The Teufel year-end lists

It’s December, and that means… end-of-year lists for 2025! The Teufel expert jury has come together and selected seven different categories to highlight the best sound moments from across Europe.

But first: where does this tradition of end-of-year lists actually come from? These days, we kick things off in late November with Spotify Wrapped and always round off the year with the Top 2000, with Bohemian Rhapsody ringing in right at midnight. Creating yearly overviews, New Year’s comedy reviews, and lists is deeply rooted in European culture and revolves around one thing: looking back. It’s our way of pausing, celebrating highlights, and giving the past year its proper place.

This tradition has a long history. Lists help us make sense of the chaos of the year: what mattered, what moved us, and what do we want to remember? New Year’s comedy shows, like those by popular European comedians, made reflecting on the year even more enjoyable by blending humor and critique.

The Top 2000, which started in 1999, took the tradition to a new level. It’s not just a music chart, but a mirror of our collective nostalgia across Europe. Together, we vote for tracks that move us, and those shared moments make it all the more special. Thanks to social media, list-making has grown even bigger. Films, books, series, personal milestones – everything is shared. So, it’s not only a moment of reflection, but also a chance to exchange stories and wrap up the year together across the continent.

Favourite songs of the year

• APT. – ROSÉ, Bruno Mars
• Die With A Smile – Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars
• Timeless – The Weekend & Playboi Carti
• Ordinary – Alex Warren
• BIRDS OF A FEATHER – Billie Eilish

Curious about more popular songs from this year? Check the full overview hereOpens in new tab.

Noteworthy artists from 2025

• Bad Bunny – The most streamed artist of the year in Europe.
• Alex Warren – Most successful single: “Ordinary”.
• Ed Sheeran – Most listened-to artist on European radio.

Favourite festivals of the year

• Sziget Festival – Budapest, Hungary
  A vibrant week‑long celebration on the “Island of Freedom,” Sziget blends global music, art, and culture into one of Europe’s most immersive festival experiences.
• Montreux Jazz Festival – Montreux, Switzerland
  Set by Lake Geneva, this iconic festival offers an intimate atmosphere with world‑class jazz, soul, and contemporary performances in a breathtaking setting.
• Les Vieilles Charrues – Carhaix, France
  France’s biggest festival brings together over 200,000 fans for four days of top‑tier acts and a distinctly warm Breton atmosphere.
• Defqon.1 – Biddinghuizen, Netherlands
  The ultimate hardstyle destination, Defqon.1 delivers explosive energy, massive stages, and unforgettable sets from the biggest names in the genre.

Favourite podcasts of the year

• Mino’s Imperium
  This story about the colourful football agent for the likes of Denzel Dumfries, Matthijs de Ligt and Zlatan Ibrahimovic is told in such a way that even if you’re not a football fan, you’ll be hooked after just one episode.
• Les Actus du Jour – HugoDécrypte
  A daily format that sums up the news in 10 minutes, designed for young people and busy professionals. Clear, educational, and fact‑checked.
• Nadie sabe nada
  A wildly popular Spanish improv comedy podcast where hosts Andreu Buenafuente and Berto Romero dive into absurd topics without scripts, leading to spontaneous, hilarious conversations that feel completely unpredictable — and deeply entertaining.

Favourite films of the year

• One Battle after Another
  About a paranoid ex-revolutionary (Leonardo DiCaprio) searching for his missing daughter, this film is gripping, hilarious and surprisingly political. From Paul Thomas Anderson.
• Sirât (Oliver Laxe)
  A widely acclaimed European favourite, topping multiple critics’ lists. A haunting, genre‑bending story set around a Moroccan desert rave, praised for its emotional depth, bold filmmaking, and unforgettable soundtrack.
• Bird Box
  A tense post‑apocalyptic thriller where unseen creatures force anyone who looks at them into madness. Malorie, played by Sandra Bullock, must navigate this terrifying new world blindfolded while protecting two young children. The film delivers gripping suspense and an emotional journey about survival and trust

Favourite series of the year

• Adolescence (Netflix)
  Adolescence is a miniseries about 13-year-old Jamie Miller, who is arrested for the murder of a classmate. The series explores complex themes like cyberbullying, toxic masculinity, social media and its impact on teenagers and their families.
• The Pitt (HBO Max)
  A drama series set in the emergency department of a hospital in Pittsburgh, following the intense lives of the doctors, with a focus on the challenges after the coronavirus pandemic.
• Severance – Season 2 (Apple TV+)
  We delve even deeper into the dark secrets of Lumon Industries, as the main characters increasingly rebel against the control. They try to uncover the truth behind the ‘severance’ procedure and bridge the gap between their ‘innie’ and ‘outie’ selves.
• Daredevil: Born Again (Disney+)
  The series follows blind lawyer Matt Murdock, who fights injustice as Daredevil, while facing off against the political ambitions of former crime boss Wilson Fisk. “Born Again” weaves together old strengths with a new identity. Seven years after the Netflix cancellation, Daredevil is back and dares to reboot on Disney+.
• Apple Cider Vinegar (Netflix)
  The series is loosely based on the true, but unbelievable story of wellness influencer Belle Gibson, who faked cancer and shamelessly profited from it. She was finally unmasked by two journalists in 2015.

The best sound for your living room

If you feel there’s something missing from our overview, don’t hesitate to leave a comment under the article with your favourite.

Enjoy your favourites to the fullest

▶ REAL BLUE NC 3Opens in new tab: Your own sound, wherever you go. With long battery life and the best sound in its class, you can be sure to enjoy all your favourite sound moments on the move.

▶ CINEBAR 11 for Dolby AtmosOpens in new tab: On these dark days, we love nothing more than curling up on the sofa with our favourite series and films. Make your cosy evenings complete with this slim yet impressive soundbar with amazing Dolby Atmos effects.

▶ MOTIV® HOMEOpens in new tab: In the living room, on the terrace or while cooking – with the MOTIV HOME, you can enjoy optimal sound for every moment of your daily life.