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How could you accomplish if you had unlimited power? This is a fundamental inquiry asked by all greatest science fiction as well as fantasy tales. What if you gained extraordinary powers? Perhaps stumbled upon a miraculous drug? What about each and every other human became wholly committed to your satisfaction? Would you wield that power for the greater good, or give in to your baser instincts?

The series ranked below all explore this concept in various ways (with one notable exclusion). Detailed here is a countdown of the ten most outstanding installments of sci-fi and fantastical TV from the past year.

10. Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man

Despite more than 60 years of stories, Spider-Man is constantly reinvented by fresh creative voices. This series offers a novel look at the character's formative years, cleverly blending essential comic story beats with influences from the broader Marvel universe to craft something that feels both fresh and profoundly engaging.

Rather than being solo or having Iron Man as a mentor, this iteration of the hero forges a complex partnership with the future Green Goblin, who here is merely the CEO of Oscorp. Across their dynamic, Peter becomes a true hero, learning the signature mantra of power and responsibility.

9. Hazbin Hotel Season 2

Showrunner Vivienne Medrano's audacious mature musical-comedy series, which sprang from a fan-funded pilot, fully hit its stride in its second installment. Building on the game-changing events of the first season, the narrative expands considerably, centering on the scheming media overlord Vox as he takes command of the narrative, sparking a chain of increasingly dramatic conflicts that inevitably culminate in elaborate musical numbers.

Although it may lack a one breakout hit on the level of season one's "Loser, Baby," that's because each element in season 2 being more ambitious. The action, character development, and especially the score and songs are all elevated. The story advances the overarching storyline forward while delivering no shortage of bizarre, unhinged, and ultimately fun fantasy.

8. Daredevil: Born Again

As a successor to the acclaimed Netflix show, this series faced enormous expectations. After significant production challenges, the resulting product demonstrates to be worth the wait. The story centers on Matt Murdock once his secret identity as Daredevil is publicly revealed, leaving him vulnerable to foes from his past and new threats in a slightly version of his familiar setting.

The first episode is a thrilling return to form, capturing the intense feeling audiences cherished from the prior incarnation. Although the middle chapters venture into some new narrative ground, the first season finishes on a strong note, leaving viewers keenly awaiting a second season.

7. Common Side Effects

A surprising 2025 highlight, this series is essentially an animated crime saga with the sensibility of a suburban satire. Helmed by an Adult Swim veteran and comedy Steve Hely, it tells the story of a mild-mannered fungi expert who discovers a miraculous mushroom and quickly finds himself pursued by forces including unscrupulous pharmaceutical CEOs to government authorities.

Far from being a spoof, the show plays out with the grave intensity of a classic conspiracy thriller. Enhanced by hallucinogenic animation and an unnerving musical soundtrack, the story delves into bigger mysteries about the mushroom's full effects. It's a intelligent, visually striking, and utterly gripping ten-episode season.

6. Fallout Season 2

The hit series based on the popular video game franchise returned with a second batch of stories that deepened its epic lore and expanded its post-apocalyptic world. While it ventures in the direction of the legendary location of New Vegas, the story is not a straight retelling of that title; rather, it continues to examine ideas of control and autonomy.

It expertly juggles multiple storylines and perspectives, from the protagonist's mission for answers to Maximus's struggle with the ideology of the Brotherhood of Steel. The outcome is a deeply layered and wholly absorbing addition to the expanding Fallout mythology.

5. Invincible Season 3

This bloody and emotionally charged animated show keeps its winning momentum in season 3. The hero confronts tremendous pressure on every fronts: preparing for a coming Viltrumite invasion, mentoring his powered brother, and battling with the secretive Global Defense Agency. The story also includes some of the most brutally intense action scenes the show has yet delivered.

The protagonist's bodily and psychological limits are constantly pushed. He must grapple with opponents more powerful than he is, the aftermath of his battles, and the moral weight of his choices. Standout storylines for key cast members such as Cecil Stedman and Rex Splode complete a superb season.

4. Peacemaker Season 2

James Gunn's irreverent anti-hero series returned with increased significance within the new DC universe, and season 2 executes on both fronts. While it successfully lays foundations for future DCU stories, it also presents a resonant and self-contained {