Stephen King’s Sci-Fi Horror Series The Institute Makes Swift Return to the Charts After Season 2 Announcement

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2025 saw a lot of Stephen King stories adapted for the screen, and one MGM+ show surprisingly became a big success. Though it didn’t become as widely discussed as It: Welcome to Derry, the show was popular enough to earn a second season.

Shortly after the first season ended, MGM+ announced that the show would be renewed for a second season, set to premiere in 2026. The streaming service wanted to capitalize on the show’s growing popularity – data from FlixPatrol shows interest in The Institute has recently surged, even though a specific release date hasn’t been announced yet.

Globally, The Institute is currently ranked 11th, just outside the top 10. It recently returned to the charts in its home country on January 22nd, debuting at number 10. Also popular is a show that’s been a top 10 hit for over a week, and the sci-fi series From, which has climbed two spots in the rankings after MGM+ announced a new season for 2026.

MGM+ has announced that both The Institute and From will be returning for new seasons. The Institute is getting a second season, and From will be back for a fourth. According to a recent announcement, you can revisit these shows now because they’ll both be returning to MGM+ in 2026!

Based on Stephen King’s 2019 novel, The Institute tells the story of Luke Ellis, a remarkably intelligent teenager who is kidnapped and finds himself at a mysterious facility. This facility holds other children with unique powers, all brought there under similar circumstances. Meanwhile, in a nearby town, a troubled former police officer named Tim Jamieson is trying to rebuild his life, but his path is destined to cross with Luke’s, shattering his newfound peace.

I’m really excited about The Institute – it’s got Mary-Louise Parker from Weeds, Jeff Fahey, and a fantastic newcomer, Joe Freeman, who you might recognize as Martin Freeman’s son from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. He plays Luke Ellis, and everyone’s saying this is his big break!

Season 2 will explore new storylines, as the first season already adapted the entire source novel. This means the upcoming season will feature original content. While details haven’t been officially released, it’s anticipated to follow Luke Ellis and his remaining friends after the events of the finale.

Ben Barnes Wants The Institute Season 2 to Feel Like The Last of Us

As a big fan of the source material, I was really intrigued when I heard James Norton, known for his work in Narnia, was playing Tim Jamieson in The Institute adaptation. He recently shared what he’s hoping for his character and Luke Ellis’s journey, and honestly, I’m excited about the direction he envisions for their relationship. He’s clearly thought a lot about where he’d like to see their dynamic go, and it sounds promising!

I’m really hooked by the characters! It’s a fully realized story, and getting to know them – their connections, what makes them tick, their flaws and strengths – that’s what I find so compelling. I’m thrilled we’re getting a Season 2 to explore them even further!

Stephen King often explores themes of questioning authority, uncovering the truth, and the power of human connection and friendship. What I find most compelling about the show is the relationship between Tim and Luke, and I’d love to see where their story goes next, rather than focusing on the past.

The actor described wanting to see a strong partnership develop between the characters, similar to the relationships in shows like Léon: The Professional and The Last of Us. He envisions a dynamic where one character is more experienced and the other is uniquely gifted, and he’d like the storyline to explore that kind of connection.

Reviews for The Institute were a bit mixed, but the first season generally received positive feedback. Critics gave it a 64% rating, while viewers scored it slightly higher at 70%.

The Institute Season 1 is streaming on MGM+.

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2026-01-22 23:36