August brings the dog days of summer — or, at least, I hope it does, since the idea of suffering through 105-degree highs in early October sounds utterly unbearable. (We’ve had too many “feels like the surface of the sun” days already, and it’s barely been a month since the season’s official start.) Netflix is doing its part, embracing the dry, barren, and dissatisfying aspect of the year’s most uncomfortable month rather than honoring it with a deluge of hot titles.
The August release calendar, in other words, isn’t great! So before scrolling down to see what new shows will best help you beat the heat, let’s consider a few older options that may prove to be a more satisfying distraction.
While not new on Netflix, “Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen” and “How to Get to Heaven from Belfast” are two of the best new shows of the year. Both are Netflix exclusives. Both represent two of the era’s most dominant genres (horror and murder-mysteries, respectively). Both are relatively under-watched (compared to some of the less-than-gourmet cheeseburgers the algorithm has been pushing). So maybe sample one (or both) of those fine shows before moving on to new August series.
More recent yet is “Little House on the Prairie.” It’s a reboot, yes, and far too much oxygen has been given to its “woke” updates (take a break from that word, please), but once you get past the noise and actually watch the show itself, you’ll discover an enchanting, family-friendly, completely absorbing adventure saga. There just aren’t many of those around, especially of the live-action variety, and lead writer Rebecca Sonnenshine manages to build a series worthy of a wide audience.
There’s also been a lot of talk of late about Netflix shows losing viewership in subsequent seasons. So if you’re one of those “Beef” fans who didn’t tune in for Season 2 — starring Carey Mulligan, Oscar Isaac, Cailee Spaeny, and Charles Melton — correct that ASAP; the sterling new story deserved every one of its 16 Emmy nominations. “The Diplomat” could also benefit from a few more viewers (seeing Keri Russell put in the work is never wrong), while “A Man on the Inside” remains the best sitcom far too few folks are talking about. (It’s Ted Danson, you fools!) Plenty of Netflix shows aren’t worth waiting around for, but these three deserve your renewed attention.
OK, OK, enough advocating for programs that don’t fit the above headline. Below you’ll find your best bets for brand new Netflix shows, in this very month, August 2026. Just one more reminder: You’re not actually tied to a single subscription. There are other services out there, with other shows, that are worthy of your monthly streaming budget. So if you scan this list without a tinge of excitement, don’t despair. There’s always plenty of TV to choose from beyond the biggest service.
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“One Hundred Years of Solitude” Part 2 + Grand Finale
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
Release Date: Wednesday, August 5 (and Wednesday, August 26)
Directors: Carlos Moreno, Laura Mora Ortega
Writers: Maria Camila Arias, Natalia Santa
Cast: Diego Vásquez, Marleyda Soto, Edgar Vittorino, Claudio Cataño, Loren Sofía, Akima, Janer Villareal, Viña Machado, Moreno Borja, Ruggero Pasquarelli, Helber Sepúlveda, Jairo Camargo, Jacqueline Arenal, Cristal Aparico, Ella Becerra, Salvador del Solar
Format: 7 hourlong episodes (August 5) and 1 hourlong episode (August 26)
Synopsis: “Following the signing of the armistice, peace still does not reach Macondo. Fearful of Colonel Aureliano Buendía’s threats, the Conservatives plot an assassination attempt that —by a twist of fate— brings Fernanda del Carpio from Bogotá to the town. When she marries Aureliano Segundo, one of the bastard Arcadio’s twin sons, she gives Úrsula Iguarán her first legitimate heirs. Meanwhile, José Arcadio Segundo, the other twin, will accomplish the patriarch’s wild dreams of connecting Macondo with the world. The railroad’s arrival opens the doors to the banana company, which unleashes the town’s downfall and ultimately fulfills Úrsula Iguarán’s curse: for the lineage condemned to one hundred years of solitude were not granted a second opportunity on earth.”
Best Reason to Watch: Fan of the book? Then you’ve likely already heard (or know first-hand) that Netflix’s 16-episode adaptation of Gabriel García Márquez’s heralded novel got off to a great start in its first season. Unaware of the book? Well, the ambitious undertaking immediately helps “One Hundred Years of Solitude” stand out from the streamer’s standard second-screen dreck. So get on board for the final chapters! The first seven episodes will drop August 5, with the final episode (titled “The Grand Finale”) set for August 26. -
“Best Medicine” Season 1
Image Credit: Courtesy of Francisco Roman / Fox
Release Date: Tuesday, August 4
Showrunner: Liz Tuccillo
Cast: Josh Charles, Abigail Spencer, Josh Segarra, Annie Potts
Format: 13 hourlong episodes
Synopsis: “Based on the global hit ‘Doc Martin,’ the series centers on Martin Best, a brilliant surgeon who abruptly leaves his illustrious career in Boston to become the general practitioner in a quaint East Coast fishing village where he spent summers as a child. Unfortunately, Martin’s blunt and borderline rude bedside manner rubs the quirky, needy locals the wrong way, and he quickly alienates the town, even though he’s all they’ve got. Although Martin can expertly address any medical ailment or mystery in this idiosyncratic town, he’s really just desperate to be left the hell alone. Instead, he keeps getting dragged right smack into the middle of their personal chaos, feuds and fantasies. What the locals don’t know is that Martin’s terse demeanor masks a debilitating new phobia and deep-seated psychological issues that prevent him from experiencing true intimacy with anyone. But tenacity is the creed of everyone in their small village, and the people who live there may be exactly what the doctor ordered.”
Best Reason to Watch: A charming remake, “Best Medicine” is perfectly cast and tonally on point. Sometimes you just want to spend some time with a doctor who’s incredibly capable yet undone by the sight of blood, whilst surrounded by small-town folk who challenge his assumptions as often as they require his expertise. Plus, Abigail Spencer and Josh Segarra are here, and that’s reason enough to tune in every week. -
“Untold: The Testimony of Vince Young”
Image Credit: Courtesy of Mike Ehrmann / NFL Photo Library / Getty Images
Release Date: Tuesday, August 25
Director: John Henion
Format: An hour+ (TBA)
Synopsis: “After delivering one of the greatest performances in Rose Bowl history, Texas Longhorns legend Vince Young was the NFL’s next big thing, and for a while, he was. But a career riddled by injuries, conflict, and sudden loss tells a far more complicated story than the highlight reels ever showed.”
Best Reason to Watch: “Untold” has proven to be one of Netflix’s few sustainable documentary series, in part because it’s the streamer’s version of ESPN’s “30 for 30”: sports documentaries that go beyond the field (and require little other commonalities to fit the series’ broad branding). “The Testimony of Vince Young” comes from “Chef’s Table” and “Welcome to Wrexham” producer John Henion, who’s telling the story of a Texas icon. Let’s see what untold truths he can dig up. -
“Leanne” Season 2
Image Credit: Courtesy of Patrick Mcelhenney / Netflix
Release Date: Thursday, August 27
Creators: Susan McMartin, Chuck Lorre, Leanne Morgan
Cast: Leanne Morgan, Kristen Johnson, Graham Rogers, Hannah Pilkes, Ryan Stiles, Celia Weston, Blake Clark
Format: 10 half-hour episodes
Synopsis: “Leanne’s life takes an unexpected turn when her husband of 33 years leaves her for another woman. Starting over when you’re a grandmother and in menopause isn’t exactly what she had in mind, but with the help of her family she will navigate this new chapter with grace, dignity and Jello salad.”
Best Reason to Watch: A strong cast helped the first season earn stronger reviews than expected, which can happen from time to time with Chuck Lorre productions. (Please watch this instead of “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe.”) We need more solid sitcoms in today’s TV marketplace, so here’s hoping “Leanne” can improve in Season 2, defy the odds, and grow into the rare long-lasting Netflix comedy. -
“Outer Banks” Season 5
Image Credit: Courtesy of Jackson Lee Davis / Netflix
Release Date: Thursday, August 20
Creators: Josh Pate, Jonas Pate, Shannon Burke
Cast: Chase Stokes, Madelyn Cline, Madison Bailey, Jonathan Daviss, Austin North, Drew Starkey, Carlacia Grant, J. Anthony Crane, Cullen Moss
Format: 10 hourlong episodes
Synopsis: “Season 5 finds the Pogues at their absolute breaking point following the tragic loss of JJ in Morocco. Stranded far from home and mourning the heart of their crew, they’ve lost the Blue Crown and continue to face a gauntlet of familiar threats. With Chandler Groff still at large, Dalia and the Corsairs closing in, and the Kooks ensuring the Pogues have no home to return to, John B, Sarah, Kiara, Pope, and Cleo must rely on their scrappy instincts — and an uneasy alliance with Rafe — to keep from falling apart for good. Their mission is now a desperate race to reclaim their future and finally win the freedom they’ve been chasing since the beginning. It’s the Pogues against the world as they seek to avenge their best friend and bring it on home… one final time.”
Best Reason to Watch: You’re hooked? I mean, “Outer Banks” is in its fifth season. You know by now if this teen soap is for you. -
“The Sex Lives of College Girls” Seasons 1-3
Image Credit: Courtesy of HBO Max
Release Date: Monday, August 31
Showrunners: Mindy Kaling, Justin Noble
Cast: Pauline Chalamet, Amrit Kaur, Reneé Rapp, Alyah Chanelle Scott, Gavin Leatherwood, Christopher Meyer, Ilia Isorelýs Paulino, Renika Williams, Lauren “Lolo” Spencer
Format: 30 hourlong episodes
Synopsis: “’The Sex Lives of College Girls’ follows a group of college students at New England’s prestigious Essex College.”
Best Reason to Watch: If you’re a fan of Mindy Kaling’s non-Mindy-Kaling-starring comedies (“Never Have I Ever,” “Velma,” “Running Point,” and most recently “Not Suitable for Work”), then you’ll probably enjoy the quippy humor and warm friendships on display in this easy-going college sitcom. While not as bold as the title suggests, it’s fun and sturdy and affable, especially when you’re just enjoying the cast’s contributions (including Timothée Chalamet’s sister, Pauline Chalamet). -
“Ricky Gervais’ Alley Cats”
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
Release Date: Friday, August 7
Creator: Ricky Gervais
Cast: Ricky Gervais, Tom Basden, Andrew Brooke, David Earl, Kerry Godliman, Jo Hartley, Diane Morgan, Natalie Cassidy, Tony Way
Format: Six 15-minute episodes
Synopsis: “The series follows the trials and tribulations of a group of feral British cats from all walks of society, who seek companionship while ruminating on everyday life. From the funny to the absurd, the series is packed with Gervais’ signature style of heart and social commentary that audiences have come to expect.”
Best Reason to Watch: You’re one of those cat lovers whose entire life is built around cats? Netflix is betting Ricky Gervais’ continued appeal from “The Office” and “Extras” is the real draw (hence adding his name to the front of the title), but the comedian has been on a redundant (and often ugly) expressive downturn for the last decade or so, and it’s hard to imagine an animated series that’s shorter than most theatrical films (less than 90 minutes total) will revive his creative spark. But hey, I love cats! So let’s see! -
MLB Field of Dreams Game: Phillies vs. Twins
Image Credit: Courtesy of Matt Sayles / Netflix
Release Date: Thursday, August 13
Cast: Kyle Schwarber, others
Format: Live broadcast of an MLB game
Synopsis: “The 2026 MLB at Field of Dreams game will feature All-Star outfielder Byron Buxton and the Minnesota Twins taking on eight-time All-Star and two-time MVP Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies. Streaming live from Dyersville, Iowa, on Aug. 13, 2026, MLB brings a regular season game to the iconic ‘Field of Dreams’ movie set for the first time in four years.”
Best Reason to Watch: See cast list (or, you know, if you’re a “Field of Dreams” freak, there will be plenty of nostalgia-baiting). -
The Rest of Incoming TV
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
“Mousetrap” (available in August)
“Badly in Love” Season 2 (available August 4)
“The Cocktail Lab” Season 1 (available August 4)
“1670” Season 3 (available August 5)
“Big Chicken: A Fast Food Conspiracy” (available August 5)
“Let’s Marry Harry” (available August 5)
“My Life With the Walter Boys” Season 3 (available August 6)
“Death inc.” Season 4 (available August 7)
“Operation Safed Sagar” (available August 7)
“Our Sticky Love” (available August 7)
“Dr. Seuss’s Red Fish, Blue Fish” Season 3 (available August 10)
“Mourniho” (available August 11)
“What’s Eating Dan?” Season 1 (available August 11)
“My Brilliant Career” (available August 13)
“Tires” Season 3 (available August 13)
“Moria” (available August 14)
“Umthetho” (available August 14)
“On the Road” Season 1 (available August 18)
“Seal Team” Seasons 1-7 (available August 18)
“Take a Hike!” (available August 18)
“Love Is Blind UK” Season 3 (available August 19)
“Blood Sacrifice” (available August 20)
“S&X” (available August 20)
“Talamasca: The Secret Order” Season 1 (available August 23)
“Danny Gol” Season 2 (available August 24)
“Revival” Season 1 (available August 24)
“Martha Cooks” Season 1 (available August 25)
“All the Truth in My Lies” (available August 28)
“Graveyard” Season 3 (available August 28)
“Four Hands, Two Sonatas” (available August 29)
“Sheriff Labrador” Season 2 (available August 31) -
TV Leaving Netflix in August
Image Credit: Courtesy of Raymond Liu / Disney
“Home Improvement” Seasons 1-8 (leaving August 1)
“Hunter X Hunter” Seasons 1-6 (leaving August 1)
“Midnight Diner” Seasons 1-3 (leaving August 1)
“The Game” Seasons 1-33 (leaving August 15)
