Top 5 Must-Watch Netflix Shows This Week: January 5–9, 2026

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Here are the top 5 Netflix shows to watch this week (January 5–9, 2026). We’ve included popular hits, new releases, and timeless classics recently added to the platform. At the top of our list is a gripping, three-season crime thriller that just returned to Netflix two days ago.

Starting the first week of January 2026, Ebaster is recommending the top shows currently available for binge-watching on popular streaming services like Prime Video, HBO Max, and Paramount+. These five series provide options for every Netflix user, whether you want to watch something quickly or settle in for a longer viewing experience.

Found

The NBC series Found is now a hit on Netflix, quickly becoming one of the top 3 most-watched shows in the U.S. It’s only behind newer Netflix originals like Run Away and Stranger Things.

With 35 episodes spread over two seasons, the series Found centers on Gabi Mosely (Shanola Hampton), who heads a team that finds missing people using unique approaches. If you’re looking for a suspenseful and intriguing show to watch on Netflix this week that isn’t too grim or graphic, Found is a great option.

Unlocked: A Jail Experiment

The second season of the Netflix documentary series Unlocked: A Jail Experiment arrives this Wednesday, January 7th. This show, a continuation of the original 8-episode series from 2024, follows men in an Arkansas jail who participate in an experiment offering them more freedom in exchange for their participation.

If you enjoy shows about prison life, like the dramas Prison Break and Mayor of Kingstown, or the reality series 60 Days In, you’ll probably be hooked by Unlocked: A Jail Experiment. It’s similar in concept to the well-known Stanford Prison Experiment, which was depicted in a 2015 film. Just like the first season, Unlocked: A Jail Experiment season 2 is expected to be a fast-paced and captivating watch.

11.22.63

Starting January 7th, you can watch the Hulu series 11.22.63 on Netflix. Based on the Stephen King novel, this 8-episode mystery follows teacher Jake Epping (played by James Franco) as he goes back in time to try and stop the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. However, he finds himself distracted by life in the past and a new romance.

Originally debuting in 2016, this 8-episode series is poised to become popular on Netflix after being unavailable for streaming on major platforms for quite some time. Developed for television by Bridget Carpenter (known for Friday Night Lights and Westworld), the series has received a strong audience approval rating of 88% on Rotten Tomatoes.

His & Hers

This week, Netflix is releasing a highly anticipated series called His & Hers. This 6-part psychological thriller will be available all at once on Thursday, January 8th. Starring Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal, the show centers on a journalist returning to her hometown to investigate a murder, where she clashes with a detective who seems to be hiding something.

This new Netflix crime thriller is short and sweet – only six episodes – making it perfect for a quick binge-watch this week. Like other recent hits such as Run Away and The Beast in Me, it’s sure to be a captivating watch. Keep an eye out for it when it premieres this Thursday – everyone will be talking about it!

The Following

All three seasons of the popular crime thriller The Following, starring Kevin Bacon, became available on Netflix on January 2nd. The show centers around a captivating serial killer who builds a devoted following after escaping from prison, and the retired FBI agent, Ryan Hardy, brought back to catch him.

If you’re looking for a gripping and retro TV experience from the 2010s, The Following on Netflix is a great choice. Originally broadcast on Fox from 2013 to 2015, the show was created by Kevin Williamson, the mind behind hits like Scream and Dawson’s Creek. With 45 episodes available, it’s perfect for a binge-watch, especially if you enjoy horror, crime thrillers, and suspenseful mysteries. It’s one of the best shows to stream on Netflix this week.

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2026-01-05 21:24