January is the ideal month to cozy up and get caught up on the best streaming recommendations, and Netflix is kicking off 2026 with an impressively robust slate. Whether you’re in the mood for comfort viewing staples and hot new shows, critically acclaimed dramas, or cinematic blockbusters, there’s something for every temperament and taste on this list of the best movies and shows to stream on Netflix, ranked from good to can’t-miss.
15. The Baby-Sitters Club
The Baby-Sitters Club remains a warm and comforting show that is very much about friendship and growing up. Based on Ann M. Martin’s popular book series, the show explores the lives of a group of young girls as they learn to navigate the challenges of family and adolescence while running their own babysitting business.
It is the show’s ability to take the best of traditional themes and update them for the modern era that keeps it feeling timeless. With its perfect blend of humor and emotional truth, the show is a reminder that stories about empathy, collaboration, and young women looking out for each other are never truly out of date.
14. Peaky Blinders
As the final installment of Peaky Blinders is now available to stream, it’s clear that this show is one of the most iconic crime dramas of the last ten years. Cillian Murphy’s Tommy Shelby is a colossus of a character, icy, calculating, and utterly fascinating as the Shelby family’s story comes to a close.
This show is immediately identifiable by its sleek aesthetic, its pulsating modern score, and its cutting dialogue. But Peaky Blinders is more than just a stylishly packaged show; it’s a tale of power, legacy, and ambition, and it’s a television classic.
13. Beef
Beef begins with a simple act of road rage and spirals into something far darker and more revealing. Steven Yeun and Ali Wong star as two strangers whose fixation on one another slowly unravels their personal and professional lives.
What makes the series exceptional is its emotional depth beneath the chaos. Equal parts hilarious and unsettling, Beef explores resentment, identity, and self-destruction with fearless honesty, earning its reputation as one of Netflix’s boldest originals.
12. Girls5eva
Girls5eva is a joyful, fast-paced comedy about second chances and rediscovering your voice. The series follows a forgotten ’90s girl group attempting a comeback in an industry and world that’s completely passed them by.
Packed with clever jokes, absurd pop culture satire, and genuinely catchy songs, the show thrives on its incredible ensemble cast. Now finding a wider audience on Netflix, Girls5eva feels like a victory lap for smart, character-driven comedy.
11. Death by Lightning
Death by Lightning is a very different take on historical drama, one that focuses on the assassination of President James Garfield. With Michael Shannon and Matthew Macfadyen leading the cast, the show turns a forgotten moment in history into compelling television.
Instead of relying on action, the show explores the psychological, obsessive, and politically tumultuous aspects of the story. The show’s attention to period detail and character development makes history feel like an immediate concern, one that is both disturbing and all too relevant.
10. Splinter Cell: Deathwatch
Splinter Cell: Deathwatch brings the iconic stealth series to life with its stylish animation and expertly paced espionage storytelling. Liev Schreiber voices Sam Fisher, and his performance is spot-on for the character’s icy precision.
The series honors the source material while also expanding upon it, providing plenty of tense action and deliberate pacing. It is one of the few video game adaptations that feels like it was made by people who actually understand why fans love the source material.
9. Stranger Things
The final installment of Stranger Things represents the conclusion of one of the most impactful series to ever air on Netflix. From its roots as a nostalgic genre exercise, the series has grown into a sweeping and emotional exploration of friendship, fear, and coming of age.
Featuring big-screen production values and authentic performances from its cast, now all grown up, the series finale offers both spectacle and closure for its audience.
8. His & Hers
His & Hers is a tightly constructed mystery built around mistrust and fractured intimacy. Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal play estranged spouses drawn back together by a murder investigation that hits far too close to home.
The series thrives on its shifting perspectives and psychological tension, constantly forcing viewers to question motives and truth. Its short runtime and sharp twists make it ideal binge material, capped by a finale that leaves a lasting impact.
7. People We Meet on Vacation
Based on Emily Henry’s bestselling novel, People We Meet on Vacation delivers a sun-soaked slow-burn romance anchored by strong chemistry. The story follows longtime friends Poppy and Alex as their annual trips slowly reveal unresolved feelings.
Beautiful locations and charming performances elevate the familiar rom-com structure. It’s warm, wistful, and emotionally grounded—exactly the kind of escapist romance that thrives on streaming.
6. The Rip
The Rip is a gritty crime thriller fueled by betrayal and moral ambiguity. Matt Damon and Ben Affleck star as cops who stumble onto a fortune that tests loyalty, greed, and survival.
Director Joe Carnahan keeps the tension high with sharp pacing and explosive confrontations. Anchored by a strong ensemble, the film blends action with psychological stakes, making it one of Netflix’s most gripping original thrillers.
5. Cosmic Princess Kaguya!
Cosmic Princess Kaguya! reinvents a classic folktale through a dazzling mix of sci-fi, music, and coming-of-age emotion. The story follows a runaway lunar princess and the girl who helps her rediscover joy and purpose.
Visually stunning and emotionally sincere, the film balances futuristic spectacle with intimate character moments. It’s a standout animated release that appeals to anime fans and newcomers alike.
4. Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart
This powerful documentary revisits the abduction of Elizabeth Smart with sensitivity and clarity. Through firsthand accounts and archival footage, it centers the survivor’s voice above all else.
The film goes beyond the crime itself, examining resilience, trauma, and recovery. It’s a difficult but essential watch—one that reinforces the human cost behind true crime headlines.
3. Bridgerton: Season 4 Part 1
Bridgerton returns with a fresh romantic focus while maintaining its signature glamour. This season shifts attention to Benedict Bridgerton, blending art, romance, and social expectation.
Lavish costumes, sharp dialogue, and new character dynamics keep the series feeling vibrant. As ever, Bridgerton proves it knows exactly how to balance escapism with emotional investment.
2. Skyscraper Live
Skyscraper Live pushes streaming into thrilling new territory. Alex Honnold’s live, rope-free climb of Taipei 101 unfolds in real time, turning a feat of endurance into edge-of-your-seat television.
The immediacy is unforgettable, combining technical achievement with raw human tension. It’s a reminder that streaming isn’t just about content; it can also deliver unforgettable shared moments.
1. Dune
Topping the list is Dune, Denis Villeneuve’s monumental sci-fi epic, finally landing on Netflix. The film immerses viewers in the harsh beauty of Arrakis, where politics, prophecy, and survival collide.
With breathtaking visuals, a towering score, and an exceptional cast, Dune demands attention. It’s not just a movie, it’s an experience, and the perfect centerpiece for Netflix’s January lineup.
Netflix’s January 2026 lineup offers an impressive range of stories, from intimate character studies to massive cinematic spectacles. Whether you’re catching up on beloved favorites or discovering something new, there’s no shortage of reasons to hit play.