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Total Film
Total Film
Entertainment
Emma-Jane Betts

The best new TV shows to watch in 2026

Elrond in Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2, episode 7.

We're nearly halfway into 2026, and we still have so many new TV shows to look forward to. As summer approaches, we're headed back to Westeros, as well as the glorious world of Middle-earth, and even AFC Richmond.

There's a lot to keep track of, especially when it comes to which shows are airing on the best streaming services, so that's where we come in. Below, we've rounded up the best new TV shows you need to know about, so you can effectively plan your binge-watching. This year has already brought us an animated Stranger Things spin-off, The Boys season 5, and Daredevil: Born Again season 2, after all. And with many more bangers on the way, you'll want to keep track of everything.

We're keeping this page up to date, so you can check back through the year as new shows get announced and released. However, keep in mind that the selection below is only the biggest TV shows that we are looking forward to. It isn't a full calendar, so don't expect to see any reality TV or sitcoms here. Happy watching!

Upcoming 2026 TV shows

Rick and Morty season 9

(Image credit: Adult Swim)

Release date: May 24, 2026
Available on: HBO Max/Hulu

Though it hasn't even been a full year since season 8, season 9 is already almost upon us. The synopsis reads, "Rick and Morty is back, baby! Season Nine is all certified bangers. No AI slop! Just Grade A organic slop, made by real humans with real human traits like back hair and cysts. Please watch, or we'll have neglected our families for nothing." Oh, and season 10 is currently in development.

Spider-Noir

(Image credit: Amazon MGM Studios)

Release date: May 25/May 27, 2026
Available on: MGM+/Prime Video

Nicolas Cage reprises his character from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse in the spin-off series Spider-Man Noir, releasing this Spring on MGM+ and Prime Video. The show is getting a black-and-white release alongside a "period-inspired" color version. Set in an alternate 1930s New York, the show follows P.I. Ben Reilly (Cage) as he deals with a spider bite that gives him the ability to spin webs and swing through the Big Apple.

Cape Fear

(Image credit: Apple TV)

Release date: June 5, 2026
Available on: Apple TV

A fresh take on Cape Fear is arriving soon to Apple TV. The show, based on Martin Scorsese's 1991 thriller (which is based on the 1957 John D. MacDonald's novel titled The Executioners), stars Javier Bardem, Amy Adams, and Patrick Wilson. Bardem plays Max Cady, a killer who planning revenge against the attorneys who sent him to prison: Wilson's Tom, and Adams' Anna.

Interview with the Vampire season 3

(Image credit: AMC)

Release date: June 7, 2026
Available on: AMC

This hit adaptation of Anne Rice's famous novels returns with the highly anticipated season 3. Adapting The Vampire Lestat, this season will chronicle the titular vampire's life as a rockstar, and it will also give us a glimpse into his past. Sam Reid returns as Lestat, along with Jacob Anderson as Louis.

Sugar season 2

(Image credit: Apple TV)

Release date: June 19, 2026
Available on: Apple TV

Fresh off one of the more mind-bending plot twists in recent years, Colin Farrell's John Sugar is back on the case for a second season that pretty much demands to be watched once you know about that character reveal. Sugar season 2 sees John "tracking the troubled older brother of an up-and-coming local boxer as his search for his beloved missing sister continues". The synopsis continues, "As the investigation expands into a city-wide conspiracy with sinister intentions, Sugar must reckon with himself to answer the question – how far will he go to do what’s right?"

House of the Dragon season 3

(Image credit: HBO)

Release date: June 21, 2026
Available on: HBO Max

That's right, another upcoming Game of Thrones show is releasing in 2026, and it also just so happens to be the next installment of one of the best HBO Max shows on streaming right now. House of the Dragon season 3 will demonstrate that the Targaryens are still fighting, and that their upcoming antics will be leading us to the events of the already confirmed House of the Dragon season 4.

Silo Season 3

(Image credit: Apple)

Release date: July 3, 2026
Available on: Apple TV

Silo is one of the best Apple TV Plus shows out right now, so of course I'm very excited by the fact that Silo Season 3 will be with us shortly as well. The dystopian series will bring us back into the underground, but following the events of season 2, we now know how the world basically ended, but still not really why. We'll likely find out in season 3, and the good news is that season 4 also wrapped up filming, so at least we know that there is even more to come eventually as well.

Lucky

(Image credit: Apple TV)

Release date: July 15, 2026
Available on: Apple TV

Lucky is a limited series hailing from Apple TV, which stars Anya Taylor-Joy in her first television role since 2020's Netflix hit The Queen's Gambit. "When a multi-million-dollar heist goes sideways, con artist Lucky is forced to go on the run. Pursued by both the FBI and a ruthless crime boss, Lucky must fight for her life – and a way out," reads the synopsis. The first, action-packed trailer has already been released.

Ted Lasso season 4

(Image credit: Apple TV)

Release date: August 5, 2026
Available on: Apple TV

Jason Sudeikis's titular character proved he can get knocked down and get up again when Ted Lasso was greenlit for a surprise new season, following its third and final chapter aired in spring 2023. In the new installment, the optimistic football-loving mogul is set to return to the world of goals and knee-high socks as a coach for a local women's team. And this time? He's sharing the sideline with Sex Education star Tanya Reynolds. Hannah Waddingham will also be back as Rebecca Welton, as will Brett Goldstein as Roy Kent and Annette Badland as pub owner Mae.

Lanterns

(Image credit: John P. Johnson/HBO Max)

Release date: August 16, 2026
Available on: HBO Max

The next small-screen installment in James Gunn's DCU Chapter One is Lanterns. The new series will follow veteran member of intergalactic peacekeeping organization the Green Lantern Corps Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) as he trains up new recruit John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) while they investigate a murder in Nebraska. Gunn has previously compared the show to True Detective and The Leftovers showrunner Damon Lindelof is on board as co-creator, so we're expecting big things.

VisionQuest

(Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Release date: October 14, 2026
Available on: Disney Plus

It's been a long time coming, considering that VisionQuest was announced to be in development all the way back in 2022, but we finally know that the upcoming Marvel show will be with us in October 2026. Created by Terry Matalas, the upcoming series focuses on the superpowered android and former Avenger known as Vision; however, reports on the potential story of the show indicate that he could technically be "White Vision" now. In classic Marvel fashion, plot details are being kept secret at the moment, so keep your eye on this page for more updates.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 3

(Image credit: Amazon Studios)

Release date: November 11, 2026
Available on: Prime Video

Well, it's true, folks, we finally have a release date for The Rings of Power season 3, and as a long-time Lord of the Rings fan, I'm pretty excited to see more Tolkien-related work coming our way (even if I have major personal issues with the series canon-breaking ways). We do know that the events of the next chapter take place during the War of the Elves, and Sauron is still working on getting the One Ring created as well. There is also a Balrog that still needs dealing with, and Numenór is still in upheaval. Exciting times.

TBC 2026 TV shows

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man season 2

(Image credit: Disney Plus)

Release date: TBC 2026
Available on: Disney Plus

If you love animation and superheroes as much as we do, chances are you are excited for the upcoming release of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man season 2 as well. Set in an alternate timeline to the rest of the MCU movies and shows that have Spidey in them, this series is an origin story following a Peter Parker who gets his abilities through a temporal paradox thanks to Doctor Stranger's antics. The style of the first season blew us away, and we can't wait to see what the next outing brings us.

For more on new releases, check out our lists of the most exciting movie release dates to look out for and upcoming DC movies and shows.

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