31 Must-Watch TV Shows to Launch Your 2026 Winter Binge

As 2026 winter hits, TV fans have 31 shows lined up to fill their screens, from fresh faces to long-running hits wrapping up. This mix of new dramas, comedies, and docuseries has sparked huge online chatter, with social media lighting up over star returns and epic finales that promise to shape viewing habits for months.

Background

Television's winter slate has always been a cozy escape during cold months, but 2026 stands out with a flood of content across networks and streamers. BuzzFeed kicked off the hype with a list spotlighting 31 picks, pulling in everything from a Game of Thrones prequel to Patrick Dempsey stepping back into network TV and Outlander's swan song. Social media trends show viewers sharing watchlists, debating must-sees, and predicting which series will dominate water cooler talks. Platforms like Netflix, HBO, and Fox are dropping heavy hitters, building on holiday momentum into the new year. This surge comes after a strong fall season, where shows like Bridgerton and Abbott Elementary kept audiences hooked, setting the stage for even more variety now.

The Game of Thrones prequel, a lighter spin on the Westeros world, has fans nostalgic yet excited for its half-hour episodes packed with adventure over heavy politics. Meanwhile, Outlander's final stretch closes a decade-long story that's built a massive following. Patrick Dempsey's return adds star power, drawing Grey's Anatomy loyalists to new turf. Online forums and TikTok clips dissecting trailers have turned these announcements into viral moments, with hashtags climbing charts as people plan group watches and prediction threads.

Key Details

Here's the breakdown of standout shows hitting screens soon, with premiere dates and what makes them tick.

• A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, the Game of Thrones prequel, lands Sunday, Jan. 18 at 10/9c on HBO and Max. It stars two Thrones alums in shorter, fun-focused episodes—HBO already greenlit season two.

• The Pitt Season 2 keeps the medical drama rolling, a returning favorite for hospital saga fans.

• Patrick Dempsey returns to network TV in a fresh role, marking his big comeback after years away.

• Outlander wraps up with its final season, delivering closure to the time-travel romance that's captivated viewers since 2014. Premieres Friday, Dec. 5 on Starz.

• Man Vs Season 2 brings Rowan Atkinson back as the hapless Trevor Bingley, swapping bees for babies in slapstick chaos. Hits Netflix Thursday, Dec. 11.

• Little Disasters stars Diane Kruger in a tense mom-drama about a baby's ER visit and tough calls. important+ premiere Thursday, Dec. 11.

• Taylor Swift: The End of an Era, a six-part docuseries on her Eras tour, plus a concert film from the final Vancouver show. Drops Friday, Dec. 12 on Disney+.

• Best Medicine follows Josh Charles as a Boston doctor starting over in a small coastal town. Fox debut Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 8/7c.

• Harlan Coben hosts a true crime series with new interviews and footage. Peacock Thursday, Jan. 15.

• 9-1-1: Nashville returns Thursday, Jan. 8 at 9/8c on ABC, teasing a crossover with the original.

• Abbott Elementary Season 2 extends to 22 episodes, with worries ahead for character Amy. Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 9/8c on Fox.

• Family Guy keeps the laughs coming Sunday, Feb. 15 at 9:30/8:30c on Fox, no crossover with American Dad!

• Scrubs revives with Zach Braff, Donald Faison, and crew on Feb. 25, ABC's big midseason pull.

• Shrinking Season 3 kicks off with a one-hour premiere on Hulu Feb. 23, focusing on moving forward.

• Wonder Man satirizes Hollywood superheroes with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Ben Kingsley, Netflix Feb. 20.

• Tracy Morgan in The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins with Daniel Radcliffe, NBC Feb. 23 at 8/7c.

• CIA, a Dick Wolf spin-off pairing Nick Gehlfuss and Tom Ellis against terrorists, CBS Feb. 23 at 10/9c.

More crowd-pleasers like Will Trent Season 4, The Rookie Season 8 (both Jan. 6 on ABC), Bridgerton, and Fire Country fill the calendar, ensuring options for every mood.

"Viewers should worry about Amy all the time," showrunner warned about Abbott Elementary's escalating stakes.

What This Means

This winter lineup signals TV's push to reclaim eyeballs in a streaming-saturated world, blending nostalgia with bold swings. Game of Thrones fans get a softer entry point, potentially pulling in younger viewers tired of the original's darkness, while Outlander's end frees up stars like Caitriona Balfe for new projects—rumors swirl about her next moves. Dempsey's return has sparked debates on aging heartthrobs, with TikTok edits mashing his old and new clips going viral.

Reactions online lean positive, with Reddit threads ranking the prequel high and Twitter polls favoring comedies like Family Guy and Scrubs for light relief. Streamers like Netflix and Disney+ dominate new releases, hinting at cord-cutting trends, but networks hold strong with live events like the Super Bowl on Feb. 8. Crossovers in 9-1-1 franchises excite die-hards, and guest stars like Shailene Woodley in another series add buzz.

For casual viewers, the sheer volume means easy picks for family nights or solo binges. Trends show a rise in docuseries like Taylor Swift's, capitalizing on real-life stardom amid her ongoing cultural grip. Comedy revivals like Scrubs tap reunion fever, similar to recent hits, while procedurals like CIA keep formula fans fed. Overall, 2026 winter TV feels like a reset, offering fresh stories amid goodbyes, with social media amplifying each drop into must-discuss events.