New year, same ol’ Netflix — kind of. Things are always changing at the world’s most dominant streaming service, and aside from the obvious shifts in strategy — like, say, acquiring Warner Bros. — it can be hard to say exactly when an experiment becomes standard practice. So let’s take a look at Netflix’s January slate and see what it tells us about where the company stands heading into 2026 (outside of the whole WB thing).
The biggest new release will be “Bridgerton” Season 4, which is once again being split into two parts that will premiere in separate months. Part 1 drops January 29, while Part 2 won’t be released until February 26. While less than a month apart, Netflix is still betting the space between each half-season will result in maintaining subscribers for an extra month while reducing subscriber churn overall. By now, the practice is old hat, but that doesn’t mean it’s a best practice.
Another curious premiere arrives with “Star Search,” the new iteration of the old ’80s series, and one of Netflix’s first attempts at episodic appointment TV. Sure, the streamer has dabbled in event releases for a while now, but those are usually one-off stand-up specials or sporting events. With “Star Search,” new episodes will be released every Tuesday and Wednesday at 9 p.m., and subscribers will be encouraged to tune in at that specific time (rather than waiting to binge) so they can participate in the live voting that helps choose each winner. “For the first time ever, viewers can participate in real time,” states Tudum. If it works, it certainly won’t be the last time, and we may see more appointment viewing on Netflix (home of the binge!) throughout the year.
Then there’s Netflix’s acquired shows, which in January include two former TNT dramas: “Falling Skies” and “Southland.” Netflix has licensed plenty of series that first aired (or streamed) on other networks. It’s been standard practice since the beginning. But what’s interesting about these two titles in particular is that they share a few commonalities with one of streaming’s bigger surprise hits in 2025: Among the Top 10 most-watched series, per Nielsen, there were expected titles like “Bluey” (No. 1), “Grey’s Anatomy” (No. 2), “Squid Game” (No. 3), “Wednesday” (No. 6), and “Bob’s Burgers” (No. 8). But slipping into the Top 10 is the formerly forgotten network drama, “Animal Kingdom” (No. 9).
Netflix has been turning more and more of these minor network hits into huge streaming wins, thanks to their accessibility and high episode counts. While “Bridgerton” seasons may only be eight episodes long, “Animal Kingdom” made 75 episodes in just six seasons. “Falling Skies” made 52 over five seasons, and “Southland” totaled 43 in the same span — not staggering totals, by today’s standards, but that’s still quite a bit of TV to watch for new fans, and it likely cost a fraction of what “Bridgerton” does. Expect to “rediscover” more old shows in the months to come.
As for January, we’ve got your full list below, as well as our picks for the best new shows to check out, sight unseen. And remember: What you watch helps determine what you’ll be able to watch next. So choose wisely.
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“Bridgerton” Season 4, Part 1
Image Credit: Courtesy of Liam Daniel / Netflix
Release Date: Thursday, January 29
Showrunner: Jess Brownell
Cast: Luke Thompson, Jonathan Bailey, Simone Ashley, Victor Alli, Adjoa Andoh, Lorraine Ashbourne, Nicola Coughlan, Hannah Dodd, Daniel Francis, Ruth Gemmell, Florence Hunt, Martins Imhangbe, Claudia Jesse, Luke Newton, Golda Rosheuvel, Will Tilston, Polly Walker, Masali Baduza, Yerin Ha, Katie Leung, Michelle Mao, Emma Naomi, Hugh Sachs, Isabella Wei, and Julie Andrews
Synopsis: “The fourth season turns its focus to bohemian second son Benedict. Despite his elder and younger brothers both being happily married, Benedict is loath to settle down — until he meets a captivating Lady in Silver at his mother’s masquerade ball.” [per Netflix]
Best Reason to Watch: Winter is cold, and you’ve got a bad case of “Bridgerton” fever. Really, by now you know whether the Shonda Rhimes-produced adaptation of Julia Quinn’s novels is for you. For the many, many fans who’ve been hooked, all you need to hope for is that Season 4 brings the heat. -
“His & Hers”
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
Release Date: Thursday, January 8
Creator: William Oldroyd
Cast: Tessa Thompson, Jon Bernthal, Marin Ireland, Pablo Schreiber, Crystal Fox, Rebecca Rittenhouse, Sunita Mani
Synopsis: “Set in the sweltering heat of Atlanta, Anna lives in haunting reclusivity, fading away from her friends and career as a news anchor. But when she overhears about a murder in Dahlonega — the sleepy town where she grew up — Anna is snapped back to life, pouncing on the case and searching for answers. Detective Jack Harper is strangely suspicious of her involvement, chasing her into the crosshairs of his own investigation. There are two sides to every story: ‘His & Hers,’ which means someone is always lying.” [per Netflix]
Best Reason to Watch: Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal in a sexy Southern murder-mystery? Netflix is banking on historically reliable factors to sell their latest crime story, and I’m betting it works. The melodrama is cranked up to 11, the vibes between the two strong leads are sultry, and the hand-holding voiceover is inescapable. The streaming crowd craving juicy mysteries should find plenty to savor in this one. -
“Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials”
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
Release Date: Thursday, January 15
Creator: Chris Chibnall
Cast: Mia McKenna-Bruce, Helena Bonham Carter, Martin Freeman, Corey Mylchreest, Ed Bluemel, Nabhaan Rizwan
Synopsis: “England. 1925. At a lavish country house party, a practical joke appears to have gone horribly, murderously wrong. It will be up to the unlikeliest of sleuths — the fizzingly inquisitive Lady Eileen ‘Bundle’ Brent — to unravel a chilling plot that will change her life, cracking wide open the country house mystery.” [per Netflix]
Best Reason to Watch: Whether you’re a fan of the I.P., the genre, or the cast, Netflix has primed the latest Agatha Christie adaptation starring Mia McKenna-Bruce and Martin Freeman to appeal to a wide swath of its subscriber base. If it’s good, they could really have something. -
“Star Search”
Image Credit: Courtesy of Birdie Thompson / Netflix
Release Date: Tuesday, January 20
Production Company: Jesse Collins Entertainment
Cast: Anthony Anderson
Synopsis: “’Star Search’ is back! The talent is bigger, the stakes are higher, and the format is more interactive than ever. Each episode will spotlight the best up-and-coming performers across four categories — music, dance, variety/comedy, kids — as they compete for their shot at stardom. With an arced competition structure and weekly eliminations, the series builds dramatic momentum, making every live episode an unmissable event.”
Best Reason to Watch: Netflix’s latest foray into live event programming revives the ‘80s hit, hoping for a better result than when CBS did the same thing in the early 2000s. Replacing Ed McMahon (and Arsenio Hall) as host will be Anthony Anderson, but can he find the next Beyonce? Find out every Tuesday and Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET, when you can tune in and vote for your favorites the old-fashioned way: live! -
“Southland” Seasons 1-5
Image Credit: Courtesy of Lexie Moreland / WWD
Release Date: Friday, January 16
Creator: Ann Biderman
Cast: Ben McKenzie, Michael Cudlitz, Regina King, Shawn Hatosy, C. Thomas Howell, Kevin Alejandro, Michael McGrady, Tom Everett Scott, Arija Bareikis
Synopsis: “An insider’s look into L.A.’s notorious police department, ‘Southland’ follows the complex lives of dedicated patrol officers and detectives as they struggle to protect the innocent and remain righteous amid the iniquities of the criminals around them. Marshaling felons, victims, and a city seething with corruption and danger, ‘Southland’ presents a glimpse into the professional and private lives of the LAPD unlike any other. Officers John Cooper, Ben Sherman, Sammy Bryant, and Detective Lydia Adams face some of their toughest personal and professional challenges yet. On their darkest, most dangerous days, this is what L.A.’s beat cops and detectives confront on Southern California’s sun-baked streets. And the fallout seeps into their personal lives — collateral damage from a 24/7 job that demands an arsenal of razor-sharp instincts and quicksilver reflexes.” [per Warner Bros. TV]
Best Reason to Watch: In 2025, Netflix landed a surprise hit by commissioning six seasons of an old TNT drama series from the mid-2000s. Then it was “Animal Kingdom,” now the streamer is hoping for similar results with “Southland” (and “Falling Skies,” which you can read more about below). In a just world, they’d be right: “Southland” is a much stronger drama than “Animal Kingdom,” and that’s not just because of Regina King. The cast is strong, the production is truthful, and the stories fit right in with the great cop dramas that preceded “Southland”; shows like “Homicide,” “The Shield,” and “The Wire.” Give it a go. -
“Falling Skies” Seasons 1-5
Image Credit: Courtesy of JC Olivera / Variety
Release Date: Thursday, January 1
Creator: Robert Rodat
Cast: Noah Wyle, Moon Bloodgood, Drew Roy, Jessy Schram, Maxim Knight, Seychelle Gabriel, Peter Shinkoda, Mpho Koaho, Connor Jessup, Will Patton, Sarah Carter, Colin Cunningham, Doug Jones, Scarlett Byrne
Synopsis: “’Falling Skies’ opens in the chaotic aftermath of an alien attack that has left most of the world completely incapacitated. At the center of the series is Tom Mason, a Boston history professor whose family was torn apart during the invasion. Tom must put his extensive knowledge of military history to the test as one of the leaders of the Boston-born resistance movement known as the 2nd Mass. Joining him are Anne Glass, who becomes the primary medic of the 2nd Mass, and Captain Weaver, as a fierce leader of the resistance. [per Amblin Entertainment]
Best Reason to Watch: You don’t want to pay for HBO Max just to get your Noah Wyle fix? Times are tough, so I can’t blame you for choosing a slightly inferior option, especially since I have to believe that’s why Netflix commissioned this old TNT show to debut on the first of January — just days before “The Pitt” Season 2 premieres. -
“11.22.63”
Image Credit: Courtesy of Chelsea Lauren / Variety / PMC
Release Date: Wednesday, January 7
Showrunner: Bridget Carpenter
Cast: James Franco, Chris Cooper, Sarah Gadon, Lucy Fry, George MacKay, Daniel Webber, Cherry Jones, T.R. Knight, Josh Duhamel, Gil Bellows, Kelly McCormack
Synopsis: “On November 22, 1963, three shots rang out in Dallas, President Kennedy was killed, and the world changed. What if you could change it back? Jake Epping is a high school English teacher who, encouraged by his ailing friend travels back in time to prevent the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Delving into the darkness of the American dream, viewers are transported to the world of 1960s Texas as Jake explores the mystery surrounding the supposed gunman Lee Harvey Oswald, his family, and associates. But Jake’s mission faces threats not only from Oswald, but from Sadie Dunhill, a beautiful librarian he falls in love with, and from the Past itself … which doesn’t want to be changed. And if the Past doesn’t want to be changed, it will push back…often violently.” [per Hulu]
Best Reason to Watch: Hulu got serious about original series when it launched “11.22.63” in early 2016, alongside the streamer’s first drama series (“The Path”) and comedy series (“Casual”). While the other two fared better creatively, there’s plenty to recommend about the Stephen King adaptation, including Chris Cooper, Cherry Jones, and a young George MacKay (pre-“1917,” “The Beast,” and “The End”). Still, the best reason to watch may be to see how much streaming strategies have changed in the last 10 years: I doubt any network today would try to launch its brand using a slow-paced thriller with numbers for a title. -
“The Rip”
Image Credit: Courtesy of Claire Folger/Netflix
Release Date: Friday, January 16
Director: Joe Carnahan
Writers: Joe Carnahan, Michael McGrale
Cast: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Sasha Calle, Nestor Carbonell, Lina Esco, Scott Adkins, Kyle Chandler
Synopsis: “Upon discovering millions in cash in a derelict stash house, trust among a team of Miami cops begins to fray. As outside forces learn about the size of the seizure, everything is called into question — including who they can rely on.” [per Netflix]
Best Reason to Watch: Sure, sure, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Teyana Taylor — they’re all very exciting, and I’m sure most of you will watch “The Rip” because of them. But a select few will tune in for Kyle Chandler, and those brilliant, attentive individuals will understand why I included “The Rip” on IndieWire’s list of the Best New TV Series in January, despite “The Rip” being a two-hour and 13-minute feature film. Kyle Chandler will always be a TV star, even when he’s also a movie star. That’s just how it goes for the guy behind Gary Hobson, Coach Taylor, and — later this year — Hal Jordan. I don’t make the rules. (OK, I do, but it’s a good rule, no?) -
The Rest of Incoming TV
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
“Undercover Miss Kong” (available in January)
“Dr. Seuss’s Red Fish, Blue Fish” Season 2 (available January 1)
“Love from 9 to 5” (available January 1)
“My Korean Boyfriend” (available January 1)
“Run Away” (available January 1)
“Time Flies” (available January 1)
“Found” Seasons 1-2 (available January 2)
“Land of Sin” (available January 2)
“The Following” Seasons 1-3 (available January 2)
“Monday Night Raw: 2026” (available January 5)
“Pokemon Horizons” Season 3 – “Rising Hope” Part 1 (available January 6)
“Unlocked: A Jail Experiment” Season 2 (available January 7)
“Love Is Blind: Germany” Season 2 (available January 8)
“Alpha Males” Season 4 (available January 9)
“Prodigal Son” Seasons 1-2 (available January 9)
“The Boyfriend” Season 2 (available January 13)
“The Queen of Flow” Season 3 (available January 14)
“Veronica Mars” Seasons 1-3 (available January 14)
“Love Through a Prism” (available January 15)
“The Upshaws” Part 7 (available January 15)
“To Love, To Lose” (available January 15)
“Can This Love Be Translated?” (available January 16)
“No Tail to Tell” (available January 16)
“Sandokan” Season 1 (available January 19)
“Just a Dash” Seasons 1 -3 (available January 20)
“Rizzoli & Isles” Seasons 1-7 (available January 20)
“WWE: Unreal” Season 2 (available January 20)
“Finding Her Edge” (available January 22)
“Free Bert” (available January 22)
“My Sesame Street Friends: My Sesame Music” (available January 26) -
TV Leaving Netflix in January
Image Credit: Courtesy of Rob Latour / Variety / PMC
“Lost” Seasons 1-6 (leaving January 1)
“Mr. Robot” Seasons 1-4 (leaving January 3)
“House of Lies” Seasons 1-5 (leaving January 23)
“Prison Break” Seasons 1-5 (leaving January 29)
