Barack Obama has published the annual list of his favourite films, books and music of 2025 – check out his picks below.
- READ MORE: The 50 best songs of 2025
Olivia Dean‘s ‘Man I Need’, Lady Gaga’s ‘Abracadabra’ and and Rosalía’s ‘Sexo, Violencia Y Llantas’ all featured on the list, which also included tracks by Bruce Springsteen (‘Faithless’), Chappell Roan (‘The Giver’), Drake (‘Nokia’), and Kendrick Lamar and SZA (‘Luther’), with more songs by Burna Boy with Travis Scott, Chance the Rapper, Jamila Woods, Victoria Noelle, and BLACKPINK also appearing.
“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,” Obama wrote on social media today (December 19). ” I hope you find something new to enjoy—and please send any recommendations for me to check out!
Back in 2023, the former President denied claims that his often indie-centric playlists – which have previously featured the likes of The War On Drugs, Little Simz and Mitski – weren’t curated by him, saying he was “scrupulous” about making sure his recommendations were songs he liked.
This year was no different, with several indie hits, namely ‘Float’ by Jay Som and Jim Adkins, ‘Metal’ by the Beths and ‘Sycamore Tree’ by Khamari also making the list – last year’s edition of which saw tracks by Beyoncé, Shaboozey, Billie Eilish, Jack White, Leon Bridges, Central Cee, Artemas, Hozier and featured.
In NME’s own round-up of the 50 Best Songs of the Year, tracks by artists featured on Obama’s playlist also cinched the top spots, with Rosalía’s ‘Reliquia’ coming in at Number 7, Olivia Dean’s ‘Man I Need’ at 17, and Lady Gaga’s ‘Abracadabra’ at Number 20.
Elsewhere, Obama had Jay Kelly, Orwell: 2+2=5, Good Fortune, Sinners, Hamet and One Battle After Another ranked as his favourite films of the year, mirroring some of NME’s top picks. The latter earned the Number 1 spot on our 20 best films of 2025 list, with Sinners in at Number 3.
Elsewhere, he listed some of the year’s best reads, among them Paper Girl by Beth Macy, The Wilderness by Angela Flournoy, North Sun by Ethan Rutherford and The Look by his wife, Michelle Obama.
The former President’s list arrives after Michelle recently revealed that she and her husband were due to see Rob and Michele Reiner on the night of their death. The esteemed director, photographer and producer Michele, were found dead at their Los Angeles home on Sunday (December 14).
Their son, Nick, has been charged with their murders. Former first lady Michelle appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live the following night and said that they were supposed to have dinner together on the day they died. The Reiners were friends of the Obamas, Michelle told Kimmel: “We’ve known them for many, many years and we were supposed to be seeing them that night – last night – and we got the news.”
Following Rob and Michele’s murders, numerous famous figures paid tribute to the couple – Barack among them. He wrote on X (Twitter): “Michelle and I are heartbroken by the tragic passing of Rob Reiner and his beloved wife, Michele. Rob’s achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen.
“But beneath all of the stories he produced was a deep belief in the goodness of people—and a lifelong commitment to putting that belief into action. Together, he and his wife lived lives defined by purpose. They will be remembered for the values they championed and the countless people they inspired. We send our deepest condolences to all who loved them.”
