January 2026 is shaping up to be a packed month for Disney+ subscribers in the United States. Between complete series finally landing on the platform, fresh seasons of fan favorites, and brand-new originals — including major Marvel titles — the service is clearly aiming to keep you streaming straight through the start of the year.
Below is a detailed, date‑by‑date guide to every major series coming to Disney+ in January 2026, along with context to help you decide what deserves a spot on your watchlist first.
Key Highlights: What’s New on Disney+ in January 2026?
Before diving into each title, here’s a quick overview of what stands out this month on Disney+:
- Several major complete series collections, ideal for long binges.
- New seasons of returning hits, from network comedies to prestige dramas.
- High‑profile Marvel projects expanding the on‑screen universe.
- Ambitious original productions mixing genre thrills with social commentary.
From Day One: Full Series and Big Returns to Binge Right Away
January 1 – The Walking Dead (Complete Series)
If you’ve been waiting for one place to watch the entire zombie saga from start to finish, January 1 is your moment. The full run of The Walking Dead arrives on Disney+, covering more than a decade of storytelling.
Across its many seasons, the series follows scattered groups of survivors struggling to stay alive in the aftermath of a catastrophic virus that turns the dead into flesh‑eating walkers. Beyond the horror elements, the show dives deeply into the collapse of institutions, the reinvention of communities, and the moral gray zones that emerge when society’s rules disintegrate.
For U.S. viewers, this is an ideal time either to revisit iconic arcs (think the prison, the Governor, Negan, the Whisperers) or finally discover why the series became such a cultural touchstone.
January 7 – Abbott Elementary, Season 5
Just a few days into the new year, Disney+ releases Season 5 of Abbott Elementary, the mockumentary‑style comedy set in a chronically underfunded public school.
The series blends sharp humor with a grounded look at education in America: teachers balancing passion for their students with harsh budget realities, clashing teaching philosophies, workplace crushes, and the daily chaos of managing a classroom. By Season 5, the ensemble is fully in its groove, making this new batch of episodes an easy recommendation if you enjoy character‑driven comedy with something real to say.
January 7 – The Simpsons, Season 37
That same day, Season 37 of The Simpsons lands on Disney+. The longest‑running animated sitcom in TV history shows no sign of slowing down, continuing to riff on politics, celebrity culture, social media, and everything else dominating American news cycles.
New episodes keep Springfield as a funhouse mirror for modern life: expect commentary on tech trends, culture wars, and whatever else has been gripping headlines as we head into 2026. For long‑time fans and casual viewers alike, it remains a reliable comfort watch with a satirical edge.
January 7 – This Is Us (Complete Series)
Also arriving early in the month is the entire run of This Is Us, now available from pilot to series finale.
The beloved family drama weaves together multiple timelines to follow the Pearson family across decades. The show is known for its emotional storytelling, time jumps that gradually reveal hidden layers of the characters’ lives, and its exploration of themes like grief, identity, adoption, mental health, and the long‑term impact of pivotal decisions.
If you’re looking for a heartfelt, character‑driven drama to start the year on an emotional note, this is the perfect long‑form binge.
Mid‑January: Prestige Drama, Toxic Relationships and Period Fights
January 9 – A Thousand Blows, Season 2
On January 9, Disney+ brings back Season 2 of A Thousand Blows, a gritty period drama set in 19th‑century London.
The show continues to explore brutal rivalries, class tensions, and the violent underbelly of the city. The story follows characters caught between survival and ambition in a world where street fighting, organized crime, and shifting power structures collide.
Expect a mix of intense fight sequences, dark alley politics, and social commentary about who holds power — and how far people will go to take it.
Season 2 aims to deepen the conflicts introduced in the first season, broadening the canvas of London’s underworld and pushing its protagonists into even more dangerous moral territory.
January 13 – Tell Me Lies, Season 3
Just a few days later, on January 13, Season 3 of Tell Me Lies arrives to further unravel one of the messiest screen relationships of recent years.
The series follows Lucy and Stephen over several years, capturing how an intense, often toxic relationship can shape — and warp — career choices, friendships, and self‑image. Past mistakes, secrets, and half‑truths keep resurfacing, making it hard for either of them to break free from the emotional spiral.
This new season continues to dissect the long‑term consequences of bad decisions made in young adulthood, making it especially resonant for viewers interested in character psychology and the fallout of unhealthy dynamics.
Late January: New Originals and Big Marvel Arrivals
January 22 – FX The Beauty
As the month moves into its final stretch, Disney+ premieres FX The Beauty on January 22, an original series that blends investigative drama with speculative sci‑fi.
The show centers on a mysterious virus that causes unsettling physical transformations, raising questions about appearance, control, and who gets to define what is “normal.” As authorities, corporations, and everyday people react to the outbreak, the series examines how power structures respond when the body itself becomes political.
Expect a mix of thriller pacing and social commentary, ideal for viewers who enjoy genre stories that double as critiques of real‑world systems.
January 28 – Wonder Man (Marvel)
Marvel fans get a major new addition on January 28 with the launch of Wonder Man.
The series follows an actor trying to break through in Hollywood, only to find himself entangled in a superhero project that blurs the line between performance and reality. As he navigates cutthroat industry politics, personal ambition, and the heightened expectations of the Marvel universe, the show explores the price of fame and the compromises required to stand out in an oversaturated entertainment landscape.
For U.S. viewers familiar with the MCU, Wonder Man offers a more meta, behind‑the‑scenes angle on heroism, filtered through the lens of show business.
January 30 – Thunderbolts: The New Avengers (Marvel)
To close out the month, Disney+ unleashes another major Marvel title: Thunderbolts: The New Avengers, arriving January 30.
Instead of spotlighting traditional heroes, this series focuses on a team of anti‑heroes and morally ambiguous characters brought together for a high‑risk mission. Operating in the shadow of the more traditional Avengers, the Thunderbolts allow Marvel Studios to explore darker themes, shifting loyalties, and the uneasy alliances that form when saving the world requires people who don’t always play by the rules.
The show extends the larger Marvel narrative already established on Disney+, but with a more ensemble‑driven, morally complex tone that should appeal to viewers who prefer their superhero stories a little less clean‑cut.
How January 2026 Shapes the Disney+ Series Lineup
Looking at the month as a whole, January 2026 sends a clear signal about Disney+’s strategy in the U.S. market:
- Depth of catalog: Complete runs of shows like The Walking Dead and This Is Us make Disney+ a stronger one‑stop destination for long‑form binges.
- Ongoing fan favorites: New seasons of Abbott Elementary, The Simpsons, A Thousand Blows, and Tell Me Lies keep existing audiences engaged.
- Bold originals: Projects like FX The Beauty show a willingness to take creative risks with genre and theme.
- Marvel expansion: Wonder Man and Thunderbolts: The New Avengers continue to broaden the MCU’s tone and roster on the platform.
As always, release schedules can evolve, and Disney+ may add or adjust titles as the month progresses. Still, even based on what’s confirmed now, January offers a notably varied slate, from comfort‑watch sitcoms to darker superhero ensembles and high‑concept sci‑fi.
Whether you’re planning a full‑series marathon, catching up on a favorite comedy, or sampling the latest Marvel experiment, there’s enough new content this month to anchor your early‑2026 streaming plans.
FAQ
What are the biggest new series and seasons coming to Disney+ in January 2026?
January 2026 brings a mix of complete series like The Walking Dead and This Is Us, new seasons of Abbott Elementary, The Simpsons, A Thousand Blows, and Tell Me Lies, plus major originals such as FX The Beauty, Wonder Man, and Thunderbolts: The New Avengers.
Are there any brand‑new Marvel series on Disney+ this month?
Yes. Two new Marvel projects debut in January 2026: Wonder Man, which follows an actor drawn into the superhero spotlight, and Thunderbolts: The New Avengers, focused on a darker, anti‑hero–driven team undertaking a high‑stakes mission.
Is the January 2026 Disney+ release schedule final?
No. While the titles and dates listed here are based on current information, Disney+ can still update its lineup. Additional series may be announced, and details can shift as the month unfolds, so it’s worth checking the app or official site for the latest updates.
Which January 2026 Disney+ releases are best for binge‑watching?
If you’re planning a marathon, the full series drops of The Walking Dead and This Is Us are ideal. For ongoing weekly comfort viewing, new seasons of Abbott Elementary and The Simpsons are great picks, while Marvel fans may want to block out time to watch Wonder Man and Thunderbolts: The New Avengers back‑to‑back.
