Netflix reveals year's content slate at Next on Netflix 2025 including new South African films and series

by Thinus Ferreira

On Thursday Netflix revealed more information about its upcoming slate of films and series for 2025, as well as a sizzle reel in which a character moves through various Netflix content.

"We're not just one thing. We’re the best of film, TV, documentaries, stand-up, animation and live events - and we're doing it in 50 languages," said Bela Bajaria, Netflix's chief content officer.

"We're not afraid to make big bets on compelling voices and new ideas - whether it's a plot twist, an original story, or a big live moment."

"That's what Netflix is all about. Bold choices. Creativity. Surprises. Fandom. Entertaining the world. That's what keeps our members coming back week after week, month after month, year after year. And that's what we'll be doing in 2025."

Netflix's upcoming slate of new South African films include Semi-Soeter, a follow-up of the Afrikaans film Semi-Soet, as a romantic comedy directed by Joshua Rous and produced by Anel Alexander and Zandré Coetzer.

Meet the Khumalos, a new family film, is written, directed and produced by Jayan Moodley who created the Kandasamys family comedy franchise.

A new Afrikaans drama series, Tuiskoms, is also coming to Netflix South Africa and will debut on 28 February, produced by Infinity Films.

A new drama series Go!, produced by Ten30Films with Kutlwano Ditsele as creator and producer will be released on Netflix on 21 March, with directors Thuli Zuma and Tristan Holmes.

The Go! cast includes Thandolwethu Zondi, Wonder Ndlovu, Dawn Thandeka King, Wiseman Ncube and Katlego Danke. 

A third season of Kings of Jo'Burg from Ferguson Films will debut on Netflix in 2025 as well featuring Connie Ferguson and Zolisa Xaluva, as well as the second season of Unseen featuring Gail Mabalane, Dineo Langa, Waldemar Schultz, Ilse Klink and Siv Ngesi.

Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds is a new documentary film.

American Manhunt: Osama Bin Laden is another new documentary series.

Chaos: The Manson Murders is a new documentary film.

Netflix released a clip for Apple Cider Vinegar, a series about two young women who advocate for wellness remedies to cure deadly diseases, who see their lives unravel as they unknowingly - and knowingly - mislead the world:

The unscripted series, Court of Gold, about Serbia's basketball team, got a clip:

Netflix will release the second part of the first season of Tyler Perry's Beauty, and part 3 of the 6th season of Cobra Kai.

Also coming in 2025 are the American historical drama series Death by Lightning, the animated series Death May Cry, the third season of the drama series The Diplomat, as well as new drama series Tyler Perry's She The People.

The documentary film, Eddie, is about Eddie Murphy, while Everybody's Live with John Mulaney is a new weekly talk show which will do live episodes globally from 12 March.

The film The Electric State got a new clip:

Fear Street: Prom Queen is a new film coming to Netflix in 2025, and Forever is a new American drama series:

Frankenstein is a new film, and there will be the third season of Ginny & Georgia.

 

Gone Girls: The Long Island serial killer and Katrina: Come Hell or High Water are two new documentary series also coming to Netflix this year, with Pangolin: Kulu's Journey that is a new documentary film of which this first-look photo was released:

Titan is another new documentary film:

Other new Netflix films include Happy Gilmore 2, Kinda Pregnant, Havoc, R&B, In Your Dreams, RIP and The Woman in Cabin 10.

The Leopard is a new international drama series making its debut in 2025 on Netflix, and it got a trailer:

Tyler Perry's film Madea's Destination Wedding was announced as a tile, and released a first-look photo:

Netflix SA says streamer remains committed to 'create a diverse range of stories across genres' from South Africa, commissioned Soweto Love Story rom-com film and Heart of the Hunter for 2024.

by Thinus Ferreira

Netflix South Africa today again said that the global streaming service remains committed to "create a diverse range of stories across genres" from South Africa for subscribers and announced new film commissions for 2024 including a romantic comedy Soweto Love Story and a spy thriller Heart of the Hunter that will be directed by Mandla Dube.

Netflix Africa held a panel session today in Cape Town at the Fame Week 2023 and MIP Africa conference where the streamer did a preview of its upcoming programming for the remainder of 2023 and 2024.

Most titles were already announced previously but Netflix SA reiterated its "commitment to variety and authenticity" with a South African slate of local films and series.

Although it was a South African panel and public engagement about South African content, Netflix notably gave the information and press release to American publications including Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter and Variety who all published before 16:00, before its PR company Eclipse Communications sent out an email blast with the press release at 16:00 on Monday afternoon to South African media.

The already-known new and returning series from Netflix SA showcased at the event were Miseducation, the new series from Burnt Onion Productions making its debut on 15 September following Mbali Hadebe (Buntu Petse) as a university student.

There's also YOH' Christmas as a new holiday series which will be released in late 2023, produced by Johnny Barbuzano, Tiffany Barbuzano and Morishe Matlejoane for BBZEE Productions.

The teen drama series Blood and Water set in Cape Town from Gambit Films will launch its fourth season in the first quarter of 2024, and the second season of Savage Beauty produced by Quizzical Pictures will be on Netflix in 2024.

Meanwhile production will start soon on the third season of the reality series Young, Famous & African.

Feature film wise the next film in the Kandasamy film series, Kandasamys: The Baby will premiere on Netflix on 20 October from writer and director Jayan Moodley.

Director Mandla Dube is behind the camera for the spy thriller Heart of the Hunter which is based on the novel by Deon Meyer. Heart of the Hunter is the first film that forms part of a 3-film deal between Netflix and Mandla Dube. The film will launch on Netflix in the first quarter of 2024. 

Soweto Love Story is a romantic comedy feature set in the heart of Johannesburg's famous township which will also be released on Netflix in the first quarter of 2024.

In terms of local partnerships with filmmakers and production companies Netflix said that it's working with Akin Omotoso and Ochre Media for a multiple-title books adaptation partnership, as well as with director Donovan Marsh on a 3-film partnership.

Netflix continues to work with Gambit Films on a multi-title partnership across various genres and formats which include series and films.

With Jayan Moodley Netflix has signed a new 3-film partnership as well which starts with Kandasamys: The Baby which is currently in production.

Stained Glass Productions with Gugu Zuma-Ncube and Pepsi Pokane also has a multi-title book adaptation partnership with Netflix Africa across a variety of genres. 

Meanwhile producers Mandla Ngcongwane and Mpumelelo Nhlapo and their Black Brain Pictures production company also have a Netflix partnership for films and series.

In a supplied quote, Ben Amadasun, Netflix’s vice president of content for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, says "We are incredibly excited to continue with our investment in South African storytelling and to expand our relationships with these amazing storytellers".

"These long-term partnerships with local filmmakers have enabled us to uncover unique perspectives and diverse stories from South Africa to entertain our more than 238 million members around the world. This is why we’re committed to investing in South Africa’s creative industry and showcasing the incredible talent the country has to offer."