With 2025 coming to a close, many people are reflecting on the year. The music we listen to, the TV and movies we watch and the books we read can all leave a lasting impact, especially if they tie into key moments of our lives.
Check out Team Young Post’s list of the films, television shows, songs and more that we loved this last year. Some of our picks may be a few years old, but 2025 was the year we discovered or truly came to appreciate them. As they say, better late than never!
Kelly Fung, Senior Reporter
Best movie: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle. I didn’t expect to sob from near the beginning to the end of the film. This animated feature will make you fall in love with the villains – I particularly enjoyed learning about Akasa’s backstory.
An honourable mention goes to Frankenstein. I’ve always had a soft spot for this story as it defines one of my favourite genres: science fiction. Kudos to the film’s artistic direction – I loved how each character represents a colour. This story also feels particularly relevant in the age of artificial intelligence, especially the power struggles between the creator and the creation.
Best TV show: I screamed at that epic ending of volume one of Stranger Things Season 5 at 1.30am (sorry, neighbours). I’m a fan of coming-of-age stories, and Stranger Things can make a character you’d want to write off in the beginning become everyone’s heartthrob. There are no forced love stories and no convoluted sci-fi plots; it’s just growth and kids braving the world. Another thing I loved about season five was the reveal of Vecna’s fear, something so human that I didn’t expect to see in a villain like him.
Best book: I read The Forster’s Daughter by Claire Keegan in the car while my friends and I travelled around Australia this summer. It was our first trip abroad, and it reminds me of our time in Sydney – both the good and bittersweet moments. It’s a short, beautiful piece of fiction about a family secret and an adopted dog. It just leaves an impact after you’ve read it – it’s Keegan’s magic. Another one I read during the trip was Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt, a small, heartwarming read about fearing not the end of life, but a life not truly lived.
Best song: Olivia Dean’s “I’ve Seen It”
Best pop culture moment: Realising I’ve been listening to Steve “The Hair” Harrington this whole time …
Ruchi Shah, Production Editor
Best movie: The Indian movie Homebound follows two childhood friends from a small village as they chase a police job. The lead actor, Ishaan Khatter, shines, delivering a captivating performance that perfectly conveys the film’s emotional depth. The storyline beautifully explores themes of identity and connection, keeping viewers engaged from start to finish.
Best TV show: Sarah Snook’s All Her Fault is a gripping tale about child abduction that delves into themes of guilt and responsibility. Snook’s performance is both haunting and powerful, capturing her character’s complex emotions with finesse. The story unfolds with a perfect blend of suspense and dramatic tension, keeping the audience engaged throughout.
Best book: Vir Das’s The Outsider is a brilliant blend of humour and introspection, showcasing his unique storytelling style. With sharp wit, he tackles cultural identity and the concept of belonging, leaving the audience both entertained and contemplative.
Best song: Not one song in particular, but all of Hanumankind’s music is a captivating blend of rich melodies and heartfelt lyrics that resonate deeply. Their unique sound effortlessly combines elements of folk and contemporary styles, creating an enchanting listening experience. Each song tells a story, drawing you in with its emotional depth.
Best pop culture moment: Pop Mart’s Labubus mixed cute designs with playful themes. Each figure in the Labubu series features unique characters with distinct styles and expressions, appealing to toy enthusiasts and collectors. These collectibles took the world by storm and personally, I find them very fascinating.
Dannie Aildasani, Production Editor
Best movie: The Naked Gun is hands-down one of the funniest movies I’ve ever seen. It’s the fourth film in the franchise – the last one came out 31 years ago – and follows Los Angeles police officer Frank Drebin Jnr, the son of the original main character, as he seeks to save the world from a horrible device that will revert humans to their primitive nature (helpfully called the P.L.O.T. device). I’ll remember the hilarious sequence with a demonic snowman forever.
Best TV show: Adolescence was amazing, especially when you remember that it was teen actor Owen Cooper’s debut role and each episode was shot in one continuous take. I also really enjoyed Paradise, in which a secret service agent investigates the murder of a former US president. There is a massive twist at the end of the first episode that surprised me and completely changes the tone of the show, so if you choose to watch it, don’t read about it online first!
Best book: I read a lot this year, but it turns out that I didn’t actually read any books released in 2025! Still, my favourite reads this year were Mexican Gothic and The Seventh Veil of Salome, both by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. They’re very different stories; the first is a gothic horror novel, while the second is more historical fiction. Both books had me staying up late to see what would happen next.
Best song: I can’t stop listening to Sombr’s “Back to Friends”. It’s a catchy, vulnerable song, which is so refreshing in a time when revealing your true feelings is seen as cringe. And while Foxy Shazam’s “Oh Lord” came out in 2010, I only discovered it this year when it was featured in the opening credits of Peacemaker Season 2. It’s a big, glamorous song that’s meant to be sung in a stadium, surrounded by other people screaming the lyrics at the top of their lungs as everyone connects through the song’s simple message: life is tough, but you have to keep going.
Best pop culture moment: Kendrick Lamar’s performance at the Super Bowl halftime show was perfect. From the cameos to the shade, it’s an excellent example of “go big or go home”.
Doris Wai, Content Specialist
Best movie: There were many epic films released this year, and while everyone else was obsessed with a particular Demon Hunter flick, I really enjoyed the slower-paced but equally charming Lost In Starlight – which also happens to be a Korean animated film. The heartwarming story follows a long-distance relationship between Nan-young, a scientist on Earth, and an astronaut on a space exploration mission.
Best TV show: Even though we are only halfway through the fifth season at the time of writing, Stranger Things is the stand-out show for me this year. It is a real joy to see the cast back in Hawkins after watching them battle Demogorgons, Vecna and whatnots for almost a decade. I am incredibly excited to see how their journey finally concludes.
Best book: This one is a bit of a cheat. I chanced upon Brendan Wenzel’s Two Together while chilling out in the library, looking for a light read to pass the time while waiting for a friend. While this is a children’s picture book, the illustrations are captivating and beautiful, with each page featuring a different artistic style. The story follows the epic adventures of a cat and dog as they find their way home, only to set off on a new journey shortly after.
Best song: I am definitely biased after seeing Lady Gaga perform in Singapore, but her song “Abracadabra” is the clear winner for me. It is ubiquitously Gaga; the track is bold, loud, weird and fun, which is exactly the kind of energy we need during these chaotic times. It reminds me of “Bad Romance”, which is also one of my favourite songs.
Best pop culture moment: Labubu. I don’t think this is the best pop culture moment, but it’s definitely the biggest for sure. To be honest, I still don’t get the hype behind these little hideous critters, but feel free to try and change my mind!
Sakina Abidi, Production Editor
Best movie: I enjoyed a lot of this year’s releases, including Mickey 17, Companion, No Other Choice, Twinless and Superman. I think if I had to pick a single film I watched this year, it would actually be All We Imagine as Light, the absolutely stunning 2024 drama written and directed by Payal Kapadia. The film made the city of Bombay its true main character. For a 2025 release, I really loved Another World. This gorgeous Hong Kong animation took years to develop, and it transported me to another dimension.
Best TV show: Adults was funny, cosy and a great, easy watch. The characters felt like versions of real people in my life, and it felt like getting a little look into this very established, tight-knit group of friends and all the shenanigans they get up to.
Best song: “We Hug Now” by Sydney Rose, which focuses on a very specific type of break-up: one between best friends. The outro is so, so good, and I fashioned a playlist around it at the very beginning of the year that lasted me right to the end. I think it would be closely followed by “Ferry Beer” by Kevin Atwater, “Never Goes Away” by Devon Again, “Like It or Leave It” by Yana and “Last Last Time” by Boys Go To Jupiter. If you don’t recognise anyone here, don’t worry. These artists were all new to me this year, and earned me the very confusing Spotify listening age of 17.
Best pop culture moment: This year’s Grammys felt like a long time coming. Beyoncé’s Album of the Year award, her first win after multiple nominations in the category, Chappell Roan’s Best New Artist award and Doechii’s Best Rap Album award marked some incredible milestones for women and Black women in particular. It was a lovely awards ceremony with a ton of heartwarming moments at a time and place that had suddenly become politically volatile for women, trans people, immigrants and the LGBTQ community.
Mario Rivera, Designer
Best movie: Superman, because kindness is the new punk rock! I also liked F1. Was it deep? No! It was what any summer movie should be: loud, fun and spectacular!
Knives Out 3: Wake Up, Dead Man tops the first two films in the series, in my opinion. While it’s sad that Daniel Craig isn’t playing James Bond any more, I am happily looking forward to more Benoit Blanc adventures.
Best TV show: Adolescence was riveting and breathtaking in its rawness and sadness. It was also quite apt for the times we are in.
Best book: 1984 by George Orwell. Sure, it’s not a new book, but it’s still totally relevant: Totalitarianism? Check. Surveillance? Check. Truth manipulation? Check. It just echoes current events. There’s also some good news for those who would prefer comics: you can get your hands on the graphic novel by Fido Nesti.
Best song: Being not-so-young any more, the most important highlights in music for me this year were the Beatles’ anthology album (which also came out as a series on Disney+) and the 40th anniversary reissue of Tears for Fears’ Songs from the Big Chair. Give it a listen, kiddos!
Best pop culture moment: Billie Eilish’s message to billionaires at the WSJ Innovator Awards: “If you’re a billionaire, why are you a billionaire?”, urging them to “give your money away” to help those in need and tackle global issues. Then she led by example by donating US$11.5 million from her “Hit Me Hard and Soft” tour to support organisations, projects and voices dedicated to food equity, reducing carbon pollution and combating the climate crisis. If this is how the younger generation are, then there is still hope for this planet.
Dennis Yip, Designer
Best movie: Kpop Demon Hunters, of course
Best TV show: There were so many! If I had to choose one, it has to be Adolescence.
Best book: I have only read one book this year: Scam: Inside Southeast Asia’s Cybercrime Compounds, by Ivan Franceschini, Ling Li and Mark Bo.
Best song: I don’t normally listen to new music, but “Born Again” by Lisa feat. Doja Cat & Raye is fire!
Best pop culture moment: When iShowSpeed live-streamed his visit to Hong Kong, hitting more than 38 million views.
Esther Cheung, Young Post Deputy Editor
Best movie: All We Imagine as Light came out in 2024, but I was able to watch a screening of it this year at Broadway Cinematheque in Yau Ma Tei. Written and directed by Payal Kapadia, the story follows three women from different backgrounds working at a hospital in the Indian city of Mumbai. The film is quietly poignant and beautiful, and by the final scene, I was sobbing. (Note: Some scenes in this film are not appropriate for young children.)
Best TV show: Severance Season 2 kept me on the edge of my seat every week, and I hosted a season finale watch-party for my friends with melons and pancakes (IYKYK). I also really enjoyed Season 3 of The Bear. And my mother and I really enjoyed watching a Chinese drama called 去有風的地方 (Meet Yourself), which came out in 2023 but has a wholesome storyline about the power of community and friendship. I was singing the opening song for weeks.
Best book: Not a book but a podcast I’ve been listening to non-stop, called Blowback. I’ve only listened to Season 1, which is about how the United States made up lies to justify its greedy, devastating invasion of Iraq. The podcast hosts are well-informed storytellers – and they tell this history in a way that is easy to follow while showing America’s horrifying impact on the Iraqi people.
Best song: Moon Tang’s 夜闌人靜 – To be honest, I have to use Google Translate to help me understand the lyrics, but I’m using it as an opportunity to improve my Cantonese! The slow acoustics in the background and Tang’s gentle voice are perfect for reflecting late at night on how things can change with the passing of time. I had the chance to see her perform this at the Clockenflap music festival with a quartet and a bright orange moon in the background.
Best pop culture moment: Zohran Mamdani’s viral social media campaign to become the mayor of New York City in the US. Even though I don’t live in the United States, many of my friends and family still do, and Mamdani’s win brings some hope that the biggest city in the world’s richest country can do more to take care of all its residents.
Emily Tsang, Young Post Editor
Best movie: Kokuho is a stunning Japanese film pulls you deep into the glamorous yet brutal world of kabuki theatre. The artwork is breathtakingly beautiful, and every frame is like a painting come to life.
For something completely different but equally brilliant, check out It Was Just an Accident by legendary Iranian director Jafar Panahi. A minor, no injury car crash on a quiet rural road slowly unravels secrets tied to political persecution years earlier. The script is masterful – quiet, tense and deeply moving.
Best TV show: The Studio (Apple TV+) is a wildly chaotic cringe-comedy set in Hollywood. The production values and A-list cameos are next-level insane. Martin Scorsese plays himself in the very first episode, tearing up on screen after the studio boss rejects his pitch – I was genuinely shocked!
I am also completely hooked on Pluribus, a sharp and thoughtful series exploring individualism in today’s hyper-connected world.
Best book: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin – A New York Times “100 Best Books of the 21st Century” pick. Set in the 1990s, two childhood friends bond over Super Mario and Final Fantasy. As adults, they become game designers, coding vast dream worlds that weave together ambition, heartbreak and healing. In virtual realms, they rebuild the order reality denies them.
For non-fiction, I loved Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton, which was even recommended by Siobhan Haughey at a recent book-sharing panel. It is a warm, funny and brutally honest memoir about friendship, dating disasters, growing up and figuring out what really matters in your life.
Best song: “The Fate of Ophelia” by Taylor Swift, from her latest album The Life of a Showgirl. I’m not normally a Swiftie, but this song stopped me in my tracks. Ophelia was a tragic character in Shakespeare’s Hamlet who drowned herself after being driven mad by grief and betrayal. Swift reimagines her story with haunting lyrics, turning classic literature into a heartbreaking modern ballad.
Best pop culture moment: Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia” single-handedly caused a massive surge in visitors at Germany’s Museum Wiesbaden to see Friedrich Heyser’s 1900 painting Ophelia (the one with her lying among flowers, which was believed to have inspired the music video). The museum reported hundreds of extra guests over the course of a few days. Searches for the artwork exploded online, too. It’s proof that pop can bridge over the centuries and pack museums – absolute magic!
