The Best and Worst Series of 2024: A Year in Review
As we step into 2025, it’s time to reflect on the highs and lows of television series from the past year. While some superhero shows missed the mark, period pieces captured audiences like no other. Here’s a rundown of my personal rankings for what stood out in the television landscape of 2024.
The Worst of 2024
Fifth Place: Echo
Despite having significant moments and established characters, Echo failed to deliver an engaging storyline. Many fans felt let down by the portrayal of the protagonist and the missed potential of crossovers with Daredevil. Ultimately, while it wasn’t terrible, it certainly lacked the impact we desire from a superhero series.
Fourth Place: The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (Season 2)
Amazon’s ambitious attempt to bring J.R.R. Tolkien’s world to life continued to falter in its second season. Although efforts were made to improve the visuals and storytelling, the series still struggled with its narrative coherence. Fans expect better from such a beloved source material, and this iteration failed to deliver.
Third Place: Terminator: Zero
This latest addition to the Terminator franchise aimed to reinvent the story through anime but stumbled with slow pacing and a lackluster plot. While the franchise has seen its share of ups and downs, this effort didn’t manage to capture the thrilling essence of its predecessors, marking it as one of the year's worst.
What happens when you take a beloved classic and twist it into something unrecognizable? You get Velma. This series has continued to disappoint with its ineffective humor and poorly crafted character arcs. Despite some hope following its first season, the second installment doubled down on mediocrity, leading to its eventual cancellation.
First Place: The Acolyte
Surprisingly, The Acolyte started with promise but rapidly devolved into chaos. Viewers abandoned the series week by week, frustrated by poorly crafted dialogues and nonsensical plotlines. It was so far removed from quality storytelling that it earned the dubious honor of being labeled the worst of 2024.
In a refreshing turn, X-Men '97 captures the heart of its original audience while maintaining modern appeal. The animation is on point, the narrative flows seamlessly from classic tales, and the series has been received with open arms by fans. It’s a reminder of how to honor legacy material while adapting it for new audiences.
Fourth Place: Arcane (Season 2)
Continuing its trend of excellence, Arcane dazzled viewers with its stunning visuals and deep storytelling. This season offered intricate character development and high-stakes drama, solidifying its position as one of the highest-rated series of the year. Its blend of action and emotional depth kept audiences coming back for more.
Shogun took viewers on an epic journey through feudal Japan, marrying gorgeous visuals with rich storytelling. This series did not shy away from depicting intense action and complex political intrigue, reminiscent of classics like Game of Thrones. It's an unforgettable journey that resonated deeply with viewers, earning its place in the top three.
Second Place: Dragon Ball Daima
Honoring the legacy of Dragon Ball while introducing new narratives, Dragon Ball Daima struck a chord with fans, especially following the passing of creator Akira Toriyama. The engaging storylines and depth of character development made it a standout in this year's anime offerings, distinguishing itself as must-watch content.
Rounding out the year, Penguin emerged as the best series with its gripping narrative and masterful character development. From the intense violence to the philosophical depths, this series seamlessly blended cinematic elements with a complex storyline that kept audiences on the edge of their seats. It left a lasting impression and rightfully earned the title of the best series of 2024.
Conclusion
As we dive into 2025, it’s clear that the world of television continues to be a mixed bag. From spectacular successes that evoke nostalgia to disappointing adaptations that miss the mark, viewers have experienced a bit of everything. What were your favorite and least favorite series of the year? Share your thoughts, and let’s see how our rankings compare!
Part 1/6:
The Best and Worst Series of 2024: A Year in Review
As we step into 2025, it’s time to reflect on the highs and lows of television series from the past year. While some superhero shows missed the mark, period pieces captured audiences like no other. Here’s a rundown of my personal rankings for what stood out in the television landscape of 2024.
The Worst of 2024
Fifth Place: Echo
Despite having significant moments and established characters, Echo failed to deliver an engaging storyline. Many fans felt let down by the portrayal of the protagonist and the missed potential of crossovers with Daredevil. Ultimately, while it wasn’t terrible, it certainly lacked the impact we desire from a superhero series.
Part 2/6:
Fourth Place: The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (Season 2)
Amazon’s ambitious attempt to bring J.R.R. Tolkien’s world to life continued to falter in its second season. Although efforts were made to improve the visuals and storytelling, the series still struggled with its narrative coherence. Fans expect better from such a beloved source material, and this iteration failed to deliver.
Third Place: Terminator: Zero
This latest addition to the Terminator franchise aimed to reinvent the story through anime but stumbled with slow pacing and a lackluster plot. While the franchise has seen its share of ups and downs, this effort didn’t manage to capture the thrilling essence of its predecessors, marking it as one of the year's worst.
Second Place: Velma (Season 2)
Part 3/6:
What happens when you take a beloved classic and twist it into something unrecognizable? You get Velma. This series has continued to disappoint with its ineffective humor and poorly crafted character arcs. Despite some hope following its first season, the second installment doubled down on mediocrity, leading to its eventual cancellation.
First Place: The Acolyte
Surprisingly, The Acolyte started with promise but rapidly devolved into chaos. Viewers abandoned the series week by week, frustrated by poorly crafted dialogues and nonsensical plotlines. It was so far removed from quality storytelling that it earned the dubious honor of being labeled the worst of 2024.
The Best of 2024
Fifth Place: X-Men '97
Part 4/6:
In a refreshing turn, X-Men '97 captures the heart of its original audience while maintaining modern appeal. The animation is on point, the narrative flows seamlessly from classic tales, and the series has been received with open arms by fans. It’s a reminder of how to honor legacy material while adapting it for new audiences.
Fourth Place: Arcane (Season 2)
Continuing its trend of excellence, Arcane dazzled viewers with its stunning visuals and deep storytelling. This season offered intricate character development and high-stakes drama, solidifying its position as one of the highest-rated series of the year. Its blend of action and emotional depth kept audiences coming back for more.
Third Place: Shogun
Part 5/6:
Shogun took viewers on an epic journey through feudal Japan, marrying gorgeous visuals with rich storytelling. This series did not shy away from depicting intense action and complex political intrigue, reminiscent of classics like Game of Thrones. It's an unforgettable journey that resonated deeply with viewers, earning its place in the top three.
Second Place: Dragon Ball Daima
Honoring the legacy of Dragon Ball while introducing new narratives, Dragon Ball Daima struck a chord with fans, especially following the passing of creator Akira Toriyama. The engaging storylines and depth of character development made it a standout in this year's anime offerings, distinguishing itself as must-watch content.
First Place: Penguin
Part 6/6:
Rounding out the year, Penguin emerged as the best series with its gripping narrative and masterful character development. From the intense violence to the philosophical depths, this series seamlessly blended cinematic elements with a complex storyline that kept audiences on the edge of their seats. It left a lasting impression and rightfully earned the title of the best series of 2024.
Conclusion
As we dive into 2025, it’s clear that the world of television continues to be a mixed bag. From spectacular successes that evoke nostalgia to disappointing adaptations that miss the mark, viewers have experienced a bit of everything. What were your favorite and least favorite series of the year? Share your thoughts, and let’s see how our rankings compare!