Introduction: Unveiling the Best New TV Series of 2026
Are you on the hunt for your next great binge-watch? With so many new TV series launching each year, it can be tough to know which ones are truly worth your precious time. Luckily, IMDb has done the heavy lifting, providing ratings for the highest-rated new English-language series of 2026. Get ready to discover some incredible shows that have captivated audiences and critics alike!
IMDb’s Top 10 New TV Series of 2026
10. Legends (Netflix) – 7.8 IMDb Rating
Kicking off our list is the sole Netflix series to make the cut: Legends. This British crime thriller, inspired by a true story, follows a team of British customs officers recruited to go undercover and infiltrate dangerous drug gangs. With a 7.8 IMDb rating, Legends is a grounded, slow-burn crime series that delves into tension, undercover work, and the psychological toll of leading a double life. If you enjoy intelligent British crime dramas like The Gold and Slow Horses, this highly praised series is a must-watch.
9. Spider-Noir (Prime) – 7.8 IMDb Rating
Tied with Legends at a 7.8 IMDb rating, but taking the ninth spot due to a higher Rotten Tomatoes score, is Prime’s Spider-Noir. This stylish noir detective story follows an aging private investigator forced to confront his past as a masked vigilante when a new case pulls him back into the criminal underworld. Nicholas Cage delivers a great performance as the quirky character in this darker, more mature take on the superhero genre. With elements of The Maltese Falcon and Sin City, it’s one of Prime Video’s biggest critical hits of the year.
8. Off Campus (Prime) – 7.9 IMDb Rating
Another Prime series, the feel-good romantic comedy Off Campus, secures the eighth spot with a 7.9 IMDb rating. Based on a bestselling Elle Kennedy novel, it tells the story of a music student and a hockey player whose fake dating arrangement slowly blossoms into something real. This show, centered around relationships and college life, has been a wildly successful launch, becoming the third most-watched series in Prime Video history. Fans can rejoice as it’s already renewed for a second season. If you like easily bingeable shows with heart, humor, and lovable characters, give this one a try.
7. Half Man (HBO) – 8.0 IMDb Rating
Breaking into the 8.0 range, HBO’s six-part drama Half Man explores complex family dynamics. The series revolves around a man who attends his estranged brother’s wedding, only for a shocking act of violence to send the story spiraling back through their traumatic lives. Created by and starring Richard Gadd (known for Netflix’s Baby Reindeer), Half Man is another emotionally charged character drama. It’s a heavy, yet impactful watch that delves into topics like masculinity, brotherhood, and emotional repression. If you appreciate dramatic shows covering difficult topics, you’ll find a lot to enjoy here.
6. Widow’s Bay (Apple TV+) – 8.2 IMDb Rating
One of the most talked-about and highest-rated new TV series of 2026 is Apple TV+’s horror-comedy Widow’s Bay, with an 8.2 IMDb rating. The story follows the mayor of a small New England island determined to transform his struggling hometown into a tourist destination, only for his plans to be disrupted when ancient legends about the island being cursed prove true. Widow’s Bay offers a fresh take on horror, blending genuine scares with humor. It feels like an anthology series with each episode covering different horror tropes, making it an easy and addictive watch for horror fans. It’s one of Apple TV+’s best-reviewed series ever.
5. Small Prophets (BBC) – 8.2 IMDb Rating
Another series with an 8.2 IMDb rating, the BBC comedy-drama Small Prophets, takes the fifth spot. This unique show introduces a lonely man who discovers an old alchemical recipe, allowing him to create homunculi—magical spheres that can predict the future. Created by Mackenzie Crook (of Detectorists fame), Small Prophets masterfully blends comedy, mystery, fantasy, and heartfelt drama. Its layers of magical realism truly set it apart, making it one of the highest-rated shows of the year. If you’re seeking something warm, quirky, and completely different from typical crime thrillers, this is worth checking out.
4. The Testaments (Hulu/Disney+) – 8.3 IMDb Rating
Coming in at number four is The Testaments, a Hulu dystopian drama and continuation of The Handmaid’s Tale, earning an 8.3 IMDb rating. Set 15 years after its predecessor, it follows a new generation of young women growing up in Gilead. This series is every bit as tense and thought-provoking as The Handmaid’s Tale, but with a younger cast and a coming-of-age angle alongside its political themes. It’s a slow-burning dystopian thriller that newcomers can also enjoy, and it has more than lived up to the legacy of its acclaimed predecessor.
3. Dutton Ranch (Paramount+) – 8.3 IMDb Rating
Cracking the top three is the Yellowstone sequel, Dutton Ranch, with an 8.3 IMDb rating. This Paramount+ show follows Beth and Rip as they leave Montana to build a new life in South Texas, only to find that starting over is far from easy. Dutton Ranch feels like a natural continuation of Yellowstone, rather than just another spin-off. While it’s mostly intended for fans of Yellowstone and 1923, it’s packed with great characters, ranch politics, and plenty of tension. If you’ve been craving more of Beth and Rip, fans agree that Dutton Ranch delivers.
2. The Other Bennet Sister (BBC) – 8.3 IMDb Rating
At number two, with an 8.3 IMDb rating, is another BBC series: The Other Bennet Sister. This show is a continuation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, based on the novel of the same name. It focuses on Mary, the often-overlooked Bennet sister, and her journey of self-discovery. Similar to other elegant period dramas like Pride and Prejudice and Bridgerton, it’s praised for its sharp writing, beautiful period production, and a standout performance from Ella Brocolleri. While fans of Austen’s original novel will appreciate it even more, newcomers can still enjoy Mary’s heartfelt historical drama.
1. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (HBO) – 8.6 IMDb Rating
Blowing away the competition with a sky-high 8.6 IMDb rating, the top spot goes to HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Set a century before the events of Game of Thrones, it follows a wandering hedge knight and his young squire as they journey across Westeros, encountering dangerous adventures along the way. This series, though smaller in scale than other entries in the universe, still boasts top-notch production values and rich world-building that HBO is known for. It clearly resonated with audiences, and with a second season already confirmed for next year, both long-time fans and newcomers should not miss one of the best new TV series to release in 2026.
Conclusion
From captivating crime thrillers to heartwarming romantic comedies and epic fantasy adventures, 2026 has delivered an impressive array of new TV series. IMDb’s ratings highlight the shows that have truly stood out, offering something for every taste. Whether you’re catching up on a critically acclaimed drama or diving into a unique horror-comedy, these top-rated series promise engaging storytelling and memorable characters. Happy watching!
Key Takeaways
- IMDb’s list of highest-rated new English-language TV series for 2026 features a diverse range of genres.
- HBO’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, a Game of Thrones prequel, earned the top spot with an 8.6 IMDb rating, praised for its production quality and world-building.
- Netflix’s only entry, Legends, and Prime’s Spider-Noir both scored 7.8, showcasing strong British crime drama and stylish noir superhero storytelling.
- Prime Video’s Off Campus and HBO’s Half Man offer successful romantic comedy and emotionally charged drama, respectively, with ratings of 7.9 and 8.0.
- Apple TV+’s Widow’s Bay and BBC’s Small Prophets, both at 8.2, bring fresh takes on horror-comedy and magical realism to the list.
- Dystopian drama The Testaments (Hulu/Disney+) and the Yellowstone sequel Dutton Ranch (Paramount+) both achieved an 8.3, continuing popular franchises with new narratives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest-rated new TV series of 2026 according to IMDb?
The highest-rated new TV series of 2026, according to IMDb, is A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (HBO), a Game of Thrones prequel, with an 8.6 rating.
Are there any Netflix shows on the list of top new TV series of 2026?
Yes, Legends, a British crime thriller, is the only Netflix series to make the list, scoring a 7.8 IMDb rating.
Which streaming platforms have multiple shows on the top new TV series list?
Prime Video and HBO (HBO Max) each have multiple shows on the list, with Prime featuring Spider-Noir and Off Campus, and HBO featuring Half Man and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
What kind of show is Widow's Bay?
Widow’s Bay (Apple TV+) is a horror-comedy that blends genuine scares with humor, focusing on a New England island plagued by curses. It scored an 8.2 IMDb rating.
Is The Testaments a standalone series or a continuation?
The Testaments (Hulu/Disney+) is a continuation of The Handmaid’s Tale, set 15 years later, and can also be enjoyed by newcomers to the story.