New Shows for Summer 2026: Lindelof's Superheroes, Larry David's Return, and a 'Legally Blonde' Prequel
TV Guide's summer 2026 new-shows guide spans everything from Damon Lindelof's 'Lanterns' to Larry David's new comedy, a 'Legally Blonde' prequel, and Will Ferrell's return to television.
The beach is just a pile of sand, the road trip gets stuck on gas prices, and visiting family just means more family. According to TV Guide's Tim Surette in his 2026 summer guide, the real "vacation" this year is sitting on the couch and turning on a new show. The guide lists 39 notable new releases for the season; the standout titles alone would make for quite a lineup.
On the HBO Max side, the biggest bet is Damon Lindelof's 'Lanterns,' which adapts the Green Lantern story from the DC universe into Lindelof's signature character-driven style. Kyle Chandler anchors the cast; it's expected to serve as the television arm of James Gunn's new DCU strategy. Larry David's multi-year deal with HBO is finally bearing fruit — his new comedy following 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' arrives with audiences this summer.
On the nostalgia front, there are two big moves: MGM+'s 'Legally Blonde' prequel 'Elle' follows a young Elle Woods through her high school years before Harvard, while the 'Big Bang Theory' universe gets a new spinoff continuing the Sheldon-Amy storyline. Meanwhile, Will Ferrell returns to television after a long absence with a semi-autobiographical comedy for Peacock. It's also a fruitful season for book-adaptation fans, with several popular novels making their way to the screen.
In short: for anyone settling into an air-conditioned room, remote in hand, this summer offers a richer lineup than we've seen in a long time. Per the guide's full list, there's at least a dozen strong contenders catering to different tastes; the real challenge is deciding where to start.