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How would you do with boundless control? That's a fundamental inquiry explored by the finest sci-fi as well as fantasy narratives. What if you possessed extraordinary powers? Or stumbled upon a revolutionary substance? Or if every other person was wholly committed to your personal satisfaction? Could you use that influence for good, or succumb to your darker impulses?

The television series featured herein all confront this theme in various ways (with one key exclusion). Outlined here is a list of the 10 best installments of science fiction & fantasy TV from the past year.

10. Spider-Man: Your Friendly Neighborhood

Despite more than 60 years of stories, the web-slinger is constantly reinvented by fresh talent. Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man delivers a novel perspective at the hero's formative days, skillfully combining classic comic story beats with influences from the broader Marvel universe to craft something that feels simultaneously new and deeply compelling.

Rather than operating solo or Iron Man as a guide, this iteration of Peter Parker develops a complex partnership with the future Green Goblin, who here is still just the head of Oscorp. Through their interactions, Peter becomes a true hero, internalizing the signature lesson of power and great responsibility.

9. Hazbin Hotel Season 2

Showrunner Vivienne Medrano's audacious mature musical series, which originated as a fan-funded short, fully hit its stride in its second season. Following the game-changing events of season 1, the narrative broadens considerably, centering on the ambitious TV demon Vox who takes control of the narrative, sparking a chain of increasingly dramatic confrontations that naturally culminate in show-stopping musical numbers.

While it might not have a single breakout hit quite like season one's "Loser, Baby," that's because everything in this season being more complex. The fight sequences, personal arcs, and especially the score and songs are all more sophisticated. The story moves the main storyline dramatically while providing plenty of bizarre, wild, and ultimately entertaining fantasy.

8. Daredevil: Born Again

As a successor to the acclaimed Netflix series, Daredevil: Born Again faced enormous shoes to fill. After well-documented production challenges, the final show proves to be worthy of the effort. The story follows Matt Murdock once his secret identity as Daredevil is publicly revealed, making him vulnerable to foes from his past and present in a slightly take of his familiar world.

The first episode is explosive, evoking the gritty feeling audiences loved from the prior incarnation. While the subsequent chapters explore certain different territory, the season concludes on a strong note, setting fans keenly anticipating a follow-up season.

7. Common Side Effects

An surprising 2025 highlight, this series is essentially a Breaking Bad filtered through a humor of a suburban satire. Helmed by an Adult Swim veteran alongside comedy Steve Hely, the series tells the story of a mild-mannered fungi expert who discovers a miraculous mushroom and quickly finds himself pursued by forces including ruthless pharmaceutical executives to government authorities.

Far from being a spoof, the show plays out with the grave intensity of a classic conspiracy film. Enhanced by hallucinogenic visuals and an eerie musical soundtrack, the plot explores bigger questions about the substance's full effects. It's a smart, visually striking, and completely compelling first season.

6. Fallout Season 2

The acclaimed series based on the popular gaming series returned with a new season of stories that expanded its sprawling lore and broadened its post-apocalyptic world. Although it travels in the direction of the legendary location of New Vegas, the season is far from a straight adaptation of that title; rather, it further examine themes of authority and autonomy.

It expertly balances multiple storylines and points of view, from Lucy's mission for answers to a knight's reckoning with the ideology of the Brotherhood of Steel. The outcome is a rich layered and wholly absorbing addition to the expanding Fallout mythology.

5. Invincible Season 3

This bloody and emotionally charged animated show keeps its powerful momentum in season 3. The hero confronts immense challenges on every side: training for a looming alien invasion, guiding his young sibling, and clashing with his shadowy GDA. The season also includes some of the most intense fight scenes the series has ever produced.

The protagonist's bodily and psychological endurance are constantly pushed. He must contend with foes stronger than himself, the consequences of his actions, and the moral weight of his choices. Excellent arcs for key cast members such as Cecil Stedman and Rex Splode round out a superb installment.

4. Peacemaker Season 2

The director's offbeat superhero series returned with increased importance within the revamped DC canon, and season 2 delivers on both fronts. While it successfully establishes foundations for future cinematic universe stories, it also presents a resonant and focused {