Best Shows to Watch in 2026
Comprehensive guide to the most acclaimed, popular, and binge-worthy TV series across all streaming platforms this year.
2026 has been an exceptional year for television, with streaming services investing billions in original content and established series delivering their finest seasons. Whether you're looking for gripping dramas, laugh-out-loud comedies, or edge-of-your-seat thrillers, this guide covers the absolute best shows currently available.
🎯 How We Select Our Recommendations
Our recommendations are based on critical acclaim, audience ratings, cultural impact, production quality, and streaming popularity data from multiple platforms. We update this list monthly to reflect new releases and changing viewer preferences.
🔥 Most Tracked on Thrifty Streamer
These are the shows our users are actively tracking right now — a real-time pulse on what's worth watching.
Stranger Things
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Lioness
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Invasion
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Severance
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Landman
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Star Trek
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The Dresden Files
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Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
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The Boys
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Foundation
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Slow Horses
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Mayor of Kingstown
2 tracking📺 Best Netflix Shows 2026
Netflix continues to dominate with big-budget originals and international hits that captivate global audiences.
🔥 Stranger Things 5 (Final Season)
Sci-Fi/Horror • 2026 • ⭐ 9.2/10The Duffer Brothers conclude their epic supernatural saga with the most ambitious season yet. Hawkins faces its ultimate threat as Eleven and the gang make their final stand against the Upside Down.
Why Watch: Epic conclusion to one of Netflix's most beloved series, with the highest production budget in Netflix history.
Best For: Fans of the series, sci-fi enthusiasts, anyone who grew up with the show
🕷️ Wednesday Season 2
Dark Comedy/Mystery • 2026 • ⭐ 8.8/10Jenna Ortega returns as Wednesday Addams in this supernatural mystery series. Season 2 delves deeper into Nevermore Academy's dark secrets and Wednesday's evolving psychic abilities.
Why Watch: Jenna Ortega's breakout performance, Tim Burton's gothic direction, and viral dance moments
Best For: Young adult audiences, fans of dark comedy, supernatural mystery lovers
🕵️ The Night Agent Season 2
Political Thriller • 2026 • ⭐ 8.5/10Gabriel Basso returns as FBI agent Peter Sutherland in this high-stakes political thriller. Season 2 expands the conspiracy and introduces international threats.
Why Watch: Netflix's most-watched series debut, perfect for fans of 24 and Jack Ryan
Best For: Thriller enthusiasts, political drama fans, action-adventure seekers
💔 You Season 5 (Final Season)
Psychological Thriller • 2026 • ⭐ 8.3/10Penn Badgley's Joe Goldberg faces his final chapter in this psychological thriller's conclusion. The series explores the ultimate consequences of Joe's obsessive behavior.
Why Watch: Satisfying conclusion to the psychological thriller phenomenon
Best For: Psychological thriller fans, viewers who enjoy morally complex protagonists
Other Outstanding Netflix 2026 Shows:
- Ginny & Georgia Season 3: Mother-daughter dramedy continues to charm audiences
- The Diplomat Season 2: Keri Russell excels in this political drama
- Elite Season 8: Spanish teen drama maintains its popularity
- Money Heist: Berlin: Spin-off series focusing on the beloved character
- The Witcher Season 4: Henry Cavill's final bow as Geralt
🏰 Best Disney+ Shows 2026
Disney+ delivers with franchise favorites and compelling new originals across Marvel, Star Wars, and beyond.
🚀 The Mandalorian Season 4
Sci-Fi/Adventure • 2026 • ⭐ 9.0/10Din Djarin and Grogu continue their adventures in the Star Wars universe. Season 4 explores Mandalore's restoration and introduces new threats to the galaxy.
Why Watch: Best Star Wars content since the original trilogy, groundbreaking visual effects
Best For: Star Wars fans, sci-fi enthusiasts, families
🦅 Echo
Platform: Disney+
Genre: Action/Crime Drama
Our Rating: 8.1/10
Maya Lopez gets her own series exploring her Native American heritage and criminal background. Features stellar action sequences and cultural representation.
⚡ Percy Jackson Season 2
Fantasy/Adventure • 2026 • ⭐ 8.6/10Walker Scobell continues his journey as the son of Poseidon in this faithful adaptation of Rick Riordan's beloved book series. Season 2 adapts "The Sea of Monsters."
Why Watch: Faithful book adaptation, great family viewing, excellent world-building
Best For: Families, fantasy fans, book adaptation enthusiasts
⚔️ Ahsoka Season 2
Sci-Fi/Adventure • 2026 • ⭐ 8.4/10Rosario Dawson reprises her role as Ahsoka Tano in this Star Wars series that bridges animated and live-action storylines. Season 2 explores the New Republic era.
Why Watch: Connects Clone Wars and Rebels animated series to live-action
Best For: Star Wars animated series fans, sci-fi enthusiasts
Other Notable Disney+ 2026 Shows:
- Daredevil: Born Again: Charlie Cox returns as the Man Without Fear
- X-Men '97 Season 2: Continuation of the beloved animated series
- Ironheart: Dominique Thorne stars as the young genius inventor
- Agatha All Along: Kathryn Hahn reprises her WandaVision role
- What If...? Season 3: Final season of the animated anthology series
🎭 Best HBO Max Shows 2026
HBO Max continues its tradition of prestige television with critically acclaimed dramas and compelling limited series.
🐉 House of the Dragon Season 3
Fantasy Drama • 2026 • ⭐ 9.1/10The Targaryen civil war intensifies in the third season of this Game of Thrones prequel. Season 3 delivers the largest dragon battles ever seen on television.
Why Watch: Redeems the Game of Thrones legacy with superior storytelling and spectacular visuals
Best For: Fantasy fans, Game of Thrones enthusiasts, epic drama lovers
🧟 The Last of Us Season 2
Post-Apocalyptic Drama • 2026 • ⭐ 9.3/10Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey return in this adaptation of the acclaimed video game. Season 2 explores themes of revenge and survival in the post-apocalyptic world.
Why Watch: Emotional storytelling, exceptional performances, faithful game adaptation
Best For: Drama enthusiasts, post-apocalyptic genre fans, video game adaptation lovers
🔍 True Detective Season 4
Crime Anthology • 2026 • ⭐ 8.7/10The anthology crime series returns with a new cast and setting. Season 4 explores corruption in a small Midwest town with supernatural undertones.
Why Watch: Return to form after mixed reception of previous seasons
Best For: Crime drama fans, anthology series enthusiasts, mystery lovers
💼 Succession: Legacy
Corporate Drama • 2026 • ⭐ 8.8/10A spiritual successor to Succession, this series follows a new media dynasty family with similar power struggles and dark humor.
Why Watch: Captures the essence of Succession with fresh characters and conflicts
Best For: Succession fans, corporate drama enthusiasts, dark comedy lovers
Other Excellent HBO Max 2026 Shows:
- Barry: The Final Act: Bill Hader's dark comedy gets a proper finale
- Euphoria Season 3: Zendaya returns in the teen drama
- The White Lotus Season 4: New location, new secrets
- Winning Time Season 3: Lakers dynasty continues
📱 Best Hulu Shows 2026
Hulu delivers with acclaimed originals and FX content that pushes creative boundaries.
👩⚖️ The Handmaid's Tale Season 6
Dystopian Drama • 2026 • ⭐ 8.9/10Elisabeth Moss concludes June's journey in the final season of this powerful dystopian drama. Season 6 focuses on rebuilding society after Gilead's fall.
Why Watch: Satisfying conclusion to one of television's most important social commentaries
Best For: Drama enthusiasts, social commentary viewers, Elisabeth Moss fans
🔍 Only Murders Season 5
Comedy-Mystery • 2026 • ⭐ 8.6/10Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez return for another murder mystery in their apartment building. Season 5 introduces Hollywood connections.
Why Watch: Perfect blend of comedy and mystery with excellent chemistry between leads
Best For: Comedy fans, mystery enthusiasts, true crime podcast lovers
🏫 Abbott Elementary Season 4
Mockumentary Comedy • 2026 • ⭐ 8.4/10Quinta Brunson's award-winning workplace comedy continues to find heart and humor in an underfunded Philadelphia elementary school.
Why Watch: Genuine heart, excellent writing, positive representation of public education
Best For: Comedy fans, workplace comedy enthusiasts, educators
👻 American Horror Story: Renewal
Horror Anthology • 2026 • ⭐ 8.2/10Ryan Murphy's horror anthology returns with a season focused on spiritual renewal and religious horror in a modern wellness retreat setting.
Why Watch: Return to the series' horror roots with contemporary social commentary
Best For: Horror fans, anthology enthusiasts, Ryan Murphy followers
🎯 Best Shows by Genre
🎭 Best Dramas
- The Last of Us Season 2 (HBO Max)
- House of the Dragon Season 3 (HBO Max)
- The Handmaid's Tale Season 6 (Hulu)
- Stranger Things 5 (Netflix)
- The Night Agent Season 2 (Netflix)
😂 Best Comedies
- Abbott Elementary Season 4 (Hulu)
- Only Murders Season 5 (Hulu)
- Ted Lasso Finale (Apple TV+)
- Wednesday Season 2 (Netflix)
- The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Finale (Prime Video)
🔥 Best Thrillers
- You Season 5 (Netflix)
- The Night Agent Season 2 (Netflix)
- True Detective Season 4 (HBO Max)
- Severance Season 2 (Apple TV+)
- The Diplomat Season 2 (Netflix)
🚀 Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy
- The Mandalorian Season 4 (Disney+)
- House of the Dragon Season 3 (HBO Max)
- Foundation Season 3 (Apple TV+)
- Stranger Things 5 (Netflix)
- Percy Jackson Season 2 (Disney+)
🌍 Best International Shows 2026
Global content continues to break barriers and find worldwide audiences.
🇰🇷 Korean Content
- Squid Game Season 2 (Netflix)
- Kingdom: Legacy (Netflix)
- Hellbound Season 2 (Netflix)
🇪🇸 Spanish Content
- Elite Season 8 (Netflix)
- Money Heist: Berlin (Netflix)
- The Paper House: Korea (Netflix)
🇬🇧 British Content
- The Crown Season 7 (Netflix)
- Doctor Who Season 15 (BBC/Disney+)
- Bridgerton Season 4 (Netflix)
🍿 Perfect Binge-Watch Shows
Shows that are perfect for marathon viewing sessions.
🏆 Weekend Binge Champions
- Stranger Things 5 - Epic finale deserves a binge
- The Last of Us Season 2 - Emotional journey best experienced together
- Only Murders Season 5 - Mystery unfolds better in sequence
- Wednesday Season 2 - Short episodes, addictive storyline
🎬 Final Recommendations
2026 has delivered exceptional television across all genres and platforms. Whether you're looking for epic fantasy, intimate character studies, laugh-out-loud comedies, or edge-of-your-seat thrillers, there's never been a better time to be a TV fan.
Our Top 3 Must-Watch Shows:
- The Last of Us Season 2 - Perfect blend of action, emotion, and storytelling
- Stranger Things 5 - Cultural phenomenon gets the finale it deserves
- House of the Dragon Season 3 - Fantasy television at its finest
Remember to use streaming management tools like Thrifty Streamer to track which services have your favorite shows and optimize your subscription spending. With so much quality content available, smart subscription management is more important than ever.
📺 Quick Navigation
⭐ Highest Rated
- The Last of Us S2 (9.3/10)
- Stranger Things 5 (9.2/10)
- House of the Dragon S3 (9.1/10)
- The Mandalorian S4 (9.0/10)
- The Handmaid's Tale S6 (8.9/10)