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If there’s one thing OPI knows, it’s how to nail a trend — literally. Whenever we stumble across a viral nail polish video on TikTok, nine times out of 10 it’s an OPI shade swatch. We still remember when our feeds were taken over by one viral Hailey Bieber manicure after another, from vanilla chrome nails (that’s OPI in the shade Funny Bunny, in case you’re wondering) to the more Y2K-inspired digital lavender.
We’ve tapped Lia Smith, OPI’s brand education manager, to help us pick out a list of bestselling shades the internet just can’t get enough of. Browse ahead for colors that will inspire your 2025 polish refresh.
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.
It’s not surprising that Funny Bunny has a spot on this list, given its heavy celebrity endorsement. This white shade formed the backbone of Hailey Bieber’s vanilla chrome manicure, and Sofia Richie Grange also famously wore it to her wedding rehearsal dinner. It’s a lovely sheer cream that turns milky white when you pile on a second coat.
OPI Infinite Shine Funny Bunny, $, available at Ulta
Got The Blues For Red
“Rich wine tones are having a moment,” says Smith. “We’ve been seeing a lot of shades that evoke mellow red wine and sumptuous burgundy reds.” Case in point: this TikTok on Got The Blues For Red, a cool-toned dark red, that has received over 330K likes. It’s the kind of jewel tone that we want to peeking from our sweater sleeves as soon as there’s a hint of chill in the air.
Call it the Espresso effect, but we’re all about brown nail colors lately. This rich caramel reminds us of golden leaves, hot chocolate and chai lattes — aka all the cold-weather comforts that get tons of social media love during the most wonderful time of the year.
OPI Infinite Shine Not Afraid Of The Dark, $, available at Ulta
Bubble Bath
Ask any beauty editor to list their favorite nail colors and Bubble Bath will likely make the cut. The subtle pink is a top selling shade and imparts a clean, classic finish. Hot tip: the Bubble Bath nail lacquer boasts more of a blush undertone, while the Infinite Shine gel-effect version skews more neutral.
The most viral shades at this time of year offer “a smooth richness with depth,” according to Smith. “Deep, enveloping blues and greys that mirror the marbled hues of the night sky perfectly capture the mood,” she adds. This luscious sparkly blue reminds us of the galaxy of stars we love to see on crisp winter evenings.
OPI Infinite Shine Awe Night Long, $, available at OPI
Kyoto Pearl
The universal appeal of white nail polish is undeniable. This pearlescent white is lauded as the perfect bridal nail color on TikTok, racking up millions of views in the process. To us, the color resembles a freshly made bed that we never want to leave on lazy mornings.
TikTok beauty enthusiasts describe this glossy red as the perfect red nail polish for sweater weather. It’s the kind of long-lasting color that looks good on absolutely anyone and with everything.
OPI Infinite Shine Malaga Wine, $, available at Ulta
My Private Jet
Smith predicts that darker, stormier shades will continue to gain traction to mirror the more brooding weather. This rich mocha hue mixes things up with a shimmery dusting of gold, red, and green glitter.
OPI Infinite Shine My Private Jet, $, available at Ulta
Passion
Don’t sleep on Passion: Beauty creators have been calling this lovely sheer pink the perfect mix between Funny Bunny and Bubble Bath, with a “your nails, but better” finish and no streaks.
This black-red is the party-ready version of Malaga Wine. It features a subtle dose of glitter that will pair perfectly with any lush velvet outfit this festive season.
Using a planner is hard. I’ve personally broken up with mine more times than I can count — until I found the one. Now, it's my constant companion, and every Sunday night, you’ll find me prepping my planner for the week ahead without fail. (I'm 100% team bullet journal. Ask me all about it!) It's true: There are more types of planners out there than we know what to do with. If you think you’re not a “planner person,” it might just be because you haven’t found the right one. But that stops now. As we close out 2024 and enter the new year, it's time to find a self-care solution that makes life easier, not harder.
Whether you want to map out every detail of 2025 (we see you, Virgos), need a simple place to jot down tasks, want to become more mindful, get creative, or find a flexible mix of all of the above, there’s a planner out there for you. To help you get organized for the new year, we scoured the internet — and consulted a few planner obsessives — to uncover the most impactful daily, weekly, and monthly organizers for every type of need.
And for those just starting out on their organizational journey, we’ve got rigorous, dateless options, too, so you can begin (and pause) whenever it suits you. Scroll on to discover the 20 best planners for 2025 — guaranteed to make staying organized and crushing goals feel easy-breezy.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team, but if you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
The company behind the viral Five Minute Wellness Journal is back with another tool to level up your wellness routine. Developed by a clinical therapist, this daily planner asks three simple questions each morning and evening to help you reflect, build habits, and tackle goals. If you're looking for an easy, effective way to stay productive in 2025, this is the one.
Intelligent Change Three Question Journal, $, available at Intelligent Change
Moleskine Classic 12 Month 2025 Weekly Planner
Moleskine's planners have stood the test of time, earning their place as the gold standard for newbies and journaling pros alike. This hardcover version includes monthly grids, weekly layouts, and space for notes, lists, and doodles — all on smooth ivory pages that make writing a pleasure.
Moleskine Classic 12 Month 2025 Weekly Planner, $, available at Amazon
Hobonichi Techo Planner Book
Party daily planner, part bullet journal, this cult favorite combines structure with flexibility. Perfect for those curious about bullet journaling but not ready to dive into a completely blank canvas, it offers a seamless way to stay organized and creative.
Hobonichi Techo 2025 Planner Book, $, available at Amazon
Scribbles That Matter A5 Dot Grid Bullet Journal
Not everyone loves a bullet journal (a friend once told me I was conning people into DIY planner layouts), but I swear by it. This dateless journal is ideal for creatives, offering the flexibility to mix daily tasks, mood trackers, brainstorms, and more. Designed with neurodivergent users in mind, its thick pages are perfect for doodles and colors, and it keeps everything in one place. I’m on year seven of using it — and still obsessed.
SCRIBBLES THAT MATTER A5 Bullet Dotted Journal Notebook, $, available at Amazon
Erin Condren Metallic Inspire LifePlanner
You’ve probably heard the buzz about this so-called "life planner," and it's worth every bit of hype. With three layout options (horizontal, vertical, or hourly), customizable covers, and monogramming, it’s a Type A dream come true. From planning meals to vacations, this one lets you spreadsheet your life with flair.
Erin Condren 2025 Stripes LifePlanner, $, available at Erin Condren
Be Rooted Manifest Your Dreams 2025
Weekly/Monthly View
This beautifully designed planner prioritizes your mental health with sections for monthly goal-setting and emotional check-ins. Plus, it comes with a set of stickers to add a personal touch to your pages.
Be Rooted Manifest Your Dreams- 2025 Weekly/Monthly View, $, available at Be Rooted
KubikGe Personalized Planner
Etsy is a treasure trove for customizable calendars, and this floral design is one of our favorites. Featuring both weekly and monthly layouts, it lets you choose your start date — no need to wait for January.
Appointed 2025 Year Task Planner, $, available at Appointed
Talking Out Of Turn Dated Goal Getter Planner 2025
This cheery planner combines "dashboard views," monthly recaps, and weekly spreads for a comprehensive goal-setting experience.. One reviewer raves: "I have probably tried 50+ different planners in the past and there is nothing like this one. While I thought I just needed to be better at scheduling, what I really needed was to be more goal-oriented. This planner causes you to look at the big picture and break it apart. This planner is like a little bit of therapy."
Talking Out Of Turn 2025 Dated Goal Getter Planners, $, available at Talking Out Of Turn
Ban.do Large 12-Month Academic Planner
Ban.do's bestselling academic planner is packed with inspiration, mindfulness, prompts, and reflection sections to keep you motivated and organized all year long.
ban.do Large 12-Month Annual Planner - Let Me Write That Down, $, available at ban.do
Wilde House Paper 2025 Intentional Planner
With a minimal design and inspirational quotes on every page, this planner feels like a breath of fresh air for anyone craving calm and clarity in the new year.
Wilde House Paper 2025 Intentional Planner, $, available at Free People
Jen Sincero You Are A Badass 17-Month Planner
Inspired by the New York Times bestselling book of the same name, this 17-month planner is packed with sassy quotes, motivational stickers, and habit trackers. One fan says it best: "I use this every day. It breaks up the monotony of a normal 'boring' planner." This year's model started in August 2023, but it goes all the way through next December, so it's not too late to take it for a spin.”
Jen Sincero Deluxe 17-Month 2024-2025 Weekly/Monthly Planner, $, available at Amazon
Rifle Paper Co. Appointment Planner
No surprise here, but Rifle Paper Co.'s Appointment hardcover planner features a variety of standout illustrations. It includes weekly and monthly pages; sections for celebrations, notes, and contacts; sticker pages; and a pocket with a ruler. This is the best planner for someone who's organization needs to be aesthetic, as well. Visual planners, we see you!
Rifle Paper Co. Appointment Planner, $, available at Anthropologie
Amelin Archive Time to Create Weekly 2025 Planner
This Anthropologie pick features a quadrant layout perfect for organizing daily to-dos. ear-off corners on each page make it easy to keep your spot as the year chungs along.
Amelin Archive Time to Create Weekly 2025 Planner, $, available at Anthropologie
Undated Everybody's Business Happy Planner
The viral Happy Planner is back with a layout designed to reduce stress and boost productivity. With undated calendar pages, goal sections, and vibrant stickers, it’s proof that planning should feel joyful, not overwhelming.
The Happy Planner Undated Everybody's Business Happy Planner, $, available at The Happy Planner
Papier Daily Planner
Papier’s hardcover daily planners pair artistic illustrations with functional interiors, featuring monthly overviews, goal sections, and to-do pages. Proof that sometimes you can judge a book by its cover.
Papier Italian Summer Hardcover 2025 Weekly Planner, $, available at Papier
Intelligent Change Productivity Planner
A planner to help get priorities straight? Sign us up. From "Most Important Tasks of the Week" to inspirational quotes, it’ll make sure your year is fully optimized without being overwhelming.
Intelligent Change Productivity Planner, $, available at Intelligent Change
At-A-Glance Harmony Weekly Planner
R29 senior writer (and resident Virgo) Karina Hoshikawa swears by this no-frills planner, which balances sleek design with a compact, tote-friendly. Its durable spiral binding and flat-lay pages make it endlessly practical.
At A Glance 2025 Planner, Weekly & Monthly, 7" x 8-3/4", Medium, $, available at Amazon
Lemome Weekly & Monthly Planner
This Amazon favorite (with over 5,000 reviews) is all about practicality, with a flexible faux-leather cover, monthly calendars, and daily sections for tasks and notes.. One reviewer declares it, "hands down the best planner” thanks to its durability and user-friendly layout.
Smythson 2025 Panama Leather Weekly Agenda, $, available at Bergdorf Goodman
Blue Sky Weekly & Monthly Planner
This budget-friendly favorite continues to wow with its tidy layouts, sturdy spiral binding, and durable cover. A past reviewer raved, “It’s the best planner ever — well-organized, with pages that stand up to multiple erasures.”
Warning: This article contains descriptions of or allusions to rape, sexual abuse and gaslighting.
We all have a Gisèle Pelicot in our life. She’s the woman in our local bakery we sometimes smile at, even say hello to.
Like Gisèle, we all have firefighters, nurses and delivery drivers in our life too. Like Gisèle, we rely on firefighters, nurses and delivery drivers to make our life easier, better. Like Gisèle, we never expect these seemingly ordinary, everyday men to abuse, assault or rape us. Like Gisèle, we never expect our seemingly trustworthy husband of 50 years to deliberately facilitate abuse, assault or rape us with them.
On September 2, 2024, Gisèle Pelicot took her now ex-husband Dominique Pelicot, then 71, and these 50 men, these neighbours and acquaintances, to court. On December 19, 2024, after 16 weeks at trial, a panel of five judges found all 51 men guilty: 46 of them guilty of rape, two guilty of attempted rape and two guilty of sexual assault of Gisèle. Dominique Pelicot was found guilty of all charges against him, including aggravated rape and drugging his then wife. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison, the maximum possible under French law.
Gisèle, a 72-year-old grandmother from France, waived her right to anonymity in order for the trial to be held in public. The decision was fully supported by her three adult children.
“It is with profound emotion that I am here, the trial was a very difficult ordeal,” Gisèle said, reading from a statement outside the court in Avignon in the south of France. She spoke of her children and grandchildren: “Because they are the future, it is also for them that I took on this battle.”
It’s a battle in which Gisèle has fought with immense bravery. Throughout her battle — the largest mass rape trial in modern French history — she has repeatedly said: “Shame must change sides.” As we all know, all too often the blame falls upon the rape victim, not the perpetrator.
It is a sentence we will repeat forevermore. When we reply to a ‘joking’ man in a bar. Shame must change sides. When we are asked what we were wearing when the assault happened. Shame must change sides. When someone asks why she was walking home alone at night. In the prosecutors’ summing-up speeches, in the content creators’ captions, typed in online comments and held high on protest banners. We will speak together. Shame must change sides.
“I’m also thinking of the many victims who are not recognised, whose stories often remain in the shadows. I want you to know that we share the same battle,” she continued, sharing that her thoughts were also with the other families affected by the case.
The case began in November 2020 when the police — who Gisèle says “saved my life” — began investigating Dominique Pelicot after a security guard caught him filming up women’s skirts in a grocery store. Between 2011 and 2020, Dominique drugged Gisèle by crushing sleeping tablets into her meals at their home without her knowledge. This led to her having difficulty remembering things and concentrating. Through an online chatroom, Dominique then enlisted men to rape and sexually abuse her while she lay in an unconscious state. He filmed it, and stored the recordings on a USB drive, in a file labelled “abuses.” It contained 20,000 images and films of Gisèle being raped almost 100 times.
These 50 men who carried out the abuse were aged between 26 and 73 at the time of their arrests. The number may even be 80 as police have been unable to identify 30 other men who appear in Dominique’s recordings.
“When I opened the doors to this trial on 2 September, I wanted society to be able to take part in this debate. I have never regretted that decision,” Gisèle continued outside court. “I have confidence in our ability to collectively grasp a future in which everyone, women and men alike, can live in harmony, with mutual respect and understanding.”
Thanks to Gisèle, we have all taken part in this debate. But let’s be clear: Dominique Pelicot is not the “Monster of Avignon.” All 50 men found guilty (and the 30 still unidentified) are not the “Monsters of Avignon.” They’re firefighters, nurses and delivery drivers we rely on to make our lives easier, better. They all had Gisèle Pelicot in their lives. They saw her in their local bakery, they smiled at her, even said hello to her. Not one of these ordinary, everyday men tried to help her.
But Gisèle Pelicot has helped us. And now we’ll help in collectively grasping a future where shame has changed sides.
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Every year, Unbothered celebrates our anniversary by throwing an epic party to commemorate the work we pour into our community every day, a culmination of the care and intention and joy with which we approach our jobs. After the year we’ve all had, we wanted to shower our people — the ones who show up to celebrate us in person and online — with the love they deserve. For our seventh anniversary (lucky number seven!), we brought together our team and treated guests to a surprise performance by someone we knew every Black millennial woman in the room would lose their minds over: Mario!
Yes, as in the Mario that gave us chart-topping songs of ‘04 and a scene-stealing performance in the original Step Up(2006). As Mario was hyping up the crowd with his hits “Let Me Love You” and “Crying Out For Me” (and reserving a special serenade for our very own Sandy Pierre, our branded execution manager, who is responsible for pulling off the party of the year and organizing, well, everything), you couldn’t find a single person in the room who wasn’t smiling ear to ear. The grins were mostly thanks to Mario, but the signature cocktails by our friends at Tres Generaciones Tequila definitely helped. Tres Gen has been present at every one of our anniversary parties and they consistently support us at all of our private events. We truly couldn’t pull off a party with all the drinks flowing and vibes vibing without the perfect party drinks. The delicious cocktails were fittingly called “Lucky 7,” (a play on an espresso martini with Tres Generaciones Tequila, licor 43, cherry espresso, averna, and demerara), “Always Unbothered” (Tres Generaciones Tequila, mamajuana, tamarind, banane, aromatic bitters, and cinnamon), and the “Keep It Cute” (Tres Generaciones Tequila, lime, chinola mango, tepache, spicy agave falernum, and clarified milk).
As Mario performed, the nostalgia was strong (so were the drinks) and it was clear that Mario is still exactly who we’ve all had crushes on for 20 years. Along with the performance, Mario came by the Unbothered office to discuss his new album, Glad You Came (and serenade Sandy again). A few days later, it was revealed that Mario was The Wasp on The Masked Singer. Last night, Mario came in second to Boyz II Men on the show’s finale and wowed audiences with his performances. “I have a wild imagination, so using my imagination just to imagine how The Wasp would move or even when I was standing still, creating this character was really fun,” Mario said to Billboard. “I enjoy challenging myself [by] singing different songs like Aretha Franklin. It was a lot of fun.”
It’s clear that Mario’s comeback is in full swing and our anniversary party was the perfect kickoff. We hosted it at NYC’s hot spotChica The Don and the vibes were immaculate. Our Unbothered anniversary party always brings new and old faces together, and it was the nostalgic kiki we all needed. Unbothered started in a little boardroom in 2017 when our fearless leader and now vice president, Chelsea Sanders, and a group of Black women at Refinery29 (including founder Aly Hickson) bonded over a shared vision and a simple dream: to create a space for young, dope Black folks to be themselves, to be celebrated, understood, heard, and seen. And seven years later, that dream has been realized through incredible live events like The Glow Up, our two-day summer blowout in Atlanta in 2022, this year’s Beautycon in LA in which we brought back our podcast Go Off, Sis with a live edition with Serena Page and JaNa Craig, fun in-person meet ups, necessary reporting and storytelling, and stunning cover moments. Plus, we indulged our thirstiest inclinations with our second annual Thirst Week, a week of stories and social moments all about desire guest edited by our girls Hunter Harris and Peyton Dix.
I know it’s a hard time to be celebrating anything right now when the world is in crisis, and it feels like our timelines are full of despair, but as one of my favorite accounts Black Liturgies put it, “It can feel foolish to pause to marvel at the stars when the world is burning or to find the world beautiful when you’ve known it to betray you. But wonder is a liberation practice. A reminder that we contain more than tragedy. Beauty is our origin and our anchor.” There was so much wonder and beauty in the room last week at our anniversary party, and I’m so grateful for all the beautiful Black folks who came together to celebrate us, but also just to be — joyful, happy, grateful, ratchet, emotional — and whatever else they wanted, because above all else, what Unbothered gives us permission to be is free. This party is our liberation practice.
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Barry Jenkins knows people were skeptical about his decision to direct Mufasa: The Lion King, a live-action prequel to the beloved franchise. This is the guy who gave us Medicine for Melancholy and Moonlight, two seminal indie texts on romance, self-discovery, and intimacy. He gave us If Beale Street Could Talk, one of my favorite movies of all time; a film that heartbreakingly unravels the ways in which love can heal us and systems can break us. Jenkins’ filmography may not have been able to predict his pivot to helming a Disney blockbuster, but if you know his work, you could have anticipated one thing: Mufasa would be bursting with emotion and, as I put it to Jenkins himself when I got to interview him in San Diego for the movie’s press day, “big feelings.”
“I just love big feelings,” Jenkins told me while sitting beside Lin-Manuel Miranda, acclaimed director, musical genius, Broadway legend, and Mufasa’s composer. “I didn’t realize how potent a vessel for big feelings a musical is until I was knee-deep in making one. I’m pro-musical, pro-big feelings.” When you really think about it, Jenkins’ style of storytelling — delving into longing, vulnerability, and tenderness — lends itself perfectly to the musical genre. And yet, he is aware that when the project was first announced, people couldn’t wrap their heads around the idea. “I’m excited for people to see the film,” he said after acknowledging the backlash, but refusing to engage: “No reaction to the reaction,” he said with a smile. “What [people] are reacting to if they haven’t seen the film is this idea of big feelings, your words, which I love. I just tried to rush in and fill this movie with as many big feelings as I possibly could, using a whole new tool set. The tool set’s the only thing that’s different. The feelings are the same.”
As someone who has seen the film, I agree. Mufasa will make you feel, even if you were skeptical after watching Jon Favreau’sThe Lion King (2019), which took a bit of the soul out of the 1994 original version we grew up with. The photorealism of the animals fell flat, stripping the magic and wonder from the story we know and love. Mufasa benefits from not having an original to compare it to, and from the technological advancements since 2019. The animals are more expressive, the cinematography is stunning, and Jenkins’ direction is full of heart. Plus, his cast delivers performances that aren’t overshadowed by the visuals. In fact, the impressive tech of the film works well with the commitment each voice actor brings to their characters. Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr. are Mufasa and Taka (before he becomes Scar) and both young men continue to earn their statuses as Hollywood’s breakout stars and certified Internet Boyfriends by backing up their good looks (have you seen these men!?) with undeniable talent.
Mufasa is an origin story of how a lion cub becomes king and about how a precocious kid becomes a villain, but mostly, it’s about legacy. The story goes like this: Mufasa is separated from his parents in a gutting opening sequence of a flood that washes him over to Taka’s royal family and he’s adopted by them. Taka’s dad is a king who believes power is built through deception. Mufasa clings to the lessons his parents taught him and Taka’s connection to their brotherly bond severs as soon as jealousy gets in the way. And of course, at the center of their conflict is a girl: Sarabi (Tiffany Boone), who goes on to be Mufasa’s mate, but Scar saw her first. The plot thickens. The story is told to Kiara (Simba and Nala’s daughter, voiced by Blue Ivy Carter who is really good in this role) through Rafiki (John Kani) and Timon and Pumbaa (Billy Eichner and Seth Rogan respectively and respectfully, the duo’s screen time should have been cut in half). As the story unfolds, it’s clear that both Mufasa and Scar are fighting for their place in the world and each thinks their own path is the right one. So when I talked to Pierre and Harrison Jr., I asked them to defend their characters’ perspectives.
I just tried to rush in and fill this movie with as many big feelings as I possibly could, using a whole new tool set. The tool set’s the only thing that’s different. The feelings are the same.
barry jenkins
“At the end of the day, I was the rightful heir. I was a prince!” Harrison Jr. said passionately. “I tried to invite you to my home. I let you win a whole race, and then you want to sit there and do what you did. I ain’t gonna say what he did, but you know what you did…. What goes around, comes back around. Pretty sure Beyoncé said that,” Harrison Jr. said with a laugh. Pierre went a more diplomatic route and discussed the scene in the film where Mufasa tries to talk to Taka about his relationship with Sarabi. “ We attempted to have a conversation about said subject matter, but the conversation didn’t end up coming to a reality. We didn’t end up having that conversation. And as opposed to waiting for that moment to have the conversation, somebody retaliated, instead of being patient and waiting for that moment where we could have wrapped about it, but it’s okay,” Pierre said, speaking on behalf of his character. “I love [Taka], and I celebrate him, and I always will uplift him.” See, big feelings!
The chemistry between Pierre and Harrison Jr. (who also played Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. in the Genius:MLK/Xseries this year) shines through on screen and adds to the dynamic between Mufasa and Taka. There’s a push and pull between loving brothers and competitive foes. “We just had a lot of fun doing it,” Pierre said about building the rapport with Harrison Jr. He also shed more light on how Harrison Jr. got into his character’s headspace. “One of my favorite moments was one of our first read-throughs of the script. And I think at that time, Kelvin was deep intoChevalier — which is a beautiful film, by the way — and he had his locs and everything, and he had all the physicality of Scar. He imagined this perch. He had his shoes off, and I just loved seeing that. I’m always drawing inspiration from my brother here.”
We just had a lot of fun doing it… I’m always drawing inspiration from my brother.
aaron pierre on kelvin harrison jr.
One of my favorite moments in the film is watching Taka, through his hurt and suspicions of betrayal, become Scar. His voice deepens and flickers with mischief. His stance lowers menacingly. He slowly transforms from a naive wannabe prince following his brother around into the Scar of “Be Prepared” (the song Jeremy Irons turned into a classic and Chiwetel Ejiofor expertly took on in the remake), a petty lion hungry for power. It’s exhilarating to watch and it proves that even behind all the theatrics of live action photorealist technology, Mufasa is able to show the subtle progression of a character with depth and nuance. It was a tall order and I know the reviews will be mixed, but I think they pulled it off.
“Yes, there’s a lot, a lot of pressure,” Boone, who plays Sarabi, told me about taking on such beloved characters steeped in nostalgia. “We’re people who grew up obsessed with this film and loving these characters. So there’s pressure, but it’s such a great honor. And I think we all felt like we were in safe hands with Barry [Jenkins] so that we were able to do the best that we possibly could and bring this to a new generation of children. And so yes, pressure all day, every day, but here we are. We made it. You know, 30 years later, we made it, and it’s in the world. It’s not my business no more,” she laughed.
Boone brought up a few points I loved and think are important to consider: one, that this is a children’s movie, and two, that how it’s received is none of the cast (or creators’) business. When critiquing movies made for kids, I think sometimes my peers forget that these movies aren’t for the adults who may have fond memories of the IP.
Sure, if you go into Mufasa expecting it to hit like The Lion King of our youth did, you may be disappointed. The songs don’t slap as hard (there’s no clear equivalent to “I Just Can’t Wait To Be King” or “Can You Feel The Love Tonight”) but they are catchy enough to stick in your head. And the tale of two young cubs trying to wrestle with coming into their own and into authority, looking legacy in the face along with grief and daunting expectations is powerful and pure, enough that as you’re watching this mammoth of a movie — surely ideated as a purposeful cash grab — you remember that Barry Jenkins, a formidable filmmaker, found a way to preserve the soul in the story while also having some fun. Some have called Jenkins’ Mufasa a symbol of selling out, but I saw it as a valiant effort by one of our most brilliant talents to put something wholesome and light into the world. After all the heaviness and gravity he’s given us, I think we can let him have this. A long time from now when Jenkins is looking back at his legacy, I don’t think he’s going to regret doing the whimsical kids’ movie that made a lot of people feel some big feelings.
When I asked Jenkins about legacy, he balked. “I radically resist those kinds of thoughts,” he said. “I’m trying to look right here, just what’s in front of me at all times, especially when I’m creating something and especially something as expansive as this. [But] the topic of legacy was something that I felt it was really interesting to unpack and decontextualize in this way, by just taking Mufasa’s life, Scar’s life and breaking it down to this thing happened, and it was really intense, and he changed a little bit and this other thing happened. It was really intense. And then when you step back and look at it from 30,000 feet, it’s like, oh, that’s why that legacy is so impactful. It was the journey. I love making things that way. I love creating art that way.”
Miranda admitted to thinking about legacy, but said he “got all the legacy out of my system onHamilton.” The musical won the Pulitzer Prize for drama and 11 Tony Awards. “I was sort of like, okay, the first line of my obituary is handled. So what else do I want to do? And how do I choose what I want to work on, knowing that no matter what happens to me, it’s ‘Hamilton, creator, Lin-Manuel Miranda’? For me, the answer is that I only say yes to the projects I know I’m going to learn a lot working on, and I knew I’d learn a lot working with Barry, who I think is one of our great storytellers.”
Ultimately, Mufasa is better than its predecessor (The Lion King, 2019), so beautiful to look at it’ll leave you staring up at the screen in wonder, and such a fun journey to go on with its characters that you’ll realize that only Barry Jenkins could have turned a Disney prequel no one asked for into a deep exploration of brotherhood, leadership, and family.
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Whether you’re hosting a cozy champagne toast or dancing into 2025 at an all-out bash, the New Year calls for dresses with major festive energy. Metallics, feathers, and razzle-dazzle details are the unofficial dress code, but we’re looking beyond single-use outfits. After all, the best NYE dresses are ones that’ll stay on rotation well past January 1 — perfect for weddings, birthdays, and any occasion that requires showing up and showing out.
This season’s standout trends make the search even easier. Sleek, shimmering sequins and liquid metallics bring the shine without feeling overkill. Luxurious velvet and lustrous satin lean into timeless elegance, while sculptural bows, playful bubble hems, and fringe deliver a touch of drama. Craving clean lines or modern allure? Graphic black-and-white colorblocking and delicate sheer lace nails that unexpected mix of bold and refined.
Ahead, the ultimate party dress guide — NYE-approved and ready to turn heads all year long.
New Year’s Eve Party Dress Trend 2024: Sequins
When in doubt, sparkle it out (and don’t shy away from unique colors, like Staud’s icey blue). These sequin stunners — whether short and slinky or ankle-grazing — are guaranteed to light up the room faster than the ball drop.
New Year’s Eve Party Dress Trend 2024: Bows
These aren’t your standard bows: Whether sculptural, oversized, or cascading with drama, they’re bigger, bolder, and far more festive.
New Year’s Eve Party Dress Trend 2024: Metallics
Muted, molten, and anything but obvious, these gold and silver dresses feel fresh, for NYE and beyond. From Ganni’s bubble hem mini to Damson Madder’s pewter bows and J.Crew’s liquid silver midi, they’re the metallic update we’ve been craving.
New Year’s Eve Party Dress Trend 2024: Embellished LBDs
The classic LBD gets a festive upgrade with embellishments for every vibe — minimal to mod to intricate to sweet. It’s all about striking the perfect balance of glimmer.
New Year’s Eve Party Dress Trend 2024: Velvet
Lush and undeniably festive, velvet delivers sumptuous luster for NYE. Black is timeless, but jewel tones like amber and raspberry bring something unexpected — especially with modern details like drop waists, puffed sleeves, and asymmetrical ruching at play.
New Year’s Eve Party Dress Trend 2024: Fanciful Fringe
Channeling the glamour of the Art Deco era, these fringe dresses are designed to dazzle with every step and a glass of champagne in hand.
New Year’s Eve Party Dress Trend 2024: Bubble Hems
Get your volume thrills with a bubble hem dress —a trend sticking around well into 2025 — from Lisa Says Gah’s bold poppy mini, A.L.C.’s scattered rhinestones, and more. These playful silhouettes bring a whimsical touch perfect for twirling into the new year.
New Year’s Eve Party Dress Trend 2024: Feathers
Feathers always feel festive — a little decadent, a lot glamorous. Whether it’s a tunic with a fluttering cuff or a plume-lined neck, these dresses practically demand a midnight martini in hand.
New Year’s Eve Party Dress Trend 2024: Burgundy
As one of 2024’s trendiest hues, burgundy is carrying its bold energy straight into 2025. If you haven’t gotten your fix by December’s end, this luxe tone is gorgeous for ringing in the new year.
New Year’s Eve Party Dress Trend 2024: Sheer Lace
Sheer lace combines bold transparency and delicate femininity into the ultimate midnight move. Choose a lined style for a subtle flicker of skin, or go full-on daring with bolder, barely-there designs.
New Year’s Eve Party Dress Trend 2024: Satin
Liquid luster is the name of the satin NYE game. Whether you choose a slinky slip or a structured silhouette, it’s a more tempered take on shine with timeless elegance.
New Year’s Eve Party Dress Trend 2024: Black & White Colorblock
Black-and-white colorblocking brings bold contrast with minimalist sleekness. These graphic designs exude captivating ease and offer versatility to carry you through many events in 2025.
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