The not-to-be-missed cultural highlights of the new year.

We can make no promises for the political landscape or the wellbeing of the planet, but at least as far as culture is concerned next year, we are assured an encouraging start. Here is our pick of some of the best things to see, hear, read or – if technology advances at the current rate – download onto the microchip in your cranium in 2018.

Mr Greg Barker’s engrossing documentary follows some of President Barack Obama’s closest advisers – with a couple of cameos by the man himself – as they attempt to ensure his legacy in his last 12 months in office. That is, until a certain election result throws their efforts into turmoil.

**Out on 19 January **

Everyone’s favourite arty British-Irish electro-indie outfit is back with a third album, on which they experiment with new sounds and even new vocalists. Affable frontman Mr Vincent Neff steps aside for Slow Club’s Ms Rebecca Taylor on dancehall riff “Surface To Air”.

Out on 26 January (Because Music)

Whatever your feelings about Mr Paul Thomas Anderson’s work, which ranges from the sublime (The Master) to the ridiculous (Inherent Vice), this story about an uptight tailor and his muse, the former played by Mr Daniel Day-Lewis in his “final” acting role before retirement, is sure to be a talking point.

Out now in the US. Out on 2 February in the UK

Ms Zadie Smith dazzles and delights in equal measure with this essay collection, which includes musings on art, cinema and music (including a profile of Jay-Z), though her writing about other writers, from Mr J G Ballard to Mr Hanif Kureishi, can’t help but be a highlight.

Out on 6 February

As reasons for a building delay go, the discovery of an ancient stone wall at the site of what will be the new home of Mr René Redzepi’s legendary Copenhagen restaurant Noma is pretty novel. Thankfully, construction resumed, opening is imminent, and culinary greatness awaits.

Now taking bookings from 15 February

Pale and interesting British musical wunderkind Mr Archy Marshall, aka King Krule, takes his third album, The Ooz on a mini-tour of its almost perfectly named spiritual home, Oz. He will, no doubt, be packing the sun cream.

The Australian leg of the tour starts in Sydney on 5 March

Mr Pablo Picasso could never be described as a slouch, but 1932 was productive even by his standards, as this landmark new show at Tate Modern in London, which brings together some of his most celebrated paintings, will ably demonstrate.

Runs from 8 March to 9 September

Mr Denzel Washington stars in this production of Mr Eugene O’Neill’s iconic play at the Bernard B Jacobs Theatre on Broadway. If it’s anything like his last stage appearances, Fences and A Raisin In The Sun, it will be met with rapturous approval.

Previews from 22 March

After her acclaimed turns in London and New York in his play Skylight, Ms Carey Mulligan reunites with Mr David Hare to star in his four-part drama about a police detective trying to unpick the events around a seemingly motiveless murder.

An as yet unscheduled BBC2 and Netflix co-production

It may have been a long time coming, but what is touted to be the world’s largest archaeological museum, designed by architects Heneghan Peng, is finally scheduled to partially open next year at Giza in Egypt. And should you book a flight and get delayed, at least the pyramids are just next door.

Due to open in mid-2018

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