My Top 5 for 2025
12/18/2025
As the year starts to slowly dwindle to an end, I thought one of the best ways to finish off the year is to countdown my top 5 forms of art this year. While not all of these selections were born in 2025, I got lucky enough to experience them this year. Today, we’re talking cinema, books, products, and tv shows.
Let us dive in!
CINEMA
#1 - The History of Sound
Starting off with my favorite movie of 2025, The History of Sound. Now, this movie is not for everyone, but it was absolutely for me. And if you’re reading this blog, likely for you as well.
The music was outstanding, the actors were incredible, and it encompassed a beautifully-heartbreaking story that left me thinking about it at least once a week since watching. I am still thinking about it now.
Photo Courtesy of IMDb
#2 - Les Parapluies de Cherbourg (The Umbrellas of Cherbourg)
Les Parapluies de Cherbourg is a 1964 French musical that heavily inspired La La Land. As a lover of that musical, I had to watch this one.
Jacques Demy is a fantastic director that seamlessly incorporates vibrancy and romanticism. Overall, if you love musicals (or are trying to learn French), this is the film for you.
Photo Courtesy of IMDb
#3 - Nuremberg
I watched Nuremberg in the theaters recently and as someone with a fascination with history, this film ultimately hit every mark for me.
A shockingly true, yet horrific WWII story with standout performances from Rami Malek and Russell Crowe. If you have yet to watch this movie, I highly urge you to do so.
Photo Courtesy of IMDb
#4 - Funny Face
My beloved Audrey Hepburn, you will always be famous.
The music, the dancing, the scenery, the fashion, this 1957 film was such a fun and whimsical watch — bookstore clerk turned Parisian model. It encompassed every aspect of life that I love and earned a place in my register of comfort films.
Photo Courtesy of IMDb
#5 - Good Will Hunting
Now, do not give me that face. I know that I was incredibly overdue to watch this movie, and 2025 became the year that I did. It also offered me knowledge as to why it became famous.
Beautifully raw performances from Robin Williams and Matt Damon. A cult classic for important reasons - emotional depth and wonderful dialogue.
"I had to go see about a girl"
Photo Courtesy of IMDb
Wrapping up cinema, I hope I gave enough context to not spoil any of these movies, but convince you to watch some of them. Or maybe, you’ve seen all of them already, which in that case, you’re way ahead of the game.
BOOKS
#1 - The Bell Jar
I fear I will never stop talking about this book.
The Bell Jar follows Esther Greenwood and her journey with mental illness. It has crushing themes surrounding mental health and societal pressure, and brought my favorite metaphor to fruition, the fig tree.
Photo Courtesy of Amazon
#2 - The Defining Decade
This year, I switched in-between reading personal development books, and fiction novels — and this was one of the development books that actually stuck with me.
The Defining Decade counters the widely preached idea that your 20s are a decade of continued adolescence and argues that it is the most transformative time to plan for your future.
Whether you agree with that statement or not, I will leave that up to you to read and find out.
Photo Courtesy of Amazon
#3 - Crime and Punishment
Now, Crime and Punishment took me the longest to read this year. Although I love classic literature, I have to be in a genuine flow-state to comprehend and dive deeper intellectually.
There has also been talk around people not understanding why this novel is so great. Besides the wonderful storytelling that is Dostoevsky, the themes swirled within this story are of the utmost importance.
The novel follows Rodion Raskolnikov, who upon committing murder, is consumed by psychological torment. And if you’re wondering, it is absolutely worth the read.
Photo Courtesy of Amazon
#4 - Tuesdays with Morrie
What a wonderful book. Without giving too much away, this books main purpose is to navigate you through some of life’s biggest questions, with someone much older and much wiser.
A very heartfelt, quick read for those who need a palette cleanser.
Photo Courtesy of Amazon
#5 - The Maiden
If you haven’t read The Silent Patient, start there. If you have, welcome to your new read.
Not the most sound plot, but interesting and dynamic enough to pull me out of my reading slump earlier this year, which definitely counts for something. And ultimately, who doesn’t love a good twist?
Photo Courtesy of Amazon
One of my new year’s resolutions is to read more books & I will happily encourage you to do the same. You can start with this list if it helps ease the mental load of choosing a book!
PRODUCTS a.k.a my holy grails of the year. *NOT sponsored, just a true fan.
#1 & #2 - Rhode Blush and Peptide
Claiming the number one AND number two spot this year is Rhode. I believe it is safe to assume that this is high on many other’s list as the products are just great.
I started wearing Rhode this year and have never felt better about my makeup, specifically my cheeks and lips. I have yet to try out their skincare products, as I am VERY picky on what I put on my skin (let me know if you personally like it and maybe I'll give it a whirl).
Currently, I wear the blush in shade Freckle and my peptide in shade Toast. They are both perfection!
Photo Courtesy of Rhode Skin
#3 - OUAI Leave In Conditioner
I fear I will never stop talking about this product. Not only does it save me in every season (Summer = dry from the sun, Winter = dry from the weather), but I am addicted to the smell.
Whenever I use this leave in conditioner, my hair ends up feeling amazing, and the smell lingers genuinely for 2-3 days. Whenever my bottle is finished, I immediately buy a new one, I simply cannot help it.
Photo Courtesy of Sephora
#4 - Tarte Fake Awake Eyeliner
I was given this product as gift after seeing Alix Earle use white eyeliner in her waterline and really loved the look.
If you’re someone with low contrast features like me, typical going-out makeup, like black eyeliner in the waterline, might look a bit too harsh.
So instead of traditional black, I started using white, and I think it looks good on everyone, not just low contrast features. If you’re considering trying it, do it. This Tarte one does the trick every time.
Photo Courtesy of Amazon
#5 - Moroccanoil Restorative Hair Mask
Last, but certainly not least for products, this hair mask. If my hair felt like it was lacking life, I could always count on her to bring it back.
I’ve been using this product for about 2 years now, and if I make another list like this in the future, this will likely be on it. I cannot be parted from her.
Photo Courtesy of Moroccanoil
If you’re feeling inspired to switch up your routine for your hair and makeup this upcoming year, quality will always beat out quantity. Find your holy grail products and run with them.
TV SHOWS
#1 - Fleabag
This show respectfully ruined my life. You will never watch another show like it. Only two seasons, so it is perfect to binge.
4th wall breaks & a hot priest. What more could you want?
Photo Courtesy of IMDb
#2 - Normal People
This show also respectfully ruined my life, possibly even worse. I think about Paul Mescal & Daisy Edgar Jones at least once a day.
I also read the novel before I watched the series. It didn't make it any easier. Miscommunication final boss.
Photo Courtesy of IMDb
#3 - Emily in Paris
The people who do not like this show, simply do not get it. This show is my ULTIMATE fantasy. Working in marketing, living in Paris, the fashion, the love, the drama. It is all perfection.
Also, by the time you’re reading this, season 5 is out! We can binge it together ;).
Photo Courtesy of IMDb
#4 - Dexter Resurrection
Now, this may seem off-base if you don’t know me personally, but if you do, you know I am the biggest Dexter fan.
I watched all of the original Dexter this year, then New Blood, and now Resurrection. I hadn’t been so excited to watch a show in a long time.
Also, who doesn’t love a hot serial killer? Michael C. Hall in the original Dexter… I’ll let you do the watching.
Photo Courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes
#5 - The Summer I Turned Pretty
This show made my year, quite literally. I think the largest reason why is that it is the epitome of girlhood. I got together with my friends every single Wednesday to watch my good friend Conrad be distraught and depressed.
I even went to a bar to watch the series finale with all my girl friends and had so much fun. And for that reason, she is absolutely on the list.
Photo Courtesy of IMDb
All of these shows are absolutely worth the watch, so if you needed a new recommendation for the new year, you’ve found it.
All in all, it was a wonderful year of films, fashion, and art overall. I encourage you to continue expanding your horizons to find what you love and discover new parts of yourself. Hint: you might even discover it through all of the media you consume.
I can’t wait for 2026!