16 upcoming sci-fi shows to be excited for in 2026
Entertainment is the final frontier, as you experience everything from Starfleet to the Green Lantern Corps and Godzilla in 2026.
(Image credit: Apple, Paramount, Amazon, & Disney)
Forget those New Year's resolutions that no one sticks to and plan out your watchlists for 2026 instead, because these upcoming sci-fi shows are looking spectacular. Great news for us, but terrible tidings for our wallets, as we're going to have to keep all those subscriptions that we threatened to cancel when they hiked the prices.
There's some familiarity and comfort ahead, as the slate sees "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" and "Invincible" return for their respective fourth seasons, while "The Boys" wraps up its super shenanigans with season 5. "Paradise" season 2 also promises to twist and turn minds into balloon animals, whereas "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters" season 2 is likely to carry on all the pomp stomp and circumstance from before.
In terms of new additions, expect "Star Trek: Starfleet Academy" to become a water cooler conversation starter, along with DC's "Lanterns" and the Darth Maul-centric show "Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord." Plus, there's the long-gestating adaptation of William Gibson's "Neuromancer", a show that has been brewing for over 40 years.
1. 'Star Trek: Starfleet Academy' season 1
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy | Official Trailer | Paramount+ UK & Ireland - YouTube 
Release date: January 15, 2026 | Where to watch: Paramount+
Set in the 32nd century, "Star Trek: Starfleet Academy" sees the reformation of the Starfleet Academy, headed up by Holly Hunter's Nahla Ake.
Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!
With a bunch of cadets running loose and learning all about the final frontier, expect there to be upcoming sci-fi shows 2026more teen drama, comical mischief and sci-fi mishaps than usual on "Star Trek" shows.
Sandro Rosta's Caleb Mir is the main character to watch here, as his reason for joining the Starfleet is much more personal than anyone else's.
2. 'Paradise' season 2
Paradise Season 2 | Official Teaser | Hulu - YouTube 
Release date: February 23, 2026 | Where to watch: Hulu (US) /Disney+ (UK)
"Paradise" turned out to be one of the best new shows of 2025, and the follow-up season is hot on its heels.
Blending political intrigue with doomsday consequences, the first season centers around U.S. Secret Service agent Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown) investigating the murder of President Cal Bradford (James Marsden), as well as discovering the history of what led to the creation of the controversial bunker.
The show's twisty narrative threads unravel as the story progresses, especially through its love of flashbacks, and as season 2's trailer demonstrates, the bunker is only the tip of the iceberg here.
3. 'Monarch: Legacy of Monsters' season 2
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters — Season 2 Date Announcement | Apple TV - YouTube 
Release date: February 27, 2026 | Where to watch: Apple TV
Even though "Godzilla Minus One" remains the best adaptation of the kaiju in recent times, Legendary Entertainment's MonsterVerse continues to flourish in building an interconnected universe of Titans, featuring the feisty Godzilla and his temperamental hairy buddy Kong.
In "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters" season 1, siblings Cate (Anna Sawai) and Kentaro Randa (Ren Watabe) learn of their father's connection to the organization Monarch, which was originally meant to protect both humans and Titans. Now, in season 2, they uncover more of the truth – both about the past and present.
The best part about it? More monster-mashing mayhem!
4. 'Invincible' season 4
Invincible Season 4 - Teaser Trailer | Prime Video - YouTube 
Release date: March 2026 | Where to watch: Prime Video
Mark Grayson (Steven Yeun) returns as Invincible, but after hanging out with his little alien brother, Oliver (Christian Convery), too much, he might need to change his name to Unprincipled.
As seen in the previous season, Oliver isn't shy of treating villains in the harshest way possible, and Mark seems to have learned this lesson from his baby bro. So, is Mark about to go full Omni-Man in season 4?
According to "Invincible" co-creator Robert Kirkman, Mark is set to undergo a major transition, and we're here for it.
5. 'The Boys' season 5
The Boys - Final Season Teaser Trailer | Prime Video - YouTube 
Release date: April 8, 2026 | Where to watch: Prime Video
Oi! There's only one way in which this blood feud between Billy Butcher (Karl Urban) and Homelander (Antony Starr) ends.
After four seasons of love sausages, exploding body parts, and supes climbing into other people's orifices, this is set to be the finale of all finales.
Jensen Ackles' Soldier Boy returns in "The Boys" season 5, undoubtedly providing backup for his psychopathic and milk-loving offspring Homelander, while the rest of the Boys will need to hope that Butcher comes to his senses and stands by them one last time.
6. 'Lanterns'
Coming In 2026 | HBO Max - YouTube 
Release date: U.S. summer 2026 | Where to watch: HBO
James Gunn's DC Universe expands with the addition of "Lanterns," which is all about the emerald knights known as the Green Lantern Corps.
In the show, the seasoned Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) takes newbie John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) under his wing as he teaches him how even in the brightest day or the blackest night, no evil must escape their sight – oh, and how to use the power ring too.
Nathan Fillion's Guy Gardner, who last appeared in "Superman" and "Peacemaker" season 2, is confirmed to feature in "Lanterns," as well as Ulrich Thomsen, who will play the villainous Sinestro.
7. 'Spider-Noir'
(Image credit: Sony)
Release date: TBC | Where to watch: MGM+
Everyone knows Nicolas Cage could play a potato and make it an Oscar-worthy performance. Fortunately, he doesn't need to get too starchy for "Spider-Noir."
Reprising his voice role from "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse," Cage plays a private investigator Spidey variant from 1930s New York. While not much is known about the noir-inspired eight-episode series yet, the official poster showcases the name on his office door to be Ben Reilly, who is better known as a Peter Parker clone from the comics.
It remains to be seen if this is merely a nod-and-wink alias or somehow tied to something bigger. All we know is our spidey sense is tingling for this one.
8. 'Blade Runner 2099'
(Image credit: Warner Bros.)
Release date: TBC | Where to watch: Prime Video
Five years. That's the time it has taken between Ridley Scott blabbing that a "Blade Runner" series was in the works, and it eventually being released on Prime Video… and that's assuming it doesn't get delayed.
Not much is known about "Blade Runner 2099," except the fact that it's a sequel to both the films and stars Michelle Yeoh as a replicant. Additionally, Hunter Schaefer from "Euphoria" and Tom Burke from "The Lazarus Project" are set to appear in main roles.
Hopefully, this "Blade Runner" sequel spares us from Jared Leto's annoying presence. Fingers crossed.
9. 'X-Men '97' season 2
Marvel Animation's X-Men '97 | Official Trailer | Disney+ - YouTube 
Release date: Mid-2026 | Where to watch: Disney+
Sure, "X-Men '97" is nostalgia-bait, reeling in all the peeps who grew up on a healthy diet of the marvelous mutants from "X-Men: The Animated Series," bub. Even so, the revival continued the trend of smart and mature storytelling, bringing Professor X's team to modern times (even if the events technically take place in the 90s) and establishing itself as one of the best sci-fi shows of 2024.
The first season dropped more than a few shockers and heart-wrenching moments, and season 2 is likely to follow suit, especially if it centers around the maniacal Apocalypse as predicted.
Siri, play the theme song on repeat until "X-Men '97" airs again.
10. 'Neuromancer'
Neuromancer — In Production Announcement | Apple TV - YouTube 
Release date: TBC | Where to watch: Apple TV
William Gibson's 1984 novel "Neuromancer" and cyberpunk go hand-in-transhuman hand. Despite its legendary status in literature, it's taken over four decades for an adaptation to materialise, which is bizarre when you consider how this race-against-time sci-fi-licious tale about AI should be like catnip for Hollywood execs.
Maybe they don't like reading anything except spreadsheets? Regardless, showrunners Graham Roland and J. D. Dillard are bringing a 10-episode version of "Neuromancer" to Apple TV, starring Callum Turner as Case, Briana Middleton as Molly, and Mark Strong as Armitage.
Expect to see many – oh so many – "Neuromancer explained" articles on the Internet thereafter, because this story isn't afraid to get weird.
11. 'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' season 4
Release date: TBC | Where to watch: Paramount+
"Star Trek: Strange New Worlds," aka the best jumping-on point for non-Trekkies, returns for its penultimate season. The show's only limit is its imagination, as fans have already seen Captain Pike and his crew delight in musical and animated episodes.
So, how much further can "Strange New Worlds" take the – ahem – strangeness of these interplanetary quests? Well, you haven't seen anything yet, because Pike is about to show the muppets who has the better space adventure in season 4.
Go kick rocks, Kermit!
12. 'Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord'
(Image credit: Disney)
Release date: TBC | Where to watch: Disney+
Say what you want about "Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace," but Darth Maul remains one of the coolest villains ever introduced in this franchise.
Fans received more of the horned Sith Lord in "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" and "Star Wars Rebels," but now he's set to receive the star treatment as he gets his solo animated series titled "Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord."
Set after the events of the Clone War, Maul (voiced once again by fan-favorite Sam Witwer) plots and plans his return to power. At the same time, he also trains a new apprentice in the art of the dark side. Look, Disney and Lucasfilm, you had us at Maul already, so please just let this show be good.
13. 'VisionQuest'
(Image credit: Marvel / Disney)
Release date: TBC | Where to watch: Disney+
Death in the MCU is about as permanent as one of those rub-on Batman tattoos you had as a kid. Paul Bettany's Vision returned in "WandaVision," but now viewers get to experience him trying to reconcile his memories and who he is in "VisionQuest."
In typical Marvel fashion, though, details prove to be scarce apart from story leaks and photos from questionable online sources. Having said that, the series piques the interest, especially because of the news that James Spader's Ultron will be a major player here.
Maybe the MCU is well and truly back, after all.
14. 'The Boroughs'
Release date: TBC | Where to watch: Netflix
What happens when a supernatural danger descends on a blissful retirement community? They fight back, of course.
Reading the logline for "The Boroughs," it sounds an awful lot like "Stranger Things" but with retirees instead of kids. That's okay, though, especially considering the talented Duffer brothers are behind this eight-episode sci-fi show too.
If that isn't enough to entice you, consider the main cast list for a second here: Bill Pullman, Geena Davis, Alfred Molina, Clarke Peters, and Alfre Woodard. Stranger who? Exactly.
15. 'Silo' season 3
Silo — [SPOILER WARNING] Season 2 Finale Cliffhanger Ending | Scene | Apple TV - YouTube ![Silo — [SPOILER WARNING] Season 2 Finale Cliffhanger Ending | Scene | Apple TV - YouTube](https://img.youtube.com/vi/yVwVWD9ZrDw/maxresdefault.jpg)
Release date: TBC | Where to watch: Apple TV
"Silo" season 3 will take viewers back to pre-apocalyptic times, adapting Hugo Howey's "Shift" (the second book in the "Silo" trilogy) and revealing more about what led to the silo's creation.
Showrunner Graham Yost promised that many questions are set to be answered, such as the origin of the Pez dispenser and the dirty bomb, while also stating that this season sets up an important location that plays a role in the fourth and final season.
Series regulars Rebecca Ferguson and Steve Zahn are expected to return, but they aren't siloed, as new cast members Jessica Henwick and Ashley Zukerman join the fray.
16. 'Star City'
(Image credit: Apple TV+)
Release date: TBC | Where to watch: Apple TV
"For All Mankind" showcases what would have happened had the Soviet Union won the global space race. The alt-space history show offers some food for thought, posing serious questions about what would have happened to America in the aftermath and the knock-on effect.
So, it makes all the sense in the world to explore the same premise from the Soviet Union's perspective. Rhys Ifans and Anna Maxwell Martin lead "Star City," which should tide viewers over as they await further seasons of "For All Mankind."
In more good news, "For All Mankind" showrunners Ronald D. Moore, Ben Nedivi, and Matt Wolpert will helm this spinoff, too.
Sergio Pereira is a scriptwriter and entertainment journalist covering movies, TV, video games, and comic books. His work has appeared in Looper, /Film, CBR, Screen Rant, IGN, and SYFY Wire. Sergio lives in sunny Johannesburg, South Africa with a clan of Chihuahuas that rule his bed and life.
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