What’s in store in the upcoming year? Well, we can’t wait to find out.
Olivia Rodrigo performs during Lollapalooza at Grant Park on Aug. 1, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
Josh Brasted/FilmMagic
2025 had plenty of memorable moments. Beyoncé finally won album of the year at the 67th annual Grammys for her masterful Cowboy Carter. Kendrick Lamar gave an incredibly memorable – and meme-generating – Super Bowl performance, and cleaned up at the Grammys with “Not Like Us” only a week before. Lady Gaga caused a lot of Mayhem. The KPop Demon Hunters dominated with HUNTR/X’s “Golden.” Justin Bieber surprise-dropped Swag. Liam and Noel Gallagher reunited for an Oasis tour. By releasing I’m the Problem, Morgan Wallen hit new highs. Alex Warren made a not-so-“Ordinary” entrance into pop superstardom. The general existence of Taylor Swift – from reclaiming her masters to The Life of a Showgirl’s record-breaking premiere. (Oh and of course her engagement.) Rosalía stunned with Lux. Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” became the longest-running No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
And the list goes on from there.
But with the new year comes new focus on what comes next in the world of music. There’s a lot to be hopeful for – especially with some of our favorites in mind. Will Olivia Rodrigo drop her third studio full-length? What is going on with Swift’s feature directorial film? Who will Bad Bunny bring out during the Super Bowl halftime show – if anyone? What surprises are in store that we can’t even predict? Are any reunions happening that we don’t know about yet?
Scroll below for 13 things we hope happen in 2025 – from long-awaited albums to movie debuts and more.
Olivia Rodrigo 3
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}The Guts singer has been dropping hints that her third studio album is on the way. Will 2026 be its time?
Production Announcements for Taylor Swift’s Directorial Debut
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}We know her mom said that she needs a break – which is more than fair. But maybe we could get a little update on how her feature film is going.
Beyoncé Lifts the Curtain on Act III
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}If there is an Act III following 2022’s Renaissance and 2024’s Cowboy Carter, a 2026 release seems logical.
Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Friends
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}Don’t get us wrong – if Benito chooses to go completely solo a la The Weeknd in 2021, we’d be stoked. But it would definitely be cool to see a few of his collaborators like Daddy Yankee, J Balvin, Rauw Alejandro or Cardi B join him at Levi’s Stadium this February.
Debut (Taylor’s Version)
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}Listen, she said it has already been recorded. And the 20th anniversary of Taylor Swift is this coming October.
Another Muppet Musical
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}Maybe because the 50th-anniversary special for The Muppet Show premieres in February, or the season of The Muppet Christmas Carol just ended, but we’re in the mood for a classic tale starring Miss Piggy, Kermit the Frog and company.
A Completely Surprise Drop From an A-List Artist
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}Back in 2013, Beyoncé changed the game with her self-titled fifth LP. Since then, many artists have followed suit with shocking releases seemingly out of nowhere. Last year it was Justin Bieber and Swag. Who will it be this year?
Spice Girls at Sphere
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}We’ll tell you what we want, what we really really want is for the iconic girl group to announce a residency at the Las Vegas venue. And Victoria Beckham does say the idea is “tempting.”
Bowen Yang in Oh Mary!
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}With the revolving door of stars on Broadway’s Oh Mary! taking on the role of Mary Todd Lincoln, Yang – who recently left Saturday Night Live – would be a fun choice for the first lady.
Bonus HUNTR/X Material
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}Yes, the KPop Demon Hunters sequel isn’t slated until 2029. But perhaps the real-life alter egos of the cartoon’s HUNTR/X could get together in the meantime?
A Proper Nine Inch Nails Album
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}Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross are clearly busy scoring movies, but the band did tease new music last December and are on tour in 2026. And no, the TRON: ARES soundtrack doesn’t count.
A Long-Awaited Rock Reunion
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}Whether The Smiths or Talking Heads would actually reunite is unlikely, but we’d still love to see those bands get back together.
Another Christmas No. 1
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}We love “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” but it’s fun when another holiday staple gets a shot at the summit – like Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” in 2023. Maybe it’s Wham!’s opportunity to shine in 2026 with “Last Christmas.”
