run by a mysterious, century-old temple. Paired with an arrogant young partner (Shou Lou), he navigates morally tricky assignments and a growing turf war with a rival faction.

Shifting to emergency care, Miracles of the ER brings a grounded, character drama to the slate. Centered on an unconventional new resident (Kent Tsai) who joins a seasoned emergency team led by the associate director (Wallace Huo), the series tackles relentless medical crises, ethical dilemmas, and the emotional demands of caring for patients at the front line.

Stories in the making

Alongside the main slate, the next wave of series is already in production, led by established creators and developed with a strong focus on authenticity and creative excellence.

How to Survive Med School follows freshman students juggling the pressures of medical school, young love, and family expectations. Written and directed by acclaimed creator Giddens Ko, the series is co-directed by Kai Ko - the lead actor in Agent from Above and a Golden Horse Best New Director nominee - and actress turned director Tsai Jia-yin.

Also in production is Pacify (working title), a supernatural sci-fi action thriller about a cynical waitress drawn into a secret exorcism group. The series is helmed by celebrated Hong Kong directors Derek Kwok (Gallants, Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons), Anthony Yan (This Is Not What I Expected) and Henri Wong (Monster Run, The Legend of Wu Kong).

Both series have wrapped principal photography, with premiere dates to be announced.

Investing in the people behind the stories

Since 2020, Netflix has invested in developing Taiwan's creative ecosystem through initiatives such as a multi-month Writers' Room Workshop with Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA), and an inaugural production training program with the Producers Association of Taiwan.

As part of our recent script development program with Yiyi Pictures, six screenwriting interns selected from 330 applicants participated in nearly six months of series development training, as well as courses and exchanges with senior producers, cinematographers, production designers, and actors.

These efforts have strengthened the pipeline of above- and below-the-line talent across the industry, equipping them to work on both local and global productions with international standards.

Netflix also collaborates closely with Taiwanese creators at every stage of the creative journey, from established creators to new voices developing their first long-form projects. Many partnerships and initiatives - including Netflix's recent NT$500,000 Diverse & Inclusive Storytelling Award with the Golden Horse Film Project Promotion (FPP) - begin early in development, giving creators the time, space, and resources to experiment and build stories that reflect Taiwan's creativity and cultural richness.

"As the industry evolves, our focus remains consistent: long-term commitment, creative excellence, and a platform where Chinese-language stories can flourish locally and reach audiences worldwide," says Huang. "Our ambition is to be the destination for Chinese-language entertainment, that takes audiences into unexpected worlds and bold adventures that go beyond the everyday."