It’s that time of the year for Barack Obama’s favorites lists! 2025’s picks include a diverse mix of music, films, and books.

Highlights from his music playlist are Olivia Dean’s “Nice to Each Other,” Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra,” Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther,” Drake’s “Nokia,” and a viral hit, “Pending” by Lil Naay and Myke Towers. In addition to mainstream hits, Obama’s list highlights indie artists, including Jay Som and Jim Adkins with “Float,” and The Beths with “Metal,” showcasing a range of genres.

Obama’s film selections are poised to reflect potential Oscar nominees, with titles including “One Battle After Another,” “Sinners,” and “It Was Just an Accident,” alongside notable directors like Park Chan-wook and Aziz Ansari.

His chosen books encompass both fiction and nonfiction, featuring novels like Ian McEwan’s “What We Can Know” and Susan Choi’s “Flashlight,” as well as non-fiction works, such as Andrew Ross Sorkin’s “1929” and Zadie Smith’s “Dead and Alive.”

Check out his full lists below!