10 Best Miniseries Of 2025, Ranked

Television miniseries have really thrived this year. While these limited-run shows have always been around, the rise of streaming services seems to have led to even more of them being made. There’s something special about finishing a complete story in just a few days, which can be more satisfying than committing to a long, ongoing series.

Miniseries are a great option for production companies because they eliminate the worry of cancellation, ensuring viewers get a complete story. We’ve also seen a trend in recent years, like with this year’s Untamed and Task, where popular limited series get extended. However, many miniseries are also perfect as standalone stories, and 2025 offered several excellent examples.

10. Wayward

The 2025 Netflix miniseries Wayward was definitely one of the most unusual shows of the year. Created by and starring comedian Mae Martin, it follows police officer Alex (Martin) and his wife Laura (Sarah Gadon) as they settle into life in the small town of Tall Pines. The town is largely centered around Tall Pines Academy, a school for troubled teenagers, and its enigmatic headmistress, Evelyn Wade, played by Toni Collette.

This miniseries tackles complex and controversial issues. At its core, Wayward examines programs that claim to help troubled teenagers, but use questionable and worrying techniques. It also delves into themes of cults, LGBTQ+ experiences, and the hypocrisy of appearing morally righteous, all with a darkly comedic tone. The combination creates a truly compelling show.

9. American Primeval

Mark L. Smith’s American Primeval is a six-part Western series on Netflix, taking place in Utah in 1987. The show stars Taylor Kitsch, Betty Gilpin, Dane DeHaan, and a large ensemble cast, and is based on real historical events. While it’s a dramatization, American Primeval focuses on the often-violent conflict between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the native people of Utah.

While not always easy to watch, American Primeval is a truly captivating series. Its visuals are beautiful and artistic, and it tackles difficult themes with a fittingly dark and emotional tone. Like many series released in 2025, it sparked debate, but American Primeval was still considered a hit, earning a 72% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

8. Sirens

The series Sirens tackles deep issues through a very unusual story. It centers on Devon (Meghann Fahy), who goes to a wealthy island community hoping to persuade her sister, Simone (Milly Alcock), to come home. However, Simone appears completely captivated by her employer, Michaela (Juliane Moor), and Michaela seems to have a mysterious hold over everyone on the island.

The real strength of this Netflix miniseries is its humor. The characters are delightfully strange, and watching Fahy respond to the resulting mayhem is particularly enjoyable. But beyond the laughs, Sirens ultimately offers a powerful message about how society tends to judge women more critically than men.

7. Bon Appétit, Your Majesty

“Bon Appétit, Your Majesty” is a delightful k-drama about a chef who specializes in French cuisine. Through a strange twist of fate, she’s transported back in time and faces a ruthless king. To survive, she must impress him with her cooking!

We were immediately charmed by the idea behind Bon Appétit, Your Majesty. While it could have been just a lighthearted story, the series beautifully uses food to connect the characters on a deeper, emotional level. And the fact that it’s also a classic fantasy romance makes it even better.

6. The Beast In Me

“The Beast in Me” is a suspenseful crime drama on Netflix created by Gabe Rotter, featuring Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys. The story centers around Aggie Wiggs, played by Danes, a writer grieving the death of her son. When Nile Jarvis (Rhys) moves in next door, Aggie begins to come out of her grief and secretly investigates him.

While some psychological thrillers try too hard to be clever, The Beast in Me tells its story in a straightforward way, which is surprisingly effective. It’s still captivating, building suspense with each episode. Both critics and viewers generally loved it, giving it scores of 83% and 74% respectively.

5. As You Stood By

Netflix

The Netflix K-drama As You Stood By, created by Kim Hyo-jeong and featuring Jeon So-nee and Lee Yoo-mi, tells the story of two lifelong friends. One is trapped in a violent marriage, and together they decide to end the abuse by committing murder. But their actions have unforeseen and troubling consequences when someone from their past returns.

The film As You Stood By explores the dark side of desperation and its consequences. It asks tough questions about when, if ever, violence can be justified and what punishments are fair. The movie builds to complex answers in a deliberate way, earning it an 83% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

4. Get Millie Black

HBO’s miniseries Get Millie Black, created by Marlon James, features Tamara Lawrence in the lead role. The crime drama centers on Millie-Jean Black, a former Scotland Yard detective who returns to Jamaica and begins investigating a disappearance.

The series Get Millie Black has earned a perfect 100% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, and while viewers give it a 74%, it’s clear the show is something special. Unlike many crime dramas that feel predictable, Get Millie Black is complex and moving, using its location and the idea of ‘home’ to delve into the main character’s difficult feelings.

3. Dying For Sex

Released in 2025, Dying for Sex is a powerfully moving and ultimately hopeful series. It’s based on the real story of Molly Kochan, who, after receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis in 2015, decided to explore new relationships and embrace her sexuality before she died, leading her to leave her husband.

The comedy series Dying for Sex offers a fresh perspective on difficult subjects like death and serious illness. It honestly and openly follows Molly as she explores her sexuality and makes plans for her remaining time, portraying the reality of dying without romanticizing or shying away from it. It’s a truly one-of-a-kind limited series.

2. Adolescence

Netflix’s drama, Adolescence, made a strong impression on viewers after it was released in March. The series tells the heartbreaking story of a family dealing with the aftermath of their 13-year-old son being arrested for murder. A forensic psychologist investigates the boy’s motivations, focusing on his views of women to understand why he committed the crime.

Growing up is rarely easy, and this miniseries captured that discomfort brilliantly. The acting was superb, making it impossible not to connect with the characters and feel their struggles. Importantly, the show tackles tough questions about how society fails to protect women and children, forcing a conversation that’s often avoided.

1. Toxic Town

Netflix’s miniseries, Toxic Town, is based on a real-life event, adding significant weight to the story. It centers around the unsafe demolition of a steel plant in 1979, which led to unexplained birth defects in nearby communities. The mothers of the affected children band together to demand accountability from the responsible companies.

While Toxic Town could have easily felt like a straightforward documentary, it instead focuses on the powerful emotions of the mothers involved. The series often feels deeply hopeless, and this tension is a key part of its impact. The ultimately bittersweet ending feels realistically earned, which makes the 2025 miniseries particularly moving and relatable.

2025-12-26 19:09