This year’s slate of summer TV shows is a mix of returning favorite games shows and a couple of new dramatic shows including Spider-Noir and Cape Fear.
For years, summer TV was little more than a bunch of reruns. Unless there was a special event, like the Olympic Games, there wasn’t much to see. Over the years though the networks got wise to the fact that people still watch TV during the summer. Chances were good they’d watch more if the schedule wasn’t filled with shows they’d already seen.
So, summer time TV transitioned to more specials, game shows and series that didn’t require audiences to watch every episode. That shift continues in 2026, with networks rolling out returns of favorite game shows, a couple of new dramatic series, talent competitions and more. Here is what you can expect to see in the coming weeks:
The Wonderful World of Disney and Classic Favorite Movies
May 24 – ABC
Sunday nights are still dedicated to movies at ABC. In addition to the films of The Wonderful World of Disney, the network is also airing a selection of classic films. It all starts with Star Wars: The Force Awakens on May 24. Other movies to air this summer include: The Sandlot, Sister Act, Independence Day, What About Bob?, Speed, True Lies, Cocktail and Father of the Bride II. The Disney movie lineup includes Moana, Toy Story 4, The Princess Diaries and The Parent Trap.
Spider-Noir
May 27 – Prime Video
Nicolas Cage stars in his first leading role for TV in a most unusual version of Spider-Man. The live-action Spider-Noir series takes place in New York during the 1930s, which is already cool. Cage plays Ben Reilly, a seasoned, down-on-your-luck private eye. Due to some unusual circumstances, he is forced to grapple with his past life, following a deeply personal tragedy, as the city’s one and only superhero known as “The Spider”.
Cage has voiced the character for the animated movie Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. For the TV series, it has been said that he approached his role as 70% Humphrey Bogart and 30% Bugs Bunny.
Viewers get the option of watching the show in “authentic black & white” or “true-hue full color”. Either one looks pretty cool.
America’s Got Talent
June 2 – NBC
A favorite in my household, America’s Got Talent returns for its 21st season with a new lineup of aspiring acts all competing for the ultimate $1 million prize. All of last year’s panel of judges (Sofia Vergara, Howie Mandel, Mel B. and Simon Cowell) are back. Terry Crews, who can’t seem to find a way to just talk to the audience rather than yell at them, serves as the host.
Password
June 2 – NBC
One of the best things that NBC has done in recent years was bringing back the Password game show. It’s a great summer TV show. It strikes a rare balance – nostalgic yet modern. As one of the rare female game show hosts, Keke Palmer does an amazing job.
If I could change one thing about the show, it would be to find a way for Jimmy Fallon to appear on it only occasionally. Currently, Fallon is on every episode and is often stealing the limelight from the guests and the other celebrities.
If you’ve never seen the show of unpredictable battle of wits and words, you know that contestants use one word clues to get their partner to guess the secret “password” for a chance to win cash prizes.
Cape Fear
June 5 – Apple TV
Based on John D. MacDonald’s 1957 novel, The Executioners as well as the two feature films from 1962 and 1991, Cape Fear is a 10-episode thriller. The show is directed by Nick Antosca. Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg serve as executive producers for the show.
The story involves happily married attorneys Anna and Tom Bowdon (Amy Adams and Patrick Wilson) who receive devastating news that Max Cady (Javier Bardem), a notorious killer, has been released from prison. Since the couple is responsible for putting him behind bars, he’s out for revenge.
I’ve seen both movies and this series looks even more scary and disturbing.
American Ninja Warrior
June 9 – NBC
Season 18 of American Ninja Warrior brings together the country’s most elite athletes to conquer the world’s most challenging obstacle courses. Hosts Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbajabiamila, along with co-host Zuri Hall, are back to call the action in Las Vegas.
To keep the show fresh, ANW is constantly adding new changes to the show. New this season is a new round that features a supersized three-lane racecourse called the Tripleheader, where ninjas will go head to head to head in high speed, side-by-side races. Most of these changes have only made the show more enjoyable to watch as it is pretty repetitive.
Surviving Earth
June 11 – NBC
Surviving Earth is a nature show like no other as it takes viewers back 450 million years. Using cutting-edge CGI, viewers are transported back to a world of never-before-seen creatures and their remarkable survival stories. From the giant sea scorpions to the mighty mammoths and sabretooths, Earth’s epic story is vividly brought to life.
Encore episodes of The Americas, which is narrated by Tom Hanks, follow each episode of Surviving Earth.
I’m not usually into nature shows, but this one sound different enough that I might have to check it out.
American Anthems
June 24 – PBS
Across the country, unsung heroes are quietly working to improve the lives of others. Their efforts often receive little fanfare—until now. Created with a partnership of PBS, NBCUniversal Syndication Studios and Believe Entertainment Group, American Anthems celebrates these heroes with surprise visits from country music stars including Jennifer Nettles, Lee Brice, The War and Treaty, Lindsay Ell, Cam and Ruston Kelly.
Each episode follows a different country star as they meet a local hero and learn about how they were inspired to make a positive change in their community. Then, after collaborating with a songwriter, the star comes back to perform an original song about the hero. Bring out the Kleenex.
Big Brother
July 9 – CBS
Of all the summer TV shows, It’s hard to believe Big Brother has lasted 27 seasons. Honestly, I’ve never really got into the show, but it has a lot of fans. This summer, the show will be celebrating its 1,000th episode and CBS is rewarding us with a season of “the most programming hours ever”.
With Julie Chen Moonves returning as the show’s host, Big Brother kicks things off with a 90‑minute premiere on July 9, the return of Big Brother: Unlocked on July 10 and a 90-minute Sunday episode on July 12.
After its premiere, the series will air Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
Celebrity Family Feud
July 9 – ABC
Based on the iconic Family Feud game show, celebrities, along with their extended TV families, “battle it out head-to-head”. (This sounds a lot more dangerous than it really is.) The families are tasked with coming up with the most popular responses to survey-type questions which were posed to 100 people ahead of time.
Steve Harvey, (who has been hosting this show for, I don’t know, 50 years?), does his best to control over-the-top contestants and send them home with $25,000 for a charity of their choice.
Press Your Luck
July 9 – ABC
I’m not sure why Press Your Luck is so popular. It gives me a headache. I didn’t even like it when it aired the first time.
Hosted by Elizabeth Banks, Press Your Luck is “a game of wits, strategy and high stakes” as contestants compete for a chance at life-changing cash and prizes. During each game, three contestants answer questions to earn spins on the Big Board. Contestants then use their spins to win cash and prizes while trying to avoid the WHAMMY, which could take all their winnings and leave them with nothing. The winning contestant then moves on to the bonus round to face the WHAMMY in a final battle for the chance to win $1 million.
Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro
July 13 – ABC
This spinoff summer TV show could be fun giving Dancing with the Stars fans something similar and yet different to watch. Hosted by wildlife conservationist and DWTS mirror ball champion Robert Irwin, Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro features 12 exceptional up-and-coming dancers who move into one house and compete in a grueling audition process, all vying for a coveted spot as a pro dancer for DWTS’s 35th season.”
Three-time Mirrorball champion Mark Ballas and his mother, “The Queen of Latin” Shirley Ballas, will serve as judges. They will be joined by a star-studded lineup of returning pros who will serve as rotating mentors/guest judges.
The Nation’s Dumbest
July 15 – FOX
From the network that brought us The Quiz with Balls, The Nation’s Dumbest is a celebrity competition series where winning is the last thing anyone wants. Set within a fictional classroom, comedian Jack Whitehall presides over the chaos as contestants relive the highs and humiliations of school life. All the usual school-day things are covered from pop quizzes and report cards to recess and parent teacher conferences.
The Nation’s Dumbest, channels celebrities’ inner school spirit as they head back to summer school, facing a mix of brain-teasing tasks, fast-paced physical challenges, and long-buried classroom knowledge. Each week, the “smartest” celebrity graduates.
Celebrities enrolled in the class include television personality Hilaria Baldwin, actress and model Carmen Electra, actor Anthony Michael Hall, actor Jon Heder, musician and actor Chase Hudson, rapper and actor Ice-T, singer-songwriter Elle King, former NFL quarterback Matt Leinart, television personality and physician Dr. Drew Pinsky, stunt performer and comedian Steve-O, singer and performer JoJo Siwa, and entrepreneur and former presidential candidate Andrew Yang.
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
July 22
There isn’t much information for this season of Who Wants To Be a Millionaire? yet. But what we do know is that the show is hosted once again by Jimmy Kimmel, and that pairs of celebrity contestants will play together in the hope of winning $1 million for the charity of their choice.
If you’ve seen the show, you know that contestants are given a series of questions with multiple choice answers that get progressively harder as they go. If they miss a question, they’re out.
The Wall
August 19
Celebrating its 100th milestone episode later this year, The Wall continues to change lives through its cash prizes, having given away over $35 million to date. That’s the good news. For those contestants playing, it can be a nerve-wracking experience.
Hosted by Chris Hardwick, The Wall is essentially a giant “Plinko” game. If a contestant gets a question correct, a green ball will fall down the four-story wall and add the value of the slot to the players’ winning total. Miss a question and an ominous red ball will fall and deduct the value from the team’s total.
So, while you don’t want to spend your whole summer in front of the TV, the 2026 summer lineup has something for everyone in between camping trips and family reunions.
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