I feel like there is always a new show that everyone is talking about. Between Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, and other streaming platforms, it is almost impossible to keep up. Then you add TikTok into the mix. Suddenly, your entire For You Page is filled with edits, clips, and people talking about a show you may have never heard of.
I have always enjoyed watching TV. I feel like this year has had a pretty good mix of shows. I like having something to watch when I want to relax. I also love getting invested in a show and having something to look forward to each week. My taste is honestly all over the place. I can go from a romance series to a reality show and then watch something completely different.
Some of my favorites this year have been Off Campus Season 1, Bridgerton Season 4, Stranger Things 5, and Love Story. I have also kept up with Love Island USA through my twin sister. Another show I was excited about was Alix Earle’s Earle Meets World. These are a few of the shows that stood out to me. I also have plenty of others on my watch list.
I think social media plays a big part in what people decide to watch. Sometimes I see a show mentioned over and over before I even know what it is about. Then I start seeing edits of the characters or clips from certain scenes. Before I know it, I want to watch the entire series. That is one of the fun parts of keeping up with entertainment today. There is always something new to discover.
Off Campus Season 1
If you were on TikTok when Off Campus came out, you probably saw something about it. I feel like this show was EVERYWHERE. My For You Page was filled with edits, cast videos, reactions, and clips from different scenes. It seemed like everyone was watching it. After seeing so much about it, I knew I had to give it a try.
The show is based on the book series by Elle Kennedy. It follows college students as they figure out relationships, friendships, and everything that comes with college life. I really enjoyed the first season. I can see why so many people got into it. It has romance, drama, and characters you actually want to keep watching.
One thing that has made the show even more fun is that I started reading the books after watching the first season. I am currently working my way through the series. It has been interesting getting to know the characters even more. I like comparing what I read in the books to what I watched on the show. I also notice little details about the characters and their storylines that I might have missed before.
I have always liked when a show is based on a book. It gives you another way to enjoy the same story. You get to see the characters on screen, then learn even more about them through the books. It has been fun doing both with Off Campus.
I think one reason the show became so popular is that people really got attached to the characters. It was fun seeing everyone’s favorite scenes and reading the comments on TikTok. I loved seeing how excited people were about it. Now that I have started reading the books, I am even more invested in the series.
Bridgerton Season 4
Another show I really enjoyed this year was Bridgerton Season 4. I feel like Bridgerton always gets people talking when a new season comes out. Each season focuses on a different relationship within the Bridgerton family. That means there is always a new love story to follow.
One thing I love about Bridgerton is that my friends and I are constantly debating which season is our favorite. Everyone seems to have a different opinion. We always go back and forth about which couple had the best storyline. After watching this past season with Benedict, it definitely climbed toward the top of my list. I still have to give Season 2, with Anthony and Kate, the number one spot, though. Their season is hard to beat!
I think that is part of what makes the show so fun. Everyone has a favorite couple and storyline. There is always something to talk about after finishing a season. It is fun hearing what my friends liked and seeing if they agree with me.
One of my favorite things about this show is honestly how everything looks. The outfits, houses, music, and little details make it so fun to watch. I also like that the show takes modern songs and gives them a completely different sound. That is something I always notice.
Of course, the romance and drama keep people watching. There are misunderstandings, unexpected moments, and relationship drama. All of these things make you want to see what happens next. I also enjoy seeing familiar characters return while getting to know someone new each season.
I feel like this show takes over social media whenever a new season comes out. You see edits of the couples, favorite scenes, and everyone’s opinions. It is fun watching a show and then going online to see what other people thought. If you like romance and a little drama, Bridgerton is definitely one to watch.
Stranger Things 5
Getting to the fifth and final season of Stranger Things was a big moment. I have actually watched this show since 7th grade. Because of that, I feel like I have grown up alongside the characters. Every time a new season came out, I was a little bit older. It has been fun seeing how much everyone has changed throughout the series.
Another thing that makes this show special to me is that I have watched every season with my family. We would all look forward to a new season. It became something we could get excited about and watch together. Knowing that this is the final season makes it super bittersweet. It feels like the end of something that has been part of my life for so long.
I have always liked how Stranger Things mixes different genres. There is the mystery of trying to figure out what is happening in Hawkins. At the same time, there are friendships and relationships that make you care about the characters. It also has that 1980s feel with the music, outfits, and setting. That helps it stand out from other shows.
I think one of the hardest parts about a final season is saying goodbye to characters you have followed for so long. For me, it is not just about seeing how the story ends. It is also about saying goodbye to a show that my family and I have watched together for years. Everyone has their own favorite characters and moments. It makes sense that people have so many opinions and theories about the ending.
I also feel like Stranger Things became bigger than just the show itself. Even people who have not watched every season probably recognize the characters. They may have also heard about some of the biggest moments. I know I will miss having another season to look forward to. This show has been part of my life for so long, and I will always remember watching it with my family.
Love Story
One of my favorite shows of the year has definitely been Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette. This show was a peak for me. I really liked getting to dive into their love story and learn more about their relationship. It was one of those shows that I genuinely looked forward to watching. I always wanted to see what happened next.
I also thought it was interesting to learn more about two people whose relationship has been talked about for so many years. There is something about watching a story based on real people that makes it even more interesting. This is especially true when you already know a little about them before starting the show.
One thing I keep thinking about is what they could do with this show in the future. I would LOVE to see them continue it with other famous couples and their stories. There are so many relationships throughout history that would be interesting to watch. Elvis and Priscilla would be a good one. I also think Princess Diana and Prince Charles would be another story people would enjoy. They could even do one about JFK and his wife, Jacqueline Kennedy.
I feel like there are so many directions they could take this idea. I would definitely watch if they decided to continue with other couples. It would be interesting to see how they tell each story and which details they focus on. Out of all the shows I watched this year, Love Story is definitely one that left me wanting more.
Love Island USA
I have to include Love Island USA because I feel like I still knew everything that was happening. I was not someone who sat down every night to watch the full season as it came out. Even so, I kept up with a lot of the drama.
My twin sister is a BIG Love Island fan, so I heard about pretty much everything. Whether it was a new couple, drama in the villa, or something that happened during an episode, she always had an update for me. I was basically getting my own little recap without having to watch the entire show.
Sometimes she would tell me about something that happened. Then I would end up hearing even more about it on social media. It seemed like there was always a new conversation happening around the show.
Even though I did not follow every episode, I could see how addictive it can be. There is always something happening. Just when you think things are going one way, something changes. I can understand why people get so invested in the couples and contestants.
I also feel like social media makes the Love Island experience even bigger. You see people posting reactions, making memes, and sharing their opinions. Sometimes it seems like everyone has something to say about the latest episode. I may not have watched every night, but between my sister and social media, I was definitely keeping up.
Earle Meets World
Another show I was really excited about this year was Earle Meets World. I have always been a big Alix Earle fan, so this was something I had been looking forward to.
I have followed Alix on TikTok for a while. I have always enjoyed watching her videos. That is why I was excited to see her get her own show. It is one thing to see someone’s life through short TikTok videos. Getting to watch a full show gives you the chance to see more of what goes on behind the scenes.
I thought it was interesting to see more of her life that she does not necessarily film and post on TikTok. When you follow someone on social media, you get used to seeing certain parts of their life. There is obviously so much more that people do not see. I liked getting a closer look at that side of things.
I think it is fun seeing someone you have followed on social media move into a different type of entertainment. Alix already had such a big following, so I know many people were excited to watch the show. Since I was already a fan, it was something I looked forward to. I enjoyed getting to see more of her life outside of TikTok.
The Pitt: One That Is Still on My Watch List
One show that I have heard a lot about but have not gotten around to watching yet is The Pitt. I actually first heard about it from my sorority little, who is planning to go to medical school. She told me that it was similar to Grey’s Anatomy, but much more realistic. She said it was closer to what medicine looks like today.
That comparison definitely caught my attention. I feel like everyone has heard of Grey’s Anatomy. Hearing that another medical show has a similar feel made me curious. I also liked hearing that it takes a more realistic approach.
I have heard so many good things about The Pitt. After hearing my little talk about it, it is definitely on my watch list. I have not watched it yet, so I cannot give my own review. However, I am curious to see if it really is as good as everyone says. I just need to find the time to sit down and start watching it!
10 Shows I Haven’t Watched Yet but Keep Hearing About
Even though I have watched quite a few shows this year, there are still SO many that I have not gotten around to. Every time I open TikTok, someone is recommending a new show. My watch list just keeps getting longer. I honestly do not know when I am going to find the time to watch all of them.
It is funny because I will sometimes add a show after seeing one video about it. A few days later, I might see another recommendation and add something else. Before I know it, I have a long list of shows I want to watch. The hard part is actually deciding where to start.
Here are ten shows that I keep hearing about and want to add to my watch list.
- The Pitt – This one is already on my list, especially after hearing about it from my sorority little. I am curious to see how it compares to Grey’s Anatomy.
- A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms – I have heard people talking about this one because it connects to the Game of Thrones universe. I have not gotten around to watching it, but fans seem excited about it.
- Widow’s Bay – This show caught my attention because it mixes mystery, comedy, and horror. It sounds different from what I normally watch, but that makes me want to try it.
- The Madison – I have seen this one come up quite a bit. The cast definitely caught my attention. It follows a family as they deal with loss and adjust to a new life in Montana.
- The Testaments – This is connected to The Handmaid’s Tale, which I have heard so much about. I have not watched this one yet, but I am curious about the continuation of that story.
- The Traitors – I feel like everyone has been talking about this reality show. Between the competition, strategy, and people trying to figure out who they can trust, it sounds fun to watch.
- His & Hers – I have heard this one mentioned as a show worth watching. Since it is a mystery thriller, I think it would be right up my alley.
- Paradise – This is another show that has been recommended to me. I do not know too much about it yet, but I have heard enough to make me want to check it out.
- The Night Agent – I keep seeing this one pop up whenever people talk about shows to binge. It has action, suspense, and mystery. It sounds like something I could get hooked on.
- Nobody Wants This – I have seen so many people talk about this show. It seems like a fun mix of romance and comedy. That is always something I look for when I want to relax.
Looking at this list, I can already tell I have a lot of catching up to do. Some of these shows are different from what I normally watch. Others seem like they would fit right into my usual favorites. I think that is part of the fun of getting recommendations. You might find a new favorite in a genre you do not normally choose.
Final Thoughts
Overall, 2026 has been a fun year for television. There have been so many different shows to watch. I feel like there really has been something for everyone. Whether you are into romance, drama, reality TV, or suspense, there has been plenty to choose from.
I also think it is funny how many shows I hear about through social media or other people. Sometimes I will see one TikTok edit and suddenly feel like I need to watch an entire series. Other times, like with Love Island USA, I keep up with a show because someone close to me is such a big fan.
A lot of the shows I enjoyed this year also gave me something to talk about with other people. My friends and I can debate our favorite Bridgerton seasons. My family and I have shared years of watching Stranger Things together. My twin sister has made sure I know what is happening on Love Island USA. These little things make watching TV more fun because it becomes something you can share.
There are still so many shows I need to catch up on. I am sure my watch list will keep growing. Now I just need to make time to watch them instead of adding another show every time someone recommends one. If you have watched any of the shows on my list, I might need to know which one I should start with!
