Entertainment
Every 2026 Prime Video Show, Ranked Worst to Best
We’ve officially surpassed the halfway point of 2026, and thus far, it’s been a great year for new television. And Prime Video has been keeping up with the trends. Alongside many of their hit returning shows, the streamer has welcomed a bevy of new ones, including highly anticipated adaptations and daring new reimaginings. But which one is the best of the year so far?
Prime Video has released shows about love. They’ve dropped live-action adaptations of a comic character and series that reimagine beloved characters. We are here to analyze 12 new titles that have officially debuted this year. To rank from worst to first, we’ll consider everything from performances to writing, as well as their overall impact on the year. So, yes, some bonus points are tagged on for pop culture prowess. Let’s celebrate Prime Video’s smattering of series that have kept us binging.
12
‘The Gray House’
We have an adoration for historical dramas. It’s exciting to watch a period story with its sprawling set pieces and elaborate costumes. But just because it may look incredible, and even feature a top-tier production team and cast, doesn’t mean it’s going to be extraordinary. Sadly, such was the case for The Gray House. Executive produced by Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman, the historical drama centers on the lives of four Southern women who used the expectations of their era as cover for espionage. Together, these women — Elizabeth Van Lew (Mary-Louise Parker), Eliza Van Lew (Daisy Head), Mary Jane Richards (Amethyst Davis), and Clara Parish (Hannah James) — transform their Underground Railroad operation into an effective intelligence network that gathers secrets, moves messages, and alters the course of the war in favor of the North. An important retelling of forgotten heroes, The Grey House’s eight episodes are a bit too bloated and melodramatic to pack the historic punch it intended.
The real-life spy ring in Richmond serves as a brilliant premise to build on, but the writers cram far too many minor characters and subplots into the series, which detracts from the main focus. Even with eight episodes, some over an hour each, the pacing is heavily padded, causing significant pacing woes. There are a few solid performances, including Paul Anderson as Stokely Reeves, Rob Morrow as Judah Benjamin, and Head as Elizabeth Van Lew. While Parker is convincing as Eliza Van Lew, it’s not nearly the caliber you may be used to from her previous body of work. With so many historical liberties taken to fill space, The Grey House may have been better suited for an epic film rather than a lost-in-the-shuffle series.
11
‘Kevin’
With a brilliant voice cast and a beloved creator, Kevin should have been better than it was. Unfortunately, Kevin, created by Aubrey Plaza and Joe Wengert, was an unfortunate misfire. The adult animated comedy follows Kevin, a neurotic, lifelong housecat who opts to leave his human owners following their divorce, taking up residence at an animal rescue in Astoria, Queens, with a chaotic gang of misfit pets. Inspired by a real-life breakup, it blends raunchy humor with sincere themes about finding your place in the world without traditional “owners.” Kevin is a gleeful comedy that fulfills the void where you may be lacking animated talking animals, but if you need a purpose for comedy that is crass, you’ll find Kevin unpleasant.
Where Kevin thrives is the exceptional cast of stars who signed on. In addition to Plaza, the ensemble features Jason Schwartzman, Amy Sedaris, John Waters, and Whoopi Goldberg. But even the famous voices weren’t enough. The surreal humor and chaotic energy are not shocking to come from Plaza’s brain, but the writing relied too heavily on gross-out gags rather than on the emotional narrative inherent to the story. Vulgarity is at the center of the script. Rather than find a true identity, it fell into the trap of trying to be the next BoJack Horseman. Sadly, the show’s devoted fans won’t get more time with Kevin and friends, as the series has been canceled.
10
‘Elle’
We love origin stories now more than ever. It’s often a surefire success because it builds on a popular IP, adding depth to an established world. But not every character easily translates to an origin tale. Unfortunately for Elle, it tried too hard to be part of the Legally Blonde universe and still seemed to be only using the character’s popularity as it forged its own identity. Retconning the character in a soulless tale, Elle takes viewers back to 1995 as the teenage years of Elle Woods (Lexi Minetree), from first loves to unexpected friendships, are explored. Originally living a luxurious, privileged life in Bel-Air, California, Elle’s world is upended when a family financial scandal forces them to relocate to moody, rain-soaked Seattle. Elle explores how her pretty-in-pink aura and perky demeanor clash with the grunge-heavy, cynical high school environment of her new city.
Of course, the draw is the connection to the original film. The eight-episode series is meant to operate as an origin story, showing the formative experiences that eventually molded Elle Woods into the confident and iconic character Reese Witherspoon made famous. Minetree shines as Elle, effortlessly capturing her essence, but the film establishes Elle as a ditz from the start. Elle shows her growth at 16. So what happened in between? Do we blame the sorority for dumbing her back down? Unfortunately, the story is droll. The nostalgia is full-blown, as are the teenage tropes, the latter of which is meant to capture the film’s camp. It falls flat. And yet, when the series falls into the dramatics, it becomes the antithesis of the mission. Legally Blonde is meant to be peppy and light. Elle certainly could have had a rough life that informed her future, but that’s not why we tuned in to it. Perhaps a movie musical of the Broadway show is what we should have thrived for instead.
9
‘Scarpetta’
It was inevitable that the iconic character from Patricia Cornwell‘s novels would be adapted. No one anticipated it would take as long as it did. Nevertheless, Dr. Kay Scarpetta had her moment in the spotlight in the all-star stuffed Scarpetta. The psychological thriller follows Dr. Kay Scarpetta (Nicole Kidman), a brilliant forensic pathologist. Journeying across two timelines — her present-day return to her hometown as a chief medical examiner dealing with a grisly serial murder and her early career in the late 1990s — Scarpetta does it all. She uses modern forensics to unmask a killer, but she must also contend with the heavy personal toll of her career and a haunting case from 28 years prior that could be her undoing. Adapting Cornwell’s best-selling series, Scarpetta blends intense family dynamics and speculative sci-fi elements into a soap opera-like dramatic thriller that was nothing short of polarizing.
The long wait for a Kay Scarpetta story had all the right elements attached, but it was vastly overshadowed by its big cast. And not just by name. Scarpetta doesn’t use flashbacks as a device; it’s a story in its own right. Therefore, in the span of eight episodes, two versions of each character must find the time to grow and evolve, with the past informing the present. Meant to be a multi-season series, there’s a lot left out for later. And it shows. Scarpetta compiled some great names — Kidman, Bobby Cannavale, Jamie Lee Curtis, Simon Baker, Ariana DeBose, Hunter Parrish, Rosy McEwan, Jacob Lumet Cannavale — who stretched their characters to their limits. Save for the father-son duo playing both iterations of Pete Marino, it felt as if it were two Scarpetta shows in one. And sadly, Curtis’ irritating and loud take on Dorothy Scarpetta may be proof that she can’t do it all. If you were seeking a traditional murder mystery, Scarpetta is anything but. It’s an absolutely gripping, addictive, and entertaining watch, but it could have been executed better.
8
’56 Days’
Prime Video made 2026 the year of love, especially romances based on novels. But before we get to the romantic comedy and drama, we take a journey to the thrilling in 56 Days. Based on Catherine Ryan Howard‘s 2022 novel of the same name, 56 Days follows Ciara Wise (Dove Cameron) and Oliver Kennedy (Avan Jogia), a couple who quickly fall in love after a chance encounter. Alternating between two timelines, the primary story chronicles the intense trajectory of their romance in the past, and 56 days later, when detectives Lee Reardon (Karla Souza) and Karl Connolly (Dorian Crossmond Missick) investigate a brutally murdered corpse found in their apartment. Through a non-linear narrative, viewers are kept on their toes, guessing who the body is, who the culprit is, and why a turbulent history and dark, shared secrets come to light.
A slick, sexy, evocative thriller, 56 Days is a quick, bingeable erotic thriller. Rich in world- and character-building, the mystery grows darker as each clue is discovered. Filled with red herrings and diversions, 56 Days reminds us that trust is not a given but can certainly be earned. And toxic red flags? Everyone’s got them when they’re driven by motive. Cameron and Jogia do a sensational job building their characters with just enough intrigue that you’re willing to allow them to go to the depths that they do. 56 Days weaves in a subplot for the detectives that, unfortunately, didn’t get enough time to ruminate. 56 Days is a soapy melodrama that eases its way into a juicy thriller where you may need to forgive the conclusion for how it’s executed.
7
‘It’s Not Like That’
Originally airing on Wonder Project before its official Prime Video debut, Ian Deitchman and Kristin Robinson’s drama It’s Not Like That follows a recently widowed pastor, Malcolm (Scott Foley), and a newly divorced mother, Lori (Erinn Hayes), as they navigate single parenthood. Set in Atlanta, the families used to do everything together. Now, Malcolm and Lori lean on one another as they navigate growing romantic feelings, often deflecting questions from others with the phrase, “It’s not like that.” In eight episodes, It’s Not Like That balanced their relationship while showcasing how their teenage children are trying to cope with divorce and the loss of a mother.
It’s Not Like That is a soft, family-oriented drama that depicts multigenerational family dynamics well. Rather than being overtly frothy in terms of romance, the series tackles grief, teen angst, and modern relationships through a thoughtful, faith-friendly lens without feeling too preachy. Though it does lean in that direction on occasion, so it’s not a series for everyone. Foley and Hayes are the heart and soul of the series. It’s Not Like That is reminiscent of classic nighttime network soaps. Sadly, It’s Not Like That is not a show you should get attached to, as it has already been quietly canceled after one season.
6
‘Steal’
Perhaps the most stressful crime thriller of 2026 is none other than Steal. Created by Sotiris Nikias, the British series follows an ordinary London office worker named Zara Dunne (Sophie Turner) whose routine workday at a pension fund is shattered when violent thieves storm in, forcing her and her best friend Luke Selborn (Archie Madekwe) to help execute a massive $4 billion heist. The fallout spirals into a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game. As Zara tries to survive and clear her name, a conflicted detective, DCI Rhys Covaci (Jacob Fortune-Lloyd), races against time to determine exactly who is behind the theft of citizens’ retirement funds. An unrelenting adrenaline rush where anything is possible, Steal proves that six episodes is the absolute perfect length for a single narrative crime drama.
Steal is a magnetic thriller that invites an addictive single-watch binge. Within the first video, you’re absolutely hooked thanks to the cinema-quality heist. It’s expertly executed, bringing a slick, taut, and tense scene to life. It’s masterfully acted and edited. From there, the aftermath is filled with exposition, conspiracies, and an ending that may feel a bit engineered. Regardless, Steal is led by a robust performance by Turner. Her compelling performance is balanced with ferocity and compassion, proving she’s a capable leading lady. The unsung hero in the ensemble is Fortune-Lloyd, who has the most fascinating character of all. His detective is anything but cookie-cutter. Covaci plays a recently relapsed gambling addict who has to balance his own deep financial problems with the secret agendas of the crime he is solving, allowing him an opportunity to play into the rich contrast. If you haven’t seen Steal, it’s an easy weekend must-watch.
5
‘Every Year After’
One of the most beloved romantic dramas finally received the TV treatment in Every Year After. Developed by Amy B. Harris and Leila Gerstein, Every Year After adapts Carley Fortune’s Every Summer After. The story tells of Percy Fraser (Sadie Soverall) and Sam Florek’s (Matt Cornett) rollercoaster friends-to-lovers-to-exes relationship. Through flashbacks, it chronicles six pivotal summers and weeks in the lakeside town of Barry’s Bay, Ontario. In the present, 10 years later, Percy returns to Barry’s Bay and reunites with the Florek boys after the death of their mother, Sue (Elisha Cuthbert). Now, she must confront the people, memories, and painful mistakes she left behind. Every Year After explores first loves, grief, and the impact of our past choices. The series does a brilliant job of expanding and altering Fortune’s novel to fit an eight-episode arc, giving it even more color.
Fans of the book and newcomers to the series alike have found comfort in the romantic series. It is a fantastic depiction of growing up into adulthood and how young relationships can stay with you longer than expected. Percy and Sam are the central story of the season, but the narrative does a sublime job of growing the complementary characters, giving them their own arcs. In doing so, it richly explores the dynamics and trials of female friendships. The greatest change from page to screen was bringing Chantal (Aurora Perrineau) to Barry’s Bay. The series does a remarkable job of evoking nostalgia through the lakeside hamlet. Every Year After is a tender tale with emotional depth and charm that is destined to get better in Season 2, which will adapt Fortune’s follow-up novel, One Golden Summer.
4
‘Young Sherlock’
There are very few literary sleuths who are more beloved than Sherlock Holmes. Giving him a fun, edgy origin story was inevitable. Fortunately, with Guy Ritchie on board, it was going to be something worth watching. Inspired by Andrew Lane‘s Young Sherlock Holmes book series, Young Sherlock reimagines the origins of the world’s most famous detective. Set in the 1870s, the show follows a disgraced and reckless 19-year-old Sherlock Holmes (Hero Fiennes Tiffin) at Oxford University, who becomes the prime suspect in a murder case. To clear his name, he is thrust into a sprawling, international conspiracy that marks the beginning of his detective career. Establishing a unique bond between Sherlock and his future intellectual rival, James Moriarty (Dónal Finn), and the intricacies of the history of Holmes’ household, Young Sherlock is a globe-trotting thriller that uses heart and humor to succeed.
Young Sherlock flourishes thanks to the star-defining performance from Fiennes Tiffin. As the titular amateur sleuth, he’s brash but charismatic. He’s confident, but not conceded. Tiffin gives the character a new life, redefining the Sherlock we grew up with. Paired with a masterful performance from Finn, the duo brings a new style of buddy adventure to the screen. Finn is a scene-stealer with wit and panache. For fans of the original Sherlock tales, Finn brings new depth to an often one-dimensional future villain. Rather than a mystery-of-the-week style format, Young Sherlock is a character-driven joyride with one magnificent mystery to untangle. If you love the Holmes boys, you’ll adore the performance of Max Irons as Mycroft and Joseph Fiennes as Silas, the worst dad of the year. Young Sherlock is a beautifully shot, stylized series with Ritchie’s stamp all over it. It’s a refreshing mix of buddy-comedy, a mystery, and an action thriller rolled up into one. Season 2 is destined to be as exciting as the first.
3
‘Bait’
If you’re seeing this entry and aren’t familiar with it or only know about it via Riz Ahmed’s Emmy nomination, you’re about to learn of the most underrated series of the year: Bait. Created by Ahmed, Bait centers on Shah Latif (Ahmed), a struggling Pakistani-British actor from a working-class family in West London. After blowing a screen test for the role of James Bond, photographs of him leaving the audition leaked and went viral. Spanning over four chaotic, spiraling days as Shah grapples with sudden, manufactured notoriety, the series brilliantly breaks down the absurd pursuit of fame, the cultural and societal struggles, and how his potential career breakthrough spills heavily into his private life. Bait is a highly original, thought-provoking, and deeply personal project that resonates with its grander themes. Bait is a series that took a big risk and reaped a big reward, masterfully mocking the entertainment industry while sharply commenting on the British-South Asian immigrant experience, racism, and the burden of cultural representation in the industry.
With a character who is vulnerable, narcissistic, and deeply anxious, Shah is worth following. The series gives viewers the chance to watch Shah grapple with race, religion, and how he is perceived by the public versus his own community. In doing so, it provides insight into a story rarely celebrated. If you enjoy Ahmed, you’ll adore his performance. He’s sharp, yet scattered. You resonate with his plight. The ensemble of one-off and recurring characters sufficiently builds the world around him. From his ambitious entrepreneurial cousin, Zulfi (Guz Khan), and his clawing, overbearing yet endearing mother, Tahira (Sheeba Chaddha), to his ex-girlfriend Yasmin (Ritu Arya) and his opportunistic rival Raj Thakkar (Himesh Patel), the side characters vibrantly color in Shah’s world. From straightforward stories to surrealistic duos in which Sir Patrick Stewart voices a pig’s head, the vision never strays. With only six tightly compacted episodes, once you start, you will not stop until the final credits.
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