25 Best New Shows to Watch in 2025: The Ultimate Guide to Must-See Series on Netflix, Hulu & More

If you’re already compiling a watch-list for the year ahead, the surge of new TV shows arriving in 2025 offers something fresh for every taste. Below is a spotlight on the breakout series critics are praising right now, giving you an early edge on the best new shows to watch in 2025. The talk-of-the-town debuts • Pee-wee as Himself – A heartfelt documentary series that lets the late Paul Reubens peel back the curtain on his iconic character. Early reviews call it a “revelatory glimpse” and have stamped it with a perfect critics’ score. • The Chair Company – Sketch-comedy mastermind Tim Robinson returns with a paranoia-laced workplace satire that’s drawing comparisons to his viral hit “I Think You Should Leave.” It currently holds 100 % on the Tomatometer. • Long Story Short – From “BoJack Horseman” creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg comes a family dramedy praised for mixing big emotions with absurd humor. Critics are calling it “ingeniously zany” and universally relatable. Genre standouts you shouldn’t skip • Common Side Effects – Adult animation meets sci-fi satire in a series that blends trippy visuals with sharp social commentary, making it a must-stream for fans of “Rick and Morty.” • Code of Silence – A British crime thriller led by Rose Ayling-Ellis that offers gripping procedural tension while authentically portraying the deaf experience. • Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light – Historical drama lovers can rejoice as Mark Rylance and Damian Lewis reunite for the long-awaited second chapter of the Tudor saga, earning raves for “razor-sharp intelligence.” Fresh fantasy, horror and sci-fi • The Mighty Nein – Building on the success of “Critical Role,” this animated Dungeons & Dragons epic is winning over genre fans with rich world-building and a 94 % audience score. • Pluribus – Vince Gilligan shifts from crime to speculative fiction in a mind-bending mystery led by Rhea Seehorn that many are calling “genuinely original TV sci-fi.” • Alien: Earth – Noah Hawley transports the Xenomorph franchise to television, keeping the cinematic terror intact while carving out a distinct identity. Non-fiction and documentary gems • Mr. Scorsese – This limited series turns the camera on the legendary director himself, featuring cameos from Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio in what critics call a “rollicking portrait” of the filmmaker. • Dying for Sex – Michelle Williams and Jenny Slate headline a poignant yet irreverent adaptation of the hit podcast about friendship, mortality and finding joy on your own terms. Why bookmark these shows now? Early critical consensus combined with sky-high Tomatometer scores means each title above is primed to dominate streaming queues and social-media chatter as release dates roll out through 2025. Adding them to your watch-list today ensures you’re first to join the conversation—and your search for “best new TV shows 2025” ends right here. Keep an eye on premiere calendars from your favorite services; most of these buzz-makers are slated for staggered launches between January and fall. Whether you crave prestige drama, laugh-out-loud comedy or adrenaline-spiking suspense, 2025’s new shows are ready to turn your screen time into appointment viewing.