5 excellent Netflix series to enjoy on New Year’s Day
If you have New Year’s Day off, you can relax on the couch and indulge in some great television. Netflix, in particular, offers a variety of new and classic shows in its library, perfect for celebrating the holiday and gearing up for 2026.
Some of these Netflix series are easy to watch and have always been excellent choices. Others will have new seasons debuting later in the New Year. No matter your resolution for 2026, be sure to explore these must-watch shows on Netflix this January 1.
Stranger Things (2016-2025)
Netflix / Netflix
As the New Year begins, Netflix will conclude Stranger Things. This sci-fi phenomenon will air its final episode, titled The Rightside Up, on December 31. Even if you have plans for New Year’s Eve, you can still catch this thrilling series finale on Netflix the following morning.
So far in season 5, we’ve seen Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) reemerge, kidnapping children across Hawkins, including Mike's (Finn Wolfhard) and Nancy's (Natalia Dyer) younger sister, Holly (Nell Fisher). Will (Noah Schnapp) has gained psychic abilities, and Eleven reunites with her “sister,” Kali (Linnea Berthelsen), all while Vecna and his monsters wreak havoc in Hawkins.
Despite all that has transpired in season 5, the show clearly holds many more surprises for viewers. The latest trailer for Stranger Things 5, volume 2, suggests we'll uncover a lot more about the Upside Down, challenging everything we believed about the show. One can only wonder what kind of shocking and emotional conclusion awaits everyone in the two-hour series finale.
Watch Stranger Things on Netflix.
Avatar: The Last Airbender (2024-present)
Netflix / Netflix
With season 2 of this live-action adaptation set to launch in 2026, it’s the perfect time to catch up on season 1. Based on the beloved animated series of the same name, Avatar: The Last Airbender retells the grand adventure of young Avatar Aang (Gordon Cormier) as he journeys with his friends, learning to master all four elements to save the world from the Fire Nation and the malevolent Fire Lord Ozai (Daniel Dae Kim).
In its first season, Aang, Katara (Kiawentiio), and Sokka (Ian Ousley) travel to the North Pole to protect the Northern Water Tribe from Admiral Zhao (Ken Leung). Like in the original series, the upcoming season will introduce the blind earthbender Toph (Miya Cech) to Team Avatar as they navigate the Earth Kingdom and confront the wicked Princess Azula (Elizabeth Yu).
Watch Avatar: The Last Airbender on Netflix.
Breaking Bad (2008-2013)
Netflix / Netflix
Acclaimed writer Vince Gilligan’s latest show, Pluribus, has quickly become a streaming hit since its release on Apple TV in November. Fans of Gilligan’s surreal sci-fi series will undoubtedly want to revisit Breaking Bad, the intense crime drama that established his reputation.
Many viewers have been drawn into the gripping, harrowing tale of Walter White (Bryan Cranston) and his former chemistry student Jesse (Aaron Paul), who create an illegal drug empire from scratch. While it tells a different story from Pluribus, Breaking Bad remains one of the most compelling and profound series in television history.
Watch Breaking Bad on Netflix.
Seinfeld (1989-1998)
NBC / NBC
Classic sitcoms like The Honeymooners and The Three Stooges are known for airing marathons on New Year’s. There’s one show on Netflix that promises a humorous trip down memory lane: Seinfeld.
Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld), George (Jason Alexander), Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), and Kramer (Michael Richards) left a significant mark on popular culture with their comedic exploits and memorable quotes on Seinfeld. While the show serves as a time capsule of the 1990s, much of the humor remains funny and timeless.
With the festive season nearing, many of you might have this show on your mind. Nonetheless, this iconic "show about nothing" is an excellent choice for those seeking an enjoyable day filled with laughter.
Watch Seinfeld on Netflix.
Bridgerton (2020-present)
Netflix / Netflix
Netflix’s hit period drama, Bridgerton, is returning with the first part of season 4 at the end of January. Viewers still have time to familiarize themselves with the stories of the Bridgerton family and their romantic adventures in this alternate take on Regency-era England.
Each season focuses on one of the children of Edmund (Rupert Evans) and Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell) in their quest for love. Up to now, the series has followed eldest daughter Daphne (Phoebe Dynevor), eldest son Anthony
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5 excellent Netflix series to enjoy on New Year’s Day
Stranger Things and Avatar: The Last Airbender are among the shows that should be available for streaming on Netflix on New Year's Day.