‘The Bear,’ ‘Squid Game’ and more summer 2025 TV shows to watch

A chaotic kitchen. The biggest of hats. A return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Murderous aliens. Summer is nigh, and with it comes the summer TV season. This year’s offerings include a smorgasbord of variety, with returning favorites (“The Bear,” “The Gilded Age”) and buzzy new releases (“Ironheart,” “Alien: Earth”) alike coming to the small screen.So ditch those overrated outdoor plans, get cozy on the couch and check out some of the summer’s most anticipated TV shows. (Note: Premiere dates are tentative and subject to change.)

“Adults”

Growing up is hard — even more so when you’re already an adult. This hilarious-looking ensemble series, set in New York, focuses on the wins and losses of getting your feet under you as you enter the world of rent, jobs, health care, dinner parties and dating apps. (A tip to the wannabe adults out there: Don’t drink weird milk.) (May 28, FX on Hulu)

“The Gilded Age” Season 3

The gorgeous costumes on this period series are second to none, but they’re not the only things that will capture your attention. The latest season promises more drama between the new-money Russell family and the old-money Brook family, with HBO offering a captivating logline: “As all of New York hastens toward the future, their ambition may come at the cost of what they truly hold dear.” (But honestly, we’re just here for the costumes.) (June 22, HBO and Max)

“Ironheart”

Marvel has been on a roll with its latest TV offerings (“Agatha All Along,” “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man,” “Daredevil: Born Again”), so here’s hoping the final TV entry in Phase Five continues that streak. This Marvel miniseries further develops the character introduced in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” with Dominique Thorne reprising the role of tech genius and armor suit-building extraordinaire Riri Williams/Ironheart. (Also from Marvel this summer: the four-episode animated miniseries “Eyes of Wakanda,” out Aug. 6, which chronicles Wakandan warriors throughout history working to retrieve vibranium artifacts.) (June 24, Disney+)

“The Bear” Season 4

The plot for the fourth season of the Emmy-winning series remains under wraps. However, we can probably make a few safe bets: Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) will still be dealing with The Chicago Tribune restaurant review (what did it really say?). We’ll learn what choice Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) made about her job offer. And the food will still look mouthwatering. (June 25, FX on Hulu)

“Smoke”

Set in the Pacific Northwest, this miniseries pairs up (begrudgingly, it seems) an arson investigator and police detective to stop two arsonists from wreaking havoc. Inspired by true events and the podcast “Firebug,” the show stars Taron Egerton and Jurnee Smollett. (June 27, Apple TV+)

“Squid Game” Season 3

A stunning cliffhanger capped off the second season of Netflix’s outrageously popular dystopian survival thriller. With secrets, rebellions and betrayals abundant, the real question of Season 3, the series’ final, is, what comes next for Gi-hun? As the unnerving teaser trailer succinctly puts it, “It’s time to play one last time” — but will anyone actually survive this “game”? (June 27, Netflix)

“The Sandman” Season 2

The second and final season of this visually lush fantasy drama is being split up, with the first set of episodes releasing July 3 and the second July 24. Based on Neil Gaiman’s comic book series of the same name, the new season is set to finish up the story of Dream (Tom Sturridge) as he works to restore the Dreaming realm. The teaser trailer introduces new faces from the Endless family, as well as gods, monsters and more. (Plans to end the series after Season 2 were made before Gaiman, an executive producer for the series, was accused by several women of sexual assault, according to Variety. Gaiman has denied that he ever engaged in nonconsensual sex.) (July 3, Netflix)

“Chief of War”

This historical drama miniseries from Apple sends viewers back to the turn of the 18th century, as colonization threatens the Hawaiian Islands. Unfortunately for the islands’ inhabitants, its four major kingdoms are warring with each other. Enter based-on-real-life Ka‘iana (Jason Momoa), a Hawaiian warrior who kicks off a bloody campaign to unite the islands from outside threats. In an interview with GQ magazine, Momoa says, “This is my ‘Braveheart,’ this is my ‘Last of the Mohicans.’” (Aug. 1, Apple TV+)

“Wednesday” Season 2

The start of a new school year has never been more exciting. Jenna Ortega — who earned universal acclaim in the first season — is back as the titular psychic in Season 2 of Netflix’s biting and hilarious mystery series (based on “The Addams Family”). A teaser trailer reveals Wednesday is back at Nevermore Academy and that mysteries will need to be solved. (And if there’s another awesome dance scene, all the better.) Part 1 of the season premieres Aug. 6, with Part 2 dropping Sept. 3; would you believe those are both Wednesdays? (Aug. 6, Netflix)

“Alien: Earth”

The prequel series, set two years before the events of the original (and best) “Alien” movie, will tread familiar territory: A mysterious spaceship has crashed. A group of soldiers goes to check it out. There are aliens. The twist: All of this is happening on Earth, rather than on some faraway planet. What that means for the “Alien” canon is unknown, but to riff off the iconic “Alien” tagline: I’m betting on Earth, everyone can hear you scream. (Aug. 12, FX on Hulu)

“Peacemaker” Season 2

The DC Universe (which is separate from the now-retired DC Extended Universe) is getting two new additions in quick succession, with July’s new “Superman” movie followed by the new season of “Peacemaker.” Details of Season 2 are scant — the teaser trailer, which is two minutes very well spent, gloriously tells us nothing important — but we’ve been told that the season happens after the events of “Superman,” whatever those turn out to be. Truth be told, just give me John Cena being his charming, boisterous, face-punching self and I’ll be a happy viewer. (Aug. 21, Max)