Defining moments of 2025 across science, film, and culture

The year 2025 marked a period of significant transformation across science, medicine, cinema, and literature. From historic breakthroughs in space exploration and biotechnology to cultural milestones in global filmmaking, the year reflected how deeply innovation and storytelling continue to shape human progress.

Below is a detailed look at the most defining events of the year.

Space and Astronomy

Interstellar Visitor 3I/ATLAS

In July 2025, astronomers detected 3I/ATLAS, only the third known interstellar object to pass through our solar system.

The object made its closest approach to Earth in December, allowing scientists to observe it using advanced instruments, including the James Webb Space Telescope. The study of such objects offers rare insight into material formed beyond our solar system, helping scientists understand how planetary systems develop across the galaxy.

ISRO’s Historic Year

India’s space agency recorded one of its most productive years to date.

Key achievements included the SpaDeX mission, which successfully demonstrated autonomous orbital docking. The year also marked ISRO’s 100th successful mission, completed in January. Together, these milestones reinforced India’s growing capabilities in deep-space exploration, satellite technology, and autonomous space operations.

The Blue Ghost Lunar Landing

In March, Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost lander successfully touched down on the Moon.

The mission marked a major achievement for commercial space exploration and supported ongoing efforts to establish sustainable lunar operations. The success highlighted the increasing role of private companies in expanding humanity’s presence beyond Earth.

Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) Begins

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory began operations with the activation of the world’s largest digital camera, capable of capturing 3,200-megapixel images. The observatory will repeatedly map the entire night sky over the next decade.

This long-term survey is expected to transform scientific understanding of dark matter, dark energy, and the dynamic nature of the universe.

Medicine and Biotechnology

Advances in Cancer Treatment

2025 saw the first clinical use of Proton Arc Therapy (PAT), a technique that allows radiation to be delivered with extreme precision.

In parallel, researchers also used radioactive carbon ion beams in experimental cancer treatments. These developments mark a shift toward more targeted therapies that reduce damage to healthy tissue while improving treatment outcomes.

The First Bespoke CRISPR Patient

In February, a baby named K.J. Muldoon, born with CPS1 deficiency, became the first person to receive a fully customized gene therapy designed specifically for his genetic mutation.

This marked a major step toward personalised medicine, demonstrating that treatments can now be tailored for rare genetic conditions previously considered untreatable.

The “Salt-Grain” AI Bio-Chip

Scientists introduced an AI-powered bio-chip smaller than a grain of salt, capable of decoding medical images in real time.

The chip can be mounted on surgical tools such as needles or optical fibers. This advancement allows surgeons to analyse tissue instantly during procedures, reducing the need for delayed biopsy results.

Environment and Earth Science

PFAS ‘Forever Chemical’ Breakthrough

Researchers developed a new eco-friendly technology capable of capturing and destroying PFAS chemicals in water far more efficiently than existing filtration systems.

These chemicals, commonly found in global water supplies, are linked to serious health risks. The new method offers a scalable approach to large-scale water purification.

Evidence of Earth’s “Leaking” Core

New geophysical research suggested that primordial material from Earth’s core may be slowly rising toward the surface.

This discovery provides new insights into the planet’s internal dynamics and the processes that sustain Earth’s magnetic field, which protects life from harmful solar radiation.

Film and Culture

The Rise of Lokah: Chapter 1 – Chandra

The Malayalam film became the first in the industry to cross the ₹300 crore mark globally. Rooted in regional mythology, the film demonstrated that culturally grounded storytelling can achieve massive commercial success.

30th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK)

The landmark 30th edition of IFFK focused on Vietnamese cinema and honoured Canadian filmmaker Kelly Fyffe-Marshall with the Spirit of Cinema award.

Saudi Arabia’s Box Office Growth

Saudi Arabia’s film market expanded to an estimated $1.8 billion, with local productions such as Shabab El Bomb 2 outperforming several Hollywood releases. This growth signaled the region’s transition from a consumer market to a major global content producer.

The Biopic of Umm Kulthum (The Lady)

Starring Mona Zaki, the biopic of legendary Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum became a major cultural event across the Arab world. The film reflected a renewed interest in regional icons and resonated strongly with audiences across the Middle East.

A Growing Global Market

By 2025, projections indicated that the Middle East film industry could reach $3.4 billion by 2033, supported by rapid infrastructure development in cities such as Riyadh and Dubai.

Animation Breaks Global Barriers

The Chinese animated film Ne Zha 2 became the first non-English-language film to cross $2 billion at the global box office, surpassing several major Hollywood releases. The success highlighted the growing global appetite for non-Western storytelling.

Cinema as Documentation

Documentaries such as The Voice of Hind Rajab and Palestine 36 captured real-time global conflicts, reinforcing cinema’s role as a medium of historical record and human testimony.

The Rise of Human-Centered Film Production

Following industry-wide strikes in 2024–2025, several productions adopted a “Produced Without Generative AI” label, emphasising ethical creative practices and the protection of human labor.

Environmental Accountability in Cinema

Major film festivals, including Cannes and IFFK, introduced mandatory Environmental Impact Statements for film submissions. This encouraged sustainable practices such as renewable energy usage and waste reduction on sets.

Literature

International Booker Prize: Heart Lamp

The 2025 International Booker Prize was awarded to Banu Mushtaq and translator Deepa Bhasthi for Heart Lamp, making it the first short story collection to win the award. The win brought global attention to Kannada literature and highlighted the importance of translation in world literature.

The Closure of the JCB Prize

One of India’s most prestigious literary awards announced its discontinuation due to funding changes, sparking conversations around corporate sponsorship, literary sustainability, and support for translators.

Middle East: A Growing Literary Hub

The International Prize for Arabic Fiction was awarded to Egyptian author Mohamed Samir Nada for The Prayer of Anxiety. The same year, the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair recorded a 30% increase in Indian publisher participation.

These developments reflected the Middle East’s growing influence as a center for literary exchange and cultural dialogue.

Closing Note

The events of 2025 revealed a world in transition — one where science advanced at unprecedented speed, cinema reshaped global narratives, and literature continued to preserve human memory and identity. Together, these moments formed a year defined by purpose.