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What would you do with boundless control? This is a core inquiry explored by all finest science fiction as well as fantastical tales. Imagine if you possessed extraordinary powers? Or discovered a revolutionary drug? Or if each and every other person was wholly committed to your happiness? Could you wield such power for good, or give in to your own darker impulses?

The shows featured below each grapple with that very theme in various ways (with one notable exclusion). Presented below is our countdown of the 10 top installments of science fiction and fantasy TV from the past year.

10. Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man

Despite more than 60 years of history, the web-slinger continues to be reimagined by new talent. This series offers a refreshing look at the hero's formative days, cleverly blending essential source material elements with ideas from the broader Marvel universe to craft something which is simultaneously new and profoundly engaging.

Rather than operating solo or having Iron Man as a mentor, this version of the hero forges a evolving partnership with the future Green Goblin, who in this story is still just the head of Oscorp. Across their dynamic, Peter becomes a true hero, learning the iconic mantra of power and responsibility.

9. Hazbin Hotel Season 2

Showrunner Vivienne Medrano's boldly transgressive adult musical show, which sprang from a fan-funded short, fully came into its own in its second installment. Following the climactic events of season 1, the story expands considerably, following the ambitious TV demon Vox as he takes command of the narrative, igniting a series of increasingly explosive conflicts that naturally culminate in show-stopping musical numbers.

Although it may lack a single viral song on the level of the first season's "Loser, Baby," this is due to everything in season 2 being increasingly ambitious. The fight sequences, personal arcs, and above all the score and songs are collectively elevated. The story advances the main plot dramatically while delivering no shortage of weird, wild, and ultimately fun fantasy.

8. Daredevil: Born Again

Following the acclaimed Netflix series, Daredevil: Born Again had enormous expectations. Despite significant development challenges, the resulting show proves it was worthy of the effort. The plot centers on Matt Murdock once his dual life as Daredevil is publicly revealed, leaving him vulnerable to enemies from his history and new threats in a refreshed take of his familiar setting.

The premiere is explosive, capturing the intense tone fans loved from the original incarnation. While the middle chapters explore some different narrative ground, the first season concludes powerfully, setting viewers keenly awaiting a follow-up season.

7. Common Side Effects

An unexpected 2025 gem, this show could be described as an animated crime saga filtered through the sensibility of King of the Hill. Helmed by an Adult Swim veteran alongside comedy Steve Hely, it tells the saga of a mild-mannered fungi expert who finds a curative fungus and quickly finds himself pursued by forces including ruthless pharmaceutical CEOs to government authorities.

Despite being a parody, the show plays out with the serious intensity of a 1970s paranoia thriller. Accentuated by trippy visuals and an unnerving musical soundtrack, the plot explores deeper mysteries about the mushroom's true effects. It's a smart, beautifully animated, and utterly gripping first season.

6. Fallout Season 2

The hit adaptation based on the iconic video game franchise returned with a second season of episodes that deepened its sprawling lore and broadened its post-apocalyptic world. Although it ventures in the direction of the legendary location of New Vegas, the season is far from a direct retelling of that game; instead, it further examine themes of authority and autonomy.

The show expertly balances several storylines and perspectives, from Lucy's quest for justice to a knight's reckoning with the ideology of the Brotherhood of Steel. The outcome is a rich layered and wholly engaging addition to the ever-growing Fallout saga.

5. Invincible Season 3

The visceral and heartfelt animated show continues its powerful streak in season 3. The hero confronts immense pressure on every side: training for a coming alien invasion, guiding his young sibling, and battling with his shadowy Global Defense Agency. The season also includes some of the most intense fight sequences the show has yet delivered.

Mark's bodily and psychological endurance are repeatedly pushed. He must contend with opponents more powerful than himself, the aftermath of his battles, and the moral weight of his choices. Excellent arcs for supporting characters like Cecil Stedman and Rex Splode round out a superb season.

4. Peacemaker Season 2

James Gunn's irreverent superhero series came back with elevated significance within the new DC universe, and season 2 executes on both count. While it successfully lays groundwork for upcoming DCU stories, it also presents a resonant and focused {