New films like **'Avatar: Fire and Ash' and 'The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants' receive critical assessments, alongside reviews for 'Cover-Up,' 'Is This Thing On?,' 'The Housemaid,' and 'David,'** covering genres from sci-fi to documentary and family animation.

• ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ Review: By Land, by Water, by Air! — New York Times Arts -
• ‘Cover-Up’ Review: Seymour Hersh, Scoops and Power — New York Times Arts -
• ‘The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants’ Review: Underwater Adventure — New York Times Arts -

• ‘Is This Thing On?’ Review: When a Punchline Becomes a Lifeline — New York Times Arts -
• ‘The Housemaid’ Review: Dusty Counters, Dirty Secrets — New York Times Arts -
• ‘David’ Review: Preaching to the Choir — New York Times Arts -

Country star Jelly Roll receives a pardon for past convictions, while critics review **'Counting Crows: Have You Seen Me Lately?' and highlight the Best Classical Music Albums of 2025, also noting Gen Z's pop artists influenced by Britney Spears and a record collection discovered in an Australian prison**.

• Jelly Roll Is Pardoned for Previous Robbery and Drug Convictions — New York Times Arts -
• ‘Counting Crows: Have You Seen Me Lately?’ Review: Becoming Big Stars — New York Times Arts -
• Best Classical Music Albums of 2025 — New York Times Arts -

• Gen Z’s Pop Breakouts Danced in Britney Spears’s Footsteps in 2025 — New York Times Arts -
• An Infamous Australian Prison Held the Unexpected: A Record Collection — New York Times Arts -

The entertainment world mourns the passing of Sue Bender, author of 'Plain and Simple,' and Rob Reiner, the acclaimed actor and director, with accompanying articles reflecting on Rob Reiner's humor in the face of criticism and his iconic movies and TV shows.

• Sue Bender, Who Wrote About Living With the Amish, Dies at 91 — New York Times Arts -
• After Rob Reiner’s ‘North’ Flopped, He Proved He Could Take Criticism With Humor — New York Times Arts -
• Rob Reiner, Actor Who Went on to Direct Classic Films, Dies at 78 — New York Times Movies -

• Rob Reiner’s Movies and TV Shows: ‘When Harry Met Sally,’ ‘The Princess Bride’ and More — New York Times Movies -

Celebrating 250 years of Jane Austen, this topic also covers Times readers' most exciting books of the year, the unique French 'Animal Goncourt' prize, John Darnielle's favorite books and annotated lyrics, a review of Tracy K. Smith's 'Fear Less,' and Dinaw Mengestu becoming the new president of PEN America.

• 250 Years of Jane Austen, in Objects — New York Times Arts -
• The Books Times Readers Were Most Excited About This Year — New York Times Arts -
• A Prestigious French Prize Is Reserved for Books About Animals — New York Times Books -

• John Darnielle on His Favorite Books and Annotated Lyrics — New York Times Books -
• Book Review: ‘Fear Less,’ by Tracy K. Smith — New York Times Books -
• Dinaw Mengestu Will Be New President of PEN America — New York Times Arts -

New installations include a hot pink carousel in Switzerland, a deep dive into 'American Gothic' through an early sketch, an exhibition of Nicole Eisenman's protest art, and a retrospective celebrating 100 years of Surrealism in Philadelphia.

• The Sketch That Reveals the History of ‘American Gothic’ — New York Times Arts -
• A Hot Pink Carousel Touches Down in Switzerland — New York Times Arts -
• Art on the Wall That Echoes Protests From the Streets — New York Times Arts -

• Surrealism at 100, Sprawls and Seduces in Philadelphia — New York Times Arts -

Actress Minnie Driver continues her busy career, while critics highlight The Best TV Episodes of 2025, and late-night hosts deliver commentary on President Trump's impromptu address.

• Minnie Driver Still Believes She Can Do the Impossible — New York Times Arts -
• The Best TV Episodes of 2025: ‘South Park,’ ‘Severance’ and More — New York Times Arts -
• Late Night Shades Trump’s Impromptu ‘Liar-Side Chat’ — New York Times Arts -

Several Broadway productions are set to close soon, including 'The Queen of Versailles' and 'Waiting for Godot,' marking the end of their runs.

• Broadway Shows Closing Soon: ‘The Queen of Versailles,’ ‘Waiting for Godot’ and More — New York Times Arts -