Thanks to the popularity of streaming services, there is no shortage of television to tune into. In fact, we’d dare say that there’s almost too much on the small screen these days. Our nerdy calendars are often full with several shows ongoing at once that take us to all sorts of fantasy lands. Sometimes, they are empowering and invigorating and other times these series aim to completely destroy our hearts. While there’s TV aplenty to consume, not everything is worthy of earring a spot on our best shows list for 2025.
Here’s all the TV shows that truly stand out from the crowd, delivering compelling storylines, engaging characters, and memorable moments that stuck to us like glue.
Andor (Season 2)
Is anyone surprised to see Andor’s second and final season on our best TV shows of 2025 list? If so, they shouldn’t be. Andor totally stuck the landing this season with its ensemble of everyday characters challenging the status quo and rising up for rebellion. Its themes and messages about power, freedom, and agency are incredibly prescient in our world, for better and worse. Brilliantly shot with superb acting all across the board, Andor season two gave us a satisfying ending and proved that Star Wars can do prestige television to perfection.
Severance (Season 2)
Three years after its first season left fans hanging from a narrative cliff, Severance came back swinging with precision for its second season. Expanding its surreal environment and complex characters with a blend of drama and twisted humor, Severance grew its legion of fans to new heights. There’s something for everyone in this series: mystery, a dash of macabre, and lots of incredibly sharp dialogue that forces you to truly engage with it versus passive viewing.
The Wheel of Time (Season 3)
The Wheel of Time took its universe to expansive new heights, setting its Two Rivers quartet and those connected to them on very distinct journeys of discovery, elevation, and unlocking personal power. From the hills of Tanchico to the dangerous dream world of Tel’aran’rhiod to the infamous city of Rhuidean, The Wheel of Time brought more of its engaging universe to life, weaving stories together and casting shadows between the Light and Dark.
The show’s finale set the stage for powerful showdowns in a fourth season. Sadly we will not see that happen. The Wheel of Time’s cancellation continues to break the hearts of fans after such a stellar third round.
Daredevil: Born Again (Season 1)
The return of Charlie Cox’s Devil of Hell’s Kitchen was a brooding and emotionally rich dive back into this ongoing saga. There were some stumbles, particularly with Muse’s storyline and its quick wrap up as well as that one filler episode. However, it felt good to reconnect with mainstay characters, who seemed like they had never left our television screens. (Seriously, the Punisher might be one of the most unintentionally funny Marvel characters ever.)
Always setting the standard for impeccably choreographed fight scenes and deftly balancing heart and the pitfalls of heroism, Daredevil: Born Again’s first season resurrects Daredevil in style and earns a spot on our best TV shows of 2025 list.
The Last of Us (Season 2)
The Last of Us decided to completely destroy us this season. Like, we knew certain things would transpire because the games exist. But the way the series brought classic game moments to life somehow still threw us for a loop. In the midst of intense pain rose new connections and more grim beauty of this constantly decaying and shifting world. The Last of Us fills the deep post-apocalyptic drama hole that The Walking Dead left behind years ago, and we love it, pain and all.
The Pitt (Season 1)
Sure, this series is a bit out of our wheelhouse. But if you’re looking for something that isn’t “genre” and hearkens back to the days of peak medical dramas like ER, then you will love this show. After years of being fed McDonalized seasons that you can feverishly devour and move on to the next meal, The Pitt gives us a long season with episodes that mesh together to build characters.
But these stories also stand well on their own for a casual viewer to engage with. It’s emotional, intense, and puts Noah Wyle back in the mix of emergency room chaos. What more convincing do you need to check it out?!
Gen V (Season 2)
The Boys universe has yet to miss when it comes to delivering consistently excellent seasons. Gen V season two takes us through a wild sophomore year at God U with lots of blood, shocking twists, and pitch perfect cameos. From Marie Moreau’s level-up with her powers to the impending war against Homelander to honoring the late Chance Perdomo, this season is damn near perfect. Emotional, irreverent, and action-packed, Gen V is a brilliant spinoff series.
King of the Hill (Season 14)
Propaniacs rejoice! King of the Hill came back for a glorious revival and, thankfully, it was really good. Getting to catch up with Hank, Bobby, Peggy, and a lot of the other beloved characters years down the line was a nice dose of nostalgia. The show’s humor was pitch perfect and the way it adapted its storylines to fit each character’s growth was fantastic. Thankfully, we will get at least three more seasons of it.
Peacemaker (Season 2)
Peacemaker season 2 is not a perfect one by any means. But the overall tone and ethos of the series that everyone fell for is still there. With strong connections to the greater DC universe, higher stakes for our beloved main characters, and all-around weirdness mixed with an unsettling world, it hit more than it missed.
Alien: Earth
Alien: Earth is stylish, aesthetically pleasing, hella bold, and hella scary. It was far more philosophical and emotionally resonant than we bargained for, and that’s a great thing. We certainly hope that Noah Hawley returns and gives us another season of goodness.
Wednesday (Season 2)
Our favorite child who is full of woe came back for another season of mysteries at Nevermore Academy. The show’s expansion of this world’s lore, deeper examination of interpersonal relationships, acerbic wit from Wednesday herself, and unveiling of chilling secrets all came together for a creepy and kooky TV feast.
Originally published June 10, 2025.