TL;DR: The 2026 Netflix Cheat Sheet
If you’re just here for the "what and when," here are the big ones hitting our screens this year:
- Bridgerton Season 4: Part 1 drops January 29 (yes, next week!). Part 2 follows on February 26.
- One Piece Season 2: The live-action Straw Hats return March 10.
- Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2: Expected Q2 (April–June).
- Minecraft: The Animated Series: Confirmed for June 24 (just in time to "save" summer break).
- Stranger Things: Tales From '85: The first animated spinoff, arriving Late 2026.
- Pokémon Horizons Season 3: Already streaming as of January 6.
Ask our chatbot for a personalized binge-list based on your kids' ages
Happy 2026, everyone. We survived the Stranger Things series finale on New Year’s Eve, and if your house is anything like mine, you’re still fielding questions about whether "Episode 9" is a real thing. (Spoiler: It’s not. The conspiracy theories on TikTok are reaching "Ohio" levels of weird, but the Duffers are done. Let it go, kids.)
But while the main story in Hawkins is over, Netflix isn't letting us—or our wallets—go that easily. 2026 is shaping up to be the year of the "Fandom Giant." We’re moving away from the experimental "brain rot" era and into high-budget adaptations of things our kids already love.
Here is what you need to know about the 2026 forecast.
Release Date: January 29, 2026 (Part 1) Target Audience: Parents (and "mature" older teens)
We are nine days away from Benedict’s season. If you’ve been following the Screenwise community boards, you know the "spiciness" level of this show is always the #1 topic. Season 4 is leaning into a Cinderella-style masquerade ball theme, and let’s be real: it’s going to be the most "after-bedtime" show of the year.
Parental No-BS Note: Screenwise data shows that about 35% of 15-year-olds are watching this despite the TV-MA rating. If your teen is asking to watch, just know that this season is backloading the romance. It’s high-quality production, but it’s definitely not "family viewing." Check out our guide on how to talk to teens about Bridgerton’s themes
Release Date: March 10, 2026 Target Audience: Ages 10+ (and literally everyone else)
This is the big one for the middle school crowd. Season 1 was a shock because it actually... didn't suck? In fact, it was great. Season 2 is taking us into the Grand Line and introducing Tony Tony Chopper.
Why Kids Love It: It’s pure adventure. There’s no cynicism here. In a world of "skibidi" irony, Luffy’s earnestness is actually a breath of fresh air. The Screenwise Take: This is one of the few shows we actually recommend for co-viewing. It’s visually stunning and teaches genuine lessons about loyalty without being preachy. Just watch out for the "manga spoilers"—your kids will likely try to read ahead, which isn't a bad thing for their literacy scores!
Release Date: Expected Q2 2026 Target Audience: Ages 8-14
Netflix finally confirmed Toph is joining the cast, and the hype is real. Season 2 (The Earth Kingdom) is arguably the best part of the original story.
Safety Check: The live-action version is significantly more "visceral" than the cartoon. The Fire Nation actually burns people here. If you have a sensitive 8-year-old, you might want to stick to the original Avatar: The Last Airbender animated series first. Compare the live-action vs. animated Avatar for your family
Release Date: June 24, 2026 Target Audience: Everyone who has ever touched a block
We’ve been waiting for this since the 15th-anniversary announcement back in '24. Unlike the live-action movie (which... let’s not talk about Jack Black in a blue shirt), this is CG-animated by the studio that did Sonic Prime.
Is it brain rot? This is the $1,000 question. Early looks suggest it’s an "original story with new characters." If it follows the Arcane or Castlevania model of high-quality storytelling, it could be a masterpiece. If it's just 22 minutes of "creeper go boom," it’s basically YouTube on a bigger budget. The Screenwise Strategy: Use this as a "screen-time trade." They watch an episode, they get 30 minutes of actual Minecraft creative mode.
Release Date: Late 2026 Target Audience: Ages 12+
Since the main show ended three weeks ago, the "Hawkins Withdrawal" is hitting hard. This animated spinoff is an anthology. Think of it like "The Animatrix" but for the Upside Down.
What Parents Should Know: Animated doesn't mean "for kids." This is still Stranger Things. Expect psychological horror and 80s nostalgia. It’s a great way to keep the fandom alive without the 3-year wait between live-action seasons.
Notice a trend? Netflix is leaning heavily into established IPs. Between Pokémon Horizons, Minecraft, and One Piece, your kids are going to be tempted to jump from the TV show to the game, to the Discord server, to the merch store.
In 2026, the "Netflix Effect" isn't just about watching a show; it's about entering an ecosystem.
Age-Appropriate Guidance
- Ages 5-7: Stick to Pokémon Horizons and the new Sesame Street reimagining. Avoid the live-action Avatar for now.
- Ages 8-12: Minecraft and Avatar are your sweet spots. This is also the age where they’ll start begging for One Piece. It’s generally fine, but the violence is "cartoonish-plus."
- Ages 13+: Stranger Things: Tales From '85 and Wednesday Season 2 (which many are re-watching now) are the social currency of the grade.
Safety Considerations: The "Binge" Trap
Netflix is still using the "Split Release" strategy (like with Bridgerton). As parents, we actually love this. It forces a natural break in consumption. Instead of your teen disappearing for 8 hours on a Saturday to inhale a whole season, they get four episodes and then have to wait a month.
Pro Tip: Use that month-long gap to actually talk about the cliffhanger. It turns passive "zombie" watching into an active social experience.
Learn how to set up Netflix profile locks so your 8-year-old doesn't "accidentally" watch Bridgerton
Today, January 20, Netflix is also reviving Star Search. It’s a talent show, but with a 2026 twist: the contestants are mostly "creators" from TikTok and YouTube.
This is a great "bridge" show. If your kid is obsessed with some random YouTuber you've never heard of, they might show up here. It’s a way to bring their "small screen" interests to the "big screen" in the living room where you can actually see what they’re into.
2026 isn't about new ideas; it's about better versions of the ideas our kids already live with.
- If they play the game, they’ll want the Minecraft show.
- If they like the anime, they’ll want the One Piece live-action.
- If they’re still mourning Max and Eleven, they’ll want Tales From '85.
The best move for an intentional parent this year? Watch the first episode with them. The "Grand Line" and the "Earth Kingdom" are complicated places. If you know the lore, you're not just the person who pays the Netflix bill—you're the person who "gets it."
- Check your Netflix Maturity Ratings. With Bridgerton dropping next week, make sure your kids' profiles are actually locked down.
- Mark March 10 on the calendar. If you want a "family movie night" that actually works for everyone, One Piece is your best bet.
- Take the Screenwise Survey. If you're worried that the 2026 slate is going to lead to more "zombie mode" in your house, let's look at the data together.
Take the Screenwise survey to see how your family's streaming habits compare to your neighborhood
Ask our chatbot for a summary of the One Piece Season 1 plot so you aren't lost when Season 2 starts