Step into the thrilling world of 2025’s best new TV, where gripping dramas, sharp comedies, and mind-bending mysteries are redefining what it means to binge-watch. From the intense realism of The Pitt’s emergency room drama to the psychological depths of Netflix’s Adolescence, this year’s lineup is packed with shows that demand your attention and redefine storytelling on screen. Whether you crave sci-fi intrigue with Andor Season 2 or razor-sharp satire in The Studio, 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark year for television.
This year there’s plenty of big names making big returns: Stranger Thingswill return for its fifth and final season. Andor is making its final stand against the Empire in late April. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and Alien: Earth will finally debut, and we’ll finally see what happens next on Wednesday.
But to help you keep up with everything that’s already out, we’ve made a list of the best of the year – so far. Everything on this list has been vetted (and watched all the way through) by AELGAMES’s staff, who nominate and write up their favorites for the year. They won’t be ranked until the end of the year; for now, they’re just presented in reverse chronological order so you can see the most recent releases up top. But no matter which way you’re scrolling you can’t go wrong – this is TV, after all.
How we pick the best new TV of the year
AELGAMES’s staff consistently keeps up with new and returning TV series, adding to this list with the best shows on both standard television channels and streaming services. We prioritize quality, unique artistic vision, and variety – different genres, different vibes, different approaches to the medium – to make sure every reader finds multiple options that interest them, as well as new and returning shows they may not have heard of.
The Pitt
The Pitt, which premiered on Max in January 2025, is a gripping medical procedural drama set in the emergency department of a fictional Pittsburgh hospital. Created by R. Scott Gemmill and executive produced by ER veterans John Wells and Noah Wyle, who also stars as Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch, the series uniquely unfolds in real time over a single 15-hour shift. Praised for its realistic and intense portrayal of healthcare workers facing staff shortages, underfunding, and psychological challenges in a post-pandemic world, The Pitt has been acclaimed by both critics and the medical community. Its tightly plotted episodes deliver a hard-edged, authentic look at the chaos and heroism inside an urban trauma center, making it one of 2025’s standout new shows. The series was renewed for a second season set to premiere in January 2026.
Where to watch: Max
Every so often, the stars align, and you get something that reminds you that it is still possible to make ’em like they used to. And there’s a lot about Max’s The Pitt that’s a throwback.
The premise – essentially, ER with more swearing, bodily fluids, and gore, but also still starring Noah Wyle – is so close to that of the hit ’90s show that Michael Crichton’s estate sued Warner Bros. The lengthy (by today’s standards) 15-episode season allows for characterization and story threads to develop over an extended window. But unlike many modern cable/streaming shows, which don’t use their extra time effectively, The Pitt always keeps things moving thanks to the dependable drumbeat of emergencies coming through its hospital’s doors.
In another way, The Pitt is a series for our current times, with its welcome focus on the mental, emotional, and physical challenges of working in medicine. It’s a show that asks, both subtly and overtly: What if American society and our health care industry actually gave our “health care heroes” the support they need?
Maybe more than anything else, though, The Pitt is a throwback to a time when we trusted the expertise of medical professionals – and when measles had been eliminated in the U.S. –Samit Sarkar
Common Side Effects
Common side effects of purchasing the best new TVs of 2025 include encountering more ads on smart TV interfaces, as manufacturers increasingly rely on ad revenue to offset hardware costs, leading to unskippable commercials and promotional content appearing frequently on home menus. Additionally, some users may experience issues like the “halo effect” or blooming on mini-LED TVs, where a distracting glow appears around bright objects on dark backgrounds, potentially affecting viewing immersion. While OLED TVs continue to improve in brightness and energy efficiency, concerns such as limited 8K content and the high cost of emerging technologies like micro-LED remain considerations for buyers.
Where to watch: Max, Adult Swim
When they set out to make it, Common Side Effects’ creators wanted one thing from their show about a mushroom that can cure all ailments, even death: realism.
In the end, they found it, with Common Side Effects being a potent blend of all its influences, and becoming something totally new in the process. Part thriller, part comedy, part scathing indictment of modern health care practices, Common Side Effects didn’t veer wildly between genres so much as it skillfully drifted.
Despite all the competing conspiracies and fantastical little mushroom guys, Common Side Effects found its realism beyond just the rhythm of the plot. What feels true and good about Common Side Effects is that at its heart everyone is trying to answer the same question: How can I do good in this world? For some, it’s a nefarious plot to get rich. But for many, the answer is far more thorny and difficult to achieve. The way the show goes about exploring that? Nothing common about it. –Zosha Millman
Severance
Severance continues to redefine what a dystopian workplace drama can be in its ambitious second season, blending surreal storytelling with sharp social commentary and a unique sci-fi premise that divides employees’ consciousness between their work and home selves. While the plot sometimes wanders into enigmatic territory, the series remains visually stunning and emotionally gripping, anchored by standout performances-particularly from Britt Lower. Its slow-burn pacing and intricate world-building have cemented Severance as not just a hit for Apple TV+, but as one of the most inventive and talked-about shows of 2025, leaving audiences eagerly anticipating the next twist in Lumon’s mysterious saga.
Where to watch: Apple TV Plus
Three long years after the first season premiered, Apple TV’s breakout mystery-box hit finally returned, along with the show’s striking aesthetic approach, the likable and expansive cast, and the never-ending obfuscation of what’s actually going on.
It wasn’t all fun times – this season was quite traumatic for most of the characters, and the show didn’t always seem to have the best handle on how to balance its many, many threads – but Severance continues to stand out in a crowded TV landscape as one of the most ambitious shows currently running. This is especially true visually, with stellar, intricate production details, outstanding technical achievements, and confident usage of the show’s unique set design (director of photography Jessica Lee Gagné, who directed episode 7, “Chikhai Bardo,” had a phenomenal and quite experimental season).
Sure, it can be fun to mine through an endless array of possibleclues in a search for hidden meanings, but the true joy in Severance is a visceral aesthetic experience so strong it overcomes any shortcomings with the slowly unspooling narrative. –Pete Volk
Read Zosha Millman’s full review of Severance season 2.
Invincible season 3
Season 3 of Invincible premiered on February 6, 2025, on Prime Video with a three-episode launch, followed by weekly releases every Thursday until the finale on March 13. This season continues the intense, adult animated superhero saga based on Robert Kirkman’s comic series, focusing on Mark Grayson’s evolution as he embraces his role in the Global Defense Agency while training his younger brother Oliver, who is emerging as Kid Omni-Man. The season is noted for its brutal action sequences, complex moral dilemmas, and deepening character development, culminating in a highly praised finale featuring a fierce battle with the powerful Viltrumite Conquest. Despite some criticism of animation quality, Invincible Season 3 has been lauded for its storytelling, emotional weight, and maintaining the series’ signature blend of violence and heart.
Where to watch: Prime Video
Mark (Steven Yeun) has been through a lot. But he’s rarely felt like he had more to lose than in Invincible season 3.
It’s more of the same coming-of-age alien nonsense – viltrumites remain an existential threat; his younger brother is growing faster than he’s maturing, and Mark is left wondering how long he can stay a kid; there’s new supervillains threatening the everyday lives of the people around him – but Invincible keeps it all fresh. Always pulling back into the human parts of the story, showrunners Robert Kirkman and Simon Racioppa pay off weighty themes of heroship, redemption, and loss with aplomb (and lots of explosive guts). -ZM
Win or Lose
“Win or Lose,” Pixar’s first TV series available on Disney Plus, offers a heartfelt and vibrant portrayal of a middle school softball championship game. The show delves beyond the final score, capturing the emotional journey of the team, their coach, and families, each bringing their own stories and struggles to the field. This nuanced narrative highlights how victory is shaped by hard work, luck, and countless small decisions, making the series a delightful and profound exploration of teamwork and individual experiences culminating in a shared moment of triumph.
Where to watch: Disney Plus
Anyone who’s ever watched sports can tell you: A win is never just a win. Whether the culmination of tremendous hard work or just an intense amount of luck, winning the game contains multitudes, coming down to a single key moment and also a million little decisions. Win or Lose understands this implicitly, following the run-up to a middle school softball championship game with a kaleidoscopic look at the lives of those around the team.
As you might expect from Pixar’s first-ever TV show, the stakes are as emotionally grounded as they are thoughtful. Whatever happens in the final game is made up of the energy of the team, their coach, their parents, and all the baggage they all bring whenever someone steps up to bat. The result is punchy and sweet, always creative in how it’s approaching individual stories while still feeling like it works to make the big game feel like one shining moment. -ZM
School Spirits
School Spirits continues to stand out in 2025 as one of TV’s most inventive supernatural dramas. The series follows Maddie Nears (Peyton List), a teenager trapped in the afterlife at Split River High, as she investigates her own mysterious disappearance with the help of both living friends and a quirky afterlife support group. Season 2, which debuted in January, delivered a gripping mix of high school intrigue and paranormal mystery, earning a 94% jump in viewership over its first season and cementing its place as a breakout hit. With its sharp writing, nuanced portrayal of teen angst, and a twisty plot that keeps viewers guessing, School Spirits proves that the genre can be both emotionally resonant and endlessly surprising-making its renewal for a third season one of the year’s most anticipated TV events.
Where to watch: Paramount Plus
If procedurals are the bread and butter of television, then School Spirits is the perfect panini. With its second season, School Spirits elegantly built on the promise of season 1’s murder mystery, with big things happening in both the mortal and spiritual realms. It harmoniously blended genres, delivered yet another great last-minute twist, and has me hyped for season 3. And unlike so many ensemble shows it didn’t feel like there was a weak link in the bunch; whether it was life-or-death stakes of love across the veil or realizing you’ve actually been texting the person right next to you, everything gelled and pulled me in. There’s a reason this show is Paramount Plus’ best! –ZM
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man
“Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man” is a fresh animated series on Disney+ that reimagines Peter Parker’s origin story in an alternate MCU timeline where Norman Osborn mentors Peter instead of Tony Stark. Premiering in early 2025, the show stands out with its unique 3D cel-shaded animation inspired by classic Spider-Man comics, creating a vibrant comic book feel. It follows Peter’s early days as Spider-Man, blending action, humor, and nostalgia, and has been praised for its emotionally mature storytelling and thrilling sequences. This series offers fans a new, engaging take on the beloved hero’s journey, setting the stage for future seasons in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase Five.
Where to watch: Disney Plus
Between three Spider-Man film franchises, a hit Spider-Man game franchise, and Sony Pictures’ animated Spider-Verse powerhouse and live-action Spider-Man villain flop graveyard – to say nothing of the actual Spider-Man comics themselves – we live in a world of unprecedented Spider-Man saturation.
So what’s really remarkable about Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, an animated series that is technically a spinoff of What If.? and therefore part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (but in a way that never actually matters), is that it manages to make the case for itself. TFNSM’s commitment to Spider-Man’s neighborhood, not just Peter Parker, is commitment to the episodic TV character ensemble rarely seen in franchise TV these days, instantly elevating the series to among the best shows produced under Marvel Studios’ TV banner. –Susana Polo
Read Susana’s full review of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.
Dungeons and Drag Queens season 2
Dungeons and Drag Queens Season 2 premiered on January 8, 2025, continuing the popular Dimension 20 series with the return of drag queens Monét X Change, Bob the Drag Queen, Jujubee, and Alaska Thunderfuck as their beloved characters. Under the guidance of Dungeon Master Brennan Lee Mulligan, the Questing Queens embark on new, thrilling adventures filled with humor, drag culture references, and complex storytelling. This season expands the narrative scope, featuring a masquerade ball, evolving character dynamics, and fresh plot twists that deepen the experience for both longtime fans and newcomers to tabletop RPGs.
Where to watch: Dropout
Dropout’s signature D&D actual play series Dimension 20 has many, many solid seasons – of which Dungeons and Drag Queens still stands out. Pairing main host Brennan Lee Mulligan with RuPaul’s Drag Race stars Alaska Thunderfuck, Bob the Drag Queen, Jujubee, and Monét X Change, the first season was more than the sum of two styles of performance. And in its second season, the show went bigger, louder, and more ambitious, expanding the world of the Questing Queens with more allies and villains, more twists and turns, and even more battle mats. One of them even doubled as a marble run! –SP
What new TV series of 2025 are critics calling must-watch highlights
Critics are highlighting several must-watch new TV series of 2025, including:
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Adolescence (Netflix): A harrowing British miniseries exploring incel culture and social media’s impact on youth, praised for its intense storytelling and performances by Owen Cooper and Erin Doherty.
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The Studio (Apple TV+): A star-studded comedy by Seth Rogen about the film industry’s struggles with AI, labor unrest, and pandemic fallout, noted for its kinetic style and A-list guest stars.
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The Pitt: Another star-driven drama receiving acclaim, though less detailed in summaries, it stands out among 2025’s new offerings.
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Dying for Sex: A new show also mentioned among the year’s highlights for its strong impact.
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Severance (Apple TV+) Season 2 and The White Lotus Season 3 (HBO): Returning prestige series highly anticipated and critically praised.
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Daredevil: Born Again (Marvel/Disney+): A much-awaited superhero series that continues the story of Matt Murdock, praised for its high-stakes drama and integration into the MCU.
These shows represent a diverse range of genres and themes, from intense social dramas to sharp industry satires and superhero action, making them standout picks for 2025 so far.
Why are audiences excited to see Aaron Taylor-Johnson in Kraven the Hunter?
Audiences are excited to see Aaron Taylor-Johnson in Kraven the Hunter for several key reasons:
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Fresh take on a Marvel character: The film promises to bring a darker, more mature perspective to the Marvel universe, appealing to older audiences with its R-rating and exploration of complex themes.
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Taylor-Johnson’s commitment to authenticity: The actor has expressed his dedication to bringing depth and a grounded approach to the character of Kraven, stating he wouldn’t have signed on if there wasn’t something unique to bring to life.
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Departure from typical superhero narratives: Kraven the Hunter is positioned as a more grounded and character-driven story, moving away from the formulaic approach of some recent superhero films.
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Talented cast and crew: In addition to Taylor-Johnson, the film features a strong ensemble cast including Russell Crowe and Ariana DeBose, with J.C. Chandor directing.
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Expansion of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe: As part of Sony’s growing Spider-Verse, Kraven the Hunter offers a new perspective on a classic Spider-Man villain, similar to the successful approach taken with Venom.
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Taylor-Johnson’s rising star power: The actor has been on a successful streak recently with roles in films like Bullet Train, and there’s buzz about his potential as the next James Bond.
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Director’s confidence: J.C. Chandor has expressed high hopes for the film, stating it will “surprise the hell out of a lot of people”.
Overall, the combination of a fresh take on a Marvel character, Taylor-Johnson’s commitment to the role, and the promise of a more mature and unique superhero film has generated significant excitement among audiences for Kraven the Hunter.
