Industry

HBO

We are now a third of the way through the year, and 2026 has already racked up a number of great TV shows to watch, both new series and returning seasons. So far, just 11 scripted series out of everything released have managed to land 95% and above Rotten Tomatoes scores, including four perfect 100% ones. Here’s the list for you to go check out, though some “non-verified” ones with not enough reviews in will be excluded:

Hacks season 5 (100%, HBO Max) – The final run of one of the best comedies ever made, likely ending with an enormous run of Emmy wins from star Jean Smart. You’ll have to catch up on four seasons before this one, but it’s worth it.

Widow’s Bay (100%, Apple TV) – This just aired today for the first time on Apple TV, a horror comedy, emphasis on the comedy, of a mayor trying to attract tourists to his island town which, unfortunately, is haunted. It stars the excellent Matthew Rhys of The Americans fame, allowing him to unleash his comedic chops.

The Rise and Fall of Reggie Dinkins (100%, NBC/Peacock) – The return of Tracy Morgan to TV has him joined by the likes of Daniel Radcliffe, of all people, and is a stellar comedy embracing Morgan’s comedic talents, which haven’t lost a step since 30 Rock.

From season 4 (100%, MGM+/Amazon) – The best horror show currently airing is back with yet another 100% scored season, diving deeper into the mysteries of the trapped town and resulting in some major character deaths.

Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord (98%, Disney Plus) – The series has set a record for the best-scoring Star Wars project of all time, and it was, for a while, at a full 100%. Maul returns as a sort of antihero after being cut in half, and in territory that has not been explored in other animated projects yet.

The Pitt season 2 (98%, HBO Max) – You no doubt probably expected the Emmy winner to appear here, delivering a season 2 that’s on par with season 1, and it features another likely award-winning performance from its lead, Noah Wyle. As an annual show, we’ll see it back again in roughly seven months from now.

The Comeback season 3 (97%, HBO Max) – The Comeback is back after a decade-long hiatus, the Lisa Kudrow comedy described as a “victory lap” for the series, wrapping up a series that began in 2005, with 9 and 12 years between each of its seasons.

Margot’s Got Money Troubles (97%, Apple TV) – There is no escaping Elle Fanning these days between an Oscar nomination and now her very own series as a single mom turning to OnlyFans to earn money to support her child. It’s a comedy, but is emotionally heavy at times, particularly when her ex-pro-wrestler father, played by Nick Offerman, shows up.

Industry season 4 (96%, HBO Max) – While it’s not quite a Succession replacement, Industry has rocketed up in quality and viewership over its last few seasons, with this latest one receiving top marks ahead of its fifth and final season next time around.

Ponies (96%, Peacock) – A show about two friends and spies in 1977 Moscow, the great series is revenge for Emilia Clarke enduring the end of Game of Thrones and her follow-up, Secret Invasion for Marvel. She and White Lotus veteran Haley Lu Richardson have unmatched charisma between them.

Bait (95%, Amazon Prime Video) – A meta show about an actor trying to land the role of James Bond, the comedy was blessed by Bond’s Barbara Broccoli herself.

How to Get to Heaven From Belfast (95%, Netflix) – The long-awaited follow-up from Derry Girls’ Lisa McGee, she turns to a murder mystery comedy that isn’t quite as good as the last series, but worth watching all the same.

Interesting trends there. Most services have one or two (Paramount and Hulu are MIA), but HBO Max boasts four out of eleven there. Check them out at your leisure.

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Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.