Top 20 BEST TV Shows of 2025

#20: “Alien: Earth” (2025-)Season 1

Which franchises have turned in the most consistently good results since the Disney-Fox merger? Bizarrely enough, it might be “Alien” and “Predator,” which are kind of one franchise. In any case, “Alien: Earth” is the “Alien” show we always wanted… yet also one we didn’t know we wanted. The series captures the creepy ambiance this franchise is known for, with slow-burning tension that can suddenly escalate to a heart-pounding adrenaline rush. At the same time, the show introduces a philosophical angle, exploring mortality, immortality, and humanity in ways that some of the movies touched upon, but never quite dug deep enough. Even if nothing ever tops Ridley Scott’s and James Cameron’s original masterpieces, “Alien: Earth” feels like the next logical step in this IP’s evolution.

#19: “Daredevil: Born Again” (2025-)

Season 1

Disney picked up some Netflix scrap and greenlit Daredevil: Born Again, a revival of the canceled-too-soon MCU classic. Many superhero fans enjoy this type of mature storytelling, exhibiting the flash and circumstance of wild action sequences but keeping the story grounded in the rules and realities of our universe. Born Again tells a character-driven narrative populated with interesting themes like, as the title suggests, the idea of resurrection and dual identities. It's also filled with standout performances, especially those of Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio, who is, once again, unbelievably good as Wilson Fisk. That man was born to play Kingpin, and we were just glad to see him stepping into those giant shoes once again.

#18: “Dope Thief” (2025)

Brian Tyree Henry and Wagner Moura in the same show? Sign us up! A remarkably entertaining series, Dope Thief tells the story of Ray Driscoll and Manny Carvalho, two friends who accidentally rob a narcotics operation surveilled by the DEA. The witty banter between Ray and Manny is exceptional, with Henry and Moura sharing brilliant comedic chemistry. And as good as Moura is, Henry is the standout here, giving a career-defining performance as a man torn between survival and redemption. His ability to silently convey emotion through subtle facial expressions is nothing short of extraordinary. The series also boasts a cinematic quality that is rarely seen on television, with wonderful, gritty cinematography and masterful direction. We suppose bringing in Ridley Scott will do that.

#17: “Dying for Sex” (2025)

Throughout February and March of 2020, Wondery published the podcast Dying for Sex. It depicts the sensual and personal adventures of Molly, a woman who divorced her husband and embarked on numerous sexual liaisons after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. The podcast was co-hosted by the real-life Molly but released posthumously, as she died in March of 2019. This FX series adapts the podcast for the screen, depicting both an honest exploration of sexuality and a warm celebration of female friendship, with Michelle Williams and Jenny Slate sharing some electric chemistry. And speaking of Williams, she gives a transformative performance as Molly, capturing the character's vulnerability and resilience in the face of tragedy. It’s a complex emotional landscape, and Williams navigates it with grace, humor, and empathy.

#16: “Paradise” (2025-)Season 1

“Paradise” reteams creator Dan Fogelman and leading man Sterling K. Brown of “This Is Us.” The pilot for Fogelman’s previous series set us up for one thing, only to change the game during the eleventh hour. “Paradise” follows a similar blueprint, while still consistently keeping the audience on their toes. The premise already feels like a radical departure, going from relatable family drama to high-concept political thriller. The series opens with a bang, revealing that the President of the United States has been assassinated. That’s not a spoiler, as it was a focal point of the advertising. The fact that this bombshell is given away upfront should tell you that there are even more jaw-dropping twists, which we’ll let you discover on your own.

#15: “The White Lotus” (2021-)Season 3

It’s funny. Only one season of “The White Lotus” has been set in a U.S. territory. This third one shifts the drama to Thailand. Yet, we can’t think of a show currently airing that better encompasses the American Dream… for better or worse. Although we should roll our eyes at privileged characters like Parker Posey’s Victoria, we’d be lying if we said we didn’t identify with her now iconic “uncomfortable life” line. Whether it’s someone who can’t find happiness with what they have like Walton Goggins’ Rick or somebody whose morality can be bought like Natasha Rothwell’s Belinda, these characters speak to a small percentage of the human population. And yet, they speak to the elitism we all secretly aspire towards.

#14: “Peacemaker” (2022-)Season 2

John Cena was so perfectly cast as Peacemaker that not even the demise of the DCEU could keep him down. The Season 2 premiere simply pretends like Chris Smith and his friends were always part of the new DC Universe. Ironically, universe-hopping is a central theme of this sophomore season, as Chris stumbles upon his ideal world. We won’t spoil why this reality is too good to be true, but the reveal had us howling and kicking ourselves for not noticing the obvious red flags. While Cena is the glue, the show remains an ensemble piece as Peacemaker’s band of fellow misfits navigate trauma, inferiority, and the struggle to let go of the past. The future looks bright for this expanding shared universe, however.

#13: “Stranger Things” (2016-)Season 5

“The end of an era.” It’s a phrase so overused that it’s practically lost all meaning. With the final season of “Stranger Things,” though, it genuinely felt as if a pivotal part of our lives had reached its emotional climax. We’ve seen shows that became a cultural phenomenon for one season… then fell off the map. “Stranger Things” is a rare one that managed to remain in the zeitgeist for five seasons over nearly ten years. Even with a growing cast and a complicated plot, the Duffer brothers kept us eagerly coming back with every chapter. While that set the bar impossibly high, Season 5 largely delivered with touching, epic, and bittersweet moments that remind us we fell in love with the residents of Hawkins.

#12: “The Chair Company” (2025-)Season 1

Tim Robinson seems like an unconventional choice to lead a conspiracy thriller, even an absurd one like “The Chair Company.” On the other hand, Robinson often plays characters who are either insane, going insane, or live in an insane world. With that in mind, it’s surprising that Robinson didn’t get to this genre sooner. As is the case with most Tim Robinson projects, even the show’s quote-unquote “normal” characters feel a touch off. This only makes them harder to read as Ron Trosper tries to unravel an earthshattering mystery: did somebody mess with his chair to embarrass him during a meeting? The answer is more convoluted than expected in a show that’ll leave you on the edge of your seat… or rolling back in it.

#11: “Dexter: Resurrection” (2025-)Season 1

Dexter Morgan’s not quite dead yet. That’s bad news for other serial killers, but great news for us as long as Michael C. Hall is bringing his A-game and Clyde Phillips is running the show. The appropriately titled “Dexter: Resurrection” breathes new life into the titular character, while the New York setting provides a refreshing backdrop. New additions, such as Peter Dinklage’s Leon Prater, also introduce intriguing concepts that reflect how society is eerily fascinated by killers, even romanticizing them to a degree. At the same time, the sequel series explores ideas that its predecessors didn’t entirely deliver on, as Dexter tries to be a father to Harrison while confronting loose ends from his life in Miami. Most importantly, it lets Dexter be Dexter.

#10: “South Park” (1997-)Seasons 27 & 28

Yeah, we don’t get why they’re considering this to be two seasons when it’s clearly one. That’s our only major gripe with the latest batch of “South Park” episodes, however. While “South Park” has remained relevant for over two decades, those who haven’t kept up with the more recent seasons were inclined to tune in again when they heard Trey and Matt were taking on Trump. Not Garrison serving as a surrogate Trump. This is the real deal, albeit with a Saddam Hussein twist. Although there’s still room made for the characters we love, like Cartman and Butters, these ten episodes are primarily dedicated to declaring what most shows are afraid to say in today’s political landscape: The emperor isn’t wearing any clothes… sometimes literally.

#9: “The Rehearsal” (2022-)Season 2

Life is full of milestones that you can’t always prepare for. Or can you? Nathan Fielder seeks the answer in this HBO series, where he stages elaborate rehearsals that sometimes get off track. In this second season, Fielder uses role-playing to figure out if a lack of communication between pilots and co-pilots is the cause of so many crashes. Somehow, this also leads to Fielder creating a fake singing competition, questioning if fascists run Paramount, and becoming Sully Sullenberger… as a baby. It sounds ridiculous (which it is). Yet, Fielder brings a one-of-a-kind worldview that’ll not only leave you seeing important issues in a different light, but comedy as well. Fielder may even speak to you in ways you couldn’t articulate until seeing this show.

#8: “Andor” (2022-25)Season 2

Since 1977, “Star Wars” has aimed to appease kids and adults. While a child can watch “Andor,” this Tony Gilroy-helmed show is more for the mature crowd. We’re not just talking about adult “Star Wars” fans. Even those who never fully immersed themselves in a galaxy far, far away will find this to be a tense and timely political thriller. Although “Andor” fills a gap in the “Star Wars” mythos, it works as a standalone story that doesn’t over-rely on callbacks and fan service. It might not be as grand as some other stories in this universe, but this second and final season possesses more gravitas than anything else from the Disney era of “Star Wars”... and even parts of the George Lucas era.

#7: “Hacks” (2021-)Season 4

The fourth season of “Hacks” wound up being more relevant than the writers could’ve anticipated, with multiple late-night hosts being silenced in 2025. In arguably the season’s best episode, Deborah Vance takes a stance against corporate overlords, fighting for her integrity and freedom of speech even if it comes at a personal expense. “Hacks” isn’t really a political show, however. First and foremost, it’s about comedy, explored from the perspectives of two women whose beliefs and backgrounds might be radically different. Yet, they complement and challenge each other in ways that not only make them better people, but better comedians as well. Also, we’d be remiss if we didn’t give a shoutout to Dance Mom. Who knew that Julianne Nicholson was secretly a comedic force?

#6: “Invincible” (2021-)Season 3

There’ve been various shows that explore the struggles of being a superhero. When it comes to moral dilemmas, though, they usually give the hero an easy way out. That’s not always the case in “Invincible,” especially this third season. Despite Mark Grayson’s best efforts, he finds that he can’t save everyone. What’s more, his actions can inadvertently obliterate someone’s whole world with no way to reverse the damage done. Sacrifices come with being a superhero, and sometimes, that extends to human life. The characters in “Invincible” have differing perspectives on how the day should be saved. Whether there’s a right or wrong way, we see that even the purest of heroes can get blood on their hands that’s not easily scrubbed off.

#5: “Pluribus” (2025-)Season 1

Part of what makes Vince Gilligan’s latest show so absorbing is that you can interpret its commentary in a few different ways. Of course, many will draw parallels to AI, as Rhea Seehorn’s Carol finds herself among the last remaining humans with independent thoughts. Where the others are mostly content with letting the hive mind take over, Carol fights for her individuality. That’s easier said than done when this seemingly all-knowing entity is around every corner, sometimes making Carol’s life more convenient. The flaws in the system only become more apparent as Carol continues to resist, however. Humanity will never be perfect, but “Pluribus” reminds us that it’s better to live with and even embrace some of those imperfections than surrender to the machine.

#4: “Severance” (2022-)Season 2

You never really know a co-worker until you follow them home. In “Severance,” this is taken literally, as “innies” and “outies” fight to regain control of their lives, knowing that only one can be dominant. In the first season, our sympathies resided with the innies. That’s still the case in Season 2, although it’s become grayer, especially in the case of Mark. Whether his innie or outie comes out on top, somebody is going to be left heartbroken and alone. This builds to one of the best endings of any show this year, leaving us to question if a certain character made the right decision or a huge mistake. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait another three years for an answer.

#3: “Adolescence” (2025)

2025 is the year of two things - long, real-time takes and Jack Thorne, who also did Toxic Town. For “Adolescence,” he and Stephen Graham team up to explore themes of parental responsibility, school harassment, online radicalization, and, well, adolescence. Much has been written of the show’s format, with each hour-long episode being filmed in one take. It’s truly unbelievable, with the camera work, acting, and staging attracting widespread acclaim. But the technical wizardry never overshadows the story at the show’s core, with its themes resonating strongly across different generations. It’s one of those universal tales that has something for everyone, whether it’s the teenagers going through a transitional time in their lives or the parents grappling to control it.

#2: “The Studio” (2025-)

Season 1

If you want an honest yet gut-busting glimpse into modern Hollywood, look no further than The Studio. Seth Rogen plays Matt Remick, a movie executive who is forced to navigate things like endless franchise expansion, demanding stars and directors, and diversity casting. It’s an enormously funny and refreshingly candid examination of the movie industry, coming from a star and producer who is deeply embedded within it. The cameos are both fun and endless, and the show is a technical masterclass, taking its cues from Birdman and adopting its use of complex long takes and chaotic sound design. Heck, the second episode is a oner about doing a oner! Who does that!?

#1: “All’s Fair” (2025-)Season 1

Ryan Murphy is known for making prestige trash… this is just trash. Here’s our real #1.

#1: “The Pitt” (2025-)

Season 1

There are about a gazillion medical shows out there, but none quite like “The Pitt.” HBO Max’s modern masterpiece has revitalized the medical drama, transforming it from network procedural to prestige TV through the use of innovative storytelling and a critical portrayal of systemic issues in healthcare. The series has been noted for its unflinching realism, depicting hospital staff and emergency medical procedures with unprecedented accuracy. But of course, most of the praise - and rightfully so - has gone to the show’s storytelling technique. Each of the fifteen episodes unfolds in real time, immersing viewers in the relentless pace and pressures of emergency medicine and creating an unbearable sense of anxiety.

What’s your favorite show from the past year? Let us know in the comments.