Critics' picks and notable selections for 2025's best movies and most essential books are unveiled, offering a comprehensive look back at the year's significant cultural contributions.

• Best Movies of 2025 — New York Times Arts -
• 100 Notable Books of 2025 — New York Times Books -
• The 10 Best Books of 2025 — New York Times Arts -

• The 10 Best Books of 2025 — New York Times Books -
• Talking About Our 10 Best Books of 2025 — New York Times Books -

The Miami art scene is bustling with Art Basel jitters, new installations like "Reefline," and museum spotlights, alongside a look into Michael Ovitz's art collection and a critical exhibition on colonialism.

• Inside the Museum-Style Home of Michael Ovitz, an A-List Collector — New York Times Arts -
• Jack Pierson in Miami: An Artist and a City in Transformation — New York Times Arts -
• Miami Beach’s New Art Installation Frolics With the Fishes — New York Times Arts -

• They Used Art as ‘Fake News’ to Sell Colonialism. This Show Is a Fact Check. — New York Times Arts -
• Inside the Museum-Style Home of Michael Ovitz, an A-List Collector — New York Times Arts -
• Es Devlin Builds a ‘Library of Us’ From the Books That Shaped Her — New York Times Arts -
• The Pérez Art Museum Miami Wants to Be the ‘People’s Museum’ — New York Times Arts -
• On the Eve of Art Basel Miami Beach, a Case of the Jitters — New York Times Arts -

A conservative writer's obituary, new biographies of Denis Johnson, and reviews of controversial memoirs and contemporary novels highlight the dynamic world of books and authors.

• David Pryce-Jones, Wide-Ranging Conservative Writer, Dies at 89 — New York Times Arts -
• The Dark Secrets of Denis Johnson’s ‘Train Dreams’ — New York Times Books -
• Book Review: ‘Flagrant, Self-Destructive Gestures,’ by Ted Geltner — New York Times Books -

• ‘American Canto’ Review: Olivia Nuzzi’s Memoir is Altogether Disappointing — New York Times Books -
• Book Review: ‘Casanova 20,’ by Davey Davis — New York Times Books -

Gen X's cultural legacy, explored through glossaries, magazine covers, and discussions on identity, sparks conversation about its impact and celebrities navigating political landscapes.

• Can a Celebrity Be Conservative in Trump’s America? — New York Times Arts -
• Is Gen X Actually the Greatest Generation? — New York Times Arts -
• Whatever: A Gen X Glossary — New York Times Arts -

• Take a Look at T Magazine’s Gen X Covers by David Silverman of “The Simpsons” and Chris Ware — New York Times Arts -
• What Is Gen X’s Legacy? — New York Times Arts -

The Gotham Awards celebrate independent cinema with Jafar Panahi's wins and star appearances, while holiday movie classics and the rise of Bible-based films are also in focus.

• ‘The Holiday’: A Festive Cocktail, Equal Parts Charm and Cringe — New York Times Movies -
• See All the Stars at the Gotham Awards: Elle Fanning, Hugh Jackman and More — New York Times Arts -
• Classic Christmas Movies to Stream: ‘Meet Me in St. Louis,’ ‘The Family Stone’ and More — New York Times Movies -

• Jafar Panahi, Who Filmed in Secret in Iran, Wins Big at Gotham Awards — New York Times Arts -
• Why Are There So Many Films Right Now Based on the Bible? — New York Times Arts -

From rising music stars like Dijon and musical tributes to heroes, to the Royal Danish Ballet's return to tradition and a choreographer's introspective work, the performing arts scene remains vibrant, even as a Pavarotti statue faces an encroaching ice rink.

• Dijon, a Studio Maestro, Is Stepping Into the Spotlight — New York Times Arts -
• 11 Musical Love Letters From Artists to Their Heroes — New York Times Arts -
• The Choreographer Tere O’Connor Adds ‘Explainer’ to His Repertoire — New York Times Arts -

• Whoops, the New Skating Rink Is Encroaching on Luciano Pavarotti — New York Times Arts -
• For Royal Danish Ballet, It’s Back to Bournonville — New York Times Arts -
• The Language of Tom Stoppard, Ablaze With Energy and Urgency — New York Times Arts -

Late-night hosts react to political barbs, while a guide to this week's new TV shows and streaming options offers viewers fresh entertainment choices.

• Late Night Lashes Out at Trump’s Tim Walz Taunt — New York Times Arts -
• ‘Heated Rivalry,’ Plus 8 Things to Watch on TV This Week — New York Times Arts -

A poignant story about finding love later in life serves as a heartwarming reflection on unexpected happiness.

• Finding the Magic, Just in Time (Encore) — New York Times Arts -