Must-see TV shows that you don’t want to skip

Can’t-miss stories, right on your screen

Some shows aren’t just entertainment, they’re events you have to experience. From edge-of-your-seat thrillers to heartfelt dramas and laugh-out-loud comedies, these series are packed with moments you’ll be talking about for days.

Whether you’re after a quick binge or a long, gripping saga, this list has something that will hook you from the very first episode. So grab your snacks, clear your calendar, and let’s dive into the shows you won’t want to hit “skip” on.

True Detective redefines prestige horror

True Detective: Night Country revived HBO’s anthology with a chilling Arctic mystery. Jodie Foster and Kali Reis star as detectives unraveling a supernatural case in Alaska. Created by Issa López, this season blends eerie isolation with sharp social commentary on Indigenous women’s issues.

The cinematography captures the haunting emptiness of endless night, while the writing weaves grief and justice into a taut thriller. Viewers praised the acting and atmosphere, though some debated the finale’s ambiguity.

Baby Reindeer sparks nationwide dialogue

Netflix’s Baby Reindeer sparked serious conversations. Based on Richard Gadd’s real-life experience with stalking, the series walks a fine line between dark comedy and personal trauma. Gadd plays a fictionalized version of himself, portraying how a chance act of kindness spiraled into obsession.

Critics praised the show’s raw vulnerability and innovative structure. While some viewers questioned the ethics of dramatizing real events, the overall consensus was that Baby Reindeer felt honest, disturbing, and essential.

Shōgun is a masterpiece reborn

FX’s Shōgun, the new adaptation of James Clavell’s novel, amazed both fans of the 1980 novel and newcomers. Set in feudal Japan, the limited series stars Hiroyuki Sanada as Lord Toranaga and Cosmo Jarvis as the English navigator John Blackthorne.

Critics called it one of the most visually rich dramas of the year. It respects its source material while correcting past portrayals of Japan. For viewers who love smart, sweeping epics, this is a must-watch cultural event.

The Sympathizer blends spy and satire

HBO’s The Sympathizer, adapted from Viet Thanh Nguyen’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, is a gripping espionage drama laced with dark comedy. Robert Downey Jr. plays multiple roles, portraying various American institutions with eerie versatility.

Hoa Xuande leads as a conflicted communist spy navigating exile after the Vietnam War. Directed by Park Chan-wook and Marc Munden, the show satirizes Hollywood, colonialism, and dual identity with sharp, layered storytelling.

Fallout brings post-apocalypse alive

Amazon Prime’s Fallout took 2024 by storm. Based on the bestselling video game series, the show combines dark humor, retro-futurism, and survival drama.

Ella Purnell shines as Lucy, a vault dweller thrust into the brutal Wasteland. Critics praised the show’s bold visual style, clever world-building, and faithful adaptation.

Showrunners Geneva Robertson-Dworet and Graham Wagner manage to honor the games while making the story accessible to newcomers. It’s more than a video game adaptation it’s a well-paced, character-driven sci-fi tale with a loyal fan base.

Palm Royale is glossy, gutsy fun

Apple TV+’s Palm Royale is retro drama with a campy twist. Kristen Wiig stars as Maxine Simmons, a social climber determined to infiltrate Palm Beach high society in the late 1960s.

With Laura Dern, Ricky Martin, and Carol Burnett in supporting roles, the series is full of bold colors, social satire, and surprising vulnerability.

Critics compared it to White Lotus meets Mad Men, though it has a quirkiness all its own. Beneath the glamour lies a deeper story about reinvention and loneliness. It’s stylish, biting, and unexpectedly moving.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith reinvented well

Amazon’s Mr. & Mrs. Smith reboot surprised skeptics by delivering sharp, genre-bending storytelling. Donald Glover and Maya Erskine star as two spies in an arranged marriage.

Unlike the 2005 movie, this version dives deeper into identity, vulnerability, and trust, all while maintaining the action-comedy tone.

Co-created by Glover and Francesca Sloane, the series experiments with form, including genre shifts and emotional bottle episodes. Critics applauded its risk-taking and strong chemistry between leads.

Ripley delivers chilling slow-burn noir

Netflix’s Ripley, starring Andrew Scott, reinvents the classic Tom Ripley story with haunting beauty. Based on Patricia Highsmith’s The Talented Mr. Ripley, the eight-episode black-and-white series is visually stunning and psychologically intense.

Scott brings new layers to the charismatic conman, balancing charm and menace. Directed by Steven Zaillian, the show moves deliberately, rewarding patient viewers with intricate storytelling and artful direction. Critics called it one of Scott’s best performances.

Hacks returns with emotional punch

After a two-year break, HBO Max’s Hacks came back in full force. Season 3 explores the evolving relationship between Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and Ava (Hannah Einbinder), now working separately but still entangled. The comedy still hits, but it’s the emotional growth that resonates.

Critics noted how the show matures without losing its edge. With witty writing and real heart, Hacks reminds us that success and reinvention don’t come easy, especially for women in comedy. It’s not just funny, it’s cathartic. A welcome return, indeed.

Expats unpacks exile with elegance

Nicole Kidman headlines Expats, a somber but striking Amazon Prime series set in Hong Kong. Directed by Lulu Wang (The Farewell), the show examines identity, privilege, and grief among American expatriates.

Kidman delivers one of her most nuanced performances, and Sarayu Blue also shines. With immersive direction and thoughtful pacing, Expats doesn’t offer easy answers; it invites reflection. It’s heavy, but powerful. For those craving depth and drama, it delivers.

3 Body Problem boldly expands sci-fi

Netflix’s 3 Body Problem, from Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, adapts Liu Cixin’s acclaimed sci-fi novel for Western audiences. The story explores first contact with an alien civilization and the philosophical consequences of human advancement.

With a large international cast and intricate storytelling, the show impressed some viewers while confusing others. Visually ambitious and thematically dense, it tackles physics, politics, and betrayal. Critics praised the scope, though opinions on clarity varied.

Under the Bridge grips true crime

Hulu’s Under the Bridge dramatizes the 1997 murder of Reena Virk in Canada, a case that shocked the nation. Based on Rebecca Godfrey’s book, the series stars Riley Keough and Lily Gladstone. It’s not your typical true crime; it focuses on the emotional complexities behind the headlines.

The show examines peer pressure, cultural identity, and journalistic ethics with sensitivity and nuance. Gladstone’s performance in particular received high praise. Though it’s disturbing, the show resists sensationalism.

The Bear season 3 still sizzles

FX’s The Bear returned with even more emotional chaos and culinary ambition. Jeremy Allen White’s Carmy continues chasing restaurant perfection while struggling with personal demons.

Ayo Edebiri and Ebon Moss-Bachrach shine as co-leads, balancing the show’s high-octane kitchen drama with character depth.

Season 3 digs into the pressure of success and fear of failure, especially in creative industries. Critics applauded its pacing, inventive direction, and standout guest appearances. The Bear remains one of the most emotionally intelligent shows on TV. If you liked seasons 1 and 2, this one ups the stakes without losing heart.

Sugar puts Colin Farrell front-center

Apple TV+’s Sugar casts Colin Farrell as a private detective unraveling a Hollywood mystery with surprising psychological twists. What starts as a slick noir quickly becomes something deeper, deconstructing memory, identity, and the detective genre itself.

Critics appreciated the show’s unexpected emotional resonance and stylish visuals. Farrell delivers a grounded, layered performance, anchoring the increasingly surreal plot. Created by Mark Protosevich (I Am Legend), Sugar mixes Blade Runner vibes with Chinatown flair.

The Girls On The Bus delivers

HBO Max’s The Girls on the Bus offers a timely, character-driven political dramedy about female journalists following a presidential campaign. Loosely inspired by Amy Chozick’s memoir, the show stars Melissa Benoist, Carla Gugino, and Natasha Behnam.

Viewers found it refreshingly optimistic, especially in a landscape often dominated by cynicism. It doesn’t shy away from tough topics but manages to stay hopeful and warm.

As highlighted in powerful TV shows that keep the spirit of Juneteenth alive year-round, this one reminds us that representation and heart still matter.

TV in 2025 surprises us

From stylized reboots to raw confessionals, 2025’s standout shows remind us why television remains so powerful. Whether tackling trauma (Baby Reindeer), reimagining classics (Shōgun), or delivering genre-bending art (Ripley, Sugar), these series reflect a bold era of experimentation.

And when it comes to nostalgia-fueled revivals, biggest TV show comebacks of 2025 proves that the right show can return stronger than ever. Streamers and networks took risks, and audiences responded.

What was your favorite 2025 TV moment? Tell us in the comments; we’d love to hear it.

Read More From This Brand:

• Top 15 New and Returning TV Shows of 2025
• Cant Miss TV Shows Currently On Hulu
• Actors Who Disliked Their Own TV Shows

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.