Anticipated TV Shows of 2026: 2025 turned out to be one of those rare years where television didn’t just entertain, it dominated. Between emotional heavy-hitters, massive genre shows, and long-awaited finales, it reminded us why TV can sometimes hit harder than movies.
And now, with 2026 around the corner, the question isn’t if great shows are coming, it’s which ones deserve your attention first.
After looking at what’s officially lined up, what fans are buzzing about, and what actually has the potential to matter, here are the five Most Anticipated TV Shows, counting down from five to one.
5. Wonder Man
- Genre: Superhero
- Release Date: January 27, 2026
- Where to Stream: Disney+
Marvel has tried a lot of things lately. Some worked. Some… didn’t. That’s exactly why Wonder Man feels interesting. Simon Williams isn’t your typical “I must save the world” superhero. He’s an actor. He wants fame. Validation. Spotlight. Superpowers just happen to come along for the ride.
What really sells this show for me is the angle. Wonder Man isn’t pretending to be another standard Marvel origin story. It’s leaning into satire, self-awareness, and a bit of chaos, especially with Trevor Slattery involved. That alone tells you this series knows exactly what it’s doing.
If Marvel sticks the landing, this could end up being one of its most refreshing experiments in years.
4. House of the Dragon Season 3
- Genre: Fantasy, Political Drama
- Release Date: Summer 2026 (Date: TBA)
- Where to Stream: HBO Max
If Season 2 set the stage, Season 3 is where everything burns. This is the part of the story House of the Dragon has been building toward: the brutal turning points, the impossible choices, and the moments that permanently change who survives and who doesn’t.
The Battle of the Gullet alone is enough to put this season on the list. Add to that Rhaenyra’s moral descent, Alicent losing control, Daemon fully embracing war, and dragons paying the ultimate price… yeah, this one’s going to hurt. But in the best way possible.
3. The Testaments
- Genre: Dystopian Fiction
- Release Date: Spring 2026 (Date: TBA)
- Where to Stream: Hulu
The Handmaid’s Tale never really stopped haunting people, and The Testaments looks ready to finish what it started. Set 15 years later, this sequel isn’t about survival anymore. It’s about consequences.
What happens to Gilead when the cracks finally show? What does resistance look like from the inside? And how do people like Aunt Lydia live with the choices they made?
This story shifts the focus to three women, Lydia, Agnes, and Daisy, and finally explores Gilead’s biggest weakness: its need for control. If done right, The Testaments could be quieter than its predecessor, but far more devastating.
2. Euphoria Season 3
- Genre: Psychological drama
- Release Date: Spring 2026 (Date: TBA)
- Where to Stream: HBO Max
It’s been a long wait. Too long. But Euphoria Season 3 isn’t just another season; it’s the end of the road. And that changes everything.
The five-year time jump alone makes this fascinating. These characters aren’t teenagers anymore. They’re adults carrying unresolved trauma, bad decisions, and consequences that don’t disappear with age.
What I’m most curious about isn’t the shock value; Euphoria has plenty of that. It’s whether the show can bring emotional closure to characters people have grown deeply attached to. If it pulls that off, Season 3 could easily become the most talked-about TV event of the year.
1. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
- Genre: Fantasy drama
- Release Date: January 18, 2026
- Where to Stream: HBO Max
This isn’t just another Game of Thrones spinoff, and that’s exactly why it deserves the top spot. Instead of political chaos and endless bloodshed, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms brings something rare to Westeros: heart.
Dunk and Egg’s story is smaller, warmer, and more personal. It’s about honor, friendship, and quiet bravery, set in a world we usually associate with cruelty. Watching Duncan the Tall wander through the Seven Kingdoms with a boy who secretly happens to be a Targaryen king-in-waiting? That’s storytelling gold.
This show has the chance to remind fans that not every great fantasy needs to be loud. Sometimes, it just needs to be human.
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Final Thoughts On Most Anticipated TV Shows
2026 is shaping up to be a huge year for television, not because of sheer volume, but because of variety. We’re getting satire, fantasy, psychological drama, political tragedy, and emotional character studies, all in one year. And honestly? That’s the kind of lineup that makes staying home feel like a good decision.
If even half of these Most Anticipated TV Shows deliver on their promise, 2026 is going to be a year TV fans talk about for a long time. And I, for one, can’t wait.