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2025 has been one of the best years for TV, and I don’t say that lightly as someone who watches movies and shows for a living. Between fresh originals and long-awaited returns on the best streaming services, I found myself glued to the screen more than I expected. Not to mention I’ve probably spent more time with fictional characters than real people.
On top of that, two of my all-time favorite movie franchises finally made the leap to TV, giving me a whole new way to enjoy worlds I’ve loved for years. These shows also sparked new obsessions that, unfortunately for my loved ones, they now have to tolerate on a daily basis.
Some of this year’s shows had me laughing, some had me on the edge of my seat, and others just pulled me into stories I really didn’t want to leave. So, here are the five shows I loved most in 2025, and where to stream them now.
‘IT: Welcome to Derry’ (HBO Max)
I knew I was excited for “IT: Welcome to Derry,” but I didn’t expect it to become my favorite show of 2025, let alone one of the best shows ever made. Andy Muschietti managed to do something original while expanding moments from Stephen King’s novel, with a super talented cast, and Bill Skarsgård turning the fear factor up to eleven as Pennywise. It’s creepy, unhinged, and every episode had my jaw on the floor. Plus the title sequence is so catchy I was practically dancing along every time.
“IT: Welcome to Derry” is a prequel to the movies, set in 1962 in the eerie town of Derry, Maine. When a young boy mysteriously disappears, Leroy Hanlon (Jovan Adepo) and his wife Charlotte (Taylour Paige) and son Will (Blake Cameron James) move to town and soon find themselves caught up in the strange events. Young residents including Lilly (Clara Stack), Marge (Matilda Lawler), Ronnie (Amanda Christine), and Rich (Arian S. Cartaya) begin experiencing terrifying phenomena, while the shape‑shifting entity Pennywise lurks in the darkest corners of Derry, waiting.
Stream "IT: Welcome to Derry" on HBO Max.
‘Alien: Earth’ (Hulu)
I feel like I’m betraying the “Alien” franchise by putting this show second, but just because it didn’t take the top spot doesn’t make it any less impressive. “Alien: Earth” is brilliantly made, perfectly capturing the vibe of the movies with stunning Xenomorph designs, and even introducing new creatures that bring back the sense of the unknown. Noah Hawley proved this franchise can thrive on the small screen, and even after a slightly weaker finale, I’m genuinely excited to see what season 2 has in store.
“Alien: Earth” is set in the year 2120, two years before the original 1979 “Alien” movie. Earth is dominated by powerful corporations and advanced technology, including cyborgs and synthetic beings. When the deep‑space research vessel USCSS Maginot crash‑lands in Prodigy City, the first hybrid prototype named Wendy (Sydney Chandler) — a humanoid with transferred human consciousness — and a group of other hybrids encounter terrifying life forms and threats following the crash. As the team and tactical forces respond to the disaster, they confront deadly alien creatures linked to the mysterious crashed ship’s cargo.
Stream "Alien: Earth" on Hulu.
‘Andor’ season 2 (Disney Plus)
I think most of us “Star Wars” fans can agree that “Andor” is not just a great show for the franchise, but an incredible show in its own right. Season 2 takes everything to another level, delivering storytelling that feels mature, grounded, and emotionally powerful. The series shows that the franchise isn’t only about lightsabers or galaxy-spanning lore, but about the people who live in that world, the choices they make, and the sacrifices that shape them. This season wraps up character arcs in a way that will resonate with “Star Wars” fans for years to come.
“Andor” season 2 continues the story of Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) in the years leading up to “Rogue One.” Picking up roughly a year after season 1, the 12‑episode second season spans four years, with each three‑episode block covering a different period in Cassian’s life as he deepens his involvement with the emerging Rebel Alliance. Cassian impersonates an Imperial test pilot, encounters guerilla groups, and reunites with allies like Bix (Adria Arjona), Brasso (Joplin Sibtain), and B2EMO while avoiding detection by the Empire.
Stream "Andor" season 2 on Disney Plus.
‘Stranger Things’ season 5 (Netflix)
It was almost inevitable that the final season of “Stranger Things” would make this list. It’s one of the best Netflix shows ever made, and with season 5 being the last, it really ramps up the tension and drama. The first four episodes were enough to wow me, especially with the shocking reveals from the Duffer Brothers, and it feels even more bittersweet knowing it’s coming to an end. Judging by how season 5 is unfolding and what’s expected in part 2 and the finale, we’re in for a wild ride.
“Stranger Things” season 5 picks up in the fall of 1987, after the events of season 4 left Hawkins scarred and changed. The core group — Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Will (Noah Schnapp), Joyce (Winona Ryder), Hopper (David Harbour), and friends — return to confront the missing but dangerous threat of Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), whose plans are unknown. With Hawkins placed under military quarantine and Eleven forced into hiding, the team must track down Vecna and stop him once and for all.
Stream "Stranger Things" season 5 on Netflix.
‘Fallout’ season 2 (Prime Video)
I knew going back into the wasteland for round two wasn’t going to disappoint, and it didn’t. “Fallout” season 2 matches the high standard set by the first season, this time with an even darker and more intense edge. It’s thrilling to see such a beloved franchise get the care and cinematic treatment it deserves on TV. The opening episodes make a confident return to this strange, post-apocalyptic world while capturing the unique charm and character that made New Vegas such a standout in the game series.
“Fallout” season 2 picks up after the dramatic events of the first season, following Lucy (Ella Purnell) and the Ghoul (Walton Goggins) as they continue their journey across the post‑nuclear wasteland toward the legendary city of New Vegas. This time, they face even greater threats, and the story also splits to follow the journeys of Hank (Kyle MacLachlan), Norm (Moisés Arias), and Maximus (Aaron Moten).
Stream "Fallout" season 2 on Prime Video.
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