The Best New TV Shows to Watch in 2026 - From House of the Dragon to Lanterns and Beyond

The Best New TV Shows to Watch in 2026

2026 is shaping up to be one of the greatest years for television in recent memory. From the return of beloved franchises to bold new originals, here are the top shows that should be on your watchlist this year - no matter which streaming platform you prefer.

The Heavy Hitters

• House of the Dragon Season 3 (HBO Max) - The Targaryen civil war reaches its peak with the Battle of the Gullet, Aemond rampage across the Riverlands, and the introduction of the Dragonseeds. Emma D'Arcy, Ewan Mitchell, and Olivia Cooke deliver career-best performances.
• Lanterns (HBO) - The Green Lantern universe finally gets its prestige TV treatment. Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre star as Hal Jordan and John Stewart, investigating a murder mystery on Earth that connects to cosmic-level threats. Early footage looks stunning.
• The Boroughs (Netflix) - The Duffer Brothers return with Alfred Molina and Geena Davis in this mind-bending sci-fi thriller about a suburban neighborhood transported to an alternate dimension.
• The WONDERfools (Netflix) - Park Eun-bin and Cha Eun-woo lead this chaotic superhero K-drama that is already dominating Netflix global charts. It is the most fun you will have with a cape this year.

The Hidden Gems You Should Not Sleep On

• Dutton Ranch (Paramount Plus) - The Yellowstone spinoff that has been in development for years finally arrives. Luke Grimes and Kelly Reilly lead the next generation of the Dutton family saga.
• Widow Bay (Apple TV Plus) - Matthew Rhys stars as a detective investigating disappearances in a remote coastal town. The atmospheric cinematography and unpredictable plot twists have critics calling it the best Apple TV show yet.
• Star City (Apple TV Plus) - A sci-fi series from the creators of Foundation exploring humanity first off-world colony. John David Washington and Hong Chau lead an ensemble cast.
• Lord of the Flies (Limited Series) - A bold new adaptation directed by Luca Guadagnino, reimagining William Golding classic with a diverse cast of young actors. Already generating serious awards buzz.
• Lawmen: Bass Reeves (Netflix) - Taylor Sheridan acclaimed western starring David Oyelowo finally arrives on Netflix globally. The true story of the lawman who arrested over 3,000 outlaws.

Whether you are a prestige drama devotee, a sci-fi nerd, or someone who just wants a good story, 2026 TV lineup has something extraordinary waiting for you. The only hard part is deciding what to binge first.