10 Best Netflix Shows Released In 2026 (So Far)

Aug 07, 2026 - 01:17

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10 Best Netflix Shows Released In 2026 (So Far)

Still of Dan Levy and Taylor Ortega in Netflix's Big Mistakes season 1.

Published Aug 6, 2026, 4:45 PM EDT

Cher Thompson is a Senior Staff Writer at Screen Rant, where she covers everything from explosive reality TV moments to cast interviews about the twists and turns of scripted dramas. With a background in creative writing, marketing, and teaching, Cher knows how to spot both the storytelling genius and the guilty pleasures in pop culture. Her work blends wit with insight, making readers feel like they’re chatting with a friend who just happens to know way too much about TV.

As one of the most influential streaming platforms on the market, Netflix's original releases make a statement, revealing programming trends the way their best releases of 2026 have thus far this year. While there haven't been as many original series on Netflix in 2026 as there have been in past years, shows returning to the platform have been just as exciting as the streamer's newest releases. With long-running shows and miniseries coming into the spotlight this year so far, 2026 has been a massive year for Netflix in terms of original content, and there are still several months to go.

With some iconic titles having come to Netflix over the past few months, many of the shows that viewers have clung to all share a similar standard, with high quality storytelling at the forefront. Resonating with viewers on a variety of levels, shows of all different genres have come into the picture, with Netflix's newest titles blending an exciting sense of self and a vision of what's to come throughout their potential runs. With the limited series having been just as good as the long-running shows, Netflix's original programming has stepped things up over the past few months of 2026.

Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen

Netflix's Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen, which was created by Haley Z. Boston and executive produced by the Duffer Brothers, focuses on Rachel (Camila Morrone) and Nicky (Adam DiMarco), an engaged couple whose wedding week becomes increasingly unsettling as family secrets and supernatural elements come into play. Over the course of eight episodes, the series builds tension in a genuinely terrifying way, creating an atmosphere of fear that keeps its audience guessing. The show's confidence in its visual style and its unsettling mystery, filled with pure horror, helped it stand out against the crowd of releases this year.

Release Date 2026 - 2026-00-00

Network Netflix

Showrunner Haley Z. Boston

Directors Weronika Tofilska, Axelle Carolyn, Lisa Brühlmann

Writers Ben Bolea, Kate Trefry, Alex Delyle, Alana B. Lytle, Haley Z. Boston

Cast

Adam DiMarco

Nicky Cunningham
Camila Morrone

Rachel Harkin

One Piece (Season 2)

The cast of One Piece standing in front of a statue

Returning for its highly-anticipated second season, Netflix's live-action remake of One Piece brought an incredible sophomore season to life. With the newest episodes of the series improving on the already successful first season, One Piece season 2 had a stronger sense of self, with tighter pacing and better overall storytelling. Delivering a better product than the original, One Piece season 2 was able to bring high production value together with a charismatic ensemble, brimming with wonderful performances throughout the season. One Piece season 2 left viewers ready for another installment, cementing it as a massive release for the 2026 year.

Release Date August 31, 2023

Network Netflix

Showrunner Matt Owens, Steven Maeda, Joe Tracz

Directors Tim Southam, Marc Jobst, Josef Kubota Wladyka

Writers Tiffany Greshler, Diego Gutierrez, Allison Weintraub, Lindsay Gelfand

Iñaki Godoy

Monkey D. Luffy

Run Away

A Harlan Coben mystery, Run Away was the first of two miniseries that the author's work inspired during the 2026 release year. Based on Coben's novel of the same name, Run Away follows Simon Greene (James Nesbitt) as he finds himself embroiled in the idea that his estranged daughter may still be alive despite struggles with addiction. Simon's desperate search reveals dangerous secrets that begin to unravel everything he thought he knew about his family, which twists things into an intricate web he must focus on untangling throughout the miniseries. Run Away is a heart racing mystery that stands out.

Release Date 2026 - 2026-00-00

Network Netflix

Directors Nimer Rashed, Isher Sahota

Writers Daniel Brocklehurst, Tom Farrelly, Charlotte Coben, Amanda Duke

Minnie Driver

Ingrid Greene

Bridgerton (Season 4)

Sophie and Benedict dancing at a masked ball

The fourth season of the ever-successful Bridgerton, which followed the story of Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) and Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha), painted a very different story than the show's previous installments. Coming out in two parts, Bridgerton season 4 was a surprising Cinderella story that saw class differences explored around Bridgerton house, and set up the next season of the series with the first queer love story on the Netflix Regency romance. Bridgerton season 4 proved the franchise still has its audience wrapped up in its deeply intense romances, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats with each new episode.

Release Date 2020 - 2026-00-00

Network Netflix

Directors Tom Verica, Tricia Brock, Alex Pillai, Alrick Riley, Bille Woodruff, Cheryl Dunye, Sheree Folkson, Julie Anne Robinson

Writers Abby McDonald, Sarah L. Thompson, Daniel Robinson, Oliver Goldstick, Leila Cohan-Miccio, Azia Squire, Sarah Dollard, Eli Wilson Pelton, Janet Lin

Luke Thompson

Lady Violet Bridgerton
Ruth Gemmell

Benedict Bridgerton

Running Point (Season 2)

Kate Hudson as Isla Gordon sitting on a desk next to a deflated basketball and in front of a row of trophies in Running Point season 1 promotional shot

A Netflix sitcom starring Kate Hudson and co-created by Mindy Kaling, Running Point tells the story of Isla Gordon as she navigates running her family's basketball dynasty, the Los Angeles Waves, through hilarious-but-intense drama. With the show's second season premiering in early 2026, Running Point season 2 touched on some lingering loose ends from the first season, but made it clear that it was paving its own path. With fun episodes that spark joy and a hilarious ensemble, Running Point was one of the standouts of early 2026 for Netflix, bringing Hudson and the cast back with an exciting season.

Release Date February 27, 2025

Network Netflix

Directors Michael Weaver, James Ponsoldt, David Stassen, Thembi Banks

I Will Find You

Another Harlan Coben mystery I Will Find You weaves a twisted tale that sees a father wrongfully imprisoned for his son's murder, and the force of will that it takes to discover what actually happened in his case. Following David Burroughs (Sam Worthington) as he breaks out of prison with the help of old family friends and his ex sister-in-law, Rachel Mills (Britt Lower), the series spins a mystery that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats throughout the eight episode miniseries. A binge-worthy series that throws some major twists into the mix, I Will Find You is gripping.

Release Date 2026 - 2026-00-00

Network Netflix

Showrunner Robert Hull

Directors Adam Davidson, Brad Anderson, Maggie Kiley, Maja Vrvilo

Writers Heather Mitchell, Bryan Wynbrandt, Robert Hull, Steven Lilien

Cast

Big Mistakes

A new series from Schitt's Creek creator Dan Levy, Big Mistakes stars Levy, Taylor Ortega, and an ensemble that crushes every scene they're in together. The series follows a New Jersey family as they move through grief and as Levy and Ortega's characters inadvertently become involved in organized crime. Brash, funny, and in moments deeply intense, Big Mistakes is able to make light of the sometimes difficult situations the characters find themselves in. Already renewed for another season, Big Mistakes season 1 was a major hit for the streamer in early 2026, and hopes to continue that trend moving forward.

Release Date April 9, 2026

Network Netflix

Cast

The Night Agent (Season 3)

The highly-anticipated third season of The Night Agent was released in early 2026, and while it didn't feature a key character, the story of Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso) continuing as he becomes entangled in yet another high-stakes mystery was tough to resist. Brasso grounds the series through the twists and turns of its mystery, and his performance keeps the complicated story engaging as things continue to pile up throughout the season. An effective installment, The Night Agent season 3 led to the show's renewal for a fourth and final season, which will tie up some major loose ends on screen.

Release Date 2023 - 2026-00-00

Network Netflix

Showrunner Shawn Ryan

Directors Adam Arkin, Guy Ferland, Millicent Shelton, Ramaa Mosley

Writers Seth Fisher, Munis Rashid, Corey Deshon

Luciane Buchanan

Rose Larkin

His & Hers

Jon Bernthal as Detective Jack Harper in His And Hers

A limited series starring Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal, His & Hers weaves an intense crime drama that leaves viewers guessing until the bitter end. Following estranged spouses as their lives collide when they find themselves on opposite sides of a murder investigation, His & Hers sees the show gradually revealing conflicting perspectives, which encourages the viewers to analyze all of the information available before deciding what they think actually happened. A slow-rolling series, His & Hers is an intricate psychological suspense that ensures that the carefully structured story takes viewers on a ride that they won't forget once they've watched the series.

Release Date 2026 - 2026-00-00

Network Netflix

Directors Anja Marquardt

Writers Tori Sampson

How to Get to Heaven From Belfast

Created by Derry Girls' Lisa McGee, How to Get to Heaven From Belfast follows a trio of lifelong friends whose reunion after the death of an old friend sets them off on an unexpected journey across Ireland. Looking for the truth about their friend's death, the trio are a darkly funny group who have a genuine friendship. Starring Roisin Gallagher as Saoirse, Sinead Keenan as Robyn, and Caoilfhionn Dunne as Dara, the series sees its trademark trio blend dark humor and a mature emotional core as they move through a grief-fueled journey in How to Get to Heaven From Belfast.