Apple TV Early 2026 Lineup: Release Dates and Details for Hijack, Shrinking, Monarch and More

Apple TV’s schedule for the first months of 2026 is packed. The streaming service has confirmed premiere dates for several returning fan-favorite shows and has revealed an upcoming movie that took many by surprise. From high-stakes thrillers to emotional comedies, here is what is coming to the platform.

The service is planning a major release almost every week, starting with new seasons of hit series like Tehran, Hijack, and Shrinking. The recent confirmation includes a previously unannounced streaming date for an A24 film. This lineup highlights Apple TV’s focus on bringing back established hits with new stories.

Confirmed Premieres and Release Dates for Early 2026

Apple TV has shared specific release dates for four major returning series in a new teaser video. One high-profile movie is also confirmed for the platform but does not yet have a streaming date. Beyond these, other shows have also been scheduled.

Here is the current confirmed premiere schedule for early 2026:

• Tehran Season 3: January 9, 2026
• Hijack Season 2: January 14, 2026
• Drops of God Season 2: January 21, 2026
• Shrinking Season 3: January 28, 2026
• Yo Gabba GabbaLand! Season 2: January 30, 2026
• The Last Thing He Told Me Season 2: February 20, 2026
• Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Season 2: February 27, 2026

A major highlight of the preview is Eternity, a recent A24 romantic comedy. The film stars Elizabeth Olsen, Miles Teller, and Callum Turner. It had a theatrical release but was not previously promoted as an Apple TV title. While an exact streaming date is not set, industry watchers suggest it could arrive around February 13, 2026, in time for Valentine’s Day.

Spotlight on Key Returning Shows

Hijack Season 2: New Location, Same Tension

Idris Elba returns as negotiator Sam Nelson for the second season of the thriller. The new season moves the action from a hijacked airplane to a different transportation crisis. This time, the drama unfolds on an underground train in Berlin. The first season was noted for its tense, real-time storytelling, and fans expect the same level of suspense from this new setting.

Shrinking Season 3: The Cast and Story Expand

The Emmy-nominated comedy Shrinking is coming back for an 11-episode third season. The show follows a grieving therapist, played by Jason Segel, who begins telling his clients exactly what he thinks. Harrison Ford also returns to the cast. The new season will feature guest stars including Jeff Daniels and Michael J. Fox. New episodes will be released weekly every Wednesday, starting with a one-hour premiere on January 28, 2026.

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Season 2

The Monsterverse story continues on Apple TV with the second season of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. The series, which connects to the larger world of Godzilla and Kong, will see the return of stars like Kurt Russell, Wyatt Russell, and Anna Sawai. The new season’s story is expected to take characters to Kong’s Skull Island as they deal with world-changing secrets.

Other Notable Returns

• Tehran Season 3: The spy thriller returns on January 9, 2026, with Niv Sultan reprising her role as hacker-agent Tamar. The new season also features Hugh Laurie. After the events of the last season, Tamar must find a way to win back the trust of Mossad to survive.
• The Last Thing He Told Me Season 2: Jennifer Garner returns in the drama based on Laura Dave’s novel. The show’s second season will follow the story of the sequel novel, which is also set for release in 2025.

• Drops of God Season 2: The critically praised series returns. It follows Camille and Issei as they take on a new, perilous challenge to find the origin of the world’s greatest wine.

How to Watch Apple TV

Apple TV is available as a standalone streaming service for $12.99 per month. It is also included in the Apple One subscription bundle, which combines other Apple services like Apple Music and iCloud+. The service does not require Apple hardware and can be watched on the Apple TV app, which is available on many smart TVs, gaming consoles, streaming devices, and web browsers.

New subscribers typically get a seven-day free trial. For a limited time, customers who buy and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV 4K, or Mac can get three months of the service for free.

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