Shows or movies that premiered in the U.S. in 2025 – The Smart Awards are for shows or movies that aren’t dumbed down, that force you to use your brain. And the acting is subtle rather than over the top or playing to the camera.
2025 didn’t really have something that was outstanding (such as a Chernyobyl). But these offerings had moments and were intelligently made.
Not a perfect show, but I like the way they assembled it. Another well-crafted British crime drama. They don't make them like this in the States. Based on a true story.
Creators: Kwadjo Dajan, Jeff Pope
Cast: Max Beesley, Conleth Hill, Russell Tovey
IMDb: 7.7
Where: Hulu, Disney+
Another show that's not perfect, so why rate it so high? I'm a big fan of Noah Hawley (Fargo, Legion), and this series has his signature eerie style. Also, I applaud his effort to make an Alien and Bladerunner mash-up, and then throw in some new story elements.
Creator: Noah Hawley
Cast: Sydney Chandler, Alex Lawther, Essie Davis
IMDb: 7.2
Where: Hulu, Disney+
Documentary that details how John Wick went from a little, indy film into a billion-dollar franchise. A must-watch for action fans.
Director: Jeffrey Doe
Cast: Keanu Reeves, Chad Stahelski, Scott Adkins
IMDb: 7.6
Where: Netflix
Speaking of John Wick, the Finnish WWII-era John Wick is back. Sequel to 2022’s Sisu, with the same director/writer. If you liked Sisu, you'll like this sequel.
Director: Jalmari Helander
Cast: Jorma Tommila, Stephen Lang, Richard Brake
IMDb: 6.8
Where: Rental on Apple TV+ or Amazon Prime
A spin-off for Bosch fans with LAPD Detective Renée Ballard overseeing a cold-case division comprised of misfit employees and volunteers. Strikes the same notes as Bosch, and was better than I thought it would be. Maggie Q does a good job in the lead.
Creators: Michael Alaimo, Kendall Sherwood
Cast: Maggie Q, Courtney Taylor, Michael Mosley
IMDb: 7.5
Where: Amazon Prime
Similar basic plot as Ballard. Matthew Goode plays a detective tasked with overseeing a cold case division employed by misfits. Their main case has twists and turns, and Goode plays against type. Not great, but pretty good.
Creators: Scott Frank, Chandni Lakhani
Cast: Matthew Goode, Alexej Manvelov, Jamie Sives
IMDb: 8.1
Where: Netflix
Drama about the Pan Am Flight 103 explosion over Lockerbie in 1988. Firth and McCormack are parents of one of the passengers, and their acting chops are the chief reason to watch this. The series starts with a bang, and sorta ends with a whimper, but still worth a watch.
Cast: Colin Firth, Catherine McCormack, Sam Troughton
IMDb: 7.4
Where: Peacock
Similar look and feel to The Revenant — the violent, harshness of man amidst dirt and dust. An on-the-run mother and son get helped by a loner (Kitsch) in the brutal American West.
Creator: Mark L. Smith (The Revenant)
Director: Peter Berg
Cast: Taylor Kitsch, Betty Gilpin, Dane DeHaan, Saura Lightfoot-Leon
IMDb: 8.0
Where: Netflix
From the creator of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. I was expecting more from this show, but I still applaud the effort. Gilligan came up with a fresh, new idea, similar to how Severance felt like a fresh, new idea.
Creator: Vince Gilligan
Cast: Rhea Seehorn (Better Call Saul), Karolina Wydra, Carlos-Manuel Vesga
IMDb: 8.1
Where: Apple TV+
For people who like the comic style of The Office comes an Office spin-off that's not as strong as its predecessor, but definitely has moments — the best of which come from actress Sabrina Impacciatore.
Creators: Greg Daniels, Michael Koman
Cast: Domhnall Gleeson, Sabrina Impacciatore, Chelsea Frei
IMDb: 7.0
Where: Peacock
Speaking of a half-hour comedy that has moments, in Murderbot, Alexander Skarsgård plays an android who possesses free will, unbeknownst to his owners. There are some fresh ideas in this sci-fi comedy series.
Cast: Alexander Skarsgård, Noma Dumezweni, David Dastmalchian
IMDb: 7.4
Where: Apple TV+
Created by Ronan Bennett of last year’s The Day of the Jackal series, and exec-produced by Guy Ritchie. I really, really wanted to love this show. What a cast! The show is intelligently done, but there's something off about it. I think it's that the characters aren't likable enough. Has moments, but expected much more.
Creator: Ronan Bennett
Cast: Tom Hardy, Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Joanne Froggatt
IMDb: 8.3
Where: Paramount+
Being a huge fan of Steven Knight’s Peaky Blinders, I was expecting a lot here. But this series has none of Peaky’s style or grit. And, as with Mobland, I found myself not liking the characters. Knight also did House of Guinness in 2025, which was a little better than this one.
Creator: Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders)
Cast: Malachi Kirby, Erin Doherty, Stephen Graham
IMDb: 7.4
Where: Disney+ / Hulu