5 Shows From 2025 Worth Binging In 2026!

If you felt like 2025 was packed with shows that really stick with you, that’s because it was. Between genre experiments, horror prequels, and sequels that (for once) felt like they deserved to happen, there’s plenty you can start now and watch straight through. These 5 picks are perfect for settling into a serious watching session, whether you’re with friends, flying somewhere, or just trying to get through a cozy weekend.

1. "Pluribus" (Apple TV)
This is the kind of show that gets under your skin in a way most sci-fi doesn’t. At its heart, "Pluribus" is about a single person trying to make sense of a world where everyone else has been infected with a hive-mind virus, a literal global contentment pandemic. It becomes less about the sci-fi mystery and more about digging deeply into what being human means when everyone around you is artificially cheerful and you’re not. Rhea Seehorn, who just won a Golden Globe for her role on the show, carries it with this weirdly vulnerable, thoughtful performance that makes you feel every inch of her struggle, like the endurance of the human spirit is on full display, even when the situation seems hopeless.

2. "The Pitt" (HBO Max)
If you like narrative drive that never lets up, "The Pitt" is one of those medical dramas that makes you forget how much time has passed because you’re so invested in the characters and their stakes. It balances emotional authenticity with intense, edge-of-your-seat plot turns, the kind that feels tailor-made for two or three episodes in a row. The writing and performances keep you engaged from the first minute to the last, and it’s one of those shows that feels like a world you can’t leave until you know how it ends.

3. "Alien: Earth" (Disney+/Hulu)
This first season drops you right into the terror of a world being claimed by Xenomorph chaos, but it’s also surprisingly thoughtful. There’s a real sense of dread that builds over time, not just jump scares, but the feeling of watching something inevitable unfolding around characters who are trying to make sense of it all. It’s perfect for a horror binge because the tension doesn’t let up, and it’s structured in a way that feels satisfying to watch straight through -- without having to be super familiar with Alien franchise lore.

4. "It: Welcome to Derry" (HBO Max)
There’s something about revisiting Pennywise’s origins that works in long-form TV, because the slow escalation of horror and character discovery gives this prequel weight you don’t always get in film. This isn’t just jump scares -- it’s the creepy atmospheric unraveling of a town that should feel normal but absolutely, deeply isn’t. The way it leans into both horror and backstory makes it ideal for group watching when you want reactions, theories, and that shared “did you see that?!” moment.

5. "Dexter: Resurrection" (Paramount+ Premium)
Picking up after "Dexter: New Blood", this revival gives us Michael C. Hall’s iconic antihero back in action with that signature blend of darkness and oddball charm. It’s a crime thriller that doesn’t just rely on nostalgia, it gives the character room to confront new moral puzzles and dangerous situations. Watching the whole thing in one fell swoop (or two, or three) feels like the complete revisit "Dexter" fans have been craving. And even if you’re not already obsessed, it stands on its own as a compelling, twisty binge.

If you missed any of these the first time around, 2026 is the perfect excuse to slow down, press play, and let yourself actually live in a story for a while!