Culture Digest: The best things to do, hear, see or watch in Europe this week

Hello and happy new year!

As we reach the end of 2025, what better time to reflect on the very best movies, music and exhibitions it gave us?

The Euronews Culture team put their heads together and managed to whittle each category down to a top 20. While by no means definitive, these lists are not only handy reminders of what to catch-up on over the holiday period, but also representations of the remarkable things human creativity can achieve.

Until next time, here are your cultural highlights - cheers to plenty more in 2026!

Exhibitions

Best art exhibitions 2025

2025's exhibitions had it all: 200-year-old condoms, iconic pastel pink hotels and crucified Donald Trump sculptures.

Indeed, it's been a wonderfully eclectic and eventful year for art, despite growing tensions caused by generative-AI. And while the landmark shows first come to mind, having covered everything from Leigh Bowery to David Hockney; Belle Époque posters and Marie Antoinette, the emergence of smaller (but no-less prestigious) institutions in Cyprus and Central Asia also marked an important geographical shift in the world's cultural hubs.

Here's our full list of the stand-outs.

Bonus highlight: Although the exact date is contested, 2025 was believed by many to be the 100th anniversary of the photobooth. London's Photographers' Gallery is celebrating with its exhibition 'Strike a pose! 100 Years of the Photobooth', which runs until 22 February 2026. Don't forget to take some snaps while inside.

Movies

The Housemaid

Where: Cinemas

When: 2 January

If you like your psychological thrillers decked with silly twists, fun nonsense and poppy needle drops, look no further than_The Housemaid._ Based on a 2022 novel of the same name by Freida McFadden, it follows a young woman named Millie Calloway (Sydney Sweeney) who takes a job as a live-in nanny for a wealthy family - quickly discovering that they're harbouring some extremely disturbing secrets. Holding a cracked mirror up to American suburbia, it tackles themes of control, manipulation and gender stereotypes in the most ridiculous (but undeniably entertaining) way possible.

Best of Movies 2025

While Netflix's recent Warner Bros. acquisition sounded a death knell for innovative, independent cinema the world over, threatening a future in which culture becomes even more homogenised and soullessly churned out based on algorithmic whims, there is still hope!

From Sinners to One Battle After Another to It Was Just An Accident, 2025 proved the power of championing original stories, unique visions and diverse voices - along with audience's growing desires to see more than on-demand slop and nostalgia-mined cash grabs. Here's our list of the Top 20 Best Films this year to prove it.

Bonus highlight: Trashy 90s classic Anaconda has been comedically re-booted starring Jack Black and Paul Rudd. It’s out at cinemas now and ideal for combatting ssseasonal affective disorder.

TV series

Run Away

Where: Netflix

When: 1 January

Based on the 2019 novel of the same name by Harlan Coben, Run Away documents a father's (James Nesbitt) descent into chaos after his drug-addicted daughter (Ellie de Lange) runs away with her abusive partner. In the process of searching for her, a dark underworld is revealed that also surfaces family secrets - and puts the entire family's lives at risk. Also starring Ruth Jones and Minnie Driver, this gritty British thriller is the ideal New Year's Day watch - you might be hungover, but at least you're safe on the sofa.

Bonus highlight: The final ever episode of Netflix’s Stranger Things on 31 December - mouthbreathers need not bother.

Music

The Best Music of 2025

Despite Taylor Swift once again dominating this year's headlines, there's been an astonishing amount of amazing releases from other artists, both big and small, that deserve equal recognition. From Florence + The Machine's theatrical catharsis 'Everybody Scream' to Cate Le Bon's sublime soul bearing in 'Michelangelo Dying' and Rosalía's boundary-pushing barnstormer 'LUX', 2025 saw musicians pick at the wounds of the past few years and let loose an almighty howl. At a time when AI bands have become a thing, this feels all the more empowering: no one can channel all the pain and joy of existence into sonic magic like the humans that have actually experienced it.

Grab your headphones, disappear into a dark room, and delve into our Top 20 Albums here.