June 2026 TV Collection
What are the best TV shows that have released from Jan–June?
The Pitt: Season 2
Jan 8HBO92 MetacriticThe best hospital drama on television got even better. Season 2 maintains the real-time urgency that made the debut a revelation while deepening its characters in ways that feel earned, not forced. No Grey's Anatomy hysterics — just the subtler pleasures of watching good people navigate impossible situations. The highest Metascore of any 2026 show so far.
One Piece: Into the Grand Line (Season 2)
Mar 10Netflix100% RT100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Let that sink in. Netflix's live-action adaptation somehow topped its already-excellent first season with bigger stakes, a larger scope, and Eiichiro Oda's world rendered in stunning detail. Collider called it "the greatest live-action adaptation currently on television." The bar for manga adaptations just moved to the stratosphere.
Industry: Season 4
Jan 11HBO87 MetacriticHBO's finance drama evolved from a satire about London bankers into one of the most fascinating character studies on TV. Charlie Heaton joins as an investigative reporter, Kit Harington gets an extraordinary showcase episode, and the Myha'la-Ken Leung dynamic remains electric. Its highest Metacritic score yet — and it earned every point.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
Jan 18HBO88% RTThe most purely enjoyable trip to Westeros since peak Game of Thrones. Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell as Dunk and Egg have undeniable chemistry, and the show's lighter, more adventurous tone is exactly what the franchise needed after House of the Dragon's grimness. Faithful to George R.R. Martin's novellas and full of heart.
Lord of the Flies
May 4Netflix95% RTJack Thorne's four-episode adaptation of William Golding's classic is harrowing, beautifully shot, and utterly gripping. Critics are near-unanimous at 95% Fresh — though the 54% audience score suggests the unflinching darkness isn't for everyone. A prestige limited series that demands to be watched in one sitting.
Bait
Mar 25Prime Video85 MetacriticRiz Ahmed as a struggling actor navigating Hollywood's casting machine in this razor-sharp six-episode comedy. Premiered at Sundance to rave reviews, then landed on Prime Video with an 85 Metacritic. Ahmed's comedic timing is revelatory — this is the satirical industry takedown that Entourage wished it could be.
Spider-Noir
May 27Prime Video / MGM+92% RT71 MetacriticNicolas Cage's first lead TV role delivered. All 8 episodes of the grizzled noir detective / Spider-Man mashup dropped in late May, and critics praised it as "spectacular" — 92% on Rotten Tomatoes with a 94% audience score. The dual black-and-white format is a bold creative choice that pays off. Brendan Gleeson and Lamorne Morris provide excellent support. Both brilliant and beautifully unhinged.
The Night Agent: Season 3
Feb 19Netflix86% RTNetflix's spy thriller keeps leveling up. Season 3 opened with a 100% Tomatometer (settled at 86% as more reviews came in) and critics called it the show's best installment — tighter narrative, better twists, more compelling action. The popcorn thriller that keeps exceeding expectations.
Dark Winds: Season 4
Feb 15AMC80 MetacriticTV's best-kept secret continues. Zahn McClarnon's Joe Leaphorn takes the investigation from Navajo Nation to 1970s Los Angeles in a race against the clock. The setting shift divided some fans, but AMC's confidence is clear — they renewed it for Season 5 before Season 4 even premiered. Still one of the most underappreciated dramas on television.
The Four Seasons: Season 2
May 28Netflix88% RT / 77 MetacriticTina Fey's dramedy returned funnier, more focused, and emotionally richer than season one. All 8 episodes dropped on Netflix and hit #1 in America within a day. The season deals with grief after Steve Carell's character's death — a tonal shift that critics say gives the ensemble sharper material to work with. A warm, witty follow-up.
Euphoria: Season 3
Apr 12HBO42% RT56 MetacriticThe most divisive show of 2026. After a four-year hiatus, Euphoria returned to its lowest-ever scores — 42% on RT and 56 on Metacritic. Critics say it feels like a different show entirely. The visual flair is still there, and Zendaya still delivers, but the narrative choices have alienated the audience that made it a cultural phenomenon. A cautionary tale about long hiatuses.
June 2026 TV To-Do
What are the best TV shows that will come out Jun–Dec?
🆕 Avatar: The Last Airbender – Season 2 ★
Jun 20Netflix7 episodesAfter Season 1 proved the impossible — a good live-action Avatar adaptation — Season 2 covers the Earth Kingdom arc with Toph Beifong joining the Gaang. Miya Cech takes on the fan-favorite role. If Netflix maintains the quality bar, this could be the streaming event of the summer. The source material for this arc is arguably the show's best.
🆕 The Bear: Season 4 ★
Jun 25Hulu / FX10 episodesJeremy Allen White returns as Carmy Berzatto for the most anticipated food drama on television. After Season 3's polarizing slow-burn, Season 4 promises a return to the high-pressure kitchen chaos that made the show a phenomenon. Ayo Edebiri and Ebon Moss-Bachrach complete one of the best ensemble casts on TV. If it sticks the landing, this could be the show's best season yet.
Ted Lasso: Season 4
Aug 5Apple TV+10 episodesTed returns to Richmond — but this time he's coaching a second division women's football team. Hannah Waddingham, Juno Temple, and Brett Goldstein all return alongside new additions. The surprise return nobody expected after Season 3's farewell. Apple TV+'s crown jewel is back, and the weekly release schedule through October means months of discourse.
Dutton Ranch
May 15Paramount+Yellowstone spinoffCurrently airing — premiered May 15 with new episodes weekly, finale July 3. Kelly Reilly's Beth Dutton and Cole Hauser's Rip Wheeler are commanding their own show on a Texas ranch. The audience is massive and the question of whether it can stand without Kevin Costner is being answered in real time. Four episodes in and holding strong.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4
Jul 23Paramount+Season 4 premieres July 23 with 10 weekly episodes. Not the final voyage after all — a 6-episode Season 5 (the true series finale) is expected in 2027 and has already wrapped filming. Anson Mount's Captain Pike has been the anchor modern Trek needed, and the show's willingness to experiment with genres makes every season feel fresh.
🆕 Not Suitable for Work
Jun 2PeacockPeacock's new workplace comedy set in a corporate HR department navigating the chaos of modern office culture. A sharp ensemble cast tackles cancel culture, remote work debates, and generational clashes with the satirical bite that the best workplace comedies demand.
🆕 The Season
Jun 2026Disney+Disney+'s new sports drama following a high school football team through a single make-or-break season. Blending Friday Night Lights sincerity with modern storytelling, the show examines how a community rallies around — and sometimes suffocates — its young athletes.
Rick and Morty: Season 9
May 24Adult SwimCurrently airing — premiered May 24 with weekly episodes through July 26. Early reviews are at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, the highest-rated season launch in years. The animated sci-fi comedy keeps rolling post-Roiland, and Season 9 is proving the new voice cast didn't just carry the show — they elevated it.
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Try This Tier List →How We Rank
Ranking the Collection
Aired shows (Jan–June) are ranked on critical reception (Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic), audience engagement, cultural impact, and quality relative to previous seasons.
Ranking the To-Do
Upcoming Jun–Dec shows are ranked on anticipation factors: showrunner pedigree, cast, source-material strength, platform investment, and franchise momentum.
S Tier = exceptional, must-watch regardless of genre preference
A Tier = excellent, highly recommended
B Tier = good, worth your time if the premise appeals to you
C Tier = decent, has strengths but notable weaknesses
What Changed from Last Month
Two shows graduated from the to-do list: Spider-Noir dropped all 8 episodes and landed at 92% on Rotten Tomatoes — Nicolas Cage's first lead TV role is a hit. The Four Seasons: Season 2 hit Netflix and went straight to #1, earning 88% RT / 77 Metacritic.
Dutton Ranch and Rick and Morty: Season 9 are now airing but haven't reached their finales yet — they'll be evaluated next month. Rick and Morty S9 is off to a historic start with 100% on RT. Also corrected: Strange New Worlds Season 4 is the penultimate season, not the finale — a 6-episode final season is coming in 2027.
