Ranking my Top 12 Television Shows of 2025: Which Shows Made The Cut?

It’s that time of year again! As we get closer and closer to approaching 2026, I thought it would be the perfect time to count down my Top 12 TV Shows of 2025.

While some returning shows continued strong, others fell off slightly. Meanwhile, some other new shows completely hooked me, making their way into my top 12. There are also still a lot of amazing series I have not watched yet, but I’m hoping to catch up on them in early 2026 so keep those recommendations coming!

Without any further delay, let’s get to my list!

My Top 12 Television Shows of 2025 are:

12

The Better Sister

A gripping drama thriller that hooked me from the first episode starring the fantastic Jessica Biel and Elizabeth Banks. I was worried there would be too much fluff in this one, but the pacing was great and the reveals were satisfying, leading to some shocking outcomes in the end.

11

The Girlfriend

A guilty pleasure thriller filled with juicy secrets and jaw-dropping moments well worth you time. Olivia Cooke’s wardrobe was FANTASTIC and I loved how campy and sleazy this one was while still delivering on some genuine thrills. More shows like this please!

10

The Bondsman

Kevin Bacon was absolutely wonderful in this fun horror comedy series that had some Ash vs Evil Dead vibes. I’m still really annoyed that Prime decided to cancel this one. I think it flew under the radar and deserved a chance, but the first season truly delivered and then some!

9

The Night Agent (season 2)

While not as compelling as the first season, I still thoroughly enjoyed my watch of The Night Agent (season 2). If you enjoy action spy thrillers, this one is for you and there’s plenty to uncover the second time around.

8

All Her Fault

I just binge-watched this one over the weekend after getting a few recommendations on it. I wasn’t really aware of this show but once I started it, I couldn’t stop watching until the end. I watched all eight episodes in one day…

This one really surprised me. There was some fluff to get through, but I did not see the reveal coming and I’m still shocked over everything that transpired. Wow…what a show!

7

Squid Game (third and final season)

Squid Game (season 1) was one of the best things I had witnessed on television in a very long time. Season 2 still held my attention and season 3 did just enough to give us a jam-packed conclusion. There were quite a few things that didn’t make sense, but this crazy show always kept me invested with plenty of gory and extreme moments and absolutely deserves a spot on the list.

6

The Hunting Wives

I love soapy drama thrillers like this so much! This show really wasn’t afraid to push the envelope with some over-the-top scenes, but it all just kind of worked with the vibe it was going for. Our leads were dynamic and the chemistry between these characters was off the charts. I can’t wait to see what season 2 has in store for us after that insane season finale.

5

The Summer I Turned Pretty (third and final season)

Look, this show didn’t write the book on love triangles, but it did a really great job of pulling us back and forth, waiting for Belly to make her final decision once and for all between Conrad and Jeremiah.

I thought the final season allowed Belly to find her own way on her journey, leading to a heartwarming conclusion. I’m psyched to watch the final movie whenever that releases!

4

The Beast In Me

Welcome back to the small screen, Claire Danes! Wow, this show was so fantastic. Claire Danes was brilliant, which should come as no surprise. This series had so many twists and turns, keeping the audience on an adrenaline filled ride until the very end. I loved every second of it!

3

Dexter: Resurrection

Welcome back, Dexter Morgan! Look, I’ve watched every spin-off of the original Dexter series, but this one takes the cake. This series was EXCEPTIONAL! It had everything I wanted in a series and more. Dexter’s back and better than ever!

2

Stranger Things (fifth and final season)

OK, I still have one episode to go, which will air on 12/31/25, but it’s safe to say that Stranger Things absolutely deserves one of the top spots on my list. It’s been many years since the last season aired, but I was hooked once again. The characters are all so wonderful and it’s been an honor watching their journey over the years. I can’t wait to see how it all ends!

Some honorable mentions:

Paradise

Only Murders in the Building (season 5)

Wayward

Sirens

The White Lotus (season 3)

School Spirits (season 2)

Daredevil: Born Again

You (season 5 , final season)

Yellowjackets (season 3)

Harlan Coben’s Missing You

Drum roll please…

1

The Pitt

I’m not normally into medical dramas at all, but this series was on another level. Each episode drew me in more and more and I was anxiously waiting for new episodes to drop each week, bringing me back to a time when television shows used to feel like an event. The acting was incredible, the moments were real and heartbreaking and there was so much drama based in reality that kept me completely hooked. I can’t wait for season 2!

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post some of YOUR favorite television shows of 2025. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing in the new year!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Spoiler-Free Review of “Surviving Summer” Season 2 on Netflix: Blue Crush-Esque Series Returns

*This is a spoiler-free review for season two so feel free to read on!*

“I’m back…”

Surviving Summer season two released on Netflix on September 15th 2023. The Australian teen coming-of-age series features eight new episodes available to stream now. The show stars Sky Katz, Kai Lewins, Savannah La Rain and Lilliana Bowrey. Each episode runs for approximately 27-28 minutes.

After returning back to New York, Summer decides to go back to Australia to try out for the surfing team while re-connecting with old friends.

Here is the trailer:

Surviving Summer season one was a quick and delightful treat, transporting us to a beautiful setting with some predictable, but heartwarming moments. Does season two do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Aesthetically pleasing once again.

If you’re attempting to hold on to the summer season for just a little while longer, Surviving Summer season two will do the trick with gorgeous scenery and feel-good music. We got fewer episodes this time around, which was smart, and I like that they kept them under thirty minutes each, making this season extremely easy to binge-watch.

Favorite characters return.

In season one, Summer was trying to figure out where she belonged and surfing gave her that chance. The ending of the series was actually really well-done and I didn’t think another season was necessary.

That being said, I missed the quirkiness of Summer and I was glad she got to shine again in season two. She was a lot more sure of herself this time around and I loved that she showed off her new surfing skills with style, proving that she is worthy of the competition.

Our other supporting characters returned as well and were given some layers too, which helped flesh them out more.

The Cons:

Not a fan of the new potential love interest…

I get that we needed to shake things up in season two, but I wasn’t really a fan of the new “bad boy” potential love interest for Summer. He fit too neatly into a trope for me. I get that this is a coming-of-age series filled with predictable and “wrong” choices along the way, but I think more effort was needed in this department. I wanted something or someone based more in reality. The Summer I Turned Pretty does this very well and perhaps this series could learn a thing or two from that one…

So am I in or out?

I’m in about 75 percent…

Surviving Summer season two manages to capture the same vibe as season one, making this a charming and effortless watch.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Surviving Summer in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

THIS COMPETITION IS KILLER…

When former friends, Shay and Adriana team up to participate in a Halloween scavenger hunt with a cash prize, they temporarily put their differences aside to outsmart their opponents. However, they soon start to realize that a dangerous threat is playing their own version of the game, stalking them during each hunt.

Winning is now a necessity as their lives are at stake. As old wounds and memories re-surface, Shay and Adriana attempt to unmask the threat before the night is over, but soon learn that Scream Hunt is not done with them just yet…

Scream Hunt is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe. Thanks for your support!

Spoiler-Free Review of “The Summer I Turned Pretty” Season Two on Prime Video: Summer’s Back and Just as Wonderful!

*This is a spoiler-free review for season two so feel free to read on!*

“Nothing would ever be the same again…”

The Summer I Turned Pretty season two released on Prime Video on July 14th 2023 with the first three episodes available now. There will be eight episodes in total that will air weekly. The young adult drama series (based on the novel of the same name) stars Lola Tung, Christopher Briney, Gavin Casalegno, and Jackie Chung. Each episode runs for approximately 42-48 minutes.

Summer feels different this time around for Belly after suffering a tragic loss that has severely impacted her and everyone around her. After trying to re-connect with Conrad and Jeremiah, she gets tangled in a love triangle once again that isn’t so clear cut.

Here is the trailer:

The Summer I Turned Pretty was one of my favorite series of last year, bringing us plenty of emotional moments and a real depiction of growing up that just felt effortless and moving. Does season two do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

A coming-of-age series that gives you all the feels…

I love soapy teen dramas like Beverly Hills, 90210, One Tree Hill, and Melrose Place. But sometimes they can be over-the-top and really unrealistic. As much as I love them, I appreciate this series because it stays away from all of the crazy drama and focuses more on real characters who go through life-altering moments with honest reactions. It just feels fresh and organic without ever trying too hard and season two keeps that feeling going, which is important.

A love triangle plot that doesn’t seem overdone…

Love triangles can be completely exhausting, but this series makes them feel brand new again. I love both Conrad and Jeremiah and I honestly don’t know who Belly should end up with because they both bring out different sides of her. Sure, there is melodrama between them all when things get heated, but this is the driving plot of the show and it keeps us invested during season two for sure.

The Cons:

The flashbacks are really confusing at times.

I get that the series is trying to fill us in with what happened between last summer and this one, but the transitions don’t always work and I was often confused about where I was in the timeline. I’m hoping this improves as the episodes continue, but a lot is being jam-packed into these episodes and I want to get back to a natural sequence of events so I can appreciate everything going on more.

So am I in or out?

I’m in!!!

The summer magic is back!

I can’t wait to watch the rest of the episodes!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Summer I Turned Pretty in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

THIS COMPETITION IS KILLER…

Scream Hunt is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe. Thanks for your support!

Ranking my Top 10 Television Shows of 2022: Which Shows Made The Cut?

It’s that time of year again! As we get closer and closer to approaching 2023, I thought it would be the perfect time to count down my Top 10 TV Shows of 2022.

While some returning shows continued strong, others fell off slightly. Meanwhile, some other new shows completely captivated my attention, paving their way into my top 10.

Without any further delay, let’s get to my list!

My Top 10 Television Shows of 2022 are:

10

Peacemaker

I didn’t know how I felt about this particular character getting a spin-off series at first, but this show was an absolute blast to watch. It had lots of action, humor, and amazing supporting characters that stole the show at times.

9

Stay Close

My top ten list wouldn’t feel complete without adding a Harlan Coben series and Stay Close did an exceptional job of hooking the audience from the very start with surprising reveals, insane twists, and two wacky villains who somehow made everything work seamlessly.

8

Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin

After a few other PLL spin-off series, I managed my expectations with this one, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it. Pretty Little Liars always had undertones of a teen slasher and this series made it a reality, bringing us some intense chase scenes and a solid mystery surrounding our new characters.

7

The Summer I Turned Pretty

Whether you’re a fan of the book series or watching this for the first time, you’re in for a beautiful and emotional ride. At first glance, this series seemed like every other coming-of-age teen series on television, but it quickly stood out with moving performances and characters to root for.

6

Only Murders in the Building (season 2)

Season one was absolutely fantastic to watch and I was thrilled that our beloved trio was back for season two. While it didn’t pack the same punch as the first season, it was still a lot of fun with a decent mystery at its core.

5

Wednesday

Jenna Ortega was so incredible in this series! I loved the vibe of this show. It really allowed the character of Wednesday to shine with a welcomed YA feel that never overdid it with the teen drama. This was such a delightful treat!

4

Better Call Saul (final season)

Incredible performances, a satisfying ending, and some truly intense moments that made television history. This series was absolutely fantastic and I will miss watching it!

3

All of Us Are Dead

I didn’t think I needed another coming-of-age zombie series, but this South Korean series was one of the best shows I have watched in a long time. It was brutal and bloody with incredible characters. I absolutely loved this one and could not stop watching it!

2

The White Lotus (season 2)

Season two was much better than season one. The characters were fantastic with a returning favorite and the mystery was much more interesting this time around. I loved the setting and that ending was incredible!

Honorable Mentions:

Ozark (final season)

The Flight Attendant (season 2)

Archive 81

Killing Eve (final season)

Who Killed Sara? (final season)

What We Do In the Shadows (season 4)

Welcome to Eden

Drum roll please…

1

Stranger Things (season 4)

Season four was jam-packed with so many epic moments! I loved the 80’s horror vibe and the music was the best it’s ever been. Season four really allowed some of its characters to shine while giving some newcomers a chance to light up the screen as well in the best way possible. This show is always so entertaining, but season four took things to the next level!

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own thoughts and comments about your favorite television shows of 2022. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing in the new year!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Spoiler-Free Review of “The Summer I Turned Pretty” on Prime Video: Seasonal Heartfelt Treat

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“This could be my summer wish…”

The Summer I Turned Pretty released on Prime Video on June 17th 2022. The young adult drama series (based on the novel of the same name) features seven episodes available to stream now. The show stars Lola Tung, Christopher Briney, Gavin Casalegno, Rachel Blanchard, and Jackie Chung. Each episode runs for approximately 45 minutes.

Belly and her mother visit their family friends every summer, but this particular summer becomes one to remember when she winds up caught in a love triangle as she tries to figure out who she is and what she truly wants in life.

Here is the trailer:

The Summer I Turned Pretty may seem like your average coming-of-age teen drama at first glance, but it is such a refreshing and enjoyable watch filled with emotional and heartwarming moments. Is it worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Truly moving.

Sometimes it’s good to watch something that really makes you feel. I felt like I was on an emotional roller-coaster while watching this one. I laughed, I cried, and I fell in love with each and every one of these characters. This series was just so well done and so perfect. I went into this one thinking I would be getting a generic teen series and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this. I am hooked and I can’t wait to see what happens in season 2 since that has already been confirmed prior to the season 1 release. Yay!

Fantastic characters!

Usually when I watch these types of shows, I gravitate toward one or two stand-out characters. Well, it was hard to do that with this series because I absolutely loved every single character. Everyone brought something different to the table and the actors did a great job with their portrayals. The friendships were truly magical to watch and I felt like I was transported on vacation along with them.

The Cons:

Predictable at times…

I’ve seen this type of show before and I’ve read this type of book before. You will probably be able to figure out what’s going on and the outcome with very little effort. That being said, I didn’t really care. This was such an enjoyable and real watch for me. Even though there were a lot of clichés, this show still managed to reel us in anyway.

The series made some changes from the book, but I still think that fans will be happy with it overall.

So am I in or out?

I’m in 1000 percent!!!!!!

A magical and heartfelt watch!

Pure and honest perfection…

This has now become one of my favorite series of all time and I can’t wait to watch season 2!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on The Summer I Turned Pretty in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

THIS COMPETITION IS KILLER…

Scream Hunt is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe. Thanks for your support!