15 TV Shows To Watch This Summer: From Returning Favorites To Buzzy New Titles
Summer is heating up—and so is your watchlist. Whether you’re into drama, comedy, mystery, or action, this season’s lineup has something for every kind of viewer. From buzzy new releases to the return of beloved favorites, these are the shows that will dominate your group chats, your social feeds, and your weekend plans.
So, settle in, grab your favorite snacks, and let’s dive into the can’t-miss shows of Summer 2025.
1. “Poker Face” (May 8)
Get ready—”Poker Face” is back, and Charlie Cale (Natasha Lyonne) is once again hitting the road and calling out lies wherever she goes. Season 2 of the hit mystery series picks up with Charlie still on the run, solving a new bizarre murder case in every town she passes through.
With its signature mix of retro crime-of-the-week charm, offbeat humor, and standout guest stars like Cynthia Erivo, John Mulaney, and Katie Holmes, the new season promises even weirder crimes and wilder detours—from shady baseball games to talent shows and beyond. With a fresh showrunner and Lyonne stepping up as writer and director, “Poker Face” is as sharp, stylish, and addictive as ever. “Poker Face” Season 2 is out today and goes until July 10.
2. “The Better Sister” (May 29)
“The Better Sister”, a limited series on Prime Video, blends suspense with powerful emotional storytelling. Based on Alafair Burke’s bestselling novel, it stars Jessica Biel and Elizabeth Banks, who also serve as executive producers. The story revolves around Chloe (Biel), a successful media executive, whose perfect life is shattered when her estranged sister Nicky (Banks) reappears after battling addiction.
The drama intensifies when Chloe’s husband is murdered, forcing the sisters to work together and uncover dark family secrets. As the investigation deepens, their strained relationship becomes central to the plot, highlighting themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the complexities of familial love. “The Better Sister” premieres on May 29.
3. “Ginny & Georgia” (June 5)
“Ginny & Georgia” is back for its highly anticipated third season, and the chaos is only intensifying. The beloved mother-daughter duo returns with 10 brand-new episodes, packed with twists, secrets, and emotional upheaval. Following its massive success on Netflix, the series blends gripping crime drama with coming-of-age angst, earning comparisons to “Gilmore Girls”—but with much darker secrets.
Season 2 ended on a jaw-dropping cliffhanger, with Georgia (Brianne Howey) being arrested for murder during her wedding to Mayor Paul Randolph (Scott Porter). Season 3 picks up right after that bombshell, with Georgia facing a possible life sentence while Ginny (Antonia Gentry) deals with school pressures and her own strained relationships. The stakes are higher than ever as both women navigate personal turmoil and public scrutiny. “Ginny & Georgia” Season 3 premieres on June 5.
4. “And Just Like That…” (May 29)
The girls are back—”And Just Like That…” returns for Season 3, bringing more laughs, love, and life lessons from the heart of New York City. Following an emotional Season 2 finale—Carrie sipping cosmos in Greece, Miranda starting over with a new career, and Charlotte rediscovering her passion for art—the new season dives deeper into personal growth, evolving friendships, and big life shifts.
With Carrie adjusting to life after Aidan, Miranda balancing activism and relationships, and Charlotte embracing her working mom era, there’s plenty of story to explore. While familiar faces like Karen Pittman (Nya) and Sara Ramírez (Che) won’t return, fresh characters and unexpected twists are sure to shake things up. Season 3 premieres on May 29 and will air through the end of July.
5. “Stick” (June 4)
“Stick” is stepping up to the tee with a fresh spin on the sports comedy genre. Created by Jason Keller and starring Chris Wilson as down-on-his-luck ex-golfer Pryce Cahill, the series follows a man at rock bottom who finds unexpected purpose in mentoring Santi, a troubled 17-year-old golf prodigy played by newcomer Dager.
What begins as a long shot bet on someone else’s future turns into a heartfelt, funny, and often raw story about second chances, unlikely friendships, and redemption—both on and off the green. With cameos from real-life golf pros like Collin Morikawa and Max Homa, plus an ensemble cast including Marc Maron and Mariana Treviño, “Stick” delivers a feel-good tale of found family, set in the golf world like you’ve never seen it before. “Stick” is out June 4 on Apple TV+.
6. “We Were Liars” (June 18)
“We Were Liars” brings E. Lockhart’s hauntingly poetic bestseller to life in a limited series that blends sun-drenched beauty with chilling psychological mystery. Set on a private island off the coast of Massachusetts, the story follows Cadence Sinclair Eastman (Emily Alyn Lind), a teenager from a privileged family, as she returns to the island one summer to piece together the events of a traumatic incident she can’t fully remember.
As Cadence reconnects with her cousins and first love, Gat (Shubham Maheshwari), buried secrets slowly resurface—leading to a shocking truth. With themes of privilege, love, memory, and loss, this coming-of-age drama, helmed by Julie Plec and Carina Adly MacKenzie, offers a gripping and emotional take on one of YA’s most talked-about novels. “We Were Liars” is out June 18 on Prime Video.
7. “The Waterfront” (June 19)
“The Waterfront” dives deep into family legacy, loyalty, and the cost of power, set against the backdrop of coastal North Carolina. Inspired by true events, the series centers on the Buckley family, longtime rulers of a lucrative waterfront empire. When patriarch Harlan Buckley (Holt McCallany) suffers two near-fatal heart attacks, control of the family’s sprawling operation begins to shift.
His wife Belle (Maria Bello) and their ambitious son Cane (Jake Weary) must step up—while also managing the emotional fallout of daughter Bree’s (Melissa Benoist) fragile recovery from addiction. Created by Kevin Williamson (“Dawson’s Creek”, “The Vampire Diaries”), who also serves as showrunner, the series delivers high-stakes drama with a Southern edge. “The Waterfront” is out June 19.
8. “The Gilded Age” (June 22)
“The Gilded Age” returns for its third season this summer, bringing even more high-society drama, new romances, and intense power struggles. The Russell family continues its quest to climb the social ladder in New York, with Bertha determined to solidify her family’s legacy while George risks everything on a high-stakes railroad deal.
Meanwhile, the Brook family faces its own tensions, as Agnes grapples with Ada’s new role as lady of the house. Peggy, a progressive woman in a time of social constraints, faces disapproval from a Newport doctor’s family over her career ambitions. With lavish costumes and grandiose sets, the show captures the opulence of the late 19th century. Themes of ambition, sacrifice, and societal power remain at the forefront of the story, providing a perfect mix of drama and period detail. “The Gilded Age” returns to HBO on June 22.
9. “Ironheart” (June 24)
“Ironheart” is an exciting new Marvel series that follows Riri Williams, a brilliant young inventor who creates the most advanced suit of armor since Iron Man. Played by Dominique Thorne, Riri steps into Tony Stark’s legacy, navigating the challenges of being a young superhero while balancing her life as an MIT student. The series blends high-tech action with heartfelt moments, introducing a fresh and inspiring character to the MCU.
Set after the events of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”, “Ironheart” follows Riri as she travels from Boston to Chicago, where she encounters the mysterious Parker Robbins (Anthony Ramos). The show promises to deliver a unique mix of innovation, personal growth, and superhero drama. With a compelling storyline and exciting action sequences, it’s poised to capture fans’ attention. “Ironheart” premieres on June 24.
10. “Squid Game” (June 27)
“Squid Game” returns for its highly anticipated third and final season, picking up immediately after the shocking cliffhanger of Season 2. As Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) fights to either save the remaining players and expose the deadly games or face further bloodshed, the stakes have never been higher. After the death of his friend Jung-bae (Lee Seo-hwan) and the return of the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun), the journey to the end will be fraught with danger and hard choices.
Season 3 promises even more twists and heart-pounding drama, as the surviving players from Season 2 each face their own dire situations. Familiar faces, including Myung-gi, Jun-hee, and Yong-sik, return with their own personal stakes, adding layers of tension as the games continue. The series’ rapid return — just six months after Season 2 — was a surprise, with Netflix filming both seasons back-to-back, keeping the momentum alive. Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk ensures that this explosive finale will deliver the payoff fans have been waiting for, with no shortage of emotional and psychological intensity. “Squid Game” Season 3 drops on June 27.
11. “Smoke” (June 27)
Apple TV+ is set to drop “Smoke”, a thrilling new crime drama from acclaimed writer Dennis Lehane. Inspired by real events and the Firebug podcast, the series stars Taron Egerton as arson investigator Dave Gudsen and Jurnee Smollett as Detective Michelle Calderon, hunting down serial arsonists terrorizing the city. Egerton, known for his role in “Black Bird”, brings more intense drama to the screen, alongside a strong supporting cast that includes Greg Kinnear, John Leguizamo, and Anna Chlumsky. With Lehane at the helm and Egerton as an executive producer, “Smoke” promises a tense, character-driven story. The series will premiere on June 27, 2025, with two episodes released at once, followed by weekly episodes through August 8.
12. “The Bear” (TBA)
“The Bear” is set to return for its highly anticipated fourth season, with a larger episode count than previous seasons, though it remains unclear if this will be the show’s final chapter. As the season unfolds, fans can expect to dive deeper into the characters’ stories, uncovering more truths about their complex lives. Ayo Edebiri, who has become one of Hollywood’s most in-demand actresses, has written an episode for the upcoming season.
The cast, now stars in their own right, includes Jeremy Allen White, who will portray Bruce Springsteen in an upcoming biopic, Liza Colón-Zayas, recently cast in the “Spider-Man” movie alongside Tom Holland, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, set to appear in “Fantastic Four” this summer. It’s clear that the show’s success has catapulted its cast into major career milestones.
13. “The Summer I Turned Pretty” (July 16)
The third and final season of “The Summer I Turned Pretty” is set to deliver even more of the steamy love triangle drama that captured the hearts of a generation. Based on Jenny Han’s bestselling book series, the series follows Belly (Lola Tung) as she navigates her complicated feelings for brothers Conrad (Christopher Briney) and Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno).
Fans can expect a supersized season with eleven episodes, an upgrade from the usual seven or eight, promising even more twists and emotional moments. After Season 2 became Amazon’s most-streamed title, second only to “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power”, and garnered high completion rates, this final season is poised to be a major midsummer hit. Don’t miss the finale of this beloved coming-of-age story when it drops this summer.
14. “Chief Of War” (August 1)
Jason Momoa takes on a powerful new role in “Chief of War”, an epic Apple TV+ series where he stars as Ka‘iana, a warrior fighting to unite the Hawaiian Islands before the arrival of Western colonizers. Drawing from his own heritage, Momoa also co-writes and executive produces the show, bringing authenticity and personal depth to the story.
The series explores themes of identity, resistance, and cultural legacy, with a cast that includes Luciane Buchanan, Temuera Morrison, and Cliff Curtis. With a strong focus on Polynesian representation, Chief of War offers a fresh lens on Hawaiian history through intense drama and rich storytelling. Directed in part by Momoa himself, the show promises a grounded and emotional journey. “Chief of War” premieres August 1 on Apple TV+.
15. “Wednesday” (August 6)
The wait is nearly over—”Wednesday” returns this summer with a darker, weirder, and even more twisted second season. This time, Netflix is releasing the hit series in two parts, with Part 1 arriving August 6 and Part 2 on September 3. Jenna Ortega reprises her role as the ever-deadpan Wednesday Addams, who’s back at Nevermore Academy sharpening her psychic skills and confronting new mysteries tied to her eerie lineage.
Alongside familiar faces like Catherine Zeta-Jones, Luis Guzmán, and Emma Myers, the season promises more Addams family antics and even creepier storylines. With less romance and a bigger focus on horror, Season 2 is ready to dive deeper into the macabre. “Wednesday” Season 2 premieres August 6 on Netflix.
With even more shows sure to be announced or given release dates soon, there’s plenty to look forward to this summer. Be sure to check back often for updates on your favorite returning series—and maybe even discover a new favorite along the way. Whether you’re into drama, comedy, mystery, or something totally unexpected, there’s something coming to the screen for everyone. Happy watching!
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