3 Best New Shows To Watch On Netflix This Weekend (July 24–26)

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Published Jul 24, 2026, 9:00 AM EDT

Greg is a Lead TV Writer & Critic at Screen Rant with expertise in new streaming releases. He's published over 2800 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 three best new shows to watch on Netflix this weekend, July 24–26, 2026, include an epic K-drama, a Western romance, and the #1 series worldwide. Netflix has a small but stellar slate of new series worth checking out this week, joining other massive streaming hits like Will Ferrell's new comedy The Hawk and the new ghost romance series Spooky in Love. While both of these series are among the most-watched on Netflix worldwide, these three new Netflix shows are what most subscribers will be tuning into this weekend.

Following the recent announcement of the 2026 Emmy nominations, ScreenRant assembled the top 3 Emmy-nominated shows on Netflix this year as well as the five best Netflix shows with near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes scores. Among these critically acclaimed series are Beef, The Diplomat, The Beast in Me, Adolescence, and other instant classics that represent some of the very best original shows that Netflix has to offer. Viewers who are looking for the cutting edge on Netflix, however, should check out the following three new series.

The East Palace

The East Palace is one of the most intriguing new Netflix series out right now and is currently trending at #3 worldwide on the streamer's viewership charts. Combining elements of action, fantasy, history, and horror, this 8-part K-drama tells the fascinating tale of a king who employs a ghost-slayer to investigate a potentially sinister spirit dwelling inside the palace of the crown prince. The ghost-slayer, Gu Cheon, is assisted by a woman haunted by ghosts, Court Lady Saeng Gang, as they work together to eliminate the dark force.

The East Palace is one of the most highly-rated Netflix series of 2026, earning a perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes score and an impressively high audience score of 91%. Critics praise the series for its entertainment value and nonstop tension, creating a whirlwind of a plot that keeps viewers guessing and on the edge of their seats. This is the type of series that's very easy to binge in one night even though it is eight episodes long. If you consider yourself a fan of K-dramas and all things dark fantasy/supernatural, you don't want to miss this one.

Ransom Canyon

One of the biggest new releases on Netflix this week is Ransom Canyon season 2, which brings viewers back to the small titular West Texas town for more small-town drama. Ransom Canyon became a streaming hit for Netflix when its 10-part first season premiered in April 2025, leading to an 8-part second season that leans heavily into the messy, even soapy, melodrama between flames old and new. Many members of Ransom Canyon's strong season 1 cast, including Josh Duhamel, Minka Kelly, and more, return for the sophomore effort.

While often compared to Yellowstone or even Landman due to its Western themes, ranching feuds, and family-oriented drama, Ransom Canyon is very much a romantic drama more than it is a Western with crime elements. Season 2 feels somewhat stripped down and held back compared to its more full-bodied first season, but since viewer interest was quite strong for season 1, Ransom Canyon should once again be a streaming hit on Netflix this weekend following its release on Thursday, July 23.

Elite Force

The best new show to watch on Netflix this weekend is the 6-part action thriller Elite Force, which just arrived on Netflix on Wednesday, July 22. The series follows an elite French tactical unit known as GIGN that deals with a counterterrorist threat and potential hostage situation. The protagonist, David, is quickly approaching retirement from field operations but is forced back into the thick of it after a highly trained group shockingly kills four unarmed French troops, leading to a passionate search and other unforeseen surprises.

Elite Force became an overnight streaming hit around the world and is currently Netflix's #1 show worldwide, a rank it will hope to keep throughout the upcoming weekend. The series dives straight into the action and carries a gritty tone with polished visuals and crafty camerawork that makes it an immersive binge from the moment you press play. If you're looking to get lost in a new Netflix series this weekend with lots of action and suspense, Elite Force is the best option.