Best Of
Best TV Shows of 2025: Top Picks
By Jordan A. · · 6 min read
2025 delivered some seriously incredible television. From prestige dramas that left us obsessed to comedies that had us laughing until our sides hurt, this year proved that streaming and traditional TV are both alive and thriving. Whether you're still catching up or planning your next binge, here are the best TV shows of 2025 that absolutely deserve your attention.
We looked across every major platform to find the standouts - the shows that dominated conversations, earned critical acclaim, and kept us coming back week after week. These are the ones that stuck with us.
Prestige Drama
The Diplomat Season 2 - Keri Russell continues to shine in this slick political thriller that balances humor with genuine tension. The second season ramped up the stakes and added layers to her character that made it impossible to stop watching.
Severance Season 2 - Apple TV+ brought back this mind-bending thriller with even more complexity. The mystery deepens, the performances are stunning, and the philosophical questions it raises will haunt you long after each episode ends.
Slow Horses Season 4 - Gary Oldman's spy thriller just keeps getting better. This season wrapped up storylines beautifully while leaving plenty of room for more. The cast chemistry is unmatched on television right now.
The Bear Season 3 - Hulu's chaotic kitchen drama reached new heights of intensity. Jeremy Allen White gives one of the best performances on television, and the supporting cast is phenomenal. This show is stressful in the best way possible.
Shogun - FX's epic samurai saga has production values that rival movies, and it swept the 2024 Emmys on the strength of them. A second season has been ordered but not dated. The storytelling is rich, the action is brutal, and the character development is chef's kiss. Absolutely unmissable.
Character-Driven Drama
Better Call Saul - The Breaking Bad prequel finished in 2022 and no Kim Wexler spinoff has ever been ordered, whatever the rumor mill says. What exists is six seasons that quietly outgrew the show they came from. It's intimate, it's heartbreaking, and Rhea Seehorn should have won everything.
The White Lotus Season 3 - HBO's anthology series set a new standard for luxury resort horror. Each episode is a masterclass in tension building, and the cast is stacked with talented performers delivering their best work.
Nobody Wants This - Netflix brought an irreverent romantic comedy that actually feels fresh. Kristen Bell and Adam Brody have chemistry for days, and the show doesn't take itself too seriously - which is exactly why it works.
Fantasy & Science Fiction
The Witcher Season 4 - This fantasy epic continues to expand its world in compelling ways. The action sequences are impressive, the plot threads are intricate, and fans of the source material finally feel seen.
House of the Dragon Season 2 - HBO's Game of Thrones prequel turned up the heat in this season. The dragon battles are stunning, the political intrigue is thick, and the show proved it can stand on its own without being overshadowed by its predecessor.
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew - This new Star Wars series on Disney+ feels like a fresh take on the universe. It's got adventure, mystery, and surprisingly good character work. If you've written off Star Wars TV, give this one a shot.
The Rings of Power Season 2 - Amazon's Lord of the Rings adaptation continues to impress with its scope and ambition. The production design is breathtaking, and the story finally feels like it's hitting its stride.
Comedy
Abbott Elementary Season 4 - This workplace comedy remains one of the most consistently funny shows on television, and it has since been renewed through a sixth season. The ensemble cast has incredible timing, and the heart beneath the jokes keeps getting stronger.
Shrinking Season 2 - Bill Lawrence's Apple TV therapy comedy starring Harrison Ford and Jason Segel manages to be both hilarious and genuinely moving. The balance between humor and emotional depth is pitch-perfect.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel - Prime Video's fifth season in 2023 was the goodbye, and there was no follow-up special after it. It's funny, touching, and it sends these characters off properly.
Schitt's Creek - Six seasons, a clean ending in 2020, and no reunion special since despite how often one gets rumored. It's warm, it's funny, and rewatching it reminds you why everyone fell in love with this show in the first place.
Crime & Mystery
Baby Reindeer - Netflix's intense psychological thriller runs seven episodes and stops there by design, with Richard Gadd saying he's proud of that ending and has no plans for more. His writing and performance are absolutely captivating, and the show isn't afraid to go to uncomfortable places.
True Detective: Night Country - HBO's anthology crime series came back with a fully formed story led by Jodie Foster and Kali Reis in the Alaskan dark. It's the return to form fans had been waiting for.
The Penguin - HBO's Batman spinoff, not a Sopranos anything, though the crime-family shape is obviously borrowed. Colin Farrell is unrecognizable and Cristin Milioti is the real find. It's violent, it's funny, and it deepens a corner of Gotham the films skipped.
Poker Face Season 2 - Rian Johnson's anthology crime series returned with more clever whodunits. Each episode is a little puzzle box, and the cast work is consistently excellent.
Happy Valley Season 3 - BBC's gritty British crime drama wrapped up its story with intensity and emotional weight. Sarah Lancashire is always phenomenal, and this final season didn't disappoint.
International & Limited Series
3 Body Problem - Netflix's ambitious sci-fi series based on Liu Cixin's novels impresses with its scale and ideas. Season 2 has wrapped production and Netflix has confirmed a 2026 return, so the first eight episodes are where 2025 left you.
Griselda - This Netflix limited series about a drug lord is gritty, well-acted, and unapologetically violent. If you're into true crime drama, this one is essential viewing.
Perfect Couple - Netflix's mystery thriller brings Nicole Kidman and Liev Schreiber together for a tense whodunit. The twists keep coming, and the cast carries the weight beautifully.
Ready to dive into these shows? Check out our full recommendations across all platforms and find your next obsession.
Explore more TV recommendations and find what to watch next
2025 proved that television is in an incredible place creatively. Whether you're into drama, comedy, fantasy, or crime, there's something here for everyone. Start with any of these and you'll see why they dominated the conversation this year.
If you want a shortlist tailored to your taste, try BingeNext's TV recommendation engine. Tell it a few shows you love and it does the rest in about thirty seconds.
Topics covered: best-of, 2025, ranking, television, drama, comedy, all-platforms
About the author
Jordan A., Founder, BingeNext
Jordan A. is the founder of BingeNext and writes every guide on this site. He built the recommendation engine after one too many nights lost to the streaming menu, and he still tests every pick the hard way: by watching it.