“Real Women Have Curves” cast album, “Castlevania: Nocturne”, and more top our hidden gems of 2025 Must List
- - “Real Women Have Curves” cast album, “Castlevania: Nocturne”, and more top our hidden gems of 2025 Must List
Tiffany KellyDecember 20, 2025 at 12:12 AM
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Netflix; ITV; Julieta Cervantes
'Douglas Is Cancelled'; 'Castlevania: Nocturne'; 'Real Women Have Curves'
It's hard to believe the year is winding down, but here we are. This week on the site, we're looking ahead with our 2026 Preview issue — featuring exclusive looks at more than a dozen TV shows and movies headed our way in the coming months. Meanwhile, here at the Must List we're looking back at some hidden gems from throughout 2025 that we think are worth your downtime during the holidays. Enjoy this last-minute gift from us to you. (Sorry, no return receipt.) —Patrick Gomez, Editor-in-Chief
P.S. If you want to receive the Must List in your inbox, sign up for our "Entertainment Weekly and Awardist" newsletters. You'll receive all three each week — the trifecta of entertainment news.
Real Women Have Curves: The Musical cast album
Julieta Cervantes
'Real Women Have Curves' on Broadway
This timely musical — based on Josefina López’s 1990 play and the 2002 film of the same name, about a teenage Latina struggling to chase her dreams while protecting her undocumented family — left Broadway way too soon. Luckily, Joy Huerta and Benjamin Velez's Tony-nominated score (which would've gotten my vote) lives on through the cast album, which will fill your eyes with tears, but also your heart with joy. —P.G.
Real Women Have Curves review: The beloved movie gets bolder and brighter as a crowd-pleasing Broadway musical
Douglas Is Cancelled
Britbox/BBC/Hartswood Films/Courtesy Everett
Alex Kingston and Hugh Bonneville in 'Douglas is Cancelled'
In this four-episode dark comedy, news anchor Douglas Bellowes (Hugh Bonneville) stumbles into a career-threatening scandal after he's accused of making a sexist joke. Streaming on BritBox, the series explores the complex nuances of gender politics and features a breathtaking performance from Karen Gillan. —Kristen Baldwin
Bob Trevino Likes It
Roadside Attractions
Barbie Ferreira and John Leguizamo in 'Bob Trevino Likes It'
Barbie Ferreira and John Leguizamo star in this sweet film about two strangers who meet by mistake, inspired by writer-director Tracie Laymon's own life. Streaming on Hulu, it's a quiet, moving story about the need for human connection. —Yolanda Machado
The One and Only Vivian Stone
Gallery Books
'The One and Only Vivian Stone,' by Melissa O'Connor
In Melissa O'Connor's debut novel, released over the summer, Margot discovers mysterious cassette tapes in her late grandma's home. After recruiting her first love to fix the tape player, she's shocked to hear comedy legend Vivian Stone sharing a scandalous story. —Maureen Lee Lenker
Castlevania: Nocturne
Courtesy of Netflix
Richter Belmont (voiced by Edward Bluemel) in 'Castlevania: Nocturne'
Set against the backdrop of the French Revolution, season 2 of this beautifully animated drama dives deeper into the Belmont legacy with blood-soaked gothic intrigue and heart-wrenching character arcs. The Netflix series is a testament to what gaming adaptations can achieve when done right. —Michael Weisbaum
on Entertainment Weekly
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
