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How would you do with unlimited power? That's a core inquiry posed by the best sci-fi and fantastical stories. Imagine if you gained superhuman abilities? Perhaps discovered a life-altering drug? Or if every single human was dedicated to your personal happiness? Would you wield that influence for good, or succumb to your own darker impulses?

These television series featured herein all explore this concept in various ways (aside from one key exclusion). Outlined below is a countdown of the 10 best installments of science fiction and fantastical television from the past year.

10. Spider-Man: Your Friendly Neighborhood

Despite more than six decades of stories, Spider-Man continues to be reinvented by fresh creative voices. This series offers a novel look at the hero's early days, skillfully merging classic comic elements with influences from other adaptations to craft something that feels both new and deeply compelling.

Instead of operating solo or Iron Man as a guide, this iteration of the hero forges a complex relationship with Norman Osborn, who in this story is still just the head of Oscorp. Across their interactions, Peter becomes a true hero, learning the iconic mantra of great power and responsibility.

9. Hazbin Hotel Season 2

Showrunner Vivienne Medrano's audacious adult musical-comedy show, which sprang from a crowdfunded short, fully came into its own in its sophomore installment. Building on the game-changing events of the first season, the story expands considerably, centering on the ambitious media overlord Vox as he takes control of the situation, igniting a series of increasingly dramatic confrontations that naturally end in show-stopping song.

While it may lack a single viral hit quite like season one's "Loser, Baby," this is due to each element in this season being more ambitious. The fight sequences, character development, and especially the score and songs are all more sophisticated. The story moves the main plot dramatically while delivering no shortage of weird, wild, and simply fun dark fantasy.

8. Daredevil: Born Again

Following the acclaimed Netflix show, Daredevil: Born Again had immense expectations. After significant production challenges, the final product demonstrates to be worth the effort. The story follows Matt Murdock after his dual life as Daredevil is exposed, leaving him vulnerable to enemies both past and new threats in a refreshed version of his well-known world.

The first episode is a thrilling return to form, evoking the intense tone audiences loved from the prior incarnation. While the middle episodes venture into certain different narrative ground, the season finishes on a strong note, setting viewers eagerly anticipating a follow-up installment.

7. Common Side Effects

An surprising 2025 highlight, this show could be described as a Breaking Bad filtered through a humor of a suburban satire. Helmed by Joe Bennett alongside writer Steve Hely, it follows the story of a nerdy mycologist who finds a miraculous fungus and soon finds himself hunted by everyone from unscrupulous Big Pharma executives to government agents.

Despite being a parody, the narrative unfolds with the serious intensity of a classic conspiracy thriller. Enhanced by trippy animation and an unnerving musical soundtrack, the plot delves into bigger questions about the substance's true capabilities. It's a smart, beautifully animated, and utterly gripping ten-episode season.

6. Fallout Season 2

This hit series of the iconic gaming franchise returned with a new season of episodes that expanded its epic mystery and broadened its post-apocalyptic world. Although it ventures toward the legendary location of New Vegas, the season is far from a straight adaptation of that game; rather, it continues to explore ideas of control and autonomy.

The show expertly juggles several storylines and points of view, from Lucy's mission for answers to a knight's struggle with the ideology of the his faction. The result is a rich layered and utterly absorbing chapter to the ever-growing wasteland saga.

5. Invincible Season 3

This visceral and emotionally charged adult animation show continues its powerful momentum in its third outing. Mark Grayson faces tremendous pressure on all side: preparing for a coming Viltrumite invasion, guiding his young sibling, and battling with the secretive GDA. The season also features some of the most brutal action scenes the show has yet produced.

The protagonist's bodily and psychological endurance are repeatedly tested. He must grapple with opponents stronger than he is, the consequences of his battles, and the moral burden of his decisions. Standout arcs for key characters like Cecil Stedman and Rex Splode round out a superb installment.

4. Peacemaker Season 2

James Gunn's irreverent superhero series returned with elevated significance within the revamped DC canon, and season 2 delivers on both fronts. While it effectively lays foundations for upcoming cinematic universe stories, it primarily presents a powerful and focused {