Dec 26, 2025
3 min read
Netflix and Apple TV dominate this year's list of thrillers, fantasy, science fiction and murder.
Editor's Note: Warning: While we've done our best to avoid any major spoilers, please note that this list includes some specific references to several of the shows listed, which some may consider spoilers.
This was a pretty good year for television, with established favorites sharing space on our list with some intriguing new shows. Streaming platforms reigned supreme, with Netflix and Apple TV dominating our list with seven and five selections each. Genre-wise, we’ve got a bit of everything: period dramas (The Gilded Age, Outrageous), superheroes (Daredevil: Born Again), mysteries (Ludwig, Poker Face, Dept. Q), political thrillers (The Diplomats, Slow Horses), science fiction (Andor, Severance, Alien: Earth), broody fantasy (The Sandman), and even an unconventional nature documentary (Underdogs).
As usual, we opted for an unranked list, except for our "best of the year" selection at the end, so you may want to look at the various genres and options and possibly add some surprises to your final watch list.We invite you to go to the comments and add your favorite TV shows released in 2025.
Underdogs (National Geographic/Disney+)
Most of us have seen a nature documentary or two (or three) at some point in our lives, so it's a familiar format; big, majestic footage of imposing, regal animals accompanied by a highly reverent (preferably British-accented) narration.Underdogs takes a decidedly different approach.Narrated with hilarious irreverence by Ryan Reynolds, the five-part series highlights nature's not-so-cool and noble creatures—the outcasts and underdogs, most notable for their "lack of hygiene."with common choices" and a "tasteless courtship ritual." (Rated PG-13 for weird scatological humor and Nature Sexy Time shots.)
Each of the five episodes is built around a specific genre."Superheroes" highlights the incredible superpowers of the Honey Badger, Pistol Shrimp, and Invisible Glass Frog, among others, augmented with comic book graphics;"Sexy Beasts" focuses on strange mating habits and follows the format of a romance advice column;"Terrible Parents" highlights nature's worst practices, following the outline of a parenting guide;“Total Grossout” is exactly what it sounds like;and "The Unusual Suspects" is a heist story that documents a monkey's supposed efforts to assemble the ultimate team of masters of deception and disguise (an infiltrator, a decoy, a patsy, etc.).Green Day even wrote and recorded a special theme for the opening credits.
