Across film and television, 2025 saw many stories centered on plots full of longing, quiet tension and unspoken feelings. From coming-of-age stories to time old tales, this year seemed to reflect a cultural moment defined by what we have come to know as yearning.
Now what is “yearning” exactly? It's an array of emotions that connect deep longing with the absence of not having something. To yearn is to wish for someone or something that is unattainable. Our brains can grieve “what ifs” and can get caught up in a mix of desire, absence and reflection.
For Gen Z, in particular, yearning has become its own subculture and the word has become more universal to describe the fear of missing out on deep, real-world connections.
Yearning has played a major role in pop culture this year, appearing across music, literature, and screen alike. From songs like Jeff Buckley’s “Lover, You Should Have Come Over,” one of the most viral audios on TikTok in 2025, to novels like “Say You’ll Remember Me” by Abby Jimenez, a standout contemporary romance, the feeling of longing is everywhere.
With that in mind, here are my top “yearners" of 2025.
5. Max, “Ginny & Gorgia”
The popular Netflix teen series “Ginny & Georgia” offers plenty of familiar coming-of-age tropes, but Max (Sara Waisglass) stands out as one of the show’s most compelling characters.
She’s someone who loves intensely, often wrestling with romantic and platonic relationship trouble throughout the show. Her storyline becomes an emotional roller coaster by season three, which was released this February, as she navigates her lingering feelings for ex-girlfriend Sophie (Humberly González) while also aching for the friendship she once shared with main character Ginny (Antonia Gentry). Her yearning feels true to the kind of longing and tension that so often defines the teenage experience.
4. Shane Hollander, "Heated Rivalry”
Based on Rachel Reid’s bestselling 2019 novel, “Heated Rivalry,” is a relatively new show, only released in November. The series follows young Canadian hockey star Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) as he crosses paths with Russian player Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), setting the stage for what becomes a long, emotionally tangled “situationship” between the two.
When watching, I found myself genuinely surprised by how compelling the series turned out to be. What struck me most is how the series lingers on Shane’s quiet yearning for Ilya, the stolen glances across crowded rooms, the messages he types but never sends and the ache of wanting someone he believes he can’t have. It stands out in my top five because of its unexpected awkwardness, making many of the plot lines feel relatable and realistic.
3. Chappell Roan, “The Subway” music video
Released on July 31, “The Subway” by Chappell Roan became an instant hit. Roan’s mellow pop track is an ode to post-breakup yearning. That haunting sense of never truly escaping someone, even in a city as huge as New York.
In the music video released later, Roan races through the city, lost in her own daydreams, as she chases a green haired girl who represents a former lover. Each moment underscores the song’s aching lyrics about the sting of seeing someone you used to love and the desperate, messy struggle of trying to move on from them. It might not be the healthiest portrayal of yearning, but there’s no question Roan has solidified herself as a top-tier yearner.
2. The Creature, “Frankenstein" 2025
Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein,” released on Netflix on Nov. 7, is a retelling of the familiar tale of Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac) and the creation of his tragic creature (Jacob Elordi).
The film leans deeply into the emotional need for connection, highlighting The Creature’s desperate longing to be acknowledged and loved by his creator and to carve out a place for himself within humanity. Elordi’s portrayal of The Creature emphasizes his vulnerability and deep loneliness within his character, yearning for the human desire to be seen, understood and embraced by a world that fears him.
1. Conrad Fisher, “The Summer I Turned Pretty”
The last season of “The Summer I Turned Pretty” premiered in September, finishing a fan favorite story full of yearning. The show follows a love triangle between the Fisher brothers and their close family friend, Belly (Lola Tung).
After a series full of tangled emotion, the final season delivered a slow-burn romance full of lingering looks, heartfelt letters and emotionally charged moments. Though the entire show is full of yearning, season three in particular highlights the emotional growth that Conrad Fisher (Christopher Briney) undergoes across the series, showcasing his long-term, enduring love for Belly that spans summers, distance and a whole lot of heartbreaks.
