2025 Favourites!

 And just like that, it's time to think about what I've been loving this whole year!

Favourite Film (1): Weapons

It was such a great year for film, so it was really hard to narrow down my favourites, but this one was probably the easiest choice. I reviewed this film HERE, and it's absolutely my favourite film of the year. I loved everything about it and with three re-watches, it's been better each time!

Favourite Film (2): The Life of Chuck

This was the other contender for the top spot. I reviewed this HERE, and while I put Weapons at number one through pure enjoyment and originality, this film is definitely the one that had the biggest effect on me. Of all the films I've got as favourites, this is the one that deserves so much more love!

Favourite Film (3): One Battle After Another

This is probably the most popular movie I've picked. I reviewed it HERE after seeing so many positive reviews and they were all completely true because this was such a good film! It's already started getting awards buzz and I will absolutely not be surprised when it picks up some Oscars in March!

Favourite Film (4): Sinners

And last but not least, another one of the year's most popular picks! I reviewed it HERE and I loved it. I had been looking forward to it as I've loved all of Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan's previous collaborations and this one certainly didn't disappoint!

Favourite TV Show (1): Shameless

I'd heard of this show before but only started watching it this year. I completely fell in love with this world and these characters from the first episode, and I'm really looking forward to working my way through all 11 seasons!

Favourite TV Show (2): Daredevil/The Punisher/Daredevil: Born Again

I got back into the Daredevil world in a big way this year. I mostly started watching it again so I could watch The Punisher with context from Daredevil season 2, and I loved it so much that as well as going on to watch both seasons of The Punisher, I also watched Daredevil season 3 and moved on to the newest show, Born Again. I enjoyed them all so much more than I thought I would and I can't wait to see the next season of Born Again and the Punisher special!

Favourite TV Show (3): The Bear

And another show I started this year - I'd heard so much about it that I couldn't resist giving it a try and I really like it! It's worth watching for the interesting characters alone, but being able to get involved with all the different online conversations when a new season comes out makes it even better! I can't say I've loved every direction the show has taken, but I'm firmly along for the ride and really looking forward to the next season!

Favourite Song (1): Survive

This has been my most played song of the year so of course it had to be added here. It's still one I listen to on pretty much a daily basis and it's one that I'll definitely be taking into 2026 with me!

Favourite Song (2): Spotify Discover Weekly Playlist

This is something that I've only started to use in maybe the last month and I don't know why I didn't use it sooner! As someone who doesn't really seek out new music, this has helped me to find so many new amazing songs, and these playlists have become my favourite way to start the week!

Favourite Actor (1): Ayo Edebiri

There are three 'The Bear' actors on this list. The first two are here because I first saw them in the show and have since watched some of their other projects and have become a fan! Of the Ayo Edebiri movies I've seen, the one that's stuck with me (because I've seen it the most recently) is After The Hunt. I'll review it in the new year but it was definitely better than the reviews made it seem!

Favourite Actor (2): Jeremy Allen White

And it's the same with Jeremy Allen White, I first saw him in The Bear and then watched some of his other projects and really loved them. Of course Shameless is the main one that I watch and love, but there were also a couple of films I've really enjoyed. I also can't wait to see Springsteen!

Favourite Actor (3): Chiwetel Ejiofor

Chiwetel has been in two of my favourite films this year, The Life of Chuck and Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (which narrowly missed out on a spot in my top movies), so he had to be included on this list. I've watched so many movies starring him this year and honestly can't think of a bad one, which is definitely a testament to his choices of projects as well as him usually being one of the best parts of any movie he's in.

Favourite Actor (4): Jon Bernthal

Jon is here not only because of how into The Punisher I got this year, but also because he was one of the reasons I started The Bear. I've seen so many of his projects this year and overall his shows and movies definitely shaped my viewing habits for the first half of the year.

Favourite Book (1): Clown in a Cornfield 2

The first book in this trilogy was my favourite book of last year, so it's only fitting that its sequel was my favourite of this year. I reviewed this HERE, and it was an easy 5-star read. There were parts of it that I preferred to the first book, which really surprised me because I loved the first so much and am not usually a sequel fan. But this book was exactly what I wanted it to be. And as much as the third book and the movie let the side down, I'm still looking forward to the next book in the series!

Favourite Book (2): Anxious People

The only other 5 star book I read this year. Funnily enough I believe another Backman book was my other 5 star last year too, and like A Man Called Ove, this book really touched me. I loved everything about it, the characters, the setting, the ending, it was such a lovely read. And as much as I want to watch the series and upcoming movie, I already know they'll never capture the magic of the book.

Other Favourite: Podcast - Real Ones with Deborah Ann Woll

I'm not a huge podcast person, but I came across this one when I was deep into Daredevil and I found it completely fascinating. Not only is Deborah Ann Woll an amazing actress (her character is my favourite part of both Daredevil and Punisher shows), but hearing about her life and the things she chose to share in this podcast endeared me to her all the more. It's stuck with me throughout the year so I had to include it here.

And those are the things I loved the most in 2025!