The good year of 2025 was filled with Labubus, hits (and flips) from the likes of Doechii and Benson Boone, and whatever the heck 6-7 is.
Many pop culture moments that occurred this year will be etched in my memory, whether I like it or not. And as polarizing as some of it has been (I’m looking at you, Sydney Sweeney), I’ve learned to appreciate the silliness in it all. Not only were there a lot of pop culture moments, though, there also were a ton of movies and shows that were released this year that have become some of my all-time favorites.
Last year, I did a column similar to this recapping my media favorites throughout the previous 12 months. Although I could’ve done better in some departments (i.e., I read ONE book this year. ONE. So, don’t expect any recommendations in that department), I’ve excelled in others, and I’d love to spread the things that brought me joy throughout the year with all of you.
So, without further ado, and in no particular order, here are my favorite movies, shows and albums/songs that came out this year.
MOVIES
”Superman” was my top movie of the year, no doubt about it. I love movies where I can distinctly remember how they make me feel as the credits roll. For “Superman,” I remember feeling nothing short of hopeful as “Punkrocker” by Teddybears played. I felt hope for the DC universe, hope that little kids had such an openly vulnerable and kind superhero to look up to, and hope that, in the end, maybe empathy will conquer the bitterness that plagues our world — specifically our online spaces — nowadays. James Gunn smashed this out of the park while still putting his own flair and humor into it.
Another fantastic movie from this year was ”Sinners.” If you haven’t seen this movie, I can’t stress enough how much you need to. Director Ryan Coogler emulates the 1930s era in Mississippi so unbelievably well, and the underlying message is incredible. From the accents to showcasing the social issues of the Jim Crow South, the setting was insanely immersive and felt authentic to the culture that people of color needed to hold onto in times of oppression. The addition of the vampires, too, was interesting. It added some pizzazz to the movie that only aided in the message of white supremacy and cultural appropriation, and raised the stakes (no pun intended) while still ensuring the metaphors of the movie’s core came through.
Next, I can’t give the Knives Out movies enough flowers, and Rian Johnson deserves every last one for Netflix’s “Wake Up Dead Man.” As someone who wasn’t raised in religion but doesn’t have any ill feelings toward the church, it was refreshing to see where both Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) and Father Jud (Josh O’Connor) were coming from, while also knowing of far too many Jefferson Wicks types. All of that’s to say it was a wonderful, and dare I say, very fair representation of Christianity. Viewers saw what one bad seed did to the church by trying to be a god, rather than trying to bring people to God. Not to mention the mystery was, as always, phenomenal and ever unpredictable.
Now, hear me out. The ”How to Train Your Dragon” animated movies are phenomenal, but the live-action movie can’t be beat. No live-action adaptation I’ve ever seen holds a candle to this. It is beat-for-beat, scene-for-scene, the original animated movie, and I have no words other than: Disney, take notes, and don’t try and fix something that’s not broken.
”K-Pop Demon Hunters” on Netflix is obviously in my top 10, too; it’s just extraordinary. All ages can enjoy different parts of it, and it fully embraces its goofiness and anime-style. Not to mention how the music is insanely catchy.
One movie I didn’t expect to be in my top 10 from this year was ”F1.” Mainly because I hate sports movies, for the most part, and I know nothing about Formula 1 driving, but regardless, I loved this movie. The way it was filmed, the lighting, and the soundtrack (and score) would’ve had me hooked even if I didn’t enjoy the story. However, I found myself so invested in the stakes at hand that I just couldn’t look away. The movie is 2½ hours, and you’d never know it.
On top of DC coming out with one my favorites of the year, Marvel also had two bangers over the summer with ”Thunderbolts*” and ”Fantastic Four: First Steps.” The emotional scenes of “Thunderbolts*” really resonated, and I walked away wanting nothing more than to see these characters again. “Fantastic Four” I thought had a great story and great aesthetic, but I’d give more of my flowers to “Thunderbolts*” At this rate, though, we need to hold on to every good Marvel thing we get.
For those more into the horror scene, I think ”Companion” was a really fun watch. I’ll watch just about anything with Jack Quaid in it, and Sophie Thatcher was my actress obsession of the month after I caught up on “Yellowjackets” in February, so this was a no-brainer. The world-building was fun, and the dystopian advanced-technology aspect gave the movie a lot of room for eeriness and play. I definitely wasn’t expecting the ending of the film, but I can’t say I was the least bit unsatisfied.
Finally, I have to give my last top spot to the animated, wonderful ”Dog Man.” I didn’t grow up reading the books it’s based on, and trust me, I am well aware of my age, but I don’t care. This movie, although it was clearly geared for kids, was just adorable. The animation was incredible, Pete Davidson was great as the villain, and I want more, what can I say?
Honorable mentions: I feel like I can’t not mention ”Avatar: Fire and Ash,” “Wicked: For Good” and ”Weapons,” which were all great in their own right, but either not as good as their counterparts, or were missing something for me. Still, all entertaining nonetheless.
TELEVISION
Nobody loves a chaotic comedy more than me, and that’s why Seth Rogen’s satirical cringe-comedy ”The Studio” on Apple TV was such a standout to me from this year. I feel like even though it’s an obviously dramatized take on what happens behind the scenes of Hollywood, there has to be some truth in the craziness. It knows how to make fun of the industry and the people in it while not being too overboard or problematic, and I like that. Dave Franco also continues to prove that he’s the superior Franco brother, and Zoë Kravitz continues to prove herself as an incredible addition to the industry.
Since season two of Amazon Prime’s “Fallout” came out last month, I feel like I can mention it, even if season one was released in 2024. I’ve never played the Fallout video games, but I heard that the show is more of a loose interpretation of them anyway. The characters all had their own stories that pull you in, and the setting was spot-on. The show is set in the future, over 100 years after a nuclear war, but still has a 1950s Americana vibe to it. Walton Goggins, who plays one of the main bad guys, deserves more recognition for his role as The Ghoul, and Ella Purnell nails Lucy’s innocence while still making sure we know she’s fiercely independent. I’m holding out hope that season two keeps getting better.
”Hazbin Hotel” season two, which just aired in November on Amazon Prime, continues to be my biggest hyper-fixation of all time. I didn’t think so at first, but it truly beat out season one in every way in regards to the music, stakes and origin stories. There are so many quotable moments this season, and the voice cast is full of incredible Broadway stars who really outdid themselves this season.
I talked about these two satirical cringe-comedies in a previous column, so I won’t gush too much more, but Hulu’s ”Adults” and Amazon Prime’s “Overcompensating” were great additions to TV this year. They’re both clearly geared toward their respective generations (Gen Z and Gen Y), and balance the heartfelt moments with goofiness perfectly. ”I Love L.A.” on HBO Max also had very similar humor to these two shows, but I definitely think it’s more of an acquired taste, especially for people over the age of 32 (unless you live in L.A. or know the culture). Plus, who doesn’t love Josh Hutcherson?
Other shows released this year that have been trending like wildfire both online and at award ceremonies are ”The Pitt” on HBO Max, a medical drama set in Pittsburgh, and ”Plurbius” on Apple TV, a show about a woman forced to maintain her individuality in a world overtaken by a blissful hive mind alien virus. I wanted to mention them even if I’ve only seen one episode of each, just because they are, in fact, that good. But it’d be unfair to give my full judgment just yet.
MUSIC
Now, hear me out. I don’t have a ton of favorites this year for music because I fully admit I live in an echo chamber. With Spotify and music streaming in general, it’s extremely easy to do that. My recommendations, daily mixes and discover weekly playlists all include songs I’ve already heard. So, oftentimes, my top five artists never change because Spotify will not stop shoving them down my throat every time I try to discover someone or something new. God forbid.
So, yes, Charli XCX’s “Brat” from 2024 was still my top album of 2025. But I’m usually not a “listen to an album in full” kind of gal anyway, so it probably wouldn’t have made a difference.
Although “Life of a Showgirl” was not my favorite Taylor Swift album by any measure, I was, and am still, obsessed with ”Fate of Ophelia.” It’s just a fun song, it’s the definition of a pop hit, and it has the catchiest pre-chorus ever.
The band I never expected to be in my top five on my Spotify Wrapped was Twenty One Pilots, but here we are. The demo for ”Doubt” was my third most listened to song of the year. It was released back in April and lived in my brain for months. It’s much more synth-heavy than its 2015 counterpart, and really makes my middle school era, emo-music-loving heart sing.
The Beaches were also in my Spotify Wrapped, and continue to be one of my favorite bands over the last few years. Their album ”No Hard Feelings,” which was released in August, has incredible bangers. Specifically, “Can I Call You in the Morning,” “Did I Say Too Much” and “Last Girls At the Party” are classic Beaches pop-rock vibes.
Tate McRae’s “Too Close to What” is an album I listened to as more of an assignment for a concert I went to, but I ended up loving it. Pop music is the main genre I listen to (if that wasn’t obvious), but Tate McRae has been in my rotation since 2020 with “you broke me first.”
I also have to give huge shoutouts to my pop girls Kesha, with her first album released independently, ”(Period),” and Lady Gaga for ”Mayhem.” It really felt like the two of them were returning to form, and the songs were reminiscent of when I felt like their best material since the mid-2000s.
Here’s to another year of more music, movies and television to love.