I was completely spoiled this year in terms of music and visual media! It seems like from the end of July through the present moment, my life has been inundated with a new release of some kind nearly constantly. It’s almost been overwhelming, but in the best way. And, as an insightful and incredible reviewer/writer said, “David Tennant owes me money” for how much he’s made me scream this year. If I had to pick an MVP from 2023 pop culture, it would be Tennant.

So without further ado, here are my top 5 music, television shows, and films I’ve loved this year!

Music

5. The Hype by Sigrid (EP)

I want another full album, Sigrid! That said, this is an amazing little collection of songs. I love her voice and how lively her music is. Hopefully more people will start appreciating her, because she’s so talented!

Best tracks: “Wanted It To Be You” and “The Hype”

4. “Too Much Love Will Kill You” by Queen

Why was this song not a bigger hit?! I discovered it after diving back into Queen’s albums in a post–Good Omens season two daze, and was blown away. The lyrics, the instrumentation, everything about it is awesome! More people need to listen to it and agree with me. And the Dr. Brian May solo version is just as amazing.

3. Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse soundtrack

I think both movies in this series are known for having excellent soundtracks, so I’m not breaking new ground by talking about it here. But this soundtrack! Is so! Good! It’s perfect for the movie, but also fantastic to listen to independently.

Best tracks: “Self Love,” “Mona Lisa,” “Am I Dreaming,” “Annihilate,” and “Calling”

2. Blood Orange by Freya Ridings

Another underrated artist (at least where I live)! I actually think I prefer this album to her first one. Her sound reminds me a lot of Florence and the Machine, which is great. And Freya’s voice is simply gorgeous! I genuinely enjoy every single song on this album, which isn’t often the case.

Best tracks: “Bitter,” “Perfect,” “Dancing in a Hurricane,” “Weekends,” and “Wither on the Vine”

1.  “Pompeii MMXXIII” by Bastille and Hans Zimmer

I’m not sure I could name a more perfect combination than this. Zimmer has been a film composer I’ve admired for a while, and Bastille is one of my favorite bands, so to hear this version of this song was spectacular! “Pompeii” was the first Bastille song I ever heard, and to hear it with a full chorus and orchestra, so sweeping and epic, makes it even more moving! I like this version even more than when I heard Bastille sing it live in concert. It’s transporting and powerful and simply gorgeous.

The version Bastille and Freya Ridings did of this composition was also fantastic!

Honorable mentions: Six the Musical (which I also saw live, and OMG) and every note that Leslie Odom Jr. has ever sung.

Movies

5. Red, White & Royal Blue

The book that inspired this adaptation is one of my favorite books, so I was both excited and nervous that we were getting a film. However, this was so much fun! The cast is great, and the writing is loyal while also making a few (understandable and still acceptable) changes. It’s not the most extravagant production, and often this film is cheesy, but I’m also too delighted that it even exists to care. We’re at a place in society where we can have romcom movies that reflect a variety of experiences and identities, and they can still be goofy. And I love it.

4. Barbie

What a clever movie! It’s a mostly decent examination of feminism on some levels, but I think where this really shines is the parts that explore the real world vs. Barbie’s world, and the existential concepts that arise because of it. The themes about what it means to be a person are so touching. Of course, I also loved the humor and adventure, and who doesn’t love “I’m Just Ken”? (That said, my favorite Ken is actually Simu Liu.)

3. Howl’s Moving Castle

I’ve somehow gone my entire life, until this year, without seeing a Studio Ghibli film. So when my local theater showed this one for a short time, I jumped at the chance. And wow! This is so brilliant, full of magic and love and thought-provoking moments. It’s visually stunning, of course, rich with layers and details and life in a way that’s hard to describe. After this experience, I can’t wait to watch more Ghibli movies!

2. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

I went into this movie thinking it would be a decent thing, light entertainment. I wasn’t expecting to fall head over heels for it so hard! It’s just so entertaining: the world is detailed, yet isn’t so overwhelming that non-DnD people would get lost. The actors are clearly loving their jobs, which is always awesome to see. There are plenty of laughs, clever moments, and genuine emotional moments that land so well. I worry that if we get sequels, they won’t hold up, but as a self-contained story, this is truly fantastic.

1. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

OBVIOUSLY this is number one! I rushed to the theater at the first opportunity, and of course this gorgeous, astounding, flawless piece of storytelling absolutely delivered. It expands upon the first film with aplomb, introduces new characters and conflicts seamlessly, and is visually the most amazing thing I’ve ever experienced. This is my movie of the year, possibly of the decade (though the final installment might unseat it), and I adore everything about it. I’ve also never come so close to screaming aloud in a crowded theater than I did during the last ten minutes of this. So, like, a thousand rounds of applause for those who created this masterpiece.

Also, a special shout-out to the person in my theater who, when the title card for Beyond the Spider-Verse appeared, screamed “I want it NOW,” thus expressing what we were all thinking.

Honorable mention: Hunt for the Wilderpeople

Television

5. Percy Jackson and the Olympians (season 1, Disney Plus)

We finally have an adaptation of The Lightning Thief! As a fan since a young age, I find it magical to see this marvelous story at last on screen with a brilliant cast, detailed and gorgeous sets, and compelling writing. I immediately fell for Walker Scobell’s performance as Percy, but the rest of the cast is also so perfect it’s insane. I don’t have as much to say about this yet, as only a handful of episodes are currently streaming, but I can tell this is going to be incredible on every level!

Best episode(s): the season is incomplete, so I don’t have a favorite yet.

4. Heartstopper (season 2, Netflix)

This is one of those rare experiences where the adaptation is as good (or sometimes even better) than the source material. This show is just so cute and wholesome, and I love basically everything about it. It’s also great to see more screen time and development for the side characters like Elle, Darcy, and Isaac. The storylines are truly a testament to kindness, self-acceptance, and love in all its forms. Regarding the acting, writing, and production value, everything is top-tier. It’s a show I’ve rewatched, and I definitely will again.

Best episode(s): Honestly, all of them!

3. Doctor Who (the 60th Anniversary specials and the Christmas special, BBC/Disney Plus)

I’ve watched every episode of this show, starting with Eccleston’s run, but the last several seasons I’ve been far less invested. The writing wasn’t as strong as it used to be, and though the actors did admirable jobs with the material, the show just wasn’t the same. However, now, IT’S BACK AND IT’S GLORIOUS. These specials are astounding! The acting is PERFECT, the visual and special effects amazing (look how far we’ve come), and the storylines are by turns heart-pounding, emotional, funny, painful, and insightful. I have only a few minor critiques, but mostly I’m so delighted by these episodes. Bringing back Davies as the showrunner is a masterstroke, and I’m beyond excited to see what’s to come in the new season.

Best episode(s): I think “Wild Blue Yonder” just barely wins as my favorite special, but there is so much to love in all of these!

2. Our Flag Means Death (season 2, Max)

This was easily my most anticipated tv release this year. I even snuck away during an out-of-state work conference to watch the premiere in my hotel room. And it didn’t disappoint! There’s excellent production quality on every level, and the writing and performances are wonderful! The sheer love that went into this season is obvious every moment. I love the humor, the swash-buckling adventure, the nuanced depictions of trauma and queer identities, and the romance. The pacing in the last two episodes is a little rushed to me, but that’s honestly a minor critique in the grand scheme of things. And the number of times I’ve already rewatched this season is either embarrassing or impressive. I choose the latter.

Best episode(s): 3 and 4 but also (and especially) 5! That said, visual media peaked in the last three minutes of episode 3, “The Innkeeper,” with what is possibly my favorite scene of anything ever. The emotions, the visuals, the performances, the music—everything comes together perfectly to convey a memorable, powerful sequence.

1. Good Omens (season 2, Amazon Prime)

Between this and Doctor Who, this was the year of David Tennant for me. Gee, what a shame. I also didn’t think it was possible for me to like this show more in the second season, considering I wasn’t even sure, when it was announced, if it was necessary. But it’s so fun! Full of history and hijinks, and one of the best character duos I’ve ever seen on a screen. The love between Crowley and Aziraphale lights up the screen, as do Tennant’s and Michael Sheen’s performances, and Neil Gaiman’s writing is fantastic. And the finale of this season left me lying on the floor—literally! Ask my friend Amanda, who witnessed it. It’s a soft, gentle season full of so much love, with an absolute sucker punch of an ending. Incredible; I have no notes.

Best episode(s): 2 and 6 (though really, I treat this season as a 5-hour movie, so I’m not sure I could tell you where one episode ends and another begins)

Honorable mentions: Reservation Dogs (the entire series), What We Do in the Shadows (season 5), and Schitt’s Creek (season 1)

So… there’s no way 2024 can compare, right? We’ve peaked in terms of media, right? I personally think that these things will all be quite hard to top, but we’ll see!

Also, a belated Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to those of you who celebrate those holidays, and best wishes to everyone in this festive season!