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We're fast-approaching the mid-year mark (we know, the march of time is terrifying), and there's some must-see Summer TV about to hit the airwaves. From House of the Dragon season 3 and Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2, to Silo season 3 and DC's Lanterns, it's an exciting summer on the small screen, and then some.
Unless you have a photographic memory for release calendars, it's a lot to keep track of everything hitting the best streaming services, and when, which is where we come in. Scroll on down to find our round-up of the most exciting new TV shows releasing this year, so you can schedule your life around binge-filled weekends and appointment viewing. Already this year, we've had Daredevil: Born Again season 2, The Boys season 5 and Spider-Noir. Is the best still to come?
We'll be keeping this page up to date, so you can check back anytime to find all the latest information as new shows are regularly announced and dated. But, 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
Cape Fear
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
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
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
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.
Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2
Release date: June 25, 2026
Available on: Netflix
Avatar: The Last Airbender fever is high in 2026. Not only are we getting a new animated movie and a new fighting game, but Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2 is also coming out in June. This is Netflix's live-action take on the iconic series that follows Aang, the Avatar who can master all four elements when it comes to bending. Season 2 will see him learning to use his power more as he prepares for his eventual fight with the Fire King. Personally, I'm very excited about this one, folks.
The Bear season 5
Release date: June 25, 2026
Available on: Hulu/Disney Plus
It's official: the fifth season of The Bear is the last, bringing an end to half a decade of Carmy's culinary disharmony. Christopher Storer's Chicago-set drama has had its ups and downs over the years following the show's explosive debut, but here's hoping the once critical darling can end on a high note. There's not long to wait, but you can get an early taste of what they're cooking up over at Bear HQ with 'Gary' – a standalone prequel episode, which was shadow-dropped last month, co-written by stars Jon Bernthal and Ebon Moss-Bachrach.
X-Men '97 season 2
Release date: July 1, 2026
Available on: Disney Plus
The brazenly nostalgic Marvel animated show, which picks up where the beloved 90s cartoon left off, returns imminently for a time-travelling second season. After being scattered across space and time, the X-Men face their greatest threat yet in Alpha Mutant, Apocalypse. Even Wolverine is back, despite (spoiler alert!) having his Adamantium skeleton forcibly removed from his body by Magneto in season 1. Let's hope season X-Men '97 season 2 can finally do Apocalypse justice on screen after the notorious 2016 turkey.
Silo Season 3
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
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.
The Walking Dead: Dead City Season 3
Release date: July 26, 2026
Available on: AMC
If you are like us here at Total Film, then you've probably rewatched all of The Walking Dead in order a few times and have been dying for more zombie-filled goodness. Well, The Walking Dead: Dead City Season 3 is coming to scratch any undead itch that you may have. This is a sequel to The Walking Dead series and explores a post-apocalyptic Manhattan. If you love horror and some angst, then be sure to add this to your watch list.
Ted Lasso season 4
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
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
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
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.
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.
TBC 2026 TV shows
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man season 2
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.
