Netflix has a stellar lineup of new fantasy and sci-fi TV shows coming in 2026. After saying goodbye to Stranger Things at the end of 2025, the streaming network is doubling down on genre shows in the new year, and that's great news for fantasy and sci-fi fans.
To help fans get excited for what's to come from Netflix on the sci-fi and fantasy front, I shared a list of four returning Netflix shows and four brand news shows. There are also three new shows produced by the Duffer brothers, the creators of Stranger Things, coming in 2026.
Let's get the list started with one of the biggest new Netflix shows of the new year, One Piece season 2.
One Piece season 2
Release date: March 10
It's time for Monkey D. Luffy and the rest of the Straw Hat Pirates to head into the Grand Line in One Piece season 2, coming to Netflix on Tuesday, March 10. This is the first big fantasy release of 2026 for Netflix, but it will be far from the last.
One Piece, which is based on Eiichiro Oda's manga of the same name, premiered on Netflix in the summer of 2023, so it's been a very long wait between seasons, but fans are very ready for season 2. The full cast is back for the new season, including Iñaki Godoy, Emily Rudd, Mackenyu, Jacob Gibson, Taz Skylar, and more. Plus, there are a bunch of new stars playing classic characters, including Callum Kerr, Clive Russell, Charithra Chandran, Joe Manganiello, and more.
One Piece season 3 is already in the works on Netflix. Production started at the end of 2025, so we probably won't have as long of a break between seasons as last time.
Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2
Release: 2026
Netflix just confirmed Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 is officially coming in 2026. We don't have a release date just yet, but it's safe to say that we probably won't be waiting too long to watch the new episodes of season 2.
Like One Piece, Avatar: The Last Airbender took a huge break between the first and second season. The series premiered on Netflix in February 2024, so it's going to be at least two years between the new seasons by the time the show rolls around. We also another a third and final season is in the works, but it likely will not take as long between season 2 and season 3.
Overall, Avatar: The Last Airbender wasn't the massive hit like it seemed it could be when the first season released, but there's definitely an appetite for this show. I just hope the second season rectifies some of the issues with the first season.
3 Body Problem season 2
Release: 2026
3 Body Problem, which is Netflix's best sci-fi series at the minute after the end of Stranger Things, is also coming back for season 2 in 2026. I thought we might be waiting until 2027 for this one to return, just with the sheer volume of sci-fi and fantasy shows coming to Netflix this year, but Netflix just confirmed we'll see the new season in 2026. We still don't have a release date yet, though.
From David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, the creators of Game of Thrones, and Alexander Woo, 3 Body Problem is based on Liu Cixen's Remembrance of Earth's Past book series. The Netflix series has a remarkable cast, including Jovan Adepo, Benedict Wong, Jess Hong, John Bradley, Rosalind Chao, Liam Cunningham, Eiza González, and more.
Like One Piece and Avatar, 3 Body Problem is already renewed for a third season, and it will be the final season of the Netflix series.
The Witcher season 5
Release: 2026
The Witcher season 5, which will be the final season of the hit Netflix fantasy series, will premiere in 2026. So far, we haven't heard exactly when the new season will arrive, but based on when season 4 premiered in October 2025, it's probably going to be a Q4 release for Netflix. But, hey, that's better than waiting until 2027 if you ask me!
Liam Hemsworth suits up as Geralt of Rivia one more time, taking over for Henry Cavill. We'll see the conclusion of Geralt, Ciri, and Yennefer's stories in the final season. Of course, Freya Allan and Anya Chalotra will be back in their roles, as well.
Personally, I don't know how excited to be for the final season. There were parts of season 4 that I really enjoyed, but it definitely felt like a step back. Will they be able to bring things back around for the end of the series? I'm very curious to see!
Stranger Things: Tales from '85
Release: 2026
Stranger Things: Tales from '85 is the first Stranger Things spinoff, and I can't wait to see what Netflix has dialed up in the new year with this story.
The series is an animated series set after the second season of the series when Eleven officially become under Hopper's care, Will is rescued from the Mind Flayer, and the gate to the Upside Down is closed. But, weird things are still happening in Hawkins, and these kids are the right people to find out what's going on. It's also set before the events of the third season, which saw the kids take down the Mind Flayer, in the form of the Spider Monster, at the Starcourt Mall.
Eric Robles created the series with the Duffer brothers and Shawn Levy as executive producers. Unfortunately, none of the original show's stars will voice the characters in the animated series.
Obviously, as a big Stranger Things fan, I know this series is not going to replace the original series, but I'm really excited for this animated series. I've loved all the tie-books and stories so far, and I know I'm going to like this.
The Boroughs
Speaking of the Duffer brothers, they're also producing the new sci-fi Netflix series that I'm most excited about this year, The Boroughs. This show is basically Stranger Things meets a retirement community. A monster of sorts is trying to take what's most important to the retirees of The Boroughs, and they're ready to fight back to stop it.
The Boroughs has an incredible cast. Like, we are so spoiled that all of these talented actors will be working together on the series. Here's the full cast: Bill Pullman, Geena Davis, Clarke Peters, Alfred Molina, Alfre Woodard, Denis O'Hare, Jena Malone, Carlos Miranda, and more. It really doesn't get much better than this!
The Boroughs will arrive on Netflix sometime in the new year. I have a feeling we'll be waiting quite a while, but I'm hopeful that we could see the series sometime in the last spring or early summer. It just depends on what Netflix has planned.
Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen
And, another one from producers, Matt and Ross Duffer! Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen is the upcoming sci-fi/horror thriller from Haley Z. Boston, and Netflix just confirmed it's coming to sometime in 2026. It's tagged as a sci-fi series on Netflix's Tudum, so it definitely deserves a spot on this list!
Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen tells the story of a couple about to get married, but then, as you may have guessed, something very bad happens. What that is, we'll just have to wait and see.
The series has a great cast led by Adam DiMarco, Camilla Morrone, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Karla Crome, Gus Birney, Ted Levine, Jeff Wilbusch, and more.
Boston recently shared some pics from post-production on her Instagram Stories in early 2026. After wrapping filming last year, Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen could be ready to roll on Netflix soon-ish. We'll know more about Netflix's slate in the coming months, so stay tuned for that release date. This is definitely one to be excited about.
Untitled Newfoundland Project
Release: 2026
I'm on Stranger Things kick right now, like the rest of the world, so we have one last show with a Stranger Things connection to include. Technically, it doesn't have a title, but Netflix is calling the "Untitled Newfoundland Project." I'm calling it Josh Harnett's sea monster show. Either way, both are accurate!
Created by Jesse McKeown, the series tells the story of Josh Hartnett's character, who is a fisherman in a small Canadian village, when a sea monster starts causing problems.
So, how is it connected to Stranger Things? Well, it's not produced by the Duffer brothers, but it does star one of the Stranger Things stars. Charlie Heaton, who played Jonathan Byers in all five seasons of Stranger Things, will star in the series.
That's the list of fantasy and sci-fi shows we're excited to watch on Netflix in 2026! We'll update the list with release inform as Netflix releases it. Stay tuned!