The Guardian has unveiled its top 20 long reads of 2025, featuring in-depth reporting, essays, and profiles that captivated readers throughout the year. The list includes a diverse range of topics, from Russian author Victor Pelevin's alleged shift towards Kremlin apologism to the harrowing story of a former Assad regime fighter.
Other standout pieces examine the bitter academic dispute over fossilised remains discovered in the Djurab desert, which were initially hailed as rewriting human history, and the exposure of widespread abuse within the Jesus Fellowship by former member Philippa Barnes. The selection also covers Labour's mixed record on international law, the controversial documentary 'The Black Swan', and the unique career of crime scene cleaner Ben Giles.
Further highlights include the British Museum's struggle with colonial controversies and internal theft, the history of hyperemesis gravidarum, and the enduring influence of extremist Meir Kahane on Israeli politics. The list also features stories on a trusted financial advisor who betrayed his clients, Qatar's rise as a global mediator, and Emmanuel Macron's international strategy ahead of dealing with Donald Trump.
Additional pieces delve into the trial of an aristocratic couple for infanticide, the impact of USAID dismantling in Sierra Leone, a controversial 1960s scientific study, the phenomenon of YouTuber MrBeast, and the existential threat of rising sea levels to a Pacific nation. The collection concludes with a personal revelation about a family secret and the story of AI researcher Song-Chun Zhu's return to China.
The Guardian also noted its top 10 most-read pieces of 2025 and archive favourites, alongside a promotion for its new Long Read Magazine, which features selected articles on MrBeast, Macron, and the British Museum.
