As a movie fan, I’ve always had a hard time keeping up with TV shows. Although there are shows I watch on the night of release, such as Stranger Things, the time it takes to complete just one season as well as my dedication to movie watching has turned me off to them almost entirely. 2025 has been a major exception, however, as studios have shown me that TV can offer just as satisfying of an experience as a 90 minute film. From crime dramas to horror prequels, 2025 has seen a multitude of high caliber projects.

Honorable Mentions:

“Abbott Elementary Season 4”

“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 17”

“The Last of Us Part II”

“Stranger Things Season 5”

“Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man”

10. Shrinking Season 2

The first season of Shrinking was the heartwarming drama I was expecting from one of the producers of Ted Lasso, and season two carried over that lovable charm. Jason Segel once again impresses as a trauma-fueled father who’s trying to keep up his career as a therapist, but it’s Harrison Ford who impresses the most, playing to his strengths as a grumpy, but always lovable, father figure to everyone he surrounds himself with. Although the story felt repetitive to the first season at times, these characters make any time spent with them more than worth. Season three cannot come soon enough.

9. Peacemaker Season 2

Season one of Peacemaker was a refreshing entry into the superhero genre; a straight comedy that showed John Cena’s strengths as an actor. Season two took a more serious route, which I found much more compelling. From its evocative opening dance intro to a heartfelt story of self-love, Peacemaker Season Two improved upon its first season with its broader scope that finds an emotional core in its multiversal story. This would’ve ranked higher on the list if it weren’t for its finale, which was entirely overstuffed. Although the intimate character moments were well-handled, most of the episode focused on needle drops and on introducing new aspects of the multiverse, which detracted from the series’ emotional storytelling. That being said, there is still plenty of high-quality production throughout the series. Freddie Stroma is an absolute star.

8. It: Welcome to Derry Season 1

I had extremely low expectations for It: Welcome to Derry, almost to the point that I didn’t even watch it. All of my worries went away within the opening sequence, which delivered one of the many shocking horror scenes this series had to offer. Not only does this show build on the lore of the IT films to a satisfying degree, but it also tells an intriguing story of race, fear, and overcoming adversity. The scare sequences are entirely unpredictable, with creators Andy and Barbara Muschietti conjuring horrific images that are seared into my brain. The performances from the ensemble are excellent across the board, but it’s Bill Skarsgård who elevates his villainous role to icon status with a goofy yet terrifying turn, using his voice and physical presence to the fullest. When it comes to the biggest surprises in film and television in 2025, season one of It: Welcome to Derry ranks high on that list.

7. Andor Season 2

With the number of Star Wars projects we currently get in a given year, it was challenging for me to get excited about a spin-off series focused on a character from a spin-off film. With that, Andor Season One blew me away, focusing less on the spectacle of the sci-fi franchise and delivering a mature, politically charged story about battling against our oppressors. As season two was always planned, I expected similar quality, and that is what I got. Season two builds on the story from season one, excitingly delving into the characters’ moral choices and the difference between the right decision and the correct one. Diego Luna is fantastic as Andor, showing himself to be the perfect middleman for this series. Still, it’s Stellan Skarsgård who amazes as Luthen, a mysterious rebel fighter whose thoughts the audience is never fully aware of. There may be higher highs in the Star Wars universe, but on a writing standpoint, I don’t think there is a better project than the two Andor seasons.

6. Pluribus

One of the biggest TV blind spots is Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, which I am aware is criminal. With how highly regarded Vince Gilligan is, I didn’t want Pluribus to be another show I missed out on, and I’m delighted I gave it a shot. Introspective and incredibly original, this show oozes talent and gravitas in every frame. Rhea Seehorn delivers one of the year’s strongest performances as a woman justifiable on edge after an alien invasion wipes out all but a few humans. The pilot is easily the strongest first episode of any series i’ve seen this year, immedietly portraying the dangers of the situation while simultaneously delivering some of the most striking images seen in any film or TV show in 2025. The show may be slow-paced, but its subversive depiction of an alien invasion and its thought-provoking message about the current trajectory of society made for a 9-episode season I couldn’t get enough of.

5. The Pitt Season One

Medical dramas don’t tend to move the needle for me, especially given how abundant the subgenre is on television. Still, after hearing all the positive buzz, I decided to give this a watch, and I couldn’t be happier with that decision. Although there are some genre clichés, season one of The Pitt excels at capturing the experience of emergency hospital staff in real time, with each episode set during an hour of their 15-hour shift. The editing is incredible, conveying the fast-paced nature of the environment while juggling multiple storylines in a digestible manner. Noah Wyle is more than deserving of his Emmy win, portraying the hard-headed boss with a darker, empathetic side that made for the perfect protagonist for the show. The way the season uses its characters and their situations to delve into real-life conflicts, such as the current gun crisis, abortion, and sexual assault, was extraordinary, tackling each theme with sincerity and grace. The Pitt serves as a thank-you to anyone who works in the medical field, but is also an excellent example of stellar filmmaking and storytelling.

4. Severance Season Two

I started watching season one of Severance at its 2022 premiere, but I found myself detached from the story and gave up halfway through. With the Season 2 premiere, I decided to give the show another shot. I’m not sure what was wrong with my brain in 2022, but Severance is easily one of the best new series of this decade, and season two cemented that for me. A step up from its already stellar first season, season two builds on its story and characters in an intriguing way, delving into themes of the working class despite its sci-fi concept. People often point at Jordan Peele as the most successful comedic-actor-turned-genre-filmmaker, but with Ben Stiller’s work on Severance, he deserves to be up there with Peele. The slow development of the story made for many shining character moments, with Adam Scott and Britt Lower’s work as Mark and Helly making for two of the most iconic TV characters in recent memory. AppleTV+ had an excellent year of television, and season two of Severance is one of the many reasons why.

3. Adolescence

I have only rewatched two 2025 TV shows, and Adolescence is one of them. Out of all the series that were released this year, this is perhaps the most important and timely, as it nails the younger generation’s attachment to social media and how it can turn them into raging monsters. The cinematography is stunning, and it’s not just because they filmed each episode as one long take, but because the long takes created a tension that wouldn’t exist without them. The first episode expertly ramps up the stakes as young Jamie, played brilliantly by Owen Cooper, is taken into custody without knowing what he did. The way the show reveals Jamie’s layers as each episode progresses makes for a shockingly horrifying experience, expressing the dangers that toxic masculinity and Andrew Tate-adjacent figures have on society. Although the content may be graphic at times, this is a necessary watch for every child, as it can help shape a better future for the next generation.

2. Win or Lose

Pixar has been in a rut as of late, with their original efforts like Elio and Turning Red failing to grab their audience compared to their older films. With this, as well as the show’s many delays, I did not expect much out of Win or Lose. However, what I got is easily Pixar’s best project of the decade. Littered with lively animation and a touching message about growing up, this softball anthology works as both an entertaining show for children and a show with enough substance for adults to enjoy. The anthology aspect is perfectly executed, allowing the audience to understand each character in a nuanced manner, even if their decision-making isn’t always rational. When it comes to children’s content, this is the kind of show I wish I had watched as a kid: a relentlessly entertaining series that expresses that light can be found in the darkest of times. Constantly hilarious with excellent social commentary, not only is this one of Pixar’s best efforts in recent memory, but it’s one of the best children’s shows I’ve ever seen.

1. The Studio Season One

One should not be surprised that a movie person’s favorite show of the year is one about movies. The Studio is an absolute blast from start to finish, a sharp satire about the current state of the film industry that both makes fun of and celebrates itself. Seth Rogan is a filmmaker and actor who rarely misses for me, but his work in this movie-based season stands as one of my favorite projects of his. The cast around him is equally great, with Ike Barinholtz’s role as Sal Saperstein becoming an immediate icon. Whenever I hear an acceptance speech, I’m eager to hear if they thank Sal Saperstein. It may not be revolutionizing the TV space by any means, but the sense of humor and storytelling gave me everything I could’ve wanted from a television show. From bizarre celebrity cameos to SNL-type sketch scenarios, this was the TV show that left me the most satisfied in 2025.