2025 is arguably among the most polarizing years for media we’ve seen in recent years. Following the widely acclaimed state of music in 2024, and the banner year film had in 2023, 2025 seemed to be a letdown in terms of both quality and commerciality. However, when looking closer, the quality in the year’s best work was evident. From revivals of past trends and artists to surprising and promising upcoming acts, 2025 seems to have been a more transitional year, albeit with strong highlights.
In film, several high-profile successes were released. Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler and starring Michael B. Jordan, became a critical and commercial smash, vastly surpassing box office predictions, and was lauded as a new peak for Coogler. Last week, the movie was nominated for a record-breaking 16 nominations at the upcoming Academy Awards. The film’s unconventional take on Black culture and the horror genre resonated deeply with audiences, where its accessibility, intertwined with complexity, made it an instant classic.
Additionally, One Battle After Another, the new film by Paul Thomas Anderson and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, was similarly lauded for its epic scope. The film, following ex-revolutionaries and their fight against a corrupt military officer, won over audiences through Anderson’s high-intensity script and the gripping performances by Teyana Taylor and Sean Penn. Its high-budget and bombastic sound made it unignorable to many, who heralded the film as the best of the year, and one of the most important of the decade.
Lastly, Marty Supreme, the new film from Uncut Gems co-director Josh Safdie and superstar Timothee Chalamet, became one of the most buzzed-about films of the past few years due to its enthusiastic rollout at the helm of an impassioned Chalamet. He seemed to be playing a character who was deeply enthralled by his own work, which led its way to it becoming unignorable by audiences. Given its premise being about ping-pong, it seemed unlikely that the film would attract audiences. However, the aftermath of the marketing campaign made it one of the most important and acclaimed films of the year. Through high-stakes pacing and dramatic events, mixed with the career-best performance by Chalamet, made it beloved by audiences around the world. Its supporting cast of Gwyneth Paltrow, Odessa A’Zion, and Tyler, the Creator also helped drive buzz.
Speaking of Tyler, the Creator, his musical output this year was even larger. Through his wildly successful and excellent Chromakopia World Tour, Tyler reached heights in his career unforeseen for someone with his uncommercial origins. Additionally, his infectious dance record Don’t Tap the Glass, surprise-released this summer, kept his fans intrigued about his next steps, with hit singles giving his career a higher peak.
Contemporaries, like Kendrick Lamar and Clipse, also had banner years. Kendrick, coming off the heels of his hit record GNX and his victory against Drake, performed at the Super Bowl Halftime Show to astronomical success and mass acclaim. It catapulted his songs back to the top of the charts and preceded his stadium tour with fellow artist SZA. Clipse, meanwhile, came back to the spotlight after a 16-year break with their lauded album Let God Sort Em Out, helmed on production by Pharrell Williams. Their comeback generated strong buzz, in no small part due to its disses against Travis Scott and Drake, but also for their stark clarity and quality after so many years away.
In the pop world, acts like Sabrina Carpenter and Taylor Swift released high-profile records, albeit considered by some as retreads of their prior output. Bad Bunny, meanwhile, released the widely discussed and beloved record DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, which was a love letter to his home of Puerto Rico. The record’s natural feel and themes of community made it universally beloved, with him capping off the year by being announced as the headliner for the next Super Bowl Halftime Show.
Ultimately, 2025 had several bright spots in spite of being considered a more mundane year. 2026 seems to be off to an exciting start with the announcement of new records from Harry Styles and Bruno Mars, and the excellent Don’t Be Dumb by A$AP Rocky. Yet, what happens from here will present itself in due time.
