Deciding what to stream can feel surprisingly overwhelming, especially at the beginning of a new month when platforms drop lots of new movies, shows, and originals all at once. It’s easy to spend more time scrolling than actually watching.
Thankfully, Netflix’s top 10 list makes things a little easier, offering a quick snapshot of what’s capturing everyone’s attention right now.
This week’s top 10 features a British drama based on a harrowing true story, the second season of a romantic drama starring Minka Kelly, and a new action-thriller series following France’s elite police unit. I’ve picked the three standouts that are most deserving of a spot on your watchlist. If you want to see what else is trending, you’ll find the full Netflix top 10 below.
Note: This list is based on the Netflix U.S. top 10 shows as of Tuesday, August 4, 2026.
Best shows in the Netflix top 10
‘The Bombing of Pan Am 103’
If you’re someone who prefers watching shows based on true stories, “The Bombing of Pan Am 103” is a series that holds significant weight. Created by Jonathan Lee and developed alongside Adam Morane-Griffiths, the series centers on the real-world international investigation following the 1988 terrorist attack over Lockerbie, Scotland. This drama explores the joint Scots-US legal and police efforts, the challenges of multi-agency cooperation, and the lasting impact on the local Scottish community.
In the 1988 Lockerbie disaster, Pan Am Flight 103 exploded over southern Scotland after a bomb detonated onboard, killing all 259 passengers and crew, along with 11 people on the ground. Less than 40 minutes after taking off from Heathrow Airport, the plane was cruising at 31,000 feet. The six-part series follows Scottish detectives and FBI agents as they launch a complex international investigation spanning Scotland, the United States, Germany, and Malta.
Stream "The Bombing of Pan Am 103" on Netflix
‘Ransom Canyon’
Romance fans will want to tune into “Ransom Canyon” this week, a romantic drama based on the book series by Jodi Thomas. The first season debuted at No. 2 on Netflix’s global English TV chart, earning 7.2 million views (56.6 million hours viewed) in its opening weekend alone. Its strong debut proved there was a clear appetite for small-town romantic Westerns on Netflix, and now that season 2 has arrived, the series is once again attracting plenty of attention from viewers.
“Ransom Canyon” season 2 picks up six months after the events of the first season, with rancher Staten Kirkland (Josh Duhamel) struggling to regain control of his family’s Double K Ranch after losing his position as trustee. Meanwhile, Quinn O’Grady (Minka Kelly) returns to the Texas town after spending time in New York pursuing her career as a concert pianist, forcing her to decide where her future lies. As Staten works to protect the ranch, new arrivals create fresh conflict for the town’s families.
Stream "Ransom Canyon" season 2 on Netflix
‘Elite Force’
Netflix recently dropped the new French action-thriller “Elite Force,” a 6-episode limited series packed with character-driven drama. Featuring a standout cast led by Tomer Sisley, this adrenaline-fueled show dives deep into counter-terrorism operations and the personal sacrifices behind the uniform. If action and suspense are more your style, this is sure to hit the mark, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it climbs to a higher spot in the charts this week.
“Elite Force” follows David Caron (Tomer Sisley), a senior officer in France’s elite GIGN intervention unit, who is preparing to leave field operations behind. However, after a devastating attack strikes his team, David is forced back into action to track down those responsible. As a new recruit, Max (Tristan Zanchi), joins the unit, David must protect his godson while investigating a dangerous enemy armed with stolen military-grade explosives.
Stream "Elite Force" on Netflix
Netflix top 10 shows right now
1. "The Idaho Murders: College Nightmare" (2026)
2. "The Bombing of Pan Am 103" (2025)
3. "Ransom Canyon" (2025)
4. "The Hawk" (2026)
5. "I Will Find You" (2026)
6. "My Daughter's Father" (2026)
7. "Little House on the Prairie" (2026)
8. "Worst Neighbor Ever" (2026)
9. "Mary Beth Barone: Galaxy Brain" (2026)
10. "Elite Force" (2026)
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- Everything new on Netflix in August 2026
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