Minutes to read: 8 min
Dearest Cinephiles, 
Summers are here, and so are the long days when you have an extra hour or two to unwind in the evenings after a hectic day at work. Now, you might have to spend in pursuit of finding something to watch if you don’t know what all the new stuff is there for you to watch. But worry not, we’ve got you covered.
If you’re searching for some good series to watch, 2026 has already delivered some really gripping crime dramas, political sagas, and high-concept stories. Covering a wide range of genres and topics of relevance, OTT platforms have released some of the most compelling new popular Hindi TV series in the past few months.
Here is your guide to the 2026 popular web series to help you pick your next binge-watch.

1. Matka King (Prime Video)

Set in 1960s Mumbai, “Matka King” follows the story of Brij Bhatti (played by Vijay Varma), a cotton trader who builds a powerful gambling empire through an illegal game called “Matka” that takes the city by storm and democratises a terrain that was previously reserved only for the rich and elite. 
Besides Vijay Varma, the cast includes Kritika Kamra, Gulshan Grover, Sai Tamhankar, Jamie Lever, and Bhupendra Jadawat. The storyline explores the themes of ambition, greed, and moral decay with a narrative that is gritty and layered at its core as it blends crime with socio-political commentary and delivers a strong message about the economic divide between the rich and poor.
The series has received an IMDb rating of 7.4/10, with the critics praising Varma’s performance, even though some reviews mention that the pacing is slow at times. Overall, this 8-episode series remains one of the high rated web series in 2026 and is worth a watch.

2. Chiraiya (JioHotstar)

“Chiraiya” is a six-episode series that is an adaptation of the Bengali show “Sampurna”. The story of Chiraiya follows Kamlesh (played by Divya Dutta), who is an ideal daughter-in-law in Lucknow, set in her traditional caricature until she discovers her sister-in-law, Pooja (played by Prasanna Bisht), being sexually abused by her husband, Arun (played by Siddharth Shaw), and decides to fight for bringing justice to Pooja.
Featuring a strong female lead and a supporting cast of emerging talents, this series openly challenges the normalisation of marital rape and raises the important question of whether marriage automatically implies consent. Its strength lies in nuanced writing, grounded performances and raising an issue that the society and the system blatantly ignore most of the time. 
The series, though exceptionally brilliant, has received an IMDb rating of 5.8/10, probably because it asks questions that make the patriarchal society squirm in their seats. But it is a must-watch, because it makes you realise how flawed our society is and all the changes we need to bring in to ensure “Nari Surakhsha” before we start speaking of “Nari Shakti”.

3. Maa Ka Sum (Prime Video)

Released March 31, 2026, “Maa Ka Sum” is an 8-episode series that blends elements of comedy in a family drama.
It follows the story of a 19-year-old math genius, Agastya, whose ultimate quest is to use his knowledge of mathematical equations to find the ‘perfect match’ for his vivacious single mother, Vinta. Despite his faith in the sanctity of numbers, he begins to realise that when it comes to human relationships in real life, the equations are a lifelong ‘work in progress’.
The ensemble cast, which includes Mihir Ahuja, Mona Singh and Chef Ranveer Brar, delivers great performances that balance humour with emotional depth. The writing is sharp and captures conflicts between generations and moral dilemmas. It’s not as intense as a crime thriller, but it gives a new look at family dynamics. With an IMDb rating of 6.0/10, the series has become popular with people looking for Hindi TV shows with a twist and could be your next light-hearted binge-watch.

4. Kaptaan (MX Player)

“Kaptaan” is a crime thriller set in a crime-infested city of Jwalabad and follows the story of an upright cop taking on two rival mafia groups involved in the illegal liquor trade and land grabbing while also dealing with themes of power struggle and personal conflict.
It is directed by Jatin Satish Wagle and has Saqib Saleem, Siddharth Nigam, Anjumm Shharma, Aarif Zakaria, Varun Badola, and Kavita Kaushik in its main cast ensemble.
It ranks among the popular web series of 2026 because it keeps the audience engaged with its fast pace and regular twists and turns. It certainly has its flaws, and some of them are quite obvious, but despite that, with an IMDb rating of 6.0/10, it qualifies as an easy-to-binge thriller that you’d enjoy watching on a long weekend, sitting on your sofa with a bucket of popcorn in hand.

5. Sangamarmar (JioHotstar)

A visually rich drama, “Sangamarmar”, was premiered on JioHotstar on February 26, 2026, and releases new episodes every week on Thursdays, with 37 episodes as of late April 2026, with speculation about Season 1 having a total of 41-47 episodes. 
Directed by Vikram Ghai, produced by Sooraj Barjatiya and starring Saurabh Raj Jain and Sheen Dass in lead roles, the series is set in 1998 Agra with the narrative unfolding primarily as a flashback. It tells the story of a young girl Amrita, who has to sacrifice her blooming romance with her neighbour Aditya to shoulder the responsibility of family that befalls upon her.
The series is known for its grand production design and simple-yet-complex characters, as it tells the story in an emotional way with a cinematic flair. The performances make the story heartwarming, and the fact that new episodes are released every week keeps the suspense high, even though the pacing could have been better. However, its aesthetic appeal, dramatic arcs, and IMDb rating of 7.4/10 make it one of the best web series to watch this year. 

6. Kohrra Season 2 (Netflix)

Building on the thematic foundation of its predecessor, “Kohhrra season 2” is a six-part police procedural that was released in the first quarter of 2026. 
Co-created by Sudip Sharma and co-directed with Faizal Rehman, the second season of Kohrra attempts to retain its grounded realism while expanding the narrative scope, as it follows the story of Dalerpura’s newly appointed police officer Amarpal Garundi (played by Barun Sobti) and his superior senior officer Dhanwant Kaur (played by Mona Singh) taking up the murder investigation of an NRI woman found mutilated in a barn. The case unfolds with unexpected twists that no one expects, while the two officers also navigate their personal struggles on the other end of the spectrum.
With an IMDb rating of 7.5/10 which adds it to the list of IMDb most popular web series of 2026, the series unravels the story slowly as the screenplay is deployed to ensure that curiosity never wanes. The tone of the new gritty and immersive throughout the course of 6 episodes will keep you immersed throughout.

7. Wheel of Fortune India (Sony Liv)

“Wheel of Fortune India” is the Indian adaptation of a global game show of the same name that brings fun, trivia, high-stakes competition, and pure entertainment to OTT. 
Hosted by Akshay Kumar and released on Sony Liv, the game show features contestants spinning a large wheel to determine cash values and attempting to solve word puzzles by guessing letters. While the show retains its American counterpart’s structure and follows the rules of the UK version, the Indian Wheel of Fortune Games are embedded with Hindi-language puzzles and culturally relevant categories.
While not a traditional web series, with an IMDb rating of 7.3/10, it’s a light-hearted show you might want to tune into for its interactive appeal and if you are looking a good round of smiles and laughter.

 8.Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web (Netflix)

Directed by Neeraj Pandey, the series came out on Netflix in January 2026 and became the first Indian series to be in Netflix’s Top 10 Global Non-English TV chart. 
Starring Emraan Hashmi, Zoya Afroz, Amruta Khanvilkar, Sharad Kelkar, and Nandish Singh Sandhu, the 7-episode series stands out for its depiction of the challenges and dedication of customs officers (a field rarely talked about). The story explores the world of the unsung heroes of this field who work hard to prevent the smuggling of illegal and illegitimate items. It also highlights how high-stakes corruption makes the world of customs as dangerous as it is “glamorous”.
While some critics have labelled it as “old wine in a shiny new bottle,” we say this vintage wine does have some unique notes you wouldn’t want to miss if you are a connoisseur of the adrenaline rush that the action thrillers bring with their plots. With an IMDb rating of 7.1/10, it stands out among high rated web series in 2026 and is, therefore, worthy of being your next binge-watch.

9. Space Gen: Chandrayaan (JioHotstar)

In Jan 2026, TVF premiered its newest series, “Space Gen: Chandrayaan”, on JioHotstar, which has received an IMDb rating of 6.4/10. Based on true events and starring Nakuul Mehta and Shriya Saran in lead roles, “Space Gen: Chandrayaan” follows the challenges of a team of scientists at ISRO. After overcoming the failure of Chandrayaan-2, the ISRO scientists, under the leadership of the new ISRO Chief, embark on a new mission called Chandrayaan-3 to achieve the historic first landing on the lunar South Pole. At its core, the series promises a stirring tale of redemption, resilience and a scientific mission that made the whole nation unanimously proud.
“Space Gen: Chandrayaan” tells the story of ISRO scientists’ journey to space in a dramatic way, mixing science with human emotion and focusing on teamwork, pressure, and innovation. Nakuul Mehta, who plays Arjun in the 5-episode series, says, “the story is not about the moment the signal drops; it’s about what happens the morning after, when you still have to show up, take responsibility, and start again.” 
Critics have applauded the series for its wholesome storytelling that makes it one of “the most unique 2026 popular web series”. We suggest our readers watch it for what Mehta calls “a changed way to look at success and failure”.

10. Honeymoon Se Hatya (ZEE5)

“Honeymoon Se Hatya” is a new crime docu-series that was released on Zee5 on January 9, 2026. 
Having an IMDb rating of 7.2/10, the series captures the stories behind some of the most disturbing and widely discussed cases of women stuck in loveless and troubled marriages murdering their husbands. It includes the famous Meghalaya Sonam Raja Raghuvanshi Case, the Meerut Blue Drum Case, the Nalasopara Tile Case and the Delhi Electric Shock Case, among others that captured the attention of the whole nation at the time of their occurrence, sparking widespread debates. 
It’s a show that has a gripping narrative for all the stories it covers, adding to them emotional depth, realism, and insights that linger long after the story ends. Honeymoon Se Hatya at its core is a show that sparked the necessary conversations around marriage, relationships, power, and the silent battles fought within homes and is therefore a must-watch in our list of “Best Web Series to Watch in 2026″.

11. Freedom at Midnight (Sony LIV)

Based on the book by Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins, “Freedom At Midnight” is a historical drama that revisits India’s independence story, focusing on political tensions and personal struggles of the political figures central to the freedom struggle.
Season 2 of the series, released in January this year, follows the dramatisation of the pivotal moments of India’s independence that led to the formation of the Constitution of India. Its narrative is built around the key events such as the Partition of India and Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination. It also shows the political and personal conflicts of the leaders like J.L. Nehru, Sardar Patel, and M.A. Jinnah, who shaped the nation’s history through the years of struggle and post-independence.
Starring Siddhant Gupta, Arif Zakaria, Chirag Vohra, Ira Dubey, Luke McGibney, Rajendra Chawla and Ahalya Shetty in key roles, the series beautifully blends history with compelling storytelling. Season 2 intensifies the narrative more than what we saw in season 1 as it explores the aftermath of India’s partition. With an IMDb rating of 8.4/10, this popular series inevitably belongs to the list of “IMDb most popular web series this year”.

Our Final Word For You

You’ll not be bored this season; that’s our promise.
From crime thrillers like Taskaree and Kohrra to historical epics like Freedom at Midnight and socially relevant shows like “Chiraiya” and “Honeymoon Se Hatya”, 2026 offers a bevy of newly released high rated web series that shall keep you entertained while you relax on your sofa.
Whether you prefer intense dramas or light-hearted entertainment, this list has you covered with all relevant options from the list of the best web series to watch across platforms, and we hope that you find time to watch all these brilliant pieces of motion art being brought to you in 2026. 
Now, as you do that, the team of Inside Box Office shall continue its quest to find you more such information about all relevant entertaining stuff.
So stay tuned, and until then… HAPPY BINGE FEST, besties!

People Also Ask

Some of the best web series to watch in 2026 are Matka King, Kohrra: Season 2, Taskaree, and Chiraiya.
Platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, JioHotstar and Zee5 are leading with the most 2026 popular web series.
Yes, most shows on this list are either critically acclaimed or trending among viewers, making them worth your time.
Freedom at Midnight: Season 2 is among the IMDb most popular web series, with 8.4/10 rating.
Yes, all the shows in this list are the popular Hindi TV series released this year.
You can start with Taskaree for gripping storytelling and strong performances or Maa Ka Sum for a light-hearted binge fest
Yes, Wheel of Fortune India and Maa Ka Sum are good options for family viewing.
Yes, apps like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video allow offline downloads for most content.

Rate It

Average rating 5 / 5. Vote count: 3

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here