I know that many of you came here to make sure the time-busting music sequence in Sinners was mentioned, because otherwise, “F this BESTest list”. 2025 delivered an overwhelming amount of great art, but in the best way possible. I spent the year sifting through most of it so you don’t have to. I create, I consume, and I chase culture in all its forms. With the year coming to a close, I’ve rounded up my personal favorites in one place. Start anywhere you want: movies, streamers, music, video games, or books. It’s all here, The BESTest of 2025.
Films:
Sinners
Sinners is a throat-ripping vampire movie. And a simmering, layered portrait of a small-town Mississippi Delta community in 1932. And the story of underworld twins, Smoke and Stack (embodied with unnerving nuance by Michael B. Jordan), who return to the Deep South to open a juke joint because they want to make a killing, and they want to do it with a new kind of freedom. AND it’s a pop vision of the blues, and of why that primal music would lure the vampires like moths to a bonfire, because they want to own that music, and suck it inside themselves, and destroy it, all at the same time. The aforementioned Juke joint dance / piercing the veil scene, what an incredible swing by Coogler. Of course, its true power is in the theater, up on a giant screen. My jaw literally hung open during that sequence, as I realized this was one of the most thrilling cinematic moments I’ve witnessed.
Predator: Badlands
Predator: Badlands is a MASTERPIECE. It works on every level and is smart, thrilling, emotional, and just plain awesome. It has a bit on the individual vs. the machine of corporate power, yet it’s never preachy and never once stops being a relentless, pulse-pounding thrill machine. It’s also never too good for its roots and in fact is a bonkers creature feature with wall-to-wall monsters, robots, and weird alien stuff. The whole thing is constructed to perfection: Every setup pays off, every twist lands, and the momentum never lets up. It’s the rare film that’s as smart as it is insanely fun. I’m wondering what Trachtenberg has up his sleeve next. I’m enjoying the ride he’s taken us on and at least on the Predator side, it feels like he’s building up to one massive hunt with all the Predator (and Prey) survivors up against a planet of Yautja. And injecting Wayland-Yutani in the mix is VERY intriguing. This is the highest work of genre filmmaking pop art known to man. No notes.
Weapons
You know who’s good at making movies? Zach Cregger. I found Weapons to be far more accomplished than Barbarian, personally (and I really liked Barbarian a lot). This movie feels like a director with far more confidence – even with the parallels in ‘over the top’ endings, this one could have gone off the rails really fast but HOLY ISHT the theater I was in was laughing and screaming in equal amounts for the final ten minutes or so, even if it was in a ‘What am I watching?’ kind of way. The climax wouldn’t have worked if we didn’t see what an awful person Gladys is, and it wouldn’t have worked if we didn’t understand how her magic hurts others. I’ve never laughed my way through someone having the top of their head torn off by children. That final chase of Weapons might be the most perfectly cathartic and hilarious finisher scene ever. Honestly I just dig that we finally get a new take on a Grimm’s Tale. Cause that’s what this film reminded me of, a real fucked up fairy tale.
One Battle After Another
The heart of the movie comes from Benicio del Toro’s character, when he’s trying to get Leo’s character to jump out of the car: “Freedom is no fear.” The Christmas Adventurers live in fear, obsessed with protecting their racial purity. As the camera followed that dude walking through the underground bunker I was reminded of the basement tunnel in Barbarian, which was created by a white dude (living in a “there goes the neighborhood” Detroit suburb) to beget his increasingly incestuous lineage. The only difference is the carpeting. Another thing I liked, Even in the midst of all the chaos and stress – Benicio was still introducing Bob to all the people in the apartment. It seemed like the PTA was making sure that we were seeing all of them as people with lives – and children. The film is both funny and terrifying at the same time, and extremely entertaining.
Bring Her Back
The rare horror movie is unnerving enough to disturb your sleep. In their second feature, the Australian YouTube-horror-comedy-pranksters-turned-filmmakers Danny and Michael Philippou’s (Talk to Me) Bring Her Back find terrifying ways to get under your skin. This film was more than the sum of its parts, many of which came from A Dark Song and other sources, but the script speaking is less bungl-y than Talk to Me and the casting is choice. The kid who plays Piper is luminous, as is the kid playing Andy. However, Sally Hawkins’ impishly disturbing performance as a foster mother from hell with a gargoyle grin of evil is one of the best performances of the year.This movie is horrifying.
Honorable Mentions: Mickey 17, 28 years later, Wake Up Dead Man.
TV/Streamers:
Andor S2.
For me a show/film should do one of two things, either leave you asking for more or make you seek someone out to start talking about it as soon as it’s over. Andor accomplished both. The series didn’t feel like a farewell to these characters or even this story, it’s purposefully leading into Rogue One which leads to A New Hope but a goodbye to a tone, even a secret language or voice if you will; only through which storytelling of this caliber was capable of being delivered. We’re saying goodbye to the amazingly taut, beautifully scripted and performed show; whose franchise it belongs to, which was a product of content and uninspired vision before this show came along, (even if we see successful Star Wars endeavors in the future) will never hit this nerve of an all encompassing storytelling that masterfully laid out and exposed the complexities and fascinating minor details of both the Empire and the Rebellion, able to get to the core of authoritarianism and the force, the motivation, in all of us to take action against it. Andor is simply the best Star Wars has EVER been.
Severance S2.
This show has always had notes of Lost and Twin Peaks, The S2 finale really went for a “final episode of The Prisoner” feel. This is the challenge with mystery box shows. Fans spend years theorizing about the mysteries, and there’s really no way the writers can come up with a fully satisfying but unexpected explanation when it’s time to show their cards. To some, the Cold Harbor reveal was always going to be a little “that was it?!” Whatever they put in the room wasn’t going to feel like enough, because the appeal of this story element was the unknown. Looking ahead, I’m wondering if the first half of Season 3 will be a role reversal, with Gemma in the outside world and Mark hidden away in the bowels of the severed floor. It’s gonna be a long wait till Season 3, there’s just nothing else like this. And look … this show’s overarching mystery isn’t emulating Lost, it’s emulating The Leftovers.
Alien: Earth
Alien: Prodigy (errr, I mean … Alien: Earth) is a worthy addition to the franchise.
One of the things that has always made the Alien series interesting to follow has been seeing the wild swings from creative minds with distinct visions for the material. Good or bad, at least the result usually ends up being interesting. I’ll take a dozen more uneven but incredibly entertaining entries that take risks like this over another boring as ISHT callback any day of the week. Sure, this series had a lot of dependency on people being stupid, an unfortunate horror trope. Genre is going to genre. However, I’m just delighted any time Alien, one of my favorite franchises, is back in the zeitgeist again. Alien: Earth is the first true glimmer of a fleshed out arc in this movie/TV franchise that goes beyond a formulaic “team/group minding their business/living their lives, thrown unexpectedly into a claustrophobic life and death struggle with the life cycle of a type of Xenomorph, one lone person/small group survives, the end”. This was unpredictable to watch as a fan and I LOVED that.
Pluribus
I’m a little annoyed that Vince Gilligan was pissing around for twenty years on meth-based crime shows when he had this scifi banger knocking around in his head. Gilligan knows how to play with tropes in such a way that they can still feel fresh and surprising. The interest in actually exploring the moral and philosophical issues the situation raises… Well, It’s exactly the kind of sci-fi I love. It’s good to see such a master of the medium being given full reign to follow his muse. This is rare these days. And look, this isn’t a ‘mystery box’ show. This is actually the exact opposite. We literally know everything from the jump. This is straightforward Twilight Zone-esque plot to a tee. I trust Vince Gilligan (and even AppleTV) not to succumb to viewers who demand pat answers. Also, a writer saves the world? Fuck off, Vince.
Common Side Effects
Truly original. Brilliant in so many ways. I can’t recommend it enough. The animation style is so weird- it’s the perfect midpoint between anime and Mike Judge, and everyone’s head is slightly too big for their bodies. I love how unsparing it is in its critique of everyone- not just a generic “oh big pharma is bad”, the lines are grayer. The crunchy woman who lives in the woods is also a psycho, the head of the pharma company seems to genuinely care about helping people, and the show already seems to be anticipating that this isn’t going to be a perfect panacea, Marshall is already encountering outliers and side effects, and is probably going to be tempted to respond to them the same way a big pharma company serving millions of people will, etc. And look, We didn’t deserve Scavenger’s Reign. This seems like excellent payback. Very much a ‘oh yeah, well how about this?!’ kind of thing. I’m way into it.
Honorable Mentions: The Lowdown, The Chair Company, Dope Thief.
Music:
Clipse “Let God Sort Em Out”
Let God Sort Em Out is Clipse at their finest. Poised, reflective and at the same time still pushing the art forward. Pharrell’s straight forward production and the brothers seamless back and forth make it a standout, proving that few in Hip-Hop (scratch that, all of music) operate at their level. Most importantly, it’s just a great rap record, with some of the most addictive rap songs of the year.
Pachyman “Another Place”
I’m a student of Pachyman’s work. The Puerto Rican / Los Angeles based singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Pachy García is a true original. While his sound draws heavily from classic dub traditions, his approach is anything but blasé blasé and this LP, Another Place, levels all of it UP. It’s a testament to balance: a heartfelt tribute to dub at its best AND a project that boldly pushes the genre into new territory.
De La Soul “Cabin in The Sky”
Easily one of the greatest groups of all time, everything De La Soul has released has been at the minimum “Very Good” and often “Phenomenal”, their tenth studio LP carries on that tradition. Tapping back into the vibrant, sample-heavy magic that made De La Soul iconic, Cabin in the Sky serves up 20 tracks and 71 minutes of joyous culture. It’s a massive statement of their unwavering artistry. Absolute legends forever. RIP Dave.
El Michels Affair “24 hr Sports”
Leon Michels a.k.a. El Michels Affair is crafting a really distinctive analogue 70s corduroy-and-walnut production sound outside of his band and has put together (another) wide-ranging crate digging record that breaks all the rules. Michels impeccable creative touch continues to inspire this listener weaving through cinematic soul, funk, jazz and hip hop soundscapes. End to end burner.
AND …
Nasir Jones.
At a time when Hip Hop is often co-opted by trends, viral “moments”, and the pressure of algorithmic success, true cultural leadership has become increasingly rare. Few artists embody that responsibility with the consistency and clarity of Nasir Jones. Nas’ impact goes far beyond his artistry – he has spent decades pushing the genre forward without ever disconnecting from its values. His importance to Hip Hop isn’t just historical; it is here and now. In 2025, Nas did something the culture hadn’t quite seen executed this way before. Announced in April, the Legend Has It … unfolded as a seven-album testament to New York Hip Hop’s architects. Acting as both curator and collaborator, Nas helped amplify the legacies of living greats and departed icons alike – among them Prodigy, Big L, and Trugoy the Dove. Released on a monthly schedule, the series felt intentional and important. It opened with Slick Rick’s Victory in June, followed by Raekwon’s The Emperor’s New Clothes in July, Ghostface Killah’s Supreme Clientele 2 in August, Mobb Deep’s Infinite in October, Big L’s Harlem’s Finest: Return of the King later that same month, De La Soul’s Cabin in the Sky in November, and finally Nas alongside DJ Premier on Light-Years in December. Taken as a whole, Legend Has It… operates on a level deeper than any commercial measurement. It reinforces the idea that Hip Hop’s story is not static, it’s alive, expanding, and still being written. Now that all seven installments are complete, it’s hard not to wish for another chapter in 2026. Because this kind of thoughtful, respectful innovation (where vision meets integrity and collaboration) keeps the culture grounded. In an age where immediacy often overrides craft, Nas offered a much-needed reset. And look, I can’t help but hope there’s another run in 2026. At the tops of my list – Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane, M.O.P, Kid N Play, Brand Nubian, Naughty By Nature and Salt N Pepa. And if Nas decides to take it to the west coast, my only nomination would be King Tee.
Honorable Mentions: Slick Rick “Victory”, Lil Simz ‘Lotus”, The High & Mighty “Sound of Market”, Public Enemy “Black Sky Over The Projects: Apartment 2025”, Black Milk & Fat Ray “Food From the Gods, Mobb Deep ‘Infinite”, Big L “Harlems Finest: Return Of The King”, Rome Streetz & Conductor Williams “Trainspotting”, Black Milk “Blurs”, Michi “Dirty Talk” & Budos Band “VII”.
Video Games
Split Fiction
While its narrative doesn’t break new ground, the co-op gameplay is outstanding. Think It Takes Two, but even more daring with its constant mechanical reinvention. Sure, it borrows from a laundry list of classics – Contra, Portal, Metroid, Halo, Dark Souls, and more – yet still manages to feel original. The story is engaging, the graphics great, animations flawless, level design perfect. The viral captcha moment? Every bit as wild as viral. This is pure, high-energy fun.
Expedition 33
Sandfall Interactive aimed to channel the spirit of a PS2-era RPG with modern gameplay enhancements – and they absolutely nailed it. It’s a polished, turn-based experience that manages to feel both nostalgic and forward-thinking. The rhythm-like parry system and balanced dodge mechanics add real depth to the combat, while smart quality-of-life features avoid the usual genre pitfalls. The storytelling, supported by some brilliant audio design, makes this one feel like a true passion project with a one of a kind identity.
Blue Prince
Easily one of the best puzzle games I’ve played in years. From its clever title to its elegantly layered design, Blue Prince is a revelation. Every room feels like a challenge and a discovery rolled into one, with that rare ability to make the player feel brilliant just by solving what’s in front of them. It’s a shining example of intuitive, player-respecting game design. I also loved the titles play on words.
AND … all the Ninjas!
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound
It just has that zen of pace and art style I’m looking for – and it’s a complete blast to play. I love beating levels more than traversing the same screen hundreds of times over looking for tiny secrets. Sometimes you just want to get in there, be badass, smash a boss and call it a day after a couple levels. Worth the wait.
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance
This game is almost perfect. Being a huge Dead Cells fan, this has just been the most fun game to play in 2025. The experience was beautifully planned. You gain new combos to master as the game goes on, your way of traversing the space is extremely varied, and the game is fairly balanced. Not to mention you can completely customize your play style. Nothing seems difficult just for the sake of being difficult. Could Sega be making a comeback?
Honorable mention(s): Hades 2 & Silksong.
Books
The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones
The Buffalo Hunter Hunter examines a brutal past that HIS-story has too often omitted or erased, exposing how narratives shaped by colonizers sanitize or silence the truth of massacre. This is a demanding book by design. By radically reworking the vampire myth, The Buffalo Hunter Hunter fuses mood, philosophy, and historical reckoning into something unsettling. It doesn’t seek comfort or accessibility; it deliberately unsettles, pushing the reader away even as it sharpens its vision of a past that refuses to stay buried. This book is a FORCE.
One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad
Exceptional. Eloquent and unflinching in how it interrogates the empire and the double standards that allow it to thrive. The decision to root the work in Gaza and genocide gives it gravity, then expand outward through personal reflection, cultural references, and historical parallels. The writing carries a bracing sense of moral precision that feels necessary. By the end, it lands hard and unmistakably: if the West wants to see itself through the lens of Star Wars, it isn’t the rebels, it’s the Empire. Read this book.
Spectators by Brian K. Vaughan and Niko Henrichom
Even if Brian K. Vaughan never publishes another page, his place in the comics canon is already secure. He’s a rare kind of creator: imaginative, fearless, and consistently incisive, with a body of work that challenges as much as it entertains. This particular story unfolds like a haunting glimpse into a near-future on the edge of ruin. Framed through the eyes of two spectral onlookers, whose curiosity grows into companionship, the book surveys a crumbling world while offering an unsettling meditation on intimacy, spectacle, and brutality. This is a wild ride.
Honorable Mention(s): Night People: How to be a DJ in ’90’s New York City’ by Mark Ronson & Lollapalooza: The Uncensored Story of Alternative Rock’s Wildest Festival by Richard Bienstock and Tom Beaujour.
– Dagobot