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How would you do with boundless control? This is a core question asked by the best sci-fi as well as fantasy stories. What if you possessed extraordinary powers? Or discovered a miraculous drug? What about each and every single human was wholly committed to your personal happiness? Could you use such influence for good, or would you give in to your own darker impulses?

The series featured below each grapple with this theme in distinct manners (with one key exclusion). Detailed below is our ranking of the 10 top installments of sci-fi & fantasy TV from the past year.

10. Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man

Even after over 60 years of stories, the web-slinger is constantly reinterpreted by fresh talent. This series offers a novel look at the character's formative days, cleverly blending classic comic story beats with influences from the broader Marvel universe to create something which is simultaneously new and deeply engaging.

Instead of being alone or having Tony Stark as a guide, this version of Peter Parker develops a evolving partnership with the future Green Goblin, who here is merely the CEO of Oscorp. Across their dynamic, Peter becomes his own man, internalizing the signature lesson of power and great responsibility.

9. Hazbin Hotel Season 2

Showrunner Vivienne Medrano's audacious adult musical series, which sprang from a crowdfunded pilot, truly found its footing in its second season. Following the game-changing revelations of the first season, the narrative expands significantly, centering on the scheming media overlord Vox who takes command of the situation, sparking a chain of increasingly dramatic conflicts that naturally end in show-stopping musical numbers.

While it might not have a single viral song quite like season one's "iconic tune," this is due to everything in season 2 being increasingly ambitious. The action, character arcs, and especially the music are collectively more sophisticated. The season moves the main storyline dramatically while delivering plenty of bizarre, unhinged, and simply entertaining dark fantasy.

8. Daredevil: Born Again

Following the legendary Netflix series, Daredevil: Born Again faced immense shoes to fill. After significant development challenges, the final product proves it was worthy of the wait. The story centers on Matt Murdock once his dual life as Daredevil is publicly revealed, making him a target to enemies both past and present in a slightly take of his well-known setting.

The first episode is a thrilling return to form, evoking the gritty tone audiences cherished from the original series. Although the subsequent episodes venture into some new narrative ground, the first season finishes on a strong note, setting fans eagerly awaiting a follow-up installment.

7. Common Side Effects

A surprising 2025 highlight, this show could be described as an animated Breaking Bad filtered through a sensibility of King of the Hill. Helmed by an Adult Swim veteran and comedy Steve Hely, it follows the saga of a mild-mannered mycologist who discovers a curative fungus and soon finds himself hunted by forces including ruthless pharmaceutical CEOs to government agents.

Despite being a spoof, the narrative unfolds with the grave atmosphere of a classic paranoia film. Accentuated by trippy animation and an eerie score, the story explores bigger mysteries about the substance's full capabilities. It's a intelligent, visually striking, and completely compelling first season.

6. Fallout Season 2

The hit adaptation of the popular video game series came back with a new batch of episodes that deepened its sprawling mystery and expanded its post-apocalyptic setting. While it travels toward the fan-favorite location of New Vegas, the story is not a direct retelling of that title; rather, it further examine ideas of authority and freedom.

It skillfully balances multiple storylines and perspectives, from Lucy's quest for justice to Maximus's reckoning with the dogma of the his faction. The outcome is a rich detailed and utterly absorbing chapter to the expanding wasteland mythology.

5. Invincible Season 3

The bloody and heartfelt adult animation series continues its powerful streak in season 3. Mark Grayson faces tremendous pressure on every fronts: training for a coming Viltrumite threat, mentoring his powered brother, and battling with his secretive Global Defense Agency. The season also features some of the most brutally brutal fight sequences the show has yet produced.

Mark's physical and emotional endurance are constantly pushed. He must grapple with foes stronger than he is, the aftermath of his battles, and the ethical burden of his decisions. Excellent arcs for key characters such as Cecil Stedman and Rex Splode complete a superb installment.

4. Peacemaker Season 2

James Gunn's offbeat anti-hero show returned with elevated importance within the new DC canon, and it delivers on both fronts. While it effectively lays groundwork for upcoming DCU projects, it also tells a resonant and self-contained {