4 Netflix shows that are guaranteed to make 2026 great

As 2025 quickly winds down and we start to glance nervously at our overflowing calendars, it’s hard not to feel that familiar mix of exhaustion and excitement that comes with the end of the year. The holidays are approaching, our to-do lists are still suspiciously long, and somewhere in the back of our minds, we’re already wondering what the next year will bring.

Luckily, Netflix has already given us a reason to be optimistic. 2026 is shaping up to be a spectacular year for streaming, packed with returning Netflix shows we already love. In this article, we've highlighted four must-watch series on Netflix that are coming back with new seasons in the new year. These are the shows that are guaranteed to make 2026 a year full of binge-worthy moments!

The Night Agent season 3

• Release date: Feb. 19, 2026
• Cast: Gabriel Basso, Louis Herthum, Stephen Moyer, Callum Vinson, David Lyons, Fola Evans-Akingbola, Jennifer Morrison, Albert Jones, Ward Horton, Genesis Rodriguez

Get ready, spy thriller fans. The Night Agent is back and ready to bring more heart-pounding action. The highly anticipated third season is set to be released on Netflix in February 2026, and fans will finally get to reunite with their favorite night agent and dive back into the world of high-stakes espionage.

The Night Agent season 3 picks up right after the dramatic and intense events of season 2. Night Agent Peter Sutherland is back on a high-stakes mission to track down a rogue Treasury Agent who has stolen sensitive government information and fled to Istanbul.

Along the way, he uncovers a dangerous dark money network, evades deadly assassins, and crosses paths with a determined journalist. And together, they unravel secrets and long-standing grudges that could shake the government to its core and ultimately put both of their lives in grave danger.

Beauty in Black season 2 part 2

• Release date: March 19, 2026
• Cast: Taylor Polidore Williams, Crystle Stewart, Debbi Morgan, Richard Lawson, Amber Reign Smith, Xavier Smalls, Ricco Ross, Julian Horton, Steven G. Norfleet, Terrell Carter

Beauty in Black season 2 premiered on Netflix in September 2025, but that wasn't the end of the season. Like with season 1, the second season was split into batches. Now, we're about to get the second and final batch in March 2026.

Beauty in Black season 2 part 2 is expected to pick up where part 1 left off. If you recall from the part 1 finale, Kimmie returns to Horace's house to find out that Rain accidentally pushed Jules's son out of a window. While he doesn't end up dead, this puts Kimmie in a tough situation. She has to figure out how to protect her loved ones.

Meanwhile, Charles has killed several club employees after they tried to rob him at his house. Varney walks in on Charles trying to dispose of the bodies, putting him in a dangerous position. Part 1's finale then ends with a bunch of men in black bursting through Charles's house, claiming to be the police.

Netflix has revealed that Beauty in Black season 2 part 2 will see Mallory and Kimmie face off in a battle for power, so things are definitely about to get messier! A third and final season is also confirmed.

Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2

• Release year: 2026
• Cast: Gordon Cormier, Kiawentiio, Ian Ousley, Dallas Liu, Elizabeth Yu, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Daniel Dae Kim, Momona Tamada, Miya Cech

Live-action adaptations have always been a gamble. They can be stunning, faithful reimaginings that capture the spirit of the original, or they can completely miss the mark, leaving fans disappointed and frustrated. Fortunately, Netflix's Avatar: The Last Airbender manages to hit all the right notes. After a successful first season, the highly anticipated second season is set to be released sometime next year.

Season 1 ended with Team Avatar successfully defending the Northern Water Tribe from the Fire Nation’s attack. But the war isn't over, and Aang, Katara, and Sokka need all the help they can get. This leads them to set out on a new mission to convince the Earth King to join their fight against Fire Lord Ozai.

The second season will also bring another beloved character from the original Nickelodeon animated series into the fold. That character is Toph Beifong, a blind Earthbending prodigy whose strength, unique fighting style, and fearless personality make her an invaluable addition to Team Avatar. An Avatar: The Last Airbender season 3 is also confirmed and will be the show's final installment.

Running Point season 2

• Release year: 2026
• Cast: Kate Hudson, Brenda Song, Justin Theroux, Scott MacArthur, Drew Tarver, Fabrizio Guido

Let's be honest. Netflix sort of struggles in the comedy department when it comes to its shows. But Running Point is a delightful exception that proves the streamer can still deliver smart, funny, and genuinely heartwarming content. With Hudson at the helm as Isla Gordon, the series perfectly balances workplace hijinks, family dynamics, and the cutthroat world of professional basketball.

While plot details for Running Point season 2 are still being kept secret, we're expecting a lot to happen after everything that went down in the first season. Season 1 ended with the Los Angeles Waves losing the championship game and Isla finding herself caught in a complicated love triangle between her fiancé, Lev, and the team’s coach, Jay Brown.

It'll be interesting to see how Isla navigates her personal and professional challenges this time around and whether the team can bounce back.