Every year, critics crown their favorites. But 2025 wasn’t defined by critic lists — it was shaped by fans. The shows that truly stood out weren’t just well-reviewed; they were talked about, debated, memed, and obsessed over across the internet. From late-night Reddit threads to global watch parties, these were the series people couldn’t stop thinking about.
Based on audience ratings, online reactions, and sheer cultural presence, these are the five TV shows that fans around the world crowned the best of 2025.
Squid Game (Season 3) – Netflix
By the time Season 3 arrived, Squid Game was no longer just a show — it was a global event. Fans across dozens of countries tuned in at the same time, dissecting every episode the moment it dropped. Social media exploded with theories, arguments over character choices, and nonstop discussion about the ending.
What made Season 3 resonate wasn’t just the spectacle. Fans praised how it doubled down on its themes of desperation, morality, and power, while still delivering shocking moments that kept viewers guessing. Whether people loved or hated certain decisions, almost everyone agreed on one thing: this was television you had to see for yourself.
When it comes to reach, engagement, and raw fan energy, nothing in 2025 came close.
Pluribus – Apple TV+
Pluribus quietly became one of the most talked-about new shows of the year — and it did so without holding the audience’s hand. Fans immediately latched onto its slow-burn mystery, complex ideas, and confidence in letting viewers figure things out on their own.
What really fueled its popularity was discussion. Every episode sparked theory threads, breakdown videos, and long debates about what was really happening beneath the surface. Viewers praised the show for respecting their intelligence and refusing to explain itself too quickly.
It wasn’t just highly rated — it became the kind of show people thought about long after the credits rolled.
IT: Welcome to Derry – Max
Horror fans showed up in force for IT: Welcome to Derry. Instead of relying on cheap scares, the series focused on atmosphere, tension, and expanding the unsettling mythology of Derry itself. As the season progressed, fan reactions only grew stronger.
Episode ratings climbed week after week, and horror communities were filled with speculation, hidden detail breakdowns, and comparisons to the original films. Many fans praised the show for feeling genuinely unsettling rather than nostalgic for nostalgia’s sake.
This wasn’t just a prequel people sampled — it was one they stayed with.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Season 2) – Disney+
Season 2 was a turning point. After mixed reactions early on, fans felt this was the season where Percy Jackson finally found its footing. Viewers praised improved pacing, stronger character moments, and a clearer commitment to the spirit of the books.
Longtime readers were especially vocal, pointing out moments that felt lifted straight from the page. At the same time, newer viewers found it easier to connect with the characters and world. That crossover appeal helped the show maintain strong audience ratings throughout its run.
By the end of the season, the conversation had shifted from “potential” to “payoff.”
Fallout – Prime Video
Few adaptations come in with as much skepticism as Fallout did — and that’s exactly why its success mattered so much to fans. Instead of simply copying the games, the show captured their tone: dark humor, moral ambiguity, and a world that feels both broken and strangely alive.
Gamers appreciated the attention to detail, while non-gamers praised the characters and storytelling. Word of mouth carried the show forward, with episode ratings staying consistently high and online discussion growing as more people gave it a chance.
In a year full of risky adaptations, Fallout became proof that listening to fans actually works.
What Made Squid Game the Clear #1
What ultimately set Squid Game Season 3 apart from every other show in 2025 wasn’t just its quality — it was its scale. No other series pulled in audiences from nearly every corner of the world at the same time, sparked nonstop discussion across cultures, and turned weekly episodes into shared global moments. While the other shows earned loyalty from dedicated fanbases, Squid Game created something rarer: a collective experience. For a brief stretch in 2025, everyone was watching the same show, arguing about the same scenes, and reacting together in real time. That level of cultural reach is why it didn’t just win the year — it defined it.
