Top 10 Most Anticipated TV Shows of 2026

#10: “The Boys” (2019-)

Season 5

While Amazon Prime Video still has a few projects set in “The Boys” universe lined up, this fifth and final season of the dark superhero satire is bound to bring several arcs to a close. In addition to Starlight and the resistance taking on a corrupt government, Butcher and Homerlander should settle their score. That’s not the only rivalry that’ll meet its climax. Homelander will pick up where he left off with his estranged father, Soldier Boy. Whether or not the latter survives, Jensen Ackles is returning in the upcoming prequel spinoff, “Vought Rising.” As for this season, producer Eric Kripke says, “There’s no guarantee who’s going to survive.” In any case, the skies are going to rain blood.

#9: “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” (2026-)

Season 1

It’s a shame that “Game of Thrones” Season 8 has overshadowed the show as a whole. That said, we’re still not over how badly it ended. While “House of the Dragon” restored some goodwill, that spinoff hasn’t been without pacing issues. “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” might be the show this franchise needs, telling a smaller, more focused story centered around hedge knight Ser Duncan and his squire, the child prince Aegon Targaryen. There may be less attention paid to dragons, magic, and politics, but as long as the characters and their dynamics draw us in, this could be a winner for HBO. A more comedic take on this universe isn’t unwelcome either, as “GoT” could be quite funny when it wanted to be.

#8: “Daredevil: Born Again” (2025-)

Season 2

Marvel has a couple of miniseries lined up for the New Year, like “VisionQuest” and “Wonder Man.” The second season of “Daredevil: Born Again” is our most anticipated live-action MCU show, however. As ecstatic as we were to see Matt Murdock’s story continue beyond Netflix, we feared that it would be toned down under Disney’s management. To our surprise, “Daredevil: Born Again” wasn’t just dark. The first season might’ve been even darker than its predecessor, killing off a major character, seeing Murdock’s archnemesis rise to the height of his power, and ending with New York essentially becoming a police state. It was a helluva way to go out, setting us up for a sophomore season that’ll either delve deeper into darkness or see the light.

#7: “One Piece” (2023-)

Season 2

Just as the treasure of “One Piece” can feel like an unattainable MacGuffin, it’s hard to come by a live-action reimagining of a beloved anime that’s passable, let alone good. The first season of Netflix’s “One Piece” was a rare adaptation that remained faithful to the spirit of its predecessor while still having its own charm. This is largely thanks to the charismatic cast, especially Iñaki Godoy, who embodies Monkey D. Luffy in ways we didn’t think an actor could in live-action. The performances bring a groundedness to the over-the-top visuals, making us feel like we’re watching a live-action anime. Season 2, which is subtitled “Into the Grand Line,” promises more colorful adventures with the Straw Hat Pirates while hinting at darker waters.

#6: “Spider-Noir” (2026-)

Season 1

The bad news is that Sony’s Spider-Man Universe isn’t quite dead yet. The good news is that this MGM+ series might be the franchise’s first entry that actually works. Part of that’s because it’s a “Spider-Man” project with Spider-Man in it! More specifically, Spider-Man Noir, who Nicolas Cage will bring into live-action. Two of the visionaries behind the animated “Spider-Verse” movies, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, will serve as executive producers. Showrunner Oren Uziel also has ties to the Lord-Miller team, being a co-writer on “22 Jump Street.” Staying true to the character’s black and white roots, the series may finally fulfill the promise of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, telling Spidey-centric stories that we likely wouldn’t see in the MCU or more traditional adaptations.

#5: “Invincible” (2021-)

Season 4

Few superhero shows pack a more powerful punch than “Invincible.” We mean that in more ways than one. As Mark Grayson endures one physical beating after another, the audience has taken no shortage of emotional gutpunches. For all the brutality we’ve faced alongside Mark, “Invincible” is balanced with humor and relatable characters. We’re given a taste of the latter in the Season 4 teaser, in which Mark and Eve sit down to an extra-well-done burger. Although this suggests a lighter tone, creator Robert Kirkman says that we’re “going to see a much darker Mark Grayson” this season, which introduces new threats like Lee Pace as the villainous Thragg. To survive what’s ahead, Mark may need to embrace his Viltrumite side, even at his humanity’s expense.

#4: “X-Men ‘97” (2024-)

Season 2

Even with the best of the live-action movies, many fans still consider “X-Men: The Animated Series” to be the definitive adaptation of the comics. “X-Men ‘97” preserved everything that made the first show great, from the comic-faithful visuals to the spot-on voice acting. This sequel series didn’t just feel like a continuation of the nostalgic favorite, however. It was the next step in its evolution, taking its mature themes further with an even older audience in mind. Time will only tell if Season 2 can maintain that quality, especially since head writer Beau DeMayo was fired with Matthew Chauncey of “What If…?” Season 3 being brought on as his replacement. As long as it has Apocalypse, though, this is priority viewing for every '90s kid.

#3: “Blade Runner 2099” (2026-)

Season 1

The original “Blade Runner” is a science fiction classic, while “Blade Runner 2049” is among the best legacy sequels of the past decade. The fact that neither film was a huge financial success upon release is why we can’t have nice things. Then again, perhaps we can, as the industry hasn’t entirely abandoned this promising property. This miniseries brings the story into 2099, centering on Michelle Yeoh as a Replicant named Olwen. Unlike some of the other protagonists in this franchise, there might not be a mystery as to whether or not Yeoh’s character is human. That doesn’t mean the series won’t ask complex questions, as Olwen contemplates the end of her life. Even Replicants can face their own mortality.

#2: “The Pitt” (2025-)

Season 2

In a golden age of high-concept shows, you won’t think another medical drama would garner much excitement. With every passing week, though, more people discovered why “The Pitt” was making audiences fall back in love with “traditional TV.” That’s not to say the show didn’t bring a few innovations to the equation, with a grounded sense of realism and a 15-hour work shift that played out in actual time. What makes “The Pitt” truly stand out, though, is its ensemble, who are so well-cast that their characters practically feel real. Winning the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series, Season 1 set the bar high for Season 2, which will be set against the backdrop of a Fourth of July weekend. What could possibly go wrong!

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Blue Eye Samurai” (2023-), Season 2

The Emmy-Winning Animated Series is Back with Avengeance

“Star Trek: Starfleet Academy” (2026-), Season 1

Shaping the Next Generation of Starfleet Captains

“The Boroughs” (2026-), Season 1

The Duffer Brothers Produce Another Strange Series Set in a Retirement Community

“Shrinking” (2023-), Season 3

Another Session Sure to Bring More Laughs & Tears

“Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord” (2026-), Season 1

Seriously, Why Hasn’t Maul Gotten More Solo Projects?

#1: “Lanterns” (2026-)

Season 1

You might’ve noticed that more than half of our picks were superhero shows. Who says that this genre is dead? We suspect that “Lanterns” is the one that will leave all others green with envy. James Gunn breathed new life into the DC brand in 2025 with “Superman” on the big screen. “Lanterns” is sure to be a small-screen event. The premise, which sees Kyle Chandler’s Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre’s John Stewart unraveling a murder mystery, sounds like a superhero version of “True Detective.” Makes sense, as showrunner Chris Mundy worked on “Night Country.” Co-creators Damon Lindelof and Tom King are no strangers to superheroes either. One developed “Watchmen” while the other wrote the comic “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.” The rings are burning bright.

What other shows are on your watchlist for 2026? Let us know in the comments.