An Analysis of All Visual Media I Experienced for the First Time in 2025

We are the stories we tell.

That is what I tell my high school students.

Not in an abstract, Shakespearean sort of way. I mean it literally: you are the product of your stories. Your background, your childhood, your traumas, your joys, your cultural heritage, your experience-informed preferences and habits. Your past is a collection of stories, and those stories have molded you into the person you are today.

This is why I encourage others to examine the content they absorb. Last year, I noted how media impacts our views of the world:

I was reminded recently that there is no such thing as mindless scrolling or viewing. Our brains absorb everything we put in front of our eyes, even if it happens in ways we don’t comprehend. So it makes sense that we should analyze the types of media we experience. If the movies and shows I watch impact my perception of the world, I should examine which movies and shows I experience.

But this year, I want to expand on that thesis: the content we experience impacts our perceptions of ourselves as well as our world. Stories are powerful. They can subtly change how we frame our own experiences and alter how we process our own thoughts. If you tell yourself a story often enough, that story becomes indistinguishable from truth. This phenomenon can be powerful or terrifying, depending on the story.

With that in mind, below is an analysis of every movie, television show, video game, and feature-length YouTube video I experienced for the first time in 2025. The data is first, then an analysis, and then a comprehensive list of everything I experienced.

The Data

Of the films I watched for the first time in 2025:

0% are Westerns
7% are mysteries
7% are romance films
9% are horror films
9% are animated films
15% are comedies
15% are animated films
31% are action, thriller, or adventure films
33% are science fiction or fantasy
31% are films that released in 2025
34% are documentaries
~58% are dramas

Of the television show seasons I watched for the first time in 2025:

~6% are reality television
~8% are historical dramas or comedies
~14% are animated
~17% are science fiction or fantasy
~28% are comedies
~31% are dramas (not reality television)

Analysis

Commentary on Power: I have taught George Orwell’s 1984 more frequently than most any other story. (It is second only to William Shakespeare’s Macbeth.) While we read Orwell’s classic dystopian tale, my students explore the three laws of power: 1) power is never static, 2) power flows through everyday life like water, and 3) power creates opportunities for more power, as TED-ed’s Eric Liu explains. In every scenario, you are either exerting your influence on others, or others are exerting their influence on you. This is why conversations about power are so important: we need to understand the ubiquity of daily power dynamics in order to challenge manipulative, toxic, or dangerous uses of power. I am not sure exactly why my recent film viewing experiences incorporate themes of power and ethics so frequently, but I imagine it has something to do with my continued belief in the value of identifying the intangible-yet-powerful power dynamics in our day-to-day lives. Some of my favorite cinematic explorations of power: Prime Minister (2025), Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery (2025), Join or Die (2023), This Place Rules (2022), and Pariyerum Perumal (2018).

Consistency Is Key(?): Apparently, my film viewing habits are bewilderingly consistent. In regard to genre, my 2025 viewing statistics are nearly identical to my 2024 stats. On one hand, this speaks to the sincerity with which I pursue documentaries and science fiction. My love of knowledge and fantasy is a consistent part of my identity, apparently. On the other hand, I worry that I have stagnated as a moviegoer. In 2024, for example, I explained that I had recently discovered an appreciation for Westerns, yet I did nothing to nurture that appreciation in 2025. Should I consciously pick more romance, horror, and animated films in 2026? Maybe. Or maybe it’s okay that I like what I like. Genre does not determine quality. Either way, I would like to expand my awareness of international, non-U.S. films. That is a worthy goal, and it is my goal for 2026.

Other Observations and Subjective Awards
Movies

Favorite movies released in 2025: 28 Years Later, Bison Kaalamaadan, O’Dessa, Prime Minister, Steve

Favorite pre-2025 films I watched: Nayakan (1987), Panchatanthiram (2002), Pariyerum Perumal (2018), A Real Pain (2024), I’m Still Here (2024), Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024), Nickel Boys (2024), Anora (2024)

Film maudit (films “unfairly maligned” by critics): O’Dessa (2025)—39% on Rotten Tomatoes, 2.5 on Letterboxd, and 5/10 on IMDb, but I absolutely love this film. Highly recommend.

Most-watched director in 2025: Mari Selvaraj (Pariyerum Perumal, Vaazhai, and Bison Kaalamaadan)

Movies I started with no expectations and found surprisingly good: Dave Made a Maze (2017), Pig (2021), Join or Die (2023), Wicked Little Letters (2023), On Falling (2024), Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024), Jazzy (2024), O’Dessa (2025)

Movies I started with mid-to-high expectations and found notably disappointing: A Complete Unknown (2024), Sacramento (2024), Tron: Ares (2025), Mountainhead (2025)

Worst movies watched in 2025: Captain America: Brave New World (2025), Trainwreck: Balloon Boy (2025)

Television Shows

Favorite shows and seasons: The Pitt (S1), Andor (S2), Barry (S1, S2), Grey’s Anatomy (S2), American Primeval (S1), Victoria (S2, S3)

New recipient of my Near-Perfect Show award: Andor. Only two other shows have received this honor: Succession and BoJack Horseman.

Seasons that were almost brilliant but not quite there: Search Party (S1, S2, S3), The Last of Us (S2)

Not blown away but will probably continue watching: Shadow and Bone and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Seasons that were better than most people think: The Witcher (S4)

Disappointing seasons: Mythic Quest (S4), The Sandman (S2)

Video Games

Favorite game beat in 2025: Atomfall

Games that were surprisingly enjoyable: A Way Out and Grounded

Games with the best music: NieR: Automata and The Outer Worlds 2

Games that were aggressively mediocre (not unpleasant, but not great): Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Assassin’s Creed: Origins, and Far Cry New Dawn

YouTube

Most-watched creators in 2025: Willjum, Simon Wilson, Channel 5 with Andrew Callaghan, DougDoug, and JGigs

Best videos: “Dua Lipa versus the literary landscape” by Below the Fray, “The Godawful Presidents of the Marvel Cinematic Universe” by Nando v Movies, “Overnight on Moldova’s Worst Sleeper Train” by Simon Wilson, “The Absolute Chaos of Bethesda” by big boss, “Is Gen Z ‘Too Woke’ Or Are You Just Too Dumb? (the rise of anti-intellectualism)” by imuRgency, and “The Hardest Soulslike” by videogamedunkey

LIST OF FILMS WATCHED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 2025

Bullet Train (2022) dir. David Leitch
A Scanner Darkly (2006) dir. Richard Linklater
Mystery Men (1999) dir. Kinka Usher
Gladiator II (2024) dir. Ridley Scott
Society of the Snow (2023) dir. J. A. Bayona
Tollbooth (2021) dir. Ryan Andrew Hooper
This Place Rules (2022) dir. Andrew Callaghan
Alien: Romulus (2024) dir. Fede Álvarez
Venom: The Last Dance (2024) dir. Kelly Marcel
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024) dir. Jeff Fowler
A Real Pain (2024) dir. Jesse Eisenberg
I’m Still Here (2024) dir. Walter Salles
Nickel Boys (2024) dir. RaMell Ross
Anora (2024) dir. Sean Baker
The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017) dir. Yorgos Lanthimos
The Founder (2016) dir. John Lee Hancock
Ghosts of the Deep: Black Sea Shipwrecks (2019) dir. David Belton, Andy Byatt
In the Heights (2021) dir. Jon M. Chu
The Fallout (2021) dir. Megan Park
I’m Totally Fine (2022) dir. Brandon Dermer
Flow (2024) dir. Gints Zilbalodis
The Electric State (2025) dir. Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
The Monkey King: Reborn (2021) dir. Wang Yunfei
O’Dessa (2025) dir. Geremy Jasper
A Complete Unknown (2024) dir. James Mangold
Dave Made a Maze (2017) dir. Bill Watterson
Last Exit: Space (2022) dir. Rudolph Herzog
The Perfect Weapon (2020) dir. John Maggio
Tuesday (2023) dir. Daina O. Pusić
Mickey 17 (2025) dir. Bong Joon Ho
The Pale Blue Eye (2022) dir. Scott Cooper
Ballet Now (2018) dir. Steven Cantor
Britain and the Blitz (2025) dir. Ella Wright
King Lear (2018) dir. Richard Eyre
A Brief History of Time (1991) dir. Errol Morris
Parthenope (2024) dir. Paolo Sorrentino
Captain America: Brave New World (2025) dir. Julius Onah
The Order (2024) dir. Justin Kurzel
Seven Veils (2023) dir. Atom Egoyan
Thunderbolts* (2025) dir. Jake Schreier
The Wild Robot (2024) dir. Chris Sanders
Join or Die (2023) dir. Pete Davis, Rebecca Davis
Biggest Heist Ever (2024) dir. Chris Smith
Mountainhead (2025) dir. Jesse Armstrong
Pete’s Dragon (2016) dir. David Lowery
Rosetta (1999) dir. Luc Dardenne, Jean-Pierre Dardenne
Valley of the Dead (2020) dir. Alberto de Toro, Javier Ruiz Caldera
Shock and Awe (2017) dir. Rob Reiner
Jazzy (2024) dir. Morrisa Maltz
West Side Story (2021) dir. Steven Spielberg
Scoop (2024) dir. Philip Martin
Ballerina (2025) dir. Len Wiseman
Power (2024) dir. Yance Ford
Nayakan (1987) dir. Mani Ratnam
Pig (2021) dir. Michael Sarnoski
Blink Twice (2024) dir. Zoë Kravitz
A Minecraft Movie (2025) dir. Jared Hess
CTRL (2024) dir. Vikramaditya Motwane
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (2025) dir. Christopher McQuarrie
28 Years Later (2025) dir. Danny Boyle
Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015) dir. Genndy Tartakovsky
Hotel Transylvania (2012) dir. Genndy Tartakovsky
Going Down (1982) dir. Haydn Keenan
F1 The Movie (2025) dir. Joseph Kosinski
How to Train Your Dragon (2025) dir. Dean DeBlois
On Falling (2024) dir. Laura Carreira
Maharaja (2024) dir. Nithilan Saminathan
The Ron Clark Story (2006) dir. Randa Haines
The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) dir. Matt Shakman
Superman (2025) dir. James Gunn
Uncharted (2022) dir. Ruben Fleischer
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) dir. Karan Johar
Trainwreck: Poop Cruise (2025) dir. James Ross
Trainwreck: The Cult of American Apparel (2025) dir. Sally Rose Griffiths
Unknown Number: The High School Catfish (2025) dir. Skye Borgman
Bulbul Can Sing (2018) dir. Rima Das
Pariyerum Perumal (2018) dir. Mari Selvaraj
Trainwreck: The Real Project X (2025) dir. Alex Wood
Death of a Unicorn (2025) dir. Alex Scharfman
Friendship (2024) dir. Andrew DeYoung
Superman: Man of Tomorrow (2020) dir. Chris Palmer
Sacramento (2024) dir. Michael Angarano
Kaithi (2019) dir. Lokesh Kanagaraj
Surviving Ohio State (2025) dir. Eva Orner
Superman: Unbound (2013) dir. James Tucker
Vaazhai (2024) dir. Mari Selvaraj
Elio (2025) dir. Adrian Molina, Domee Shi, Madeline Sharafian
Daddio (2023) Christy Hall
Prime Minister (2025) dir. Michelle Walshe, Lindsay Utz
Tron: Ares (2025) dir. Joachim Rønning
Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery (2025) dir. Ally Pankiw
Bison Kaalamaadan (2025) dir Mari Selvaraj
Peter Hujar’s Day (2025) dir Ira Sachs
Enthiran (2010) dir. S. Shankar
Steve (2025) dir. Tim Mielants
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever (2023) dir. Luke Cormican
The Santa Clause 2 (2002) dir. Michael Lembeck
Thoughts & Prayers: Or How to Survive an Active Shooter in America (2025) dir. Zackary Canepari, Jessica Dimmock
Creep (2014) dir. Patrick Brice
Caught Stealing (2025) dir. Darren Aronofsky
Meiyazhagan (2024) dir. C. Prem Kumar
Holy Motors (2012) dir. Leos Carax
This Place (2022) dir. V.T. Nayani
Home Alone 4 (2002) dir. Rod Daniel
Vikram Vedha (2022) dir. Pushkar–Gayathri
Vada Chennai (2018) dir. Vetrimaaran
Wake Up Dead Man (2025) dir. Rian Johnson
Panchatanthiram (2002) dir. KS Ravikumar
The Bad Guys 2 (2025) dir. Pierre Perifel
Murder in Monaco (2025) dir. Hodges Usry
Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem (2025) dir. Shianne Brown
Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy (2025) dir. Yemi Bamiro, Hannah Poulter
Trainwreck: Balloon Boy (2025) dir. Gillian Pachter
Wicked Little Letters (2023) dir. Thea Sharrock

LIST OF TV SHOW SEASONS WATCHED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 2025

Creature Commandos, S1
Archer, S9
Make Some Noise, S3
Invincible, S3
The White Lotus, S3
Barry, S1, S2, S3
Mythic Quest, S4
Search Party, S1, S2, S3
The Pitt, S1
The Last of Us, S2
Survivor, S48
The Terror, S1
Andor, S2
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, S1
Rick and Morty, S8
Star Trek: Lower Decks, S5
Tires, S2
Castlevania: Nocturne, S2
The Sandman, S2
Grey’s Anatomy, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6
Shadow and Bone, S1
The Bear, S1
Peacemaker, S2
Gen V, S2
Death by Lightning, S1
Victoria, S2, S3
All Her Fault, S1
The Witcher, S4
American Primeval, S1

LIST OF VIDEO GAMES BEAT IN 2025

A Way Out (Xbox) – beat: played as Leo; survived
Escape Academy (Xbox) – beat: heart rate increased throughout
Super Mario Bros. Wonder (Nintendo Switch) – beat
NieR: Automata (Xbox) – beat: Become as Gods Edition; Ending A
It Takes Two (Xbox) – beat: played as Cody
Diablo IV (Xbox) – beat: played as a necromancer; lots of reaping
Far Cry New Dawn (Xbox) – beat: spared Mickey (because she was super cool); killed Joseph Seed (obviously)
The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope (Xbox) – beat: saved Andrew, saved Mary
Atomfall (Xbox) – beat: killed Oberon; escaped via the Voice on the Telephone
Grounded (Xbox) – “beat” i.e. made a spectacular grass-based mansion with James
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (Xbox) – beat: go-to companions Jolee Bindo, Juhani, and Zaalbar
Assassin’s Creed: Origins (Xbox) – beat
Far Cry 4 (Xbox) – beat: sided with Amita (because Sabal was sexist); killed Pagan
The Outer Worlds 2 (Xbox) – beat: saved Fairfield; spared Seer Wiley; released skip-drive schematics to public; brokered an alliance between Auntie’s Choice and the Order; spared the Consul; go-to companions Niles and Marisol
Dragon Age: The Veilguard (Xbox) – beat: prioritized Treviso; encouraged Emmrich to become a lich; convinced Solas to bond himself to the Veil; Davrin died; go-to companions Lucanis, Emmrich, and Neve

YOUTUBE VIDEOS (VIDEOS & VIDEO ESSAYS OVER 45 MINUTES AND/OR OF NOTABLE QUALITY) WATCHED IN 2025

BONUS: EVERY PODCAST EPISODE I LISTENED TO FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 2025

“Nicholas Hoult” by Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend
“Danny McBride” by Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend
“Christina Ricci” by Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend
“Nathan Lane” by Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend
“Bill Hader Returns Again” by Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend
“Diego Luna” by Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend
“Ayo Edebiri” by Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend
“Andy Samberg” by Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend
“Janelle James” by Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend
“Werner Herzog Returns” by Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend
“Rose Byrne” by Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend
“Mary, Queen of Scots: Birth of a Legend (Part 1)” by The Rest Is History
“Mary, Queen of Scots: The Royal Rivals (Part 2)” by The Rest Is History
“Mary, Queen of Scots: The Battle for Scotland (Part 3)” by The Rest Is History
“Mary, Queen of Scots: Murder Most Foul (Part 4)” by The Rest Is History
“Mary, Queen of Scots: The Mystery of the Exploding Mansion (Part 5)” by The Rest Is History
“Mary, Queen of Scots: Downfall (Part 6)” by The Rest Is History
“Peter the Great: The Rise of Russia (Part 1)” by The Rest Is History
“Peter the Great: Bloodbath in the Kremlin (Part 2)” by The Rest Is History
“The Great Northern War: The Battle of the Baltic (Part 1)” by The Rest Is History
“The Great Northern War: Revenge of the Cossacks (Part 2)” by The Rest Is History
“The Great Northern War: Slaughter on the Steppes (Part 3)” by The Rest Is History
“The Great Northern War: Murder in Moscow (Part 4)” by The Rest Is History
“Rasputin” by The Rest Is History
“The First World War: The Invasion of Belgium (Part 1)” by The Rest Is History
“The First World War: The Battle of the Frontiers (Part 2)” by The Rest Is History
“The First World War: The Miracle on the Marne (Part 3)” by The Rest Is History
“The First World War: The Massacre of the Innocents (Part 4)” by The Rest Is History
“The First World War: The Eastern Front Explodes (Part 5)” by The Rest Is History
“The First World War: Downfall of the Habsburgs (Part 6)” by The Rest Is History
“Elizabeth I: The Fall of the Axe (Part 1)” by The Rest Is History
“Elizabeth I: Anne Boleyn’s Bastard (Part 2)” by The Rest Is History
“Elizabeth I: The Shadow of the Tower (Part 3)” by The Rest Is History
“Elizabeth I: The Virgin Queen (Part 4)” by The Rest Is History
“Judd Apatow Returns” by Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend
“Quantum Refuge” by Radiolab
“Hundred Years’ War: Henry V’s Invasion of France (Part 1)” by The Rest Is History
“Hundred Years’ War: The Road to Agincourt (Part 2)” by The Rest Is History
“Hundred Years’ War: Bloodbath at Agincourt (Part 3)” by The Rest Is History
“Hundred Years’ War: England Triumphant (Part 4)” by The Rest Is History
“Will Arnett Returns” by Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend
“Hannibal: Rome’s Greatest Enemy (Part 1)” by The Rest Is History
“Hannibal: Elephants Cross the Alps (Part 2)” by The Rest Is History
“Hannibal: The Invasion of Italy (Part 3)” by The Rest Is History
“Hannibal: Roman Bloodbath at Cannae (Part 4)” by The Rest Is History
“Custer vs. Crazy Horse: Civil War (Part 1)” by The Rest Is History
“Custer vs. Crazy Horse: The Winning of the West (Part 2)” by The Rest Is History
“Custer vs. Crazy Horse: Horse-Lords of the Plains (Part 3)” by The Rest Is History
“Custer vs. Crazy Horse: Rise of Sitting Bull (Part 4)” by The Rest Is History