Television in 2022 hit a rare sweet spot: returning fan favorites delivered some of their strongest seasons yet, while brand-new shows came out swinging with bold concepts and unforgettable characters. Streaming platforms were in full competition mode, giving us everything from blood-soaked horror to heartfelt drama to animated spectacles. Narrowing it down wasn’t easy, but here are the 10 best TV series of 2022 across Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and beyond.
10. The Cuphead Show!: Season 3 (Netflix)
Based on the hit indie video game, The Cuphead Show! carried its rubber-hose animation charm into a lively third season. Playful, zany, and stylishly retro, the series combined slapstick humor with fast-paced adventures. It didn’t reinvent the wheel, but for fans of classic cartoon energy mixed with video game references, Season 3 was pure comfort entertainment.
9. Warrior Nun: Season 2 (Netflix)
Sadly cut short after only two seasons, Warrior Nun still managed to deliver a bigger and bolder follow-up in 2022. Blending supernatural action, religious mythology, and heartfelt character arcs, Season 2 gave viewers more spectacle and tighter storytelling. Alba Baptista cemented herself as a rising star, and the show left fans hungry for more.
8. Extraordinary Attorney Woo: Season 1 (ENA / Netflix)
This South Korean drama about a young lawyer on the autism spectrum took audiences by storm with its mix of warmth, humor, and heartfelt storytelling. Park Eun-bin gave a standout performance as Woo Young-woo, balancing quirky charm with quiet strength. With its touching cases and emotional arcs, the show became one of the year’s international breakout hits.
7. All of Us Are Dead: Season 1 (Netflix)
The zombie genre isn’t new, but All of Us Are Dead brought fresh energy by setting its outbreak inside a high school. Balancing teenage drama with nail-biting horror, the series combined gruesome action with surprisingly strong emotional beats. Its blend of survival storytelling and social commentary made it a standout among Netflix’s international releases.
6. Chainsaw Man: Season 1 (Crunchyroll / MAPPA)
Adapted from Tatsuki Fujimoto’s hit manga, Chainsaw Man stormed into 2022 as one of the most talked-about anime series of the year. With brutal action, surreal humor, and complex characters, it quickly cemented itself as a must-watch. MAPPA’s animation was kinetic and stylish, capturing the chaotic energy of Denji’s story. A brutal, bizarre ride from start to finish.
5. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners: Season 1 (Netflix / Studio Trigger)
Tying into the Cyberpunk 2077 video game world, this anime spin-off shocked audiences with just how good it was. Studio Trigger’s bold animation style and emotionally gut-punching story about David and Lucy elevated Edgerunners beyond expectations. It was fast, stylish, and tragic — and it helped renew faith in the Cyberpunk brand in a big way.
4. What We Do in the Shadows: Season 4 (FX / Hulu)
TV’s funniest vampire mockumentary stayed as sharp as ever in its fourth season. With bizarre plotlines (a baby Colin Robinson, anyone?) and endlessly quotable one-liners, the series proved it hasn’t lost a drop of its comedic blood. Clever writing, absurd situations, and top-tier ensemble work made Season 4 another standout year for Staten Island’s favorite vampires.
3. Evil: Season 3 (Paramount+)
One of the most underrated shows on TV continued to shine in 2022. Evil mixed psychological horror, supernatural dread, and procedural storytelling into something uniquely unsettling and addictive. Katja Herbers, Mike Colter, and Aasif Mandvi anchored the show with strong chemistry, while the writing kept audiences constantly questioning the nature of good, evil, and everything in between.
2. Wednesday: Season 1 (Netflix)
Tim Burton’s Wednesday took the Addams Family’s most iconic daughter and gave her a gothic coming-of-age mystery of her own. Jenna Ortega’s deadpan brilliance instantly turned her into a cultural phenomenon, while the mix of horror, comedy, and boarding school drama proved irresistible. Add a viral dance sequence and sharp supporting cast, and Wednesday became one of Netflix’s biggest hits.
1. Stranger Things: Season 4 (Netflix)
Bigger, darker, and scarier, Stranger Things 4 was the most ambitious season yet. With the introduction of Vecna, terrifying new lore, and some of the show’s most emotional character arcs, it brought the series back to peak form. Between Eddie Munson’s unforgettable “Master of Puppets” moment and the heart-wrenching twists, Season 4 reminded fans why this show dominates pop culture.
The Verdict
2022 proved that television is only getting bolder, stranger, and more international. From Netflix juggernauts like Stranger Things and Wednesday to breakout global hits like Extraordinary Attorney Woo and All of Us Are Dead, audiences had more variety than ever. Animated gems (Chainsaw Man, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners) stood shoulder to shoulder with horror, comedy, and drama. These ten series not only defined the year, they showcased the global reach and endless creativity of modern TV.
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