Love makes the world go round and round and round. And when we’re feeling sad, when we’re feeling tired, when we need a pick-me-up, where do we turn to? TV. Sure, movies might get more buzz sometimes, but TV is there for us week after week. Ready to make us smile, to make us cry, to make us giddy, and to leave us yearning.
And that’s exactly what these ships have done this year. They’ve made us invest. Upped our excitement. They’ve made us want more. And they’ve all done so in their own special way. Because no ship on this list is like the other, and that’s alright. No, that’s great. We can love different things in many different ways.
Here is our list of the best TV ships of 2025:
Hollanov (Shane and Ilya, Heated Rivalry)
We’re not even ranking the ships, and Hollanov would still come out on top of every ranking. Because their story isn’t just about self-discovery, it’s about finding a safe place in the person you least expect. Shane and Ilya are rivals on the ice, but they’re soulmates outside of it. It’s as simple as that. And it’s not just a destiny thing. It’s a choice the two make. Even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard. A choice to be each other’s safe place. Each other’s happy ending… and beginning.
Through many years and plenty of ups and downs. Sometimes love doesn’t come the way you expect it to and doesn’t take the face that would be most convenient, but love is always the right choice. And Shane and Ilya prove that. And sure, they’ll still have to fight for it, but we believe in them.
MORE: Our Heated Rivalry review!
Buddie (Buck and Eddie, 9-1-1)
Look, we’re still team Buddie 100%. We’re not sure the show is ever going to give it to us. But it says a lot that, if it happened tomorrow, we could all say “yeah, that makes sense.” Because that’s the thing about Buck and Eddie, they’ve always made sense. As best friends. As partners. As the one person in each other’s lives who just gets what the other is about. As the one you trust with your life and your heart.
And sure, there have been romantic interests along the way… but no one has ever displaced Buck and Eddie from the place they hold in each other’s lives. And that says a lot.
MORE: The time is now for Buck and Eddie to become canon
Tiva (Tony and Ziva, NCIS: Tony & Ziva)
Talk about iconic ships. These two didn’t get their happy ending on NCIS, only to return two decades after their characters first met on screen to give us just what fans wanted from the beginning: a happy ending. And though the show won’t be returning for a second season (we would have taken five more seasons of them doing even domestic stuff with their daughter Tali), we can’t help but celebrate the story we got.
One of two people who put in the work to heal for themselves and for each other. Of two people who never gave up on the love they shared. Somehow, we don’t believe this is the last we’ll see of them.
MORE: Check out our NCIS: Tony & Ziva’s interviews with Cote de Pablo and Michael Weatherly.
Chenford (Lucy and Tim, The Rookie)
We love Chenford! We always have. They’re not at their best right now, but love was never an issue for them. Their love was built little by little, with playful teasing and jokes, with innocent flirting…and with the way they gradually became part of each other’s lives and understanding of one another. Fear and past problems caused Tim to break Lucy’s heart, but he worked on himself for them.
Tim is determined to fight for Lucy, and that’s exactly what he’s doing by being by her side, making it clear how much she means to him, how much he loves her, and how sorry he is…but leaving Lucy free to forgive him or not. – Raquel
MORE: Is Chenford the best romance on TV?
Morgadec (Morgan and Karadec, High Potential)
Morgadec had us hooked since the beginning! They’re so different that they end up complementing each other perfectly. Karadec is all order and control, while Morgan is chaos. Utter chaos. And that forces Karadec to step out of his comfort zone and start seeing things from a different perspective. For her part, Karadec’s order gives Morgan a structure to work with, rules to follow…in her own way.
They make each other better, even if they don’t realize it. And the way their trust in each other grew while working together is the chef’s kiss. They both know the other will be there, no matter what. Always.
MORE: What do we want to see when High Potential returns
ElliMax (Det. Ellis and Max, Wild Cards)
The con artist and the cop, terrible for each other on paper but actually the perfect match, ElliMax is the type of ship that, even when they’re down, you know for a fact they’re not out. They’re a comfort ship, which is fitting considering how much comfort they’ve provided each other. This year saw them bounce back from the betrayal that closed out Wild Cards Season 1 in what was probably record time, at least in comparison with other similar ships. (Yes, I always make this comparison, but…think Caskett or Booth and Brennan.) And once they found their footing again, once that trust was restored, their connection, the way they support each other, and their love just got stronger and stronger with each episode. They’ve chosen each other, and even Max’s dad supports her staying where she belongs — with her partner — instead of sticking to their original plans.
ElliMax lived together for a short time, and somehow that wasn’t even the biggest step forward, out of the many steps forward in 2025, for their relationship. (It’s obviously “I’ll be your cricket,” their own, special way of saying “I love you.”) Although we’re not at their happy ending yet, we know it’s only a matter of time. So, we’re not worried about that season-ending cliffhanger…not much, at least. – Shana
MORE: Here’s why you should watch Wild Cards
Stellaride (Stella and Kelly, Chicago Fire)
This has been a year of highs and lows for Stella and Kelly. But if there’s something we can say about them, always, it is that they will face any and all obstacles together. And not just that, they will face whatever comes at them in the way healthy, loving couples do: by communicating with each other. By being each other’s rock, in good times and bad.
Because yes, at this point, Stella and Kelly are the standard in One Chicago. Not just because they’ve lasted so long, but because they’ve really grown as individuals and as a couple. And it doesn’t hurt that Kelly is absolutely obsessed with his wife, and vice versa.
MORE: Chicago Fire failed the Stellaride pregnancy storyline.
Ellie/Dina (The Last of Us)
Living in a post-apocalyptic world is hard, but Ellie and Dina at least had each other. And their relationship wasn’t just about comfort, or about what was easy. It was about finding a partner who could be there with you in good times and bad times. Someone who’d literally go to war with you and do so with their eyes open. And as much as Dina was there for Ellie, Ellie was also there for Dina.
In fact, their relationship was the high point of a season that hit us hard and left us weeping more than once. If there’s a happy ending in this world, it is in believing these two can have a happy ending.
MORE: Our review of The Last of Us Season 2
Radioapple (Lucifer and Alastor, Hazbin Hotel)
Even though they’re not canon, there’s something undeniable about the chemistry between Lucifer and Alastor on Hazbin Hotel. Because this isn’t just arguing that we’re seeing here with them left and right. These are two beings who know each other’s weaknesses and strengths. And they don’t use it to destroy each other. They use it to banter and poke & prod at each other. That’s textbook chemistry building for something more.
Also, there’s the fact that Alastor doesn’t like to touch people or be touched, but he touches Lucifer. Then there’s the mugs. That took time and thought. And it wasn’t born out of maliciousness. It was born out of having fun with someone. Oh, also, I’d like to point out Alastor seeking out Lucifer for funsies and Lucifer lighting up like a Christmas tree when Alastor entered the sitting area. These two challenge each other and give us some of the most memorable moments. And with the Season 2 finale revelations made… Lucifer is going to need a champion. Why not Alastor?
MORE: Read our review of the first episode of Hazbin Hotel Season 2
Burzek (Kim and Adam, Chicago P.D.)
We got a Burzek wedding this year, and it was a long time coming! Because Kim and Adam have been steady. The calm in the middle of the storm for each other, and for their daughter, Makayla. Because they’re a family now. And they’re also newlyweds, and a long-time couple. And they’ve been navigating all these sometimes contradicting roles in a way that showcases how much they’ve done to build their connection.
Happily ever after, especially on a procedural, looks like a couple facing outside obstacles together. And that’s where Kim and Adam stand.
MORE: Read our review of the Burzek wedding episode!
JD/Mackey (NCIS: Sydney)
Another ship that’s been mostly setup so far, but that feels like it’s close to taking that next step. They’ve already got the partnership part down pat, and we’ve gotten glimpses of jealousy and even a little bit of co-dependency. Plus, they’ve shared with each other more than they do with anyone else. Who knows Mackey better than JD and vice versa? And who, other than the two of them, can push when one of them needs it to? So, we’re just saying, it’s about time these two stop being promise and become something else.
MORE: Is NCIS: Sydney going there with Mackey and JD?
WenClair (Wednesday and Enid, Wednesday)
Wednesday and Enid feel like two sides of the same coin. And when things started off with them, things were tense. Wednesday was affronted by everything bright and bubbly about Enid and had her own preconceived notions of who a girl like Enid was. And Enid took those preconceived notions and bit back while still remaining herself. As Season 1 went on, they cemented their friendship. But it’s Season 2 where the proved how far they would go for each other.
Most of what Wednesday did in Season 2 was about protecting Enid. Because this isn’t just her friend. This is her person. Her confidant. And Enid made her choice, choosing to rescue Wednesday even though it would mean trapping her in her alpha state. As the season wrapped up, Wednesday didn’t let distance keep them apart. Like Enid chose her and Wednesday is doing the same thing by going after her. That’s love. Maybe not romantic for some fans. But enough for this one.
MORE: If Wednesday and Enid not romantic, why romantic shaped?
Percabeth (Percy and Annabeth, Percy Jackson and the Olympians)
We’re still very much in the slow part of the slow burn for Percy and Annabeth, but you could see these two were meant to be together since Season 1, and Season 2 has just escalated this. Percy himself said he knew Annabeth was special since basically a few days after he met her! And he’s proven, time and time again, that he trusts her more than anyone. And Annabeth? The proof that she truly cares about Percy is how much time and effort she puts into protecting him. Because for Annabeth, there’s no better way to show affection than that. And yes, we’re still far from this actually being canon. But the setup is delicious so far.
MORE: Read our Percy Jackson Season 2 review
Maomao (The Apothecary Diaries)
Momo and Jinshi are perfect for each other because they understand each other’s freak on The Apothecary Diaries. Even better, they indulge each other’s freak. I have never seen someone so dedicated to ailments and things that can kill you until Momo. And Jinshi? He’s absolutely delighted (and a tiny bit horrified sometimes) that she’s the way she is. So he indulges her while lifting her up.
Then there’s the way that Momo doesn’t swoon over Jinshi. (Stay with me here.) Everyone else swoons over his pretty face. And Momo is still as a statue, sometimes giving him the stink eye. What does Jinshi do? He eats it up. He wants a challenge. He wants someone to see him for who he is and not who he presents to the world. And Momo sees that. Sees him.
MORE: Our review of Outlander: Blood of My Blood
Brian & Ellen (Outlander: Blood of My Blood)
We never thought we’d meet a man like James Fraser. But here’s his father to prove us wrong. Brian Fraser is the original King of Men. We can’t count the times we swooned listening to him declare his love for Ellen. But what we love most about him isn’t his words, but his actions. Brian was willing to give everything, even his life, for Ellen. He chose her, even over his own family, because for him, there was never any other option.
The best part? Ellen did the same. She chose Brian and her future with him even over her own family, even over her own name. Because she couldn’t turn her back on what she felt for Brian without betraying herself. That’s why Brellen earned a place on this list. – Raquel
