The 10 Best Shows of 2025, So Far

I know, I know. It's only been four months since we rang in 2025 and there are several more incredible shows to come this year, from Ironheart and The Better Sister to new seasons of Nine Perfect Strangers and Squid Game. Still, you've got to admit, there has been a lot of really good TV lately, from edge-of-your-seat thrillers to comedy dramas.

My colleagues and I have already consumed our fair share of binge-worthy content these past few months, and to be honest, I was almost tempted to expand this list. But given that we still have several more months of awesome content to get through, I figured I'd keep this list small (for now). So, without further ado, here are the 10 best shows of 2025 so far, from Netflix's bone-chilling Adolescence to the action-packed thriller, The Night Agent.

1. Adolescence 

• Cast: Stephen Graham, Ashley Walters, Faye Marsay, Mark Stanley
• Number of seasons: 1

This gripping series took the internet by storm and soared to the top spot on Netflix after its release in March. It revolves around Jamie Miller, a 13-year-old student who gets arrested on suspicion of murdering his classmate. And according to PureWow Executive Editor Alexia Dellner, a mom of two young boys herself, it’s a must-watch for parents.

She wrote in her review, “Watching this show with my husband sparked some of the deepest conversations we’ve had in a long time. Even though our sons are only 5 years and 5 months old, the series made us examine how we communicate with our kids, how we spend time together and how much we really know about what is going on in his head.”

2. The Residence

• Cast: Uzo Aduba, Giancarlo Esposito, Randall Park, Susan Kelechi Watson, Jason Lee
• Number of seasons: 1

In this fun cross between Knives Out and Clue, Aduba stars as Cordelia Cupp, a quirky, bird-loving detective who’s tasked with investigating a murder at the White House. From Cordelia’s zippy one-liners and attention to detail to her unique (but very effective) questioning methods, Aduba is the shining star of this show—and former PureWow Editor Greta Heggeness would agree.

In her review, she wrote, “I would be remiss if I didn’t give major credit to Aduba, who undoubtedly steals every scene she’s in. Her character kinda reminds me of Suzanne 'Crazy Eyes' Warren from Orange Is the New Black because Cordelia Cupp is one of a kind (like Crazy Eyes). She’s so unique that her peers don’t quite understand her, and Aduba plays into that nuance beautifully.”

3. Severance

• Cast: Adam Scott, Zach Cherry, Britt Lower, Tramell Tillman, Jen Tullock
• Number of seasons: 2

After a three-year hiatus, the Emmy-winning sci-fi thriller returned for season two in January, and it’s safe to say that things got way more interesting at Lumon Industries. It picks up right where season one left off, with Mark Scout's "outie" embarking on an important mission after his shocking discovery.

PureWow's VP of News & Entertainment, Philip Mutz, wrote in his rave review, “The plot itself, while slow moving, creates an intentionally claustrophobic feel that is reminiscent of the early episodes in season one. It's a reminder that Severance at its best isn't always full of fast-moving action. It's more of an onion slowly being peeled with layer upon layer revealing just how complicated and deep the whole conspiracy goes.”

4. The Last of Us 

• Cast: Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Gabriel Luna, Isabela Merced
• Number of seasons: 2

The post-apocalyptic drama skyrocketed to popularity when it first aired in 2023, and after two years of fan theories and predictions, fans finally got to reunite with Joel and Ellie. The series revolves around Joel, who must escort Ellie safely across the U.S. after a fungal infection spreads around the globe—one that turns humans into dangerous zombies.

There's plenty of action and drama, but the solid chemistry between Pascal and Ramsey is one of the show's biggest strengths. If you think season one is wild, just wait until you get to that jaw-dropping twist in season two.

5. The Pitt 

• Cast: Noah Wyle, Tracy Ifeachor, Patrick Ball, Katherine LaNasa
• Number of seasons: 1

The intense medical drama follows a team of emergency department staff as they juggle their personal lives with the job, while also dealing with setbacks like limited resources and staff shortages. 

In his review, Mutz describes it as gritty, fast-paced, entertaining and emotional. He wrote, “The quick and quippy dialogue serves the actors well and delivers the same speed that made shows like ER and Chicago Hope so successful. However, in the best way possible, Grey's Anatomy this is not. It's much more grounded and realistic than Shonda's soapy series. There's a time and place for both kinds of hospital dramas, but in this case The Pitt smartly goes the realism direction.”

6. Hacks

• Cast: Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Megan Stalter
• Number of seasons: 4

Hacks, which explores the complex relationship between a comedy writer and a seasoned stand-up comedian, boasts 48 Emmy nods and nine wins, and it isn’t hard to see why.

“Season 4 of Hacks came in like a lion, breathing new and fiery depth into the partnership between Deborah Vance and Ava Daniels—and leaving me loathing the week-by-week rollout of episodes,” writes PureWow Senior Director of Special Projects & Royals, Rachel Bowie, in her glowing review. “Everything is the same, but also nothing, and Deborah and Ava are power tripping their way through their new and high-stakes gig in a way that’s equal parts hilarious and hard to watch. (The humor is somehow supercharged by the conflict, too.)”

7. The White Lotus 

• Cast: Leslie Bibb, Carrie Coon, Walton Goggins, Sarah Catherine Hook
• Number of seasons: 3

Season three follows a fresh set of guests and employees at the White Lotus location in Thailand, including the Ratliff family, who begin to spiral as they face financial challenges. Per usual, a mysterious death occurs, and countless fans flooded social media with their theories on what went down. But according to Dara Katz, it's not just the mystery element that makes this show compelling.

She wrote, "The murder/crime hook might reel viewers in, but it's the fully fledged—and fully flawed—characters in new environments that keep us watching...I find myself wanting to just watch Parker Posey's Victoria 'Lorazepam' Ratcliff interact with her bickering children all day because the character is so fully formed. I don't need to see how the Ratcliff family responds to a murder on-site, but I do love to see what they do when their cell phones and anxiety meds are taken away."

8. The Four Seasons

• Cast: Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Colman Domingo, Will Forte
• Number of seasons: 1

From the brilliant mind of Tina Fey comes this feel-good miniseries, which centers on a tight-knit group of three married couples who have a time-honored tradition of traveling together each season. Unfortunately, things take an awkward turn when one couple gets divorced.

In case you missed my review, I wrote, “The series maintains a cozy, feel-good tone, so no, you won't find any incestuous relationships or dead bodies here. But similar to The White Lotus, it has the common age-gap trope (Ginny and Nick will remind you so much of Chelsea and Rick), taps into the complexities of life-long friendships, and, of course, features stunning backdrops that range from tropical beach scenes to ski resorts.”

9. Cobra Kai 

• Cast: Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, Courtney Henggeler, Xolo Maridueña, Tanner Buchanan
• Number of seasons: 6

The sixth and final season of Cobra Kai is wild, to say the least. Split into three parts, the season follows the aftermath of Cobra Kai's demise, with Kreese attempting to spearhead a new team and Miyagi-Do actively training for the Sekai Taikai. Per usual, the drama and fight sequences are thrilling, but there's one character who stood out for me.

Per my rave review, “I truly enjoyed seeing Johnny's growth throughout all six seasons, and these final episodes felt like the icing on the cake. After years of hopelessness and depression, he embarked on a messy but consistent path to redemption.”