The best shows on Netflix (January 2026)

By Dan Girolamo and Anthony Orlando Updated January 12, 2026

A few fresh and familiar favorites highlight Netflix’s new shows this January. After almost ten years on streaming, Stranger Things wrapped up its fifth and final season on Netflix with the series finale on New Year’s Eve.

Netflix has also unveiled another thrilling murder mystery series, Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials. On top of that, the romantic hit, Bridgerton, will return with the first part of its fourth season.

View the entire list for the best shows on Netflix this month.

We’ve also rounded up all the best new shows to stream this week, the best movies on Netflix, the best shows on Hulu, the best shows on Amazon Prime, and the best shows on Disney+. 

 Stranger Things has become a cultural touchstone since its 2016 debut, becoming one of the most popular original series on Netflix. The show began with a group of kids in the town of Hawkins playing D&D in a suburban basement, with one of them being taken by an interdimensional monster unleashed in a government lab. It has since grown into the action-packed sci-fi epic featured in season 5, depicting the war between the heroes of Hawkins and the monsters invading their home.

Stranger Things is rooted in ‘80s genre nostalgia, drawing elements from the works of Stephen King, Steven Spielberg, John Hughes, and Wes Craven. The show will feel immediately familiar to people who grew up with the stories that inspired it, infusing supernatural horror with heartfelt drama to deliver an inventive, entertaining adventure.

For more info on the final season, check out Stranger Things season 5: Plot, date, and casting rumors.

Genre: Sci-Fi, Horror, DramaStars: Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Millie Bobby BrownSeasons: 5

Based on the novel by Harlan Coben, Run Away follows father Simon Greene (James Nesbitt), whose idyllic life falls apart when his daughter Paige (Ellie de Lange) runs away from home. During his search, he discovers she’s addicted to drugs and dating a man named Aaron (Thomas Flynn).

After Aaron turns up dead, Simon is suspected of murdering him, with Detectives Fagbendle (Alfred Enoch) and Todd (Amy Gledhill) pursuing him. As Simon and his wife Ingrid (Minnie Driver) try to uncover the truth, they discover a greater conspiracy at play that threatens to turn their lives upside down.

Genre: ThrillerStars: James Nesbitt, Ellie de Lange, Ruth Jones, Minnie Driver, Alfred Enoch, Amy GledhillSeasons: 5

Set in the year 1925, Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials sees a house party go horribly wrong when one of the guests, Gerry Wade (Corey Mylchreest), turns up murdered. In response, Wade’s friend and romantic interest, Lady Eileen “Bundle” Brent (Mia McKenna-Bruce) sets out find the truth behind his death.

Though she is an amateur detective, Eileen boldly ventures into this new world in search of Gerry’s killer. What ensues is one of the most iconic murder mysteries ever told, all centered around seven clocks left at the scene of the crime. This three-episode mystery series premieres on Netflix on January 15.

Genre: Mystery, Period DramaStars: Mia McKenna-Bruce, Helena Bonham Carter, Martin FreemanSeasons: 1

Against all odds, Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) found the love that they so desperately needed in Bridgerton season 3. In season 4, we follow Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) when he falls for maid Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha), who appears to him at a masquerade ball as the mysterious “Lady in Silver.”

With this tale of two star-crossed lovers from two different worlds, the new season of Bridgerton just screams Cinderella. But as two worlds collide, Benedict and Sophie struggle to follow their hearts as society threatens to tear them apart. Bridgerton season 4 part 1 premieres on January 29.

Genre: Romance, DramaStars: Luke Thompson, Yerin Ha, Katie Leung, Michelle Mao, Isabella Wei, Jonathan Bailey, Simone Ashley, Claudia Jessie, Luke Newton, Nicole CoughlanSeasons: 4

Breaking Bad immediately hooked its audience with its first scene, in which a pantless Walter White (Bryan Cranston) flees in an RV after a drug deal gone wrong. We then follow Walter’s descent into crime and villainy as he teams up with his former student, Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul), to make and sell meth so he can pay for his cancer treatment and support his family.

However, as his criminal empire expands, Walter finds himself pursued by his brother-in-law (Dean Norris), who works for the DEA. He also clashes with rival gangs and drug dealers, particularly the ruthless Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito). Throughout its original five-season run, Breaking Bad received numerous awards, including two Emmys for Outstanding Drama Series. Even 12 years since the show ended, Breaking Bad remains one of the most acclaimed TV shows in history.

Genre: Drama, Crime, Neo-WesternStars: Bryan Cranston, Anna Gunn, Aaron Paul, Dean Norris, Giancarlo EspositoSeasons: 5

Hostage depicts a tense situation with global implications that could easily happen. French and British leaders are preparing for an international summit when scandals hit both sides. British Prime Minister Abigail Dalton (Suranne Jones) learns that her husband has been kidnapped, and the abductors want her resignation within 24 hours.

Meanwhile, French President Vivienne Toussaint (Julie Delpy) is blackmailed with a video that would damage her reputation. Toussaint’s blackmailers instruct her to facilitate Dalton’s resignation. With few options and little time, Dalton and Toussaint must put politics aside and work together or face the tragic consequences.

Genre: Drama, War & PoliticsStars: Suranne Jones, Julie Delpy, Corey MylchreestSeasons: 1

Eric Bana attempts to solve a murder in Yosemite National Park in the drama series Untamed. After an unidentified woman’s body falls off El Capitan, National Park Service Investigative Services Branch (ISB) special agent Kyle Turner (Bana) is called in to investigate. Turner has never been the same since the loss of his son and the dissolution of his marriage. Still, no one knows Yosemite better than Turner, making him the best candidate to solve the case.

Turner is paired with rookie National Park Service ranger Naya Vasquez (Lily Santiago). Together, the two begin to track down the murderer, who will be difficult to identify due to the killer’s knowledge of the park. Untamed’s popularity led to an early season 2 renewal, which will be set at a new national park.

Genre: Drama, Murder MysteryStars: Eric Bana, Sam Neill, Rosemarie DeWitt, Lily Santiago, Wilson BethelSeasons: 1

There have been plenty of Westerns and frontier stories, but few as raw as American Primeval. This miniseries doesn’t romanticize the Old West, and it’s an often brutal look at the people who lived in those times and the atrocities they were willing to commit in the name of making a better future for themselves and their families. Sara Rowell (Betty Gilpin), for example, will do almost anything to protect her son, Devin (Preston Mota). That’s why she puts their lives in the hands of a stranger, Isaac Reed (Taylor Kitsch), who attempts to lead them, and a Native American girl, Two Moons (Shawnee Pourier), to safety.

Meanwhile, Brigham Young (Kim Coates) is obsessed with making a home for himself and his religious followers, even if it means engineering a massacre of the tribes who already live on the lands he wants to claim. Everyone’s hands are bloody in this world, and there are seemingly few lines that Young isn’t willing to cross.

Genre: Western, DramaStars: Taylor Kitsch, Saura Lightfoot-Leon, Jai Courtney, Kim Coates, Shea Whigham, Betty GilpinSeasons: 1

Princess Diana (Elizabeth Debicki) is gone when the second half of The Crown’s final season begins, and Queen Elizabeth II (Imelda Staunton) is feeling her own mortality at the start of the 21st century. Now, it’s time for Diana’s sons, Prince William (Ed McVey) and Prince Harry (Luther Ford), to come to the forefront.

This half of the season recreates William’s courtship of Kate Middleton (Meg Bellamy), while Prince Charles (Dominic West) finally gets to wed Camilla Parker Bowles (Olivia Williams) as Elizabeth wonders what her legacy will be, and how the royal family will endure. Now that the series is over, you can also go back and check out the best performances in The Crown.

Genre: DramaStars: Imelda Staunton, Jonathan Pryce, Lesley Manville, Dominic West, Olivia Williams, Elizabeth DebickiSeasons: 6

Ted Danson has been headlining sitcoms since Cheers debuted in 1982, so he has TV comedy down to a science. A Man on the Inside reunites Danson with The Good Place co-creator Michael Schur for a comedic mystery in a retirement community. Danson plays Charles, a retired widower who needs something more out of his golden years. So, when private investigator Julie (Lilah Richcreek Estrada) needs a mole to infiltrate the Pacific View Retirement Home, Charles was all for it.

The biggest problem with sending Charles undercover is that he has no experience as a detective, and he’s prone to mistakes. The community’s residents accept Charles at face value, with most of them embracing him as one of their own. That also complicates Charles’ agenda because he has to lie about his true purpose, and he may not be able to stay among the residents once the case is finished.

Genre: ComedyStars: Ted Danson, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Lilah Richcreek Estrada, Stephanie BeatrizSeasons: 2

Alan Alda wrote and directed The Four Seasons film in 1981, but he takes on a supporting role in Netflix’s modern update. Kate (Tina Fey) and her husband, Jack (Will Forte), have been going on vacations a year with their friends for as long as they can remember. But this time, health troubles are clouding the marriage of Claude (Marco Calvani) and Danny (Colman Domingo) while Nick (Steve Carell) is ready to split from Anne (Kerri Kenney-Silver), his wife of 25 years.

More than anything else, Nick’s actions strain the group’s dynamic, especially when he starts dating a much younger woman, Ginny (Erika Henningsen), and brings her to the group activities with the other couples. Can the friendship of these couples survive the changes in their lives?

Genre: Drama, ComedyStars: Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Will Forte, Colman Domingo, Erika Henningsen, Kerri Kenney-SilverSeasons: 1

Cobra Kai season 6 has come and gone, marking the end of Netflix’s sequel series to the Karate Kid films. This is the end of the road for some characters, although we do see Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) again in Karate Kid: Legends. Daniel’s rivalry with Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) dates back to the original Karate Kid film, and reignited when they were middle-aged adults in Cobra Kai.

Over the last six seasons, Johnny and Daniel have found some common ground, especially when going up against John Kreese (Martin Kove) and a resurgent Cobra Kai. How will their story come to a close? You’ll just have to watch this series to find out.

Genre: Comedy, DramaStars: Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, Courtney Henggeler, Xolo Maridueña, Tanner BuchananSeasons: 6

Two decades ago, Kristen Bell and Adam Brody each had their own YA teen dramas, Veronica Mars and The O.C., respectively. Now, they’re sharing the stage as would-be lovers in Nobody Wants This. Bell plays Joanne, a woman with a podcast where she gets to vent about her terrible dating life. Brody portrays Noah, a rabbi who has just left a long-term relationship that could have led to marriage.

Despite her openly agnostic views about religion, Joanne finds herself romantically drawn to Noah, and the feeling is mutual. While a happy relationship could impact Joanne’s podcast, their romance has potentially larger consequences for Noah. His family doesn’t seem to be very happy that he’s not dating a Jewish woman, and his choice may harm his career as a rabbi.

Genre: Comedy, RomanceStars: Kristen Bell, Adam Brody, Justine Lupe, Timothy SimonsSeasons: 1

It’s now or never for Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) in Squid Game season 3. At the end of season 2, Gi-hun’s plans to end the games backfire. The rebellion is squashed when In-ho (Lee Byung-hun) reveals himself as the Front Man and goes on a killing spree. Gi-hun is then sent back into the games, where the remaining players vote to continue playing. Despite being at his lowest point, Gi-hun is still motivated to put an end to the games once and for all.

To do that, he will need to survive the deadly competitions, which include hide-and-seek and jump rope. While Gi-hun tries to end the games from within, the Front Man’s brother, Jun-ho (Wi Ha-jun), continues to search for the secluded island that hosts the arena.

Genre: Action, Mystery, DramaStars: Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Wi Ha-joonSeasons: 3

You can take the serial killer out of New York, but you can’t take the New York out of the killer! For its fifth and final season, You is bringing Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) back to where it all began, and he’s trying to be good. Joe’s rich and famous, married to a wealthy woman named Kate (Charlotte Ritchie), and he’s got custody of his son, Henry (Frankie DeMaio).

But Joe’s old habits die hard, and when someone threatens to ruin his wife’s reputation, that’s just an invitation for Joe to permanently silence them. He’s slipping back into his old ways, and that may prove to be Joe’s fatal flaw as the show races toward its conclusion.

Genre: ThrillerStars: Penn Badgley, Charlotte Ritchie, Madeline Brewer, Anna Camp, Griffin MatthewsSeasons: 5

Black Doves may start during the holidays, but this is no feel-good Christmas story. Instead, this spy thriller turns into a revenge story for Helen Webb (Keira Knightley), a Black Doves operative who has spent years undercover as the wife of Britain’s defense secretary, Wallace Webb (Andrew Buchan). She may have kids with Wallace, but her heart is with another man named Jason (Andrew Koji).

When someone kills Jason, Helen is ready to throw her life away in a bid to avenge his death. Her mentor and spy master, Mrs. Reed (Sarah Lancashire), sends Helen’s closest friend in the Black Doves, Sam (Ben Whishaw), to watch her back. Yet, Sam’s real mission may be to ensure that Helen’s revenge doesn’t compromise her clandestine organization.

Genre: Thriller, DramaStars: Keira Knightley, Sarah Lancashire, Ben Whishaw, Andrew Koji, Andrew BuchanSeasons: 1

Scott Frank, the writer and director behind The Queen’s Gambit, has a fresh series on Netflix called Dept. Q, which is based on the novels by Danish author Jussi Adler-Olsen. It doesn’t take long to establish why Detective Carl Morck (Matthew Goode) is so emotionally fraught and traumatized, and he’s not particularly well-liked by his fellow cops. Carl’s career is essentially over when he’s assigned to head up Department Q, Edinburg’s cold case unit.

But rather than take the opportunity for introspection, Carl throws himself into a missing persons case that his colleagues couldn’t solve. His drive and the opportunity to prove themselves draw a cadet named Rose (Leah Byrne) and a former Syrian cop, Akram Salim (Alexej Manvelov), to join Carl as they attempt to make a place for themselves.

Genre: Mystery, ThrillerStars: Matthew Goode, Kelly Macdonald, Chloe Pirrie, Alexej Manvelov, Leah ByrneSeasons: 1

Each episode of Adolescence was filmed in one continuous take, and the show rarely lets the audience have a breather. In the opening minutes alone, DI Luke Bascombe (Ashley Walters) and DS Misha Frank (Faye Marsay) burst into a home alongside a SWAT team to arrest 13-year-old boy, Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper), for the murder of his classmate, Katie (Emilia Holliday).

Jamie’s parents, Eddie (Stephen Graham) and Manda Miller (Christine Tremarco), don’t initially believe that Jamie’s done anything wrong. But as the police press Jamie for answers, the question about Jamie’s guilt seems to give way to why he did it rather than if. And because of his age, Jamie’s future seems precarious at best as his family wonders what’s next.

Genre: Crime, DramaStars: Stephen Graham, Ashley Walters, Erin Doherty, Owen Cooper, Faye MarsaySeasons: 1

Since Netflix will release a sequel film to this acclaimed series, audiences should take this time to catch up with all six seasons of Peaky Blinders. Set after World War I, this gangster family epic follows the titular street gang, led by war hero Thomas Shelby (Cillian Murphy) and his family, as they chase their criminal ambitions on the streets of England.

Genre: Crime/DramaStars: Cillian Murphy, Sam Neill, Helen McCrory, Paul Anderson, Annabelle Wallis, Sophie Rundle, Tom HardySeasons: 6

Horror maestro Mike Flanagan (The Life of Chuck) kicked off his incredible run on Netflix with this hit horror anthology series. The first season adapted Shirley Jackson’s novel, The Haunting of Hill House, while the second season, The Haunting of Bly Manor, adapted the works of author Henry James, particularly The Turn of the Screw.

Flanagan took great liberties when adapting these tales for the modern age. However, each season of this show invokes the spirit of classic haunted house stories, delivering unforgettable scares while telling poignant, mind-bending tales about unresolved trauma, grief, guilt, loneliness, addiction, and family dysfunction.

Genre: Horror/DramaStars: Henry Thomas, Victoria Pedretti, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Kate Siegel, Carla GuginoSeasons: 2

Oscar-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro curated this collection of short films from some of horror’s most visionary, creative directors and writers. The eight stories in the series’ first season hail from a wide range of filmmakers, including Vincenzo Natali (Cube), Ana Lily Amirpour (A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night), Jennifer Kent (The Babadook), and Del Toro himself.

Genre: Fantasy/HorrorStars: Ben Barnes, Andrew Lincoln, Rupert GrintSeasons: 1

Return to Nevermore for another mysterious adventure in Wednesday, the supernatural dramedy about Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega). After solving the murder in season 1, Wednesday heads back to Nevermore Academy in season 2, and this time, she’s accompanied by her brother, Pugsley (Isaac Ordonez), and parents, Morticia (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and Gomez Addams (Luis Guzmán).

As she harnesses her psychic powers, Wednesday has a vision where Enid Sinclair (Emma Myers) dies. To save Enid, Wednesday must uncover her family’s long list of secrets, as they might hold the key to a better future.

Genre: Fantasy, comedy, mysteryStars: Jenna Ortega, Emma Myers, Joy Sunday, Isaac Ordonez, Moosa Mostafa, Hunter Doohan, Steve Buscemi, Georgie Farmer, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Luis GuzmánSeasons: 2

Adapted from Stephen King’s novel, 11.22.63 follows teacher Jake Epping (James Franco), who discovers a portal that sends him back in time to 1960. He is then tasked with preventing the assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy.

As he tries to keep a low profile in the past until the fateful day, Jake finds himself drawn to his new life and the people he meets. This makes it more difficult for him to stop JFK’s death, especially when time itself tries to keep him from altering history.

Genre: Sci-fi, Drama, Thriller, MysteryStars: James Franco, Sarah Gadon, Lucy Fry, George MacKay, Daniel Webber, Chris CooperSeasons: 1

The Eternaut is a famous Argentine comic that was only published in America within the last ten years. Netflix’s adaptation of Héctor Germán Oesterheld and Francisco Solano López maintains the original setting, so you may want to turn on the subtitles for this one. In Buenos Aires, almost the entire population of people dies when snow falls out of season. Even incidental contact with the snow can kill.

This is no mere accident of nature. It was an attack, but the questions of who did this and how will have to wait for Juan Salvo (Ricardo Darín). Juan is one of the few survivors who was lucky enough to be indoors when the snow fell. Now, Juan will risk anything to reunite with his ex-wife, Elena (Carla Peterson), and their daughter, Clara (Mora Fisz). But the dangerous new world that emerges may cut any family reunion short.

Genre: Sci-fi, Drama, ThrillerStars: Ricardo Darín, Carla Peterson, César Troncoso, Andrea Pietra, Marcelo SubiottoSeasons: 1

The latest season of Black Mirror, Charlie Brooker’s mind-bending sci-fi anthology, consists of five self-contained standalone episodes and one sequel to the fan-favorite season 4 episode USS Callister. As with its previous seasons, Black Mirror has attracted a number of established stars to make one-off appearances.

Like its predecessor, The Twilight Zone, Black Mirror‘s stories are about people who make the wrong choices more often than the right ones. And the consequences of those choices aren’t always pleasant. And in this series, things can always get worse for the main characters before the screen fades to black.

Genre: Sci-fi, DramaStars: Rashida Jones, Peter Capaldi, Paul Giamatti, Cristin Milioti, Issa Rae, AwkwafinaSeasons: 7

Created by Alex Stapleton and rapper 50 Cent, this shocking docuseries explores the numerous allegations against imprisoned music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. The series explores Combs’ rise and fall in the music industry, along with his history of criminal activity, including physical and sexual assault, racketeering, and sex trafficking.

The Reckoning feature interviews with those who worked with him and experienced his horrific crimes. It also includes new footage of Combs in his hotel room, just days before his arrest, giving audiences a closer look into the convicted rapper’s world as it began to crumble.

Genre: Documentary, True CrimeSeasons: 1

In 2004, The Biggest Loser premiered on NBC. The groundbreaking competition show featured obese and out-of-shape contestants competing to lose weight and change their lifestyles. The show ran for 18 seasons and provided inspiration for countless Americans on their weight loss journeys.

Fit for TV, a new Netflix documentary, might change the way you view The Biggest Loser. Featuring interviews with former contestants and employees, Fit for TV examines The Biggest Loser’s ugly truths, including eating disorders, mental abuse, and health issues.

Genre: DocumentaryStars: Bob Harper, Alison SweeneySeasons: 1

The most eccentric owner in professional sports is Jerry Jones. In 1989, Jones purchased the Dallas Cowboys and immediately became the city’s most-hated figure when he fired legendary head coach Tom Landry. Jones hired Jimmy Johnson to be the next head coach, who helped the Cowboys become one of the NFL’s most famous dynasties. After winning three Super Bowls in four seasons, Jones transformed the Cowboys into America’s Team and a symbol of greatness.

As much as Jones wants to win, he cares more about the Cowboys as a brand. America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys is a riveting documentary about Jones’ rise to the top of the sport. Like all epic runs, the Cowboys’ dynasty ended after the 1995 season. However, Jones’ impact on the NFL is still relevant today.

Genre: Documentary, SportsStars: Jerry Jones, Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, Jimmy Johnson, Deion Sanders, Emmitt SmithSeasons: 1

There’s no simple way to describe Love, Death & Robots because each episode can be so wildly different. How many shows can get away with an episode about a cat bent on world domination and his new robot servant? And if you love felines, there’s a cat late in the season that takes on Satan himself for the soul of a poet.

All of the cyberpunk dreams and visions turn this anthology into one of the most unique animated programs that Netflix has ever created. The depth of imagination and the glorious visuals are always a trip, and this is a series that you can always count on to make the weirdest creative choices. That’s kind of why we love it.

Genre: Sci-fi, Horror, ComedyStars: VariousSeasons: 4

For the first time in its 40 years of existence, the Terminator franchise is finally getting an animated series of its own. Terminator Zero ignores everything but the first two movies and sets the clock back to 1997, shortly before Judgment Day. In Japan, scientist Malcolm Lee (André Holland) has created Kokoro (Rosario Dawson), an AI program that may be able to counter Skynet and prevent the end of the world.

From Skynet’s future perspective, that’s why Malcolm has to die. Toward that end, a new Terminator (Timothy Olyphant) has been dispatched to the past to kill Malcolm. Meanwhile, the human resistance sends Eiko (Sonoya Mizuno) to protect Malcolm. But if the Terminator can’t find Malcolm, it will move on to its next targets: his children.

Genre: Sci-fiStars: Timothy Olyphant, André Holland, Sonoya Mizuno, Rosario Dawson, Ann DowdSeasons: 1

Sometimes, a show can sneak up on you and become a breakout hit when you least expect it. That’s what’s happening right now with Blue Eye Samurai, Netflix’s unconventional anime series. Logan and Blade Runner 2049 screenwriter Michael Green teamed up with his wife, Amber Noizumi, to create the series set in Japan’s Edo period when the country was closed off from the world.

Mizu (Maya Erskine) is the titular blue-eyed samurai, a distinctive physical trait that she goes to great lengths to hide in her quest for revenge. Mizu’s skills quickly make her a lot of powerful enemies, even though her greatest secret is that she’s a woman, despite passing herself off as a man. She also tends to leave behind a lot of collateral damage in her wake, because she lets nothing get between her and her deadly goal.

Genre: Anime, DramaStars: Maya Erskine, Masi Oka, Brenda Song, Darren BarnetSeasons: 1