Miniseries are the perfect quick watch, especially if you decide to wait until all the episodes are streaming to binge it in one sitting. Whether it’s drama, horror, comedy, or a mix of genres, miniseries provide compelling stories from start to finish, with no cliffhanger endings. All the top streamers have exciting miniseries coming this year, and there are probably a few on the list that you’ll find worth watching.
From the return of a classic favorite sitcom to a TV interpretation of a classic action thriller movie, a British show that takes the story to Ghana to a Duffer Brothers horror miniseries, there’s a lot to look forward to in 2026.
1
‘Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair’ (April 10)
If you grew up watching Malcolm in the Middle, you’ll want to see Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair, a revival of the sitcom with Frankie Muniz, Bryan Cranston, Jane Kaczmarek, Christopher Masterson, and Justin Barfield all tapped to reprise their roles. It’s been almost two decades since the original series ended, and Malcolm is now an adult living with his girlfriend, Tristan (Kiana Madeira), and his daughter, Leah (Keeley Larston). While he has done his best to get away from his crazy parents and siblings, they all come together again when Hal (Cranston) and Lois (Kaczmarek) insist that he join them in celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary.
Masterson returns as Francis, the eldest, rebellious son who has since settled down with wife, Piama (Emy Coligado) — who also appeared in the original series — and a job at a tech company. Second child, Reese (Berfield), was last known to be working as a janitor at the high school. Erik Per Sullivan originally portrayed the ignored fourth child, Dewey, but since he has since left acting, the role will be taken over by Caleb Ellsworth-Clark. Fifth son Jamie, who was a baby in the original, will be portrayed by Anthony Timpano, while Vaughan Murrae will play Kelly, the sixth child who was never shown in the original, since the series ends with Lois discovering that she’s pregnant again. The series will be just four 30-minute episodes, but it will be a lovely trip down memory lane.
2
‘Half Man’ (April 23)
A six-part British limited drama series, Half Man, will premiere on HBO in the U.S. and BBC in the U.K. a day later. It hails from Richard Gadd, the man behind the award-winning smash hit series Baby Reindeer, a Netflix miniseries masterpiece. There isn’t much known about the show just yet, aside from the fact that Gadd and Jamie Bell play brothers and that it’s about the fragile nature of the traditional male relationship. The pair reunite at the latter’s wedding, leading to an explosive encounter.
With themes of brotherhood and violence, Half Man will take place from the 1980s to the present day, showcasing the two men both as they are now and as kids (portrayed by Stuart Campbell and Mitchell Robertson as younger selves). An exploration of toxic masculinity, male rage, and the impact of emotional trauma, Half Man will likely be just as deep and thought-provoking a conversation starter as Baby Reindeer.
3
‘The House of the Spirits’ (May 13)
An adaptation of Isabel Allende‘s novel of the same name, The House of the Spirits is described as an epic family saga and is inspired by Allende’s own family history and events in her home country of Chile. This includes the 1973 Chilean coup, when her own uncle Salvador was overthrown. The show will focus on three generations of women in the family, Clara (Nicole Wallace, Dolores Fonzi), Blanca (Sara Becker, Fernanda Urrejola), and Alba (Rochi Hernández), combining stories of class and politics with a bit of magic mixed in for good measure.
Told across eight episodes and in the Spanish language, the story in The House of the Spirits will span a century and tackle social change, crisis, and familial struggle, with a patriarch and his granddaughter on opposing sides. The series also counts Eva Longoria among its producers. You’ll get the first three episodes at once, followed by new episodes weekly through May 13.
4
‘Cape Fear’ (June 5)
Javier Bardem takes on the role of Max Cady in Cape Fear, which Robert De Niro played in the 1991 film version, both based on the John D. MacDonald novel The Executioners. There was also a 1962 movie starring Robert Mitchum as Cady and Gregory Peck as Sam Bowden, the attorney and family man he hunts down. Why? Max spent years in jail, and once he’s out, he seeks revenge on the lawyers who hid evidence that might have saved him from serving time.
In this episodic version for the small screen, Max (Bardem) is after a couple, Anna Bowden (Amy Adams) and Tom Bowden (Patrick Wilson), and he’s not going to let up until retribution is served. The thriller drama from Nick Antosca, who also created A Friend of the Family, The Act, and Brand New Cherry Flavor, also stars CCH Pounder, with Ron Perlman and Patrick Fischler among the recurring stars. It’s 10 episodes long, with the first two episodes released at once.
5
‘The Five-Star Weekend’ (July 16)
Curl up this summer with The Five-Star Weekend, a drama miniseries on Peacock about a group of friends who get together for a weekend in Nantucket. The goal is for famous cook, best-selling author, and food blogger Hollis Shaw (Jennifer Garner) to get her mind off a tragic loss. Her marriage and career are suffering, as is her relationship with her daughter. To help her move past what has happened, she decides some girl time is in order. But she makes an interesting decision to invite one friend from every stage in her life: her childhood, 20s, 30s, and “one surprise fifth star.” The show also stars Chloë Sevigny, Regina Hall, Gemma Chan, D’Arcy Carden, and Timothy Olyphant, with Josh Hamilton, Judy Greer, and David Denman in recurring roles.
The Five-Star Weekend is based on the novel of the same name by Elin Hilderbrand, and it will run eight episodes long. “Set against a luxurious and coastal backdrop,” the show’s logline reads, “the stars will mature in ways they could never imagine as boundaries are pushed and secrets are exposed.” It will be the perfect lazy day watch since all episodes will drop at once — and maybe even a great binge while away on your own ladies’ trip.
6
‘Lucky’ (July 15)
It has been some time since Anya Taylor-Joy mesmerized in The Queen’s Gambit, and she’s back on the small screen, leading the cast in Lucky. The 21st-century crime thriller has a premise that has been done again and again: a woman who was raised in a life of crime decides to go clean, but there’s one last job she has to complete before she can start over. The irony of embracing the darkness to get to the light is a theme that never gets old, as long as it’s done right. Based on this cast — and the book of the same name on which the show is based, written by Marissa Stapley — Lucky is sure to create some buzz.
Also starring Annette Bening, Timothy Olyphant, and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, the show hails from Reese Witherspoon‘s production company. Hello Sunshine has teamed up with Apple TV for other successful shows like The Morning Show and The Last Thing He Told Me, and Lucky will likely appeal to the same audience. Watch the first two episodes in mid-July, followed by a new one weekly through August 19.
7
‘First Day on Earth’ (TBA)
There’s no official premiere date yet for First Day on Earth, an HBO and BBC British series. But with filming having reportedly commenced, it’s likely to be some time before the end of 2026. The drama is created by Michaela Coel. who is behind the well-reviewed HBO hit series I May Destroy You, one of the best shows of the 2020s so far.
In this series, she plays Henri, a British Ghanaian novelist who decides to run away from her life. She ends up in her ancestral homeland of Ghana, where she immerses herself in the culture and a world she has never known. But what she learns also makes her question herself and her own family. The series will star Thandiwe Newton, Maxine Peake, Danny Sapani, and Ncuti Gatwa as well. It will run 10 episodes long.
Cast
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Jennifer Garner
Hollis Shaw
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Chloë Sevigny
Tatum McKenzie
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