Netflix has wasted no time filling January with a steady stream of new TV, giving viewers plenty of reasons to stay indoors and keep the remote close. From big original releases to new seasons of returning favorites, the streaming service has already had its fair share of hit titles this month.
Between shows like “His & Hers” holding firm in the top spot, “Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials” refusing to budge from the trending list, and “Run Away” dominating conversation as 2026 kicked off, Netflix’s charts have been moving fast. And when that happens, it’s easy for some genuinely great series to slip through the cracks. Not every quality show lands at No. 1, after all, especially when the competition is this crowded.
If you feel like you’ve already watched everything worth seeing, or you’re stuck endlessly scrolling for something new, don’t worry, because there are still a few hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Below, I've rounded up three of the best Netflix shows in January 2026 that you may have missed.
‘Land of Sin’ (2026)
“Land of Sin” is a Swedish crime drama that debuted on Netflix in early January and briefly cracked the platform’s top 10 shortly afterward. Despite that early momentum, it didn’t stay in the spotlight for long as bigger original releases like “His & Hers” and high-profile returning favorites like “Stranger Things” and “Emily in Paris” continued to draw the bulk of viewers.
Detective Dani (Krista Kosonen) is a sharp and unconventional investigator who teams up with newly graduated officer Malik (Mohammed Nour Oklah) to probe the death of teenager Silas, found at a farmhouse on the Bjäre peninsula. Dani’s personal connection to Silas raises the stakes as the duo travels from Malmö to a remote rural community.
Their inquiry uncovers a long-standing family feud, with patriarch Elis (Peter Gantman) imposing a strict deadline for answers. Across five episodes, Dani and Malik navigate uncooperative locals, reconstruct Silas’s final days, and work to unravel the mystery before time runs out.
Stream "Land of Sin" on Netflix now
‘Time Flies’ (2026)
I like to say I’m pretty good at keeping up with Netflix’s slate each month, but sometimes there are titles even I miss, one case being “Time Flies.” This Argentine series came and went with little fanfare, which is a shame because the trailer and premise looked highly compelling. But I’m not surprised there wasn’t much traction, considering it dropped on January 1, the same time as Harlan Coben’s latest adaptation, “Run Away,” which quickly became the talk of the town after shooting to No. 1.
“Time Flies” is a crime drama that follows Inés (Carla Peterson) and Manca (Nancy Dupláa), two women released from prison who start a fumigation business to rebuild their lives. Struggling to make ends meet, they take on a job from a wealthy client who soon draws them back into danger by asking them to retrieve a lethal poison. As the pair work through this risky assignment, they rely on each other to tackle unexpected complications and threats that could derail their fragile new beginnings.
Stream "Time Flies" on Netflix now
‘The Following’ (2013)
When Netflix added all three seasons of “The Following” near the beginning of the month, I was confident this crime thriller would find a spot in the top 10. Recognizable library titles (licensed shows rather than originals) usually gain traction more easily, but this one didn’t seem to surface in the streamer’s charts at all. If you’re looking for something gripping to binge this week, or want to see one of Kevin Bacon’s most intense roles to date, “The Following” is well worth adding to your watchlist.
Former FBI agent Ryan Hardy (Bacon) is pulled back into duty when notorious serial killer Joe Carroll (James Purefoy) escapes from death row. Carroll, a charismatic ex‑professor, has secretly built a network of devoted followers willing to carry out violent acts on his behalf. As Carroll’s cult wreaks havoc and sends chilling messages, Hardy teams up with current FBI agents Mike (Shawn Ashmore) and Debra (Annie Parisse) to track him down, stop the killings, and rescue those caught in the killer’s plans.
Stream "The Following" on Netflix
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