Everything I’m Excited For in 2025
Books, Movies, Shows, & Music Coming Soon
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Each year, I like to inventory upcoming releases in books, movies, TV shows, and music. I find this helps to distract from the noise and focus on a few things I know I’m interest in. Of course, there will be happy surprises along the way, but this is a list of what has already gotten my attention. I can’t promise that these will all be winners in ratings or box office numbers or [insert metric here] but they are sure winners in early intrigue and hype. As a sci-fi nerd, this collection heavily favors the genre. I’m sure several unannounced projects will make me wish I could have included them here, but alas, I don’t have a crystal ball. Perhaps I’ll make a follow up list at the end of the year after we see how this all pans out. Listed in order of release date.
Fiction Books
From strange to dystopian, here are five upcoming novels that have my attention. A common thread here seems to tug at the concept of what constitutes reality. Art imitates life.
Blob: A Love Story
by Maggie Su | January 28
A 20-something woman tries to shape a sentient blob into the perfect boyfriend. Blending the surreal with the familiar in a witty story about the search for love, self, and what it means to be human. I’m not sure if I’m the target audience but it sounds intriguing, nonetheless.
The Dream Hotel
by Laila Lalami | March 4
A near future dystopian novel in which dreams are under surveillance. Sara returns after a conference abroad and is detained for a crime that she will possibly commit in the future against her husband. She is taken to a retention center with others who are being held captive for pre-crimes. She is forced to prove that her dreams are not destined for reality in order to escape. This is giving some serious “Minority Report” vibes and I’m here for it.
Dissolution
by Nicholas Binge | March 25
Maggie Webb is shocked to discover her husband's decade-long memory loss is not natural, but a greater power is removing his memories to avoid a dark secret. Nothing is as it seems the more she learns from within the depths of his mind. The dark secret is much bigger than she could ever imagine. Reality, humanity, and history are challenged in this thriller. I’m always in for a mind-bender.
The Memory Collectors
by Dete Meserve | May 20
Four complete strangers are desperate to relive a moment in their past. Aeon Expeditions, a time travel machine, allows them to spend one hour in their pasts before returning, but this hour will not change their fate. Unfortunately, the four subjects get stuck in time and become intertwined with each other as a result. Who doesn’t love a good time travel tale, even if the concept has been strip mined? This will explore the themes of hope, grief, and second chances.
Everybody Wants to Rule the World Except Me
by Django Wexler | May 27
This is a follow up (and conclusion) to one of my biggest surprise favorites from last year: How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying. A raunchy, hilarious, and blood-splattered fantasy about a young woman who respawns like a video game character, and is tired of defending humanity from the Dark Lord. Davi must now uncover the truth behind her time loop to bring harmony to the kingdom.
Non-Fiction Books
From defeating perfectionism to a hopeful view of AI, here are a few non-fiction titles I’m eager to dig into this year.
How to Be Enough
by Ellen Hendriksen | January 7
“Perfectionism isn’t about striving to be perfect. It’s about never feeling good enough.” Dr. Ellen Hendriksen—clinical psychologist and anxiety specialist—offers a flexible and forgiving path without giving up excellence, high standards, or hard work. She delivers seven shifts to rewrite your Inner Rulebook and find self-acceptance. I tend to veer from self-help books because they are easy to read and then immediately forget forever. This one has caught my eye because I’ve been struggling with perfectionism and anxiety my whole life. This year I’m determined to send my inner critic to the backseat where he belongs.
Superagency
by Reid Hoffman & Greg Beato | January 28
A tech insider’s perspective on an AI-powered future, making the case for the potential to unlock a world of possibilities. What if AI can be used inclusively and adaptively to improve our lives and create better outcomes for society? AI tutors personalizing education, rapid discovery of cures for diseases, and AI advisors empowering us to navigate complex systems and achieve our goals. I know, AI is a buzzword at this point, but I am a moth to a flame. Plus, I’m looking forward to reading something that isn’t all gloom and doom this year.
Who Is Government?
by Michael Lewis | March 18
“Who works for the government and why does their work matter? The government is a vast, complex system that Americans pay for, rebel against, rely upon, dismiss, and celebrate. It’s also our shared resource for addressing the biggest problems of society. And it’s made up of people, mostly unrecognized and uncelebrated, doing work that can be deeply consequential and beneficial to everyone.” I’m a sucker for anything attached to Michael Lewis. He has a knack for taking a dry subject and making it exciting.
Big Dumb Eyes
by Nate Bargatze | May 6
Nate Bargatze was 2024’s highest grossing comedian and he makes me laugh. If you haven’t heard of him yet, here’s another opportunity. He’s taking his everyman style of comedy into a collection of personal stories, opinions, and confessions—all of which I assume will be hilarious. He hit his head on a rock in seventh grade and afterwards, a voice told him, “It’s okay. You’re dumb now. All you got is standup.” Can’t wait!
Movies
Trekking through space, outer and virtual. These are all science fiction except for one and I’m not apologizing for that.
Star Trek: Section 31
Paramount+ | January 24
Emperor Philippa Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh) joins a secret division of Starfleet tasked with protecting the United Federation of Planets and faces the sins of her past. This is a spin-off of her character from the Star Trek Discovery series. Is this my favorite rendition of Star Trek? No. Am I still going to watch it? It’s Star Trek and Michelle Yeoh. Is it going to open up new plot holes in the Star Trek cannon? Highly likely. Am I going to stop asking myself questions? For now, yes, but after I watch this movie I’ll probably have many more. It’s best to just sit back and enjoy the ride for what it is, take it or leave it.
Mickey 17
Theaters | March 7
From the Oscar-winning director of Parasite, Bong Joon-ho. Mickey 17 (Robert Pattinson), known as an "expendable," goes on a dangerous journey to colonize an ice planet. He is selected for dangerous tasks because he can be reanimated if his body dies, with memory intact. Things eventually go very wrong. I am 100% the target audience for this film.
The Electric State
Netflix | March 14
Starring Chris Pratt, Millie Bobby Brown, and Woody Harrelson. Based on the stunning visual story by Simon Stålenhag. This is easily number one on my list this year. Set in an alternate 1994, an orphaned teenager traverses the American West with a sweet, but mysterious robot, and an eccentric drifter in search of her younger brother.
Karate Kid: Legends
Theaters | May 30
Jackie Chan! Karate Kid! I loved watching Jackie Chan movies on a Saturday night, carefully selected at Blockbuster on VHS, with my entire family as a kid. His presence makes this an automatic must-see for me. Kung fu prodigy Li Fong is uprooted from his home in Beijing and forced to move to New York City. When a friend needs his help, Li enters a karate competition. Li's teacher Mr. Han enlists original Karate Kid Daniel LaRusso for help.
Tron: Ares
Theaters | October 10
A standalone sequel to Tron: Legacy (2010) and the original Tron (1982). While Tron: Legacy only received a 51% recommendation from Rotten Tomatoes, I enjoyed it quite a bit. The original score by Daft Punk was amazing and this follow up will be scored by Nine Inch Nails. That gets my juices flowing. Ares will mark humankind’s first encounter with A.I. beings. It may be cheesy, and yet another nod to 80’s nostalgia, but I’m ready. This will be one of those enjoy the ride and don’t ask questions films.
Shows
This entire list comprises new seasons of running shows—no debuts. I have a one-year-old and next to no downtime to keep up with old TV shows, let alone take on new ones. I’m doing my best.
Severance: Season 2
Apple+ | January 17
Severance is a psychological thriller that premiered to rave reviews in 2022. In it, Mark Scout (Adam Scott), an employee of Lumon Industries, agrees to a "severance" program in which his non-work self (Outie) has separate memories from his work self (Innie). Season 2 will feature some damage control following the aftermath of season 1. I cannot wait!
The Last of Us: Season 2
HBO MAX | April
The show is based on the video game of the same name, set in an American post-apocalyptic zombie world. It’s intense and emotional. The series is set twenty years into a pandemic caused by a mass fungal infection (season 1), and will now pick up five years later (season 2). Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey are a force to be reckoned with.
Black Mirror: Season 7
Netflix | Spring
Near-future tech dystopian horror. That’s Black Mirror in a nutshell, love it or hate it, it’s not serial so each episode is a complete story on its own. Details are sparse for the latest installment but we have confirmation on the first ever sequel episode to season 4’s U.S.S. Callister, which was beloved by myself and many others. My body is ready.
Love Death & Robots: Season 4
Netflix | Spring
An adult animated anthology series, much like Black Mirror in that each episode is a standalone story. In fact, I would recommend this series of animated shorts to anyone who is also a fan of Black Mirror. The individual episodes are produced by different animation studios from a range of countries and explore diverse genres. The episodes can be hit or miss but it’s great fun.
Wednesday: Season 2
Netflix | July
Jenna Ortega plays a perfect Wednesday Addams, if you missed season 1 give it a chance. You could easily mistake her for Aubrey Plaza’s younger sister a la Parks and Recreation. Tim Burton fans to the front of the line.
Star Trek Strange New Worlds: Season 3
Paramount+ | 2025
What a year to be a Star Trek fan! This is arguably the best iteration of the franchise there has ever been. Send me a message I won’t read if you disagree. With Discovery and Picard now ended, it’s time for SNW to take center stage. I can’t wait for a new season of adventures with Anson Mount and his crew. Live long and prosper.
Stranger Things: Season 5
Netflix | 2025
Here comes the conclusion to one of the most wildly popular shows over the last several years. This is where the recent wave of 80s nostalgia truly began in earnest. Do I really need to tee this one up for you? I’m amped up for one last trip into the Upside Down.
Squid Game: Season 3
Netflix | 2025
Another finale that’s in the pipeline for 2025. Squid Game has been downright captivating since its initial release, the reality show spinoff, and most recently season 2 (which yielded much moaning and groaning from the peanut gallery after the cliffhanger). I enjoyed season 2 and I’m at the edge of a glass bridge waiting for the conclusion!
Music
I’m a metalhead with an otherwise very eclectic music palette. This list is going to showcase how widespread my interest in music can be. Everything here is based on unconfirmed rumors and whispers in the wind, so it’s more of a personal wishlist rather than an actual release calendar.
Gojira
2025
Gojira took the world by storm in 2024 with their unforgettable performance during the opening ceremonies of the Paris Olympics. Band members have confirmed that they have new material in the works but have not announced an official release for this year. Gojira is possibly my favorite band in the world and I’m champing at the bit for their follow up to 2021’s Fortitude.
Mastodon
2025
Mastodon, sludge metal that lives close to my heart and often trades places with Gojira as my favorite metal band in the world. We haven’t heard a new full-length album since 2021 with Hushed And Grim. Members of the band have hinted at new material since 2023, which was received in the form of a split track with Lamb of God, however fans are still clamoring for the next LP.
Queens of the Stone Age
2025
QOTSA last released In Times New Roman… in 2023 following a six year gap in new music. Frontman Josh Homme has stated, “There was too much time in between the last record and this one... I’m gonna to roll up my sleeves and jump right into this.” Though since that interview, he’s been sidelined multiple times with health issues. 2025 sounds like a quick turnaround, but the desire is there. Let’s wait and see…
Lorn
2025
Lorn is a very cagey, private individual, so any details about new music are few and far between. His music is electronic, dystopian, downbeat, and foreboding. His last full length came in the form of 2019’s DROWN THE TRAITOR WITHIN. This past December, he replaced his entire Instagram history with a short teaser. Could this be his return? I hope so.
Sleep Token
Summer 2025
If you exist outside the dome of metal music you may have missed out on Sleep Token. Their rise to fame has been gob smacking. I can, and have, listened to their most popular song “The Summoning” ten times a day. A new album has been confirmed for this summer. It’ll be tough to top the music that has preceded it. Tickets to see Sleep Token live are now almost impossible to come by.
Deafheaven
2025
Deafheaven’s sound is a thick post-metal/shoegaze style. Like the palette of a wine or whiskey drinker, you acquire a taste for Deafheaven or you don’t. Their last full length was Infinite Granite in 2021. The band signed on to a new record label towards the end of 2024 so new material may very well be imminent.
Chappell Roan
2025
I’m a pink pony dad. As a straight, married man who is primarily a metalhead this may seem odd but I just cannot get the Chappell Roan hits out of my head since she came roaring into the scene in 2024. Whatever she does next, I’m watching and I’m H-O-T-T-O-G-O!
Lady Gaga
2025
You may be surprised to see Lady Gaga on my list, but here she is! But am I one of her Little Monsters? I wouldn’t say that, though her vocal and piano playing abilities are top-notch. Have you heard her duets with Tony Bennett? Magic. A few new singles have already been released from “LG7” so this album is confirmed. We’ll be hearing her on the radio all year long, I’m sure of it.
Beyoncé
2025
Whoa, am I also a member of the Beyhive? Well, not really, but I have the utmost respect for the queen of pop. She seems determined to conquer every genre, is rock next? She’s rumored to be collaborating with Jack White and Tom Morello which is what lands her on my list, if true. Cowboy Carter was fun and I’m no fan of country music. Was the teaser after her Christmas Day Halftime spectacular about a Cowboy Carter tour or does she already have new music in the works? Time will tell.
What are you excited for this year? Comment below.
