We're only halfway through the year, but several impressive series have already emerged on streaming services in 2025. Here are the top five series that stand out in terms of audience ratings.

Based on user ratings, IMDb has compiled an up-to-date ranking of the best-rated series of the year so far. Only series released between January 1 and June 16, and that received at least 20,000 votes, were included. The top 5 demonstrates a notable spread across streaming services and genres.

Korean Surprise On Top

The list is led by When Life Gives You Tangerines, a Korean Netflix series that was launched without much fanfare but is now gaining global recognition. The series is not only the best-rated new release of 2025 but has also reached 74th place in IMDb's overall Top 250.

At number two is Invincible, the animated series from Prime Video that continues to receive much acclaim in its second season. Right behind it is The Pitt from HBO Max, a hospital drama that has quickly become very popular.

Andor And Severance

In fourth place, Andor makes a comeback. The new season of this Star Wars spin-off on Disney+ proves that the success of the first season was no fluke. The fifth position goes to Apple TV+ with Severance, which further deepens its unique mix of office psychology and science fiction.

For fans of psychological thrillers, a new must-see series launches on Netflix. Starting today, you can watch the gripping French miniseries Soleil Noir.

Soleil Noir (alternative titles Qui sème le vent and Under a Dark Sun) is a French miniseries from 2025. The series is largely directed by Édouard Salier, known for works like Mortel (2019-2021) and La Révolution (2020).

Revealing The Truth

The series follows Alba, a young single mother who flees to Provence to build a new and safe life for her son. She lands a job as a flower picker on a prestigious estate.

However, everything changes suddenly when the patriarch of the family business is found murdered. Alba becomes the prime suspect and, to her surprise, discovers that she is his biological daughter and inherits the entire company.

Web Of Power Games

She becomes entangled in a web of power games and unspoken secrets, where every step draws her deeper into a dark family past. As she fights to prove her innocence, she must find her balance between mistrust and loyalty.



The role of Alba is portrayed by Ava Baya (GTMax, Planète X). The cast also features Amina Ben Ismail (Another End, Toast), Isabelle Adjani (Possession, Camille Claudel), Thibault de Montalembert (Nothing New in the West, The King), and Guillaume Gouix (Amore Mio, The Immortal).

Netflix

If you enjoy films and series filled with family secrets and intrigue, like Succession (2018-2023) and Le Chalet (2018), you must give Soleil Noir a chance. Reviews are still pending as the Netflix Original has just been released.

The spy thriller The Amateur will soon be available on the streaming services Hulu and Disney+. The film had its theatrical release earlier this year and will be online in about a week.

In The Amateur, Oscar winner Rami Malek plays CIA codebreaker Charlie Heller, whose life turns upside down after his wife dies in a terrorist attack. Determined to seek justice, he does everything he can to track down those responsible. With the guidance of CIA veteran Henderson, played by Laurence Fishburne, Heller transforms from analyst to action-oriented agent.

Well Received

The film had a reasonably successful theatrical release in April, scoring a respectable 61 percent on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer and an impressive 88 percent with audiences on the Audience Score.

With a production budget of $60 million and a worldwide gross of $96 million at the box office, it could have performed better financially. The Amateur is definitely a film that will attract a lot of attention on streaming.

July 17

On Thursday, July 17, The Amateur will be available on Hulu and Disney+. So, just a little longer to wait, but not too long.

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After three divorces, Tom Cruise (62) has only had a flirtation here and there. But that seems to be changing now.

For a long time, his priority lay with his work and his two adopted children. But the children are now adults, and part of his film production is complete. The latest Mission Impossible films have been successful, as has the sequel to Top Gun. Tom Cruise can now shift his focus.

Creative And Impressive Multitasker

A source at Radar Online revealed that the creative, perfectionist multitasker now has his sights set on a new wife. The person stated: "Tom Cruise is known for his relentless dedication, especially when it comes to women."

The source continued: "He has set his eyes on Ana De Armas and is doing everything to impress her, from private jet travels to the best suites. He has even created a custom perfume for her, one that matches her skin perfectly."

Collaborating On A New Film

Tom Cruise is able to do all this because both are currently working on Deeper. Preparations for this thrilling film include learning deep-sea diving. For the 37-year-old actress, this will surely be as exciting as training for Ballerina. Ana shares more in the Entertainment Tonight YouTube video.

The reason for the delay of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is renewed filming, but this raises questions among many. Writer George R.R. Martin has praised the series, and the leadership at Warner Bros. was also notably positive. There is intense speculation regarding the mysterious reasons for the premiere delay.

New filming is currently taking place in Belfast, where all six episodes were filmed last year. Additional shooting is not unusual, but the timing raises eyebrows. Some online even felt that the franchise was being sabotaged. The original plan was to air A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms in 2025, followed by House of the Dragon in 2026.

Strategic Delay?

Such a broadcast schedule keeps interest in Westerosi stories high. As it stands now, both productions are expected in 2026, leaving 2025 without Westeros content. Fans speculate that the creators may be considering a sequel season. The events from the novella 'The Hedge Knight' would be supplemented with references to the two subsequent novellas, 'The Oath of Fealty' and 'The Mystery Knight'. The new filming involves references for a possible sequel.

If this theory holds, the transition from the first to the second season would be more natural. As of this writing, no official announcements have been made, and we are mostly discussing speculations. After all, there may also be updates to certain parts of the series to better fit within the mythology of 'A Song of Ice and Fire'. This would only improve the quality and position the franchise as a flagship.

Deepening The Mythology

Warner Bros.' notable move clearly stirs public curiosity. Reactions show that viewers have far from become apathetic towards the franchise. Martin himself previously indicated that his novellas form an important connection with the main themes of his book series. They are not standalone tales but a deepening of Martin's overarching book series. Whatever the reason for the delay, it is evident that Westeros keeps stirring emotions among fans. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is expected in 2026.

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