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<\/p>\n Read in app<\/p>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n This story is available exclusively to Business Insider Critics were more impressed by certain shows than by others throughout 2025. 2025 brought a wave of TV premieres and returning series \u2014 but critics were more impressed by certain shows than by others.<\/p>\n Here’s a look at some of the most popular shows of the year, ranked from worst to best by critic scores on Rotten Tomatoes.<\/p>\n Some critics called “All’s Fair” one of the worst TV shows ever made.<\/p>\n Ryan Murphy’s “All’s Fair” wasn’t a hit with critics.<\/p>\n Disney <\/p>\n Rotten Tomatoes: 6%<\/p>\n Summary: A group of high-powered divorce attorneys \u2014 Allura Grant (Kim Kardashian<\/a>), Liberty Ronson (Naomi Watts), and Emerald Greene (Niecy Nash) \u2014 leave their male-dominated law firm to lead one of their own.<\/p>\n Critics universally panned Ryan Murphy’s “All’s Fair,” saying it was a limp drama that wasted the talents of its ensemble, which included Sarah Paulson<\/a> and Glenn Close.<\/p>\n “Let’s be clear: ‘All’s Fair’ is not a camp classic. For a show to be camp, it must first aspire to be good to begin with,” David Mack wrote for Slate<\/a>.<\/p>\n Critics said that “With Love, Meghan” lacked any real heart.<\/p>\n Meghan Markle’s show is on Netflix.<\/p>\n Netflix <\/p>\n Rotten Tomatoes: 17%<\/p>\n Summary: Meghan, Duchess of Sussex<\/a>, invites chefs, actors, and TV personalities into her home to cook and garden alongside her as they chat and exchange life advice.<\/p>\n “With Love, Meghan”<\/a> was a tough watch for critics, who failed to find anything sincere in the lifestyle programming.<\/p>\n “It’s so boring, so contrived, so effortfully whimsical that, do you know what? In the end, it does become almost fascinating,” Lucy Mangan wrote for the Guardian<\/a>.<\/p>\n “Monster: The Ed Gein Story” failed to offer critics anything of substance.<\/p>\n Netflix’s “Monster” series follows some famous criminals.<\/p>\n Netflix <\/p>\n Rotten Tomatoes: 22%<\/p>\n Summary: In the latest installment in Netflix’s “Monster” series, the show follows grave robber and suspected serial killer Ed Gein (Charlie Hunnam) as he commits horrific crimes in the 1940s and 1950s.<\/p>\n The latest “Monster” season was criticized for sensationalizing one of the 20th century’s most disturbing criminals for shock value instead of offering viewers anything profound.<\/p>\n “The series sensationalizes rumor over truth and mistakes provocation for substance,” M.N. Miller wrote for FandomWire<\/a>.<\/p>\n “The Hunting Party” was a toothless crime drama.<\/p>\n “The Hunting Party” aired on NBC.<\/p>\n NBC <\/p>\n Rotten Tomatoes: 25%<\/p>\n Summary: After an explosion results in a mass prison breakout, former FBI profiler Bex Henderson (Melissa Roxburgh) is brought back into the fold to hunt down the nation’s most dangerous serial killers<\/a>.<\/p>\n According to critics, “The Hunting Party” was riddled with tedious plot twists and repetitive storylines.<\/p>\n “The premise of ‘The Hunting Party’ \u2014 searching for serial killers whose ill-advised treatments have rendered them even more vicious \u2014 is intriguing in theory, but the writers have somehow chosen the dullest possible execution of that vision,” Max Gao wrote for AV Club<\/a>.<\/p>\n “Simon Cowell: The Next Act” was written off as a vanity project.<\/p>\n Simon Cowell in “Simon Cowell: The Next Act.”<\/p>\n Netflix <\/p>\n Rotten Tomatoes: 29%<\/p>\n Summary: After decades of judging reality competition shows<\/a> and famously helping to form groups like One Direction and Fifth Harmony, Cowell tries to find “the next big thing” in music.<\/p>\n Critics said “Simon Cowell: The Next Act” was mired by the British personality’s ego.<\/p>\n “In the end, the series is more interesting not as a music competition, but as a window into Cowell’s narcissism and immorality in the pursuit of limitless wealth and fame,” Stephanie Morgan wrote for Common Sense Media<\/a>.<\/p>\n “The Abandons” was viewed as a poor imitation of better historical dramas.<\/p>\n “The Abandons” is a historical drama set in the 1800s.<\/p>\n Netflix <\/p>\n Rotten Tomatoes: 32%<\/p>\n Summary: Set in the Old West, this drama follows two matriarchs, Fiona Nolan (Lena Headey<\/a>) and Constance Van Ness (Gillian Anderson), as they fight over land and power in the town of Angel’s Ridge.<\/p>\n Despite Anderson and Headey’s best efforts, “The Abandons” proved to be a rather empty and listless Western at its heart.<\/p>\n Nick Schager described the series as a ” \u2026 pretender through and through, piling on clich\u00e9s without any sense of authenticity, rhythm, or originality” in a review for The Daily Beast<\/a>.<\/p>\n “Countdown” proved to be a misfire.<\/p>\n Jensen Ackles stars in “Countdown.”<\/p>\n Amazon Prime <\/p>\n Rotten Tomatoes: 35%<\/p>\n Summary: After the alarming murder of a Homeland Security officer, LAPD detective Mark Meachum (Jensen Ackles<\/a>) is recruited to a secret task force to investigate the crime.<\/p>\n Although the show was advertised as an “action-packed” thrill ride, critics said they were less than impressed by the generic drama.<\/p>\n “‘Countdown’ pretty much uses every action procedural cliche to piece together a plot and cast of characters that are neither exciting or interesting,” Joel Keller wrote for Decider<\/a>.<\/p>\n Lauren Graham’s star power wasn’t enough to save “The Z-Suite.”<\/p>\n “The Z-Suite” is a comedy on Tubi.<\/p>\n Tubi <\/p>\n Rotten Tomatoes: 43%<\/p>\n Summary: After their latest advertising campaign goes awry, two Gen-X ad executives \u2014 Monica (Graham) and Doug (Nico Santos) \u2014 are pushed out of their office, and their rising Gen Z colleagues are put in charge.<\/p>\n Despite Graham’s reliably solid performance, which helped ground the show, critics said it wasn’t enough to save the lackluster Tubi comedy.<\/p>\n “Making a comedy series where everyone is unpleasant, cruel, or despicable isn’t easy \u2026 If you miss, you can only miss big,” Tim Stevens wrote for The Spool<\/a>.<\/p>\n “The Last Frontier” failed to keep up its momentum for a full season.<\/p>\n “The Last Frontier” has one season so far.<\/p>\n Apple <\/p>\n Rotten Tomatoes: 46%<\/p>\n Summary: After a prison-transport plane crashes down near his Alaskan town, US Marshal Frank Remnick (Jason Clarke) attempts to hunt down every convict before they slip out of his grasp.<\/p>\n Despite Clarke at the helm and a promising plot hook, “The Last Frontier” proved to be a disappointment for a majority of critics.<\/p>\n “‘The Last Frontier’ begins and ends on a high, but the middle crashes down to earth with slow, lumbering diversions that waste its cast and squander an incredible premise,” David Opie wrote for Empire magazine.<\/p>\n “Chad Powers” divided critics over its ridiculous concept.<\/p>\n Glen Powell stars in “Chad Powers.”<\/p>\n Hulu <\/p>\n Rotten Tomatoes: 58%<\/p>\n Summary: Former college quarterback Russ Holliday (Glen Powell<\/a>) attempts to make a career comeback when he disguises himself as a new persona, Chad Powers, to help a struggling football team.<\/p>\n The show’s concept, which was inspired by an Eli Manning skit on ESPN, proved too flimsy for a lot of critics.<\/p>\n “‘Chad Powers’ wants to be a mashup of ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ and especially ‘Ted Lasso.’ It plays as artificially engineered as that sounds,” Steve Murray wrote for ArtsATL.<\/p>\n “All Her Fault” was elevated by Sarah Snook’s performance.<\/p>\n Sarah Snook in “All Her Fault.”<\/p>\n Peacock <\/p>\n Rotten Tomatoes: 79%<\/p>\n Summary: Marissa (Snook) and Peter (Jake Lacy) Irvine’s comfortable life is shaken to its core after their son goes missing.<\/p>\n Some of the twists in “All Her Fault” were harder to swallow than others, but overall, critics found it to be a highly bingeable drama.<\/p>\n “Despite the increasingly convoluted ways that characters in ‘All Her Fault’ mete out information, the emotional core of the series is extremely strong, bolstered by Snook’s reliably excellent central performance,” Nina Starner wrote for Looper<\/a>.<\/p>\n “Nobody Wants This” took a minor dip in ratings from season one, but still won critics over.<\/p>\n Adam Brody and Kristen Bell in “Nobody Wants This.”<\/p>\n Erin Simkin\/Netflix <\/p>\n Rotten Tomatoes: 79%<\/p>\n Summary: Joanne (Kristen Bell<\/a>) and Noah (Adam Brody) test the mettle of their relationship after the “honeymoon” phase as they continue navigating the everyday realities of modern dating, religion, and family drama.<\/p>\n Although the show’s critic score took a slight dip from season one, Brody and Bell’s chemistry was enough for critics to recommend the show.<\/p>\n “Kristen Bell and Adam Brody continue to capture our hearts and every episode is an entertaining watch because of this fantastic ensemble,” said critic Lauren Veneziani of WBAL-TV.<\/p>\n Season four of “The Bear” yielded the show’s lowest score yet, but it was still one of the top shows of the year.<\/p>\n Jeremy Allen White in “The Bear.”<\/p>\n FX <\/p>\n Rotten Tomatoes: 84%<\/p>\n Summary: After they’re given a two-month window to turn their restaurant around, Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) tries to streamline the kitchen’s chaotic environment as Carmy (Jeremy Allen White<\/a>) and Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) attempt to earn a Michelin star.<\/p>\n Critics said that the latest installment of the show was at its best when the pacing was relentless, and the ensemble was given their chance to shine.<\/p>\n “It has its slow boil moments, but when it is really cooking, it is entertainment at its best,” wrote critic Jackie K. Cooper.<\/p>\n Critics said that “Clean Slate” was a refreshing family comedy.<\/p>\n Laverne Cox in “Clean Slate.”<\/p>\n Prime Video <\/p>\n Rotten Tomatoes: 87%<\/p>\n Summary: Two decades after leaving her hometown in Alabama, Desiree (Laverne Cox) \u2014 a proud trans woman \u2014 reunites with her father, Harry (George Wallace).<\/p>\n “Clean Slate”, which is one of the last shows that legendary TV creator Norman Lear <\/a>produced before he died in 2023, was received as a wholesome and heartfelt comedy.<\/p>\n “In the face of ongoing attacks against the trans community, it was refreshing to watch a story about a black trans woman who found acceptance in a place that might not appear to be accepting at first glance,” Alise Chaffins wrote for MacGuffin or Meaning<\/a>.<\/p>\n “Death by Lightning” was a highly bingeable historical drama.<\/p>\n Michael Shannon as James Garfield in “Death by Lightning.”<\/p>\n Larry Horricks\/Netflix <\/p>\n Rotten Tomatoes: 90%<\/p>\n Summary: This historical drama depicts the weaving paths of United States President James Garfield (Michael Shannon) and Charles J. Guiteau (Matthew Macfadyen<\/a>), the assassin who took his life.<\/p>\n Critics called “Death by Lightning” a masterclass in excellent writing and acting.<\/p>\n “A savvy and well-paced political thunderstorm, ‘Death by Lightning’ uses its talented cast to build a thrilling story out of an oft-forgotten moment in history,” Audrey Fox wrote for Looper.<\/p>\n Critics were impressed by the verve and humor of “The Studio.”<\/p>\n Olivia Wilde and Seth Rogen in “The Studio.”<\/p>\n Apple <\/p>\n Rotten Tomatoes: 92%<\/p>\n Summary: As a new head of Hollywood’s Continental Studios, Matt Remick (Seth Rogen<\/a>) tries to massage celebrity egos while pursuing his dream of making movies that are actually good.<\/p>\n Critics found it hard to resist the likability and charm of the Apple TV comedy created by Rogen and Evan Goldberg.<\/p>\n “Rogen and Goldberg here create satire of a very high level… And despite all the mocking and in-jokes and references to titles you may or may not remember, there’s something else that peeks through: a genuine love for movies,” Moira MacDonald wrote for Seattle Times<\/a>.<\/p>\n Season two of “Severance” left critics hungry for a third.<\/p>\n Adam Scott and Britt Lower in “Severance.”<\/p>\n Apple <\/p>\n Rotten Tomatoes: 94%<\/p>\n Summary: After unraveling the dark secrets at the heart of the Lumon corporation, Mark (Adam Scott) and Helly (Britt Lower) \u2014 and their “outer” selves \u2014 find different ways of moving forward from the scandal.<\/p>\n Critics said season two of “Severance”<\/a> built upon the momentum of the first while laying a strong foundation for the third.<\/p>\n “Now that ‘Severance’ has started to prod at these more existential questions about the self \u2014well, it’s only made the show richer and, quite frankly, more loveable,” Clarisse Loughrey wrote for Flicks<\/a>.<\/p>\n The medical drama “The Pitt” earned rave reviews across the board.<\/p>\n Noah Wyle in “The Pitt.”<\/p>\n Warrick Page\/MAX <\/p>\n Rotten Tomatoes: 95%<\/p>\n Summary: Hour-by-hour, “The Pitt” chronicles the harrowing day in the life of Dr. Robby (Noah Wyle) and his team of emergency room staff as they work a 15-hour shift.<\/p>\n With standout performances from Wyle, Katherine LaNasa, Taylor Dearden, Supriya Ganesh, and more, “The Pitt” proved itself to be one of the most electrifying dramas of the year.<\/p>\n “‘The Pitt’ stands out entirely independently, separate from its pseudo-ancestor in ‘ER’ and as a bonafide triumph in storytelling, chemistry and television,” Brian Farvour wrote for The Playlist<\/a>.<\/p>\n Critics called “Task” a riveting drama.<\/p>\n “Task” takes place in Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n MAX <\/p>\n Rotten Tomatoes: 96%<\/p>\n
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\n Shows like “All’s Fair” and “With Love, Meghan” failed to win over critics.
\n However, “Pluribus” and “The Pitt”<\/a> proved to be the highest-rated shows of the year.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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