As 2025 draws to a close, The Guardian's weekly culture newsletter, The Guide, has handed the microphone to its readers. Following the editorial team's own highlights last week, this final edition of the year is dedicated entirely to audience picks, revealing the TV shows, albums, and films that resonated most deeply over the past twelve months.
Television Triumphs: From Jamaica to LA
Readers championed several series that flew under the mainstream radar. Get Millie Black on Channel 4 earned high praise, with Richard Hamilton highlighting Tamara Lawrance's "powerhouse performance" as a detective in Jamaica. He noted the show's vibrant settings were a welcome tonic during dreary months, though he warned the final episode ventures into dark territory.
The critically acclaimed drama Dying For Sex was another standout. J Roberts described it as a uniquely funny, sad, and daring story about a terminally ill woman's erotic journey, praising the "unbeatable" double act of Michelle Williams and Jenny Slate.
Meanwhile, fans of the spy series Slow Horses celebrated a particularly powerful scene this season, where Jackson Lamb's chilling Cold War story revealed personal history. Andrew Gartside also gave a shout-out to the comedy The Studio, applauding its laugh-out-loud humour and stunning LA backdrops.
Musical Moments: Legendary Gigs and Electrifying Returns
In music, a surprise Radiohead appearance in November was a career highlight for Calum Byron, who called it "one of the best concerts I've been to" and a perfect way to round off his 50th year.
Geoff Dixon heralded The Cords' debut album as "fucking brilliant," a blistering 31-minute burst of energy reminiscent of the Shop Assistants and the Housemartins.
Perhaps the most effusive praise was reserved for Lorde's electro-dance-pop return on her album Virgin. Suzanne Stockton called it a triumphant comeback after 2021's Solar Power, applauding the New Zealand artist's incisive, raw lyrics about eating disorders, relationships, and family, all paired with killer choruses and "insane charisma."
Cinematic Standouts: Vampires and Viral Documentaries
The year in film was marked by both breakout horror and compelling documentaries. Amy Hamilton named the vampire film Sinners as the movie of 2025, crediting its stylish, thoughtful gore and incredible soundtrack with getting audiences back into cinemas.
Jess, from near Lichfield, championed the underrated drama September 5, a tense film about the ABC Sports team covering the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre. She praised its ethical depth and fantastic period detail.
Finally, David Gander recommended the documentary Corey Feldman vs The World, which starts as a cringe-inducing look at the former child star's failed tour but evolves into a revealing portrait of paranoia and character.
The Guide will return in the first week of 2026, but for now, the consensus from readers is clear: 2025 was a year rich with bold television, electrifying music, and cinematic courage.
