25 Best TV Shows of 2026 So Far: Widow’s Bay, Hacks, and More

We’re more than halfway through 2026, and already, this year has offered plenty of great television. Some of the best TV shows of the year so far include buzz-worthy hits from streaming services, reliable network dramas, and underrated gems.

Our writers have put together a list of some of the most notable, enjoyable, and intriguing shows that you should definitely add to your watch list if you haven’t already.

In no particular order, here are the best TV shows of 2026 so far!

1. Industry

Industry‘s fourth season is its best yet, thrusting our characters out into the real world and raising the stakes higher than ever.

Going bigger, though, never comes at the expense of the emotional intimacy as we get to the root of longstanding characters and deepen our relationship with newer faces. The financial drama never lets you know where it’s headed, but every twist and turn is satisfying, exhilarating, and jaw-dropping.

2. Widow’s Bay

No new show has shown better control over its tone than Widow’s Bay, Apple TV’s new horror comedy starring Matthew Rhys as the mayor of a cursed New England island.

Widow’s Bay is genuinely funny and genuinely scary without either canceling the other out, and the way it switches between those two moods in the same episodes is impressive. Episodic in ways that allow for all sorts of spooky stories to manifest, a trip to Widow’s Bay is one you can’t miss.

3. Matlock

The second half of Matlock Season 2 took us through the spring of 2026 with many moments of excitement, intrigue, and twists we never saw coming. Matty teaming up with Olympia and Julian to take down Julian’s father was the most satisfying story arc in all of network TV this year (so far).

Matlock never shies away from focusing on court cases that both reflect our current world while also teaching the characters the lessons they need in that moment. With Matlock Season 3 shifting the narrative a bit, we are bound to see even more from this lovely cast of characters in 2027.

4. Hacks

The hit series starring Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder went out on an emotional high with its fifth and final season. Hacks Season 5 serves up some of its funniest moments while meaningfully examining what it means to leave a legacy as it solidifies its own. 

5. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

The Game of Thrones universe continues to expand with A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, a sharp adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas. It’s a breath of fresh air, a balm for the soul — a darkly funny tale that feels more intimate in scope and narrative stakes compared to its predecessors.

The series is also brimming with heart, and the two unlikely friends at its center are the crux of Martin’s stories, balancing what it means to have a strong moral code in this dog-eat-dog world with an unshakable desire to leave their mark.

6. The ‘Burbs

The ‘Burbs is a true hidden gem of the TV season and has skirted under viewers’ radars despite being such a delight. The quirky thriller thrives in the thralls of Keke Palmer’s lovable comedic tone and the sinister Victorian mansion that haunts her idyllic suburban neighborhood.

Joined by a cast of fan-favorite comedic and antagonistic personalities, Palmer’s Samira finds herself playing an amateur detective in a gripping missing person case where everyone on the block is a suspect.

7. The Bear

The final season of The Bear is sharp, character-driven, and serves as an excellent representation of the complicated nature of growth. Chaos is artfully balanced with moments of reprieve and well-deserved character achievements. The Bear ends on a satisfying note because it trusts its audience to fully experience the emotional journeys of its characters.

8. The Testaments

While The Testaments serves as the sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale, it’s truly in a league of its own in terms of emotional stakes and creating a different, yet still dark perspective of Gilead.

Chase Infiniti and Lucy Halliday carry the show with ease and deliver heart-wrenching performances that encapsulate the raw feelings of teenage rage, rebellion, and vulnerability.

9. Brilliant Minds

One of the most underrated shows on network television for the 2025-2026 season, Brilliant Minds deserved so much more love than it ever got. Zachary Quinto amazes every single episode with the balance in which he manages to give Dr. Wolf, who is all hard edges and a hidden soft side.

From amazing cameo appearances from Eric Dane, Ed Begley Jr, Jane Krakowski, and others to the stellar performances of the main cast, this medical drama took the genre to new heights and will be missed after its unfortunate cancellation.

10. XO, Kitty

You can always count on XO, Kitty to deliver a fun and slightly messy season of television. Kitty and her friends don’t always make the right choices, but that’s true of any of us navigating high school. This season is particularly special because it marks the return of Lana Condor as Lara Jean to our screens, giving us a bit of nostalgia for the To All The Boys trilogy.

11. Watson

While the closing episodes of Watson will never feel like quite enough thanks to the show’s cancellation, the threads of intrigue and promise for the characters brought almost everything to a satisfying conclusion.

From twist after twist involving the reappearance of one Sherlock Holmes to a Dr. Watson who faces his own crisis with intelligence, grace, and humor, we’ll always regret not getting more of what we’d so have liked to see on screen.

12. X-Men ’97

The X-Men return, again, for a second season of this revival series that proves the exceptional first season wasn’t a fluke. Just as exhilarating as season 1, X-Men ’97 Season 2 is unrelenting, emotionally and beautifully animated, and unafraid to embrace the X-Men comics in all their soapy goofiness without sacrificing genuine emotional drama.

The highlight of the season has to be the two-part episode “Rise of Apocalypse,” which gives the titular villain all-new layers the original X-Men cartoon could never come close to.

13. Silo

Silo returns for its third season in fine form, taking a creative swing for the fences by incorporating nonlinear storytelling and using the past to help unravel the mystery of the present.

Led by a fearless Rebecca Ferguson, whose Juliette Nichols never ceases to feel grounded in this dystopian world, Silo keeps its foot on the gas. Everything from the immersive sets to the compelling performances to the thought-provoking story about preserving history in the face of fascism makes this show a must-watch.

14. The Other Bennet Sister

The Other Bennet Sister dances circles around the stuffy standards of the Regency-era romance with a love story that sees Mary Bennet step out of her sisters’ shadows to pursue happily-ever-after on her own terms.

A beautiful blend of feel-good optimism and light humor, the BBC series finds absolute magic in Ella Bruccoleri’s heart-warming performance and its honest exploration of womanhood.

15. Young Sherlock

Young Sherlock reinvigorated an incredible interest in digging into the investigations of Sherlock Holmes, thanks to Hero Fiennes Tiffin’s charming performance as the younger version of this iconic detective.

Young Sherlock Season 1 brought fans across England and abroad, perfectly showcasing the newfound, tight-knit dynamic between Holmes and Moriarty while keeping viewers engaged with every turn. The season finale left huge repercussions for the two that fans can’t stop discussing, making this series on Prime Video one of its best.

16. The Boroughs

Netflix’s The Boroughs is the kind of show Stranger Things fans would absolutely adore. But it’s also the kind of show that reminds viewers that a show led by a cast over a certain age is what we need more of.

Geena Davis, Alfred Molina, Alfre Woodard, Clarke Peters, and Denis O’Hare lead the show with an expertise and a talent that keeps the audience engaged until the very end. The story itself is quite amusing, and the special effects used to bring the creatures and Mother to life are exquisite.

17. Lucky

Even though Apple TV’s Lucky is quite predictable, the cast of the show makes it an enjoyable one. As Lucky tries to escape the FBI, Priscilla, and Whitaker, Anya Taylor-Joy demonstrates the immeasurable talent that we’re still only seeing the surface of.

But even with such talent, we cannot deny that Annette Bening is the show-stealer. Lucky is the perfect show to turn on when you need to be entertained and distracted for a while.

18. Bridgerton

Bridgerton Season 4 is the first Bridgerton season where nearly everything is executed flawlessly, from Benedict and Sophie’s epic romance to intriguing social class themes. For the first time, every supporting storyline either enhances Benedict and Sophie’s story or helps set up the next season. Everyone delivers an incredible performance, but Yerin Ha and Hannah Dodd are exceptional standouts.

19. 56 Days

Prime Video’s adaptation of Catherine Ryan Howard’s novel is highly compelling. Avan Jogia and Dove Cameron’s chemistry is absolute magic, and every difference from the novel enhances the original story rather than ruins it. The show is a juicy guilty pleasure with an enticing mystery that makes it impossible to look away.

20. Off Campus

Off Campus adapted Elle Kennedy’s already immensely popular hockey romance books into an absolute phenomenon. This show has taken the world by storm and tapped into what audiences have been yearning for since the days of early 2000s teen dramas.

The characters are authentic, the stories are impactful and swoon-worthy, and the soundtrack is one of the best on TV. It’s been a few months since the show premiered, and, deservedly, Off Campus is still one of the most talked-about shows on TV.

21. The Pitt

The Pitt returned this year with its highly anticipated second season, and it slipped right back into its spot as watercooler TV. Every week, fans tuned in to see the show’s realistic approach to medicine — this time, on the Fourth of July.

Every episode delivers unforgettable, powerhouse performances that help fans get to know their favorite characters even more. Plus, the season’s new additions, like Sepideh Moafi as Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi, make PTMC better and the show stronger. And to think, the third season is already right around the corner!

22. The East Palace

One of the marks of a great show is its ability to blend genres. The East Palace has something for everyone: horror, supernatural spirits from Korean folklore, palace politics, and complex mysteries to solve. The episodes fly by as you watch Gu-cheon and Saeng-gang attempt to uncover the truth behind the various attacks at the palace.

23. Wonder Man

Despite the Marvel Cinematic Universe going into Avengers: Doomsday mode, Wonder Man felt like a breath of fresh air, offering a grounded perspective while remaining fun, hilarious, and experimental.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s performance as Simon Williams is simply perfect, giving new shades of complexity to the aspiring Hollywood actor while highlighting a familial core that kept him relatable. Although it was confirmed that Wonder Man would not be returning, Simon Williams remains in the hearts of many fans who hope to see him back sooner rather than later.

24. Paradise

When a show comes out the gate in its first season as Paradise did, matching that energy can be difficult. With the news that Paradise Season 2 is also the middle act of a trilogy, the odds might be even more stacked against it.

Yet led by the stellar performances of Sterling K. Brown and the entire cast and with the kind of writing that takes us from hope to heartbreak and terror to joy in the darkest of places, Paradise is still breathtaking, exhilarating, and stellar.

25. Dutton Ranch

Dutton Ranch keeps almost everything fans loved about Yellowstone while shining the spotlight on two of its fan-favorite characters.

Beth and Rip navigate a new life together while running their own ranch and dealing with new people is the perfect way to handle a spinoff series. And who wouldn’t want to see Beth Dutton continue to do everything she does best? 

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What are your favorite TV shows of 2026 so far? Let us know in the comments below!

Contributions by: Devin Meenan, Mads Misasi, Adam Patla, Revati Gelda, Melody McCune, Alicia Gilstorf, Lara Rosales, Sarah Novack, Shelby Elpers, Allison Nichols, Christopher Gallardo, Caitlin Wyneken, and Ashley Bissette Sumerel.

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