2015: The Top Entertainment

By Emily Christian, Arts & Entertainment Editor

Many categories of entertainment have left an unforgettable mark in society this year. Let’s take a moment to remember the greatest movies, TV shows and artists of 2015.

Top Movies of 2015

While there have been countless movies released this year, there are a select 5 that continually get the crowds raving. These films fall under genres ranging anywhere from Sci-Fi to Romance to Horror. According to IMDb and The Telegraph, the greatest films of 2015 are:

  1. Star Wars: The Force Awakens – This continuation of the popular Star Wars saga is a combination of action, adventure, and sci-fi. Even though this movie premieres in theaters Friday, December 18, critics and immense amounts of people have claimed this movie as being the best of the year, due to the trailer that has recently been released. With all the attention this film has received so far, it will definitely be worth the watch!
  2. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 – Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson are back onto the big screens as they portray Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark in this sci-fi movie. Breaking almost $160 million, this film ranked spot number two on the list.
  3. Creed – Also known as Rocky VII, this drama and sport movie shows World Heavyweight Champion, Rocky Balboa, training and mentoring the son of his former rival.
  4. Krampus – As a young boy loses his festive spirit, he accidentally summons the Christmas demon, Krampus. Newly released, this movie combines the holiday season with a horrific beast, creating the top fantasy and horror movie of the year.
  5. Brooklyn – An Irish immigrant makes her way to New York, falling head over heels for an Italian man. But her heart may start belonging to someone else as she visits her homeland once again. This romance movie expresses love, determination and happiness.

Top TV Shows of 2015

Let’s face it; we all have that guilty pleasure of binge watching a TV series. Conveniently, many of the top 5 shows of this year can be found on Netflix. According to Rotten Tomatoes the best TV shows are:

  1. The Walking Dead – This series has captivated audiences through the portrayal of lives after a zombie apocalypse. Survivors spend their time trying to find a safe place, hoping to not encounter more zombies along the way.
  2. Orange is the New Black – Since 2013, this show has been considered one of the most popular. As her private life caught up to her, Piper Chapman is sentenced to a women’s prison where she finds herself dealing with enemies and relationships.
  3. Parks and Recreation – Comedian Amy Poehler stars as Leslie Knope helping Ann Perkins work to make a community park out of an abandoned construction site, facing obstacles created by the government and stubborn neighbors.
  4. Scream Queens – Murder after murder leaves people scared, as anyone could be the next victim. This horror, comedy, and mystery series includes special appearances from celebrities, making this show enjoyable and exciting.
  5. Empire – Having a medical diagnosis that ruins his future plans, hip-hop artist Lucious Lyon must choose one of his children to carry on his legacy. This American drama series scored a Critics Choice Nomination.

Top Artists of 2015

Getting lost into music is a common interest shared between people all over the world, whether it’s to express thoughts and emotions through lyrics and beats, or to simply get pumped up by listening to a catchy tune. Thanks to a variety of artists, songs and genres have been created to appeal to any audience. Billboard has created a list of the most popular artists of 2015:

  1. Adele – With her amazing comeback, Adele easily landed the number one spot with her album 25. Her deep, heartfelt songs will have you missing a lover that you never even had.
  2. Justin Bieber – Back and forth between number one and two, Bieber has overall received spot number two on the charts with his new album, Purpose. After taking a break in his music career, he had a great comeback with having almost half of his albums’ songs on the top 100 charts.
  3. Drake – After dropping his surprise album, If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late, and his catchy single, “Hotline Bling”, Drake has taken home the trophy as the top hip hop/R&B artist of the year.
  4. Taylor Swift – Still receiving fan craze over her 1989 album, Swift has continued to drop more successful hits that are catchy and meaningful. Her recent songs have reached the No. 1 spot on charts this year.
  5. Coldplay – Chris Martin made a clear spot for his band on the top artists of the year with the drop of their new album, A Head Full of Dreams. This British Rock Band re-entered the music industry with refreshing change from pop to alternative rock and are performing at the 2016 Super Bowl.