Upcoming TV Shows in 2026 (May, June, July) Ranked

The summer TV season is stacked with multiple new additions across May, June, and July. From a Marvel-like noir thriller hitting Prime Video to the bloodiest season yet of HBO’s dragon saga, upcoming TV shows in 2026 are delivering rich content for fans across every genre and platform.

This guide will cover the biggest premieres and returning shows across May, June, and July, ranked so you know what to watch and when.

Why This Is TV’s Most Exciting Summer in Years

Summer 2026 is slated with the most anticipated titles across platforms before the Emmy Awards eligibility window closes, which means you’ll get to see multiple new and returning TV shows in back-to-back months.

If you’re a fan who has been waiting for a specific series continuation or looking for a prestige drama, the wait is almost over with the upcoming TV shows in 2026.

Upcoming TV Shows in May 2026 — Ranked

1. Spider-Noir — Prime Video (May 27, 2026)

• Genre: Superhero Noir / Crime Thriller

As per Rotten Tomatoes’ most anticipated May 2026 TV poll, Spider-Noir was voted the most anticipated TV show of May by users of the platform. The live-action dark thriller stars Nicolas Cage as Ben Reilly, an older version of the hero set in an alternate 1930s New York City.

The official teaser trailer of the show was revealed by Prime Video alongside a premiere date of May 27, 2026. For the first time, Nicolas Cage will lead a TV show in his career, via Amazon MGM Studios. The series is expected to release all eight episodes on May 27, 2026, on Prime Video, while the first episode on MGM+ will drop on May 25, 2026.

The biggest move by Prime Video gives its viewers two choices to experience the series: Authentic Black & White and True-Hue Full Colour.

The cast of Spider-Noir includes Lamorne Morris, Li Jun Li, Karen Rodriguez, Abraham Popoola, Jack Huston, and Brendan Gleeson.

• Why You Should Watch: First of all, it’s a Marvel-backed project with Nicolas Cage leading for the first time, along with strong noir credentials. If you’re a fan of detective stories combined with superhero mythology, this one is perfect for you. The dual viewing options — black and white and color — make it one of the most innovative releases of the year.
• Similar to: Daredevil: Born Again, with dark, street-level superhero drama that does justice to the genre.
• Audience: Best for superhero fans, noir admirers, and Nicolas Cage fans.

2. The Boroughs — Netflix (May 21, 2026)

• Genre: Supernatural Horror / Drama

The Boroughs, premiering May 21, follows a setting similar to the Stranger Things world, where a peaceful community is shaken by an otherworldly danger. Coming from Stranger Things creators, the Duffer Brothers, the series stars Denis O’Hare, Alfre Woodard, and Alfred Molina.

• Why You Should Watch: The Duffer Brothers coming on board as producers for a supernatural retirement community drama is a wild premise. Their previous work has built considerable hype for The Boroughs. If you liked the small-town chaos in Stranger Things, consider this the spiritual successor to it.
• Similar to: Stranger Things, with suburban living completely shaken by something monstrous.
• Audience: Best for horror fans, Stranger Things viewers, and admirers of supernatural drama.

3. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Season 2 — Netflix (May 27, 2026)

• Genre: Mystery Thriller

Season 2 of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is set to premiere officially on May 27, 2026, on Netflix. Similar to the debut season, which premiered on July 1, 2024, this one will also come with six episodes.

Season 2 is a direct adaptation of Holly Jackson’s second novel in the series, Good Girl, Bad Blood. Pip chooses to move past the fallout and avoid further investigations after solving Andie Bell’s case. But when Connor’s brother Jamie suddenly disappears, she finds herself racing against time to find him.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Season 2 marks the return of Emma Myers as Pip alongside Zain Iqbal as Ravi Singh, via What’s on Netflix.

• Why You Should Watch: Season 1 was viewed 7.4 million times and watched for over 34 million hours in a single week, earning a strong 83% Tomatometer score. Season 2 raises the stakes, comes with a brand-new case, and has Holly Jackson writing the series herself.
• Similar to: Pretty Little Liars, with a teenage protagonist digging into a mystery that gets more complicated with each step.
• Audience: Best for mystery fans, YA drama lovers, Wednesday fans, and Adolescence viewers.

4. Rick and Morty Season 9 — Adult Swim (May 24, 2026)

• Genre: Animated Sci-Fi Comedy

Rick and Morty Season 9 is set to premiere on Adult Swim on May 24, 2026, at 11:00 PM EST, with new episodes releasing weekly until July 26. Continuing the format of the show, Season 9 will come with ten episodes.

Fans in the United States can digitally purchase new episodes shortly after their debut. The official synopsis for Season 9 by Adult Swim states: “Season Nine is all certified bangers. No AI slop! Just Grade A organic slop, made by real humans.”

• Why You Should Watch: Rick and Morty is an institution at this point, and Season 9 marks the second full season with new lead voice actors Ian Cardoni and Harry Belden, who are now fully comfortable in their roles. Adult Swim president Michael Ouweleen described the show’s creative output as “kind of scary what this show unit is doing season over season.” If Season 8 felt like a creative reset, Season 9 will feel like the full payoff, via MovieWeb.
• Similar to: Futurama, an animated sci-fi adult comedy combining humor with sharp writing.
• Audience: Best for adult animation fans, sci-fi comedy lovers, and longtime Rick and Morty viewers.

Upcoming TV Shows in June 2026 — Ranked

1. House of the Dragon Season 3 — HBO/Max (June 21, 2026)

• Genre: Fantasy / Epic Drama

The third season of the Game of Thrones prequel will launch on June 21 at 9 p.m. ET and will stream simultaneously on Max. The eight-episode season will air new episodes every week until August 9.

Season 3 will feature the most battles of any Game of Thrones season so far, along with a high death toll. According to Game Rant, the season will open with the Battle of the Gullet, a naval showdown that showrunner Ryan Condal described as something “nobody has ever done before,” while director Loni Peristere called the season one that “goes to 11.”

House of the Dragon Season 3 stars Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Steve Toussaint, Rhys Ifans, Fabien Frankel, Ewan Mitchell, Tom Glynn-Carney, Sonoya Mizuno, and Harry Collett.

• Why You Should Watch: Seasons 1 and 2 were the setup — Season 3 is where the war actually begins. The Dance of the Dragons, a full-scale Targaryen civil war with multiple dragon clashes, has been in production for the past two years. This is the season the entire series has been building toward.
• Similar to: Game of Thrones Seasons 3–4, with large-scale battles, political arcs, and characters making shocking choices.
• Audience: Best for Game of Thrones fans, fantasy drama viewers, and anyone who has survived the long wait since Season 2.

2. The Bear Season 5 (Final Season) — Hulu/FX (June 25, 2026)

• Genre: Drama / Dark Comedy

FX has announced the fifth season of The Bear as its last, with the season premiering on June 25, 2026. All eight episodes will be available to binge on Hulu starting at 6 p.m. PT.

The final season picks up the day Sydney, Richie, and Natalie discover that Carmy has quit the food industry and left the restaurant to them. With no money, the constant risk of losing the business, and chaos all around them, they must work together with the rest of the staff to pull off one final dinner service — and earn a Michelin star.

The Bear has become one of the most acclaimed comedy-drama series of all time, earning over 116 awards and 210 nominations.

• Why You Should Watch: The emotional intensity of the final season, with a Michelin star on the line and no Carmy in the kitchen, sets it up to be one of the most talked-about series finales in TV history.
• Similar to: The Pitt with high-stakes, character-focused drama set within a high-pressure professional environment.
• Audience: Best for drama fans, prestige TV viewers, and anyone who has followed Carmy, Sydney, and the gang since Season 1.

3. Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2 — Netflix (June 25, 2026)

• Genre: Fantasy / Adventure

Season 2 of the live-action reimagining drops on Netflix on June 25, 2026. Aang and his friends push further into the Earth Kingdom and face greater dangers in their fight against Fire Lord Ozai. Along the way, they’ll enter the mysterious city of Ba Sing Se, which Netflix will bring to life on a grander scale.

Unlike Season 1 (eight episodes), Season 2 will release all seven episodes at once on June 25, 2026. Netflix has already confirmed Season 3 as the final season of the series.

Returning cast for Season 2 includes Gordon Cormier, Kiawentiio, Ian Ousley, Dallas Liu, Elizabeth Yu, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, and Daniel Dae Kim, with Miyako joining the show as Toph.

• Why You Should Watch: Season 2 of the animated original was the moment the series became legendary, and the live-action version looks to match that greatness. The construction of a large physical set for the city of Ba Sing Se has raised fan expectations considerably.
• Despite having one fewer episode, the overall runtime of Season 2 will exceed Season 1’s 430 minutes, as per What’s on Netflix.
• Similar to: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, with a faithful fantasy adaptation of a beloved animation built for a multigenerational audience.
• Audience: Best for animation fans, fantasy adventure lovers, and families.

Upcoming TV Shows in July 2026 — Ranked

There are multiple shows hitting streaming platforms in July 2026, but here are the top ones ranked just for you.

1. Silo Season 3 — Apple TV+ (July 3, 2026)

• Genre: Sci-Fi / Dystopian Drama

The 10-episode Season 3 of Silo will release on Apple TV+ on July 3, 2026, with new episodes dropping every Friday until September 4, 2026.

Season 3 continues the story of 10,000 people living underground in a giant silo, unaware of where they truly are. In the present timeline, Juliette Nichols survives her forced “cleaning” but returns with memory loss as the silo recovers from rebellion and faces a dangerous new threat.

Meanwhile, in the past, journalist Helen Drew and Congressman Daniel Keene uncover a conspiracy that sets in motion events that will permanently alter the future.

The show holds a strong 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and has already been renewed for a fourth and final season.

• Why You Should Watch: Silo is the kind of sci-fi show that rewards patience. Season 3 will finally reveal the origins of the Silo while also introducing a new timeline with new characters and a story set before the apocalypse.
• Similar to: Lost, a layered mystery that continuously reveals new angles of a larger conspiracy.
• Audience: Best for sci-fi fans, dystopian drama viewers, and mystery lovers willing to stay the course.

2. Elle (Legally Blonde Prequel) — Prime Video (July 1, 2026)

• Genre: Comedy / Drama

Elle brings the Legally Blonde prequel to Prime Video on July 1, 2026. The story follows a young Elle Woods in high school, tracing the life experiences that shaped the iconic young woman originally played by Reese Witherspoon. In a show of confidence, Prime Video has already announced a second season of Elle before the first has even aired, via Rotten Tomatoes.

• Why You Should Watch: A Season 2 renewal before a single episode has aired speaks volumes about how much confidence the network has in this show. If you’ve ever wanted to know how Elle Woods became Elle Woods, this series is the answer.
• Similar to: The Sex Lives of College Girls, with a sharp, character-driven comedy following young women navigating a world that underestimates them.
• Audience: Best for Legally Blonde fans, comedy-drama lovers, and younger audiences.

3. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 5 — Paramount+ (July 23, 2026)

• Genre: Sci-Fi / Space Adventure

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds returns for its fifth and final season on Paramount+ on July 23, as confirmed by Deadline.

• Why You Should Watch: Strange New Worlds revived the soul of classic Star Trek with episodic storytelling and a cast worth watching every week. As the series wraps up with its final season, fans can expect the best possible send-off for the franchise.
• Similar to: Star Trek: The Next Generation, with episodic adventure, sharp writing, and strong moral storytelling.
• Audience: Best for Star Trek fans, sci-fi series lovers, and viewers who appreciate standalone episode structures.

Full Streaming Platform Breakdown

Here’s the table representing each of the above series with their respective release dates and streaming platforms:

You can also check out the current Netflix Top 10 before titles leave the charts.

Who Should Watch What?

With so many upcoming TV shows, it can be hard to know where to start. Here’s a breakdown by genre to help you find the best fit:

• Fantasy & Epic Drama fans → House of the Dragon S3 and Avatar: The Last Airbender S2 are the recommended picks.
• Sci-fi lovers → Silo S3 and Strange New Worlds Season 5 are the standouts in this category.
• Superhero fans → Spider-Noir is the only series worth watching in this genre through July 2026.
• Prestige drama viewers → The Bear Season 5 is the must-watch of June.
• Families and YA audiences → Elle and Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2 are the best choices for a group watch.

Which of these upcoming TV shows in 2026 are you most excited for? Let me know in the comments below.