Look, I’ll be honest. We’re only a couple of months into the year, and somehow, we’ve already been spoiled. We’ve got returning heavy-hitters that somehow got even better, and a couple of brand-new shows that came out of absolute nowhere to steal my whole heart. I’ve got you. Here are the five best shows of early 2026, counting down to the absolute best thing I’ve seen so far.

Journal with Witch (HBO Max)

Okay, I need you to trust me on this one. I almost scrolled past Journal with Witch because the title made me think it was going to be some cutesy, high-concept anime thing. And look, it is animated, but it is the exact opposite of cutesy. This series follows Asa, a teenage girl whose parents die suddenly. She gets shipped off to live with her estranged aunt, Makio, who is basically a hermit and a mildly successful novelist. But not the cool, put-together kind. She’s a mess. Her house is a mess, she writes in these crazy bursts, and she has absolutely no idea how to talk to a grieving teenager.

The show is just… quiet. It’s about them figuring out how to exist in the same space. They don’t magically bond overnight. They order takeout, they have awkward silences, and they accidentally see each other crying. The writing is so contemplative and careful, and the direction finds these tiny, expressive moments: a look, a hand gesture, and the way the light hits a messy room. It tackles grief and mental health without ever feeling like a Very Special Episode. It’s just real life, with all its unfortunate circumstances, handled with so much compassion. Plus, the visuals are absolutely gorgeous, all soft watercolor tones that make you want to live inside them. If you like shows that are expressive and quiet, this one’s essential.

The Burbs (Peacock)

Switching gears completely, we need something fun, right? Peacock dropped The Burbs, and I was skeptical. The 1989 movie is a cult classic, and remakes usually make me nervous. But this isn’t really a remake; it’s more of a “what if we took that same idea and let it breathe for eight episodes?” And it totally works.

The show follows a group of neighbors in a picture-perfect suburban neighborhood who get all bent out of shape when a new family moves in. They’re a little weird, they keep to themselves, and obviously, that means they’re running a cult or hiding bodies, right? It leans way more into the comedy than the horror, making it this super lighthearted, frothy watch. It’s basically a satire about people-watching and the paranoia of suburban life. Keke Palmer is an absolute riot, carrying half the scenes with just her facial expressions. If you’re a fan of modern reboots that don’t take themselves too seriously and just want to laugh at ridiculous neighbors being ridiculous, give this a strong “stream it” recommendation. It’s the TV equivalent of a bag of potato chips, not very healthy but perfectly satisfying.

Fallout season 2 (Prime Video)

If you thought the first season of Fallout was good, buckle up. Season 2 picks up right where we left off, with Lucy and the Ghoul trekking across the Mojave Wasteland to find her dad, who’s headed toward the ruins of New Vegas. Meanwhile, Maximus is stuck dealing with some serious political drama inside the Brotherhood of Steel. And yes, we finally get the pre-war flashbacks that explain the whole messed-up conspiracy behind the Great War, focusing on Robert House.

This season is a full-on love letter to Fallout: New Vegas fans. We’re talking iconic locations, factions like Caesar’s Legion showing up, and that same perfect mix of gore, pitch-black humor, and retro-futuristic style. It’s bigger, it’s weirder, and it’s surprisingly more mature in how it explores the lore. You don’t need to have played the games to love it, but if you have? You’re going to be losing your mind every other scene. It’s just a blast.

Industry season 4 (HBO Max)

Okay, I need to talk about Industry. This show has been building for three seasons, and Season 4 is the payoff. It’s officially no longer just a good finance drama. It’s one of the best dramas on television, period. This season is a wildly ambitious reinvention. The bankers and traders in London are dealing with the fallout from last season’s betrayals, and the dynamics have completely shifted. Nothing feels safe.

What makes Industry so addictive is how it blends super technical financial jargon with these raw, visceral, often debauched human moments. You’ll be watching a scene about mergers and acquisitions one minute, and the next, you’re watching a character completely self-destruct in a way that feels terrifyingly real. It’s high-stakes, it’s intense, and it’s daringly messy. This season really cements it as truly twisted, top-tier television. If you want a show that demands your attention and rewards you with some of the best acting and writing on TV, this is it.

The Pitt season 2 (HBO Max)

And finally, the number one spot. It had to be The Pitt. Season 1 was this incredible experiment, a full shift in an ER told in real-time. Season 2, set ten months later on the Fourth of July, is a triumphant return that somehow manages to be even more impactful.

This season shifts its focus a little. Sure, there are still the intense, acute medical crises, but the show broadens its scope to look at the bigger picture: chronic healthcare issues and the systemic social problems that land people in the ER in the first place. It’s less splashy than other medical dramas. You won’t see a lot of miracle saves or romantic subplots between doctors. Instead, you get the gritty reality. You see the uninsured patient, the overworked nurse, and the bureaucratic red tape that keeps people from getting the help they need.

Noah Wyle is just stellar, carrying the weight of the ER on his shoulders with a weariness that feels so earned. But the expanded cast this season is fantastic, too. They all grapple with the true meaning of “care in healthcare.” It’s an enthralling, emotional, and sometimes frustrating look at the modern medical system, but it’s fueled by so much heart. It’s a must-watch for anyone who loves character-driven drama that feels like it actually matters. It’s the best show of 2026 so far, and it’s going to be hard to beat.