Coffee table books are a holiday gift option for pop-culture fans, combining visual appeal with behind-the-scenes stories. This year’s releases cover film, television, music and Broadway, with subjects ranging from Sofia Coppola’s work to the history of Star Wars and the worlds of Wicked and Stranger Things.
Several books take readers behind the scenes of individual films and filmmakers. Andrew Durham’s 176-page volume on Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette includes photographs of Kirsten Dunst, the Versailles sets and costumes, as well as an oral history and a conversation with Coppola. Other film-focused releases explore Luc Besson’s cult sci-fi film through concept art and production materials, and Wes Anderson’s 2025 film through set photography, interviews and previously unseen material.
For fans of larger franchises, a 416-page Star Trek hardcover looks back at the original television series and its first six feature films, while an official art book for the 2026 film features concept sketches, character designs and interviews. A separate Stranger Things retrospective spans all five seasons with stills, concept art and behind-the-scenes and personal photography.
The selection also reaches beyond film and television. A book accompanying Sofia Coppola’s documentary about Marc Jacobs gathers personal photographs and conversations between the filmmaker and designer. Music-related titles include a collection of Frank Ockenfels 3’s photographs of David Bowie, portraits of Tina Turner by Peter Lindbergh, and images documenting Oasis during the band’s peak years.
Theatrical fans can explore The Grimmerie, a scrapbook-style Wicked volume featuring costume sketches, set plans and rehearsal photographs. Other releases include visual histories of classic Hollywood, Taylor Swift’s career and the painted backdrops used in famous films.
Many of the books focus on the craft and history of filmmaking, with archival materials and artwork offering a closer look at how films were made. Titles cover the work of Spike Lee, Paul Thomas Anderson and Stanley Kubrick, as well as animation from Disney, Studio Ghibli and Pixar. The collection also includes books devoted to horror cinema, memorable movie scenes, cinematic locations and film poster art.
Sources: Variety.