Month: January 2025

Best Movies Of 2024

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Another year of entertainment has come and gone so it’s time to look back at some of the very best that it had to offer. It’s been a wild and chaotic year and 2025 is looking to be even more wild and chaotic! That’s why it’s now time to share my picks for the top ten best films of 2024 (that I actually saw)!

A few disclaimers is that I did not see EVERY film I wanted to see by the end of the year. These include films that have gotten rave reviews from critics and audiences such as Heretic, Juror #2, Late Night With The Devil, and The Brutalist. I’ll see them whenever I can but I couldn’t see them on time for this list. Perhaps in the future, I’ll make an updated list of the best films of 2024 and I might include them once I see them. But for now, just know that I couldn’t see every critically darling to come out in 2024. Even so, let’s get on with this list and start with the honorable mentions.

Honorable Mentions:

  • A Complete Unknown

  • Abigail

  • Alien: Romulus

  • Boy Kills World

  • Challengers

  • Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

  • Flow

  • Transformers: One

  • Smile 2

  • Young Woman and the Sea

And now, onto the main top 10!

10.) Anora

Here’s a film that can be perfectly described as “Tumblr coded” and have it NOT be a bad thing! What starts off as a casual Cinderella tale about a love at first sight between a man and woman and riding off into the sunset to live happily ever after later transforms into a good old fashion slow burn rug pull that sees the consequences being played of an illegal relationship between a sex worker and an illegal Russian immigrant. Funny, slick, sexy, sharply directed, and featuring one incredible star making turn from Mikey Madison (Please call me!), Anora makes for one of the most engaging and subversive films of the year.

9.) Love Lies Bleeding

What is likely going to be the favorite film of 2024 for every lesbian and bisexual woman out there, Love Lies Bleeding is able to deliver their goods for not only it’s clear target demographic but will even entertain those outside of that. You have two electric actresses in Kristen Stewart and Katy O’Brian front and center who give everything they have for one another, spot-on direction and cinematography, a plot that will keep you on the edge of your seat the whole way through, and characters who aren’t necessarily good people but you can’t help but root for them regardless. And yes, this film is INCREDIBLY sexy in every way you expected and wanted! Rose Glass is able to deliver an absolute rollercoaster of a motion picture that works as a toxic love story and brutal romantic drama at the same time. It doesn’t matter what gender you are or what sexuality you are, by the end of Love Lies Bleeding, you will thinking to yourself, “LET’S GO LESBIANS!”

8.) Sonic The Hedgehog 3

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 is just about every Sonic’s fans dream come true! The Sonic characters themselves are at the absolute forefront with more focus than ever, the action and set pieces are all exhilarating and fun, the CGI is a treat for the eyes, there is more fan service and easter eggs than before, it’s able to adapt the storylines from Sonic Adventure 2 and Shadow the Hedgehog near perfectly, and Keanu Reeves predictably kills it as Shadow, as the character gives more depth and development than he arguably has in any other Sonic medium! It’s also nice to see how Sonic himself has grown through out the trilogy and seeing Jim Carrey bounce off well…..himself is an absolute laugh riot! This is just a series of films that keeps getting better with each installment and if the post credit scenes for this one is anything to go by, the next one could be even better! Is it high art? Probably not! But does it understand the assignment? Hell yeah, it does! Whether you are a longtime fan or a newcomer that has recently got into the series or someone that enjoys a good time, Sonic The Hedgehog 3 is an absolute triumph and is my personal favorite video game movie to date!

7.) Furiosa

In an age where studio meddling is at it’s highest in the film business, it’s a miracle that Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga even exists in the first place. It’s a prequel of Mad Max: Fury Road, a movie, which despite all the praise it got and the Oscars it won, barley squeaked a profit and made George Miller go to war with Warner Bros to allow Furiosa along with another potential Mad Max: sequel to even happen. This isn’t a film that exists because it’s something that Warner Bros desperately wanted to greenlight. It’s a film that exists because George Miller fought his neck and teeth for to get made. If this really is the beginning of the end of movie theaters as we know it, then I’m at least glad we are going out with bangs like like Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. A glorious action packed spectacle that offers a further expansion of the Furiosa character, more depth into the insane world of Mad Max, telling a compelling origin story that stands strong in it’s own right, and makes for a perfect counterpart to it’s already perfect successor in Mad Max: Fury Road. It may not quite reach the height of Fury Road but oh man, is it fun to watch George Miler try to top himself the whole way through. Even if Mad Max: The Wasteland never gets a chance to be made, I’m at least glad I got to see this incredibly well made and well done action thriller about one of the best female action protagonists in recent memory.

6.) Inside Out 2

The nine-year long awaited sequel to Pixar’s surprise hit in 2015 is as every bit of affective, earnest, and heartful as it’s predecessor. Inside Out 2 is arguably the first Pixar sequel not related to Toy Story that seems to have more on it’s mind to justify it’s own existence other than branding and merchandising. Going from seeing Riley as a youth moving to San Francisco to a teenager looking to make it into the high school hockey team with the popular girls, this sequel takes the logical next step into showcasing the inner turmoil of taking the next step to puberty with anxiety, envy, ennui, and embarrassment entering the picture, portrayed perfectly by newcomers Maya Hawke, Ayo Edebiri, Adele Exarchopoulos, and Paul Walter Hauser. There are nits to be picked such as having a familiar plot and structure as the original and a wrap-up that perhaps is a bit too squeaky clean by Pixar standards but as a whole, Inside Out 2 is able to act greatly as a natural continuation and expansion of the first movie’s story and themes. As much as plenty of folks have been down on Pixar as of late with it’s abundance of sequels, I sure hope that Inside Out 2 is good enough for them that they can let it all slide and appreciate the film the way it was suppose to be appreciate. 

5.) Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story

Some will find it pure blasphemy for me to put a mere documentary on a best of year list. However, this is no ordinary documentary, it’s one for the O.G. Superman! Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is exactly what these kinds of films need to be. Not only is it a great examination off the great life of the late great Christopher Reeve, the struggles and obstacles he had to overcome to live out the promising life he once has, and getting the points of views for about every noteworthy person imaginable, but just like with Superman himself, it’s inspiring. Even without the powers or cape, this documentary proves why Christopher Reeve was born to play Superman. He wasn’t just some old fashion superhero, he was a noble person that inspired us to be the best possible version of ourselves and not let any personal tragedies get in our way to move forward. If that’s not the sign of an exceptional documentary, then I don’t know what is.

R.I.P. Christopher Reeves

The world misses you more than ever!

4.) Nosferatu

It might feel odd how there’s gonna be generations that will now remembers Nosferatu for this remake and NOT from SpongeBob SquarePants. But you know what, after how excellent this 2024 remake is, I can definitely tolerate it. Nosferatu (2024) sees Robert Eggers firing on all cylinders here, crafting a slow burn yet engaging re-telling of this classic monster mythos in gorgeous and unexpecting ways. The performances are top-notch, the filmmaking craft is on full display, and the amount of vampire blood and carnage will certainly be enough for horror fans that crave for those in their vampire horror flicks. It’s hard to tell if this will stand the test of time as the original 1922 version but no doubt, Nosferatu (2024) is a more than worthy modern update on such as classic tale.

3.) Dune: Part Two

Thus far, no one has been able to stop this sci-fi masterpiece! If Dune: Part One acted as Villeneuve setting the training wheels on his bike in motion, Dune: Part Two sees him being able to successfully take those training wheels off and pushed that bike down the hill with good graces. Nearly all that set up that amounted in Part One has immensely satisfying pay offs in Part Two. The action and set pieces are taking to a whole new level, every single member of it’s talented, stacked cast get their own moment to shine, the cinematography is absolutely jaw dropping and makes the IMAX experience 100% worth it, and it’s able to push all the right buttons on making a perfect sequel, instantly comparable to the likes of The Empire Strikes Back, The Two Towers, and The Dark Knight. This is an instant sci-fi classic that will likely go down as one of the best cinematic experiences that I along with plenty of others will have all throughout 2024. Even if it’s not quite my favorite film of Villeneuve, Dune: Part Two will likely go on to be his most successful film to date and one that shall get the attention of the remaining moviegoing audience that aren’t yet familiar with his name. If the majority of big movies were even half as good as Dune: Part Two was, we would be living in cinema paradise.

2.) The Substance

What might be the most shocking and talked about horror film of the year, The Substance is the kind of film that will easily push new boundaries to the horror genre, so much so that it even got the Academy’s attention with it’s best picture nomination. This makes for both a brilliant commentary on the impossible beauty standards of women in the entertainment industry set by men and the perfect gore porn fiasco that tops itself constantly throughout it’s entire runtime. It pull no punches here, once you think the film goes too far in what it’s saying or doing, it proceeds to go one step further multiple different times, all the way up to the finish line. Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley are perfect in playing their perfectly balanced counterparts, Coralie Fargeat’s direction could not be more perfect, and the make-up effects feel so real and authentic that I wouldn’t be surprised if it came out that it’s not actually make up and what happens throughout the film just….happened. All kidding aside, The Substance is the kind of horror film that deserves your attention. It may not be for everybody, but if you stick with the film on it’s own terms, you might be surprised at how bloody brilliant (no pun intended) this experience is.

1.) The Wild Robot

This may be recency bias but I honestly can’t think of a DreamWorks animated picture that is as complex, layered, and impressive as The Wild Robot. It represents the pinnacle of DreamWorks Animation, delivering one last final triumph before they have to rely on tools and resources from other studios the immediate future. The animation is jaw droppingly gorgeous, the characters are all engaging, endearing, and wonderful to follow, the voice cast is all terrific with everyone being 100% committed to their role, the musical score is mesmerizing and carries the film on it’s own on several occasions, there’s is plenty of funny gags and emotional beats that work greatly, and the way it tackles the themes surrounding survival, parenthood, kindness, purpose, and coexistence is nothing short of marvelous. The amount of plates is able to spend in the air at once and how many hoops it dares to jump through is able to make the film stand out in ways that it had no business of doing so. This is animation and multilayered storytelling at it’s finest and The Wild Robot might just be the next prime example for that. Thank you to all the folks at DreamWorks who worked in-house for the company and I hope the very best awaits you in the future!

My Favorite Shows of 2024

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So, this year I did something that I normally don’t do. I actually watch television shows. That’s an exaggeration of course but ever since I worked my way into college and grown accustomed to the internet, I normally don’t watch as many shows as I used to when I was kid. Outside of your casual Marvel and Star Wars shows on Disney Plus or your typical big hit series on Netflix such as Stranger Things, I hadn’t been that compelled to keep up with any new streaming series. That was until this year!

With how iffy film medium has been for the past couple of years, that has encouraged me to go to other resources for high quality entertainment. Those mediums that I’ve turned to have been video games and streaming shows. Because of my increase on the latter, I have worked my way to find the high quality shows that I heard so many good things about and see if they’ve lived up to the hype. And in 2025, I was able to find six distinct shows that were able to meet those expectations.

Keep in mind, these are my personal favorite shows of 2024. I didn’t have time to view every single hit show of the year and there are some that I liked but didn’t like well enough to where it deserved to be mention in my top lists. Regardless, here are my lists of my top 6 favorite shows of 2024.

6.) Terminator: Zero

People have gone back and forth in what should be considered the #3 best Terminator medium. Some favor the bonkers Rise of the Machines with it’s ballsy as hell ending, some favor the appropriately grim departure of the series known as Salvation, some prefer grandma Linda Hamilton and grandpa Arnold coming back to kick ass with Dark Fate, and of course there are those fortunate that was able to witness The Sarah Connor Chronicles in it’s entirety as the real proper continuation of the first two masterpieces in the franchise. However, we know have a new anime series that might just put every single film released between Judgement Day and Dark Fate to shame with Terminator: Zero.

Instead of relying on nostalgia and callbacks, Terminator: Zero actually dares to tell a fresh and unique story with new and engaging characters and adding new mythos to the lore. There’s no Connors or Arnold presence here, just a new conflict told through a different set of humans and machines. The animation style is incredibly fitting for what it’s going for, this is easily the most intense Terminator medium since the original film, the new characters that are introduced are able to hold their own, and it’s able to look at a much broader scope of the relationship between humanity and A.I. in ways that feels new and timely appropriate.

I don’t know if this series will appeal to those that aren’t fans of Terminator or anime but if you are a fan of either one of them, this Netflix exclusive is a must see. If anything, this proof that the Terminator brand can in fact endure with it’s own identity without the need to constantly bring a Linda Hamilton and Arnold into the mix.

5.) Arcane (Season 2)

The first season of Arcane was perhaps one of the greatest seasons of an animated series I have ever seen. Not only did it work near flawlessly as an adaption of it’s source material but it worked as it’s own series itself. It introduced some of the grandest worldbuilding, engaging characters, and superb animation of modern times, tackling serious subject matter involving tragedy and conflict. Because of that, expectations were over the ROOF for it’s second season. And while it’s still great, it can’t quite capture that lightning in a bottle that the first one did.

This perhaps has to do with the fact that Netflix decided that the second season should act as the final season and save any remaining stories set in this universe as individual spin-offs. Because of that, you got a third act, while well made and engaging, can’t help but feel overstuffed and crammed together just to get to the ending that the creators wanted for this series. While the first two/thirds of the show are able to be as compelling and intriguing as Season 1, the last third falters with trying to type up so much material in so little time.

Even so, I will still take a flawed masterpiece such as Arcane Season 2 than around 90% of most entertainment that I watched this year. The animation and world building is expanded upon even further with most impressive achievements, Vi and Jinx still remains the most compelling sisterhood relationship I’ve seen to date, the action is still grand and epic in scale, and the entire cast is still able to get a moment of their own to shine. Season 2 may not have been the perfection that Season 1 was but in this case, I’ll still take imperfection if it means I get to spend more time in this world and it’s characters.

4.) Fallout

Last year’s Amazon smash hit managed to be one of the most surprising new series to come out in 2024. Despite having all odds against them, Fallout was able to work greatly as an adaption that honored the source material is was based on (despite some potential retcons here and there) while expanding the overall world to new audience members all around the world.

Aided by an INCREDIBLY likable and talented cast with Ella Purnell’s Lucy (I NEVER get tired of her saying “ookie-dookie”), Walton Goggin’s Cooper Howard, and Aaron Clifton Moten’s Maximus, this series puts the focus on a handful of scrappy survivors fighting their way through a nuclear apocalypse in different parts of a retro-futuristic America. Even with it’s rather serious stakes throughout, the show never forgets to be lighthearted and fun when the moments require it. Show creator Jonathan Nolan clearly understood the assignment here and we all ended up the better for it.

Although the ending left quite a bit to be desired (which is apparently the case with most Fallout games), this video game show was an absolute blast regardless of whether you are a fan of the games or not. With a perfectly balanced tone, engaging protagonists, and top notch production values, Fallout earns itself a spot as a new gold standard for video game adaptions and shows.

3.) X-Men ’97

In an era where it seems like the hype around superheroes and revivals have died down, here comes in X-Men 97 that was able to swipe on it’s way to Disney Plus and show everyone how these things are suppose to be done. This was about as good of a revival as it could get, perfectly translate the traditional values and roots that the X-Men are known for in modern times while still being able to capture that Saturday morning cartoon vibe.

The 2D animation is stunning and feels perfectly in line with it’s 96′ series counter part, the action sequences are filled with energy and excitement, and there is plenty of time given to each cast member of the X-Men to shine, rarely suffering from the problem of the films where a certain group of characters manages to completely overshadow the other. And it was SUPER nice to see my boy Scott and my girl Rogue being done justice for once. Oh, and the glimmers of seeing 94′ Spider-Man back again brought a tear to my eye!

No offense to Deadpool & Wolverine but I think most would agree that X-Men 97 was far in a way the best Marvel-related thing to come out in 2024. It’s able to capture the spirit of it’s 90s counterpart as well as just the X-Men in general! It’s so good that I would love to see more Marvel revivals of beloved shows done in a similar matter. Come on, Disney! Greenlight Spider-Man 98 already! You know you want to!

2.) The Penguin

With there being so many “Who asked for this?!” spin-offs of existing IPs out lately, The Penguin was able to step up to the plate and hit an absolute grand slam of a spin-off series. Matt Reeves and Lauren Lefranc is able to expand upon the crime lord of Gotham in fascinating ways here, showcasing a perfect example on how to do these “grounded” superhero stories correctly.

The production values are fantastic, Gotham has never been this intriguing to explore in live-action, the characters are all engaging, the plot is intriguing, and the performance are stellar from top to bottom, aided greatly by the central performance by Colin Farrell (who is still unrecognizable as the Penguin) and the scene stealing turn by Cristin Milioti as Sofia Falcone. It’s also incredibly refreshing to have a villain led-story where we actually get to see the main lead be a villain all the way through, with ZERO need to make them an anti-hero or the good guy in the end. Also, take notes, The Acolyte! THIS is how you do flashbacks in episodes!

Even if this kind of series wasn’t necessarily “needed”, The Penguin is proof if the talent and craft is there, you can make great art out of anything. Although the recent delays of The Batman: Part II is unfortunate, I will still be first in line to see what awaits for the next installment of the now-called The Batman Epic Crime Saga. I BETTER see Robert Pattinson beat the shit out of Oz in the first five minutes or else!

1.) Shogun

Of course, the one series that has received the most awards and acclaim turned out to be my favorite show of 2024. There was no other show in 2024 that was able to shock and astonish the entertainment world than Shogun. It rivals Game of Thrones in it’s prime in terms of quality, able to expand upon it’s periodic times to perfection while examining complicated themes surrounding war, culture, and religion.

The writing is excellent, the characters are very well developed, the story is rich and full of intrigue, the production design is off the charts all around, there’s not a single actor or actress that phones it in, and it’s able to showcase themes that feel modern to our times but also culturally appropriate in the setting that the series is set in. You even got some incredibly impressive action sequences that feel grounded and expertly choreographed, emotional beats that are always properly build up and earned, and able to find a satisfying pay off to nearly every single main thing it sets ups. And as everyone has pointed out, Anna Sawai gives the standout performance of 2024 as Toda Mariko, stealing every scene that she’s in for the better.

There are many shows that get hyped up nowadays but very few are able to truly live up to it for me. Shogun is surely one of those exceptions. It’s exceptionally made, exceptionally written, exceptionally acted, exceptionally directed, and exceptionally entertaining. If there is any show from 2024 that deserves to be studied and examined on how to make a proper streaming series set in a period time and setting, look no further than Shogun.

Women Are Now The Face Of Gaming

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Throughout history, video games have had the reputation of being a market exclusivity to boys or strictly a male dominated audience. Despite initially gender-neutral marketing and multiple women having key roles in major games, the gaming marketing crash of 1983 had companies move to marketing video games strictly towards boys, believing that would be the logical move for the industry to survive going forward. Because of that, the majority of video games released back then would often center around male heroes or strong male protagonists.

That’s not to say that EVERY single video game out there had a male protagonist. There have been a handful of successful female protagonists in video games such as Lara Croft from Tomb Raider and Samus Aran from Metroid. But for the most part, video games for the longest of time would have a male protagonist front and center more often than not, with female protagonists acting as a side playable character at best or NPC at worst. And even when the women were playable, they were mostly design with a clear sex appeal and male gaze in mind that was also clearly targeted towards boys and men. However, that has changed dramatically for the better course of a decade.

Recent studies have shown that women are playing a much bigger role in the video game industry than ever before. Women are increasingly represented in the gaming industry, including in senior management and developers. There are more organizations out there than before that provide resources and mentorship to help women succeed in the industry. Best of all, studies have shown that by June 2024, 49% of gamers in the United States were female, an increase from nearly a decade ago when female gamers averaged around 41 to 42%. Needless to say, gaming is much more than just a boy brand now and companies are clearly starting to take notice of it.

And I don’t think there is a more prime example of women having a more dominant presence in video games than seeing the phenomenal lineup of upcoming releases, both mainstream and indie, that is excepted to come out in 2025 and beyond, with a good portion of them either being female led or have a strong female protagonist that is playable. Because of that, I don’t have a choice but to admit it: women are now becoming the face of gaming now and possible for the foreseeable future.

If you don’t believe me, just check out this list of the number of women-led video games that are set to come out in 2025 and beyond.

Eternal Stands

  • Developer: Yellow Brick Games
  • Playable Female Character: A Warrior Named Brynn
  • Release Date: January 28th, 2025

Civilization 7

  • Developer: Firaxis Games
  • Playable Female Characters: Amina, Himiko, And Hatshepsut
  • Release Date: February 11th, 2025

Assassin’s Creed Shadow

  • Developer: Ubisoft
  • Female Playable Character: A Shinobi Named Naoe
  • Release Date: February 14th, 2025

Judas

  • Developer: Ken Levine (Bioshock)
  • Playable Female Character: A Young Female Rebel Named Judas
  • Release Date: March 1st, 2025

Split Fiction

  • Developer: Hazelight Studios
  • Playable Female Characters: Mio and Zoey
  • Release Date: March 6th, 2025

Fable (2025)

  • Developer: Playground Games
  • Playable Female Character: Unnamed At This Time
  • Release Date: 2025

Perfect Dark (2025)

  • Developer: The Initiative
  • Playable Female Character: Joanna Dark
  • Release Date: 2025

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

  • Developer: Retro Studios
  • Playable Female Character: The Legend Herself, Samus Aran
  • Release Date: TBD

South of Midnight

  • Developer: Complusion Games
  • Female Playable Character: Unnamed At This Time
  • Release Date: TBD

Wuchang: Fallen Feathers

  • Developer: Leenzee
  • Female Playable Character: Wuchang
  • Release Date: TBD

Retrieval

  • Developer: 333 Studios
  • Female Playable Character: Hana Losche
  • Release Date: TBD

Okami 2

  • Developer: Clover Studio
  • Female Playable Character: The Japanese Goddess Known As Ameraterasu
  • Release Date: TBD

Untitled Tomb Raider Game

  • Developer: Embracer Group
  • Female Playable Character: The G.O.A.T. Lara Croft
  • Release Date: TBD

Wonder Woman

  • Developer: Monolith Productions
  • Playable Female Character: Diana Prince, A.K.A. Wonder Woman Herself
  • Release Date: TBD

The Witcher 4

  • Developer: CDProjekt Red
  • Playable Female Character: Fan Favorite Ciri
  • Release Date: TBD

Ghost of Yotei

  • Developer: Sucker Punch
  • Playable Female Character: A Female Ronin Named Atsu
  • Release Date: 2025

Grand Theft Auto VI

  • Developer: Rockstar
  • Playable Female Character: Lucia
  • Release Date: 2025

Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet

  • Developer: Naughty Dog
  • Playable Female Character: A Bounty Hunter Named Jordan A. Mun
  • Release Date: TBD

And there’s plenty more that I’m sure I’m missing!

It goes to show just how bolder and more confident gaming studios are getting when it comes to releasing more gaming titles with playable female protagonists. This is the type of progress that you wouldn’t imagine seeing several decades ago because it was mostly the boys that dominated the marketing and demographic. Could you imagine seeing that many upcoming female-led games 10 to 20 years ago?

Could you imagine Rockstar taking a chance with a female protagonist front and center for GTA V in the hopes that it wouldn’t affect sales? Would Sucker Punch have been bold enough to change up the protagonists from male lead Sakai to female led Yotei? Imagine Naughty Dog having the balls to make back-to-back games where the only playable characters were women? If that’s not the sign how times have changed when it comes to demographics for video games, then I don’t know what does.

If even a handful of the titles I suggested are successful, this will no doubt push boundaries and make room for even more women in the industry than before. If Wonder Woman, Tomb Raider, and Metroid can continue to honor the legacy of their beloved female leads, then those IPs can continue to expand even more. If Fable, Ghost of Yotei, and The Witcher 4 is able to prove that their female leads can be just as acclaim and successful as their male leads in their own respective franchises, then that will undoubtedly lead to more female-centric games in the future. If original projects like Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet can sell enough copies on their own, then more original female-led games will be surely to come. And of course, if GTA VI is able to gain even an ounce of the success of GTA V, that act alone will make female characters more playable in games than ever before. The future of gaming is looking female…….and it feels just right.

Before I get anyone outrage over this, there will certainly be many male-led games as well for the future. There is too many successful male-led gaming IPs such as Mario, Sonic, Zelda, Halo, Call of Duty, Resident Evil, Final Fantasy, Fallout, and Pokémon that will continue to be mostly male-centric in terms of narrative and/or will always give you the option to play as a male character. It’s just that there will now be just as much gaming options for female gamers as there always has been for male gamers.

And if this momentum continues, there’s no doubt come this time come 2028, the percentage of male and female gamers will be at a complete 50%, proving that video games belong just as much to girls as it does to boys. It’s only then will the gender balance be completed and there will be room for video games for just about anyone, regardless of your gender. Perhaps then we can put this discussion of needed progression and pushing boundaries aside and just treat any game with a female protagonist as we would with a male protagonist. If that is the true goal, then it’s on the verge of being complete.

Regardless of what your stance is in all of this, there is plenty of evidence to suggest that women are leading gaming in 2025 and beyond. There are more women creators and gamers than ever before and the next main lineup of games for the next few years will clearly have plenty of playable female characters and then some. If it’s all done well and is even remotely successful, this will only be the beginning.

And speaking as a male gamer who has always loved playing as female characters and has a good handful of female-led games that are among my most favorites of all time, I can not wait!

The future is all yours, ladies!

Most Anticipated Movies of 2025

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2024 is now officially over which mean it’s now time to roll into 2025! And what better way to kick off the early part of January then to share what new films I’m looking forward to the most in 2025.

When looking through all the big and small movies to come out this year, 2025 has potential to be the biggest year for movies in the post-Covid era. This has to do with the fact that a.) more people are more comfortable going back to theaters than before and b.) the latest strikes in the entertainment industry let to plenty of projects get pushed back to this year and 2026. Because of that, these next few years might just be the kick in the pants that the industry needs to get things back into full gear before it’s too late.

The most impressive thing I’ve discovered when doing research of all the main films slated for 2025 is how there seems to be more variety between original projects and upcoming installments in long-running franchise IPs. If the majority of them are able to deliver, then 2025 should be a strong year in film and especially in theaters due to having the kind of film for any sort of demographic.

Also, I should give a warning that films that I put in my top 10 and for honorable mentions last year will NOT be on this list. Because of that, you won’t see Mickey 17 and Ballerina on this list. I’m very much looking forward to those films and they likely would have been on the list if I didn’t put it on there in the year prior. Nevertheless, since I already mentioned them, I decided to leave them off the list because you already know I’m excited for both of those films.

Honorable Mentions:

  • Wolf Man

After Leigh Whannell delivered big time with his spin on The Invisible Man (2020), I have no doubt he can do it again with this one.

  • Dog Man

If the trailer and marketing is anything to go by, this is looking to capture the spirit of it’s source material while sharing the same unique and colorful animation that Captain Underpants (2017) had.

  • Novocaine

An original action thriller with Jack Quaid (The Boys) and Amber Midthunder (Prey)?! Sign me up!

  • Karate Kid: Legends

Even in an age where soft reboots/remakes and legacy-quels are oversaturated, there might be something special with Karate Kid that might be able to make that work properly without getting too bogged down in nostalgia and callbacks.

  • 28 Years Later

I’m not quite as high on 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later as much as most people but after how hard the first trailer went, my curiosity has skyrocketed!

  • The Bad Guys 2

If there is one animation company I trust with delivering great animated sequels, that would be DreamWorks!

  • Predator: Badlands

After Dan Trachtenberg made the best Predator sequel with Prey, I’m looking forward to see if he can top himself with this one!

  • Wicked: For Good

Since Wicked: Part One turned to be a genuine surprise for me, I’m curious to see if Part Two can stick the landing.

  • Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery

I may not know much about this outside of it’s talented-heavy cast but if it manages to capture the spirit and enjoyment of the first two Knives Out tales, then it will succeed!

  • Guillermo Del Toro’s Frankenstein

It’s Guillermo Del Toro taking on Frankenstein! How can I NOT look forward to this?!

10.) Paddington In Peru

Anymore remember when these movies were gonna suck because how bad the first teaser trailer to the original Paddington was? Those were certainly times! The first two Paddington flicks have to be some of the most heartful and lovable family films of the past decade. Although it has been quite some time since Paddington 2 came out and Paul King not being in the director’s chair this time around does strike some skepticism, I have no doubt that Paddington in Peru will still deliver as yet another immensely enjoyable motion picture about a bear who has no other goal than to spread joy and optimism to the world. If there is one film series you can count on as being the cinematic equivalent of a big hug, look no further than Paddington.

9.) Love Hurts

Here is the first of a couple of original films that was able to make my list! We see Ke Huy Quan in his next big action role after his Oscar win in Everything Everywhere All At Once with Jonathan Eusebio set to make his directorial debut. Quan plays Marvin Gable, a successful realtor whose past as a violent hitman comes back to haunt him when his former partner reveals that his brother is hunting him. All of these factors alone make Love Hurts an intriguing flick to watch out for once it comes out on February 7th. In an industry that has been extremely lacking in original, unique voices for a long time now, it would be nice if we can see this one become the next big thing and be an instant classic.

8.) Avatar: Fire & Ash

You can say whatever you want about the Avatar films but there is no denying this franchise knows how to deliver visually spectacle and thrilling cinematic experiences. Avatar: Fire and Ash will see director James Cameron continue to expand upon the world that he has been passionate about for over the past two decades while following up on the loose ends he left hanging in The Way of Water. Regardless of the outcome of this third installment, you can guarantee this will be yet another instant billion dollar grosser that will break records all across the globe. And considering we are living in dire times where the movie theater going experience is no longer prevalent, we needs films like Avatar: Fire and Ash more than ever.

7.) F1

Here’s a brand new film about formula one racing starring Brad Pit as a former hotshot driver who must get back in the game after retiring from an accident that left him shook. This is Joseph Kosinski’s next big feature film about Top Gun: Maverick, where he goes from blazing in the skies to vrooming on the race track. If he’s able to make the racing sequences as intense and captivating as he did with the flight scenes in Top Gun: Maverick (or even the racing scenes in Ford v Ferrari), this could make for yet another big crowd pleaser.

6.) The Running Man

If this was made by any other filmmaker, I likely could not give two craps about this. But because it’s made by Edgar Wright and stars a superb cast of Glen Powell, Katy O’Brian, Josh Brolin, Daniel Ezra, Lee Pace, and plenty others, The Running Man is among my most anticipated films of 2025. This is an adaptation based off of the 1982 novel of the same name by Stephen King, marking the second adaptation of the book, following the 1987 film with Arnold Schwarzenegger. If there is anyone on the planet that can make another remake/adaption feels fresh, unique, and feel like the definite version, it’s Edgar Wright. Also, the more Glen Powell, the better!

5.) Sinners

A new and original supernatural vampire horror flick that stars Michael B. Jordan in a new dual role and Hailee Steinfeld and directed by the GOAT Ryan Coogler, the man behind Fruitvale Station, Creed, Black Panther, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. With the proven talent among the cast and crew and the superb first trailer of it, Sinners is looking to be a refreshing change of pace in the film industry that is stuffed with endless sequels, remakes, and legacy-quels. Not only am I looking forward to a film that is looking to push it’s own unique boundaries but also to see how the rising career of Ryan Coogler moves forward. It’s only a matter of time before Mr. Coogler becomes a household director name with the likes of Stephen Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, Quentin Tarantino, James Cameron, and Martin Scorsese.

4.) The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Yeah, I know it’s not popular to put another MCU film on the most anticipated lists because they are not as good as they used to be, even after one of their films just became one of the highest grossing comic book films ever last summer. However, I can’t help but be intrigue and filled in eager when it comes to Marvel Studios finally tackling Marvel’s first family in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. This is set to be the first film of Phase 6 and most likely leave the groundwork for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. With a talented cast, intriguing premise, and a direction that seems to have it’s own unique style to it that works for the Fantastic Four themselves, I can’t help but be super excited for this one. Please don’t screw this up, Marvel! Your first family desperately needs a legit great film at long last!

3.) Elio

I don’t think there is any animated studio that gets me most interested in an original film than Pixar. After becoming the highest grossing animated film of all time last summer with Inside Out 2, Disney and Pixar are looking to build upon that momentum with their latest original animated flick, Elio. This follows an eleven-year-old boy named Elio who is mistakenly identified by aliens as Earth’s ambassador. This has had quite a production history, being delayed by a full year with the impact of the writers strike along with changes in director and leadership. However, I still cross my fingers in the hopes that this is able to deliver. If Elio succeeds, this could be yet another classic Pixar original to add to their incredible library. For those that complain about Pixar making sequels over the years, you better support this one once it comes out in theaters in June or else you can’t complain!

2.) Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning

After nearly three decades, this franchise is looking to reach it’s endgame with Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. This films have been the textbook example of “understanding the assignment”. What has been Tom Cruise’s baby since the beginning, this series of films have succeed in delivering constantly entertaining action and espionage thrill rides. For this final chapter, we will see the crew picking up where Dead Reckoning started with them likely figuring out what to do with the keys that they have claimed. I don’t know if this will reach the heights of Fallout but I will be there day one to see how this superb action franchise will stick the landing. Fingers crossed there won’t be another Barbienheimer that will bury this film under the rug this summer.

1.) Superman (2025)

If there is one film that could change the course of Hollywood for the foreseeable future, it’s Superman (2025). While it may seem on the surface just another Superman movie, it means much more than that when looking at it from underneath. This is a film that is set to accomplish a lot of things. It has to act as a launching path for the next wave of DC movies and shows, it has to lift up the superhero genre that is suffering from great fatigue by each passing day, it has to present Superman in a way that no other film has had to this day, and it also has to act as the next big event for theaters if it is to thrive in the future. James Gunn will have his biggest challenge yet as a director with Superman (2025), tasked with having to carry DC Studios and the superhero genre behind his back for the future along with giving Hollywood a new successful franchise to profit off of. With a cast that consists of David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, a premise that seems to portray Superman as not just a beacon of hope but something that always looks for the good in everyone, and even the freaking superpowered dog of Krypto, there is no film released in 2025 that has my curiosity and excitement than Superman (2025).