Top 10 Netflix Originals of 2026 So Far, Ranked

Netflix has already released several originals in 2026 across both film and series. From crime thrillers to romantic comedies and high-octane action thrillers, Netflix has delivered high-quality content in the first six months of the year.

The streamer is known for its hit-or-miss content, especially after some of its legacy shows, like Stranger Things, ended late last year. However, some miniseries, new seasons, and movies deserve to be watched, proving that Netflix is still the leader of the streaming wars. The following list is the best Netflix originals released in 2026 so far, with the shows and movies ranked based on their storytelling, ambition, and overall quality.

Here are the best ten Netflix originals released in 2026.

10 Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole Brings The Norwegian Thriller Back

Based on Jo Nesbø’s Harry Hole novels, Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole is the second adaptation of the writer’s famous Norwegian character, though the first time around did not perform well enough. Instead of Michael Fassbender, Tobias Santelmann takes over the character of Harry Hole, the angsty detective who is on two important cases at once.

The series is based on the novel, The Devil Star, and follows Harry Hole investigating the murder of his partner by a corrupt colleague, as well as a serial killer. The show has impressive cinematography and incredible atmosphere, bringing in horror-esque visuals to the procedural genre. Do not miss it if you are in the mood for a gritty crime thriller.

9 Something Very Bad is Going to Happen Is Perfect to Continue the Horror Season

If you loved horror films like Obsession and Backrooms, Netflix’s Something Very Bad is Going to Happen will be the perfect follow-up to binge at home. The miniseries has Stranger Things creators, The Duffer Brothers, as its executive producers and stars Camila Morrone.

The series follows Rachel and Nicky, who are engaged and are awaiting their marriage at the family’s secluded home in upstate New York. Things begin to go awry as the wedding day approaches. The show blends cold feet with genuine horror, making the fear psychological rather than just supernatural. Watch it for a true psychological horror experience.

8 The Night Agent Season 3 is Netflix’s Answer to Jack Ryan

The espionage action thriller, The Night Agent, became a runaway hit for the streamer with its debut season. Now, with season 3, the stakes are higher than ever. Gabriel Basso as Peter Sutherland brings his Jack Ryan-esque seriousness and charm to the role, and it is his most performance-heavy season yet.

The action also becomes bigger in scale, with international destinations and more fast-paced set pieces. It starts with a plane accident in Venezuela, and the conspiracy goes to the White House. It is surprisingly topical and more focused than the previous season’s plot, which was all over the place. The season finale also sets up Peter’s next adventure. Watch it if you are in the mood for an espionage thriller.

7 Irish Comedies Don’t Get Better Than How to Get to Heaven from Belfast

If you are a fan of Irish comedies like Derry Girls and The Banshees of Inisherin, then you will love How to Get to Heaven from Belfast. However, it is darker than Derry Girls and follows a group of friends who get the news that their friend has died. However, strange things begin to happen when they reach the wake.

How to Get to Heaven from Belfast is hilarious and dark in all the right ways. It blends comedy with a procedural and brings a sense of mystery. Think Only Murders in the Building, but darker and funnier. We genuinely wish there was a season 2, especially after that incredible ending. Watch it if you are in the mood for a hilarious mystery.

6 The Rip Brings Back Matt Damon and Ben Affleck Again

The bromance between childhood friends Matt Damon and Ben Affleck is one for the history books, and they have found so many ways to keep working together. The action thriller, The Rip, is based on a true story of the Miami-Dade Police Department. It follows a group of officers who begin to suspect each other after a cash operation raid.

The Rip may not be as iconic as Good Will Hunting or even the sports drama, Air. But the action film hits the right notes with the story, and the actors carry it on their shoulders. They are aptly supported by Kyle Chandler, Teyana Taylor, and Steven Yeun. The film has managed to get the approval of Quentin Tarantino. Critically speaking, the film holds up pretty well for a late night watch. Even our FandomWire’s Joshua Ryan rated it 5.

5 Apex is 127 Hours Meets Predator

Netflix has an incredible track record with female action blockbusters. The streamer gave Sandra Bullock two of her biggest hits with Bird Box and The Unforgivable. Now, Charlize Theron gets a chance to flex her action muscles with Apex. The Netflix original sees Theron as a rock climber who begins to get terrorized by a local hunter.

The film is pulsating, as Theron’s character goes through extreme grief as well as literal life threats in the wilderness. Taron Egerton as the hunter, Ben, gives one of his creepiest performances that strays away from his usual larger-than-life roles. It is a great thriller to watch.

4 The Good Ol’ Murdery Mystery is Back with Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials

No one does murder better than Agatha Christie. She is the author behind seminal mysteries like And Then There Were None, Murder on the Orient Express, and Death on the Nile. Netflix brought her popular novel, The Seven Dials Mystery, with the show, Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials, starring Helena Bonham Carter and Mia McKenna-Bruce.

The less said about the plot, the better. The show may not be the best adaptation of a Christie novel (no filmmaker has brought the exhilarating feeling of reading her novels), but it has plenty of style, and the performances are incredible. The ending of the show is also very well done, leaving Bundle with a cliffhanger and a potential for season 2. Catch it if you are in the mood for a thrilling, fun mystery. FandomWire reviewed it and appreciated it for its intrigue and fast pace.

3 Free Bert Stars the Noted Comedian as Himself

There was a time when noted stand-up comics would get a sitcom that was an exaggerated version of themselves and their lives. There is Seinfeld, The Jamie Foxx Show, The Drew Carey Show, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and many more. Free Bert is a similar show that stars Bert Kreischer as himself and his adventures trying to get his kids into a private school.

It is not a perfect show, but it has received acclaim for the neatly written storyline and Kreischer’s performance. A second season is in development.

2 The Most Unlikely Marvel Stars Team Up in His & Hers

Jon Bernthal and Tessa Thompson star in the crime thriller series His & Hers. Following Thompson’s Anna, a former news anchor who gets back into action after a sensational murder case becomes a highlight. As she investigates the case, she crosses paths with her estranged husband, Detective Jack Harper, who is assigned the case.

The case itself is interesting, and the performances are what make this show binge-worthy. Thompson especially shines as Anna, and the scenes where she and Bernthal share scenes are great. The payoff might not be as great, and the ending of His & Hers is a bit dark, but the journey is incredible.

1 The Boroughs is the Perfect Follow-up of Stranger Things

If you miss Stranger Things after that finale, then The Boroughs is the perfect replacement for it. The mystery thriller goes the opposite way, and follows a group of elders in a retirement community who band together to stop an otherworldly threat. The storyline is similar, except it has more old people than children.

The Duffer Brothers act as executive producers of the show, and the influence is clearly seen. From the visuals to the soundscape, The Boroughs very much has the Stranger Things spirit. It was perfect timing for the show to release after the finale, as fans got time to process it and then delve into another similar world. The Boroughs also had a pretty intense ending, so you should definitely keep it on your watch list.

Show Name	Release Date	Rotten Tomatoes (as of June 11, 2026) – Tomatometer | Popcornmeter	IMDb (as of June 11, 2026)
Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole	March 26, 2026	91% | 76%	7.6/10
Something Very Bad is Going to Happen	March 26, 2026	85% | 62%	6.8/10
The Night Agent	February 19, 2026	86% | 82%	7.4/10
How to Get to Heaven from Belfast	February 12, 2026	95% | 78%	7.4/10
The Rip	January 16, 2026	77% | 65%	6.8/10
Apex	April 24, 2026	67% | 46%	6.1/10
Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials	January 15, 2026	70% | 51%	6.2/10
Free Bert	January 22, 2026	71% | 72%	6.5/10
His & Hers	January 8, 2026	71% | 62%	7.1/10
The Boroughs	May 21, 2026	97% | 79%	7.3/10

Which Netflix original do you think deserves a spot? Comment below.