If there’s one thing I’ve learned from being an avid streamer, it’s that Netflix tends to fall into two camps: catch-up mode or can’t-look-away mode. And after watching Netflix’s latest “What Next” slate reveal, I’ve got a strong feeling 2026 is lining up to be very much the latter. Call it a hunch (or maybe I’m just ready for a run of higher-quality originals), but this feels like a year where Netflix could find its spark again.
That’s not to say the comfort watches aren’t doing some heavy lifting. Popular hits like “One Piece,” “3 Body Problem,” and “Avatar: The Last Airbender” are all gearing up for their returns, but what really caught my attention was just how much new stuff is waiting in the wings. It feels like more projects might be trying something new rather than sticking to the usual formula.
As someone who’s constantly adding titles to “My List” with wildly optimistic intentions, it’s safe to say my binge-watch schedule is about to get even more unrealistic. Netflix just confirmed over 100 new and returning shows for 2026, and so here’s the ten I’m definitely adding to my watchlist first.
Netflix shows in 2026 I can't wait to stream
‘Bridgerton’ season 4
Summer might be the season of romance for many, but winter is when I enjoy this genre the most. It’s the perfect excuse to grab a warm drink and curl up with a good drama, and that’s why “Bridgerton” returns at just the right time. For the first three seasons, Netflix’s lavish adaptation of Julia Quinn’s historical novels has drawn us into a world of privilege and social standing, centered around the longstanding Bridgerton family. But in the upcoming fourth season, the Regency-era romance seems to reveal a completely new side of the Ton.
“Bridgerton” season 4 shifts the focus to the second Bridgerton sibling, Benedict (Luke Thompson), who has so far avoided marriage and long‑term courtship. When he attends a masquerade ball hosted by his mother, he becomes captivated by a mysterious masked woman known only as the Lady in Silver. Unbeknownst to him, she is Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha), a young woman working as a maid in high society.
"Bridgerton" season 4, part 1 drops on Netflix on January 29, with part 2 arriving on February 26, 2026
‘Beef’ season 2
Netflix’s “Beef” is officially coming back for more with its second season. The dark comedy-drama, which debuted in April 2023, quickly became one of the platform’s most celebrated series, earning a remarkable 98% on Rotten Tomatoes. While the first season followed Danny (Steven Yeun) and Amy (Ali Wong) after a road rage incident that upended their lives, Yeun and Wong are unlikely to return. Instead, the spotlight will shift to Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, Charles Melton, and Cailee Spaeny.
“Beef” season 2 follows a young couple who witness a shocking fight between their boss and his wife at an exclusive country club. That single incident sets off a chain of strategic moves involving favors and manipulation among powerful players connected to the club and its Korean billionaire owner. Spaeny and Melton likely portray the young couple, while Isaac and Mulligan take on the roles of the husband and wife. Things are definitely about to get juicy.
"Beef" season 2 drops on Netflix on April 16, 2026
‘Man on Fire’
A fresh series on this list includes “Man on Fire,” an action-thriller based on the best-selling novels by A.J. Quinnell. This appears to be a new adaptation of the story for TV, distinct from the well-known 2004 movie and featuring a solid cast. While I’m not usually one to gravitate towards action-based shows (since I’m into more psychological drama), I can’t deny that this new series sounds compelling. Directed by Steven Caple Jr. who helmed projects like “Creed 2” and “The Land,” I’m confident this one could be a hit.
“Man on Fire” follows John Creasy (Yahya Abdul-Mateen ll), a former Special Forces mercenary now struggling with intense PTSD as he tries to start a new life. After stepping away from his past, Creasy soon finds himself drawn back into conflict when circumstances pull him into a dangerous situation that tests his skills and resilience. Throughout the show's episodes, he must confront the challenges that force him out of retirement and into action again, relying on his training and instincts as events unfold around him.
"Man on Fire" starts streaming on Netflix in 2026
‘The Boroughs’
Do you have a “Stranger Things”-sized hole in your watchlist after the season 5 finale? Well, a new show executive-produced by the Duffer Brothers might just fill that void this year. The sibling duo clearly have a knack for setting their stories in remote, mysterious towns: first, Hawkins, Indiana, and now the New Mexico desert in “The Boroughs.” While there aren’t many details right now, it’s been described as an “adventure that’s at times scary, funny, and deeply touching.” I’m officially intrigued.
“The Boroughs” is set in a seemingly peaceful retirement community in the New Mexico desert, where a diverse group of older residents finds themselves confronting an unusual danger. When an otherworldly force begins threatening their very existence by trying to take away something they already lack — time — they band together despite their differences to counter this threat. Alfred Molina, Bill Pullman, Jena Malone, and Alfre Woodard are all set to star.
"The Boroughs" starts streaming on Netflix in 2026
‘East of Eden’
Anything with Florence Pugh and I’m pretty much instantly on board. So you bet that when the period drama “East of Eden” was first announced, it was already on my watchlist without question. Adapted from John Steinbeck’s 1952 novel and both written and executive produced by Zoe Kazan, this limited series offers a fresh take on the classic story while continuing the legacy of Zoe’s grandfather, Elia Kazan, who directed the 1955 “East of Eden” movie starring James Dean.
The show follows the intertwined lives of the Trask and Hamilton families in California’s Salinas Valley across multiple generations. It centers on Cathy Ames (Pugh), whose actions reshape the lives of those around her, and Adam Trask (Christopher Abbott) along with his brother Charles (Mike Faist). As the family grows, Adam’s twin sons, Aron (Joe Anders) and Cal (Joseph Zada), come of age under the weight of their past and relationships, managing pivotal moments that define their futures.
"East of Eden" starts streaming on Netflix in 2026
Other notable Netflix shows in 2026
- "Stranger Things: Tales from '85" (2026)
- "Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen" (2026)
- "Nobody Wants This" season 3 (2026)
- "Black Doves" season 2 (2026)
- "Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story" (2026)
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