2026 TV preview: All the TV shows you need to know, and where to stream them
2025 offered up some truly fantastic TV, but enough about that year! That's in the past, and the future is calling with some tempting streaming options. What shows are barreling down the pipeline in 2026?
The short answer: a lot. 2026 will see the return of several major series, like Bridgerton, Euphoria, The Pitt, and The Boys. This coming year will also usher in not one but two shows set in Westeros, with new series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and Season 3 of House of the Dragon. That's already a spoil of riches, but there's so much more where that came from, including new Marvel and Star Trek shows, and even an animated Stranger Things spin-off.
To help you prepare for the coming storm of TV, Mashable has assembled a guide to some of the hottest titles of 2026. We've also sorted everything by streaming service so you'll know which shows you'll have access to, or which streamer you'll need in order to catch the series that excites you the most. Here are the shows you should check out in 2026.
What's coming to AMC+ in 2026?
Two critical darlings return to AMC this year, and one of them even has a new title. Here, in alphabetical order, are the AMC series to keep an eye out for in 2026.
Dark Winds, Season 4
The critically acclaimed crime thriller Dark Winds returns for its fourth season this February, with the Navajo detective duo of Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon) and Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon) back for another round of mystery solving. Season 4 is based on Tony Hillerman's novel The Ghostway, the sixth in the Leaphorn & Chee series, and it will spend some time outside the Navajo nation in Los Angeles. What will bring Leaphorn and Chee out there, and what new mysteries lie in store for them?
Starring: Zahn McClarnon, Kiowa Gordon, Jessica Matten, Deanna Allison, A Martinez, Franka Potente, Isabel DeRoy-Olson, Chaske Spencer, Luke Barnett, and Titus Welliver
How to watch: Dark Winds Season 4 premieres Feb. 15 at 9 p.m. ET on AMC and AMC+.
The Vampire Lestat (Interview with the Vampire, Season 3)
AMC's exceptional Interview with the Vampire gets a rocking rebrand in Season 3. Now titled The Vampire Lestat, this season focuses on everyone's favorite French vampire train wreck (affectionate). Lestat de Lioncourt (Sam Reid) has stepped into the spotlight as a rock star, and he's using his music to tell his side of his relationship with Louis de Pointe du Lac (Jacob Anderson). Expect more heart-wrenching angst, vampire spats, and several bangers performed by Lestat himself. Trust me, you're going to want a front row seat to this concert.
Starring: Sam Reid, Jacob Anderson, Eric Bogosian, Delainey Hayles, Assad Zaman, Jennifer Ehle, Ella Ballentine, Jeanine Serralles, Christopher Heyerdahl, Damien Atkins, Sheila Atim, Noah Reid, Ryan Kattner, Seamus Patterson, and Sarah Swire
How to watch: The Vampire Lestat premieres on AMC and AMC+ in 2026. The exact date has yet to be announced.
What's coming to Apple TV in 2026?
Apple TV may have dropped the + from its name in 2025, but it hasn't stopped its commitment to turning out high-quality streaming shows. While recent favorites like Severance and Pluribus likely won't return this year, several other Apple series are coming back in full force. Here, in alphabetical order, are the Apple TV series to keep an eye out for in 2026.
Hijack, Season 2
Remember when Idris Elba singlehandedly saved a flight from disaster in Apple TV's thrilling Hijack? Well, he's back at it again, except this time, he's swapped planes for trains. (What's next, automobiles?) Hijack Season 2 sees Elba return as corporate negotiator Sam Nelson, who's embroiled in a hostage crisis on a Berlin underground train. How will he wrangle his way out of this one? And more importantly, will Sam ever have a normal commute?
Starring: Idris Elba, Christine Adams, Max Beesley, Archie Panjabi, Christian Näthe, Clare-Hope Ashitey, Lisa Vicari, Toby Jones, Karima McAdams, and Christiane Paul
How to watch: Hijack Season 2 premieres Jan. 14 on Apple TV.
Margo's Got Money Troubles
Rufi Thorpe's novel Margo's Got Money Troubles comes to the small screen next year with a star-studded adaptation from A24 and David E. Kelley (Big Little Lies, Presumed Innocent). Elle Fanning stars as the titular Margo, a single mother and college dropout looking to make ends meet. In the book, she starts an OnlyFans account to pay her bills and achieves internet fame thanks to some pro-wrestling advice from her father, Jinx (Nick Offerman). Rounding out Margo's family in the series is Michelle Pfeiffer as her mother Shyanne. With a cast this good, it's no wonder Margo's Got Money Troubles is on our radar.
Starring: Elle Fanning, Nick Offerman, Michelle Pfeiffer, Marcia Gay Harden, Greg Kinnear, Michael Angarano, Rico Nasty, and Lindsey Normington
How to watch: Margo's Got Money Troubles premieres April 15 on Apple TV.
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, Season 2
Do you want to see some big monsters duke it out on TV? Why am I even asking? Of course you do! Then get ready for more Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, a decades-spanning thriller set in the world of the MonsterVerse. Season 2 focuses on King Kong and Skull Island, so prepare yourself for some giant gorilla action, along with Skull Island staples like Skullcrawlers. And no, we haven't forgotten about the King of Monsters himself: Godzilla is still very much around, and we can't wait to see him and his monstrous brethren back in action.
Starring: Kurt Russell, Wyatt Russell, Anna Sawai, Kiersey Clemons, Ren Watabe, Mari Yamamoto, Joe Tippett, and Anders Holm
How to watch: Monarch: Legacy of Monsters premieres Feb. 27 on Apple TV.
Shrinking, Season 3
Apple TV's beloved comedy Shrinking returns for its third season in 2026, and I wouldn't blame you for already tearing up at the thought of the laughs and life lessons the show has coming down the line. The gang's all back in Season 3, with therapists Jimmy (Jason Segel), Gaby (Jessica Williams), and Paul (Harrison Ford) continuing to navigate their own changing lives alongside those of their patients. Season 3 is also introducing some big-name guest stars, including Candice Bergen and Jeff Daniels. Most notable is Michael J. Fox, who will be playing someone in Paul's orbit as he deals with his Parkinson's disease. Fox himself has Parkinson's, even retiring from acting in 2020 due to the condition. However, Shrinking marks an exciting return for the actor.
Starring: Jason Segel, Harrison Ford, Christa Miller, Jessica Williams, Luke Tennie, Michael Urie, Lukita Maxwell, Ted McGinley, Brett Goldstein, Damon Wayans Jr., Wendie Malick, Cobie Smulders, Jeff Daniels, Candice Bergen, and Michael J. Fox
How to watch: Shrinking Season 3 premieres Jan. 28 on Apple TV.
What's coming to Disney+ in 2026?
Disney+'s biggest TV offerings this year are all about the MCU. The delayed entertainment satire Wonder Man, originally slated for a 2025 release, will finally see the light of day, while Charlie Cox will ride again as Matt Murdock/Daredevil. Here, in alphabetical order, are the Disney+ series to keep an eye out for in 2026.
Daredevil: Born Again, Season 2
Daredevil: Born Again proved a welcome return for Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), but it certainly did not leave things in great shape for the vigilante hero. Season 1 ended with Mayor Wilson Fisk (Vincent D'Onofrio) ruling New York City with an iron fist, after all. However, there's still light in the darkness: Matt and Karen Page (Deborah Ann Woll) are working to put things right, even recruiting allies like Frank Castle/the Punisher (Jon Bernthal) and Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter) to join in their fight. Can this small force bring Fisk and his army of violent, corrupt cops to justice?
Starring: Charlie Cox, Vincent D'Onofrio, Margarita Levieva, Nikki M. James, Genneya Walton, Michael Gandolfini, Clark Johnson, Ayelet Zurer, Camila Rodriguez, Deborah Ann Woll, Krysten Ritter, Matthew Lillard, and Lili Taylor
How to watch: Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 premieres in March on Disney+.
Wonder Man
The MCU gets meta with Wonder Man, a miniseries about struggling actor Simon Williams (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) auditioning for the role of a superhero, only to become a superhero himself. Created by Shang-Chi director Destin Daniel Cretton and 30 Rock and Community writer Andrew Guest, Wonder Man is a show under the "Marvel Spotlight" banner, meaning you won't need to watch other MCU shows to understand what's going on. Still, that doesn't mean you won't be seeing any familiar faces from the MCU. Trevor Slattery (Ben Kingsley), of Iron Man 3 and Shang-Chi fame, will be popping up, presumably as another actor in Simon's circle.*
Starring: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Ben Kingsley, Demetrius Grosse, Ed Harris, Lauren Glazier, Josh Gad, Byron Bowers, and Manny McCord
How to watch: Wonder Man premieres Jan. 27 on Disney+.
What's coming to Dropout in 2026?
A new season of TTRPG madness, shiny and chrome, kicks off Dropout's 2026 slate.
Dimension 20: Gladlands
Game master Brennan Lee Mulligan is back in the dome for another Dungeons & Dragons-styled adventure. This time, the setting for his campaign is a sun-scorched wasteland, reminiscent of Mad Max: Fury Road. And joining him around the table are an enticing collection of Dropout stars, including previous players Ally Beardsley, Oscar Montoya, Zac Oyama, and Jacob Wysocki. Making their debut in the dome are Kimia Behpoornia and Very Important People host Vic Michaelis. Based on the line-up alone, we anticipate some outrageous comedy and campaign chaos. Let's roll for initiative! — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor
Starring: Brennan Lee Mulligan, Ally Beardsley, Oscar Montoya, Zac Oyama, Jacob Wysocki, Kimia Behpoornia, and Vic Michaelis
How to watch: Dimension 20: Gladlands premieres Jan. 7 on Dropout.
What's coming to HBO/HBO Max in 2026?
Let's put aside any concerns about the Netflix/Warner Bros. acquisition for a moment and just appreciate the TV feast that awaits us on HBO and HBO Max in the new year. Two Game of Thrones spin-offs, a new DC universe series, more Euphoria, and a second round of The Pitt. Here, in alphabetical order, are the HBO/HBO Max series to keep an eye out for in 2026.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
The first of two Westeros-set shows to air this year, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms sets a different course from its predecessors Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon. There are no bloody battles for the Iron Throne here. Instead, this is the tale of humble hedge knight Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey), his sassy young squire Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell), and their journey to earn some coin at the Ashford Meadow tourney. George R.R. Martin's Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas are much lighter in tone than his other Westeros-based work, so expect more of a buddy adventure with some jousting thrown in for good measure. I'm not complaining: It'll be nice to have some fun before diving back into the brutal affairs of House of the Dragon.
Starring: Peter Claffey, Dexter Sol Ansell, Daniel Ings, Bertie Carvel, Danny Webb, Sam Spruell, Shaun Thomas, Finn Bennett, Edward Ashley, Tanzyn Crawford, Henry Ashton, Youssef Kerkour, Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, and Daniel Monks
How to watch: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premieres Jan. 18 at 10 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.
Euphoria, Season 3
It's been well over three years since we last saw Rue (Zendaya) and her high school classmates in Euphoria Season 2. If that wait time has you saying, "Bitch, you better be joking," I'm right there with you! However, HBO's buzzy drama is poised to make a comeback in a big way in 2026, with its third season kicking off five years after the Season 2 finale. Since then, a lot has changed for our leads: Rue is in Mexico, paying off her debts from Season 2; Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) and Nate (Jacob Elordi) are engaged; Jules (Hunter Schafer) is in art school; and Maddy (Alexa Demie) and Lexi (Maude Apatow) are climbing the ranks in Hollywood. How will all these puzzle pieces fit together? I'm not sure yet, but I'm ready for more killer memes, makeup looks, and mess.
Starring: Zendaya, Hunter Schafer, Eric Dane, Jacob Elordi, Sydney Sweeney, Alexa Demie, Maude Apatow, Martha Kelly, Chloe Cherry, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Toby Wallace, Colman Domingo, Sharon Stone, Rosalía, Danielle Deadwyler, Marshawn Lynch, Sam Trammell, Dominic Fike, Natasha Lyonne, Eli Roth, and Trisha Paytas
How to watch: Euphoria Season 3 premieres in April on HBO and HBO Max.
House of the Dragon, Season 3
The dragons are still dancing in House of the Dragon Season 3, which continues the war of succession between Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) and her nephew, King Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney). Between the massacres by dragonfire and full-on child murder, the war has already been catastrophic enough. But it's about to get even more fraught, as the Battle of the Gullet is on its way. In George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood, the Battle of the Gullet is a naval bloodbath that will launch a calamitous new chapter in the Westerosi history books. Brace yourself for epic action, family betrayals, and of course, tons of dragons.
Starring: Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Steve Toussaint, Rhys Ifans, Fabien Frankel, Ewan Mitchell, Tom Glynn-Carney, Sonoya Mizuno, Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Phia Saban, Jefferson Hall, Matthew Needham, James Norton, Tom Bennett, Kieran Bew, Kurt Egyiawan, Freddie Fox, Clinton Liberty, Gayle Rankin, and Abubakar Salim
How to watch: House of the Dragon Season 3 premieres in the summer of 2026 on HBO and HBO Max.
Industry, Season 4
If you're not on the Industry train, consider this your sign to get on immediately. Over its first three seasons, the series went from being Euphoria with stocks to one of the TV's most ambitious and compelling dramas. (Don't get me wrong, Euphoria with stocks was great on its own as well.) Industry shows no signs of slowing in its fourth outing, which sees Harper (Myha'la) and Yasmin (Marisa Abela) getting involved in a promising new fintech company from very different angles. Conspiracies and backstabbing are sure to follow, along with a costume party that, dare I say, will rival Bridgerton's most lavish period gatherings.
Starring: Myha’la, Marisa Abela, Kit Harington, Ken Leung, Max Minghella, Miriam Petche, Sagar Radia, Toheeb Jimoh, Charlie Heaton, Amy James-Kelly, Roger Barclay, Andrew Havill, Kiernan Shipka, Kal Penn, Jack Farthing, Stephen Campbell Moore, Claire Forlani, and Edward Holcroft
How to watch: Industry Season 4 premieres Jan. 11 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.
Lanterns
The televised DC Universe expands in a big way this year with Lanterns, based on the Green Lantern comics. Don't expect many space shenanigans, though. The series is primarily set on Earth, pairing new Lantern Corps recruit John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) with longtime Lantern Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) to investigate a murder right in the heart of America. Our very first look at the show features Hal jumping out of a moving car in order to encourage John to use the ring, so expect a lot of banter in this mentor-mentee relationship. (And maybe a few car crashes.)
Starring: Kyle Chandler, Aaron Pierre, Kelly Macdonald, Nathan Fillion, Garret Dillahunt, Poorna Jagannathan, Ulrich Thomsen, Nicole Ari Parker, Jason Ritter, Sherman Augustus, Chris Coy, Paul Ben-Victor, J. Alphonse Nicholson, Cary Christopher, and Jasmine Cephas Jones
How to watch: Lanterns premieres on HBO and HBO Max in 2026. The exact release date has yet to be announced.
The Pitt, Season 2
Medical drama The Pitt took the world by storm in 2025, becoming a weekly TV obsession and picking up the 2025 Emmy for Best Drama series. Now, Dr. Robby (Noah Wyle) and co. are clocking back in for another shift that's bound to have us both stressed and engrossed. Season 2 jumps ahead in time to July 4, which means I'm already bracing myself for gnarly grill burns and fireworks mishaps. But that's not all I'm worried about: The season's opening scene features Dr. Robby riding a motorcycle to work. That's already out of character for a doctor who oversees an emergency department, but what's even more concerning is that Dr. Robby isn't wearing a helmet. What kind of self-destructive streak does Dr. Robby have going on, and how is it going to impact his team? I'm waiting on the edge of my seat to find out, and you can bet the edge of my seat is where I'll be staying for all of The Pitt Season 2's pulse-pounding run.
Starring: Noah Wyle, Patrick Ball, Katherine LaNasa, Supriya Ganesh, Fiona Dourif, Taylor Dearden, Isa Briones, Gerran Howell, Shabana Azeez, and Sepideh Moafi
How to watch: The Pitt Season 2 premieres Jan. 8 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO Max.
What's coming to Hulu/FX in 2026?
There's a lot to get excited about on Hulu and FX in 2026. Old favorites like Paradise and The Bear are back, while a new Ryan Murphy project and a Handmaid's Tale sequel wait in the wings. Here, in alphabetical order, are the Hulu and FX series to keep an eye out for in 2026.
The Bear, Season 5
Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) may have quit the restaurant life at the end of The Bear Season 4, but don't think for a second that the series is done. FX announced that The Bear will return for Season 5 in 2026, meaning we'll see what the Bear restaurant looks like under the supervision of Sydney (Ayo Edebiri), Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), and Sugar (Abby Elliott). I'm especially intrigued to see what Carmy gets up to when he's not in chef mode. Maybe he gets really into watercolors, or hiking. Maybe he'll finally learn to relax! But something tells me he'll be back in the kitchen before too long — hopefully after he's done some serious healing, though.
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Lionel Boyce, Liza Colón-Zayas, Abby Elliott, Matty Matheson, Edwin Lee Gibson, Corey Hendrix, Oliver Platt, Molly Gordon, Ricky Staffieri, and Jamie Lee Curtis
How to watch: The Bear Season 5 premieres on Hulu in 2026. The exact release date has yet to be announced.
The Beauty
Love him or hate him, you know a Ryan Murphy series will always cause conversation. His upcoming project The Beauty, co-created with Matthew Hodgson, looks to be no exception. Based on the comic book series by Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley, the show sees two FBI agents (Evan Peters and Rebecca Hall) investigating a spate of grisly supermodel deaths. What they discover is unsettling: a sexually transmitted virus that can make you physically perfect, but at a devastating cost. As the epidemic spreads, they cross paths with a shadowy tech billionaire (Ashton Kutcher), his personal assassin (Anthony Ramos), and the miracle drug he'll do anything to protect. Boasting sci-fi and body horror elements aplenty, The Beauty could be your next gory good time.
Starring: Evan Peters, Anthony Ramos, Jeremy Pope, Ashton Kutcher, Rebecca Hall, Amelia Gray Hamlin, Ari Graynor, Bella Hadid, Ben Platt, Billy Eichner, Isabella Rossellini, Jessica Alexander, Julie Halston, Lux Pascal, Meghan Trainor, Nicola Peltz Beckham, Peter Gallagher, and Vincent D’Onofrio
How to watch: The first three episodes of The Beauty premiere on FX and Hulu at 9 p.m. ET on Jan. 21.
Paradise, Season 2
Paradise Season 1 wowed me with its sci-fi twist and layered conspiracies. Now, Dan Fogelman's Emmy–nominated series leaves the Paradise bunker and heads into the unknown. As Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown) searches for his wife Teri (Enuka Okuma) on the surface, he'll learn all about how the world survived the tsunami-volcano-nuclear-war apocalypse that struck three years ago. Meanwhile, a new power structure emerges back in Paradise, and Sinatra (Julianne Nicholson) makes the bombshell revelation that "it was never just about the bunker." Does that mean more crazy twists? Consider me seated.
Starring: Sterling K. Brown, Julianne Nicholson, Sarah Shahi, Nicole Brydon Bloom, Krys Marshall, Enuka Okuma, Aliyah Mastin, Percy Daggs IV, Charlie Evans, James Marsden, Shailene Woodley, Thomas Doherty, and Jon Beavers
How to watch: Paradise Season 2 premieres Feb. 23 on Hulu.
The Testaments
The Handmaid's Tale may have ended in 2025, but viewers can return to the hellscape of Gilead in 2026 with The Testaments. The series adapts Margaret Atwood's Handmaid's Tale sequel of the same name, set 15 years after the original novel. It weaves together the lives of three women living in Gilead's shadow. Agnes (One Battle After Another breakout Chase Infiniti) grows up as the daughter of a Gilead commander, not knowing that she's really June's (Elisabeth Moss) daughter Hannah. Daisy (Lucy Halliday) lives freely in Canada, but like Agnes, there's a secret about her birth: She's June and Nick's (Max Minghella) daughter Nicole. Rounding out the trio is Handmaid's Tale staple Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd), who continues to fight Gilead from the inside.
Starring: Ann Dowd, Chase Infiniti, Lucy Halliday, Rowan Blanchard, Mattea Conforti, Mabel Li, Amy Seimetz, Brad Alexander, Zarrin Darnell-Martin, Eva Foote, Isolde Ardies, Shechinah Mpumlwana, Birva Pandya, and Kira Guloien
How to watch: The Testaments premieres in April on Hulu.
What's coming to Netflix in 2026?
Netflix may have said goodbye to mega-hits Squid Game and Stranger Things in 2025, but its other franchises are still alive and well in 2026. Bridgerton will be making its long-awaited return, as will the live-action adaptations of Avatar: The Last Airbender and One Piece. Oh, and we might not be as done with Hawkins, Indiana, as we might think. Here, in alphabetical order, are the Netflix series to keep an eye out for in 2026.
Avatar: The Last Airbender, Season 2
It's Toph time! Netflix's live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender returns for Season 2 in 2026, where it will introduce everyone's favorite earthbender (Miya Cech) as Aang's (Gordon Cormier) newest teacher. On top of that, we'll hopefully be revisiting some of the original show's best moments: the increased involvement of Princess Azula (Elizabeth Yu), the political intrigue of Ba Sing Se, and the true beginnings of Prince Zuko's (Dallas Liu) redemption arc. That's an embarrassment of riches, but Toph is still at the top of my list of things I'm most excited to see this season. You know that first "twinkletoes" is going to hit just right.
Starring: Gordon Cormier, Kiawentiio, Ian Ousley, Dallas Liu, Miya Cech, Elizabeth Yu, Ty Lee, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Maria Zhang, and Daniel Dae Kim
How to watch: Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2 premieres on Netflix in 2026. The exact release date has yet to be announced.
Bridgerton, Season 4
Yearning for more swoonworthy romance and string quartet covers of pop hits? Good, because Bridgerton Season 4 is just around the corner. This time around, the focus is on Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson), commitment's number-one enemy. Could a chance masked encounter with the enchanting Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha) change his playboy ways and make him more interesting to Bridgerton fans at large? Jury's still out, but one thing we can guarantee is this season's masquerade ball — one that will hopefully top every lavish Bridgerton party that's come before.
Starring: Luke Thompson, Yerin Ha, Jonathan Bailey, Simone Ashley, Victor Alli, Adjoa Andoh, Julie Andrews, Lorraine Ashbourne, Masali Baduza, Nicola Coughlan, Hannah Dodd, Daniel Francis, Ruth Gemmell, Florence Hunt, Martins Imhangbe, Claudia Jessie, Katie Leung, Luke Newton, Michelle Mao, Emma Naomi, Golda Rosheuvel, Hugh Sachs, Will Tilston, Polly Walker, and Isabella Wei
How to watch: Bridgerton Season 4, Part 1 premieres Jan. 29 on Netflix. Part 2 premieres Feb. 26.
His & Hers
You may know and love Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal for their roles in the MCU, or their critically acclaimed turns in projects like Hedda or The Bear. Now, they join forces for the limited series His & Hers, based on the novel of the same name by Alice Feeney. The pair play estranged spouses: Thompson is Anna, a reclusive reporter, and Bernthal is Jack, a small-town detective. When a violent murder shakes up their sleepy hometown, the two go toe-to-toe as they investigate the case — and each other.
Starring: Tessa Thompson, Jon Bernthal, Pablo Schreiber, Crystal Fox, Sunita Mani, Rebecca Rittenhouse, Marin Ireland, and Poppy Liu
How to watch: His & Hers premieres Jan. 8 on Netflix.
One Piece, Season 2
Netflix broke its streak of unsuccessful manga and anime adaptations with 2023's One Piece, a delightful live-action take on Eiichiro Oda's beloved adventure story. In Season 2, Monkey D. Luffy (Iñaki Godoy) and his Straw Hat crew are still on the hunt for the mythical One Piece treasure. Their quest will take them into the Grand Line, a perilous stretch of ocean crawling with new foes and new islands to explore. This season, get ready to see the Baroque Works criminal syndicate in action, as well as the arrival of fan favorite Tony Tony Chopper (voiced by Mikaela Hoover).
Starring: Iñaki Godoy, Mackenyu, Emily Rudd, Jacob Romero, and Taz Skylar
How to watch: One Piece Season 2 premieres March 10 on Netflix.
Stranger Things: Tales from '85
Stranger Things may be coming to an end this New Year's Eve, but your time in Hawkins doesn't have to end. Netflix still has big plans for its smash hit, including the upcoming Stranger Things: Tales from '85, an animated spinoff set between Seasons 2 and 3. The series picks up with our usual crew of Hawkins heroes as they investigate another paranormal mystery. None of the original cast is reprising their roles in Tales from '85, but based on the first look images, we're in for some awesome animation, as well as a new monster that looks like an unholy cross between a Demogorgon and a spider. Now I'd say that's bitchin'.
Starring: Brooklyn Davey Norstedt, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport, Luca Diaz, EJ Williams, Braxton Quinney, Benjamin Plessala, Brett Gipson, Odessa A’zion, Janeane Garofalo, and Lou Diamond Phillips
How to watch: Stranger Things: Tales From '85 premieres on Netflix in 2026. The exact release date has yet to be announced.
What's coming to Paramount+ in 2026?
Paramount+ keeps exploring the final frontier in 2026 with the latest in its series of Star Trek shows.
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy
Paramount+ continues to build out its library of Star Trek spinoff shows with Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. The series follows a new class of cadets at the academy, all eager and ready to become Starfleet officers. Think of it as a boarding school show, with phasers and aliens, that is. Plus, there's some serious star power behind Starfleet Academy: Holly Hunter gets a turn in the captain's chair as Nahla Ake, who pulls double duty as Starfleet Academy chancellor and captain of the USS Athena. That's not all, though. Paul Giamatti also stars as villain Nus Braka. Giamatti as a Star Trek villain? Say less.
Starring: Holly Hunter, Paul Giamatti, Sandro Rosta, Karim Diané, Kerrice Brooks, George Hawkins, Bella Shepard, Zoë Steiner, Robert Picardo, Tig Notaro, Oded Fehr, and Gina Yashere
How to watch: The first two episodes of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy premiere Jan. 15 on Paramount+.
What's coming to Peacock in 2026?
Espionage and betrayal lurk around the corner in Peacock's 2026 lineup, which kicks off with the return of Emmy–winning competition series The Traitors. Here, in alphabetical order, are the Peacock series to keep an eye out for in 2026.
The 'Burbs
If you could use a little Keke Palmer charisma in your life (and let's be real, couldn't we all?), you're in luck. Palmer returns to the small screen in The 'Burbs, inspired by the 1989 Tom Hanks film of the same name. She and Jack Whitehall star as a young couple who've recently moved to the suburbs. However, a long-abandoned house and the arrival of new neighbors threaten to upend their entire world and expose long-buried secrets. Can Palmer's sleuthing get to the bottom of whatever strangeness is lurking in the cul-de-sac?
Starring: Keke Palmer, Jack Whitehall, Julia Duffy, Paula Pell, Mark Proksch, and Kapil Talwalkar
How to watch: The 'Burbs premieres Feb. 8 on Peacock.
Ponies
Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson team up for some '70s-style espionage in the upcoming thriller Ponies. The pair play secretaries who work at the American embassy in Moscow during the Cold War. But when their husbands die under mysterious circumstances, they become CIA operatives, using their anonymity as a weapon. While the pair are PONIs in intelligence speak — "persons of no interest" — the show's trailer and combination of Clarke and Richardson has certainly piqued my interest.
Starring: Emilia Clarke, Haley Lu Richardson, Adrian Lester, Artjom Gilz, Nicholas Podany, Petro Ninovskyi, and Vic Michaelis
How to watch: Ponies premieres Jan. 15 on Peacock.
The Traitors, Season 4
The campiest competition show is almost back, bringing with it more backstabbing, more reality stars playing detective, and more killer Alan Cumming outfits. This time around, contestants include Real Housewives stars Lisa Rinna and Dorinda Medley, who's returning after being first out on Season 3; Olympic figure skaters Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski; and RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars winner Monét X Change, who I'm hoping can avenge her sister Bob the Drag Queen. The real question, though: Who can top the ridiculousness of Tom Sandoval earnestly singing backwards nursery rhymes through a phone?
Starring: Alan Cumming, Candiace Dillard Bassett, Caroline Stanbury, Colton Underwood, Donna Kelce, Dorinda Medley, Eric Nam, Ian Terry, Johnny Weir, Kristen Kish, Rob Cesternino, Lisa Rinna, Mark Ballas, Maura Higgins, Michael Rapaport, Monét X Change, Natalie Anderson, Porsha Williams, Rob Rausch, Ron Funches, Stephen Colletti, Tara Lipinski, Tiffany Mitchell, and Yamil “Yam Yam” Arocho
How to watch: The Traitors Season 4 premieres Jan. 8.
What's coming to Prime Video in 2026?
Superheroes are all the rage on Prime Video this coming year, whether it's the fifth and final season of The Boys or Nicolas Cage as Spider-Noir. Here, in alphabetical order, are the Prime Video titles to keep an eye out for in 2026.
The Boys, Season 5
The Boys comes to a close in 2026, so expect it to go out with a bloody bang. In Season 5, Homelander (Antony Starr) is firmly in control, and the world is all the worse for it. Hughie (Jack Quaid), Billy Butcher (Karl Urban), and the rest of the Boys are mounting a small resistance, but how much will it matter in the face of Homelander and his fellow Supes' might? Could recruiting the cast of Gen V, as seen in that show's Season 2 finale, be enough to change the tide? I'm not sure. What I am sure of is that The Boys Season 5 also doubles as a Supernatural reunion, with Jensen Ackles, who plays Soldier Boy, sharing the screen with Jared Padalecki and Misha Collins again. While Padalecki and Collins' roles are secret, the hype for this team-up is not.
Starring: Antony Starr, Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, Erin Moriarty, Jessie T. Usher, Laz Alonso, Chace Crawford, Tomer Capone, Karen Fukuhara, Colby Minifie, Cameron Crovetti, Susan Heyward, Valorie Curry, Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, and Misha Collins
How to watch: The Boys Season 5 premieres April 8 on Prime Video.
The Night Manager, Season 2
2026 will mark 10 — 10! — years since The Night Manager first aired. Now, it's back for round two, with Tom Hiddleston returning as Jonathan Pine. He's been living under the radar for the past few years, but when he crosses paths with a mercenary of old enemy Richard Roper's, he finds himself back in the fray. Soon, he's embroiled in a Colombian arms operation, where conspiracy lurks at every turn. Diego Calva and Camila Morrone join in on the fun this season, and based on the trailer, Tom Hiddleston remains in fine form as a smooth thriller star.
Starring: Tom Hiddleston, Diego Calva, Camila Morrone, Indira Varma, Paul Chahidi, Hayley Squires, Olivia Colman, Noah Jupe, Alistair Petrie, Douglas Hodge, and Michael Nardone
How to watch: The Night Manager Season 2 premieres Jan. 11 on Prime Video.
Scarpetta
From Big Little Lies to Expats, Nicole Kidman has become a TV staple. That remains true in 2026, when she hunts a serial killer in thriller series Scarpetta. Based on the books by Patricia Cornwell, the show introduces brilliant medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta (Kidman), who's returned to her hometown to solve a gruesome murder. But it's not just death that awaits her there: Her fraught relationship with her sister Dorothy (Jamie Lee Curtis) and some long-held secrets all threaten to come to a head as well. That all sounds beyond stressful, but the thought of watching Nicole Kidman solve a murder does soothe me.
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Jamie Lee Curtis, Bobby Cannavale, Simon Baker, Ariana DeBose, Rosy McEwen, Jake Cannavale, and Hunter Parrish
How to watch: Scarpetta premieres March 11 on Prime Video.
Spider-Noir
It's impossible to single out just one highlight in the Academy Award–winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, but hearing Nicolas Cage voice the ultra-broody Spider-Man Noir is certainly up there. This year, Cage takes that portrayal into live action with Spider-Noir, which audiences can watch in black and white or color. The series takes place in 1930s New York, where Cage's Ben Reilly is a grizzled private investigator who also happens to be the city's only superhero. Here's hoping he gets to drink all the egg creams and punch all the Nazis he wants. If it's even half as fun as Spider-Man Noir's appearance in Into the Spider-Verse, I'm all for it.
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Lamorne Morris, Brendan Gleeson, Abraham Popoola, Li Jun Li, Karen Rodriguez, and Jack Huston
How to watch: Spider-Noir premieres on Prime Video in 2026. The exact release date has yet to be announced.
Young Sherlock
We all know Sherlock Holmes, but do you know young Sherlock Holmes? Well, you're about to, thanks to Prime Video's Young Sherlock. The series dives into the early adventures of Arthur Conan Doyle's iconic detective, played by Hero Fiennes Tiffin. Here, he's a disgraced young man, but when a murder mystery comes his way, he'll adventure through 1870s Oxford and abroad in order to get to the bottom of it. Guy Ritchie is attached as a director and executive producer, so expect the series to be in keeping with his Robert Downey Jr.-led Sherlock Holmes films.
Starring: Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Dónal Finn, Zine Tseng, Joseph Fiennes, Natascha McElhone, Max Irons, and Colin Firth
How to watch: Young Sherlock premieres March 4 on Prime Video.
(*) denotes the blurb has come from a prior list.