If the Internet had a boiling point, 2025 was the fever pitch. Catch up on the year’s absolute best music, shows, podcasts, games and social media, curated by the team behind The Webby Awards.

Series

“I Love LA” by Rachel Sennott 

Chloe Fayad: I may be biased in my love for this show since I’ve loved Rachel Sennott since “Bodies, Bodies, Bodies,” but, there’s nothing better than an HBO Sunday night release show in my opinion, and this has been one of my favorite watches of the year. An amazingly hilarious and addictive satire piece that I urge every chronically online Gen-zer to give a try 🙂 !

“Pluribus”

Bryan Ventura: Pluribus makes sense of body politics, individuality vs. collectivism, and power with the patient rhythm of slow cinema. Another great performance by Rhea Seehorn, who deserves all the awards she never got for her role in “Better Call Saul.”

“Hogwarts Students on Live” by @itsjennalu & @lavendercashewmilklatte

Nick Borenstein: Creators Jenna and Annelise Lu have struck comedy gold with their multi-part, “Hogwarts Students on Live,” an absolutely hilarious and at times very real TikTok series imagining what Hogwarts would have looked like in the creator era. From dragging Harry to filth to their fits at the Yule Ball, I just cannot get enough of these two, their writing, and their performances. 10 points for Jenna and Lu.

“The Pitt” 

Ari Azen: Amongst the HBO prestige shows I’ve watched this year, “The Pitt” cleared the rest with its raw and realistic look into how hospitals handle people’s worst days every day. Every episode has a heartbreaking scene, but pairs it with the genuine relationships within the medical staff and between patients and caregivers. Dr. McKay was my personal favorite, but the entire cast knocks it out of the park. AND it’s going to be back soon! Bring back shows being released yearly!

“The Studio”

Another pick from Patricia McLoughlin, Seth Rogen stars as a newly appointed head of a movie studio. The show follows Rogen and his executive team at Continental Studios as they work to keep movies relevant while meeting corporate demands.

Music

“Who’s the Clown?” by Audrey Hobert

Jani Dumapit: An album for those who grew up in the In Crowd but never quite felt like they deserved their place there. The album is 35 minutes long and doesn’t try to be anything more than what it is–a solid debut pop record by a Gen Z girl that perfectly describes what it feels like to be a Gen Z girl in her 20s in the 2020s.

“Addison” by Addison Rae

Patricia Tancredi: From TikTok mega star to the next big thing in pop? If you had told me this a year ago I wouldn’t have believed you, but this album was the soundtrack of my summer, my year (according to Spotify Wrapped), and now potentially my life. A no skip album with some of the coolest series of music videos I’ve seen in a while.

“Mature” by Hilary Duff 

Patricia McLoughlin: This Hilary Duff comeback was the perfect morale boost for millennials trying to get to the end of 2025.

“West End Girl” by Lily Allen 

Emma Larson: Lily Allen’s comeback album is everything. Period. Girlpower.

Podcasts

Fashion Neurosis

Mahi Sugebo: This is the perfect podcast for reflecting on everything style and the personal decisions that go into it. Hosted by Bella Freud (yes, the great-granddaughter of Sigmund Freud), some of the most interesting and well-dressed people in media take a moment to delve into their relationship with fashion. [Start with the Rosalía episode.]

Upstairs Neighbors

Bryan Ventura: A genuine comfort listen that makes you feel part of LA’s young indie scene — vocal fry and all. Easy and surprisingly grounding.

Games

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 

Tanner Scites: One of the most profound stories told this year. A completely captivating game and a masterpiece of narrative, performance, and music. I find myself thinking about the story and listening to the soundtrack every day, even months after finishing it.

Social Media

TikTok Edits

Camille Kielbasa: TikTok edits are changing the way that studios interact with fans and are inspiring them to reimagine the content they create. Hunger Games TikTok edits (of which I have many incredible ones) have been cited by Lionsgate as one of the driving factors of the success of the franchise and how they create their content/trailers/etc. They are pure cinema.

Nicolandria 

Patricia Tancredi: In a year of much division, nothing brought me closer to my friends, coworkers, and even random people on the subway as Nicolandria. I’ve been a Love Island viewer since 2018, but I have never been so invested in one couple’s journey. My vote mattered!

Creating Great Digital? Enter by Dec. 19

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