3 Best New Netflix Series To Binge-Watch This Weekend (October 16–18, 2026)

Published Oct 16, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT Greg is a Lead TV Writer & Critic at Screen Rant with expertise in new streaming releases. He's published over 3000 articles at SR, including weekly recommendation guides and dozens of reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. He previously worked in Development at ABC Television & Lawrence Bender Productions. Greg majored in Film Production at Chapman University's Dodge College. Greg also has years of broadcast TV production experience at major networks such as NBC, TNT, and ESPN. He currently lives in Greater Boston. The top 3 new Netflix series to binge-watch this weekend, October 16–18, 2026, include a 6-part crime thriller and the return of an Emmy-winning political drama. Netflix has been on an absolute roll with new releases this Fall 2026, with some of the biggest titles of the year released within the last two months, such as East of Eden and Not A Stranger. This weekend, Netflix keeps the momentum going with three must-watch series that everyone seems to be watching right now. Some of the best new Netflix shows to binge-watch earlier this week included the latest season of the reality dating series Love Is Blind, which is set in Boston this time around and just premiered on Wednesday, October 14. Other top streaming options include TYSON, a new 4-part docuseries that examines the legendary life and career of Mike Tyson, Hollywood Arts, a brand new spinoff of the classic sitcom Victorious, and the recently added action comedy Wayne. While these are all great options this weekend, the following three series are the best of the best of Netflix's latest slate. Below Below is still one of the most popular series to binge-watch on Netflix this weekend following its global premiere last Thursday. Below stars Josh Hartnett as a fisherman in a small village in Newfoundland who teams up with a marine biologist to protect the community from an ominous sea monster. Below remains the #1 most-watched series on Netflix heading into its second official weekend on the platform. Below is almost one of the most divisive streaming hits on Netflix this October, with critics giving it an 87% Rotten Tomatoes score while viewers gave it a much lower 55% audience score. One of the most appealing qualities of Below is that it's only six episodes, with a total runtime of roughly four hours, making it one of the easiest new series on Netflix to start and finish in just one night. If you're interested in seeing what all the hype is about for Netflix's #1 worldwide show right now, give Below a shot this weekend. The Trap The Trap has quietly become Netflix's latest streaming sensation this week, surging to the platform's #2 spot on worldwide viewership charts following its premiere on Tuesday, October 13. Another 6-part series built for an easy one-night binge, The Trap follows a reclusive writer who comes out of hiding once she sees her sister's suspected killer on television. Determined to make him pay for his crime, she decides to write a new book and lure him into her home for an exclusive interview, putting him in the hot seat after so many years. The Trap was created by the same minds behind Dear Child, which was one of Netflix's most-watched thriller series in 2023. The series is also based on a bestselling German book of the same name and features several of the key actors from Dear Child. If you love fast-moving thriller series with dark twists and high suspense like The Beast in Me, The Trap just may be the best show for you to watch on Netflix this weekend. The Diplomat The Diplomat season 4 just premiered on Netflix this Thursday, October 15, and is certainly the best new show on Netflix to binge-watch this weekend, debuting with a perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes score. With its fantastic new season, The Diplomat has officially entered the same esteemed category as all-time great political dramas such as The West Wing and House of Cards, and now has a case for one of Netflix's best ensemble casts right now, led by Keri Russell, Rufus Sewell, Allison Janney, Bradley Whitford, and more. The Diplomat season 4 continues to follow Kate Wyler (Russell), a US Ambassador stationed in London with her newly appointed Vice President husband, Hal (Sewell). While plenty of geopolitical and international tensions remain for the executive branch, the series also creates internal tension as Kate and Hal come into conflict about Hal's newfound influence over President Grace Penn (Janney). With its blend of political intrigue, interpersonal drama, and undertones of witty humor, The Diplomat is once again the greatest new show to binge on Netflix this weekend.