2025 was the year TV fought back. After a few lean years of strikes, cutbacks, and endless reboots, we got a flood of bold, original stories that reminded us why we fell in love with the medium in the first place. From blistering limited series to long-awaited returns and a couple of throwback procedurals that hit just right, the slate was packed. Tough cuts here – shoutouts to The Rehearsal for its mind-bending weirdness, Hacks for keeping us laughing, and Alien: Earth for that xenomorph terror. But these are the 10 that lingered longest, emotional gut-punches and rewatch value.
IT: Welcome to Derry
HBO Max
Critics: 92%
Andy Muschietti’s prequel to the IT films delivered the horror event of the year. Set in 1960s Derry, it dives deep into Pennywise’s origins with Bill Skarsgård back in terrifying form, blending supernatural chills with sharp commentary on racism, trauma, and Cold War paranoia. The young cast is phenomenal, the atmosphere drips dread, and those set pieces? Nightmare fuel. It shattered viewership records and opened the door to spinoffs – pure King magic on the small screen.
Adolescence
Netflix
Critics: 98%
Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham’s four-part limited series was the gut-wrencher of the year. Shot in innovative single takes per episode, it dives into incel culture, social media poison, and a teen accused of murder. Stephen Graham and Owen Cooper are devastating – raw, unflinching, and scarily timely. It sparked parliament debates and endless discussions; no other show felt this urgent or masterful.
The Pitt
HBO Max
Critics: 95%
Noah Wyle back in scrubs? Yes, please. This ER spiritual successor nails the chaos of an underfunded ER over relentless shifts. Warm, gripping, and surprisingly hopeful amid the burnout – it reminded us why medical dramas rule when done right. Critics called it the throwback we needed in a cynical year.
Pluribus
Apple TV+
Critics: 96%
This political satire/drama hybrid was everywhere – buzzy, divisive, and brilliant. A sharp look at division in America that somehow felt cathartic. Stellar ensemble, razor writing; it dominated watercooler talk and year-end lists for good reason.
Severance Season 2
Apple TV+
Critics: 94%
Ben Stiller and co. expanded the mind-bending workplace horror brilliantly. Deeper lore, bigger twists, and Adam Scott’s dual performance hit harder. It wrestled with identity and corporate hell in ways that stuck with you long after.
Andor Season 2
Disney+
Critics: 97%
Tony Gilroy’s Star Wars masterpiece wrapped with rebellion fire. Diego Luna’s Cassian became iconic, themes of fascism and resistance landed heavy. The best thing in the franchise since the originals – mature, thrilling, essential.
The Last of Us Season 2
HBO Max
Critics: 92%
Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey dove deeper into grief and vengeance. Brutal action, emotional wreckage – it adapted Part II boldly, with heartbreaking turns. Not always easy, but transcendent TV.
The Studio
Apple TV+
Critics: 93%
Seth Rogen’s Hollywood satire was hilarious and biting. Catherine O’Hara, Kathryn Hahn – the cast killed. Meta jabs at the industry mixed with real heart; best comedy of the year hands down.
Stranger Things Season 5
Netflix
Critics: 89%
The epic finale delivered nostalgia bombs and massive stakes. The gang older, battles bigger – it stuck the landing (mostly) with heart, horror, and 80s vibes. A worthy sendoff to a cultural beast.
Daredevil: Born Again
Disney+
Critics: 91%
Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio back in Hell’s Kitchen – brutal fights, moral grit. It honored the Netflix run while feeling fresh and timely. Marvel’s grittiest win in ages.
DC Fanboy! Superman is the greatest comic book character of all time. Favorite movies are Man of Steel, Goonies, Back To the Future
