2025 was a stacked year when it comes to TV. Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan returned with his first original series since Better Call Saul and knocked it completely out of the park, James Gunn spearheaded high-quality DCU projects, and favorites like Dexter and King of the Hill made incredible comebacks.
There was so much fantastic TV to watch in 2025 that I didn't even get around to everything I wanted to see. My most egregious blindspots are Andor, the critically-acclaimed Star Wars show, and The Pitt, Max's intense medical drama. Based on what I've heard of both shows, chances are good they would have made my list had I been able to watch them in time, so consider them honorary honorable mentions. I can't personally give my endorsement, but everyone else seems to like them.
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Between old shows and new 2025 shows, I watched 86 seasons of TV this year, and kept a list of my favorites that actually aired in 2025. Please note that in order for a show to be eligible for my list, it needs to have aired its season finale in 2025. This means that the Fallout show is not in contention for this list, but maybe it will show up next year.
10 You
Where to Watch: Netflix
The first season of You was a creepy thriller about a deranged man who would go to horrible lengths to manipulate a woman he was obsessed with. Season 2 continued with the same tone as Season 1, but strangely started to paint "protagonist" Joe Goldberg in a more heroic light at times. Season 3 is when the show really hit its stride and delivered something that was the perfect balance of serious drama and hilarious dark comedy.
Season 4 of You was a boring slog that threw everything entertaining about the previous seasons out the window in favor of being a dreary murder mystery. Considering how much of a misstep You Season 4 was, I was expecting Season 5 to be just as disappointing. Instead, You Season 5 is a return to form, full of the wild over-the-top silliness that made the show fun to watch to begin with (Joe's baseball cap is apparently the equivalent to Harry Potter's invisibility cloak), paired with high stakes and a rather fitting ending to the Joe Goldberg saga. I wouldn't call You Season 5 prestige television, but when it comes to pure fun factor, it's hard to beat.
9 Peacemaker
Where to Watch: HBO Max
Peacemaker Season 2 was a step-down compared to Season 1, but that's just a testament to how strong Season 1 was. The second season of Peacemaker is the first that is 100% canon to James Gunn's new DCU, with the recap at the beginning used to cleverly retcon conflicting details from Season 1 while still continuing the story. The first half of the season is a little slow at times, but about halfway through Season 2, things get dialed up to 11 with shocking twists and plenty of exciting action. If you are following Gunn's DCU, Peacemaker Season 2 has major implications for the future of the cinematic universe and is a must-watch.
8 Creature Commandos
Where to Watch: HBO Max
Speaking of James Gunn's DCU, Superman may get all the credit, but Creature Commandos is actually the first entry in the franchise. An adult animated show, Creature Commandos features a gang of super-powered misfits that find themselves having to save the world. It introduces memorable characters like The Bride, Frankenstein, G.I. Robot, and others who will hopefully appear in live-action DCU projects down the line. Creature Commandos has stellar action, but its emotional beats help it stand out and elevate it to a higher level. A second season of Creature Commandos is on the way, and hopefully we get to see it sooner rather than later.
7 Invincible
Where to Watch: Prime Video
One superhero show managed to outdo Creature Commandos and Peacemaker in 2025, and that was Invincible. The third season of the ultra-violent adaptation of Robert Kirkman's classic comic series delivered the kind of brutal fights that fans have come to expect, with some of the best action that the series has seen to date. And the good news is Invincible fans don't have to wait all that much longer for Season 4, which is set to premiere this March.
6 Dexter: Resurrection
Where to Watch: Paramount+
The original Dexter is one of my favorite shows. Even when Dexter got bad, it was still wildly entertaining, largely thanks to the show's tremendous cast and ability to create some of the most suffocating tension in all of television. The first reboot, Dexter: New Blood, was better than the worst seasons of the original show, but still far from the high bar set by the best seasons.
Dexter: Resurrection wasn't the only Dexter show that aired in 2025. The prequel series Dexter: Original Sin was also this year, and while the new cast is hard to get used to at first, the show manages to capture the original show's vibes, largely thanks to the return to Miami. It's a solid watch, but unforunately won't be back for Season 2.
The latest crack at a Dexter comeback, Dexter: Resurrection, is still not quite at the level of the all-time great Seasons 2 and 4, but it's certainly up there. Dexter: Resurrection sees the titular serial killer hunter in a brand-new location, New York City, as he attempts to reconnect with his son while simultaneously outrunning his past. I can't get into too many details without going into spoilers, but rest assured that Dexter: Resurrection is a worthwhile reboot.
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5 King of the Hill
Where to Watch: Hulu
Dexter: Resurrection wasn't the only noteworthy reboot that released in 2025. King of the Hill, Mike Judge's classic animated sitcom, made its long-awaited return and completely blew away expectations. Reboots are always tricky to pull off, but King of the Hill showed exactly how it's done by shifting the show's timeline to give it a distinct identity from its predecessor, but still keeping everything people loved about the original intact. I expected the King of the Hill reboot to be good, but I did not expect it to deliver some all-time King of the Hill episodes — yet, that's exactly what it did.
4 Severance
Where to Watch: Apple TV
From beginning to end, the first season of Severance is one of the most enthralling shows ever made, thanks to its unique concept, the slowly-unraveling mystery, and the twists that hit like punches straight to the gut. Severance Season 2 mostly manages to match Season 1's high bar, and while it's home to some of the show's best episodes, it does have a couple of clunkers that derail its momentum a bit. Still, the good episodes are so good that Severance is still an absolute must-watch. It's the kind of show to watch with as little information going in as possible, so if you haven't yet, watch it ASAP.
3 The Rehearsal
Where to Watch: HBO Max
The first season of Nathan Fielder's The Rehearsal is one of the most bizarre shows you will ever see, packed with so many awkward interactions that you just can't look away. I thought it would be impossible for The Rehearsal Season 2 to top Season 1, yet it did, and it did so by taking things to jaw-dropping extremes. The Rehearsal Season 2 is a genuine masterpiece and arguably Nathan Fielder's best work to date. And if you are familiar with Fielder's work, you know that is high praise indeed.
2 Hacks
Where to Watch: HBO Max
Deborah Vance and Ava Daniels are the best duo on TV right now, and Hacks is one of the most consistently fantastic shows. The chemistry between Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder has to be seen to be believed, with both showcasing a masterclass in comedy and drama. Hacks has won nine Primetime Emmy Awards so far, and I wouldn't be surprised if the upcoming fifth and final season ups the count.
1 Pluribus
Where to Watch: Apple TV
After Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, one could forgive Vince Gilligan if his next project wasn't quite up to the standards as those shows. After all, Breaking Bad is often ranked as the best show in television history, and Better Call Saul is easily one of the best spin-offs ever made. But you should never doubt Vince Gilligan. It's possible the later seasons of Pluribus will derail the amazing first season, but even so, Season 1 can stand on its own.
Pluribus stars Rhea Seehorn as Carol Sturka, one of the only people left on Earth who isn't taken over by a strange alien virus that collects humanity into a miraculously efficient and endlessly creepy hivemind. I don't want to do you a disservice by going into any more detail, just know that Pluribus has top-tier writing, masterful acting, and a story that will suck you in and keep you hooked for all nine episodes.