Netflix releases several new original shows every month, and every month, it seems like at least one becomes the next big Netflix hit. Once that happens, we start eagerly counting down the days for these popular shows to return to the streaming service for new seasons. The year might be almost over, with just three months to go, but several of these hit shows are still coming back to Netflix before the end of 2025.
Some of these are big names, too. Actually, they're almost all big names, including massive hits like "Stranger Things" and "The Witcher." Chances are, you know all these shows by name already; you just forgot they're coming back this year. So, I'm here to remind you to add them to your watchlist and when you can start streaming them.
‘The Diplomat’ season 3 (Oct. 16)
“The Diplomat” might not be Netflix's most popular show, but in recent years, it's been the streamer's best shot at winning an Emmy. The political thriller has earned praise from critics and awards voters alike, with star Keri Russell earning Emmy nominations in both of the show's previous seasons for her performance as U.S. ambassador to the U.K., Kate Wyler.
For those unfamiliar with this show, it centers around Kate, who has been newly appointed to her role. Her husband, Hal Wyler (Rufus Sewell), is also a key player in the show. He was the former U.S. ambassador to Lebanon and is struggling with his lack of a role in international diplomacy. It has even started to affect their marriage.
Season 3 picks up in the aftermath of the President's sudden death. Newly sworn-in President Grace Penn (Allison Janney) is now in power, and Kate is contemplating a potential vice-presidential bid amidst the shifting political landscape. But everything might be thrown into chaos with the arrival of Todd Penn (Bradley Whitford), President Penn's husband.
Stream on Netflix starting Oct. 16
'Nobody Wants This' season 2 (Oct. 23)
If you love a rom-com, then “Nobody Wants This” is a must-watch. The show stars Kristen Bell as Joanne, a sex/dating podcaster who suddenly finds herself in a relationship with Noah (Adam Brody), a rabbi who was introduced to Joanne by her friend Ashley (Sherry Cola). It's an unconventional relationship, as both come from different religious backgrounds and intrusive families.
But despite the complications, their relationship works, and so does the show. Bell and Brody have incredible chemistry, and both earned Emmy nominations for season 1. Don't sleep on the show's supporting cast either, which features Justine Lupe as Joanne's sister and podcast co-host, Morgan, Timothy Simons as Noah's brother, Sasha, and Jackie Tohn as Sasha's wife, Esther. Season 2 introduces Leighton Meester (Brody's real-life wife) as Abby, Joanne's childhood nemesis turned Instagram influencer, and Miles Fowler as Lenny, a potential love interest for Morgan.
Stream on Netflix starting Oct. 23
'The Witcher' season 4 (Oct. 30)
If "The Witcher" is a familiar name, there's a good reason. Not only is it the name of a hit Netflix original show, but it's a popular series of novels by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski and an incredibly popular video game series based on those same books. It's set in the fictional, medieval world known as "the Continent" and starred Henry Cavill as the legendary Witcher, Geralt of Rivia.
I say "starred" because in season 4, Liam Hemsworth is taking on the role of Geralt, with Cavill exiting the series. He'll be joined by series regulars Freya Allan as Ciri, the crown princess of Cintra and Geralt's ward, and Anya Chalotra as the part-elfin sorceress Yennefer of Vengerberg.
Season 3 ended with these three apart. Geralt was gravely wounded by Vilgefortz (Mahesh Jadu) but healed by dryads in Brokilon Forest. Yennefer is dealing with the aftermath of Aretuza and Ciri is with "the Rats." She's adopted the name “Falka” after a vengeful Redanian princess, and in Season 4, Geralt will team up with Yennifer once again to find her.
Stream on Netflix starting Oct. 30
'A Man on the Inside' season 2 (Nov. 20)
"The Good Place" may be gone from Netflix, but fret not. Creator Michael Schur and star Ted Danson teamed up once again last year in "A Man on the Inside." The show stars Danson as Charles Nieuwendyk, a retired widower who spices up his life by taking on a job as an assistant for Julie (Lilah Richcreek Estrada), a private investigator. His mission? To go undercover at Pacific View Retirement Community in San Francisco and find a missing ruby necklace.
I won't spoil how that first season ended, but let's just say critics loved it, and now Charles is onto a new mission. In season 2, Danson and Estrada will be reprising their roles from season 1, as will returning main cast members Mary Elizabeth Ellis as Emily, Charles' daughter and Stephanie Beatriz as Didi, the managing director of Pacific View Retirement Community. They'll be joined by Danson's real-life wife, Mary Steenburgen, as Mona Margadoff, a former musician and a key person of interest in Charles' latest case.
Stream on Netflix starting Nov. 20
'Stranger Things' season 5 (starting Nov. 26)
It's hard to believe, but "Stranger Things" debuted over nine years ago. Since then, the kids of Hawkins, Indiana, have stopped looking like kids, but for season 5, we'll suspend disbelief and pretend they could still be in high school.
If you've never seen the iconic Netflix horror/mystery drama, it's set in the fictional town of Hawkins in the mid-1980s. The town is seemingly nothing special, except that it's home to the Hawkins National Laboratory. This lab is supposed to be doing research for the U.S. Department of Energy, but it's revealed in season 1 that it secretly experiments with the paranormal and supernatural.
As part of its experiments, the lab opens a portal to an alternate dimension known as the "Upside Down," and that portal leads to chaos (and sometimes death!) for the residents of Hawkins, including Will Byers (Noah Schnapp), who disappears into the Upside Down in season 1. He's ultimately rescued by his friends and a young psychokinetic girl named Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), but still maintains a connection to the Upside Down.
Season 5 is set four years after the events of season 1, and will have Will, Eleven and the rest of the "Stranger Things" gang headed to the Upside Down one last time to defeat the evil entity known as Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower). It will be the show's final season, and is split over three volumes, with the first consisting of four episodes and releasing on Netflix on Nov. 26. Volume 2 will arrive on Dec. 25 with three episodes and then volume 3 will conclude the series with a massive final episode on Dec. 31.
Stream on Netflix starting Nov. 26
'Emily in Paris' season 5 (Dec. 18)
"Emily in Paris" comes from the mind of "Sex and the City" creator Darren Star. It stars Lily Collins as the titular Emily Cooper, an American expat in Paris, living her best life while making almost no effort to assimilate into French culture. It's a mostly light-hearted rom-com series that's widely panned by critics and audiences, though it has some ardent fans and continually debuts in the Netflix Top 10.
In season 4, Emily shockingly ditched Paris for Italy, ending the season in Rome. Season 5 has her continuing her time in the Mediterranean country, including the watery city of Venice. Of course, this show isn't just about the European vistas and stunning clothes; it's also about the drama. There's plenty of that to come in season 5, as the official synopsis declares Emily will be quickly hit with heartbreak and career fallout. If you need a guilty pleasure show, this might be it.
Stream on Netflix starting Dec. 18
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