Barack Obama’s favorite movies of 2025 include Sinners, Hamnet, and more: Here's the entire list

A still from Sinners | Image via Warner Bros. Pictures YouTube
A still from Sinners | Image via Warner Bros. Pictures YouTube

Barack Obama is known for being an avid consumer of films, books, shows, and music. At the end of every year, the former President of the United States curates a list of his favorite works from pop culture, spanning across genres as well as generations.

A literary tradition that began during his time in the White House, the yearly list gives the audience a glimpse of Obama's taste, as well as some recommendations.

Obama's annual list, consisting of his favorite films, books, shows, and music for the year 2025, was released today! It includes titles like Hamnet and Sinners, among others. So let's get into the details and find out all the names.


Barack Obama unveils his favorite movies of 2025

On December 19, 2025, Barack Obama took to X (formerly Twitter) to unveil his favorite films, books, and music. When it comes to films, his list featured names like Ryan Coogler's period horror film Sinners and Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another. Other titles in the film include Chloe Zhao's Hamnet and George Clooney and Adam Sandler starrer Jay Kelly.

He wrote,

"As 2025 comes to a close, I'm continuing a tradition that I started during my time in the White House: sharing my annual lists of favorite books, movies, and music. I hope you find something new to enjoy—and please send any recommendations for me to check out!"

Obama's favourite films include,

  • One Battle After Another
  • Sinners
  • It Was Just An Accident
  • Orwell: 2+2=5
  • Hamnet
  • Sentimental Value
  • No Other Choice
  • Good Fortune
  • The Secret Agent
  • Train Dreams
  • Jay Kelly

Barack Obama's favorite songs and books

Besides films, Barack Obama also listed his favorite songs and books. The songs include,

  • Nice To Each Other by Olivia Dean
  • Luther by SZA and Kendrick Lamar
  • Silver Lining by Laufey
  • Tatata by Burna Boy ft. Travis Scott
  • Jump by BLACKPINK
  • Faithless by Bruce Springsteen
  • Stay by Roe
  • Pasayadan by Ganavya
  • 99 by Olamidé ft. Daecolm, Seyi Vibez, Asake & Young John
  • Please Don’t Cry by Kacy Hill
  • Pending by Lil Naay & Myke Towers
  • The Giver by Chappell Roan
  • Sexo, Violencia Y Llantas by Rosalía
  • Metal by The Beths
  • Abracadabra by Lady Gaga
  • Just Say Dat by Gunna
  • Aurora by Mora & De La Rose
  • In the Name of Love by Victoria Noelle
  • No More Old Men by Chance the Rapper & Jamila Woods
  • Bury Me by Jason Isbell
  • I Wish I Could Go Travelling Again by Stacey Kent
  • Never Felt Better by Everything is Recorded ft. Sampha & Florence Welch

Obama also mentioned his favorite books in the list, including Beth Macy's memoir titled Paper Girl. Others include,

  • Flashlight by Susan Choi
  • We the People by Jill Lepore
  • The Wilderness by Angela Flournoy
  • There Is No Place for Us by Brian Goldstone
  • North Sun by Ethan Rutherford
  • 1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin
  • The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai
  • Dead And Alive by Zadie Smith
  • What We Can Know by Ian McEwan
  • The Look by Michelle Obama

Which one of these is your favorite?


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Edited by IRMA