5 Best New Netflix Series To Binge-Watch This Week (October 12–16, 2026)

Published Oct 12, 2026, 4:45 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. These are the 5 best Netflix series to binge this week, October 12–16, 2026, from brand new dramas to the return of Keri Russell's political thriller. Last weekend, some of the greatest new Netflix series to binge-watch included Taylor Sheridan's 4-season crime thriller, Mayor of Kingstown. This week, the return of a popular reality dating show and Netflix's Emmy-winning political drama lead the pack in our top streaming picks. Some of Netflix's biggest streaming releases of October 2026 are set to drop this week across a variety of genres. Other new and notable Netflix series include Wonka's The Golden Ticket, a reality competition series based on the beloved movie franchise, and Haunted Hotel, a celebrated spooky-themed animated series led by Will Forte. That said, the following five Netflix shows are the best of the best when it comes to high-quality, binge-worthy new series to watch this week. Tyson Tyson is a new 4-part docuseries that releases on Netflix this Tuesday, October 13. The new series serves as one of the most definitive and comprehensive retrospectives on the legendary and controversial career of professional boxer turned podcaster, Mike Tyson. Tyson will chronicle the rise of the iconic sports figure's professional boxing career, which led him to become the world's youngest heavyweight champion, as well as revisit some of the more notorious moments of his life and career in the spotlight. Sports fans won't want to miss this fascinating new documentary series. Love Is Blind Love is Blind season 11 arrives this week with hosts Nick and Vanessa Lachey returning. Set for the first time ever in Boston, Massachusetts, Love Is Blind follows a group of singles looking for love who blindly bond through conversations alone before ever actually meeting in person. The first five episodes of Love Is Blind season 11 premiere this Wednesday, October 14, followed by 3 episodes on October 21, 4 episodes on October 28, and the season 11 finale on November 4. If you're looking for your next reality TV fix this week, Love is Blind ​​​​​​is a great choice. East of Eden East of Eden remains an elite streaming option this week, holding on to the #2 worldwide viewership spot on Netflix nearly two weeks after its global premiere. The exceptional series based on John Steinbeck's epic novel of the same name has been praised as one of the best, if not the, adaptations of the source material ever made, as evidenced by its strong 87% Rotten Tomatoes score. Netflix's 7-part East of Eden extends its impressive run as a must-watch series this week, with great performances by Florence Pugh, Mike Faist, Christopher Abbott, Hoon Lee, and more. Below Following its release on Thursday, October 8, Josh Hartnett's 6-part horror/thriller Below is the #1 most-watched series on Netflix in the world. Consisting of just six short episodes with a total runtime of roughly 4 hours, there is no better new series on Netflix this week to start and finish in just one sitting. Below is set in a small fishing village that becomes terrorized by a mysterious sea creature that Hartnett's protagonist, Calvin Penney, and marine biologist Dr. Fonda Howander (played by Mackenzie Davis), are determined to stop. With its impressive 84% Rotten Tomatoes score, Below is one of the best new binges on Netflix this week. The Diplomat The best new series to watch this week on Netflix is The Diplomat season 4, which returns with eight new episodes on Thursday, October 15. Featuring an outstanding ensemble led by Keri Russel, Rufus Sewell, Allison Janney, Bradley Whitford, and more, The Diplomat is one of Netflix's most prestigious political drama series of all time, having just been nominated for seven Emmys and winning one for Janney's supporting role as Grace Penn. With its riveting story and 92% Rotten Tomatoes score, there's truly no better new series to binge-watch this week on Netflix than The Diplomat season 4. The Diplomat Release Date April 20, 2023 Network Netflix Cast Keri Russell Ambassador Kate Wyler