As the year draws to a close, culture enthusiasts seeking standout entertainment for the holiday season need look no further. The Guardian's expert critics have compiled their definitive guide to the most noteworthy releases of 2025 across music, cinema, and television.
The Picks: A Cultural Rundown for 2025
In a special episode of the Today in Focus podcast, host Nosheen Iqbal was joined by a panel of the newspaper's leading voices. Music editor Ben Beaumont-Thomas, film editor Catherine Shoard, and TV critic Hannah J Davies provided an authoritative tour through the year's cultural landscape, highlighting both the triumphs and the occasional missteps.
The comprehensive list of recommendations offers a rich tapestry of artistic achievement. In music, the highlights include the atmospheric sounds of Sleep Token's 'Even in Arcadia' and the soulful 'Essex Honey' from Blood Orange. The list also celebrates the self-titled album by Los Thuthanaka, CMAT's 'Euro-Country' project, and new work from global superstar Rosalía, titled 'LuxEsDeeKid'.
Cinema and Television Standouts
The film selections for 2025 promise a diverse cinematic experience. The critics highlighted works such as 'Jay Kelly', 'Young Mothers', and 'Marty Supreme'. Also featured are the intriguingly titled '2000 Meters to Andriivka' and 'One Battle After Another', alongside an untitled musical comedy project from Jesse Eisenberg.
On the television front, 2025 appears to be a strong year for both drama and comedy. The critics' must-watch list includes the series 'Too Much' and the sitcom 'Such Brave Girls'. The popular format gets a celebrity twist with 'The Celebrity Traitors', while the acclaimed comedy 'Hacks' returns. Dramatic offerings feature the return of the hit show 'Severance', a new series of 'The Night Manager', and the fresh drama 'Whitney Springs'.
How to Access the Full Guide
The full conversation, where the critics delve into the details behind each choice and share their thoughts on the year's less successful ventures, is available to stream now. Listeners can find the complete episode on the Today in Focus podcast.
The Guardian also encourages direct support for its journalism. Readers and listeners can contribute to help fund independent reporting by visiting theguardian.com/todayinfocuspod.
