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Fall leaves and Spotify Wrapped have dropped in tandem, two clear signs that the year is coming to a close. 2025 has been an interesting year in media, too unremarkable to be called truly special, but not unenjoyable in the content it has produced. Yes, there was no Barbenheimer, no Eras Tour, no all-encompassing, year-defining cultural phenomenon to represent the year as a whole, but that\u2019s not to say that 2025 lacked special moments in the arts and entertainment sphere.\u00a0<\/p>\n
There were Beyonc\u00e9 concerts and Coldplay<\/a> concerts and Katy Perry concerts in space. There was a Fantastic Four<\/a> movie, a Superman<\/a> movie and a KPop Demon Hunters movie \u2013\u2013 bad, middling and strangely good, respectively. There were winter Sundays when Kendrick Lamar dissed Drake to 100 million people, and summer Wednesdays where viewers gathered around screens in eager, or reluctant, anticipation of Belly Conklin\u2019s latest misstep.<\/p>\n Though 2025 may not go down in history as a cultural behemoth, some of its products might. From page to screen, sound to socials, three A&E writers sat down to share their superlative picks from the year in media.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Best Movie of 2025<\/b><\/p>\n Caroline Lee, Senior Writer<\/i>: \u201cSinners\u201d dir. Ryan Coogler\u00a0<\/p>\n Set in 1930s Mississippi and telling the story of one fateful night at a juke joint, \u201cSinners\u201d is a masterclass in original storytelling. Directed by Ryan Coogler and starring Michael B. Jordan, twice<\/a>, \u201cSinners\u201d sets up its world and characters with beautiful care, before transforming \u2013\u2013 much like a vampire \u2013\u2013 into an entirely different type of story. The film\u2019s second hour is riveting, a largely continuous sequence that showcases exceptional performances from a strong supporting cast, most notably newcomer Miles Caton. \u201cSinners\u201d is as much of an examination of culture and identity as it is a thrilling display of vampiric horror, and Coogler\u2019s love and passion for his craft truly shines off the screen.\u00a0<\/p>\n Amelia Lucien, Senior Writer<\/i>: \u201cOne Battle After Another\u201d dir. Paul Thomas Anderson\u00a0<\/p>\n Paul Thomas Anderson\u2019s latest film, \u201cOne Battle After Another\u201d tackles the complexities of fighting for progress with a sharp commentary on racism and immigration, using absurdism<\/a> to reveal the harsh reality of current events. The film follows ex-revolutionary Pat, forced to come out of hiding to rescue his daughter, Willa, from the clutches of Sgt. Lockjaw \u2014 an old enemy from Pat\u2019s past who had a complicated relationship with Willa\u2019s mother. The film deals with difficult issues, balancing suspense and violence with a surprising amount of humor and heart. The stunning cinematography, portrayal of father-daughter relationships and fearless political messaging make \u201cOne Battle After Another\u201d more than your typical action film.<\/p>\n Bridget Baile, Staff Writer<\/i>: \u201cBugonia\u201d dir. Yorgos Lanthimos\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cBugonia\u201d may be Yorgos Lanthimos\u2019s most accessible<\/a> film to date, but anyone familiar with the Greek director\u2019s idiosyncratic style knows that this hardly promises a conventional viewing experience. The black comedy follows a conspiracy-obsessed man and his neurodivergent cousin as they kidnap a powerful CEO, believing she is an alien. The film satirizes corporate soullessness and conspiracy culture, but does so through sympathetic characters with understandable motivations, a rarity among Lanthimos\u2019s films, which typically feature stiff and emotionless performances. Relevant and thought-provoking, \u201cBugonia\u201d sticks the landing with a creative ending that\u2019s sure to be divisive \u2014 but definitely not forgettable.<\/p>\n Best Album of 2025<\/b><\/p>\n CL<\/i>: \u201ceternal sunshine deluxe: brighter days ahead\u201d by Ariana Grande\u00a0<\/p>\n A beautiful extension of \u201ceternal sunshine,\u201d Ariana Grande\u2019s deluxe album subtitled \u201cbrighter days ahead\u201d adds six new songs to the singer\u2019s emotional journey from hurt to healing. Like the film that inspired its title, \u201ceternal sunshine\u201d is centered around memory, but where the original 13 tracks deal more with heartbreak, the deluxe opens up new avenues for acceptance, with subtle and elegant pop production that showcases Grande\u2019s vocals and storytelling. \u201cNot that I miss you, I don\u2019t \/ sometimes I just can\u2019t believe you happened,\u201d Grande sings on the standout \u201ctwilight zone,\u201d exemplifying the tone shift from reckoning to reflection \u2013\u2013 not a picture perfect resolution, but a peaceful realism that some days are better than others.<\/p>\n AL<\/i>: \u201cGetting Killed\u201d by Geese\u00a0<\/p>\n Following lead singer Cameron Winter’s standout<\/a> solo debut in 2024, Geese\u2019s \u201cGetting Killed\u201d delivers a much needed indie-grunge revival. The Brooklyn band takes their more traditional rock sound in a new direction, blending experimental instrumentals with Winter’s melancholic vocals. With the help of influential rap producer Kenny Beats, the composition of \u201cGetting Killed\u201d transcends the boundaries of traditional genres. Steeped in angst, religious symbolism and American mythology, Winter\u2019s painfully beautiful lyricism steals the spotlight. Tracks like \u201cAu Pays Du Cocaine\u201d and \u201cTaxes\u201d blend heartbreak with grit and edge, while \u201cTrinidad\u201d and “Getting Killed\u201d embrace an experimentally dissonant style. Geese is one of the most exciting bands on the scene right now, ushering in an exciting new era of rock.\u00a0<\/p>\n BB<\/i>: \u201cAddison\u201d by Addison Rae\u00a0<\/p>\n From Tiktoker to pop princess, Addison Rae\u2019s trajectory post-Hype House fame<\/a> has been fascinating. Her debut album \u201cAddison,\u201d released over the summer, was preceded by five singles \u2014 including her breakout<\/a> hit \u201cDiet Pepsi.\u201d \u201cAddison\u201d is a strong debut, diverting from Rae\u2019s earlier work to favor synth-heavy production and airy vocals. The album blends modern technology with Y2K pop influences, alternating between high-energy tracks like \u201cFame is a Gun\u201d and \u201cNew York\u201d and dreamier reflections like \u201cTimes Like These\u201d and \u201cAquamarine.\u201d Imperfect but impressive, \u201cAddison\u201d showcases Rae\u2019s promise and interestingly, her ambition. Now that she\u2019s got a taste of the glamorous life<\/a>, she\u2019s not letting fame go anytime soon.\u00a0<\/p>\n Best Book of 2025<\/b><\/p>\n CL<\/i>:\u00a0 \u201cNotes to John\u201d by Joan Didion<\/p>\n Shortly following Joan Didion\u2019s death in 2021, her editors discovered a journal in her Manhattan apartment, whose contents have since been compiled and released with 2025\u2019s \u201cNotes to John.\u201d The compilation shares 46 entries chronicling Didion\u2019s therapy sessions between 1999 and 2002, providing a unique perspective into the inner life of the celebrated essayist, and her turmoil on everything from her work to her mental health to her relationship with her daughter. In contrast to the refined elegance of her classic essays, \u201cNotes to John\u201d presents a more human and less polished version of Didion, enhancing the posthumous memoir\u2019s power and honesty.\u00a0<\/p>\n AL<\/i>: \u201cDeep Cuts\u201d by Holly Brickley\u00a0<\/p>\n Lit-fic novel \u201cDeep Cuts\u201d by Holly Brickley lovingly navigates the 2000s music scene through the ever-evolving relationship of Percy, an opinionated music writer, and Joe, an aspiring musician. After meeting one night in a college bar, Percy and Joe embark on a musical partnership filled with angst, tension, love and every messy thing in between. The novel follows the pair into adulthood as they navigate complex relationships, explore their sexuality and make their way in the music industry. Soundtracked with the best of indie rock, from the Strokes to LCD Soundsystem to Modest Mouse, the use of songs both real and imagined as a narrative device makes \u201cDeep Cuts\u201d an exciting read for music lovers.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n BB<\/i>: \u201cSunrise on the Reaping\u201d by Suzanne Collins\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cSunrise on the Reaping\u201d by Suzanne Collins was one of the most anticipated<\/a> books released in 2025, and it more than delivered on sky-high expectations. The book \u2014 a prequel to the \u201cHunger Games\u201d series \u2014 is an origin story for Katniss\u2019s gruff yet loveable mentor Haymitch Abernathy and an account of his victory in the 50th Hunger Games. The book smartly builds upon the established world of Panem, while still providing a fresh take that feels uniquely heart-breaking. Both die-hard \u201cHunger Games\u201d fans and casual readers are sure to be satisfied by this tightly-paced, intriguing thriller.<\/p>\n Best Pop Cultural Phenomenon of 2025<\/b><\/p>\n CL<\/i>: Timoth\u00e9e Chalamet\u2019s media presence<\/p>\n Timoth\u00e9e Chalamet has been everywhere this year. From his unwavering enthusiasm in supporting<\/a> the New York Knicks on their June playoff run, to his bold<\/a> and aspirational speech at the 2025 SAG Awards, to, most recently, his unique brand of chaos in marketing<\/a> his upcoming film \u201cMarty Supreme,\u201d the actor has demonstrated a distinct ability to capture audiences both on and off the screen. More broadly, the past year has cemented Chalamet as a bonafide movie star truly deserving of his rapidly accelerating celebrity, and with \u201cMarty Supreme\u201d and \u201cDune: Part Three\u201d on the horizon, fans can rest assured that this onslaught of media will continue well into 2026. Integrate. Culminate. Fruitionize.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n AL<\/i>: Charli XCX\u2019s Letterboxd account<\/p>\n Grammy<\/a>-winning singer, DJ and Brat summer pioneer Charli XCX\u2019s Letterboxd account <\/a>may have been leaked, but thrusting her movie diary into the public eye hasn\u2019t stopped her from leaving her signature witty-yet-honest reviews on plenty of films this year. With over 230 films watched so far in 2025, Charli is a true cinema connoisseur. Her favorites include \u201cPhantom Thread\u201d and \u201cC\u00e9line and Julie Go Boating,\u201d and her tastes seem to span every genre and decade. Plus, Charli gave \u201cBugonia\u201d five stars and said in a review<\/a> posted Oct. 8 that she thought \u201cOne Battle After Another\u201d was \u201csuper cool\u201d \u2014 so if you don\u2019t want to take our word for it, take hers.<\/p>\n BB<\/i>: Trisha Paytas\u2019s third pregnancy<\/p>\n Trisha Paytas, 37-year-old singer, actress and general LA legend<\/a>, has made a name for herself through a tumultuous Youtube career. Paytas has always leaned into camp \u2014 her daughters are named Malibu Barbie and Elvis \u2014 so when she announced her third pregnancy, fans immediately began speculating names online. When Paytas hinted that the name was related to water, top guesses included Trident and Poseidon. Always one to defy convention, Paytas went a different route, and on July 12, Aquaman Paytas-Hacmon was born. Not only was a new Paytas-Hacmon added to the clan, chronically-online trios everywhere were provided with a perfect 2025 Halloween costume<\/a>.<\/p>\n While it is impossible to capture every piece of media that shaped the past year, these selections serve as a concentrated snapshot of the cultural landscape that defined 2025\u2019s arts and entertainment scene. They represent not only the content that audiences consumed, but the shifting tastes and conversations that influenced such consumption.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n