You’ve scrolled past the same thumbnails three nights in a row. We’ve done the scrolling for you, so your next watch is actually worth the runtime. Here’s a critic-backed curation of good shows to watch right now, from Netflix to Prime Video, anchored in the latest scores and release calendars.

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Highest critic score (Rotten Tomatoes): 97% ·
Most popular Rotten Tomatoes audience pick: Legends (86%) ·
New series premiering in May 2026 (TV Guide): 12

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Which single show is the exact #1 right now depends on metric (ratings vs. views)
  • Top 10 lists vary by source; this article synthesizes multiple rankings
3Timeline signal
  • May 4: Lord of the Flies limited series on Netflix
  • May 6: Citadel Season 2 on Prime Video
  • May 7: Legends limited series on Netflix
  • May 13: Off Campus Season 1 on Prime Video
4What’s next
  • Good Omens Season 3 premieres May 13 on Prime Video
  • Devil May Cry Season 2 arrives May 12 on Netflix
  • Song of the Samurai Season 1 starts May 9 on HBO Max

Six key facts, one pattern: critic consensus and fresh releases both point to a strong May lineup.

The data table below distills every verified figure into a single scan.

Fact Value
Highest critics score (Rotten Tomatoes June 2026) 97% – The Boroughs and Widow’s Bay
Legends audience score 86%
Off Campus critics score 93%
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder critics score 86%
The Boys critics score 93%
May 2026 new series premieres 12
Lord of the Flies release May 4, Netflix
Citadel Season 2 release May 6, Prime Video
Legends release May 7, Netflix
Good Omens Season 3 release May 13, Prime Video
Off Campus Season 1 release May 13, Prime Video
Song of the Samurai release May 9, HBO Max

What are the top 10 shows to watch?

Top-rated shows on Rotten Tomatoes (June 2026)

  • The Boroughs – 97% critics score, 80% audience score
  • Widow’s Bay – 97% critics score
  • Legends – 97% critics score, 86% audience score
  • Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed – 94% critics score
  • Off Campus – 93% critics score, 88% audience score
  • Spider-Noir – 92% critics score

Must-watch new releases from TV Guide’s May 2026 calendar

  • Lord of the Flies (Netflix, May 4) – limited series based on the classic novel
  • Citadel Season 2 (Prime Video, May 6) – spy thriller series
  • Legends (Netflix, May 7) – limited series with 97% RT score
  • Off Campus (Prime Video, May 13) – comedy series with 93% RT score
Bottom line: Viewers seeking critic-approved picks should start with The Boroughs or Widow’s Bay. For a fresh May premiere with buzz, Legends and Off Campus deliver strong reviews.

What’s the top 10 series at the moment?

Current trending series according to TV Guide and Rotten Tomatoes

The exact #1 show depends on whether you measure by critic score, audience rating, or viewership. Rotten Tomatoes data shows The Boroughs and Widow’s Bay tying at 97%, while TV Guide’s May 2026 lineup highlights Legends (97% RT) and Off Campus (93% RT) as new entries with strong buzz.

  • The Boroughs – highest critical acclaim, 80% audience score
  • Widow’s Bay – ties for top critics score
  • Legends – highest audience score (86%) among top-tier shows
The upshot

If you trust critics, pick The Boroughs. If audience sentiment matters more, Legends wins with 86% audience approval.

What are the top 10 new TV series?

New series premiered in 2026 with verified critic scores

  • Spider-Noir (2026) – 92% RT
  • The Boroughs (2026) – 97% RT
  • Off Campus (2026) – 93% RT
  • Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed (2026) – 94% RT
  • Widow’s Bay (2026) – 97% RT

May 2026 new series from TV Guide

  • Lord of the Flies (Netflix, May 4)
  • M.I.A. (Peacock, May 7)
  • The Terror: Devil in Silver (AMC+/Shudder, May 7)
  • Amadeus (Starz, May 8)
  • Song of the Samurai (HBO Max, May 9)

The pattern: 2026 is off to a strong start for critics’ darlings. Five shows score above 90% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Which is the best TV series currently?

To answer that, we compared critic scores, audience scores, and platform availability across three top contenders.

Show Rotten Tomatoes critics Rotten Tomatoes audience Platform Release status
The Boroughs 97% 80% Netflix / Prime Video Streaming now
Legends 97% 86% Netflix Premieres May 7
Off Campus 93% 88% Prime Video Premieres May 13
Bottom line: Viewers wanting a proven hit with balanced scores already have The Boroughs available. For a fresh show with higher audience enthusiasm, waiting for Legends on May 7 makes sense.

What are the big 3 Netflix shows?

Netflix’s most prominent drama series per TV Guide and Rotten Tomatoes data

  • Legends – new limited series, 97% RT, premieres May 7
  • Lord of the Flies – limited series, May 4 release
  • Devil May Cry Season 2 – animated action series, May 12

Netflix also hosts critically acclaimed dramas like The Crown and Dead to Me, though specific scores for those are not included in this roundup’s source data.

The catch

May’s biggest Netflix bets are all limited series or season premieres. If you prefer long-running dramas, The Boroughs (available on Netflix and Prime Video) offers a more established binge.

Confirmed facts

  • Rotten Tomatoes scores for The Boroughs (97%), Widow’s Bay (97%), Legends (97%), Off Campus (93%), Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed (94%), Spider-Noir (92%), A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (86%), The Boys (93%) – all sourced from Rotten Tomatoes’ June 2026 browse page
  • TV Guide’s May 2026 guide lists 12 premieres including Lord of the Flies, Citadel S2, Legends, Off Campus, Good Omens S3, and more

What’s unclear

  • Which single show is the exact #1 right now – depends on metric (ratings vs. views)
  • The exact top 10 list varies by source; this article synthesizes multiple rankings
  • Future audience scores for shows that haven’t premiered yet (e.g., Lord of the Flies) are not available
Additional sources

youtube.com, timeout.com

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Frequently asked questions

How are TV show ratings on Rotten Tomatoes calculated?

Rotten Tomatoes averages critic reviews into a Tomatometer score, while audience scores come from user ratings. Both are percentage-based. See their official site for methodology.

What does TV-14 and TV-MA mean?

TV-14 indicates content suitable for ages 14+, while TV-MA is for mature audiences (17+). Ratings are set by the TV Parental Guidelines.

Are there any free streaming services with good shows?

Yes. Free services like Tubi, Pluto TV, and Peacock (free tier) offer some series, though critic scores for those are not covered in this article’s source data.

How often are top TV show lists updated?

Rotten Tomatoes updates its browse page regularly. TV Guide publishes monthly guides. This article reflects data from May/June 2026.

What is the best way to find shows matching my taste?

Start with critic scores for quality, then check audience scores for crowd appeal. Use platform filters on Rotten Tomatoes or TV Guide to narrow by genre and service.

Do genre recommendations help in picking a good show?

Yes. If you like horror, The Terror: Devil in Silver (May 7) may appeal. For comedy, Off Campus (93% RT) is strong. Genre filters on streaming platforms can refine your search.

Can I trust audience scores over critic scores?

Both have biases. Critics often judge craft, while audiences react to entertainment value. Shows like The Boroughs (97% critics, 80% audience) show a gap – your preference may align with one side.

What new shows are coming out next month?

TV Guide’s May 2026 guide lists 12 premieres. June releases were not covered in the source data, but streaming platforms typically announce monthly slates around the 15th.

For streaming subscribers in the US, the choice is clear: pick The Boroughs for critical acclaim, or dive into Legends for a fresh release with high audience approval. The data says you are getting a top-tier show either way.