The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland List: Best Series of 2025

How often do you sit there thinking about what to watch? You might have an endless watchlist that keeps piling up (I certainly have one myself). Sometimes you are just in the mood for a type of film or a certain filmmaker or actor and want to take yourself into a deep dive. As someone who watches so many movies, I have people asking me for recommendations all the time. One of the best feelings as a cinephile is recommending a film and that person loves it. Take this wealth of cinematic knowledge and experience and enjoy some recommendations on me. Genre. Subgenre. Filmmaker. Actor. Composer. Writer. Genre. Story. Trope. Cliché. Any other cinematic elements or them. Here is The Wasteland List:   

Best Series of 2025 

The Pitt S1 

A raw and intimate look at an emergency room in a Pittsburgh hospital with plenty of engaging and moving human stories, a great cast of impressive performances, and plenty of shocking narrative twists along the way.

The Righteous Gemstones S5

A satisfying and moving conclusion to one of the best comedies on television that sees the Gemstones experience impressive growth, face some of their darkest and most twisted conflicts, and never skimping on some great comedy and impressive religious satire.

The Last of Us S2 

A powerful and shocking continuation of this beloved game franchise as this new season starts with a seismic shift in perspective as it delivers plenty of emotionally impactful narrative beats, shocking twists, and deeply complex moral dilemmas.

The Studio S1 

An impressively crafted, sharply written, and endlessly entertaining satirical look at the film industry, Seth Rogen delivers one of the best new series this year with an enormous and star-studded cast that balances good character work and great stories.

Andor S2 

The most politically relevant and poignant this franchise has ever been, Star Wars is taken to new heights with this impressive story of rebellion that is filled with incredible performances, rich character work, and compelling commentary on relevant societal issues today.

Adolescence

A horrifically intense and shocking story about a young man’s morally bankruptcy and the ripple effect it has on his family, his victim, and the community around him with powerful performances and impressive filmmaking.

The Lowdown S1 

Sterlin Harjo delivers a layered and engrossing new crime thriller with a good bit of wit, thoughtful social commentary, and impressive character work led by Ethan Hawke and a great ensemble of actors and some engaging storytelling.

Hal & Harper S1

Cooper Raiff paints an intimate look at grief and the impact of a father and his two children through the years with a layered and crafted narrative, a trio of powerful performances (with Lili Reinhart standing out), and some beautiful and intimate filmmaking.

Task S1 

An intense and sharply crafted Delco thriller that looks at the work of a struggling FBI investigator (Mark Ruffalo) who investigates a series of robberies which opens challenging themes about the struggle of working-class individuals in struggling parts of the country.

Mo S2 

Mohammed Amer continues his tale of a fictionalized Mo who navigates being trapped in Mexican, his impending struggle for asylum, and his interpersonal relationships filled with great themes and commentary as well as plenty of laughs.

The Bear S4 

Another season of great tension, impressive character work, and engrossing performances all around with this beloved series as Carmy’s journey comes to a head with this transitional season which still delivers plenty to love about this series.

Peacemaker S2 

Audiences not only get another iconic opening credit sequence but plenty of unsuspected heart and depth shine through in this reimagined series in the new DCU as John Cena leads a great ensemble in a multiversal narrative filled with shocking depth and narrative and character impact.

Hacks S4 

This series continues to be one of the best modern comedies as the duo of Jean Smart and Hannah Einbender continue to deliver some of the best laughs and biting commentary on show business as this late-night show season delivers plenty of intriguing narrative elements.

Poker Face S2 

Rian Johnson is a one of the premiere storytellers today and his grasp on murder mysteries shines in this second season with Natasha Lyonne killing it as Charlie as their mysteries of the week continue to shine and the overall narrative go into some twisted places.

The Handmaid’s Tale S6 

After a few seasons of spinning wheels, this lauded series comes to a powerful, satisfying, and impactful finale that finally brings the story of June to an end while still boasting impressive performances (especially from Elizabeth Moss) and without skimping on the relevant social commentary.

Light & Magic S2 

One of the most engrossing behind-the-scenes documentary series, this immersive exploration of the work of Industrial Light & Magic continues with some impressively huge moments and a poignant exploration of the downfall of this impressive studio.

Haha, You Clowns S1 

Somehow, Adult Swim might have just created the most positive show on television in bite-sized chunks as this trio of Preston brothers and their widowed father navigating loss and finding joy and honesty in a challenging world around them.

Daredevil: Born Again S1 

The Devil of Hell’s Kitchen comes back with a vengeance as Disney brings Charlie Cox’s Daredevil into the MCU fold with violence, emotion, and poignant commentary on today’s politics with a stellar cast of characters bringing these comic tales to life again.

The Four Seasons S1 

An engrossing remake that captures the lives of middle-aged friends whose relationships evolve over the course of one year with the inspired two-episode per natural season all bolstered by an incredible cast of actors who bring their characters to life with such impressive depth.

Severance S2 

One of the most talked about series on streaming returns with a fascinating season that builds out the wild world inside Ben Stiller’s mind as this show pushes forward with more twists and turns as well as a full cast of impressive performances (Tramell Tillman steals every single scene).

Win or Lose S1 

Outside of the changes made by Pixar, their first foray into a legitimate series for Disney was an absolute win with clever visual storytelling, a great cast of interesting characters, and an expertly crafted narrative that threads together so perfectly.

Resident Alien S4 

A big, emotional finale for one of the most underseen masterful series on television, Alan Tudyk continues to carry this small-town comedy/sci-fi/thriller as the characters grow, fulfill their series long arc, and come to a beautiful finale that truly ties the whole series together.

South Park S27 

Back and delivering at their narrative and thematic heights, Trey Parker and Matt Stone take their razor-sharp satire to the world of Donald Trump with this wild and unhinged new season that leaves no political topic unturned (with a Season 28 which delivers on the same comedy and engagement level this year).

Abbott Elementary S4

Quinta Brunson’s inner-city school workplace comedy continues to prove why it is one of the best sitcoms and comedies out there with this stellar ensemble continuing to offer so many poignant perspectives through great perspectives on private bribes and iconic Philly locals like the Please Touch Museum.

Alien: Earth S1 

This iconic franchise gets a brand-new twist as it jumps to the small screen but delivers big in its commentary on artificial intelligence and alien creatures while delivering plenty of horror and shocks (plus some expert needle drops for atmosphere).