Cover Taiwanese dramas, like ‘Million-Follower Detective’, bring cosmic horror, supernatural mysteries and high-concept thrillers to streaming platforms in 2026
Taiwanese dramas, like ‘Million-Follower Detective’, bring cosmic horror, supernatural mysteries and high-concept thrillers to streaming platforms in 2026
1 / 1
Taiwanese dramas enter the new year with high-concept supernatural series, cosmic horror adaptations and psychological thrillers that blend traditional folklore with cutting-edge storytelling
Taiwanese dramas move beyond conventional narratives into ambitious, genre-defying territory in the new year. Streaming platforms Netflix and Disney+ are driving the shift with substantial investments in local productions that showcase bolder and grittier concepts. The result is a diverse slate of Taiwanese dramas that merge international intellectual properties with homegrown talent, creating sophisticated supernatural thrillers, psychological mysteries and high-budget fantasies.
From live-action adaptations of legendary Japanese horror to modern reinterpretations of Taoist mythology, Taiwan’s 2026 offerings demonstrate the island’s emergence as a regional creative powerhouse, attracting veteran Hong Kong talent and establishing new standards for Chinese-language entertainment in the streaming age.
In case you missed it: Chinese New Year: 9 Year of the Horse celebrities who could dominate pop culture in 2026
‘Bloody Smart’ (2026)
Among Netflix’s horror projects of 2026, Bloody Smart represents a live-action reset for the Junji Ito franchise. Directed by Chun-Yi Hsieh and starring Gigi Leung and Buffy Chen, this ten-episode series weaves together the mangaka’s most terrifying tales—including Tomie, Soichi, Hanging Balloons and The Bloody Fruits—into one cohesive narrative. Set in a strict educational environment dominated by a mysterious Bloodfruit Tree that awakens suppressed desires, the Taiwanese drama serves as a visceral metaphor for East Asian academic pressures.
With an emphasis on practical effects and moody cinematography, the show grounds surreal body horror in tactile reality, marking Taiwan’s evolution from traditional folk-horror into the realm of cosmic terror.
‘Haunted House Secrets’ (2026)
Above ‘Haunted House Secrets’ explores Taiwan’s most notorious supernatural properties on Disney+
Now streaming on Disney+, Haunted House Secrets (凶宅專賣店) blends traditional ghost stories with contemporary psychological thriller elements. Golden Bell winner Li Ming-shun leads a cast including Fan Shao-hsun and Chen Yan-fei in this supernatural mystery that follows investigators specialising in unclean properties—homes marked by tragedy, death or paranormal activity. The series taps into Taiwan’s rich folklore whilst addressing modern anxieties about property ownership and hidden histories.
By focusing on real estate cursed by violent pasts, the Taiwanese drama creates an accessible entry point for viewers unfamiliar with traditional supernatural beliefs, wrapping cultural mythology within a compelling investigative framework that resonates with audiences across Asia.
Don’t miss: The Thai series and films everyone will be talking about in 2026
‘Agent from Above’ (2026)
Above Kai Ko stars as a reluctant spirit medium in the Taoist fantasy ‘Agent from Above’ (Photo: Netflix)
Kai Ko stars as a reluctant spirit medium in the Taoist fantasy ‘Agent from Above’ (Photo: Netflix)
1 / 1
Based on the popular novel series The Oracle Comes, Netflix’s Agent from Above (乩身) stars Kai Ko as Han Jie, a man compelled to serve as a spirit medium for the Third Prince to atone for childhood transgressions. This high-action reimagining of traditional Taoist mythology follows the protagonist’s demon-hunting missions across the human realm, blending spiritual warfare with contemporary sensibilities.
The series represents Taiwan’s confidence in exporting culturally specific narratives to global audiences, trusting that elaborate mythological frameworks can resonate internationally when paired with compelling character development and cinematic production values. With a 2026 release window, Agent from Above showcases Taiwan’s unique ability to modernise ancient religious traditions.
‘Million-Follower Detective’ (2026)
Above Ekin Cheng investigates algorithm-driven murders in ‘Million-Follower Detective’ on Netflix
Launching before the Lunar New Year, Million-Follower Detective (百萬人推理) exemplifies the deepening integration of Hong Kong talent into Taiwan’s production ecosystem. Hong Kong superstar Ekin Cheng stars as an investigator pursuing a killer whose murders are either predicted or orchestrated by a social media influencer. Created by the team behind the hit mystery Light the Night, the series explores contemporary anxieties about digital fame, algorithmic manipulation and the blurred boundaries between online personas and physical violence.
This Pan-Asian thriller demonstrates Taiwan’s creative flexibility and willingness to tackle urgent social issues through genre entertainment, positioning the island as an ideal location for grittier narratives that resonate across regional markets.
‘Pacify’ (2026)
Hong Kong director Derek Kwok brings genre hybridisation to Netflix with Pacify, a supernatural sci-fi action series that reimagines traditional exorcism through the lens of modern technology. The narrative follows a cynical waitress recruited into Bath Truth Spring (浴真泉), a clandestine organisation using quantum resonance and energy frequencies to combat demonic possession. This high-concept approach reflects Taiwan’s positioning as a sanctuary for ambitious, auteur-driven genre pieces that might face restrictions elsewhere.
Pacify reinterprets religious horror by pairing scientific explanations with traditional scares, signalling a more sophisticated approach to global streaming audiences.
Topics
After more than a decade in lifestyle media, Clifford has mastered the art of writing seriously about things that are fun—and writing fun things about people who take themselves very seriously. At Tatler Asia, he helped steer its flagship lists, Tatler’s Most Influential and Asia’s Most Stylish. And today, he leads T-Labs, Tatler Asia’s content innovation hub, where he continues the noble pursuit of lifestyle storytelling, spinning stories on wealth, entertainment, necessary style, Hallyu, Hollywood, beauty and more for audiences across Asia.
