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How would you do with boundless ability? That's the central question explored by all greatest science fiction and fantastical tales. Imagine if you gained superhuman abilities? Or discovered a miraculous drug? Or if every other human became dedicated to your satisfaction? Could you wield such influence for good, or succumb to your darker instincts?

The television series ranked below each explore that very concept in various ways (aside from one key exclusion). Detailed below is our list of the 10 best installments of science fiction & fantasy TV from the past year.

10. Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man

Even after over six decades of stories, Spider-Man is constantly reinvented by new creative voices. This series delivers a novel perspective at the hero's formative years, skillfully combining classic source material story beats with ideas from other adaptations to create something that feels both fresh and profoundly engaging.

Instead of operating solo or Tony Stark as a mentor, this iteration of the hero forges a complex partnership with the future Green Goblin, who here is merely the CEO of Oscorp. Across their dynamic, Peter becomes his own man, internalizing the iconic lesson of power and responsibility.

9. Hazbin Hotel Season 2

Showrunner Vivienne Medrano's boldly transgressive mature musical-comedy series, which originated as a fan-funded short, fully came into its own in its second installment. Building on the climactic events of the first season, the narrative expands considerably, following the scheming TV demon Vox as he takes control of the narrative, sparking a chain of increasingly explosive confrontations that naturally culminate in show-stopping musical numbers.

While it may lack a single breakout hit on the level of season one's "iconic tune," that's because everything in season 2 being more ambitious. The fight sequences, personal development, and above all the score and songs are collectively elevated. The season moves the main plot forward while providing no shortage of bizarre, wild, and ultimately fun dark fantasy.

8. Daredevil: Born Again

As a successor to the acclaimed Netflix series, Daredevil: Born Again had immense shoes to fill. After significant development challenges, the resulting product demonstrates to be worth the wait. The plot centers on Matt Murdock once his dual life as Daredevil is publicly revealed, leaving him a target to foes from his past and present in a slightly version of his well-known world.

The premiere is explosive, capturing the intense feeling fans loved from the prior series. While the middle chapters venture into some different narrative ground, the season finishes powerfully, leaving fans eagerly awaiting a second installment.

7. Common Side Effects

An unexpected this year's highlight, this show could be described as a crime saga with a sensibility of a suburban satire. Created by Joe Bennett alongside comedy Steve Hely, it tells the saga of a mild-mannered fungi expert who discovers a curative mushroom and soon finds himself hunted by everyone from unscrupulous Big Pharma CEOs to federal agents.

Despite being a spoof, the narrative unfolds with the serious intensity of a classic conspiracy film. Enhanced by trippy animation and an eerie score, the story delves into deeper mysteries about the mushroom's true capabilities. It's a smart, beautifully animated, and utterly compelling ten-episode season.

6. Fallout Season 2

This hit adaptation based on the popular gaming franchise came back with a new season of episodes that expanded its epic mystery and expanded its post-apocalyptic world. While it travels toward the legendary location of New Vegas, the season is far from a direct retelling of that title; rather, it further examine themes of authority and autonomy.

It expertly balances several storylines and perspectives, from the protagonist's mission for justice to a knight's reckoning with the ideology of the Brotherhood of Steel. The outcome is a rich layered and wholly absorbing addition to the expanding wasteland mythology.

5. Invincible Season 3

The bloody and heartfelt adult animation series keeps its powerful streak in its third outing. The hero confronts tremendous challenges on all fronts: preparing for a coming Viltrumite invasion, mentoring his powered brother, and battling with the shadowy Global Defense Agency. The season also includes some of the most brutal action scenes the series has ever produced.

Mark's physical and emotional limits are constantly pushed. He must grapple with foes stronger than himself, the consequences of his actions, and the moral burden of his decisions. Excellent storylines for key cast members such as Cecil Stedman and Rex Splode round out a superb installment.

4. Peacemaker Season 2

James Gunn's offbeat superhero show returned with increased significance within the revamped DC universe, and season 2 delivers on both fronts. While it effectively lays groundwork for future cinematic universe stories, it also presents a powerful and self-contained {