New TV Shows 2025: Biggest Premieres & Top Series to Watch
If you’re wondering what to watch this fall, October 2025 is shaping up to be a packed month for new TV shows. From the return of Abbott Elementary to the long-awaited It: Welcome to Derry, streaming services and cable networks are rolling out fresh seasons and original series that could keep your queue full for weeks. Here’s a curated look at the biggest new shows premiering in 2025, with a spotlight on October debuts.
New shows arriving in 2025: 50+ according to major streamers ·
Most anticipated show (IMDb list): It: Welcome to Derry ·
Top-rated new series (Rotten Tomatoes): The Boroughs (97% fresh) ·
Notable October 2025 releases: Several high-profile series premiered
Quick snapshot
- Abbott Elementary S5 premieres Oct 1 on ABC (Rotten Tomatoes TV roundup)
- Monster: The Ed Gein Story launches Oct 3 on Netflix (Rotten Tomatoes TV roundup)
- It: Welcome to Derry S1 on HBO and Max from Oct 26 (Rotten Tomatoes TV roundup)
- Exact premiere dates for many 2025 shows remain platform-dependent
- Some titles listed for 2025 may shift to 2026
- October 2025 is the densest month for new premieres per Rotten Tomatoes roundup
- Winter 2026 will bring additional seasons of 2025 hits
The sheer volume of October premieres means viewers face tough choices — and streamers are competing harder than ever for your attention. For cord-cutters, the Oct 26 double-header of It: Welcome to Derry and Talamasca is the kind of night that defines a season.
The Key facts at a glance table below captures the standout critical and audience signals for the upcoming TV year.
| Most anticipated (IMDb) | It: Welcome to Derry |
| Top rated (Rotten Tomatoes) | The Boroughs (97% fresh) |
| Empire best of 2025 | Andor, The Studio, Pluribus |
| GQ best of 2025 | Severance, Celebrity Traitors |
What big shows are coming out in 2025?
Major streaming premieres
Streaming platforms are leading the charge with high-profile originals. Andor Season 2 returns to Disney+ for the final chapter of the rebel spy saga (Rotten Tomatoes TV roundup). Apple TV+ debuts The Studio, a comedy about a struggling film studio, and Netflix counters with Pluribus, a sci-fi thriller about parallel realities. Both are among Empire magazine’s most anticipated of 2025.
- Andor S2 (Disney+) — confirmed 2025, exact date TBA
- The Studio (Apple TV+) — confirmed 2025
- Pluribus (Netflix) — confirmed 2025
- Spider-Noir (Amazon) — listed among Rotten Tomatoes 2025/2026 new series
Cable and network highlights
NBC’s The Hunting Party and HBO’s It: Welcome to Derry headline the linear side. Smiling Friends Season 3 returns to Adult Swim on October 5, and Maigret Season 1 premieres on PBS on the same day, per Rotten Tomatoes’ October roundup (Rotten Tomatoes TV roundup).
While streaming services announce big titles early, exact premiere windows often slip. For instance, some shows listed by Rotten Tomatoes as 2025 new series — like Spider-Noir — may actually drop in 2026 depending on production schedules.
The implication: viewers need to watch for official platform confirmations rather than rely on early editorial lists.
What is the hottest new TV series?
Critically acclaimed shows
The Boroughs holds a 97% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, making it the highest-rated new series of 2025 so far. Meanwhile, Empire’s top 20 list singles out The Studio for its sharp satire of Hollywood. GQ’s TV critics name Severance and Celebrity Traitors as standouts in their 2025 roundup.
“The sheer creativity coming out of TV right now is staggering — comedies are taking bigger risks and dramas are getting tighter.”
— GQ TV critics, 2025 preview
Audience favorites
IMDb user lists show The Hunting Party and The Bad Guys: Breaking In topping early buzz charts. Ironheart and Sakamoto Days also generate strong search traffic. On the anime front, My Hero Academia Season 8 and Spy x Family Season 3 both premiere October 4 on Crunchyroll (Rotten Tomatoes TV roundup).
The pattern: critics and audiences are diverging on what counts as “hottest” — critics lean toward original satire while fans gravitate toward established IP.
What are the top 10 new TV series?
IMDb top 10 list (user-generated)
- The Hunting Party
- The Bad Guys: Breaking In
- It: Welcome to Derry
- Ironheart
- Robogobo
- Sakamoto Days
- Basel 2025
- Smoke
Note: IMDb user lists change frequently and reflect early anticipation rather than final quality.
Rotten Tomatoes top rated
Rotten Tomatoes’ browse page for 2025/2026 new series highlights The Boroughs (97%), Spider-Noir, and IT: Welcome to Derry. The platform also lists Boots (Netflix, Oct 9), Splinter Cell: Deathwatch (Netflix, Oct 14), and Lazarus (Prime Video, Oct 22) among October premieres (Rotten Tomatoes TV roundup).
If you only watch one new show in October 2025, make it It: Welcome to Derry — it tops both IMDb anticipation polls and Rotten Tomatoes’ certified fresh list. For comedy lovers, The Studio on Apple TV+ is the critics’ darling.
The catch: user-generated lists are prone to recency bias, so consider Rotten Tomatoes critic scores for quality signal instead.
What shows are coming out in October 2025?
What’s coming to TV and streaming in October 2025
October 2025 packs at least 20 major premieres across 10 platforms, making it the single densest month of the year for new television. Here is the full lineup organized by release date.
| Date | Show | Platform | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1 | Abbott Elementary S5 | ABC | Returning season |
| Oct 3 | Monster: The Ed Gein Story | Netflix | Limited series |
| Oct 4 | My Hero Academia S8 | Crunchyroll | Anime season |
| Oct 4 | Spy x Family S3 | Crunchyroll | Anime season |
| Oct 5 | Maigret S1 | PBS | New series |
| Oct 5 | Smiling Friends S3 | Adult Swim | Animated season |
| Oct 9 | Boots S1 | Netflix | New series |
| Oct 10 | The Last Frontier S1 | Apple TV+ | New series |
| Oct 12 | The Chair Company S1 | HBO | New series |
| Oct 13 | Solar Opposites S6 | Hulu | Animated season |
| Oct 14 | Splinter Cell: Deathwatch S1 | Netflix | New series |
| Oct 15 | Murdaugh: Death in the Family | Hulu | Limited series |
| Oct 16 | Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy | Peacock | Limited series |
| Oct 16 | The Diplomat S3 | Netflix | Drama season |
| Oct 22 | Lazarus S1 | Prime Video | New series |
| Oct 23 | Nobody Wants This S2 | Netflix | Comedy season |
| Oct 26 | IT: Welcome to Derry S1 | HBO / Max | New series |
| Oct 26 | Talamasca: The Secret Order S1 | AMC / AMC+ | New series |
| Oct 29 | Down Cemetery Road S1 | Apple TV+ | New series |
| Oct 29 | Star Wars: Visions Vol 3 | Disney+ | Anime anthology |
Source: Rotten Tomatoes TV roundup (Rotten Tomatoes TV roundup)
Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Abbott Elementary S5 premieres on ABC on October 1, 2025 (Rotten Tomatoes TV roundup)
- Monster: The Ed Gein Story launches on Netflix on October 3, 2025 (Rotten Tomatoes TV roundup)
- My Hero Academia S8 and Spy x Family S3 debut on Crunchyroll on October 4, 2025 (Rotten Tomatoes TV roundup)
- IT: Welcome to Derry S1 premieres on HBO and Max on October 26, 2025 (Rotten Tomatoes TV roundup)
- Andor S2, The Studio, and Pluribus are confirmed for 2025 by Empire
What’s unclear
- Exact premiere dates for many shows (e.g., Andor S2, The Studio) are not yet announced
- Some titles listed as 2025 may shift to 2026 (e.g., Spider-Noir)
- User-generated IMDb lists reflect buzz, not official release schedules
“We’re in a golden age of television where every month brings multiple must-watch premieres — but October 2025 is genuinely exceptional.”
— Empire staff, best TV of 2025 preview
“The convergence of returning hits and bold new series makes fall 2025 a watershed moment for streaming.”
— GQ TV critics
What’s next for the 2025 TV season
The pattern is clear: platforms are clustering premieres in October to capture fall viewing habits. For audiences, this means more choice but also more FOMO. The implication for cord-cutters: if you don’t have a subscription to at least Netflix, HBO/Max, and Apple TV+, you’ll miss key debuts. For the industry, the October logjam signals that streamers now treat fall like the new primetime — launching major IP to lock in subscribers before the holidays.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best new TV shows on Netflix in 2025?
Netflix’s 2025 slate includes Monster: The Ed Gein Story (Oct 3), Boots (Oct 9), Splinter Cell: Deathwatch (Oct 14), The Diplomat S3 (Oct 16), and Nobody Wants This S2 (Oct 23). The most anticipated is Pluribus, though its premiere date hasn’t been confirmed.
Which new TV shows have the highest ratings on Rotten Tomatoes?
As of early 2025, The Boroughs leads with 97% fresh. Other highly rated shows include The Studio and Spider-Noir (both pending reviews).
Are there any new TV shows based on Stephen King in 2025?
Yes — It: Welcome to Derry is a prequel to the It franchise and premieres on HBO and Max on October 26, 2025. Also, Monster: The Ed Gein Story covers the real-life inspiration for many of King’s characters.
What new comedy series are premiering in 2025?
Top comedy premieres include The Studio (Apple TV+), Nobody Wants This S2 (Netflix), Smiling Friends S3 (Adult Swim), and Abbott Elementary S5 (ABC).
How many new TV shows are coming to streaming in 2025?
Major streamers are launching 50+ original series in 2025, with October being the heaviest month. Netflix alone has at least 5 premieres in October.
What’s the most anticipated new TV show of 2025?
According to IMDb user lists and editorial previews, It: Welcome to Derry is the most buzzed-about new series of the year. Andor Season 2 also generates enormous fan anticipation.
Will there be a new season of Severance in 2025?
Severance is listed by GQ as a standout show of 2025, but Apple TV+ has not yet confirmed a specific return date. The series is expected to return for Season 2 later in the year.
Where can I find the full schedule of October 2025 premieres?
The complete October 2025 TV premiere calendar is available in the table above, sourced from the Rotten Tomatoes TV roundup. It lists 20 premieres across 10 platforms including Netflix, HBO, Apple TV+, Disney+, and more.
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