What to Watch on Netflix in 2026: The Best by Genre
Netflix has so much content out for its audience that finding something to watch can strangely feel pretty overwhelming. Whether it’s Netflix’s originals, shows renewed, documentaries or stand up comedy shows, you really are spoilt for choice.
Coincidentally, Netflix has also had a successful year as they’ve put out some pretty good content especially some of the best horror movies on Netflix, psychological thriller movies on Netflix and many more.
So, to make it easier for you if you’re wondering what to watch on Netflix in 2026, we’ve put together this guide that gives you options by genre, and really some of the outstanding entertaining shows and movies which you can watch, based on what you feel like.
Read Also: New TV Shows 2026: Top Series to Watch All Year
Best Horror Movies on Netflix in 2026
Horror fans know where they can get the good stuff – mostly because Netflix is one of the few places that will greenlight unconventional horror projects that studios would not touch, plus a deep licensed library of horror classics.
Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen (March 2026, Netflix Series)
What can go wrong in a wedding? Many things especially for the main role in this series, Rachel who’s getting all the creeps after arriving at her fiance, Nicky’s family home. It presents some nail-biting moments owing to the paranoia that Rachel feels but little does she know that the impending doom is tied back to herself and not Nicky’s. Early reception has been very positive which made the show sit on Netflix’s top 10 chart for about 3 weeks.
His & Hers (January 2026, Netflix Series)
Many feel that His & Hers is a show that mixes both horror and thriller, but as a fan of both, we’ll leave it under the horror category since all the murders in this series are pretty grotesque and ritualistic in nature. The show follows Tessa and John who are a couple, except that they are not very close or happy for that matter. Tessa, a journalist covers the murder in her hometown, after a long hiatus from work. Her husband on the other hand, Jack, is the local detective, investigating the case. The victims? Most of Tessa’s high school mates. Almost everything places them both at the epicenter of the case – so did they do it? If they did, why?
Green Room (licensed, available 2026)
Green Room is a certified classic and one of the best horror movies on Netflix that you can watch thanks to it being licensed this year. Although it’s more than 10 years old, the tension and grittiness in this movie is almost undeniable. The movie revolves around a punk band witnessing a murder in the green room where they are stranded.
Nope (licensed, available 2026)
Jordan Peele is no stranger in the horror genre and while most fans know him from Get Out, Nope is a very creative take on horror and science. The story follows a black owned ranch struggling to make ends meet. So when aliens decided to show up, the pair of Haywood siblings went on to monetize it however they can. Although the movie can be slightly comical to some, Peele very intelligently highlights heavier themes like voyeurism, and human’s obsession with recording trauma or awe.
Best Anime on Netflix in 2026
Not all excellent anime are Japanese and that said, some of the best anime on Netflix are indeed titles which are worthy of a watch. Here’s a few of the anime shows you should watch in case you’re wondering what to watch on Netflix in 2026. There are also some live action shows which were adapted from anime which we have included in the Originals section instead.
Devil May Cry Season 2 (May 2026, Netflix Anime)
Capcom’s demon hunting show Devil May Cry Season 2 which originates from video games is back and picks up right where it stopped in Season 1 where Dante is frozen and Lady struggles to go through the war. This season, it takes a deep dive into the character’s emotions and explores topics of childhood trauma and so on. It also explores relationship themes between Dante and Lady as well as a brotherhood with Vergil.
Pokémon Horizons Season 3 (January 2026, Netflix Family/Anime)
Season 3 follows Liko and Roy who go on to unravel and solve the mysterious pink mist. The mist which has been affecting Pokemons worldwide, making them seriously ill. They are at the same time travelling around to find back their old friends so that they could try to rebuild the Rising Volt Tacklers.
Best Netflix Documentaries in 2026
Netflix is no doubt one of the dominant platforms for documentary content in 2026. It is truly obvious from the sheer breadth of ranges that are available, from true crime to sports to music biopics to social commentary, it seems like they have it all.
Will & Harper (licensed, on Netflix 2026)
This Netflix documentary follows actor Will Ferrell and writer Harper Steele on their 17 day journey, travelling across the United States. The thing is, Will’s old friend Harper wasn’t always known as Harper. In fact, she came out to Will as a trans woman. This documentary explores friendship and emotional themes and really is one of the best Netflix documentaries that lets you get in touch with your emotional side.
Michael Jackson: The Verdict (June 2026, Netflix Documentary)
Netflix did get some heat for releasing this in the midst of the ever so successful Michael movie which was released earlier this year. However, you will quickly realise why this Netflix documentary became viral as it dissects the trial that involved Michael Jackson and those whom accused him for sexual abuse. The documentary includes key people who were inside the courtroom as well as outside, presenting the story as it unfolded back in 2005.
America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Season 3 (June 2026, Netflix Documentary Series)
Don’t dismiss this show until you give it a go as you follow ordinary girls in Texas whose dreams are to be part of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. From auditions to training camp and right on to the field, each of them compete for the coveted spot. This season only six spots remain open. Who will take those spots and realize their dreams?
Glitter & Gold: Ice Dancing (February 2026, Netflix Documentary)
This Netflix documentary is essentially a sports documentary that follows three ice skating couples during their final training season as they get ready to compete in what is the most important games of their career’s : The Winter Olympics. High stakes, high drama, for the highest reward any athlete can have for themselves and their country : an Olympic gold medal.
Best Netflix Comedy Specials in 2026
Netflix’s comedy specials remain one of the platform’s most consistent content categories with shorter runtime, high shareability, and a direct relationship between comedian and audience that many tv series cannot replicate.
Marcello Hernández: American Boy (January 7, 2026)
Marcello is known to be a good story teller and in his Netflix comedy special, he explores his first generation upbringing with parents who hail from Cuba and Dominican Republic. The central theme definitely revolves around his strict mother but also includes his own observation of Latino families. What makes it extra special is how he uses dance-offs to illustrate his different upbringing.
Mike Epps: Delusional (January 27, 2026)
If you are a stand up lover, Mike Epps is not an uncommon name. He’s already had several hits under his belt and it’s no wonder that this one was a massive success for Netflix. The themes for this Netflix comedy special is his rise to fame, particularly how he went from jail to a star celebrity. There’s a little bit about dating life realities and also several social observations as well as current events.
Sarah Millican: Late Bloomer (April 2026)
This is Sarah’s seventh Netflix comedy special where you can truly see her growth from an awkward teenage self to a blooming young woman discussing her own growth, body confidence and memories from her schooling days.
David The Hot Seat (June 3, 2026)
This one is essentially a show and definitely one for those who love football. The show features football players from 2018 and 20 years back in 1998 who face a sharp group of comedians to get roasted.
Bill Maher: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor (July 21, 2026)
Recorded live at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall in Washington, D.C., this Netflix comedy special is all about celebrating the successful moments in Bill Maher’s life which revolved around making comedy about politics and social observations.
Best Psychological Thriller Movies on Netflix in 2026
Psychological thrillers are one of Netflix’s most-searched genres (definitely one of them!) and so the platform has built a strong library of both originals and licensed films that reward close attention and keep audiences guessing. Here are a few that we think are worth watching if you’re finding what to watch on Netflix 2026.
Apex (Netflix Film, 2026)
Apex is about a ruthless tracker played by Charlize Theron who hunts down a man, played by Taron Egerton, through the wild forests of Australia. Why is she doing this? You’ll have to watch and find out.
In the Hand of Dante (Netflix Film, available 2026)
Although this is not exactly a psychological thriller, the story is a bit more of a crime thriller where a scholar is hunted by the mob for having the original manuscript of Dante’s The Divine Comedy.
Best True Crime on Netflix in 2026
True crime is another one of Netflix’s most reliable traffic categories which is why the platform has made it a content pillar and 2026 continues that tradition with a mix of cold cases, criminal investigations, and social justice documentaries. These are a few that we think are some of the best Netflix series in 2026:
Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart (January 21, 2026, Netflix)
Abducted when she was only 14, Elizabeth Smart tells her own story or rather a nightmare, of the time when she was taken from her own home and kept captive for nearly 9 months.
A Friend, a Murderer (March 5, 2026, Netflix Documentary)
What happens if one of your best friends is a murderer? This Netflix documentary follows three friends and their own experiences with their friend, Philip, who turns out to be a serial killer who preys on young teen girls in Denmark.
The TikTok Killer (March 2026, Netflix Documentary)
An influencer and a missing woman? Something does not read right and in this Netflix documentary, the story of a woman disappearing after meeting a famous Tik Tok creator went viral online first before it was ever considered as a criminal investigation.
The Bombing of Pan Am 103 (July 2026, Netflix Documentary)
Although this is a re-enactment and made into a short series, the story follows the local police in Scotland and the FBI who were trying to piece together the tragedy that the Pan Am 103 flight went through.
Best Released Netflix Original Shows of 2026
Bridgerton Season 4 (January 29, 2026)
This romantic best Netflix series in 2026 returns for its fourth season, this time for another Bridgerton son, to be married. But to the ton’s surprise not just anyone but maybe someone in his own household?
Beef Season 2 (April 2026)
The second season of Beef returns with an all new cast and an all new ‘Beef’. This time around, it sheds a bit more light on social statuses and how the country club manager and his wife’s marriage is affected and is effecting the people around them.
The Night Agent Season 3 (February 2026)
Peter played by Gabriel Basso is a field agent who must track a whistleblower who is accused of killing his boss and stealing confidential data. Unfortunately, the story is much deeper than that when he discovers that Jay is not guilty and is trying to run away from a conspiracy that also involves the downing of Flight Puma 12.
One Piece Season 2 (March 2026)
One Piece’s Season 1 was surprisingly good and went on to be renewed for Season 2. All 8 episodes were released for binge watchers to catch up on The Straw Hats crew, this time sailing into the Grand Line. The adventure of course continues which follows the crew fending themselves from different difficulties.
Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man (March 2026, Netflix Film)
A continuation from the tv series, this movie is set during the WWII with the story revolving around Tommy Shelby’s son, Duke, who gets involved in a scheme to collapse Britain’s economy by bringing in forged pounds.
The Boroughs (May 2026)
A retirement community seems all peaceful and ‘standard’ from the outside, but deep inside, it harbours some strage secrets including some creepy monsters who are stealing ‘time’. Can the residents solve this situation and restore peace back to their community?
Man on Fire (April 2026, Netflix Series)
Creasy a traumatized veteran must battle himself and the criminal conspiracy he gets involved in to make sure that he protects Poe, a young girl in Rio de Janeiro after his best friend who is estranged is killed in an explosion.
Still Coming in 2026
| Show | What It Is | Expected Premiere |
|---|---|---|
| Lupin Season 4 | This season will still center around Assane but he is no longer running away from the police. In fact he has to now adjust to life in a controlled environment and successfully deal with Pellegrini’s manipulations. | October 2026 |
| The Gentleman Season 2 | The story follows Eddie Horniman who is now a drug lord (technically) and Susie Glass who are trying to take their drug business global, essentially making them members of the global criminal underworld. | September 2026 |
| Black Doves Season 2 | As Helen prepares to become the first lady, she is still betraying her nation, by giving her organization, the Black Doves, major country secrets. But when everything comes under scrutiny, can she hold out and protect the ones that she loves dearly? | Late 2026, TBA |
| 3 Body Problem Season 2 | A sci-fi thriller that is a trilogy based on Liu Cixin’s story which follows the characters who brace for invasion in this season | Late 2026, TBA |
| The Diplomat Season 4 | A story that has been following Kate Wyler, a diplomat who is now the first lady and all the dangerous deals and drama around her, her husband and her team. | Late 2026, TBA |
Best Netflix Movies of 2026
Little Brother (2026, Netflix Film)
Marcus interrupts Rudd’s pristine life after coming out of a facility, as he is the only person that he knows, thanks to the charity program that connected them both when they were young. Can Rudd’s orderly life go on with the chaos?
GOAT (2026, Netflix Animated Film)
GOAT is one of the best anime on Netflix to watch that revolves around not underestimating the underdog that can indeed be a champion one day. Voiced by several well known names in the industry, the visuals are also definitely a feast to watch and with the overall uplifting and positive messaging.
Office Romance (June 2026, Netflix Film)
Daniel joins AirCruz after an internal restructuring only to find himself totally attracted to its CEO, Jackie Cruz. Problem is, there is a no-fraternization policy in the company which is strictly enforced by Jackie herself. Will these two jeopardize their jobs for love?
His Three Daughters (Licensed)
Katie, Christina, and Rachel come together to try and care for their father, Vincent, who is very sick, in New York. With all three sisters, and their own personalities coming together, many old wounds open up, plus resentments. Can the three girls stand up for each other and care for their father, one last time?
How We Put This List Together
In order to make sure that you get the best available content on Netflix in 2026, we made sure that every title that shows up on this guide is confirmed available on Netflix, this year.
The genre sections, on the other hand, only contain shows that target what readers are actually searching for on the platform. Licensed titles are also only included where they represent the best of a specific genre currently on the platform. Meanwhile, information on Netflix’s originals are all taken and cross-checked from their own official Netflix announcements and TV guides.
This is all to ensure that we put together this list as fairly as possible, so you can have the best netflix series in 2026 as well as movies. One thing to note is that, we will strive to keep the list updated as and when new titles are added since Netflix often refreshes its contents monthly.
Final Verdict
2026 has been a strong and varied year for Netflix based on the sheer fact that no one single genre dominates the content that they put out to their audience which is actually a good sign for the platform’s content strategy
If you have limited time for TV, we will definitely suggest that you watch what might be the best netflix series 2026, Beef Season 2, and as for movies, we suggest you watch Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man.
Now, if time is not of concern, then we will definitely add two more content that will complete your ‘what to watch on Netflix 2026’ quest, which are, One Piece Season 2 the TV series; Apex and His Three Daughters for movies.