In this week’s newsletter: From the return of Apple’s hit thriller to the most open Oscar race I can remember, this year has so much in store for us culture vultures

Happy New Year! 2025 is upon us and pop-culturally it has the potential to be a belter, with big releases and events aplenty. For a full rundown of everything to watch, listen to and play this year, check out the Guardian arts desk’s exhaustive year-ahead preview.

Here on the Guide, meanwhile, we’re looking at some of the big questions across film, TV and music that we’re anticipating getting answers to this year. Just putting them together has whetted our appetites for the next 12 months. Hopefully they’ll do the same for you.