7 top TV shows of 2025 to date

      There have been some exceptional new series in 2025, such as Paradise on Hulu, Your Friends & Neighbors on Apple TV+, and Apple Cider Vinegar and The Residence on Netflix. Popular shows like The Handmaid’s Tale, Hacks, and Yellowjackets have also made a comeback with new seasons.

      This year has proven to be highly competitive in the realm of television. The standout TV shows from the past few months feature a blend of newly debuted series and highly anticipated returning ones that exceeded expectations. If you're looking to expand your watchlist, consider these seven best TV shows of 2025 so far, in no specific order.

      If you need additional suggestions, be sure to check out the best new shows to stream this week, along with the best shows on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Max, and Disney+.

      The Last of Us season 2 (2023-)

      Liane Hentscher / HBO

      One of the most eagerly awaited returning series this year, The Last of Us premiered its first season in January 2023, and fans waited over two years for the second season. When it finally premiered, it certainly delivered. The narrative resumes five years later, featuring Joel (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie (Bella Ramsey) living in Tommy’s (Gabriel Luna) community in Jackson. New characters are portrayed by Kaitlyn Dever, Catherine O’Hara, and Jeffrey Wright. This season introduces more violently infected individuals and scenes that are strikingly true to the game.

      Drawing from the game The Last of Us Part II, the second season had fans on the edge of their seats, eager to see if a pivotal scene would alter the show's future direction. (Spoiler alert: it did). While there were concerns about how different the show might become, this post-apocalyptic drama remains a top contender in its genre. The beauty of The Last of Us is that even those who have never played the game will find themselves captivated, perhaps even more so because the shocking scenes are unexpected.

      Stream The Last of Us on Max.

      Black Mirror season 7 (2011-)

      Netflix

      Returning with its seventh season, Black Mirror goes back to the “OG Black Mirror,” as creator Charlie Brooker labeled it, delving into heartbreaking, unsettling, and thought-provoking tales about the potential dire future consequences of unchecked technology. There’s not a weak episode among the six standalone stories, each featuring its own unique theme, narrative, and aesthetic.

      The most talked-about episodes include the first, Common People, the third, Hotel Reverie, and the sixth, Eulogy, which can be considered among the strongest. Additionally, there's Plaything, which revisits characters from the interactive film Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, and the first sequel episode USS Callister: Into Infinity. Black Mirror isn't designed for binge-watching; you'll want to take the time to mentally process each episode. However, every episode is masterfully crafted, visually stunning, and cleverly narrated. Observant fans will spot numerous Easter eggs referencing earlier episodes within this new set.

      Stream Black Mirror on Netflix.

      The Studio (2025)

      Apple TV+

      Seth Rogen has hit the mark with this satirical comedy that critiques the very industry he works in. In The Studio, he portrays Matt Remick, a long-time studio executive promoted to studio head. Matt soon discovers that his new role demands juggling numerous responsibilities while managing conflicting personalities. This is particularly challenging for Matt, who craves approval from his staff, directors, and actors, all while being blissfully unaware that their kindness often stems from wanting something from him or needing to appease him because he controls the budget.

      Rogen is joined by a stellar supporting cast, including Ike Barinholtz as his friend and subordinate Sal, Kathryn Hahn as Maya, the sharp-tongued marketing head, and Catherine O’Hara as Patty, Matt’s mentor and former studio head. The Studio humorously critiques various Hollywood stereotypes, from entitled actors and eccentric directors to chaotic studios and budget constraints. The central theme highlights the studio’s focus on formulaic blockbusters rather than the artistic films Matt yearns to create. The film industry has transformed, and The Studio offers a biting yet humorous commentary about this shift.

      Stream The Studio on Apple TV+.

      The Pitt season 1 (2025-)

      HBO Max

      This is not your typical medical drama. The Pitt is raw, emotional, and realistic, earning praise from actual doctors for its authentic depiction of a busy training hospital’s emergency room and the dynamics among doctors, residents, nurses, and patients. Noah Wyle, known for his role as Dr. John Carter in ER, returns as Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch, a senior attending doctor grappling with guilt over his mentor’s death during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each episode, which drew 10 million viewers in its first season, represents one hour of a 15-hour shift. The