It’s (almost) June 2026, and you don’t need to look to Netflix’s release calendar to know it’s rough out there. The average cost for a gallon of gasoline is $4.55. People are booing anyone who dares to praise AI, and commencement speakers just keep preaching its nonexistent virtues. The President is trying to create a slush fund worth half as much as the San Diego Padres, and “The Late Show,” a 33-year old television institution, is now dunzo.
If all that sounds like old news, I apologize; I’m writing this month’s column a week early, in the hopes of hiding from all my troubles at the ATX TV Festival. But when I get back — and when all of you, dear readers, start looking for your own temporary escapes — Netflix won’t provide much of a distraction. The June lineup is paltry, especially when compared to recent months. You might need a third screen for your second screen if you really want to keep reality from creeping in.
So what’s on deck? The top choice is “I Will Find You,” the latest in a long line of Harlan Coben adaptations, which are typically juicy, easy-to-watch fare. This one features an above-average cast, including Britt Lower, Sam Worthington, Milo Ventimiglia, Logan Browning, and Jonathan Tucker, so here’s hoping the storytelling gets a glow-up to match.
Other notable Netflix originals include the second season of “Avatar: The Last Airbender” (although the first season was met with largely negative reviews); “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders” Season 3 (which has seen surprisingly strong reviews over its first two seasons); and “Sesame Street,” which remains a staple of children’s programming, no matter what platform provides the new episodes.
But acquisitions once again offer better options. “Shrill,” an Emmy-nominated Hulu original series, got picked up for its Netflix debut (All three seasons will be available). “Beavis and Butt-Head” is making the leap from Paramount+ (and Comedy Central) to drop 90 episodes, new and old, on Netflix. Then there’s the network TV: five seasons of “Hawaii Five-O,” five seasons of “The Last Ship,” and Season 22, specifically, of “Grey’s Anatomy.”
Are any of those thrilling enough to hold the entirety of your attention? Maybe not, but it’s still better than watching 24-hour news. So choose wisely. (Or, you know, spend your streaming subscription dollars on a different service!)
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‘I Will Find You’
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix Release Date: Thursday, June 18
Creators: Harlan Coben, Robert Hull
Cast: Sam Worthington, Britt Lower, Milo Ventimiglia, Logan Browning, Erin Richards, Jonathan Tucker, Chi McBride, Madeline Stowe, Clancy Brown
Format: 8 hourlong episodes
Synopsis: “An innocent father serving life for the murder of his own son receives evidence that his child may still be alive — and he must break out of prison to uncover the truth.”
Best Reason to Watch: Harlan Coben has Coben-ed the market when it comes to pulpy TV adaptations of his own novels. Since “Safe” made waves in 2018, the following books have all been turned into original series: “The Stranger,” “The Woods,” “The Innocent,” “Gone for Good,” “Stay Close,” “Hold Tight,” “Shelter,” “Fool Me Once,” “Missing You,” “Caught,” and “Run Away” — and that doesn’t include a 2021 audioplay “Mow mi Win” as well as two series he created without writing a book first (“Lazarus” and “Final Twist”). If you liked any of those, then “I Will Find You” is likely right up your alley. But even if you’ve never heard of those shows (or don’t remember watching them, given the generic titles and rinse-and-repeat formulas), the latest adaptation has a few extra enticements: Britt Lower is an Emmy winner, Milo Ventimiglia is a fan-favorite, Logan Browning freaking rules, and Jonathan Tucker is your favorite character actor’s favorite character actor (under 45 division). Maybe Coben is leveling up? -
‘Shrill’ Seasons 1-3
Image Credit: Courtesy of Hulu Release Date: Monday, June 8
Creators: Aidy Bryant, Alexandra Rushfield, Lindy West
Cast: Aidy Bryant, Lolly Adefope, Luka Jones, John Cameron Mitchell, Ian Owens, Patti Harrison, Julia Sweeney, Daniel Stern, Connor O’Malley, Cameron Britton
Format: 22 half-hour episodes
Synopsis: “Annie is a fat young woman who wants to change her life — but not her body. Annie is trying to make it as a journalist while juggling bad boyfriends, sick parents, and a perfectionist boss, while the world around her deems her not good enough because of her weight. She starts to realize that she’s as good as anyone else and acts on it.” [per Wikipedia]
Best Reason to Watch: Aidy Bryant. There’s actually a lot to like about “Shrill,” Hulu’s adaptation of Lindy West’s memoir. (And yes, it’s still super weird that a Hulu original is streaming on Netflix — The Streaming Wars: Part 1 are over!) Lolly Adefope’s American breakout is oh so obvious in her jubilant performance, and the series’ inherent compassion is catchy. But Bryant’s Emmy-nominated turn is fantastic. Give it a go. -
‘Beavis and Butt-Head’
Image Credit: MTV/Paramount+ Release Date: Tuesday, June 16
Creator: Mike Judge
Cast: Mike Judge, Tracy Grandstaff, Kristofer Brown, Toby Huss
Format: 90 half-hour episodes
Synopsis: “Beavis and Butt-Head are back and stupider than ever.”
Best Reason to Watch: Technically, Netflix is adding two distinct batches of “Beavis and Butt-Head” this month: One is “The Mike Judge Collection,” aka 40 episodes from the original series, and the other consists of the first two seasons from the Paramount+ revival. Honestly, the idea of sampling a few episodes from the classic series before leaping ahead to the new seasons sounds pretty fun. The Mike Judge renaissance is fully underway, what with “King of the Hill” back (and great) and another “Beavis and Butt-Head” season on the way — so why not savor it? -
‘Sesame Street’ Volume 3
Image Credit: Courtesy of Zach Hyman / Netflix Release Date: Monday, June 8
Head Writer: Halcyon Person
Format: Released in three batches and available on the same day and date in the U.S. on PBS stations and PBS KIDS digital platforms without a Netflix subscription
Official Synopsis: “Magical dragons, flying bikes, and more! The fun-loving Sesame Street friends grow caring hearts and curious minds while embracing their imaginations.”
Best Reason to Watch: It’s “Sesame Street”! You know if you’re in or not, all that matters is that you know when new episodes are arriving — so this is your notice. Enjoy! -
‘The American Experiment’
Image Credit: Courtesy of Brendon Thorne Release Date: Wednesday, June 24
Director: Brian Knappenberger
Cast: Al Gore, Alexis Coe, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Kamala Harris, Mike Pence, Nancy Pelosi, Rand Paul, Ted Cruz
Format: 5 hourlong episodes
Synopsis: “’The American Experiment’ explores how a nation built on an untested idea has continued to wrestle with the foundational contradictions of slavery and liberty, as well as individual power and minority representation — and how American democracy has been built, challenged, and reimagined over the course of two and a half centuries. The series will cover the American Revolution through the drafting of the Constitution and the first American presidency… Cinematic in scope and urgently relevant, the documentary series reveals how the debates that defined the country’s founding era still shape the United States, posing a pivotal question at a moment of profound division: Can this extraordinary experiment endure?”
Best Reason to Watch: As we approach the 250th anniversary of founding the United States, get ready to be inundated with Americana content — and not just on Netflix. But if the streaming giant is your primary source for TV and you’re a history buff, perhaps this documentary series — filled with dozens of talking heads from both sides of the political aisle, not to mention legitimate historians and experts — will scratch your itch to honor America without ignoring its sins. -
‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ Season 2
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix Release Date: Thursday, June 25
Showrunners: Christine Boylan, Jabbar Raisani
Cast: Gordon Cormier, Kiawentiio, Daniel Dae Kim, Ian Ousley, Dallas Liu, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Ken Leung, Miya Cech, Chin Han, Hoa Xuande, Crystal Yu, Lourdes Faberes, Rekha Sharma, Terry Chen, Dolly de Leon, Lily Gao, Madison Hu, Dichen Lachman
Format: 7 hourlong episodes
Synopsis: “In Season 2, after a bittersweet victory saving the Northern Water Tribe from the invading Fire Nation, Aang, Katara, and Sokka regroup and set off on a mission to convince the elusive Earth King to aid in their battle against fearsome Fire Lord Ozai.”
Best Reason to Watch: Did you like the first season? Are you a completionist? If so, the poorly reviewed live-action adaptation of the popular animated series is here for you — and they already completed filming on the third and final season, so you don’t have to make a big commitment if you’re already invested. -
‘America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ Season 3
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix Release Date: Tuesday, June 16
Creator: Greg Whiteley
Cast: The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
Format: 7 hourlong episodes
Synopsis: “The fan-favorite series returns for Season 3, following the 2025–26 squad from high-pressure auditions through the NFL season as they navigate a growing global spotlight. With only six open spots, unprecedented opportunities, and heightened scrutiny, the women at the center of DCC must push their talent, resilience, and sisterhood to new levels.”
Best Reason to Watch: I dunno, you guys. People keep telling me this is a good show, but I’m never going to watch it. So if it’s your thing, great. If not, maybe try a different streamer this month? June’s a tough month for Netflix. -
The Rest of Incoming TV
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix “BAKI-DOU: The Invincible Samurai” Season 1, Part 2 (available in June)
“Jae-seok’s B&B Rules!” (available in June)
“Notes from the Last Row” (available in June)
“Hawaii Five-O” Seasons 1-5 (available June 1)
“Night Shift for Cuties” (available June 4)
“The Witness” (available June 4)
“Teach You a Lesson” (available June 5)
“Grey’s Anatomy” Season 22 (available June 6)
“Resident Alien” Season 4 (available June 6)
“My Family” Season 2 (available June 10)
“Outlast: The Jungle” (available June 10)
“The Rest Is Football” (available June 10)
“Rosario Tijeras (Mexico)” Season 5 (available June 10)
“The Evil Lawyer” (available June 11)
“Sweet Magnolias” Season 5 (available June 11)
“Viral Hit” (available June 11)
“The Polygamist” (available June 12)
“Oasis” (available June 19)
“The Root of the Game” (available June 20)
“The Last Ship” Seasons 1-5 (available June 22)
“Rhythm + Flow Italy” Season 3 (available June 22)
“Another Self” Season 3 (available June 24)
“Pokémon Horizons” Season 3 — “Rising Hope” Part 3 (available June 26)
“Agent Kim Reactivated” (available June 27)
“Sullivan’s Crossing” Season 4 (available June 30) -
TV Leaving Netflix in June
Image Credit: Courtesy of Kim Simms / IFC “Kim’s Convenience” Season 1-5 (leaving June 2)
“Brockmire” Seasons 1-4 (leaving June 3)
“Blindspot” Seasons 1-5 (leaving June 7)
“TURN: Washington’s Spies” (leaving June 10)
“Aquarius” Seasons 1-2 (leaving June 16)
“The Expendables” 1-4 (leaving June 20)
“Zoey 101” Seasons 1-2 (leaving June 21)
“Sex and the City” Seasons 1-6 (leaving June 30)
