The best new TV shows to watch in 2026
From The Rings of Power season 3 to Blade Runner 2099, we've picked out the top new TV shows to add to your 2026 watchlist
We're coming to the end of 2026, but there are still plenty of exciting new TV shows on the horizon. October just gave us the Marvel Phase 6 show VisionQuest, but there's still a return trip to Middle-earth in The Rings of Power season 3 and the debut season of the Harry Potter TV show to look forward to.
Keeping track of the ever-evolving release schedule can be tricky when it comes to juggling multiple streaming services, and that's before you take all the new anime into consideration. But we've got you covered. Below, you'll find a roundup of all the best new TV shows on the way in order of release date, so you'll always know when to keep a weekend clear for your next binge watch.
Keep in mind, this isn't an exhaustive list. Instead, these are our picks for the most exciting shows. But if you love anime, fantasy, horror, superheroes, and sci-fi, then you are in the right place. So read on to discover the 2026 highlights when it comes to our small screens.
Upcoming 2026 TV shows
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 3
Release date: November 11, 2026
Available on: Prime Video
The Rings of Power season 3 will soon be hitting our screens, and as a long-time Lord of the Rings fan, I'm pretty excited to see more Tolkien-related work coming our way. This time around, the show will be picking up after a time jump as Sauron sets to work creating the One Ring. And as that darkness continues to rise, Galadriel will reunite with her long-lost husband (finally); there is a Balrog that still needs dealing with, and Numenór is in upheaval. Exciting times ahead.
Yellowjackets season 4
Release date: November 20, 2026
Available on: Paramount Plus
Yellowjackets is coming to an end after four incredible seasons. The farewell episodes will begin airing in November as we finally expect some answers in the twisty thriller. The official description reads: "As the survivors race to bury their sins before rescue arrives and an old flame roars back into town with plans of her own, turns out not every homecoming is a joyous one, and this one’s going to sting." Melanie Lynskey and Christina Ricci return to lead the cast one final time.
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Blade Runner 2099
Release date: November 25, 2026
Available on: Prime Video
Return to the world of Blade Runner in the sci-fi series' first TV show, Blade Runner 2099. The show is set 50 years after Blade Runner 2049 (which you might have guessed from the title) and it picks up in a world run by replicants.
"2019 was dark and rainy. 2049 was snowy and cold," showrunner Silka Luisa said at an SDCC panel attended by GamesRadar+. "Our show is a rebirth. It's the rebirth of a city, it's a rebirth of all of our characters, and so to me that felt like it should be hot and sticky and chaotic, and that's where we got the idea for the 'sunshine noir,' and so you're you're seeing Blade Runner, Ridley's Blade Runner, but through the lens of hard sunlight and deep shadow where you still have neons, and hopefully that feels like it's both familiar but completely different." Sounds awesome.
Only Murders in the Building season 6
Release date: December 8, 2026
Available on: Hulu/Disney+
The trio are back and this time they're heading across the pond. Only Murders in the Building season 6 sees Charles (Steve Martin), Oliver (Martin Short) and Mabel (Selena Gomez) solving a new case in London, and it might be their toughest one yet. The new location gives us some exciting guest stars too, including David Tennant, Nicola Coughlan and Martin Freeman.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Release date: December 25, 2026
Available on: HBO Max
The Harry Potter TV series will be here on Christmas Day, and it's already looking to be a pretty big deal. Season 2 has already been given the green light, so we assume that HBO has a lot of faith in this upcoming debut of the "Boy Who Lived". The upcoming season will show Harry's first experience in the Wizarding World and Hogwarts, oh and of course, we will be meeting the big bad Voldemort as well. We are keen to see how this show stacks up against the best Harry Potter movies for sure.
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.
After reviewing films throughout University and being a cozy game expert for years, I realized that entertainment journalism was my true calling in 2019. Since then, I've started multiple new farms in Stardew Valley and have written for several publications such as The Upcoming, PCGamesN, and Wargamer. I was the resident Guides Editor and horror lover for The Digital Fix before joining the GamesRadar+ team in 2024. As the Managing Editor for Evergreens, I lead the development, expansion, and maintenance of all the evergreen content for both games and entertainment on the site, to make sure they are the most helpful and fun pages on the internet!
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