2025 was a big year for movies, and we spent a lot of time in theaters, consuming more popcorn than we'd like to admit. The returns at the Box Office were big, but the real winners were the fans. Superheroes, horror, and musicals all had a moment this year. Take a look at some of our favorite releases in 2025.

Superman 

Superman felt like a breath of fresh air for the entire superhero genre. In an era where superhero movies require key context from other movies and TV shows, it sometimes feels like homework keeping up if you're not entirely plugged in.

What's great about Superman is, yes, it serves as the jumping-off point for the new DCU, but for casual moviegoers, it's also a really fun self-contained movie. James Gunn's signature banter keeps the energy light throughout, but he knows when to dial it back for the big emotional beats. It's these heartfelt moments that elevate the movie and help you connect with a superpowered alien sent to Earth. It is an excellent balance of heart and action, one might come to expect from a Superman movie. 

Fantastic Four: First Steps

I've been with the MCU since day one, and even I can admit that Marvel projects in the past few years have started to feel stale. That is what makes Fantastic Four: First Steps so fun to watch! The movie is set in an alternate 1960's, and it does not skimp on the retro-futurism.

Filled with retro set pieces and sci-fi gadgets, it really feels like a Silver Age comic book come to life on screen. Probably my favorite part of the movie is the montage in the beginning, showing our heroes using their unique powers to save civilians. Even though the movie literally goes to different worlds, these quick acts of heroism ground our heroes and show how beloved they are by the general public. After many years, Marvel's first family finally has a movie that does them justice. 

Sinners

What's there to say about Sinners that hasn't already been said? The movie is a work of art. From the directing, to the cinematography, to the acting, the movie just lands in every aspect. It almost feels like two different movies in one.

It starts as a period piece about two twin brothers, Smoke and Stack, opening a juke joint in prohibition-era Mississippi, but turns into a full-on horror movie about halfway through when a group of vampires rolls into town and slowly picks off attendees one by one. Michael B. Jordan's phenomenal portrayal of both twin brothers, paired with the movie's flawless editing, makes it feel as though there are two entirely separate actors on screen. As much as we love a big IP movie, it's exciting to see something wholly original leave a mark as this one did. 

Thunderbolts*

Thunderbolts*  was a pleasant surprise. Instead of typical superhero fare, the movie follows a group of villains and anti-heroes who have to work together to save the day. Its ensemble cast features characters plucked from previous movies and television series, the most notable being Bucky Barnes, aka The Winter Soldier, played by Sebastian Stan, and Yelena Belova, played by Florence Pugh.

Each character has an ego and a propensity to work alone, so it's fun to watch them slowly put their guard down and realize that they're stronger as a group. Although these characters have never shared a screen together, there is a sense of chemistry between the actors that makes this movie work, and many fans agree that this is one of Marvel's best movies post-Endgame. 

Weapons

Horror has had quite a year. Weapons was another original horror movie that received a lot of buzz and is definitely worth a watch. The movie follows an elementary school teacher whose entire class, minus one student, goes missing overnight.

The parents blame the teacher due to the bizarre circumstances, and the movie's hook is figuring out what exactly happened through vignettes of different characters. It's an eerie movie that keeps you guessing until the end. Director Zach Cregger has stated that Weapons was a response to the sudden loss of his good friend. You feel his grief through the parents who are grieving their children who have suddenly gone missing. The emotions run high, but there is a range. As sad and heavy as the movie is, there is a ton of levity from Zach Cregger's comedic background. It's a true emotional roller coaster with a wild ending we're still thinking about. 

The Naked Gun

The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! is a comedy classic, so much so that Variety recently named it the best comedy movie of all time. Naturally when this legacy sequel was announced, my ears perked up and doubly so once Akiva Schaffer from The Lonely Island was tapped to direct it. The Naked Gun isn't quite as funny as its predecessor, the bar was set very high, but laughs are still guaranteed.

The movie relies heavily on slapstick and silly word play, which were the driving forces behind the jokes in the original. In a movie like this, the story almost comes second. For context, the main villain has to use a gadget called a "P.L.O.T. Device" to conduct his plan. Liam Neeson's rugged onscreen persona was the perfect choice for this role. His stern delivery of every line makes the nonsensical things coming out of his mouth even more hilarious. The chemistry him and Pamela Anderson have on screen is very real, so much so that the two started dating after working together. What's most exciting about this movie is the return of big budget comedies to theaters. In recent years, anything comedy related has been subjected to a streaming service original or a television series. Nothing beats laughing along with a crowd in a theater.

Wicked: For Good

This year we returned to Oz in Wicked: For Good, a slightly darker movie than the first. Elphaba, now labeled as the Wicked Witch of the West, lives in hiding while advocating for animal rights. The stakes feel much higher as there is a literal witch hunt for her the entire movie.

One of the things I enjoyed most is seeing how this story works around the original Wizard of Oz. We briefly see glimpses of Dorothy's head as she begins to walk the yellow brick road, as well as origins for her pals the Tin Man, Scarecrow, and the Cowardly Lion. I love how the movie works within the parameters of the original story while expanding on it. Without giving away any spoilers, there's a twist to an iconic moment from the original Wizard of Oz, I was NOT expecting. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo give their all to these roles. If you're a fan of musicals, this one is worth it for their vocal performances alone.

Frankenstein

Didn't we mention that horror was having quite the year? Of course we had to include the poster child for monster movies, Frankenstein. Guillermo Del Toro is a master when it comes to bizarre creatures and Frankenstein is no exception.

We've gotten many Frankenstein iterations before but none with Del Toro's unique appreciation for the macabre. The movie is complete with an all-star cast consisting of Oscar Isaac, Mia Goth, and Jacob Elordi as the titular monster who all give stellar performances. Visually, this movie is a sight to behold with lavish set pieces and practical effects galore. You can there was an admiration and respect for the source material in each frame.