Netflix Expands Lee Chang-Dong Catalogue Following 'Possible Love' Venice Win

Key points

• Lee Chang-Dong’s 'Possible Love' won the Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival on September 12, 2026.
• Netflix announced the global streaming of all six of Lee’s prior features, including 'Green Fish,' 'Peppermint Candy,' 'Oasis,' 'Secret Sunshine,' 'Poetry,' and 'Burning,' to boost visibility for the new release.
• The film, which marks Lee’s first feature in eight years, is South Korea’s official submission for the Best International Feature category at the 99th Academy Awards.
• Theatrical releases begin in South Korea on September 23, followed by select markets in October, with a global Netflix premiere on November 6.
• The film reunites Lee with actors Jeon Do-yeon and Sul Kyung-gu, who previously starred in his award-winning works 'Secret Sunshine' and 'Peppermint Candy'/'Oasis'.

Background

Our earlier coverage from September 7 noted that 'Possible Love' premiered at Venice to a six-minute standing ovation, described as a 164-minute political drama exploring class tensions through the lives of two intersecting couples. At that time, Netflix was already positioning the film as a potential masterpiece and a strong Oscar contender, with a fall festival circuit and a November global release already planned. The current news confirms the success of that strategy with the Silver Lion win and the subsequent expansion of the director’s back catalog.

How outlets are covering it

Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter (THR) both emphasize the strategic rollout of Lee Chang-Dong’s entire filmography on Netflix as a direct response to the Venice win. THR highlights the historical significance of the award, noting it is the first Silver Lion for a Korean film since Kim Ki-duk’s 'Pieta' in 2012. Netflix’s own Tudum coverage focuses more on the artistic merit of 'Possible Love,' describing it as a 'meditation on connection, class, and desire,' and highlights the reunion of Lee with his longtime collaborators. While Deadline notes the varying availability of the older films by country, THR provides a more detailed timeline of the staggered releases, specifying that 'Green Fish' and 'Secret Sunshine' launched in late August, while 'Peppermint Candy' and 'Oasis' followed on September 4. All sources agree on the November 6 global streaming date for 'Possible Love' and its status as the Korean Oscar submission.

Why it matters

The expansion of Lee Chang-Dong’s catalogue on Netflix signals a major push for the 2026 awards season, leveraging the director’s prestige to drive subscribers to his new work. The Silver Lion win validates the film’s critical reception and strengthens its chances for an Oscar nomination, while the global availability of his back catalog offers cinephiles a comprehensive look at one of Korean cinema’s most acclaimed bodies of work.

What to watch

Theatrical releases for 'Possible Love' continue in Australia and New Zealand on October 22, and in the UK, Japan, US, and Canada on October 23. The global Netflix premiere is scheduled for November 6. The film will also premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and the New York Film Festival. The outcome of the Best International Feature Oscar nomination will be announced in late 2026.