Every December, the internet waits for one very specific thing. Not Spotify Wrapped. Not award show snubs. Barack Obama’s culture list.
The former US President has turned his end of year picks into a full blown pop culture event. One post. Three lists. And suddenly the films, songs and books he mentions shoot straight onto global watch queues and playlists.
In 2025, he did it again.
From Ryan Coogler’s horror blockbuster Sinners to Paul Thomas Anderson’s war drama One Battle After Another. From Lady Gaga and Drake to BLACKPINK’s Jump. From Anita and Kiran Desai’s novels to Michelle Obama’s own book The Look. This year’s list is a fascinating mix of prestige, politics, global art house and pure pop.
Think of it as a cheat code to looking extremely cultured without doing any homework.
Share this with a friend who always asks “what should I watch next” and then ignores your recs.
Obama’s Year End List Is Now A Pop Culture Ritual
Before diving into titles, a little context makes the whole thing juicier.
- Obama started sharing his favourites while still in the White House and has kept the tradition alive every year since.
- He drops three lists in one go. Movies. Books. Music.
- The announcement always lands on X with a neat graphic and a warm caption inviting people to send him their own recommendations.
- The 2025 post racked up massive engagement within hours and set film, music and book Twitter aflame.
There is also a quiet power behind this tradition.
- Films and books he names often see search spikes and fresh box office or sales bumps.
- Lesser known titles suddenly get global headlines.
- International artists gain new, older and more political audiences overnight.
So when Sinners, One Battle After Another, It Was Just an Accident or BLACKPINK’s Jump appear on that blue graphic, it is not just a flex. It is a soft spotlight with real world impact.
11 Movies Obama Loved In 2025
Obama’s 2025 movie list is a neat little film festival by itself. Think streaming marathon with range.
Here is the core lineup that appears across outlets and his own post:
- Sinners
- One Battle After Another
- Hamnet
- Sentimental Value
- No Other Choice
- It Was Just an Accident
- The Secret Agent
- Train Dreams
- Jay Kelly
- Good Fortune
- Orwell: 2+2=5
Each one says something about what he gravitates towards: morally messy characters, political undercurrents, formally bold directing and a mix of American and global cinema.
Let’s break it down title by title in a binge friendly way.
Sinners: The Horror Blockbuster Even Obama Couldn’t Ignore
Sinners is the “of course it is on the list” pick.
- Directed by Ryan Coogler.
- Michael B Jordan plays dual roles.
- One of the year’s biggest horror success stories, mixing religion, politics and jump scares.
Industry coverage highlights:
- Big horror box office, plus critical respect.
- Talk of awards for both Coogler and Jordan.
- A script that uses genre thrills to poke at guilt, faith and systemic violence.
For Obama to single it out:
- Confirms its crossover reach.
- Signals that horror is being treated as serious cinema, not just October content.
- Fits his long standing interest in works that talk about race and power without being dry or preachy.
If there is one movie from his list casual viewers will default to for a Friday night streaming choice, it is Sinners.
Do not sleep on it just because it is “a horror.” It is doing way more.
One Battle After Another: PTA, Leo, Sean Penn And Peak Prestige
Paul Thomas Anderson plus Leonardo DiCaprio plus Sean Penn was always going to land on year end lists.
One Battle After Another is described as:
- A war drama that follows a morally complicated central figure across campaigns and fallout.
- A film with awards buzz from the moment festival reviews hit.
Coverage notes:
- DiCaprio delivers a performance people are already calling one of his best.
- Sean Penn brings intensity in a supporting role that keeps viewers guessing.
- The film refuses easy patriotism, leaning into trauma, guilt and the absurdity of war.
Obama has always gravitated to serious, conversation starting cinema.
Including this title:
- Keeps with his tradition of highlighting at least one big prestige awards contender.
- Also mirrors his own life experience making decisions around real wars while in office.
- Gives film buffs a signal: yes, this is one you should prioritise.
If a viewer wants a dense, layered, “let’s talk for hours after the credits” watch, this is the pick.
Hamnet: Chloé Zhao Turns Grief Into Epic Cinema
Hamnet, directed by Chloé Zhao, is another key inclusion on the list.
The film:
- Adapts Maggie O’Farrell’s novel imagining the life and death of Shakespeare’s son Hamnet and its impact on the playwright and his wife.
- Has been described as quiet but devastating, full of natural light and long, patient takes in classic Zhao style.
Why this matters:
- Zhao already has an Oscar for Nomadland and critical love for The Rider.
- Hamnet confirms she can handle literary adaptation as confidently as original modern stories.
Obama putting Hamnet here:
- Shows his continued admiration for female directors working with emotional subtlety rather than spectacle.
- Adds some period drama flavour to an otherwise contemporary, politically tinged list.
If there is a reader in the friend group, this is the movie to pair with a book club night.
Sentimental Value: The Grand Prix Darling With Emotional Bite
Sentimental Value won the Grand Prix at Cannes earlier in the year and naturally slides into Obama’s favourites.
The film:
- Is positioned as an auteur driven drama about memory, objects and how people attach meaning to things and relationships.
- Festival coverage praised its delicate writing and performances, with critics calling it “small but piercing.”
This fits Obama’s taste for:
- International films that are not just flashy but emotionally intricate.
- Stories that linger quietly rather than shout their message.
For film fans wanting something away from Hollywood noise, Sentimental Value is the understated gem on the list.
No Other Choice: Park Chan wook Goes Modern, Obama Follows
South Korean director Park Chan wook’s No Other Choice gets called a “modern day masterpiece” in Indian coverage and lands comfortably on Obama’s grid.
Park’s track record:
- Oldboy.
- The Handmaiden.
- Decision to Leave.
So expectations for No Other Choice were sky high.
Reports describe it as:
- A thriller with political and romantic currents, soaked in Park’s signature visual style.
- A film that plays with morality, obsession and the idea of inevitability.
Obama’s inclusion:
- Keeps his long running pattern of championing South Korean cinema after Parasite era global attention.
- Signals to mainstream American audiences that this is a foreign language must watch, not just critic bait.
Call this the “cool film student” choice on his list.
It Was Just An Accident: Jafar Panahi’s Quietly Explosive Iranian Drama
Jafar Panahi continues to make globally talked about films despite restrictions on his work in Iran.
It Was Just an Accident:
- Has been called “much discussed” in coverage.
- Appears to explore themes of surveillance, guilt and daily life under pressure, continuing the thread of his previous films.
Obama has previously included international political cinema on his lists.
Featuring Panahi again:
- Highlights support for filmmakers working under censorship and risk.
- Encourages viewers to look beyond Western markets when thinking of “important” cinema.
It is the kind of film that rewards patient, engaged viewing and probably leaves a viewer sitting in silence after the credits.
The Secret Agent, Train Dreams, Jay Kelly, Good Fortune, Orwell: 2+2=5
The rest of the movie list rounds out into a surprisingly varied set, with everything from spy thrills to comedic relief.
Here is a quick vibe check on each.
The Secret Agent
- A 2025 adaptation of the classic Conrad novel.
- Deals with espionage, terror plots and political paranoia in a modernised setting.
- Obama’s interest in intelligence and security narratives makes this an unsurprising pick.
Train Dreams
- The title echoes Denis Johnson’s novella, and coverage frames it as a contemplative, possibly period set story about change, railroads and American transformation.
- Perfect for viewers who like slowly unfolding, atmospheric cinema.
Jay Kelly
- Stars George Clooney.
- Described as part character piece, part adult drama.
- Obama and Clooney have a long public history of mutual admiration, so this inclusion doubles as a nod to a friend’s work and a sign the film holds up on quality.
Good Fortune
- A comedy pairing Aziz Ansari and Seth Rogen.
- Provides a lighter counterbalance to the list’s heavier films.
- Shows that Obama’s taste is not all grit and arthouse; he likes a well made, silly, slightly chaotic comedy too.
Orwell: 2+2=5
- A documentary centred on George Orwell, clearly referencing the 1984 line about power defining reality.
- Likely explores Orwell’s life, the novel’s impact, and how its themes echo current politics and media.
- This is squarely in Obama’s wheelhouse: political, literary, and deeply relevant to conversations about truth and democracy.
Taken together, these films cover:
- Horror.
- War drama.
- Literary adaptation.
- Political thriller.
- Documentary.
- Comedy.
- Global art cinema.
That range is exactly why people treat his list like a mini syllabus.
Obama’s 2025 Music Picks: BLACKPINK, Gaga, Drake And More
Now to the playlist that made fans do a double take.
Obama’s 2025 music list includes:
- Jump – BLACKPINK
- Abracadabra – Lady Gaga
- Nokia – Drake
- Luther – Kendrick Lamar and SZA
- Nice to Each Other – Olivia Dean
- Ordinary – Alex Warren
- Faithless – Bruce Springsteen
- Sexo, Violencia y Llantas – Rosalía
- Just Say Dat – Gunna
- Silver Lining – Laufey
- No More Old Men – Chance the Rapper and Jamila Woods
- Bury Me – Jason Isbell
- Not in Surrender – Obongjayar
And more, depending on which outlet summarises the full list.
The reaction across social media was simple: his taste is wild in the best way.
Here is why each lane matters.
BLACKPINK’s Jump: The K Pop Flex
BLACKPINK’s Jump showing up might be the single most talked about inclusion.
Context:
- Jump is a 2025 comeback single from the group, part of a new era after years of dominance.
- The track already had viral traction and strong chart performance before Obama’s post.
Having it on the playlist:
- Validates K pop’s global influence for audiences who may not have taken it seriously.
- Gives BLINKs bragging rights: “even Obama streams our girls.”
- Signals Obama’s openness to non English pop rather than sticking only to American or legacy acts.
Share this with that K pop friend who already called this three days ago.
Lady Gaga’s Abracadabra And Drake’s Nokia: Pure Pop Meets Rap Hooks
Lady Gaga’s Abracadabra:
- Represents her 2025 pop era, leaning back into big hooks and theatrical production.
- Positions Gaga as still essential to contemporary playlists, not just a legacy name.
Drake’s Nokia:
- Plays on nostalgia for old school phones while delivering his usual melodic rap flow.
- Continues his run as someone almost always present on annual hit lists.
For Obama to include both:
- Shows he is genuinely following current mainstream releases, not just dipping in for a token “youth” song.
- Bridges older listeners who grew up on Gaga’s early hits and newer fans who discovered her later.
Luther: Kendrick Lamar And SZA Bring Depth And Drama
Luther by Kendrick Lamar and SZA is described as a long running chart topper and critical favourite.
The track:
- Merges Kendrick’s layered lyricism with SZA’s emotional, genre bending vocals.
- Tackles themes of legacy, faith, pressure and race in a way both catchy and dense.
This pick lines up perfectly with Obama’s previous love for Kendrick’s work.
It also:
- Balances the lighter pop and RnB songs on his list with something more reflective and politically charged.
- Places one of the year’s most talked about songs into the “this will matter later too” category.
Nice To Each Other, Ordinary, Silver Lining: Softness, Sadness And Vibes
Not every track on the list is loud or high concept.
Olivia Dean’s Nice to Each Other:
- A warm, soulful track about vulnerability and kindness in relationships.
- Fits Obama’s liking for songwriting with emotional clarity.
Alex Warren’s Ordinary:
- A 2025 chart staple, blending pop rock with confessional lyrics about insecurity and longing.
- Shows Obama taps into songs popular on younger platforms like TikTok and Reels.
Laufey’s Silver Lining:
- Jazz pop, dreamy vocals, lush arrangements.
- Perfect for late night listening and evidence that he appreciates modern takes on classic sounds.
These songs add emotional balance to a playlist that could otherwise skew too large in scale.
Bruce Springsteen, Rosalía, Gunna, Chance, Isbell, Obongjayar
The rest of the music list proves one thing. The man listens widely.
- Bruce Springsteen’s Faithless represents rock legend territory, connecting older listeners and Americana fans.
- Rosalía’s Sexo, Violencia y Llantas continues her run of adventurous, boundary pushing Spanish language pop.
- Gunna’s Just Say Dat anchors the trap lane, giving rap fans something current and club ready.
- Chance the Rapper and Jamila Woods’ No More Old Men offers thoughtful, community minded hip hop and soul.
- Jason Isbell’s Bury Me brings storytelling rich alt country rock.
- Obongjayar’s Not in Surrender adds haunting, experimental RnB into the mix.
The takeaway:
This is not a playlist built to please one demographic. It is a high low mix that reflects how real people actually listen to music now. Shuffle heavy, mood based, and not limited by genre or language.
Books Obama Loved In 2025: From Anita Desai To Michelle Obama
Now to the reading list, which quietly might be the most influential of the three.
Among the titles highlighted across outlets:
- Rosarita – Anita Desai
- The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny – Kiran Desai
- The Look – Michelle Obama
- The Wilderness – Angela Flournoy
- Flashlight – Susan Choi
- There Is No Place For Us – Brian Goldstone
- North Sun (or, The Voyage of the Whaleship Esther) – Ethan Rutherford
- 1929 – Andrew Ross Sorkin
- Dead and Alive – Zadie Smith
- What We Can Know – Ian McEwan
- Paper Girl – Beth Macy
- We the People – Jill Lepore
The list, as always, leans toward:
- Strong literary fiction.
- Serious non fiction about history, democracy, inequality and identity.
- A mix of American and international authors.
Anita And Kiran Desai: Mother Daughter Duo On A Former President’s Shelf
One of the most charming headlines out of India this year was that both Anita and Kiran Desai made Obama’s 2025 reading list.
Rosarita by Anita Desai:
- A 112 page novella.
- Follows Bonita, a young Indian woman studying Spanish in Mexico.
- Her life shifts when an older woman claims to have known Bonita’s mother Rosarita, sending her on a quest through family secrets and identity.
The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai:
- A novel that has already been a Booker Prize finalist and picked up major critical praise.
- Explores isolation, migration, and complex inner lives, consistent with Kiran’s previous work.
For both mother and daughter to appear:
- Signals serious love for Indian literary fiction on Obama’s part.
- Gives both books a global marketing boost just as prize season and year end lists collide.
Share this with every desi bookworm you know.
The Look By Michelle Obama: A Personal Pick With Public Weight
One of the most talked about entries on the book list is The Look, written by Michelle Obama.
Including his wife’s book is both:
- Inevitable.
- Still worth noting, because it openly acknowledges the work she is doing beyond the political spouse role.
The Look:
- Has been described as a reflective, personal work.
- Deals with visibility, expectations, self presentation and how women are seen in public and private life.
Adding it to his favourites:
- Is a public show of support.
- Also invites readers who already loved Becoming or The Light We Carry to follow Michelle into her next chapter.
It is a little bit romantic and very on brand that in the middle of global titles, he still spots his wife’s work.
Non Fiction With Teeth: Democracy, History, Inequality
Beyond fiction and personal memoir, Obama’s reading list continues to feature serious non fiction.
Highlights include:
- We the People by Jill Lepore – a sweeping look at American democracy, history and civic identity.
- There Is No Place For Us by Brian Goldstone – examining displacement, housing and inequality.
- 1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin – economic history, markets and the lessons of past crashes.
- Paper Girl by Beth Macy – reported narrative possibly dealing with small town America and systemic failures.
These picks show:
- He is still deeply engaged with questions of how societies work or fail.
- He reads to both understand the past and diagnose the present.
If someone wants their brain stretched while their heart gets broken a bit, this side of the list is where to start.
Why Obama’s Lists Still Hit Hard In 2025
It would be easy to treat this as “another celebrity rec list.” But there are reasons the Obama year end drop lands differently.
- He spans age groups. There is Springsteen and BLACKPINK on the same playlist. Hitchcock level directors and young indie favourites on the same film list.
- He mixes mainstream hits with titles most people have never heard of, giving both equal weight.
- He does not pretend to be an expert but also clearly does his homework. The choices reflect real engagement, not just name recognition.
- He invites conversation instead of dictating taste, always ending with a request for recommendations.
Also, the vibe helps.
The tone of his caption each year is warm, curious, slightly nerdy. That plays well in a culture that is tired of hot takes and cancellation cycles. People respond to genuine enthusiasm.
For creators, making his list is pure gold. For audiences, it is free curation.
How To Turn Obama’s Picks Into Your Own Binge Plan
Want to use the list without getting overwhelmed? Break it down.
Weekend Movie Marathon
- Friday night: Sinners for thrills.
- Saturday afternoon: Hamnet or Sentimental Value for feelings.
- Saturday night: One Battle After Another if the brain can handle it.
- Sunday: Good Fortune or Jay Kelly to decompress with something lighter.
Playlist Refresh
- Start with Jump, Abracadabra, Nokia and Luther to catch the main talking points.
- Add Nice to Each Other, Silver Lining and Ordinary for softer moods.
- Sprinkle in Rosalía, Chance and Obongjayar when you want something off the beaten path.
Reading Queue
- Rosarita if a novella is all the mental energy available.
- The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny if there is a craving for layered fiction.
- The Look for memoir lovers.
- We the People or There Is No Place For Us when there is space for heavier non fiction.
Do not try to consume everything at once. Treat it like a year long map instead of a one week assignment.
What The 2025 List Says About Obama Right Now
Lists are never just about the things. They are about the person making them.
This year’s mix hints at a few things about where Obama’s head is at:
- Still obsessed with questions of power, guilt and systems (Sinners, One Battle After Another, Orwell: 2+2=5, We the People).
- Deeply drawn to global perspectives, especially from Iran, South Korea and India (It Was Just an Accident, No Other Choice, Rosarita, The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny).
- Very much in tune with current youth culture and internet hits (BLACKPINK, Drake, Alex Warren, Laufey).
- Grounded in relationships and personal narratives (Hamnet, Sentimental Value, The Look).
- Balanced between wanting comfort and wanting to be challenged.
It is the media diet of someone who has stepped out of elected office but refuses to step away from the world.
Still wondering where to start?
Ask yourself what mood feels most like this week. Horror catharsis with Sinners. Artsy heartbreak with Hamnet. K pop adrenaline with Jump. Quiet reading nights with Rosarita.
Then dive in.
Which pick from Obama’s 2025 list are you pressing play on first? Is it the horror hit, the Korean masterpiece, the K pop banger or the Desai double feature? Drop your starter choice in the comments, tag a friend who needs a cultured glow up and save this for your next “what do we watch tonight” crisis. Follow for more binge ready deep dives into the lists everyone is talking about.
