Barack Obama’s years-long tradition of sharing lists of his favourite cultural highlights continues. Here’s what the former POTUS has been listening to, reading and watching in 2025...
It’s the December tradition that restores some sanity. As one Instagram comment reads: “Aw I miss having a president who can read.”
Former United States President Barack Obama has unveiled his annual list of his favourite movies, music and books of the year, which includes the likes of Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, Jafar Panahi's It Was Just An Accident and Ryan Coogler’s Sinners; Ian McEwan, Beth Macy and Michelle Obama ("obviously I’m biased" writes Obama) in books; and Olivia Dean, Chappell Roan and Rosalía for music.
And as if to prove that this is a man who takes bipartisan matters and peace seriously, he even chose a Kendrick Lamar AND a Drake song.
Writing alongside his 2025 posts, Obama says: “As 2025 comes to a close, I’m continuing a tradition that I started during my time in the White House: sharing my annual lists of favorite books, movies, and music. I hope you find something new to enjoy - and please send any recommendations for me to check out!”
Donald Trump may have labelled him "one of the most polarising political figures in American history" on his partisan plaques to portraits of all former commanders in chief – a move which has been called out online as “petty”, “moronic” and “unpresidential” - but safe to say that Barack Obama continues to impress with his cultural wrap ups.
What do you make of his picks? Stay tuned to Euronews Culture to find out whether some of his songs and films made our very own Best Movies of 2025 and Best Albums of 2025 lists.
Without further ado, here are Barack Obama’s 2025 favourites:
Movies
- One Battle After Another
- Sinners
- It Was Just An Accident
- Hamnet
- Sentimental Value
- No Other Choice
- The Secret Agent
- Train Dreams
- Jay Kelly
- Good Fortune
- Orwell: 2+2=5
Music
- 'Nice To Each Other' by Olivia Dean
- 'Luther' by SZA and Kendrick Lamar
- 'Tatata' by Burna Boy ft. Travis Scott
- 'Jump' by BLACKPINK
- 'Faithless' by Bruce Springsteen
- 'Pasayadan' by Ganavya
- '99' by Olamidé ft. Daecolm, Seyi Vibez, Asake & Young John
- 'Pending' by Lil Naay & Myke Towers
- 'Sexo, Violencia Y Llantas' by Rosalía
- 'Metal' by The Beths
- 'Abracadabra' by Lady Gaga
- 'Just Say Dat' by Gunna
- 'The Giver' by Chappell Roan
- 'Aurora' by Mora & De La Rose
- 'Silver Lining' by Laufey
- 'No More Old Men' by Chance the Rapper & Jamila Woods
- 'Bury Me' by Jason Isbell
- 'I Wish I Could Go Travelling Again' by Stacey Kent
- 'Please Don’t Cry' by Kacy Hill
- 'Stay' by Roe
- 'Never Felt Better' by Everything is Recorded ft. Sampha & Florence Welch
- 'In the Name of Love' by Victoria Noelle
- 'Ancient Light' — I’m With Her
- 'Vitamina' — Jombriel, DFZM & Jøtta
- 'Float' — Jay Som ft. Jim Adkins
- 'Ordinary' — Alex Warren
- 'Sycamore Tree' — Khamari
- 'NOKIA' — Drake
- 'En Privado' — Xavi & Manuel Turizo
- 'Not In Surrender' — Obongjayar
Books
- "Paper Girl" by Beth Macy
- "Flashlight" by Susan Choi
- "We the People" by Jill Lepore
- "The Wilderness" by Angela Flournoy
- "There Is No Place for Us" by Brian Goldstone
- "North Sun" by Ethan Rutherford
- "1929" by Andrew Ross Sorkin
- "The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny" by Kiran Desai
- "Dead And Alive" by Zadie Smith
- "What We Can Know" by Ian McEwan
- "The Look" by Michelle Obama
