We recently told you about the 10 series we were most excited about in 2026. Now, we're turning our attention to the streaming platforms that have created their own top-notch content this year. Let's get started, shall we?
Our list below features 10 more must-watch series, from the magnificent conclusion of "Hacks" to the impressive debut of Hulu's "The Testaments." Meanwhile, Netflix's "BEEF," Hulu's "Paradise," and HBO Max's "The Pitt" have successfully avoided "second-season syndrome," while newcomers like "Margo's Got Money Troubles" and "Widow's Bay"—both Apple TV debutants—made excellent first impressions.
But let's not waste any more time. Keep scrolling to see our favorite shows of 2026 (so far), and then leave your comments! (And don't forget to check out our highlights and best performances of the year.)
Read also: The 20 Best TV Moments of 2026 (So Far)
Beef (Netflix)
Josh and Lindsay in "Conflict," Season 2 - Netflix
From creator Lee Sung-jin, this anthology series ignites passions in another gripping tale of rage, unhealthy relationships, and wild characters. Two couples—one at the top of the social ladder at an elite golf club, the other at the bottom—face off, and Lee goes all-in on a story exploring classism, broken systems, privilege, and relationship dynamics. The material is entrusted to four highly competent actors (Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, Cailee Spaeny, and Charles Melton), who all deliver equally brilliant performances. Isaac and Mulligan, in particular, captivated us with monologues full of harsh truths and revelations about how the world has broken them and made them question their choices. Devastating, touching, powerful. Nick Caruso
Hacked (HBO Max)
Deborah and Ava in Season 5 of Hacks - HBO Max
We love shows that leave you wanting more. Now that the HBO Max series has officially ended, we're thrilled to report that Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello, and Jen Statsky's comedy has departed with a bang. Deborah's journey to Madison Square Garden was captivating, but the core of Hucks—the relationship between Deborah Vance and Ava Daniels—was handled with care. From the Montecito bachelorette party where Ava pretended to be Deborah's girlfriend to their European trip that gave Deborah new meaning in life, Season 5 was as memorable, funny, and heartbreaking as the show always was. NC
Margot Has Financial Problems (Apple TV)
Shyanne and Margot in Margot's Money Troubles - Apple TV
When we heard Apple was adapting Margot Has Money Problems for the screen, we were skeptical. How would the various themes and plots of Ruth Thorpe's novel—including OnlyFans, professional wrestling, Hooters, and motherhood—work together on screen? Thorpe somehow managed to do the unthinkable with this random collection of ideas: write an engaging and captivating story that covered an almost comically wide range of topics. How could luck smile twice?
Featuring a stellar cast including Elle Fanning, Michelle Pfeiffer, Nick Offerman, and Nicole Kidman, the series successfully brings our favorite characters to life as they explore the most marginalized cultural spaces without ever feeling cheesy or clichéd. Like the book, the series challenges our own notions of success and family as we watch Fanning transform into the eccentric OnlyFans heroine HungryGhost—and we love every minute of it. Claire Franken
Paradise (Hulu)
Annie & Xavier in Heaven, Season 2 — Disney/Ser Baffo
We said it before when we called Paradise one of the best shows of the year overall, regardless of network/streaming service, and we'll say it again for those who don't want to watch the show: Hulu's post-apocalyptic drama is definitely worth your time. Season two deepened and expanded the show's ambitious plot, moving to the surface of Earth as Xavier (Sterling K. Brown) searched for his missing wife, Teri (Enuka Okuma). New additions to the second season, like Shailene Woodley (as Graceland tour guide Annie) and Thomas Doherty (as the enigmatic wanderer), added interesting new angles to a story we thought we already knew—especially regarding Sinatra (Julianne Nicholson) and her plans, which chaotically unfolded as the season drew to a close. Kimberly Roots
Pitt (HBO Max)
Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi and Dr. Robbie in Pitt, Season 2 - HBO Max
«Pitt isn't your typical streaming series. Frankly, if it weren't for the graphic medical cases and occasional expletives, this Noah Wyle-starring drama could easily be mistaken for a carefully crafted network series. But that's precisely what sets it apart. While many streaming dramas chase unexpected plot twists or rely on binge-watching, Pitt succeeds by leveraging the strengths of a great procedural series while also building on them with compelling characters and deeply human emotional moments that carry over from season to season. With its weekly episode schedule and commitment to format, the HBO Max original series excels not only at telling a season-long story but also at creating standalone patient stories, from their arrival in the emergency room to their discharge, hospitalization, or surgery. The result is a series that feels both refreshingly old-fashioned and one of the most compelling dramas currently available on television, network television, or streaming platforms. — Ryan Schwartz
PONY (Peacocks)
Twyla and Bee in Pony, Season 1 — Peacock
Pony, an underrated Peacock gem that debuted on the streaming service in January, has received scant attention. It's a shame, because the series, which stars Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson as women who become CIA agents to find answers about their late husbands, managed to strike a wonderful balance between gripping Cold War drama and Thelma & Louise-esque buddy comedy. Clarke and Richardson created a warm and compelling chemistry as their characters, Bea and Twyla, delved deeper into their missions, with Richardson particularly strong as Twyla, who gradually confronts her darkest demons. Pony hasn't yet been renewed for a second season, but we're hoping Peacock will return to Moscow for more of this delightful surprise. Rebecca Luther
Zoom Out (Apple TV)
Paul and Jimmy in Season 3 of Downsizing - Apple TV
Bill Lawrence's Apple TV comedy-drama once again captivated viewers in its third season, delivering plenty of laughs and even more drama. The cast's chemistry was as genuine as ever, as evidenced by events like Paul's worsening Parkinson's disease and Derek's emergency heart surgery. And of course, the scene where Gabi banters with Louis is worth a watch—it's a shining example of what this cast is capable of. While those tense moments certainly kept us entertained, we really just wanted to spend time with Jimmy and his friends. Following their adventures, we felt like part of the gang: connected, loved, and always up for a good old-fashioned banter. (And Harrison Ford? A national treasure.) NC
The Testaments (Hulu)
The Testaments Season 1 Finale - Disney/Steve Wilkie
Gilead, aka the misogynistic regime from The Handmaid's Tale, continues to thrive in the series' sequel. But Gilead also continues to underestimate the women it forces into submission—a flaw that becomes a tantalizingly smoldering fuse in The Testaments. The well-behaved young ladies at the school, run by Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd, reprising her role from The Handmaid's Tale), have all the passions, fears, and obsessions of any teenage girl. But the strict rules of their theocratic society are a pressure cauldron, turning high school into a life-or-death gamble. What can these teenagers do but explode? And what can we do but root for them? KR
Traitors (Peacock)
Alan Cumming and Rob Rausch in the Season 4 finale of Traitors - Peacock
After four seasons, Alan Cumming's reality show remains incredibly gripping. While the formula remains the same (saucy housewives + competition show pros = fiery roundtables), dynamic plot twists and excellent casting have not let the show down. This year, the show continued to delight viewers (and we're not just talking about Cumming's style). Rob Rausch, in a jumpsuit, demonstrated a masterclass in deception as he steadily worked his way to the top, and early eliminations like Ian Terry and Rob Cesternino kept us on the edge of our seats. Sure, the "Secret Traitor" plot twist fell flat (sorry, Donna Kelsey), but Lisa Rinna's brutal banquet plan and several hidden murders in plain sight more than made up for it. With NBC's Civilian season approaching, we're eager to see what Alan (and his adorable dog, Lala) have in store for us next. NC
Widow's Bay (Apple TV)
Patricia, Vic, and Tom at Widow's Cove - Apple TV
Do you like horror? Comedy? Or both? Apple TV's delightfully creepy new series masterfully blends the two genres, as if Parks and Recreation were set in Twin Peaks. (Which makes sense, since the show was written by Katie Dippold.) Matthew Rhys plays Tom, the mayor of a tiny New England island town that seems cursed—though he'd rather you didn't say it out loud. The town's inhabitants are appropriately eccentric: Kate O'Flynn excels as Tom's nervous secretary, Patricia, and TV veteran Stephen Root plays the grumpy old sailor Wick. But the scares are very real, with the show convincingly conjuring up terrifying sea witches and serial killers. Every week is a real balancing act of laughter and fear, and we're already crossing our fingers for a second season... even if it means more suffering for poor Tom. Dave Nemec
Which streaming series have caught your attention this year? Tell us below!
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