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Is it too early to declare the best shows of 2026? We're already just about a quarter of the way through the year, and already, we have some clear Emmy contenders. In fact, I'll be truly shocked if at least three of these shows aren't in my top 5 at the end of the year, let alone my top 10.
In an interesting twist, a lot of these shows aired on the same streamer at the same time. I've been covering the latest hit shows for a while, and I'm not sure I've ever seen quite that level of dominance from a streaming service or network. Even if it's not sustained through the rest of the year, I'll still be impressed.
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Malcolm has been covering the latest in streaming shows and movies for Tom's Guide since 2023. He watches dozens of shows each year, so you know what to watch.
My 5 favorite shows of 2026 (so far)
5. 'Wonder Man' (HBO Max)
Genre: Marvel superhero
What it's about: Simon Williams (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) is a struggling actor, looking for his big break. He finally gets that break when his new mentor, Trevor Slattery (Ben Kingsley), helps him get an audition for a superhero movie reboot: "Wonder Man." But Simon has a dark, superpowered secret that could undo it all.
Why you should watch it: Despite this being a Marvel show, the superpowers that Simon has are almost secondary to the show's story. In my "Wonder Man" review, I posited that this show doesn't even need the Marvel element to work; it's really a story about a burgeoning friendship that is torn apart by a shocking betrayal, and how the people involved ultimately put the pieces back together. You can enjoy this show even if you have never seen (or don't like) MCU shows and movies.
Stream "Wonder Man" season 1 on Disney+ now
4. 'Rooster' (HBO Max)
Genre: Comedy
What it's about: Greg Russo (Steve Carell) is a best-selling novelist who arrives at Ludlow College to comfort his daughter (Charly Clive) after her husband (Phil Dunster) leaves her for a graduate student. But once he's there, he gets roped into being the new writer in residence by the college president (John C. McGinley), and hilarity ensues.
Why you should watch it: I had almost no expectations for this show. But I'm now totally hooked, and when I watch new episodes, I just can't stop laughing. The pedigree of the writing and acting talent makes this comedy special. "Scrubs" and "Ted Lasso" (and so many more incredible comedy shows) creator Bill Lawrence is the creative mind behind the show, and he hasn't lost a step. He also brings in McGinley and Dunster from past shows, who, alongside Carell, prove that assembling a loaded cast list can pay off in a major way.
Stream "Rooster" season 1 on HBO Max now
3. 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' (HBO Max)
Genre: Fantasy drama
What it's about: Ser Duncan "Dunk" the Tall (Peter Claffey) is headed to the tournament at Ashford Meadow, freshly knighted by his late master Ser Arlan of Pennytree (Danny Webb). But along the way, he meets a young boy named "Egg" (Dexter Sol Ansell), and that meeting has consequences that will reverberate not just throughout Westeros, but throughout history.
Why you should watch it: This show is a refreshing change of pace from "House of the Dragon," the other "Game of Thrones" spinoff. It manages to implicate itself in larger storylines while remaining relatively focused and grounded. It takes place over just six 30(ish)-minute episodes, and in my review of "Seven," currently the best episode of any show this year, I declared that "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" proved that "Game of Thrones" is finally back. Some people even think it's better than the original series, so I highly recommend you check it out for yourself, whether you watched "Game of Thrones" or not.
Stream "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" season 1 on HBO Max now
2. 'The Pitt' season 2 (HBO Max)
Genre: Medical procedural drama
What it's about: "The Pitt" is set in the emergency department of the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center. Each season takes place over a single 15-hour workday in the ED, and in season 2, we're juggling a lot of storylines across those mere hours. Top of the list, though, is a potential cyber attack that's already taken out other hospitals in the area, and the countdown to the end of Dr. Michael "Robby" Robinavitch's (Noah Wyle) shift, after which he's going on a road trip he might not come back from.
Why you should watch it: This show is "ER" meets "24," and that has proven across 27 episodes (to date) to be a recipe for success. Season 1 was my best show of 2025 and cleaned up at the Emmys last year, and I expect season 2 to be the favorite for Outstanding Drama Series once again this year. Plus, episode 11 of this season, "5:00 P.M.," is one of the best of any show so far this year, and will have you feeling all sorts of emotions. This show is, once again, must-see TV.
Stream "The Pitt" season 2 on HBO Max now
1. 'Industry' season 4 (HBO Max)
Genre: Thriller drama
What it's about: "Industry" used to be about a group of young investment bankers at Pierpoint & Co. in London, but season 3 saw the firm sold off to the Egyptian firm Al-Mi'raj and the show's cast going in separate directions. Now, in season 4, Harper (Myha'la) is running an innovative new fund that's heavily shorting the fintech company Tender, which just hired her frenemy Yasmin (Marisa Abela) and just made Yasmin's husband, Sir Henry Muck (Kit Harington), the new CEO.
Why you should watch it: Back in 2024, I declared "Industry" season 3 the best show on HBO. Then it took a year off and "The Pitt" stole its crown. Now, it's back and going head-to-head with the reigning Emmy winner, and having watched all of season 4, I think this thriller has the edge. The drama is incredible; there are moments where I genuinely forget to think or breathe because it's so enthralling. And while "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" and "The Pitt" each have contenders for best episode of the year, right now, three of my top 4 spots are occupied by this season of Industry, which is my show of the year so far.
Stream "Industry" season 4 on HBO Max now
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