5 Best TV Series Released by Netflix in 2026 So Far, Ranked by Rotten Tomatoes

It's time to take stock of the first half of the year. Over the past six months, streaming services have consistently provided viewers with original content, and Netflix is no exception.

From dark crime dramas to gothic horror, the platform has released projects to satisfy every taste.

5. 'His & Hers', 2026

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 71%

A horrific murder occurs in the small town of Dahlonega. The body of a young woman named Rachel is found in the woods. Local detectives Jack and Priya begin investigating.

Also arriving at the scene is Anna, an Atlanta journalist and Jack's wife, who hasn't spoken to her husband in a year. The couple searches for the perpetrator while trying to sort out their complicated relationship.

The series is noteworthy, if only for its cast – Jon Bernthal and Tessa Thompson are one of the most compelling onscreen duos of the year.

4. 'Vladimir', 2026

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 74%

Professor and writer M, a literature professor, is going through a difficult time. Her husband, John, who is also a professor, has been suspended from his job for having sexual relations with students.

M must endure disapproving glances from her colleagues while awaiting an official investigation. Her life becomes even more chaotic when a young associate professor named Vladimir joins the department.

M becomes obsessed with him and transforms her fantasies into creative writing. She thinks this new passion will help her escape her troubles and pursue her writing career.

3. 'Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen', 2026

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 85%

Rachel Harkin and Nikki Cunningham are a happy couple, they travel to Nikki's family home for her planned wedding.

On the way, Rachel is plagued by an uneasy feeling. Upon arrival, her anxiety worsens when she notices that the groom's relatives are acting strangely. As the wedding day approaches, the reasons for Rachel's nervous breakdown become apparent.

Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen is one of the most extraordinary horror projects of the year, frightening viewers not with jump scares but with oppressive anxiety.

2. 'How to Get to Heaven from Belfast', 2026

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%

Three longtime friends – Saoirse, Dara, and Robyn – learn that their friend Greta has died. Although they hadn't spoken in a while, the women decided to attend the funeral. They end up in a small town, where they meet Greta's relatives, who seem to be hiding something.

Saoirse, Dara, and Robyn realize that Greta might be alive and in need of help. The friends begin their own investigation and uncover dark secrets from the past.

How to Get to Heaven from Belfast is the latest project from Lisa McGee, creator of Derry Girls. Like Derry Girls, the new show features eccentric characters, humorous situations, and a narrative centered on female friendship.

1. 'The Boroughs', 2026

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%

Following his wife's death, Sam moves to Boroughs, an exclusive retirement community located in the New Mexico desert.

Sam soon realizes that something strange is happening in Boroughs. Along with other local residents, he begins an investigation and encounters an alien threat.

After Stranger Things ended, the Duffer brothers wasted no time. Their new show became a spiritual successor of sorts – the plot once again revolves around supernatural beings, but this time, the cases are handled by retirees instead of teenagers.