Melody McCune’s Top 10 TV Shows of 2025

It’s that time of year: as a society, it’s time to reflect on our top 10 TV shows of 2025. 

Can you believe that 2026 is around the corner? It feels like we all collectively blinked and now 2025 is almost over. While this year has been a mixed bag of awful and meh, at least we have good TV to provide a hefty dose of escapism. 

From comedies and dramas to sci-fi and fantasy, I’m just a TV-obsessed girl who loves a bit of everything. Now, I find myself contemplating which shows stood head and shoulders above the rest as the year comes to a close. 

So, in no particular order, here are my top 10 TV shows of 2025.

1. Adults (FX, Hulu)

Owen Thiele is having a banner year. Hot on the heels of recurring on Prime Video’s Overcompensating (another great series), Thiele also stars alongside Malik Elassal, Amita Rao, Lucy Freyer, and Jack Innanen in Adults. The FX/Hulu comedy feels like the Gen Z lovechild of Broad City and Insecure (the Friends comparison doesn’t sit right with me).

It’s as bitingly funny and quick on the draw as it is heartwarming. Thanks to sharp writing and strong performances across the board, it’s easy to root for these characters. 

Charlie Cox turns in one of the most memorable performances of the year in episode six, “Roast Chicken,” when his character, Mr. Teacher, gets absurdly high at the gang’s dinner party. (It’s a bit of TV whiplash, considering Cox starred in Daredevil: Born Again this past spring.) 

Adults provides laughs aplenty. In this dumpster fire of a year, we could all stand to watch more sitcoms. Anton and Paul Baker forever. 

2. Murderbot (Apple TV)

If you’ve ever said to yourself, “I wonder what Alexander Skarsgård would be like as a TV-loving bot-human construct,” look no further than Apple TV’s Murderbot for the answer. Skarsgård leads the charge in this genre-bending sci-fi comedy as SecUnit, aka Murderbot, a Security Unit that despises humans. 

There’s something incredibly believable about Skarsgård’s performance. He never goes over the top or plays up a line for laughs. Murderbot’s cynicism and misanthropy are profoundly relatable, especially in today’s climate. 

Season 1 plants the seeds for SecUnit’s organic evolution, from the premiere to the finale. The series is bolstered by an excellent cast, and while Skarsgård gets top billing, it’s Noma Dumezweni’s Mensah that’s its beating heart. Praise be to Sanctuary Moon that we’re getting a second season. 

3. The Wheel of Time (Prime Video)

The Wheel of Time Season 3 is, hands down, the show’s strongest. Unfortunately, it’s also the last season, with Prime Video pulling the plug in the spring. Every aspect fires on all cylinders in Season 3, and the groundwork established in the first two seasons bears narrative fruit. It’s a well-oiled machine at this point. 

Perhaps the most enthralling element of The Wheel of Time Season 3 is its stunning visuals. Watching the Aes Sedai channel the One Power is so aesthetically pleasing. The costumes rival those of its fantasy contemporaries, too. 

I’d be remiss if I failed to mention the explosive opening scene at the White Tower. The high-octane action certainly proves just how audacious and expansive this season is. The series takes creative swings for the fences that pay off.

It’s a shame we won’t continue this journey with the Car’a’carn and the quest to quash the Dark One. 

4. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FX, Hulu)

I like life in Paddy’s Pub.

It takes a special kind of comedy to maintain staying power like It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Two decades in, and the series still elicits a good belly laugh from me. 

While the past few seasons boast some comedic gems, Season 17 is a true return to form for the longest-running live-action sitcom of all time. Dennis’s speech in the penultimate episode is harrowing and hilarious — a testament to the talent of the woefully underrated Glenn Howerton. 

The season really leans into the absurdity and irreverence this series is known for, with a heaping helping of razor-sharp satire. Who knew the road to the bottom would be so damn funny? 

5. Hazbin Hotel (Prime Video)

Hazbin Hotel Season 2 is somehow bigger in scope and scale than its predecessor, from its storylines to its earworm-worthy musical tracks. Even the animation is cleaner and more vibrant (that’s the Prime Video budget at work).

The sophomore season highlights the versatility of Broadway vet Christian Borle, who voices antagonist Vox. Vox features heavily, and Borle shoulders that responsibility with his immense vocal talents. He knocks it out of the park. 

Hazbin Hotel Season 2 also delves into the backstories of Alastor, Sir Pentious, and Vox, and spends quite a bit of time digging deeper into these fascinating characters. Tunes like “VOX POPULI,” “Hear My Hope,” and “Gravity” will get stuck in your head for days on end. Guaranteed.

Side note: Can Lucifer please get a full-length song to himself next season? Preferably in the rock genre? Jeremy Jordan is too good to sit on the sidelines. 

6. The Studio (Apple TV)

It’s no secret that Apple TV produces some of the best shows on television, and The Studio is no exception. This one quickly catapulted to my top 10 TV shows list well before the year’s end. A clever skewering of the studio system, the series almost feels like the TV version of Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Birdman with its zany, breathless narrative structure. 

Perhaps it’s because I lived in LA for several years and have friends in the industry, but I find The Studio to accurately depict the inner workings of Hollywood. Beneath that, though, is an undercurrent of love for filmmaking. The performances are also hilariously larger-than-life (ahem, Bryan Cranston, Zoë Kravitz, and Kathryn Hahn).

Fingers crossed that Season 2 is just as unhinged as the first one. Thank you, Sal Saperstein! 

7. Peacemaker (HBO Max)

James Gunn rarely misses with his unique blend of comic book humor and heart. Over three years after its inaugural release, Peacemaker returns for a darker, more character-driven sophomore season. The DC action-comedy features a tour-de-force performance from John Cena as the titular hero, bolstered by beautiful work from the rest of the cast (honorable mentions to Danielle Brooks and Jennifer Holland). 

Peacemaker Season 2 cracks the DCU wide open as Gunn digs deeper into Chris’s complex trauma, using the exploration of the infamous Earth-X as the template. With an iconic cameo from Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, the season also ties into Superman and sets the stage for its sequel. 

Even if we don’t get a third season, here’s hoping this crew returns in the DCU for more world-altering shenanigans (maybe as a Checkmate series?). 

8. Slow Horses (Apple TV)

It’s Roddy Ho’s world — we’re all just living in it. Slow Horses Season 5 shines the spotlight on Slough House’s cocksure tech genius with its trademark dark wit and high-stakes action. We also see Shirley evolve into the badass she’s meant to be, even taking on the role of the show’s resident runner (sorry, River). 

Spearheaded by the legendary Gary Oldman as the unkempt Jackson Lamb, Season 5 reminds us why this particular cast gels together so well (despite potentially losing Louisa).

While Slough House ultimately saves the day (and ensures the ousting of Whelan), moments like Coe accidentally killing someone with a paint can prove why this bunch belongs where they do. We love our endearing crew of misfits. 

9. Animal Control (FOX)

2025 requires at least one low-stakes comfort watch in the rotation, and FOX’s Animal Control certainly fits the bill. I came into this series as a fan of Joel McHale and Vella Lovell, and walked away a fan of everyone else in the cast. 

Season 3 feels more cohesive with a multi-episode arc taking center stage in the narrative. Everyone brings their A-game, with episode five, “Hot Dogs and Lobsters,” presenting Frank as his most Jeff Winger-esque yet. The season nurtures the connection between Frank and Victoria, while the finale finally delivers satisfying payoff on the Shred/Emily front. 

Speaking of which, will Season 4 see the Shred/Emily ship set sail? Only time will tell. 

10. IT: Welcome to Derry (HBO Max)

Prolific horror scribe Stephen King undoubtedly has the most book-to-screen adaptations. Well, at least as a living author. IT: Welcome to Derry continues the King adaptation train, and folks, it’s a sumptuous feast of spine-tingling visuals. I wouldn’t consider myself someone easily unsettled by horror, but something about this series has me on the edge of my seat. 

The performances of Amanda Christine and Clara Stack, two young actors with a ton of potential, are particularly impressive.  There’s a real maturity and depth to their work. 

Additionally, the pilot truly grabs you by the wrist and doesn’t let go. That disconcerting scene in the car with the demon baby is enough to give anyone nightmares. 

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What are your top 10 TV shows of 2025? Let us know in the comments below! 

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