As the final hours of 2025 tick away, television enthusiasts are reflecting on another exceptional year for streaming content. With a vast array of new and returning series captivating audiences, the battle for viewers' attention has never been more fierce. From long-awaited second seasons to fresh, gripping mysteries, the past twelve months have delivered a treasure trove of must-watch television designed to fill those long winter evenings.
The Crown Jewels of Streaming: Sci-Fi and Mystery Dominate
The year's standout offerings were heavily skewed towards intelligent science fiction and compelling crime dramas. Apple TV+ solidified its reputation for high-quality, cerebral content with the triumphant return of its critically acclaimed series, Severance. Fans who had been waiting since 2022 for answers were finally rewarded with season two, which debuted in 2025. The show, starring Adam Scott and Britt Lower, continued its exploration of work-life balance in the most extreme sense, delivering another mind-bending season that concluded with a twist sure to fuel speculation for years. Apple TV+ also scored major hits with the fifth season of the beloved spy thriller Slow Horses, featuring Gary Oldman's iconic Jackson Lamb, and the hilarious Hollywood satire The Studio, led by Seth Rogen.
Netflix fought back with a powerful slate of its own, particularly in the murder mystery genre. While the Knives Out film Wake Up Dead Man dominated charts, the streaming giant also launched Dept. Q, a dark and gripping cold-case drama starring Matthew Goode, which quickly became a sleeper hit. Another standout was Untamed, a unique mystery set in Yosemite National Park featuring Eric Bana, which proved so popular it was greenlit for more episodes despite being initially billed as a limited series.
New Franchise Entries and Critically Acclaimed Sequels
2025 was also a year for bold franchise expansions and stellar follow-up seasons. Disney+ took a major risk with Alien: Earth, a prequel series from acclaimed showrunner Noah Hawley set two years before the original film. The eight-part series, filled with atmospheric dread and gruesome tension, won over sceptical fans and has already been renewed for a second season. The platform also delivered what many called the best Star Wars story in years with the second season of Andor, starring Diego Luna, which was widely praised for deepening the rebellion's struggle against the Galactic Empire.
Other notable entries included Prime Video's addictive, slightly trashy psychological thriller The Girlfriend, starring Olivia Cooke and Robin Wright, and Netflix's creepy cult drama Wayward, created by and starring Mae Martin alongside Toni Collette.
The Undisputed Champion: Apple TV+'s Pluribus
Topping our list for the year is Apple TV+'s Pluribus, a unique sci-fi drama crafted by Breaking Bad visionary Vince Gilligan and starring Rhea Seehorn. The series masterfully blended existential dread, deep character studies, and unexpected physical comedy, creating a singular viewing experience. Although its deliberate pacing divided some viewers, its ambition and execution made it the most compelling and talked-about new show of 2025. With a second season confirmed but likely years away, there's ample time to revisit this brilliant exploration of an alien invasion.
As we look ahead to 2026, with the final episode of Stranger Things arriving on New Year's Day and new seasons like A Thousand Blows on the horizon, 2025 has set a remarkably high bar for quality streaming television. These ten shows represent the pinnacle of that achievement, offering everything from side-splitting laughs to edge-of-your-seat suspense.
