Ralph Fiennes has been on a remarkable run lately, from playing Roald Dahl in Wes Anderson's shorts to starring in the 28 Years Later franchise. But one of his most poignant recent films, the World War I drama The Choral, has quietly built a following—and now it's set to find a massive new audience on Netflix.
Directed by Nicholas Hytner, The Choral premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2025 and had a theatrical release in the UK later that year, grossing $10 million. It currently holds a 66% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising Fiennes' performance while noting the film's sprawling ensemble. The site's consensus reads: 'Despite sharp dialogue and a stellar turn from Ralph Fiennes, The Choral struggles to harmonize its numerous characters and themes, resulting in a well-meaning but emotionally scattered drama.'
Set against the backdrop of World War I, the film stars Fiennes as a choirmaster who recruits townsfolk to express dissent through music. It's a quiet, stirring story that echoes the emotional resonance of The Dig, the 2021 Netflix Original starring Fiennes and Carey Mulligan about a WWII-era archaeological discovery. Both films share a tender, humanistic approach to history, making The Choral a natural companion piece.
Fiennes' recent filmography is impressively diverse. After his turn in The Dig, he played the mysterious Dr. Ian Kelson in 28 Years Later and its sequel 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Later this year, he'll portray the villainous President Coriolanus Snow in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping—a role that echoes his earlier work directing and starring in Shakespeare's Coriolanus. In 2023, he played Odysseus in The Return, while Matt Damon takes on the same mythological hero in Christopher Nolan's upcoming The Odyssey.
The Choral also features a strong supporting cast, including Roger Allam, Mark Addy, and Simon Russell Beale. While it may not have been a box office blockbuster, it's exactly the kind of film that thrives on streaming—where audiences can discover it at their own pace.
For fans of Fiennes or period dramas with heart, The Choral is a must-watch. It joins Netflix on July 2, 2026, alongside other recent streaming hits like Austin Butler's 'Caught Stealing', which found new life on the platform after a theatrical flop. And if you're looking for more overlooked gems, check out our list of forgotten action shows that deserve a second look.
With Netflix's algorithm and Fiennes' star power, The Choral is poised to become the sleeper hit of summer 2026. Don't miss it.
