Edgar Wright is perhaps one of the more “under the radar” type of directors working in Hollywood today. He’s not really so much well known by mainstream audiences with the likes of Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, James Cameron, Martin Scorsese, and Quentin Tarantino but more of someone that’s mostly beloved by hardcore film buffs. There’s a reason why Baby Driver, a film which made only $227 million at the time of it’s release (which is still good btw), is his most successful film at the box office and the only hit which you can call a genuine crowd pleaser.
Even so, he still has a very dedicated fanbase and cult following and I was say I qualify on both ends. Although some of his recent films haven’t “wowed” me the way his earlier films did, he is still a director that I always await his next big feature film because he’s one of the few directors left that knows how to leave his own personal stamp on a film. Because of that, it’s time for me to rank (most) of his films from worst to best!
And the reason why I say most is because there is two main film exceptions I am leaving off the list: A Fistful of Fingers and The Sparks Brothers. That is strictly because I haven’t seen any one of those films and I have yet to find anywhere which gives me full access to both films. So to anyone that is actually a die hard fan of either one of those movies and actually viewed them as being the absolute best of Edgar Wright, then I deeply apologize for that!
For everyone else, let’s get to rank Edgar Wright’s other seven films, the ones that the majority of the human population acknowledge, from worst to best!
7.) The Running Man (2025)
Wright’s weakest film to date is unfortunately the one that just got released in (mostly) empty theaters. There were plenty of ingredients for a 2025 incarnation of The Running Man to be a success. You got a director that’s skilled with blending action, drama, humor, and chaos in Edgar Wright, you got an up and coming A-list actor in Glen Powell, and updating the 1987 film in a way where we are now basically on the doorstep of living in the kind of future that Stephen King tried to warns us all about nearly 40 years ago seems like this should be an instant classic that’s relevant to our times. While there’s some fun set pieces scattered throughout, Glen Powell is as awesome as he always is, and the first 2/3rds work well enough as a mildly entertaining action flick, The Running Man (2025) gets bogged down by the end of it’s own messaging, not knowing how to properly convey it without shouting it directly to the audience and not knowing which of the three or four endings they wanted to stick with. It’s ironic how the film goes on about how bad monopoly corporations are when they have all the wealth and power in entertainment to manipulate it’s audience when this film is literally made by Paramount of all companies. This also can’t help but feel like the least felt Edgar Wright film to date, with his style and attention to aesthetics feeling distractingly absent here. Is there entertainment to be had in The Running Man (2025)? Sure! But, this 2025 Stephen King adaption is one of the rare cases where a film being too closed to it’s source material can actually be a bad thing!
6.) Last Night In Soho
This is easily Edgar Wright’s most polarizing film to date. Many felt that Wright was too in love with his own style and that let it get in the way of the substance of the story. Last Night in Soho made for a rather unique, mesmerizing, and at times very uneven experience. This psychological thriller sees a young woman out on her own for the first time ever and having to experience the toxic and stressful nature of being out of your own bird’s nest along with the pressure of becoming the person that you are just not. Edgar Wright always brings his A-game behind the camera but he goes all out this time around with his beautiful cinematography, stellar costume designs, chilling score, and haunting imagery and performances that will stick with you even after the credits roll. Thomasin McKenzie and Anya Taylor-Joy are terrific here showing the two sides of the same coin of a woman’s poignant experience of being out on her own in a world full of troubled men. I just wish this film sticked with me on repeat viewings and didn’t have me asking more questions than it answers by the end, especially when all the big reveals come into play. Last Night in Soho is not an experience I guarantee you’ll love but if you are willing to take a chance, it’s worth watching to see if it works for you or not.
5.) The World’s End
While there are people out there that call this the weakest of the Cornetto trilogy, this is still a very satisfying end to these successful trio o films. Maybe it has to do with the fact that this one is looser and more ambitious while not relying as much on the humor as his previous work but I do think The World’s End stands strongly as it’s own unique thing. It’s still constantly funny the whole through, filled with an incredible amount of energy and manages to be as layered as the previous Cornetto films, if not more so here, the action sequences are still great fun to watch, and the cast arguably hit their new level of peak here (Simon Pegg is just a national treasure!) Also, the best cut to black credits of all time period! Maybe it’s because I admire the way that Edgar Wright continues to try and top himself with every single new film that he makes but I just believe The World’s End deserves a tiny bit more credit than it actually gets. It may not be quite the very best of the Cornetto trilogy or Edgar Wright as a whole but man is it ALWAYS bun to watch Edgar Wright try to top himself!
4.) Baby Driver
Yes, I know the casting for this movie has aged worse than sour milk that has lasted for as long as the development of GTA 6 but man, I still can’t help but have an absolute blast with Baby Driver every time that I watch it. Making a heist movie that is based around the concept of a young man motivated by his love for music and being able to one day ride into the sunset with his girlfriend is a concept that fits perfectly in Edgar Wright’s wheelhouse. The action scenes are thrilling, the pacing is breakneck, the cast (their offscreen behavior aside) is a lot of fun, and I don’t think there’s been any recent big movie that’s NOT Guardians of the Galaxy where a director was able to perfectly showcase just how good of taste they have in music. It definitely plays out more conventional than most of Edgar Wrights films and I most CERTAINLY could’ve used some more Jon Bernthal here (Although, his final line is pretty funny!) but even with some minor grips, Baby Driver is an absolute thrill ride that might just be the most “fun” and crowd pleasing film that Edgar Wright has made to date.
3.) Scott Pilgrim vs The World
While it was certainly unfortunate that Edgar Wright was not able to make the Ant-Man movie that he wanted with Marvel Studios, we should all be grateful he was able to make magnum opus of his own within the comic book movie genre with Scott Pilgrim Vs The World. This was quite simply a comic book movie that Edgar Wright was born to make! His directing style and visuals fit masterfully in the world of Scott Pilgrim himself, the whole cast is perfect and fit their roles like a glove, the soundtrack is incredible, the aesthetics are off the charts, it’s perfectly respectful towards the source material it’s based on, and don’t get me started on those kick-ass and creative as hell fight sequences, the kind that you usual don’t get with these kind of movies! Even if we are living in a time of superhero fatigue and the best that the subgenre as had to offer for the past 25 years is easy to forget about now Scott Pilgrim Vs The World is one of the comic book movie standouts that is not Marvel or DC related that is absolutely worth your time!
2.) Hot Fuzz
Edgar Wright was looking to make lightning strike twice following the major success of Shaun of the Dead and he was able to do exactly just that. Wright is somehow able to perfectly translate from the zombie horror genre to the buddy cop genre in a very smooth way here with Hot Fuzz, with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost just having as much good chemistry as a duo that on paper seems unlikely but in reality is a stroke of genius. The plot delivers plenty of twists and turns that will have you thinking even with repeat viewings, this is easily the FUNNIEST film of the trilogy and that Edgar Wright has made, and the ensemble cast all around is able to flawlessly fit in the intriguing world that Edgar Wright has created. The only thing that prevents this from being at #1 is a slightly drawn out climax and there being a couple of moments that feels more forced and only there because it’s what everyone loved about Shaun of the Dead! Aside from those mild nitpicks, Hot Fuzz is still excellent and more than worthy middle chapter to the Cornetto trilogy!
1.) Shaun of the Dead
But yeah, I still don’t think that any Edgar Wright film has been as good as the film that put his name in Hollywood than with Shaun of the Dead! Regardless of what way you look at it, Shaun of the Dead works in every way that it possibly can! It works as a straight-up horror movie, it works as a screw-ball comedy, it works as an incredibly meta and social commentary of the genres it is delighted to be a part off, it works as a family drama, it works as a coming-of-age tale, and it even works as a straight up zombie slasher flick. There is very few films I can think that is able to masterfully combine action, drama, horror, and comedy all at the exact same time but Edgar Wright is able to perfectly control himself behind the camera the whole way through, being able to masterfully execute every single element of the genres that he is paying great respect too. Perfectly paced, perfectly written, perfectly acted, perfectly directed, and having the perfect amount of rewatch value, Shaun of the Dead is simply a masterwork and the best thing to come out of Edgar Wright to this day! Maybe it’s time to bring back Simon Pegg and Nick Frost for the next film!
So, after I did my ranking of the Alien movies when Romulus came out last year, I’ve seen a lot of people rank those movies combined with the Predator franchise. After all, with two distinct franchises that crossed over for two films, I guess it’s only natural for people to compare and contrast the two sides with distinct rankings. Because of that, why not join in and rank the Alien movies alongside the Predator movies.
I’m still gonna keep the same points I had with all the Alien movies in that rankings but I will take out Alien: Isolation because I just wanting to be ranking the movies themselves side-by-side for this list. Now that Predator: Badlands is out in theaters, let’s continue on with this ranking! Here we go!
16.) Alien vs Predator: Requiem
The second Alien vs Predator showdown is not only the worst thing that ever been related to the now Disney-owned IPs, it’s one of the worst franchise entries in the 21st century thus far. What should be a fun and simple premise of taking two well known monsters and just have them punch one another for an hour and a half is bogged by some of the worst lighting and editing choices ever put in a theatrical released film. It also doesn’t help that it has writing, acting, and directing that wouldn’t even be passable for a Patron funded fan film. Alien vs Predator: Requiem is not only just as bad as franchise movies can get, it’s just as lazy as they come. It literally brings a new definition of unwatchable because well…….you literally can’t watch it because you can’t even see what’s happening on screen. It’s not strictly a film that is infamous for certain story choices it makes or contradicting previously established lore in any way but because of how objectively poor the filmmaking is on display. That in of itself makes this more than worthy of being the worst film that has anything to do with Aliens or Predators! (Planet 51, eat your heart out!)
15.) The Predator
I can’t recall a big franchise film that left me more disappointed in recent memory than 2018’s The Predator. Bringing in Shane Black, the godfather of action comedies and buddy cop flicks (while starting in the original Predator himself), to helm a Predator film seems like a perfect recipe to return the franchise back to it’s traditional roots. Unfortunately, about all of that potential is squandering throughout the entire runtime of The Predator. The plot is a disjointed mess, so many characters and subplots are introduced that go absolutely nowhere, the pacing is too breakneck and non-existent that it can’t make up it’s mind how fast or slow it wants to go, the editing is some of the worst put to any major studio released film in the past decade, and the dialogue and banter, which Mr. Black has constantly nailed in the past, fall flat in every sense of the word here. I don’t know if it’s Shane Black having to deal with studio meddling or him just not being a right fit for the franchise but The Predator is a perfect example of how everything can go wrong for a major blockbuster that’s part of a major franchise. And don’t get me started on the unconvincing gore and the god AWFUL action scenes where you can’t see jacks*it! What an absolute dumpster fire!
14.) Alien: Covenant
After the divisive response that 2012’s Prometheus had on critics and audiences, Ridley Scott decided to take things back to basic for the Alien franchise with Alien: Covenant. Unfortunately, in so doing so, he manages to undermine the ambiguity and intrigue of the beloved Xenomorph while doubling down on all of the main problems that plagued it’s predecessor. The alien action and set pieces are uninspired, most of the characters aren’t interesting and are about as dumb as movie characters can get, the effects for all the monsters look shockingly poor, and finding out that David was the one responsible for the creation of the Xenomorph is about the most out of no where and unneeded explanation for a franchise’s lore since Mini-chlorins. Not even Michael Fassbender’s captivating screen presence and a couple of fun moments sprinkling in can save this mess. Alien: Covenant may not quite be the worst film in the franchise but it was definitely the sign that the franchise had lost his staying power and how the guy who made the marvelous original Alien had lost his touch. When looking at is as a proper Alien movie and a sequel to Prometheus, Covenant just doesn’t work on any level.
13.) Alien vs Predator
On paper, an Alien vs Predator movie should amount for the perfect amount of shlock blockbuster popcorn entertainment anyone would expect. And the moments that it does just that, it makes for a pretty good time that gives you exactly what you want and expect out of this fun premise. Just a shame that way too much time is spent focusing on human characters that become a footnote the moment the two titled monsters jump on the screen and it tries to set up lore and world building that it has little to no interest in actually exploring. Still, the effects and production design is top notch and when the alien and predator actually show up and start fighting, it’s entertaining enough. Back in the day, you would have to slug through Alien vs Predator to get to the good stuff, similar to how folks had to slug through The Phantom Menace to get to anything involving a lightsaber, but because we have the internet now, you can just look up the fight scenes for this movie on YouTube and be satisfied all the same.
12.) Predator 2
Predator 2 has seen it’s fair share of reappraisal over the years and it’s easy to see why. Danny Glover makes for a fine action star that helps carry the picture along with the rest of the cast, it’s got a campy and weirdness vibe to it that’s easy to get into, and it’s able to end on a strong note that makes the bumpy ride worth trip. However, problems lie in the tone being completely all over the map, the new setting not carrying that same weight as the jungle, and the backdrop of the LA heat wave/drug wars being completely unexplained. This is a sequel that seems to want to have it’s cake and eat it too with hitting the same beats as the original while also trying to do it’s own thing at the same time. I can commend the effort but the end results could certainly be much stronger.
11.) Prometheus
Easily the most polarizing entry in the entire franchise, Prometheus sees Ridley Scott returning to the franchise decades later with a distinct prequel, back before any of the aliens were actually a thing. This easily contains some of the strongest visuals and ideas in the entire series, questioning how human being can co-exist against technology and artificial intelligence. You also have a cast, such as Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron, and Idris Elba, that absolutely give it their all and is able to add the right amount of weight to the material they are giving. Just too bad it gets bogged down by having characters making completely illogical decisions the whole way through, those interesting ideas being barley explored upon, and so many questions that gets handwaved in the hopes that a potential sequel would be able to follow through with it (SPOILER ALERT: IT DOESN’T!). It’s hard to know how Prometheus would be judged in hindsight if Ridley Scott got to continue along with this distinct direction but without it, this is easily among the most frustrating and downright disappointing installments out of any of these films. It’s certainly not lacking in ambition but it does certainly lack in reaching it’s true potential.
10.) Alien: Resurrection
Alien: Resurrection acts as perhaps the oddball of the series. It’s not so much a continuation of it’s controversial predecessor but more acts like a “Elseworlds” addition to the Alien franchise. This is basically when the series began abandoning its thought-provoking themes and immersive storytelling in favor of acting as traditional schlocky B movies. Sigourney Weaver is back once again but she’s not actually the Ellen Ripley from the first three movies and is actually a clone of Ellen Ripley this time around. That in of itself makes the emotional investment non-existent and hard to care about. Still, the shlock-ness that is presented in of itself is just so hard for me to not dig, even if it’s as goofy and over-the-top as it comes. The action is fun, Sigourney Weaver is clearly having fun in playing a clone version of her iconic character, and the effects and ideas of the Xenomorphs is so bizarre that it’s actually amusing to see before your very eyes. When viewing it on the merits of being a silly, wacky sci-fi click, Resurrection works well enough. When viewing it on the merits of the previous Alien films that felt more ambitious and impactful, Resurrection falls quite flat. Even so, it’s still bittersweet watching this now knowing it was Sigourney’s final time playing Ripley on the big screen.
9.) Predators
Predators is a sequel that is clearly trying to recapture the same spark as the original. You have a jungle setting, the mystery of the predators, and the characters who have no motivation other than desperate need for survival. What makes things stand out different here is that the main characters themselves are treated just as antagonistic as the predators they are fighting and have become prey for these hunters. It may not deliver on the bizarre premise of playing the hunting game but on an alien planet but it does have a right sense of tension and dread throughout with it’s own stand out action sequences and intense atmosphere. For as thin as the script and characters can get, the actors are clearly having a good time here and make them standout through their performances, even if the writing can’t match up to the level of their acting. Still no where near up to par with the original but 2010’s Predators does have enough entertainment value to warrant a watch if you are a fan of the franchise.
8.) Alien 3
The most despised standalone Alien movie in the series isn’t nearly as bad as it’s detractors would be. This is the directorial debut for the well-known David Fincher, at least not the parts which Fox didn’t meddled with the third installment. Alien 3 is most infamous in it’s bold narrative choices, such as killing off the supporting cast of the last movie onscreen, along with not being on par with the previous two masterpieces. However, when looking at it’s own term, there’s plenty of interesting ideas and set pieces throughout Alien 3 that work well here, along with having such a bleak and distinct feel to it that you very rarely get in movies nowadays. Not to mention, in a franchise which sees so many people get kill and slaughter by alien monsters left and right, it’s not really a series which I see the main characters have happy and uplifting endings. It’s definitely not as good as Alien or Aliens and it might have reached it’s truest potential if David Fincher was given full control but Alien 3 is definitely better than it’s overall reputation would suggest. If you watch the assembly cut, which adds an extra half an hour where it fleshes out all the new characters, you just get a good notion as to what Fincher was going for and a hint to where his style would go many years down the road. This may have not been the ending that Ripley deserved but it’s perhaps the one she and all of us needed.
7.) Predator: Killer of Killers
After successfully reviving the Predator IP in 2022 with Prey, director Dan Trachtenberg is able to make lighting strike twice in the form of animation with Predator: Killer of Killers! We see three new characters with their unique stories of their own, forced to come together and take on the monstrous predator as swiftly as they can! Each of the three stories carries wonder of their own, the animation is creative and stunning, the action is fast paced and fun, and who knew after so many installments, we are still able to find new and exciting ways to see human characters kill a bunch of predators! Perhaps if the resolution had not been a tad rushed with obvious sequel set up bait and the narrative didn’t at times come off as three episodes of a mini series, this might’ve been even higher! Killer of Killers proves that not only Predator still works in live-action but it can even work in animation too!
6.) Alien: Romulus
After going down a very inconsistent road, Romulus sees Fede Álvarez returning this franchise back to basic. This is able to hit all the beats that you would expect from an Alien film while also providing it’s own unique voice and plenty of memorable scares and thrills of it’s own. It’s able to use fan service in a very organic way (save for one or two corny ass callback lines), feeling like it belongs properly in the world of Alien. The new cast of characters are likable and compelling in their own right, the action, gore, and set pieces are among the very best in the franchise, this is easily the scariest film in the series since the original Alien, and the third act is so bonkers and so out of left field that I can’t help but love it. It’s even able to take plot elements from polarizing installments like Prometheus and have it work rather well here. It does suffer from some imperfections such as a rather slow start, a callback or two that doesn’t really work (You’ll especially know one when you see it), and a reemergence of a certain character that didn’t feel necessary. Even so, this is easily the most consistently good Alien film since Aliens and perhaps the most pure fun installment in the Alien franchise thus far. While it’s far from the most thought provoking and groundbreaking film in the franchise, Alien: Romulus is able to deliver where it counts the most with this franchise in providing it’s own scares, thrills, and tension throughout.
5.) Predator: Badlands
I don’t know how the man keeps doing it but Dan Trachtenberg is now 3 or 3 when it comes to making Predator movies! On paper, Predator: Badlands sounds like the dumbest thing ever and exactly what you would expect with a Predator movie giving the Mickey Mouse treatment! An installment which puts the focus on the Predator as the main character but goes on an adventure where he teams up with a quirky cyborg sidekick and cutesy animals, has to resolve daddy issues, and learn the power of friendship along the way! And yet somehow, someway…..none of that is a negative for the film! In fact, it’s an absolute positive! With a perfectly balanced tone, well crafted action, clever expansion of the Predator lore, and a shockingly well done emotional core throughout, Dan Trachtenberg is able to take the ideas that have bogged down previous Predator installments but manages to makes it work here! I could’ve done with less quips and a few more surprises to the story but there’s nothing big that breaks this movie down! Please go see this one in theaters if you are a fan of the series so we can see a continuation of this story!
4.) Prey
After a handful of inconsistent installments, the Predator franchise was at long last able to find a return true to form with Prey, the first Predator film released under the Disney/Fox umbrella. This is a sequel that understands the appeal of Predator and what made the original stand out for as long as it has. It’s not the contrived lore to the predators themselves nor the need to makes us all feel sympathetic for these monsters (even if Dan Trachtenberg was able to make that all *surprisingly* work three years later). It’s the action, it’s the tension, it’s the suspense, it’s the subversive genre, it’s the haunting atmosphere, and it’s just the plain badassery from the main characters that are likable, fun to watch, and easy to care about. Amber Midthunder is a revelation as Naru and the whole “back-to-basics” approach is exactly what the franchise needed after a handful of sequels that couldn’t quite reach the mark as well as this did. Prey is exactly what you wan out of a Predator movie and was able breath new life into the franchise. My only regret is that this could not get a wide release in theaters.
3.) Predator
For as awesome and badass as Amber Midthunder was in Prey, nothing can top the pure awesome and badassery as Arnold Schwarzenegger in the original Predator itself. This is yet another classic that was able to get it right on it’s first try and able to use it’s simplistic yet effective premise to it’s fullest effect. This is a film about survival, performing break-neck maneuvers at the most crucial time, and the difference between those who thrive on the battleground and those who die. Most important of all, it’s about one of the most famous monsters in cinema history and our main characters during everything in there power to stop it. There might be elements that don’t hold up to modern day standards, but no doubt, for it’s time and even now, no other Predator was able to capture that special lightning in a bottle the way the original with Arnold did. It may not be the best film on this list but it’s no doubt the best Predator film ever made and likely will be for the immediate future.
2.) Alien
The one that started it all remains one of the greatest achievements in both the sci-fi genre and cinematic history in general. Ridley Scott got it perfectly right on his very first try back in 1978. Operating flawlessly as a slow-burn, smaller scaled sci-fi horror flick, Alien is the proper film to be taught in film school on how to build tension and suspense properly. The Xenomorph, chest burster, and face huggers remains some of the most unique and terrifying monsters every put to film, the atmosphere could not be any more somber and claustrophobic if it tried, the production and sound design is some of the very best every put to film, every single important plot element is remembered and gets a satisfying payoff, and nearly every single cast member gets their own moment to shine. Also, best movie cat ever! While I’m sure the film might be way too slow for the likes of Gen Z and Alpha to watch nowadays, Alien is a film that more than awards your patience by finding the proper payoff to every single thing that it builds off of. Even if it’s not quite #1 for me, I don’t think there has been a more important sci-fi film, give or take Star Wars, in cinematic history than Alien. It’s impact is still felt to this very day and it is more than easy to see why.
1.) Aliens
While the original Alien acts as one of the greatest sci-fi movies ever made, Aliens is one of the best sequels ever made. Much like Terminator 2: Judgement Day, it not only takes every time that worked about it’s near perfect original and made them better but it’s able to stand on it’s own two feet by changing the pace into a relatively smart action flick. From the superb lighting to the stellar production design to the convincing make-up effects to the properly raised stakes to the fantastic action to the perfection that is Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley, Aliens is about as perfect as a film of any kind can get. There’s not a single line of dialogue that isn’t memorable, not a single character that feels wasted, and not a single action or dramatic beat that doesn’t work here. This is one of the rare times that a film series was able to properly translate from a smaller scaled indie flick to an action blockbuster that does not diminish or water down the franchise in any way. Also, this film confirms that Ellen Ripley is hands down the most badass action heroine in the history of cinema. That is not opinion, that is FACT. There’s no person the planet that could deliver the line, “GET AWAY FROM HER, YOU BITCH!” better than Sigourney Weaver could. Aliens remains the pitch perfect example on how to do a sequel, sci-fi flick, and a big blockbuster film of any kind. This remains one of the very best films that has ever been made.
Well, here we go! There’s a new Predator movie out and it’s time to refresh this list! Let’s get right into it!
9.) Alien vs Predator: Requiem
The second Alien vs Predator showdown is not only the worst of anything related to the Predator franchise, it’s one of the worst franchise entries in the 21st century thus far. What should be a simple premise of just taking these two well known and iconic monsters and have them punch each other for an hour and a half is bogged down by some of the worst lighting and editing choices ever put in a theatrical released film. It also doesn’t help that it has writing, acting, and directing that wouldn’t even be passable for a Patron funded fan film. Alien vs Predator: Requiem is not only just as bad as franchise movies can get, it’s just as lazy as they come. It literally brings a new definition of unwatchable because well…….you literally can’t watch it because you can’t see jacks*it that’s happening on screen. It’s not strictly a film that is infamous for certain story choices it makes or contradicting previously established lore in any way but because of how objectively poor the filmmaking is on display. That in of itself makes this more than worthy of being the worst Predator related film ever made!
8.) The Predator
I can’t recall a big franchise film that has disappointed me more in recent memory than 2018’s The Predator. Bringing in Shane Black, the godfather of action comedies and buddy cop flicks (while even staring in the original Predator film himself), to helm a Predator director seems like a perfect recipe to return the Predator franchise back to it’s traditional roots. Unfortunately, about all of that potential is squandering from both a directing and writing standpoint here. The plot is a disjointed mess, so many characters and subplots are introduced that go nowhere, the pacing is too breakneck and non-existent, the editing is some of the worst put to any major studio released film in the past decade, and the dialogue and banter, which Mr. Black has constantly nailed in the past, fall flat in every sense of the word here. I don’t know if it’s Shane Black having to deal with studio meddling or him just not being a right fit for the franchise but The Predator is a perfect example of how everything can go wrong for a major blockbuster in a long-running franchise. And don’t get me started on the unconvincing gore and the god AWFUL action scenes that gives you a headache! What an absolute dumpster fire!
7.) Alien vs Predator
On paper, an Alien vs Predator movie should amount for the perfect amount of shlock blockbuster popcorn entertainment anyone would expect. And the moments that it does just that, AVP makes for a pretty good time that gives you exactly what you want and expect out of this fun premise. Just a shame that the film puts way too much focus on the human characters, only for to become a complete footnote the moment the two titled monsters jump on the screen. It also doesn’t help that it tries to set up lore and world building that it has little interest in actually exploring. Still, the effects and production design is top notch and when the alien and predator actually show up and start fighting, it’s entertaining enough. Back in the day, you would have to slug through Alien vs Predator to get to the good stuff, similar to how folks had to slug through The Phantom Menace to get to anything involving a lightsaber, but because we have the internet now, you can just look up the fight scenes for this movie on YouTube and be satisfied all the same.
6.) Predator 2
Predator 2 has seen it’s fair share of reappraisal over the years and it’s easy to see why. Danny Glover makes for a fine action star that helps carry the picture along with the rest of the cast, it’s got a campy and weirdness vibe to it that’s easy to get into, and it’s able to end on a strong note that makes the bumpy ride worth trip. However, problems lie in the tone being completely all over the map, the new setting not carrying that same weight as the jungle from the original, and the backdrop of the LA heat wave/drug wars being completely unexplained and utterly baffling. This is a sequel that seems to want to have it’s cake and eat it too with hitting the same beats as the original while also trying to do it’s own thing at the same time. I can commend the effort but the end results could have certainly been much stronger here.
5.) Predators
Predators is a sequel that is clearly trying to recapture the same spark as the original. You have a jungle setting, the mystery of the predators, and the characters who have no motivation other than desperate need for survival. What makes things stand out different here is that the main characters themselves are treated just as antagonistic as the predators they are fighting and have become prey for these hunters. It may not deliver on the bizarre premise of playing the hunting game but on an alien planet but it does have a right sense of tension and dread throughout with it’s own stand out action sequences and intense atmosphere. For as thin as the script and characters can get, the actors are clearly having a good time here and make them standout through their performances, even if the writing can’t match up to the level of their acting. Still no where near up to par with the original but 2010’s Predators does have enough entertainment value to warrant a watch if you are a fan of the franchise.
4.) Predator: Killer of Killers
After successfully reviving the Predator IP in 2022 with Prey, director Dan Trachtenberg is able to make lighting strike twice in the form of animation with Predator: Killer of Killers! We see three new characters with their unique stories of their own, forced to come together and take on the monstrous predator as swiftly as they can! Each of the three stories carries wonder of their own, the animation is creative and stunning, the action is fast paced and fun, and who knew after so many installments, we are still able to find new and exciting ways to see human characters kill a bunch of predators! Perhaps if the resolution had not been a tad rushed with obvious sequel set up bait and the narrative didn’t at times come off as three episodes of a mini series, this might’ve been even higher! Killer of Killers proves that not only Predator still works in live-action but it can even work in animation too!
3.) Predator: Badlands
I don’t know how the man keeps doing it but Dan Trachtenberg is now 3 or 3 when it comes to making Predator movies! On paper, Predator: Badlands sounds like the dumbest thing ever and exactly what you would expect with a Predator movie giving the Mickey Mouse treatment! An installment which puts the focus on the Predator as the main character but goes on an adventure where he teams up with a quirky cyborg sidekick and cutesy animals, has to resolve daddy issues, and learn the power of friendship along the way! And yet somehow, someway…..none of that is a negative for the film! In fact, it’s an absolute positive! With a perfectly balanced tone, well crafted action, clever expansion of the Predator lore, and a shockingly well done emotional core throughout, Dan Trachtenberg is able to take the ideas that have bogged down previous Predator installments but manages to makes it work here! I could’ve done with less quips and a few more surprises to the story but there’s nothing big that breaks this movie down! Please go see this one in theaters if you are a fan of the series so we can see a continuation of this story!
2.) Prey
After a handful of inconsistent installments, the Predator franchise was at long last able to find a return true to form with Prey, the first Predator film released under the Disney/Fox umbrella. This is a sequel that understands the appeal of Predator and what made the original stand out for as long as it has. It’s not the contrived lore to the predators themselves nor the need to makes us all feel sympathetic for these monsters (even if Dan Trachtenberg was able to make that all *surprisingly* work three years later). It’s the action, it’s the tension, it’s the suspense, it’s the subversive genre, it’s the haunting atmosphere, and it’s just the plain badassery from the main characters that are likable, fun to watch, and easy to care about. Amber Midthunder is a revelation as Naru and the whole “back-to-basics” approach is exactly what the franchise needed after a handful of sequels that couldn’t quite reach the mark as well as this did. Prey is exactly what you wan out of a Predator movie and was able breath new life into the franchise. My only regret is that this could not get a wide release in theaters.
1.) Predator
For as awesome and badass as Amber Midthunder was in Prey, nothing can top the pure awesome and badassery as Arnold Schwarzenegger in the original Predator itself, able to make yet another iconic action role stand apart from playing an evil A.I. cyborg. This is yet another classic that was able to get it right on it’s first try and able to use it’s simplistic yet effective premise to it’s fullest effect. This is a film about survival, performing break-neck maneuvers at the most crucial time, and the difference between those who thrive on the battleground and those who die trying. Most important of all, it’s about one of the most famous monsters in cinema history and our main characters during everything in there power to stop it. There might be some effects that don’t hold up to modern day standards, but no doubt, for it’s time and even now, no other Predator was able to capture that special lightning in a bottle the way the original with Arnold did. Even for how good the last several installments have been, the original is still the best Predator film ever made and likely always will be.
The 2025 World Series is now officially over! If anything, that might’ve just been the most exciting World Series in a hot minute! Two different teams from two different countries facing off against each other made for great entertainment not just for America but also globally, with both Canada and Japan contributing greatly to the overall stellar World Series ratings this year, the kind of rating that Major League Baseball hasn’t seen since the Cubs broke their century long curse! Because of that, let’s see how this World Series rank among all the other ones that have took place throughout the entire 21st century!
For this ranking, I am ranking all of these World Series not just strictly how talented the teams were in the regular season or even from the amount of games that were played in it but strictly based on how much each World Series offered in terms of action, drama, tension, memorability, and how well it contributes to the history of baseball as well as all of sports! I’m also going by how each World Series matches up in not just the minds of baseball fans but even for those that aren’t even a fan of baseball. For example, don’t expect say…..the 2012 World Series to be ranked THAT high!
I’ve been wanting to do a new sports related piece for awhile now and I figured what better way to get back into it than a proper ranking of the last 26 World Series match-ups! You will probably strongly disagree on some of my choices but I don’t care it’s my list!
Also, fyi, I’m promise to do this ranking in the LEAST biased away imaginable. So, just because my team (the Cardinals) have been in FOUR of these last 26 World Series match-ups does NOT mean that they will take the top 4 spots. I will ranked these based on how much I believe it contributes to the great game of baseball regardless of if it includes teams that I hate or not.
Without further a do, let’s get to the rankings!
26.) 2007 World Series- Boston Red Sox vs Colorado Rockies
Champion: Boston Red Sox, 4-0 Series Win
MVP: Mike Lowell
Best Game: Game 4- Red Sox Win 4-3
Three and a half innings! That is how long the Rockies held a lead in the series! And even then, that didn’t feel very convincing! Just like they did to the St. Louis Cardinals just three years earlier, the Boston Red Sox was able to steamrolled the first time NL champions Colorado Rockies, who came into the series with the hottest stretch of baseball in team history, by winning 21 of their last 22 games, in just four games without much hassle. And unlike the series in St. Louis, Boston and the rest of baseball can’t even remember it as a triumphing moment where the Red Sox finally got over the decades long hump since they already did it three years earlier. There might’ve been two one-run games in the series but there was hardly a moment where you felt like the Rockies had any sort of control whatsoever. From the moment that Dustin Pedroia hit that leadoff homer in Game 1 which opened the floodgate for the Red Sox offense, you just kinda knew it was over. Unless you are a Red Sox or Rockies fan, this is a World Series you most certainly have forgotten about!
25.) 2012 World Series- San Francisco Giants vs Detroit Tigers
Champion: San Francisco Giants, 4-0 Series Win
MVP: Pablo Sandoval
Best Game: Game 4- Giants Win 4-3 in 10 Innings
If you were to describe a World Series that felt the most like a complete snooze fest, look no further than this one. The San Francisco Giants was coming in red hot after coming back from a 3-1 series deficit against the St. Louis Cardinals Cardinals in the NLCS while the Detroit Tigers was coming in ice cold after being forced to wait nearly a whole week after completing their ALC sweep against the New York Yankees. Even though early odds favored Detroit due to their star studded rotation that included the likes of Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer and slugging bats such as Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder, San Francisco was able to take care of business rather easily, having complete and utter dominance through the majority of the series. They powered their way through Game 1 thanks to three homers from the Kung Fu Panda himself, Pablo Sandoval, they shut down the Tigers bats in Games 2 and 3, and by Game 4, they were able to win in extra innings, with triple crown winner Miguel Cabrera infamously looking at strike three to the Giants closer Sergio Romo, earning the Giants their second World Series title in the last three years. While Game 4 was a decent game in of itself as it’s the only one in which the Tigers took a lead and made it somewhat competitive, this is easily among the most forgettable World Series in baseball history. There’s a reason why this was the lowest rated World Series for several years.
24.) 2006 World Series- St. Louis Cardinals vs Detroit Tigers
Champion: St. Louis Cardinals, 4-1 Series Win
MVP: David Eckstein
Best Game: Game 4- Cardinals Win 5-4
Infamously known as the best worst World Series champions, the 83-win St. Louis Cardinals (the team with the lowest wins to ever play in a World Series) were able to win against the heavily favorite 95-win Detroit Tigers in ways I don’t think anyone imagined. Just like the other World Series that Detroit was a part of this century, the bats completely disappeared when it matter most, getting shut down here by Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter and unlikely/unknown journeymen in the likes of Anthony Reyes (You probably don’t even remember who he is) and Jeff Weaver (Not his brother Jered!). You also got embarrassing errors from Detroit’s defense (with starting pitches contributing SIX of them all series) and getting owned by little underdog David Eckstein, A.K.A. Mr. Ahsoka Tano (Only Star Wars fans will get that reference!). You can blame the Tigers being forced to wait a week all you want but Detroit (just like with 2012) simply did NOT showed up when it mattered most. As much as many vote for this as the worst World Series this century, I give it a slight edge over the previous two due to a solid back-and-forth Game 4 and also feeling like a bittersweet end to the 2000s core of the St. Louis Cardinals (I promise that is how biased as I will get here!). The rest of the series though, pretty bleh.
Oh, and the less said about Tigers Pitcher Kenny Rogers and his “substance”, the better!
23.) 2023 World Series- Texas Rangers vs Arizona Diamondbacks
Champion: Texas Rangers, 4-1 Series Win
MVP: Corey Seagar
Best Game: Game 1- Rangers Win 6-5 In 11 Innings
Talk about a World Series that started so promising and then just…..stop become interesting all together. Game 1 started the series off with a bang, with the Texas Rangers coming back late to force extra innings and steal the first game, thanks to clutch home runs from WS MVP Corey Seager in the bottom of the 9th and ALCS MVP Adolis Garcia in the bottom of the 11th for the game-winner. But, then the rest of the series happened and the whole thing just went straight to auto pilot. With three of the next four games consisting of near blowouts, no team coming back to take the lead or even tie after the other team scored first, and lacking any sort of thrill or excitement, I can’t help but feel like this World Series was a missed opportunity between two underdog franchises, and that’s not just considering the fact that these were two teams that had to deal with dreadful 100-loss seasons two years prior and fought and clawed their way to make it to the World Series that year. Congrats to the Texas Rangers for finally getting over the hump and breaking the 12-year long curse of David Freese (which will be discussed much later) but man, so much wasted potential here after such a thrilling Game 1.
22.) 2010 World Series- San Francisco Giants vs Texas Rangers
Champion: San Francisco Giants, 4-1 Series Win
MVP: Edgar Renteria
Best Game: Game 5- Giants Win 3-1
What ended up being the first of three championships won by the MLB dynasty of the early 2010s, the San Francisco Giants were able to end their 56-year long World Series drought while the Texas Rangers fell short in their first ever World Series appearance. Similar to the 2012 World Series against the Tigers, the Giants were able to win it all in rather easy and convincing ways. With dominating pitching from the likes of the leader of the staff, Matt Cain, that year’s CY Young Winner, Tim Lincecum, and the birth of the postseason legend himself, Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco was able to silence the bats of Texas, allowing one run or less in three of the five games, and was aided by a clutch hitting performance all series from 33-year old WS MVP veteran Edgar Renteria, the Giants were able to make winning the World Series seem like a cakewalk. Not a very competitive series overall and not one worth remembering unless you are a Giants fan.
21.) 2021 World Series- Atlanta Braves vs Houston Astros
Champion: Atlanta Braves, 4-2 Series Win
MVP: Jorge Soler
Best Game: Game 4- Braves Win, 3-2
Now, this was just……..a strange World Series! It consisted of non-stop bullpen games from both sides, sloppy as hell defense, hours of deadtime in between pitches, Houston’s starters repeatedly getting shattered, and even had Atlanta starter Charlie Morton throwing a full inning with a broken leg (Somewhere, Bob Gibson is smiling!). And outside of Game 4, there was hardly any back-and-forth momentum, with the team that scored first being the one that ended up winning the game without much hassle. It might’ve went up to six games (likely because Mr. Morton wasn’t available for Game 5 after that broken leg) but there isn’t much to chew on here other than seeing Freddie Freeman’s final series in a Braves uniform and the rest of the league being in delight of seeing the Astros lose in the World Series again for the first since the 2017 sign-stealing scandal broke out. And for once, the Atlanta Braves were able to get it done in the postseason after consisting nothing but Ls in October for the past 25 years, winning their first title since 1995! I guess that’s something!
20.) 2008 World Series- Philadelphia Phillies vs Tampa Bay Rays
Champion: Philadelphia Phillies, 4-1 Series Win
MVP: Cole Hamels
Best Game: Game 5- Phillies Win 4-3
There were plenty of juicy storylines heading into this World Series. You had the Tampa Bay Rays entering their first ever World Series after coming off a disastrous 96-loss season along with their first ever winning season and the Philadelphia Phillies looking for their first title in nearly 30 years! Sadly, the headlines and narratives heading into the World Series were more eye catching than the actual World Series itself. There were a lot of close games, with four of the five games being decided by two runs or less, which included a walk-off infield single in Game 3 by Phillies Catcher Carlos Ruiz but it was a pretty uneventful World Series all around, with plenty of silent bats and not much momentum between each inning. The most memorable moment from this series came from the rain delay that happened in Philly in Game 5, forcing the game to be delayed and even postponed, the first and only time that has ever happened in World Series history! The game was suspended in the 6th inning and would resume two days later. And hey, at least closer Brad Lidge was able to make the comeback of a lifetime, getting all 48 saves in all 48 save opportunities! I guess Albert Pujols didn’t complete destroy him after the 2005 NLCS! I’m sure Phillies fans can look fondly of that core that consists of the likes of Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and Cole Hamels was able to win a title but for the World Series itself,……..meh.
19.) 2005 World Series- Chicago White Sox vs Houston Astros
Champion: Chicago White Sox, 4-0 Series Win
MVP: Jermaine Dye
Best Game: Game 3- White Sox Win 7-5 In 14 Innings
It might seem odd to put a World Series sweep this high on the list but I would be damned if this wasn’t the most exciting and competitive World Series sweep that I’ve ever seen. All four games were up for grabs and could’ve favored anyone of the two teams, it just so happened to favor the Chicago White Sox in all four games! With a solid back-and-forth Game 1, a Game 2 thriller that was decided on a walk-off homer by Scott Podsednik of all people (who didn’t hit a single home run in the regular season), a Game 3 that lasted for 14 innings with Game 2 starter Mark Buehrle getting the final out and save, and a Game 4 that consisted of pitching dominance with a mere 1-0 score! You had some exciting narratives hear as well, with the Houston Astros entering their first World Series in franchise history after having a disastrous start in the regular season and the Chicago White Sox looking to end their championship drought of 88 years, the second longest in MLB history! Ultimately, it was the White Sox that was able to have their one moment of glory in a franchise that has had very little, especially in recent memory! But no worries to the Astros, you would get your chance of your own glory soon enough!
Also, let’s not forget the best kept secret in baseball history when it was revealed over a decade later that Mark Buehrle actually pitched in Game 3 and got the save while drunk on like five pitchers! That’s just…….awesome!
18.) 2004 World Series- Boston Red Sox vs St. Louis Cardinals
Champion: Boston Red Sox, 4-0 Series Win
MVP: Manny Ramirez
Best Game: Game 1- Red Sox Win 11-9
Yes, this was also a World Series sweep! Yes, it was really only Game 1 that was even remotely competitive! Yes, Boston absolutely dominated St. Louis in every way, shape, or form in this series! And yes, it breaks my heart to even type these words and rank the World Series this high! However, I don’t think there was a bigger moment in the history of the Boston Red Sox and among MLB this century than seeing them hold the commissioner trophy for the first time in 86 years! It must’ve been such a special moment to see fans of Boston and even the rest of baseball (other than Yankees and Cardinals fans) witness baseball history like no other! Take that special moment out of the picture and it was a pretty pathetic and lame World Series overall! The juggernaut offense led by Albert Pujols, Scott Rolen, Jim Edmonds, and late season acquisition Larry Walker, that carried the 105-Win Cardinals all year long were completely overwhelmed by the elite Red Sox pitching that consisted of Curt Schilling, Pedro Martinez, and Derek Lowe! And the Red Sox bats with the likes of WS MVP Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz came through at every possible moment! Boston had their foot on the gas since Game 4 of the ALCS against the Yankees and absolutely REFUSED to take their foot off of it until the very final out of Game 4 in the World Series! If it wasn’t for that one special moment in history, this would be FAR down the list!
17.) 2018 World Series- Boston Red Sox vs Los Angeles Dodgers
Champion: Boston Red Sox, 4-1 Series Win
MVP: Steve Pearce
Best Game: Game 4- Red Sox Win 9-6
This might be a hot take but I found this World Series to be incredibly overrated! I get that expectations were high entering this series in seeing the baseball juggernauts that were the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox duking it out for the first time ever! However, outside of the tense 18th inning long Game 3 (wouldn’t be the only time that happened in the World Series for LA) and a stellar Game 4, with the Red Sox coming back late to win 9-6, there wasn’t much to write home about here. Games 1, 2, and 6 were easy victories for Boston and LA just felt overwhelmed at every turn in those games, being unable to keep up with the momentum of the Red Sox. The Boston bats that carried them throughout their 2018 campaign with the likes of Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, J.D. Martinez, and WS MVP Steve Pearce came through when they needed to, so much so that not even the INCREDIBLY stretchy closer Craig Kimbrel couldn’t prevent them from winning it all. The 2018 Red Sox felt like a complete and perfect team in every way and they were able to show that throughout this entire series, winning their 4th World Series title of the 21st century. I still put it this high because of those two games mentioned but that is really the only thing keeping it this high on the list!
16.) 2024 World Series- Los Angeles Dodgers vs New York Yankees
Champion: Los Angeles Dodgers, 4-1 Series Win
MVP: Freddie Freeman
Best Game: Game 5- Dodgers Win 7-6
Speaking of overhyped World Series with two iconic MLB franchises from the east coast, last year’s World Series match-up between the Dodgers and Yanks was more about narratives and headlines than it was about the quality of the games itself. There were two standout moments that will be remembered in baseball history, a bad footed Freddie Freeman having his Kirk Gibson moment in Game 1 by hitting a walk-off grand slam in the 10th inning, securing him of the WS MVP Award, and the Yankees HILARIOUSLY imploding in Game 4 with their godawful defense that has plagued them all season long, choking away a 5-0 lead and eventually losing the game 7-6! The rest of the games might’ve been filled with action and high scoring but there was hardly enough back-and-forth to warrant this being ranked up there as among the best World Series this century. The Dodgers were able to prove that they were not just Mickey Mouse ring champions by winning it all in a FULL season this time and the Yankees were exposed for the absolute frauds they were all season and still can’t get over their recent World Series hump that has now lasted for 15+ years! Plenty of fun and funny narratives here and a few memorable moments aside, this World Series could’ve been better.
15.) 2020 World Series- Los Angeles Dodgers vs Tampa Bay Rays
Champion: Los Angeles Dodgers, 4-2 Series Win
MVP: Corey Seager
Best Game: Game 4- Rays Win 8-7
This was such a weird World Series to rank! This came during the height of the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, that forced a shortened 60-game long season and all the teams having to follow a certain set of rules and safety guidelines to make this World Series and overall season even possible. But still, for what we’ve got, this was a pretty good World Series! It contained the two teams that had the best records in baseball from both leagues for the first time since 2013, you got clutch performances from the likes of superstar Mookie Betts, MVP Corey Seager and ALCS MVP Randy Arozarena, a bonkers ending to what was an incredibly wild Game 4 (I’m sure Brett Phillips is still running around like the wind with no oxygen), and the controversial decision of Game 6 with Rays Manager Kevin Cash removing starter Blake Snell out of a game which he was dominating the Dodger lineup, a move which ended up backfiring PAINFULLY for Tampa Bay, with the Dodgers coming back to winning that game 3-1 and win their World Series since 1988! It’s hard to know how this World Series would’ve played out in a non-covid world but for what we got, this was probably the best possible World Series we could’ve had during such bizarre circumstances!
14.) 2022 World Series- Houston Astros vs Philadelphia Phillies
Champion: Houston Astros, 4-2 Series Win
MVP: Jeremy Pena
Best Game: Game 1- Phillies Win 6-5 In 10 Innings
This was a World Series of changing narratives! You had the underdog Philadelphia Phillies that overcame a 5-0 deficit to win Game 1 in extra innings, stumbled a bit in Game 2, but came back in grand fashion to win Game 3 rather easily with their elite bats of Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and J.T. Realmuto to take a convincing 2-1 series lead! You figured this would be yet another World Series lost for the Astros against another unlikely NL East team. However, the Astros proceeded to flip the script entirely for the rest of the series, by throwing a combined no-hitter right in Philly’s ballpark in Game 4, winning a tight and tense Game 5 that gave future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander his first career win in a World Series game, and came back to win Game 6 on a three-run backbreaker from super slugger Yordan Alvarez! Even if the rest of baseball was still triggered about Houston winning another championship after what happened in 2017, this was a pretty entertaining series all around. Also, good old Dusty Baker was able to earn his first ring as a manager! Maybe it’s just me but this was the World Series that made me finally get over the cheating scandal, as the Astros proved they didn’t need trash cans to win a championship! Although, Phillies showed good enough fight throughout the series, reality eventually came back to bite them as the Astros were just too good in 2022 to take down!
13.) 2015 World Series- Kansas City Royals vs New York Mets
Champion: Kansas City Royals, 4-1 Series Win
MVP: Salvador Perez
Best Game: Game 1- Royals Win 5-4 In 14 Innings
This might’ve been just a five-game World Series but this was about as good of a five-game World Series as they come! With this being a series about underdog franchises with decades long World Series droughts, it was ultimately the Kansas City Royals who was able to make the final blow when it mattered the most. You had Game 1 that started off with a bang with a inside-the-park homer from Alcides Escobar, Kansas City coming back in the bottom of the 9th on a solo shot by franchise legend Alex Gordon to force extra innings, and the Royals winning the game on a sac fly in the 14th inning to start the series off with a bang. Game 2 and 3 saw convincing wins from both sides with Royals dominating the Mets in Game 2 and New York returning the favor in Game 3. Game 4 saw KC coming back late yet again, rallying for three runs in the 8th inning, taking a 3-1 series lead. Game 5 saw an outstanding pitching performance from Mets ace Matt Harvey (A.K.A. The Dark Knight) be completely undone thanks to KC coming back late yet again in the 9th inning to tie it and yet again win in extra innings, winning their first World Series title in 30 years! As much as the narrative around this series has pended on the Mets shooting themselves in the foot repeatedly with endless blown saves from closer Jeurys Familia and constant terrible blunders from the defense, credit should be given to the Royals for playing their own brand of baseball to win the World Series! At a time where there was a cultural shift in baseball in focusing more on analytics, velocity, and launch angle, Kansas City was able to play by their own set of rules to win it all, by sticking to old school traditions with a major focus on speed, contact, and defense! They might’ve not gotten it done in the previous year but they most certainly were able to get it done here!
12.) 2000 World Series- New York Yankees vs New York Mets
Champion: New York Yankees, 4-1 Series Win
MVP: Derek Jeter
Best Game: Game 5- Yankees Win 4-2
Speaking of competitive as hell five-game long World Series (it’s starting to become a pattern here), the first World Series to be qualified for this ranking between the long time Subway rivals was about as tight and nail biting as it gets. Each and every one of these games were decided by two runs or fever, with the biggest standouts being Yankees coming back to tie Game 1 in the 9th inning on a sac fly and winning that game in 12 innings thanks to a walk-off hit from unlikely hero Jose Vizcaino, the infamous Clemens-Piazza fiasco of Game 2 which the Yanks won despite the Mets making it interesting in the 9th inning, and the Yanks winning the clincher with two runs in the 9th inning off a tired AL Leiter, who was clocking it at 140 pitches in that game. Also, it ended on a temporary scare where Mets star Mike Piazza JUST got under a pitch in the bottom of the 9th inning with two outs that managed to stay in the ballpark and give the Bronx another World Series victory. This was when the Yankees were able to continue their narrative as the evil empire of baseball, winning their third straight World Series title and their fourth championship in the last five years, and the Mets started to present their legacy as being the butt of everyone’s jokes in New York City sports lore along with the rest of baseball. There’s not much to say about this series beyond that. What you see is what you get! And what we got overall was a pretty damn competitive World Series, despite lasting only five games!
11.) 2003 World Series- Florida Marlins vs New York Yankees
Champion: Florida Marlins, 4-2 Series Lead
MVP: Josh Beckett
Best Game: Game 4- Marlins Win 4-3 In 12 Innings
It was thought not to be humanly possible after their massive fire sale and teardown following their World Series victory in 1997 but six years later somehow and some way, lightning was able to strike the Florida Marlins for a SECOND time! Coming into the World Series high off their 3-1 series comeback against the Chicago Cubs (partially thanks to their good old friend Steve Bartman but not really), the Marlins were able to stop the New York Yankees from clinching their fifth World Series title since 1996, thanks to contributions from their young stars fresh from their farm system in Miguel Cabrera, Dontrelle Willis, and Josh Beckett, the latter of who threw a complete game shutout in Game 6 on just three days rest to win the World Series for Florida! You also can’t forget how the momentum for the Yanks plummeted after taking a 2-1 series lead in Game 4, with the Marlins winning in a 12 inning thriller by a score of 4 to 3 after Yankees manager Joe Torre failed to put in his star closer, Mariano Rivera, to possibly keep the game going for New York. All these years later, it’s still hilarious to think about how the Marlins was able to win it all TWICE as mere wild cards but have failed to achieve anything else noteworthy since then. If you were to look up the definition of “a broken clock being right twice a day”, I’m more than certain you would find a pic of the Marlins to go along with it.
10.) 2013 World Series- Boston Red Sox vs St. Louis Cardinals
Champion: Boston Red Sox, 4-2 Series Win
MVP: David Ortiz
Best Game: Game 4- Red Sox Win 4-2
We got a rematch of the 2004 World Series nine years later in 2013. Unlike in 2004, the St. Louis Cardinals actually competed this time around against the Boston Red Sox. After a wild ending to Game 3 with the infamous obstruction call at home plate, the Cards took a 2-1 series lead with just two victories away from claiming their 12th World Series title in franchise history. Unfortunately for St. Louis, Boston fought back from that devasting loss quite hard for the rest of the series, with clutch hits from the likes of Game 4 hero Johnny Gomes, Game 5 hero David Ross, and Game 6 decider Shave Victorino along with running into the buzzsaws that was ace Jon Lester and WS MVP David Ortiz, who had a RIDICLOULOUS .688 BA with a WHOPPING .790 OBP, 1.188 SLG, and 1.948 OPS that series. The Red Sox bounced back from their Game 3 lost by taking the next three games, winning their third World Series in ten years. For the second time in the 21st century, Boston broke the hearts in St. Louis and took a World Series title away from them. As much can be said about David Ortiz winning the World Series practically by himself, the other storyline in this was Boston’s way of rebounding after the terrible marathon bombing that took place in April 2013! Even if the first game and last game kinda sucked, the rest of the series was quite competitive and the storyline involving the Boston marathon bombing is so powerful that it warrants putting this in the top 10!
9.) 2009 World Series- New York Yankees vs Philadelphia Phillies
Champion: New York Yankees, 4-2 Series Win
MVP: Hideki Matsui
Best Game: Game 4- Yankees Win 7-4
Hard to believe it’s been over 15 years since a World Series title last came to the Bronx but they were able to do so in 2009 against that year’s defending World Series champion, the Philadelphia Phillies! Admittedly, this series wasn’t anywhere near as tight or drama fueled as some of the best World Series on this list, but I couldn’t help but be entertained by seeing the crazy amount of star power on full display in this fall classic! From the likes of Yanks legends of Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, and WS MVP Hideki Matsui along with their newly offseason additions of CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira to the Phils stars in Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, and Jimmy Rollins along with their in-season additions of Cliff Lee and Pedro Martinez, this was the World Series equivalent of the World Baseball Classic in the best of ways, just the best of the best stars coming together to play some darn good baseball for our entertainment! The most crucial contest was in Game 4, when the Yankees scored three runs in the 9th inning thanks to a two-out rally started by A-Rod himself, which led New York to win that game by a score of 7-4! The suspense may not have been there for the majority of this series but in this case, I just got pure enjoyment in seeing some of the best MLB players of the 2000s facing off and providing plenty of action to keep the series fun for me throughout. Mostly, this World Series was the best kind of stress-free World Series for me!
8.) 2019 World Series- Washington Nationals vs Houston Astros
Champion: Washington Nationals, 4-3 Series Win
MVP: Stephen Strasburg
Best Game: Game 7- Nationals Win 6-2
Infamously know as the World Series with home field DISADVANTAGE, this series saw the underdog Washington Nationals (who started the season just 19-31) in their first ever World Series against the mighty juggernaut that was the Houston Astros, who won a franchise-record 107 games that year! This was a series that was able to go all seven games- with the road team being victorious in ALL seven of those games (the first time that had ever happened in the history of the four major sports at the time)! While all three games the Astros won in D.C. were pretty forgettable, with Houston taking leads in all three of those games and never looking back, all four games that the Nats won in Houston were standouts. The biggest game was the final one, where the Nats were able to come back down 2-0 late, thanks to clutch homers from Anthony Rendon and the NLCS MVP Howie Kendrick. In a year that had plenty of amazing narratives written with underdog sports teams winning championships (A.K.A. the St. Louis Blues and Toronto Raptors), the 2019 Nationals were able to write a standout story of their own, overcoming prior choking narratives and providing our state capital with their first ever World Series championship! This was also the last we saw of prime Stephen Strasburg, who you can tell pitched with every inch of his body to get the Nats their title that year. If the games in D.C. were more memorable, this would’ve likely have ranked even higher on the list!
Also, Juan Soto was able to win a World Series just DAYS after turning 21 years old, the age where you are legally allowed to buy a beer!
What am I doing with my life, man?!?!
7.) 2014 World Series- San Francisco Giants vs Kansas City Royals
Champion: San Francisco Giants, 4-3 Series Win
MVP: Madison Bumgarner
Best Game: Game 7- Giants Win 3-2
Here is the third and final chapter of the San Francisco Giants’ early 2010s run of dominance! Unlike the first two World Series that San Francisco was a part off, this one was actually quite memorable and made for a very enjoyable series all around against the unexpected AL champion Kansas City Royals! There’s a lot that can be said by the massive amounts of scoring that took place in every game outside of Games 3 and 7 but the main storyline of this World Series and the entire 2014 postseason was no other than Madison Bumgarner, who had just won the NLCS MVP the series prior. Famously known as Madbum, Bumgarner was able to have the World Series performance for the ages, accomplishing a Game One victory by going seven innings and allowing just one run, throwing a complete game shutout in Game 5 and closing the door with a massive FIVE inning save for Game 7! There just hasn’t been anyone like Madbum that has ever been THIS dominant on the World Series stage in baseball history! And of course, who could forget the way the World Series concluded, with Kansas City having the tying run on third base and an incredibly sore Salvador Perez coming up to the plate and inducing a pop flyout, securing San Francisco’s third World Series title in the last five years! Even if the Giants haven’t been the same since this World Series, they were at least able to end their early 2010s even year run of dominance on the highest note possible! Oh and the Royals were able to win the World Series the very next year so you don’t have to feel sorry about them!
6.) 2002 World Series- Anaheim Angels vs San Francisco Giants
Champion: Anaheim Angels, 4-3 Series Lead
MVP: Troy Glaus
Best Game: Game 6- Angels Win 6-5
Remember the time the Angels won a World Series? You don’t?! Well, they actually did in 2002 when they were strictly the Anaheim Angels and the series itself was pretty great! What would also be the first and only World Series that Barry Bonds would be a part off, the 2002 World Series was a seven-game match up for the ages between the Angels and the Giants! There was plenty of action, twists, and excitement to be had in the first five games, with three of them being decided by one run and Barry Bonds finally living up to his name in October, after having multiple failures in prior playoff runs! The most memorable contest game in Game 6, with the Giants leading the series 3 to 2 and commanding a 5-0 lead late, only for the Angels to rally back with six unanswered runs thanks to the likes of Scott Spiezio, Darin Erstad, and WS MVP Troy Glaus. This rally came right after Giants manager Dusty Baker infamously pulled starter Russ Ortiz early in the 7th inning which opened that exact door for the Angels! Then, Anaheim was able to win Game 7 rather easily by a score of 4-1, stealing the title away from San Francisco, securing their first and only championship in franchise history. This was an absolutely fantastic World Series all around that I believe should be talked about more than it usually does! The fact that this is only #6 on the list just goes to show you how EXCELLENT these next five World Series match-ups are!
5.) 2017 World Series- Houston Astros vs Los Angeles Dodgers
Results: Houston Astros, 4-3 Series Win
MVP: George Springer
Best Game: Game 5- Astros Win 13-12 In 10 Innings
I understand this World Series has been tainted for many baseball fans out there! After the allegations came out that the 2017 Astros were using hidden technology in their home stadium to steal signs and bang on trash cans to alert hitters of upcoming pitches, I can see why many don’t look at this series the same way anymore! However, for me, whenever I rewatch the highlights of this series and remembering watching this series back in 2017, I still can’t help but be excited and thrill every time I watched them. Back in 2017, this series was simply thrilling to watch because of how each game told a different story. We got a stellar pitching performance from infamous known playoff cursed Clayton Kershaw in Game 1 that gave the Dodgers an early series lead. We got a back-and-forth extra inning extravaganza for Game 2 that consisted of EIGHT home runs hit in that game! We got Games 3 and 4 that had tight competitive match-ups with Houston taking Game 3 and LA bouncing back in the series to take Game 4. Games 6 saw the Dodgers bounce back to tie the series while Game 7 saw Houston put pressure on LA early to win Game 7! However, the real story of this entire series was with Game 5 that just had everything! From the insane amount of scoring to the unlimited amount of twists and turns to the constant back-and-forth momentum to the multiple flips of the script to the intense drama and knuckles gripping to the mere unpredictability of it all, it is simple one of the best games of baseball that has ever been played, cheating be damned! That game along with Game 2 warrants this World Series of being in the top 5 of this century! If this series is still tainted for you because of what the Astros did this series and throughout the whole 2017 season, that is more than fair! But for me, this series represents everything I love about baseball!
Also, fyi, the Astros was only able to do sign stealing in at home and NOT on the road! So, those two road wins they had, which includes the thrilling Game 2 and series-clinching Game 7, are indeed LEGIT!
Also, I’m not gonna lie, these next four were VERY hard to rank! I kept going back and forth with each one to the point to where I almost want to put it as a four-way tie for the best of the 21st century. But, I’m not gonna chicken out of that so here I go with my top 4!
4.) 2011 World Series- St. Louis Cardinals vs Texas Rangers
Champion: St. Louis Cardinals, 4-3 Series Win
MVP: David Freese
Best Game: Game 6- Cardinals Win 10-9 In 11 Innings
What’s this?! My favorite World Series of all time is only #4 on this list! Am I going insane?! Absolutely I am! We have the St. Louis Cardinals coming into the World Series red hot, overcoming a 10+ game deficit against the Atlanta Braves to make the playoffs and took out the WS favorites Phi Delphia Phillies in the NLDS and division rival Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS to make it here! We also had the Texas Rangers, returning to their second straight WS and looking to get the job done when they couldn’t the prior year. As much has been said about Game 6 of this year (and I have PLENTY to said about that), there were many other standout games here. You got a tight Game 1 which the Cards won 3-2, you got a Game 2 which saw Texas come back late in the 9th inning to win 2-1, you got an offense explosion in Game 3 where the Cardinals scored 16 (!) runs which was aided by Albert Pujols hitting three home runs that game, you got a Game 4 that was dominated by elite pitching from Rangers ace Derek Holland that held St. Louis to just two hits all game, you got Game 5 which Texas coming back late after a bullpen mishap from St. Louis to take a 3-2 series lead, and of course you can’t forget Game 6! What started off as one of the most messiest and sloppiest games ever (I still lose count on the amount of errors and play mishaps the Cards and Rangers made early on), the last three innings of the game might just be the most intense final three innings of any baseball game ever! The Rangers were one strike away from winning the World Series not once but TWICE and yet the Cardinals were able to rally back BOTH times! This came from the clutch two-run game tying triple from NLCS and WS MVP David Freese in the bottom of the 9th inning and a clutch RBI game tying single from Lance Berkman in the 10th inning,. Then came David Freese yet again in the 11th inning that was able to close the curtain with a solo walk-off home run, forcing a Game 7! This was a series that had everything you want in a world series: close match-ups, twists and turns, and plenty of action, drama, and goose bumping moments to get your team pump up or heartbroken. Outside of this World Series not being as narratively satisfying or memorable to those outside of baseball fans as the first three, the ONLY thing that keeps this World Series not being higher on this list is Game 7 being somewhat anticlimactic and not that memorable! But, still an exceptional World Series all around and will always be one of my absolute favorites!
3.) 2025 World Series- Toronto Blue Jays vs Los Angeles Dodgers
Champion: Los Angeles Dodgers, 4-3 Series Win
MVP: Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Best Game: Game 7- Dodgers Win 5-4 In 11 Innings
There might be a time where we look back at this World Series as the one that “destroyed” baseball, with the Dodgers buying up more players and additions every year like they are Disney. However, just days after riding the highs of all the thrills that this World Series has to offer, I can’t help but NOT put this in a well deserved #3 spot! Here, we see the Los Angeles Dodgers looking for their second straight World Series title against the Toronto Blue Jays who are searching for their first World Series title in over 30 years! While many experts picked the Dodgers to win this matchup, I don’t think anyone was prepared for how much this World Series would deliver. Game 1 saw the Blue Jays making a statement in that they would NOT be push overs in this series like they were predicted, Game 2 saw a complete game gem from WS MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Game 3 gave us an INCREDIBLE 18 inning thriller, which concluded with Freddie Freeman hitting a walk-off homer, Games 4 and 5 had Toronto responding back with their bats very convincingly to take a 3-2 series lead, Game 6 saw another masterpiece of a performance from Yamamoto, and there is a TON that can be said about Game 7! The Blue Jays were just TWO outs away from winning it all until Miguel Rojas of all people tied it up with a solo shot! Then came the 9th inning where the Blue Jays were literally INCHES away from winning it on TWO separate occasions, one which IKF was a inch or two off from scoring at home plate and a series saving catch from centerfielder Andy Pages! Then came the coolest Will Smith in Hollywood with a solo homer in the 11th inning, smacking all of Canada harder than he did Chris Rock at the Oscars! And then, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who just threw a seven inning gem the night prior, was able to slam the door shut for the final 2 2/3 innings, ending with a ground ball double play with Toronto having the tying run on base! This World Series has ZERO business to go THIS hard but it did! I don’t care about what outcomes could come from this WS as a result of the monopoly Dodgers winning another title with legends like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto getting paid the millions on their contract for the next 20+ years after they retire, but man, this is a World Series that I believe will go down in absolute HISTORY for not just baseball fans but for anyone around the world!
2.) 2001 World Series- Arizona Diamondbacks vs New York Yankees
Champion: Arizona Diamondbacks, 4-3 Series Win
MVP: Randy Johnson & Curt Schilling
Best Game: Game 7- Diamondbacks Win 3-2
There are two main reasons this World Series is remembered as fondly as it is: 1.) it was the first major sporting event that came out the devasting heights of 9/11 (which actually caused Major League Baseball to be delayed for a week) and 2.) it represented the beginning of the end of the dynasty of the New York Yankees as we know it. Here, we saw the Arizona Diamondbacks in just their FOURTH year of existence taking on the evil empire that is the New York Yankees, winners of the last three World Series and four of the last five years! The first six games saw three blowout victories for the D-Backs and three nail biting wins for the Yanks! The three victories from Arizona saw their bats explode from the likes of Luiz Gonzalez and Craig Counsell and dominate pitching from their co-aces Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling. The three victories from New York benefitted from clutch hits from their stars Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, and Alfonso Soriano and lights out late inning pitching from their dominate closer Mariano Rivera. The series would wrap up in a satisfying bow in Game Seven where things got so intense and nail biting, culminating in Arizona coming back to tie things up in the bottom of the ninth with their backs were against the wall and Luis Gonzalez was able to get a clutch soft hit off of the G.O.A.T. closer Mariano Rivera, preventing the Yankees from their fourth straight championship and securing Diamondbacks’ very first one! Each game had a different story to tell, there were clutch performances from both the hitting and pitching side on both ends, and it felt like just the breather that America needed to help heal their minds just a month after a horrifying terrorist act that has let a scar on this country for the past 24 years ! It’s also the one time in this century where we actually got not just one MVP but two, those being the one-two starting pitching punch of Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling, the former of which actually threw the last 1 1/3 inning of the series just less than 24 hours after his dominant Game 6 performance. As extraordinary as this World Series was, there is still one more that I believe is more fondly remembered by anyone with even a slight of baseball knowledge or history!
1.) 2016 World Series- Chicago Cubs vs Cleveland Indians
Champion: Chicago Cubs, 4-3 Series Win
MVP: Ben Zobrist
Best Game: Game 7- Cubs Win 8-7 In 10 Innings
There might be some that argue that this World Series is more remembered for it’s hype and narratives than of the actual games itself, the two sport franchises with the largest championship droughts in sports history duking it out to see which one can break their decades long curse and make history like no other. There might be some that argue that only Game 7 is the one worth remembering, which led to the best ratings that the game of baseball had seen since this 2016 baseball classic (until recently that is). However, one can’t deny how massive this World Series was not just for baseball history but in recent global history! Game 1 saw the Indians shut down the Cubs bats in a shutout victory thanks to elite starting pitching from Cleveland’s own Corey Kluber. Game 2 saw the Cubs climbing back to tie the series with their bats waking up for a 5-1 victory. Games 3 and 4 saw Cleveland putting Chicago bats in check once again by allowing just two in two games to take a 3-1 World Series lead, just one victory away from their first championship since 1948. But then, Game 5 saw the Cubs bounce back thanks to Jon Lester holding the Indians offense at bay and a 4th inning rally kicked off by that year’s MVP Kris Bryant, that force the series back to Cleveland. Game 6 saw the Cubs bats exploding once again with homers from Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, and Anthony Rizzo to tie the series. Finally, there was Game 7 that made for one of the greatest baseball games in the history of Major League Baseball! From the leadoff homer from Dexter Fowler that got things started to the quick hook by Cubs manager Joe Maddon to go from Kyle Hendricks to Jon Lester that gave Cleveland some momentum to David Ross homering in his very final game he would ever play to Rajai Davis of all people hitting a game tying home run in the 8th inning to the sudden 20-minute long rain delay after the game was forced into extras to the Jason Heyward clubhouse speech that bumped his club up to the Cubs coming back in extra innings and being able to hold on to win their very first World Series in 108 years! As a Cardinal fan, it hurts my heart and soul to put this as number one! But as a fan of baseball and viewing which World Series this century is more fondly remembered for not just baseball fans but casual audiences in general, I can’t think of one that is as memorable and impactful as this one!
Well, ladies and gentlemen, it’s finally happened! Most of us probably thought this day would never come but it finally has! This week, Microsoft has announced that Halo is coming to the PlayStation 5!
I repeat because this bears repeating: HALO IS COMING TO THE PLAYSTATION 5!
Imagine telling yourself that over 25 years ago, around the time where SEGA was failing in the console business and would eventually be forced to put Sonic on Nintendo consoles! Xbox and Microsoft fans all around the world got to experience just that this week when Microsoft announced Halo: Campaign Evolved, a remake of the campaign for Halo: Combat Evolved, for the PlayStation 5, set to come out in 2026, alongside the PC and Xbox Series S/X!
To say this announcement is big news would be a MASSIVE understatement! This was not only an announcement of a new remake of a beloved classic but this was the announcement that Microsoft has finally thrown in the white flag in the console war!
They have acknowledged that they are no longer serious about convincing others that their console is the best of them all! They have acknowledged they are no longer at the top of the game at what they do in regards to console making! They have acknowledged that their once beloved exclusive IPs such as Halo are better off being shared with their neighbors rather than staying strictly at home where they previously belonged! Above all, they have acknowledged that the console war is now officially over, and both Sony and Nintendo have won!
For those that have been following the gaming world for the past few years, you probably saw this coming from a mile away! It was just last year where Microsoft was considering the idea of moving their well-known IPs and prior exclusive franchises to other consoles in response to the lackluster sales of the Xbox Series S/X! (Something which I did write about and will leave a link for at the end). And for the most part, we are starting to see that in action!
First came Sea of Thieves, which made it’s way onto the PS5 on April 30th, 2024! Next, came Indiana Jones & The Great Circle, which was previously an Xbox exclusive that eventually made it’s way to the PS5 around Spring time of this year! Then, came Gear of Wars: Reloaded, a remaster of 2015’s Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, came to the PS5 in August of this year! And finally, for the final nail on the coffin, Halo, perhaps Xbox’s biggest and most beloved gaming franchise, is set to come out on the PS5 next year!
Not gonna lie, a big part of me is sad about this! The console wars was among the most fun things about pop culture and entertainment throughout the 21st century! It made for a nice distraction for all the political chaos that was going on from around the world, going back and forth on who is delivering the best among video games! Sure, there might’ve been a bit too much name calling and obnoxious fanboy behavior but to most people, it was mostly all tongue-and-cheek and felt it was always encouraging the likes of Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo to deliver the best possible product imaginable for players and gamers all around the world!
However, things have changed! Now, Microsoft more than likely has slammed the door shut on being serious on participating in any future consoles wars! They no longer se themselves as being enough to compete with Sony or even Nintendo! Those two companies have their consoles, exclusives, and overall brand pretty much logged in for the foreseeable future with no momentum slowing them down! Sure, they might’ve made their mistakes in the past with the likes of the disastrous handlings of the PlayStation 3 (at least at launch) and the Wii U but they were at least able to bounce back from those missteps and come back stronger than ever with the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch! It doesn’t seem like Microsoft will be able to have that kind of redemption arc in the near future!
And you know what, they literally have NO ONE to blame but THEMSELVES! Everyone has been calling our their bulls**t ever since the Xbox One reveal back in May of 2013! And not only did they not improve from their mistakes of that but they basically doubled down on it! From confusing console titles to severe lack of exclusives to absurd prices to the killing of physical media to the focus on anything but the actual gaming experience, Microsoft brought down the downfall of the Xbox on themselves! Despite having over the past 12+ years of getting a chance at redeeming themselves, they have only dig themselves further and further down! And it’s now gotten to the point where they have no choice but to share their exclusives onto other consoles for the foreseeable future!
While Microsoft has gotten on record in saying that they are in preparation for their next gaming console, I don’t think anybody will ever take them seriously as being a legit threat to Sony and Nintendo ever again! Unless they are able to complete the biggest comeback arc in the history of gaming with their next console (assuming that even gets made), the days of Microsoft being an absolute dominate force in gaming and entertainment are long gone! So much so that they shouldn’t even bother with a new console because that will likely do even worse numbers than the DreamCast, especially if the rumors of it being over a thousand dollars is true!
Once again, Halo: Campaign Evolved, a remaster of the campaign of the original Xbox exclusive, Halo: Combat Evolved, will be coming to the PlayStation 5 in 2026, alongside the PC and Xbox Series S/X!
The console war is officially over!
RIP Xbox (2001-2025)
Also, Microsoft, if you are seriously considering shipping your prior exclusives onto other consoles, would you be willing to get together with another certain gaming studio that once partnered with you but are now with Sony for a remaster of a certain gem of game from over a decade ago?!
Sonic the Hedgehog is now 34 years old! 34 years and counting of some of the very best and very worst that gaming has head to offer! In case you haven’t figured that out with the multiple Sonic pieces that I’ve written on this blog, I’ve always been a big fan of Sonic the Hedgehog since I was a kid. Sonic as a character is someone that always has appeal to me with his cockiness, incredible sense of speed, but also having a big heart for himself and those he cares about. He’s always been so appealing to me that I’ve been following this roller coaster of a franchise for over two full decades now.
To celebrate the release of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, I’ve decided to do a ranking of my top 10 personal favorite Sonic games to date! Not necessarily what I think its the best from an objective standpoint but the Sonic games that I’ve had the most fond memories of and still do to this very day.
First, here’s a couple of games that BARELY made it off this list:
The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog
Never in a million years would I think that a visual novel game where you just point and click at things made by the social media group from SEGA would end up being quite good but here you go! This is a game that came out on April 1st, 2023 on the PC, strictly as a April Fools Day prank. To put it simply, it’s Sonic and his friends in a murder mystery party. I would tell you more but that would spoil all the fun to be had with this game. Just know that this is a very well done visual novel and point-and-click adventure made with a lot of love from the SEGA Social team, who clearly loves Sonic as much as the fans do. If that sounds like your jam, then please go download this game right now on your PC if you haven’t already. It’s 100% free!
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed
This is an example of a kart racing sequel that is better than the original in just about every way. With even smoother controls, more creative racetracks, a more expanded roster of characters, and offering a better sense of challenge than before, Sonic &All-Stars Racing Transformed is one of the few out there that would give Mario Kart a run for it’s money. It’s only off of the list because of some difficulty spikes with specific challenges, a couple of aggravating glitches I tend to run into, and there is one Sonic kart racer that was able to do what this game did just a little bit better. If you love Sonic and racing games, then this is definitely a must-play!
And also in case you are wondering, SONIC IS DRIVING A CAR TO MAKE IT FAIR TO THE OTHER RACERS!
THAT IS ALL!
Sonic The Hedgehog 2
A sequel that takes everything that works about the original and expands upon it in every single way. As a result, Sonic The Hedgehog 2 manages to be not just as good as the original but even better. Better controls, level designs, graphics, backgrounds, environments, and especially music! With an even greater sense of speed, more memorable level designs, and the introduction of the cutesy fox known as Tails, this is no doubt a great sequel. The only thing that keeps this one from being on this list is the very final boss. To this day, I still find it incredibly cheap, hard as ball and makes the ending of the game incredibly frustrating every time I replay it. Still a classic without a doubt but the fact the game always ends on a rather sour note prevents it from finding a spot on the list!
Now, here we go to the main top 10! Once again, these are ranked based on being my personal favorites, NOT of objective quality!
10.) Sonic Frontiers
That’s right! I actually found a spot for this one! This might be guilty of many of the same flaws that have plagued prior 3D Sonic games but unlike with most recent entries in the series, there is actually plenty of charm hidden within that makes the experience super enjoyable! The overall core formula and open zones work well here and does help set a promising template for future Sonic games. It’s also nice to see more care put into the story and characterization than it has been for quite some time. And Super Sonic has been more badass than he is here! This is a game that has grown on me since it came out and I’ve come to find more things to love and appreciate about it as time goes by. Yes, the pinball level sucks, some of the grinding sucks, and the “true” final boss sucks (The ONE thing that The Final Horizon DLC improved on!), but none of those were enough to ruin the many hours I’ve spend on this game! Sonic Frontiers is about as imperfect as you can expect a Sonic game to be but for the first time in a long while, it did leave me with an actual feeling of optimism for Sonic moving forward. If you ask me, that is more than enough to justify this being at #10!
9.) Sonic Advance/Sonic Advance 3
These two are basically neck-and-neck for my favorite of the Advance games. While the console games have been inconsistent in terms of quality, the handheld entries have had quite a few gems that don’t get the recognition they deserve when they came out in the 2000s. These two games are good examples of the perfect formula for Sonic in 2D form. Expanding upon the classic games in respectful ways, adding characters/elements to the gameplay along with a sense of speed and platforming that help make the experience more enjoyable rather than hinder it, and just working as their own unique Sonic games, the Sonic Advance series (minus the middling as hell second one) works wonder as one of the better Sonic experiences. They both have issues (Advance 1 has ridiculous bosses and Advance 3 has ridiculous Chao padding) but as a whole, Sonic Advance & Sonic Advance 3 are two 2D Sonic games that still stand out quite well for the Blue Blur.
8.) Sonic Colors
Sonic Team followed up Sonic Unleashed by making a game that added more to the well-received aspects of it (the daytime stages) along with removing the not so well-received aspects of it (the nighttime stages). Sonic Colors understands the core appeal of Sonic by featuring top-notch speed, solid platforming, incredibly fun and unique level designs, and some of the best power-ups in the series with the Wisps. And this was also the game that introduced Roger Craig Smith as the blue blur we all know and love, who is still going strong in the role to this very day! There may be a bit too much 2D levels for some and the story/humor is admittedly hit (any scene with Eggman and his robots) or miss (Baldy McNosehair) but this is easily among the best 3D Sonic games to date. And even though the comparisons to Super Mario Galaxy are undeniable, Sonic Colors is still able to provide a fresh and exhilarating experience that certainly feels like Sonic the Hedgehog.
7.) Sonic Rush
Being the game that introduces the boost mechanics that would eventually become a stable for Modern Sonic, Sonic Rush makes for one of the most thoroughly enjoyable and unique Sonic games throughout his history. The main highlight here is seeing the introduction to fan-favorite Blaze the Cat, arguably the best female character in the entire franchise, and getting the perfect sense of speed with Sonic that you never really got with the series up to this point. There’s some repetition of playing the same levels twice and newly introduced villain, Eggman Nega sucks on literally every single level, but this is one I can recommend to those who are not even fans of Sonic. With top notch speed, fast platforming, and a SUPER awesome soundtrack, Sonic Rush is an absolute gem that should not be missed! Just a damn shame this had to come out the same day as Shadow the Hedgehog!
6.) Sonic Adventure
While this has certainly shown it’s age in many areas, there is still more than enough about Sonic Adventure, A.K.A. the first official 3D Sonic game, that works very well to this day. The gameplay that still works (namely Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Gamma) remain some of the very best in all of 3D Sonic, the hub world of Station Square is fun to explore and gives you that perfect sense of adventure that makes the title accurate, and it’s neat to have every main character in the story get their own arcs and development throughout, something which didn’t happen in the Sonic series until this game. Even the dated elements like the cheesy animation, dialogue, and voice acting are at least good for a laugh, both intentionally and unintentionally, that you can have a blast with them.. This might’ve been even higher on the list if it wasn’t for those Big the Cat fishing missions but I still rate the original Sonic Adventure very highly to this day. If it wasn’t for this game, who knows where Sonic the Hedgehog would be in the year 2025!
5.) Sonic Unleashed
One of the most divisive installments in the franchise is among my favorites. While opinions certainly vary on the SD port of this game, the HD version of Sonic Unleashed has the thrills and action that I could ever want from a Sonic game. The daytime stages delivers an incredibly sense of speed and fast platforming that I always love replaying through, the story is simplistic but still has that nice mix of light and dark nature that most Sonic stories lack, the graphics still look stunning even over 17 years later, the soundtrack is outstanding and among the very best in the franchise, the variety this game contains in terms of gameplay and unlockables is off the charts, exploring the hub worlds of all the different countries acts greatly to that “world adventure” spirit, and even I’m not shame to admit I even kinda like that silly Werehog (If you don’t at least get some goosebumps during the night boss fights, you are a total loser! Just saying!)! I totally understand the reasons to hate this game but I remain a fan to this very day just like how I was back in 2008. This game has been gaining a cult following over the years and I’m glad to admit that I was a part of that crowd from the very beginning.
4.) Sonic 3 & Knuckles
To many people, Sonic 3 & Knuckles is the absolute definite Sonic game and it’s easy to see why! Taking the best aspects of all the previous games that has come before it while introducing one of the best characters in the franchise known as Knuckles. The levels are more expanded upon than ever before giving you multiple paths and ways to the goal, every character controls perfectly with not a single one being a chore to play, the story itself takes a few unexpected turns, and even the bosses and special stages (which I weren’t a fan of in the past) are actually quite great here. I just wish I didn’t need to collect all the emeralds TWICE in order to get the full final Super Sonic boss fight! However, masterfully combining speed, platforming, and exploration, this remains a top-tier Sonic experience. While there are many people that considers Sonic 3&K to be the very best Sonic game ever made (and I would definitely not argue that opinion one bit), it’s not quite the full Sonic package for me the way these next three Sonic games are.
3.) Sonic Racing CrossWorlds
The newest addition to the Sonic kart racing canon is not only the best Sonic racing game to date but might perhaps be the best kart racing game to date that is NOT Mario Kart! This has more of an expanded roster of characters, more creative and unique race tracks, more vehicles you can choose to race with, whether it’s with cars or hover boards, and more amounts of fan service than any of the Sonic racing games! You also got great online modes, fun character interactions during Rival mode, multiples pathways with each crossworld you enter, tons of unlockables to collect, and plenty of DLC on the horizon to keep you entertained with the game for quite some time (Unfortunately, not free though!). This is just the perfect example of a kart racing game that is the absolute complete package from top to bottom! If Mario Kart 8 didn’t exist, this might legit be my new favorite kart racing game and the one that I see myself playing the most for the foreseeable future! Sonic Racing CrossWorlds checks all the boxes and then some and continues Sonic’s great track record of the 2020s! Eat it, Mario Kart World!
2.) Sonic Mania
By being a beautiful and well done remix of the original classic games, along with introducing a handful of wonderful original levels of its own, Christian Whitehead’s Sonic Mania helps craft an entry that feels more of a worthy follow-up to Sonic 3 & Knuckles than both episodes of Sonic 4 combined. There’s more extras, unlockable and playable characters than ever before, the gameplay from the Classic games that everyone knows and love is giving the right upgrade and in some ways, surpasses the original games, and I don’t think Super Sonic has looked, sound, and been more fun to control than he’s done here. And even though many of the levels themselves have been taking from other Sonic games, they’ve been changed and expanded upon well enough to where they feel like completely new levels in their own right, giving that sense you are playing through these levels for the very first time. Even to those that aren’t the biggest fans of Classic Sonic, I would highly recommend this one as I consider Sonic Mania to be the definite Classic Sonic experience.
1.) Sonic X Shadow Generations
My favorite Sonic game to date is the one that features the most Sonic out of all the games thus far……along with a bit of Shadow. When it comes to Sonic Generations, it acts a wonderful celebration of the first two decades of Sonic the Hedgehog, perfecting both the classic 2D style gameplay along with the modern 3D style gameplay by recreating the best levels from previous Sonic games and making them feel new and unique on their own. When it comes to Shadow Generations, this might just be the very best version of 3D Sonic as a whole. With incredibly unique level designs, crazy and out-of-this-world set pieces, a gameplay style that manages to combine the best elements of both Sonic Generations and SonicFrontiers respectively while leaving off any fat, and even quite a touching story about Shadow and the two people he cares about the most in Maria and Gerald Robotnik. Call it cheating if you may but there is not other Sonic (or Shadow) experience that always satisfies more than Sonic X Shadow Generations. . Because of all that and more, Sonic X Shadow Generations is my favorite Sonic game to date!
Movie theaters are in trouble! That’s at least what I’ve been hearing ever since Covid! Ever since that disastrous turn of events that shut down the whole world for a year or two, movie theaters all around the world has seen a significant decline in ticket and concessions sales. That hasn’t stopped Hollywood from doing everything in their power to keep the movie theater going experience alive. Even in the age of streaming, pirating, and Tik Tok, this is a battle that the movie making folks in southern California are willing to fight until they suddenly can’t.
And I don’t think there has been a period of time that has determined just how “well” movie theaters are going throughout the 2020s than this year’s lineup of summer blockbusters. Five years removed of movie theaters being shutdown and two years of infamous strikes, this is probably the most “back to normal” feeling that Hollywood has felt since pre-Covid. If this summer saw yet another underperforming two to three months, then there must come serious questions as to how long movie theaters have before they go extinct.
However, now that summer has come and gone, it’s time to see the results of how all the main feature films did in movie theaters everywhere. And the results are…….complicated.
In case you are wondering how I am judging it, I am gonna look at each major wide release that came out at the start of May to the middle of August. I’m gonna list the film’s budget, how much the film made at the box office, what the projected break even point likely was, how much the film gain in profit, and whether or not it should been seen as a success, flop, or break even point for the studios.
I’m only gonna use math that most tend to use when judging how a film does at the box office. Mostly by taking the budget, times that by 2.5X to cover the whole budget surrounding production and marketing, and seeing how much money it made or lose as a result.
Again, that is not the case for EVERY single one of these movies and this is NOT a direct result as to how the studios view each film from a financial standpoint. This is just my personal guess and opinion as to how each one of these films should be viewed as.
Plus, it’s also worth mentioning that ever since Covid, the definition of “success” is now quite different in the eyes of many producers in Hollywood. Who’s to say that just because a film didn’t do so great in it’s opening two weeks in theaters that the studios sees it as a failure when it became a big hit on digital and streaming? That alone could make it a “success” in the minds of studios.
It is worth remembering that a film’s overall success isn’t just determined based on how it did in theaters but also how it fared in terms of digital, streaming, and physical media sales. Just because not enough people showed up in theaters to give the film profit doesn’t mean people didn’t show it’s support when said film became accessible to all of our home media.
Regardless, I hope you all enjoy this analysis and gives you a good indication of how films are still thriving/struggling in movie theaters!
Thunderbolts*
Budget: $180 Million
Box Office: $382.4 Million
Break Even Point: $450+ Million
Gain/Lose: -$67.6+ Million
Verdict: Flop
Despite the mostly positive reception from fans and critics alike, this could not have been a bigger disappointment at the box office if it tried. Regardless if it has to do with the film starring around D- list MCU characters that most people aren’t familiar or superhero/Marvel fatigue in general, Thunderbolts* most certainly had to pay the price for previous sins surrounding these kind of films. It may have done solid ratings on Disney Plus and did at least kick of the summer movie season better than say…..The Fall Guy last year, but it did follow the tread that most MCU films post-Endgame have suffered from in underperforming box office returns. Between this, Brave New World, and another film to be mentioned later, 2025 has not been so kind to the Marvel Cinematic Universe from a box office standpoint.
Final Destination Bloodlines
Budget: $50 Million
Box Office: $313.9 Million
Break Even Point: $125+ Million
Gain/Loss: +$188.9+ Million
Verdict: Success
The first installment from this long-running franchise since 2011 more than certainly succeeded expectations. Final Destination Bloodlines acted as a nice love letter to the franchise while also acting as a bittersweet epilogue to the amazing career of the late great Tony Todd. I wouldn’t be surprised if we end up getting a sequel 2-3 years time (although hopefully no A.I. Tony Todd is needed). If there is one thing that 2025 has taught theatrically released films, it’s that if you have a low enough budget and give plenty of breathing time in the theaters before dumping it to digital and streaming, you will indeed see some promising theatrical profit in return.
Lilo & Stitch (2025)
Budget: $100 Million
Box Office: $1.037+ Billion
Break Even Point: $250+ Million
Gain/Loss:+$787+ Million
Verdict: Success
Despite all the discourse online about this one and what the true meaning of “ohana” is, it shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that the 2025 live-action incarnation of Lilo & Stitch was able to be the most successful film of the summer along with Hollywood’s only billion dollar grosser thus far. There was an entire generation of millennials that grew up with the original animated classic and they all most certainly showed up during Memorial Day weekend to take their kids to experience the inferior version of one of Disney’s very best films in their history. At least it’s not……whatever the hell Snow White was. It’s because of this, I wouldn’t be surprised if Disney changes their mind on bringing Rapunzel and Elsa to the live-action screens in the near future.
Mission: Impossible- The Final Reckoning
Budget: $300-400 Million
Box Office: $598.8+ Million
Break Even Point: $750+ Million to $1+ Billion
Gain/Loss: -$151.2-$401.2+ Million
Verdict: Flop
There was a lot going against Tom Cruise’s last hurrah with his nearly three decade long action franchise and unfortunately, The Final Reckoning was no match for it. Suffering from a bloated budgeted, going head-to-head with Lilo & friends on Memorial Day weekend, and being part of a franchise that arguably peak seven years ago with Mission: Impossible- Fallout, it’s clear that audiences are ready to move on from Tom Cruise damn near killing himself for our amusement. I guess we’ll have to see if Top Gun 3 will be able to replicate the success of Maverick. If not, then we might have to accept that Tom Cruise is not the “Hollywood Jesus” that his ego claims himself to be and that the G.O.A.T. may indeed be washed.
Karate Kid Legends
Budget: $45 Million
Box Office: $115.8+ Million
Break Even Point: $112.5+ Million
Gain/Loss:+$3.3+ Million
Verdict: Broke Even
You all COMPLETELY forgot this movie came out, didn’t you? As a matter of fact, most of you probably didn’t even know this movie existed. This odd culmination of the Karate Kid franchise up to this point clearly failed to set the world on fire but thanks to it’s shocking low budget, it might’ve done just enough to not be a complete failure. And it most certainly probably was able to pick up any remaining losses with it’s digital release. I don’t know what this means for the future for this franchise but at least Karate Kid: Legends can rest easily knowing it’s far from the biggest failure to come out this summer, even if it’s easily among the most forgettable movies of the year.
Ballerina
Budget: $90+ Million
Box Office: $137.2+ Million
Break Even Point: $225+ Million
Gain/Loss:-$87.8+ Million
Verdict: Flop
2025 has not been so kind to Lionsgate and Ballerina was certainly no exception. Despite the presence of Keanu Reeves himself and the positive response from critics and fans, this John Wick spin-off failed to impress at the box office. Perhaps had the budget remain closer to the original John Wick than John Wick: Chapter 4, this could’ve managed to squeeze a profit (similar to a similar female-lead action flick in Atomic Blonde) but not with it’s 90+ million dollar budget (which a good chunk of it most certainly stemmed from reshoots). Whether it’s due to the franchise finally running on fumes or audience suffering from “girl boss” fatigue, Ballerina fell way below expectations, to the point where future John Wick spin-offs and perhaps even a John Wick 5 itself might just be up in the air.
How To Train Your Dragon (2025)
Budget: $150 Million
Box Office: $635.5+ Million
Break Even Point: $375+ Million
Gain/Loss:+$260.5+ Million
Verdict: Success
DreamWorks has finally threw their hat in the ring with live-action remakes and just like with Disney themselves, while the quality may not talk the talk, the box office results can certainly walk the walk. How To Train Your Dragon (2025) was able to capture the hearts of families and mainstream audiences in similar ways that the original animated version did back in 2010 along with the better live-action remakes from Disney (or at least the ones that were able to make a billion dollars). With the success of this film and a sequel in the works, I wouldn’t be surprised to see our favorite ogre and kung panda warrior getting their live-action treatment in the near future. But hey, if it helps cover for any potential loss that The Bad Guys 2 might have, then it might certainly be worth it!
Materialists
Budget: $20 Million
Box Office: $103.5+ Million
Break Even Point: $50+ Million
Gain/Loss:+$53.5+ Million
Verdict: Success
And who says original rom-coms are dead?! Despite the rather mixed audience response, Materialists was able to act as the most successful rom-com in recent memory that does NOT start Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney. And as much as everyone and their mother claim to be sick and tired of seeing Pedro Pascal everywhere, he can certainly help carry an original project such as this, along with Chris Evans and Dakota Johnson of course. Not much to say here than yeah, this did quite well at the theaters for this kind movie and A24 should most certainly see this as a success.
28 Years Later
Budget: $60 Million
Box Office: $151.2+ Million
Break Even Point: $150+ Million
Gain/Loss:+$1.2+ Million
Verdict: Broke Even
This divisive sequel/part one of a two-part story did just enough to break even at the box office but not much else. Perhaps had 28 Years Later been more positively received from mainstream audiences and/or it wasn’t relying on the two-part gimmick, this could’ve done much better. But nevertheless, it did at least enough to justify a Part Two getting made, which can hopefully pick up any sort of financial slack that this film might’ve left behind.
Elio
Budget: $150-200+ Million
Box Office: $154+ Million
Break Even Point: $375 to $500+ Million
Gain/Loss: -$221 to $346 Million
Verdict: Flop
Just a summer after Inside Out 2 gave Pixar the smash box office hit they desperately needed, Elio took any sort of momentum that Pixar might’ve possibly gained and COMPLETELY tripped over itself. From a combination of lackluster marketing, trouble from behind-the-scenes/development, a bloated budget, and Disney doing everything in their power to erase this movie from existence, is it any surprised this film ended up being perhaps the biggest flop of the the summer and possibly the year? Maybe I should’ve known better after doing my summer box office movie predictions but I thought after Inside Out 2, people were ready to hop back on board with Pixar with seeing their film in theaters. Looks like I was dead wrong in that regard and man…….I wish I wasn’t!
F1
Budget: $200-300+ Million
Box Office: $626+ Million
Break Even Point: $500-750 Million
Gain/Loss:+$126+ to -$124 Million
Verdict: Success
There are probably many folks out there that are shocked to see this as being labeled as a success due to the film’s massive budget but F1‘s “success” or “failure” is much more complicated than most. First off, this is a partnership between Apple+ and Warner Bros. Apple was the one that funded the movie and would take credit for the success when the film arrives on digital and streaming, while Warner Bros was able to gain the profit from theater showings. Plus, this wasn’t so much about helping out theaters than it was about promoting the sport of F1 racing all across the world! Take all those factors in mind along with the fact that a movie in 2025 was able to make $600+ million that is NOT a superhero film, live-action remake, video game adaption, or an anime, F1 was most certainly a breakout success that helped add to a terrific year that Warner Bros has had in theaters!
M3GAN 2.0
Budget: $15-25+ Million
Box Office: $39.1+ Million
Break Even Point: $37.5-62.5 Million
Gain/Loss:+$1.6 to -25 Million
Verdict: Flop
This has to be the most BAFFLING failure of this summer! Not because it’s a shock that it bombed because the movie itself lacking quality compared to the first but because some of the most baffling decisions made from a business standpoint. From dumping the movie in the middle of summer when the original did just swell in January 2023 to advertising it as a sci-fi comedy instead of sci-fi horror, it’s like Blumhouse was doing everything in their power to ensure this would be a failure. If that was the case, then they MORE than certainly succeeded.
Jurassic World Rebirth
Budget: $180-225+ Million
Box Office: $867+ Million
Break Even Point: $450-562.5+ Million
Gain/Loss:+$305-418+ Million
Verdict: Success
Here is what was wildly considered the most surprising box office success story of Summer 2025 and…..I don’t necessarily know why. While the Jurassic Park franchise might’ve no longer be the billion dollar juggernaut that previous installments were, Rebirth did prove that people still love seeing dinosaurs on the big screen. And this time around they got to see dinosaurs AND Scarlett Johansson on the big screen! What better winning combo than that! Even if this franchise should’ve ended by now, don’t be surprised if Universal wants to keep the Jurassic ball rolling after the monster smash hit of the summer. Again, this might’ve not been a billion dollar gross but it did more than enough to be considered a success!
Superman (2025)
Budget: $225+ Million
Box Office: $615.7+ Million
Break Even Point: $562.5+ Million
Gain/Loss:+$53.2+ Million
Verdict: Success
Welp, here’s the most hotly debated success/failure story of the summer! Even though Superman (2025) has gained at least $53+ million based on traditional projections (or more according to Variety), there has been a serious argument that James Gunn’s take on Superman actually underperformed and even a failure. If we look at it through the mindset of Warner Bros back in 2013, you might have an argument. But in 2025, if we take the words from CEO David Zaslav and crew, it seems like they have much more manageable expectations and just needed to do enough to make a profit and do well in digital and physical sales to be considered a success. They know they can’t turn everything around in one movie like they thought they could a decade ago and are willing to be more patient in regaining the mainstream audience trust. Looking it that way, Superman (2025) was indeed a success. Sorry Snyder cult!
I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025)
Budget: $18+ Million
Box Office: $64.7+ Million
Break Even Point: $45+ Million
Gain/Loss:+$19.7+ Million
Verdict: Success
This might’ve been controversial among die-hard fans and mainstream audiences but thanks to a super low budget of just 18 million dollars, I Know What You Did Last Summer (2025) did good enough to at least guarantee it to be a success. Once again, the lower the budget, the easier it is for your film to be a profit in theaters. More studios should take notes on that, especially with what has come from the horror genre this year!
Smurfs (2025)
Budget: $58+ Million
Box Office: $120+ Million
Break Even Point: $145+ Million
Gain/Loss:-$15+ Million
Verdict: Flop
No one was asking for a new iteration of the Smurfs in 2025! Not kids! Not families! Not anyone! And they were ESPECIALLY not asking for a new iteration with Rihanna, James Corden, or Jimmy Kimmel (Although, PRO-FREEDOM OF SPEECH!)! Literally no one but Paramount should be shocked at the fact that this bombed! And even then, I think deep down they aren’t shocked at all either!
The Fantastic Four- First Steps
Budget: $200+ Million
Box Office: $521.5+ Million
Break Even Point: $500+ Million
Gain/Loss:+$21.5 Million
Verdict: Broke Even
This might’ve been the highest grossing MCU film of the year but it still disappointed greatly, compared to the highest grossing MCU films of prior years. This will likely mark the first year that an MCU film does NOT make it to the top 10 highest grossing overall films of the year since 2011. The Fantastic Four has certainly been more appealing to die-hard Marvel and comic fans than it did the mainstream audience but you can’t help but wonder how much better this would’ve done pre-2019. If adjusted projections are to go by, The Fantastic Four-First Steps will likely be the one MCU film to break even in 2025…..but that’s it. And for Marvel Studios standards, that’s quite underwhelming!
The Naked Gun (2025)
Budget: $42+ Million
Box Office: $102+ Million
Break Even Point: $105+ Million
Gain/Loss: -$3+ Million
Verdict: Broke Even
If we are talking about how much the 2025 incarnation of the The Naked Gun did in theaters, it might’ve fell just short of reaching it’s break even point. However, with making up any potential revenue loss with it’s release to digital and soon streaming, I would believe Paramount was more satisfied with how this one did than say……Mission: Impossible. I don’t think this did enough to “save” comedies or resurrected a genre of films that Hollywood has been quite picky to tackle for the better part of a decade but for what it’s worth, I believe this did just fine.
The Bad Guys 2
Budget: $80+ Million
Box Office: $225+ Million
Break Even Point: $200+ Million
Gain/Loss:+$25+ Million
Verdict: Broke Even
This one is quite a tongue twister. Largely impacted by a slew of summer movie competition along with pulling the trigger to the digital release so quicky, The Bad Guys 2 is more likely unable to match the success that the original did. However, due to working at a sizable budget and having solid digital sales thus far, it seems like it did just enough to match it’s break even point. While we might still get a third movie sometime in the future, I don’t think The Bad Guys franchise has become the success story that DreamWorks had envisioned it being, especially compared to the likes of Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, and How To Train Your Dragon. In that regards, it’s quite a same because this has been a damn good animated series of films thus far! Fingers crossed that a third movie gets made!
Freakier Friday
Budget: $42-45+ Million
Box Office: $152.3+ Million
Break Even Point: $105-112.5+ Million
Gain/Loss:+$39.8-47.3+ Million
Verdict: Success
I still don’t know why this was even made but thanks to it’s lower budget and modest box office projections, Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsey Lohan’s Disney team-up that was 22 years in the making was able to exceed expectations without breaking any new ground. I guess it helps to have a sizeable budget and leaving plenty of breathing room between theater showings and digital/physical releases. If only Disney can get that same memo with everything else they do in the way they did with Freakier Friday.
Weapons
Budget: $38+ Million
Box Office: $266.4+ Million
Break Even Point: $95+ Million
Gain/Loss:+$170+ Million
Verdict: Success
Similar to Sinners and Final Destination: Bloodlines, Weapons was able to prove once again that you can win big in horror by playing small. This genuinely scary crowd pleaser was able to make the best with it’s modest budget to craft a smash hit, standing alongside with plenty of original horror films in recent memory. Even with what was a rather crowded area of theatrically released films at the time it came out, this was able to stand out swiftly to be a nice success story. Now let’s just see if director Zach Cregger can say the same for Resident Evil next year!
Nobody 2
Budget: $25+ Million
Box Office: $39.4+ Million
Break Even Point: $62.5+ Million
Gain/Loss:-$23.1+ Million
Verdict: Flop
Here’s a movie that did so poorly in it’s time in theaters that the studios pulled it completely from the big screens after five weeks and just dumped it to digital. To be fair, this is a rare case that I actually can’t blame the studio for making that movie so quickly. Whether it’s because too much time has passed since the original or it just flew under the radar for a lot of people, the sequel to Bob Odenkirk’s action franchise just did not get the same love and support that the original did (and even then, that didn’t really set the world of fire either). Between Nobody 2, The Final Reckoning, and last year’s flops of Monkey Man, Boy Kills World, and The Fall Guy, perhaps there isn’t as much of a crave for “masculine” action heroes that conservatives and alt-right online influencers would have you believe.
When you take all the box office results into account with the ways that most film analysts use to determine if the movie is a success or failure, this summer has had a total of nine movies that were successes, seven movies that were failures, and about five movies that did enough to break even.
What that tells me is that movie theaters are still not in a great spot but they are NOT ready to die out quite yet. While it’s a shame that certain films like The Fantastic Four- First Steps and Mission: Impossible– The Final Reckoning didn’t become the smash hits that were expected and that other films like Thunderbolts* and Elio ended up being massive bombs, this summer did show that there is at least a want and need for plenty of variety within theatrically released films.
You have live-action remakes, you have dinosaur action, you have horror thrills, you have action-comedies, you have rom-coms, and you have sports films! All of which were able to gain an audience in theaters and many of which were able to take some of the spotlight away from the kind of films that have dominated theaters in recent memory, particularly superheroes and video game adaptions.
That’s why I’m not too worried about the fact that a superhero film might not crack the top 10 of the year or that anime and re-releases might be taken more theater screenings! It doesn’t mean one genre is dying, it means more genres are EMERGING! The more genres of films that is resurrected and emerged, the more demographics are eager to see film in theaters, and the more money studios and theaters make! If Hollywood wants to keep theaters alive, THIS is the way to do it!
Because of that and more, I still believe there is still hope for movie theaters! There are still plenty of changes that need to be made (lower ticket prices/concessions, longer theatrical windows, longer time waiting for films to come to digital/streaming, more movie subscriptions/clubs….etc.) but if studios keep going with this direction while being able to contain a sustainable budget with most big movies they released, there might still be hope for movie theaters yet!
Happy Batman Day! To celebrate, let’s rank all the theatrically released Batman films from worst to best!
Firstly, I am referring to every single Batman movie that has been released in theaters at least for one night at MULTIPLE theaters. That’s why you won’t be seeing movies like Under the Red Hood, Return of the Joker, Batman: Year One, and The Dark Knight Returns Part 1 & 2 on here but will see movies like Mask of the Phantasm, Lego Batman, Killing Joke, and Return of the Caped Crusaders on list. Also, in case if anyone asked, Batman & Harley Quinn was only released for one night in just one theater so I didn’t count that and 2.) I’m including the Snyder cut since a good amount of footage from the theater cut are still presents even if the Snyder cut wasn’t technically released in theaters.
Secondly, these are just my opinions. I get everyone has their own different version of Batman that they prefer. The ones that are the most hated have their diehard fans while even the ones that are the most loved have their diehard haters. At this point, you should know which Batman is your Batman and which one is not. I’m just going with the rankings of how I see the quality of the Batman films.
I also will say when it comes to my overall feelings of all sixteen movies, just note that I think #1-4 are near perfect, #5-8 are really great, #9-10 are solid, #11-12 are mixed bags, and #13-16 are real legit stinkers. For the most part, I like more Batman movies than I dislike.
So please, if you disagree, don’t get upset and even feel free to let me know your rankings in the comments below or even on Twitter or Letterboxd. Without further of do, here we go!
16.) Batman: The Killing Joke
Yes, the worst Batman movie ever released in cinema is in fact not Batman & Robin. While Killing Joke might not as cause anywhere near as much impact on pop culture as B&R did, this is probably the one theatrical Batman feature released that feels like the most waste of time. Even the worst of the Schumacher and Snyder flicks had at least one element or two that worked in their own rights. This is what happens when you try to adapt source material in a faithful matter but don’t actually know or believe in the story that your material was originally telling.
The first half an hour of the picture is terrible beyond words with the way it treats Batgirl and not being important to everything else whatsoever. And there’s the rest of the movie that does nothing more but go into great lengths to just how dated the original storyline is and makes it’s mere existence feel like a mistake. The animation is slow and lifeless, the voice acting is phoned in and poor, and the dialogue that might have fit well for a comic book novel DOES NOT translate well into a motion picture whatsoever. When not even Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill’s iconic voices as the Caped Crusader and Clown Prince of Crime can save your movie, something has gone seriously wrong!
This is a perfect example how sometimes being too faithful to the source material can be just as bad as being unfaithful towards it. An adaption is an adaption for a reason and that’s something that Killing Joke doesn’t get whatsoever! It’s absolutely depressing that Conroy and Hamill’s final time together had to end on an absolute whimper!
15.) Justice League (2017)
It’s unbelievable how not only the first ever live-action Justice League movie doesn’t work, but it has to be one of the most lifeless, dull, and forgettable superhero movies ever made. The course correction from Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is so painfully obvious on screen with out-of-place reshoots and edits that are downright embarrassing. It’s like the equivalent of a superb Japanese anime getting butchered in the English version by 4kids, filled with unnecessary editing, censoring, and scripting to make it more “kid” friendly, even if it doesn’t make much sense in context and hurts the overall quality of it.
This came across as more of a straight-to-dvd Avengers knock-off that you would find in a bargain bin at the Dollar Store than an actual Justice League movie. A handful of moments are cool in their own right and is is nice to see Henry Cavill represent a bit of Christopher Reeves here (despite it making no sense in the context of the universe) but it’s incredibly unforgiveable just how cheap, hollow, and unmemorable this whole experience is.
When even a remix of Danny Elfman’s iconic Batman theme can’t win me over, you know your movie has failed!
14.) Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
I’m still in awe how you take a crossover like Batman and Superman and make it so long, dull, and joyless. The plot is a convoluted mess no matter which version you watch, with the conflict between Batman and Superman being so incredibly ridiculous that it could have been avoided if the two just simply talk to each other. It’s a film that wants to comes across as the most grand and ambitious movie every made, but when you look deep into it, this movie actually doesn’t have much to say on anything it’s talking about. Other than trying to cram two to three movies worth of material into one film, there’s nothing really risky or daring about Dawn of Justice, with it’s so-called themes that have been done much better in plenty of other superhero films.
Ben Affleck is fine as Batman and there’s a few standout moments here but that’s nowhere near enough to save this turd. Even the ultimate edition which some claim “saves” the movie is really just has more of the same problems, save for being slightly better editing and pacing. If there is a clear difference between ambition and aimlessness, then Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice certainly strikes the finest line yet between those two definitions with results that fit more of the latter than the former.
It gets a slight edge over Justice League (2017) because it does at least feel like a fully realized vision of a filmmaker but that is no where near enough for me to claim it’s good or even should be praised because of that. It’s a movie so bad that it arguably killed the DCEU before it even got a chance to get going! Sorry but I’m not a fan whatsoever!
13.) Batman and Robin
Despite writing up a blog piece somewhat defending this movie as NOT the worst thing ever made along with tons of retweets/likes of my tweet about how it’s pointless to still be upset over this movie existing, that still doesn’t change the fact that Batman and Robin is still a very bad and just plain awful movie. I do at least put it above the first few on the list because this is a movie you can at least watch and laugh at how terrible it truly is, unlike those where watching it is just a miserable experience.
From it’s over-the-top characters, cheesy one-liners, campy action, and it’s outlandish overacting, B&R is no doubt one of the best disaster pieces that has ever been released in theaters. It’s not just “so bad it’s good”, this movie help refined “so bad it’s good”. Everyone and their mother has picked this movie apart and for good reason. While I still make the case that this is a watchable bad movie as oppose to an unwatchable bad movie, it’s still a bad movie regardless.
Even a couple of moments that do work with the way they were intended (Bruce and Alfred’s conversation makes me tear up every time) can’t save it for the sheer amount of brilliant terribleness that is the big picture. At the very least, this movie’s failure and own existence eventually led to many other good Batman and superhero movies to be made. I guess that’s something.
12.) Batman Forever
Most of the problems with the Joel Schumacher movie I just mention are also present here, albeit not quite as bad. Cheeseball dialogue, cartoonish characters, arcs that feel unearned and don’t really make any sense, and villain performances that is so hammered up that you wonder if Jim Carrey and Tommy Lee Jones were just being as awful as possible just because they could. That being said, this movie does at least nail the look, feel, and atmosphere of Gotham City in a way that no other Batman has had to this point.
For a famous setting that has been often portrayed as mean, gray, and bleak, it’s refreshing to see someone step it up and breath some actual life into it, even if it doesn’t quite match with how the character of Batman is usually interpreted as. It’s bright, light, and colorful blends perfectly with the bright and colorful criminals that scatters throughout the film that makes this look like paradise for the bad guys in Gotham. Every once in a while in a movie, it’s perfectly okay to make a bad place look good.
It’s still mildly entertaining in it’s own right and it’s certainly the exact kind of movie that WB wanted over the backlash of Batman Returns being “too dark”, but everything is treated too much like a joke here that it’s so hard to take anything happening to the characters seriously.
11.) Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders
Easily the most inconsequential Batman movie to ever be released in expanded theaters (heck, 99% of the world probably forgot that this actually came out in theaters), but it’s still got some charm that the original 60′ series and the 66′ movie had.
The voice work from the cast can sound very rusty (You can just tell how poor Adam West had trouble with most of his line deliveries), should have had some tightening towards the climax, and I can’t help but wonder with the idea of multiple Batmans in one movie could have unlock the potential of endless memorable memes or at least prior Batman VAs coming together could have made this DC’s version of Spider-Man: No Way Home. (Yes, I get this is suppose to be low budgeted and was originally straight-to-dvd, but I still can’t get that out of my head.)
That being said, it’s still exactly the kind of campy, over-the-top Adam West adventure as you could imagine can exist in 2016. It’s doesn’t try to be anything more or anything less than that but sometimes that’s okay. Especially with the recent Batman and DC flicks that came around that same time that was pretending to be anything BUT simple, I think being simple in the case of Return of the Caped Crusaders was more than good enough.
10.) Batman (1966)
Batman contains something that I really miss nowadays with big franchise movies, it being the exact movie that itself wants to be and not the audience. You couldn’t make a Batman movie like this in 2022. Not just because it doesn’t meet the standards of filmmaking today (whatever that consists of) but it wouldn’t meet the standards of what the fans and audience expect out of Batman.
If this movie came out today, it would get torn to shreds by everybody and many of the cast and crew would be chase off of social media. However, this movie came out in 1966, not 2022. There was no social media to speak off or high standards to reach with this character or series. It was an actual thing and because of that, it could be anything it desired to be.
I can’t say it has hold up very well whatsoever but the fact there was an actually movie called Batman in 1966 makes it as big of an accomplishment as what Tim Burton and Christopher Nolan did for their own respected versions in at the times those films was released. Long live Adam West!
9.) Zack Snyder’s Justice League
Because we live in some dark and twisted form of an alternate universe, Zack Snyder’s Justice League is a real thing now. Truth be told, even if you remove yourself from the toxicity that is the Zack Snyder fanbase (I won’t blame you if you can’t!), it’s actually not that bad and there’s plenty of positive this time around, along with some negatives.
The first half is way too stretched out for it’s own good, feeling like Snyder is trying to get every single little frame of work that he desired in there regardless if it actually serves a purpose. There’s also the final fifteen minutes that feels more like a collection of post credit scenes rather than an actual epilogue. But everything in between that is pretty solid. There’s good action set pieces, a nice score, memorable visuals, and some good character interactions between all of the Justice League members, with Wonder Woman and Cyborg being the standouts. It’s also refreshing to see a Zack Snyder superhero movie to where the superheroes actually feel like superheroes, feeling as if he just ditched the ego-filled mindset and just set out to make a damn good Justice League movie that most people could enjoy.
There’s still some faults from the theatrical cut that are carried over here such as Steppenwolf being so terribly BORING! However, this is certainly an improvement over the theatrical cut and should most certainly be considered the actual definite version of Justice League. I might not call myself a fan of Snyder’s input on DC but I’m at least glad he got to finish what he started after having to originally step down due to the tragic death of his daughter. Can we please move on with our lives now?!
8.) The LEGO Batman Movie
You could make the argument that The LEGO Batman Movie is the Batman movie that feels like the culmination of all the other Batman movies that have come before it along with the hit tv shows.
The key trick that LEGO Batman pulls off is making all it’s spoof nature and commentary that doesn’t come across as lazy, spiteful, or talking down to its audience. It’s able to be a self parody while always having something new and meaningful to say. It’s able to deconstruct it’s main title character but also show a full side of him that has been hinted at in the past but makes it come into full fruition now. It’s able to make fun with it’s material without actually making fun of it. It’s able to make everything Batman while also making Batman everything. I guess what I’m trying to say is, EVERYTHING IS BATMAN!
Not necessarily Batman’s most memorable picture and honestly could have done without the Lego gimmick this time around but this is still a very fun ride regardless.
7.) The Batman
The big overall question that everyone wants to know is if The Batman is the best Batman movie ever made? Well, it really depends on the kind of Batman that you want and hope to get out of this new movie. We have gotten so many different incarnations of the caped crusader in the past and nearly every single one of them has their fans of some sort. In my opinion, it’s not quite the best Batman movie or even my personal favorite one but still a damn solid one nonetheless.
There are some flaws that hold it back a bit. The inspirations that Matt Reeves clearly has taken from other Batman stories and David Fincher movies are quite noticeable, a third act sequence that should feel more impactable than it actually is, and a sequel tease near the tail end of the film that will likely have your eyes rolling. The strengths of the movie, however, should not be cast aside. The acting is all stellar here (Robert Pattinson, Zoe Kravitz, Jeffrey Wright, Paul Rino, and Colin Farrell are all perfect in their roles), there has never been a more effective and accurate Gotham City-like atmosphere displaced on the big screen, and a Batman film that put more focus on the detective aspect, even if Batman is still FAR from being the World’s Greatest Detective in this. Plus, anyone that claims that Michael Giacchino’s instantly iconic theme is not in their head immediately after the movie is lying through their teeth.
Perhaps it’s because I’ve grown more accustom to filmmakers doing their own unique thing with the characters that one movie that feels more in line with the actual source material than one the director put Batman in their own unique sandbox is what makes The Batman come across as more conventional compared to some of the others one. However, conventional doesn’t mean the same as bad. The Batman is a really good movie that while doesn’t break any new ground, it does tick off most of the right boxes of what I (and imagine others) would view as a proper Batflick.
6.) Batman Begins
Batman Begins was an absolute revolutionary when it came out back in 2005. Not only did it revived the Batman franchise that seemed long dead for eight years, but it help set the foundation that properties surrounding superheroes and comic books can in fact be taken more seriously and still be really good.
Even if the second half isn’t quite as good as the first half and the action leaves a lot to be desire but those problems can easily be forgiven with the way this movie is able to accomplish everything else. It gives us an incredibly engaging Bruce Wayne in Christian Bale’s iconic turn as this iconic character along with providing a satisfying origin story that stands as one of the best ever put to screen in superhero movie form.
While it’s impact didn’t feel all the way felt until around the arrival of it’s sequel The Dark Knight three years later, this film’s importance to the Caped Crusader along with the sub-genre should not go unnoticed. Even before Marvel got their universe with Iron Man, it was this terrific first entry from Christopher Nolan that got the ball rolling with just how good a modern superhero movie can be.
5.) Batman (1989)
The original Tim Burton, Batman was quite an accomplishment in 1989. Introducing the character ofBatman on the big screen that would define a new generation of moviegoers and Batman fans. As it’s own film, it still holds up incredibly well but it isn’t perfect by any means.
Side characters such as Commissioner Gordon and Harvey Dent aren’t given much development time, it’s quite inconsistent as to whether or not Batman should kills his enemies or not, and there are times where so much focus is put on the Joker that you can argue that it takes away from the actual titled character of the film. But I do think when it comes down to the core conflict and the way both the hero and villain are portrayed here, it makes for a rather unique, interesting, and personal conflict between the two pairs. Just because anyone can be a hero doesn’t mean that anyone can not also be a villain as well.
Tim Burton might not have captured the Batman and Joker from their original roots but he did help create original roots of his own that made the film for the better and leave the impact that it has today. If it wasn’t for the success of this film, who knows if Batman would be anywhere near as popular as he is now.
4.) The Dark Knight Rises
You ever have that one movie that you would define as a flawed masterpiece. A film that you know deep down has problems but it’s still perfect for you anyway! That would be The Dark Knight Rises for me! The kind of film that even with it’s notable flaws, I still can’t help but feel like this is the best possible version of itself it could possibly be. The overall premise of this movie is one that actually dares to question the entire idea around the character of Batman: that perhaps Bruce Wayne being the Batman was a mistake.
And every time I watch this movie, I always go back to that one scene with Bruce getting out of the pit. When watching it, I just can’t imagine these movies being the way they are without that one particular scene. It just makes everything whole and even the things that are wrong with the movie (and even the whole trilogy) feel kinda right. Just like how that moment brings Bruce within himself to become the Batman one last time, I believe that was also the exact moment where Christopher Nolan found it within himself to direct this movie. The one moment that the Dark Knight behind the camera was able to rise once again to finish what he started.
To this day, I can’t think of many series finales that have been as satisfying as The Dark Knight Rises. From it’s scope to it’s action to it’s themes to it’s ending, I will always have a big fondness for Nolan’s final triumph with Batman and superheroes. Some might bark for this being too high on the list but, I’m still a believer in The Dark Knight Rises even if you’re not.
3.) Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
Mask of the Phantasm perfectly illustrates how Batman is not just a symbol for Gotham City but also represents a tragedy for Bruce Wayne. With losing his parents, seeing good people become evil, watching as criminals strike fear into the heart and soul of Gotham, that showcases how being Batman is difficult just like that. But it’s his tragic relationship with Andrea that shows that no matter how hard he tries, Bruce Wayne can just never escape being Batman. It’s something that will haunt him for as long as he lives. Whether it’s a personal connection or not, there will always be something that traces back to Bruce as Batman. He can never move past it, because Batman is and always will be Bruce Wayne’s destiny. He can dread it, run from it, but destiny will arrive all the same!
There are plenty of Batman movies that are more centered around the stories they tell themselves that just so happens to have Batman in it. Many have succeed, some even more so than this movie, while others have failed. But, there really hasn’t been a motion picture that show the inner turmoil of Bruce Wayne as a character and the tragic figure that Batman himself represents than with Mask of the Phantasm.
This may not be quite my favorite movie WITH Batman but, even after the release of The Batman, I strongly that this is the best movie ever made ABOUT Batman.
2.) Batman Returns
Whenever I think of the Batman movies that would make for the perfect double feature for one another and just two films that perfectly compliment the other, I think of Tim Burton’s Batman Returns and Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight. Both films contain some of the biggest, boldest, and just plain best work of both directors filmography.
Both movies are just as much about the antagonist in terms of story, character, and themes as the protagonist, perhaps even more so. They tell incredibly groundbreaking tails of the pros and cons of the Batman legacy along with showing a Batman that is truly unrestrained and beyond his limits that serves both a story and thematic purpose. In the sense, both Batman Returns and The Dark Knight make for a great parallel with one another and terrific back-to-back featurettes. Even when looking at Returns at it’s own thing, it’s still brilliant!
Everything done with the Batman, Catwoman, and the Penguin is absolutely great, it’s shot phenomenally, Danny Elfman’s score is still iconic, and it’s arguably the only Batman picture that is able to find room for the dark, campy, realistic, and fantastical elements all at once along with stating that each one of those featurette have a place within Batman lore. As much Michael Keaton fun as it was to see Batman again in The Flash, I can’t imagine there being a more beautiful and interesting take on his version of Batman then with this movie.
1.) The Dark Knight
But yeah, no surprise to anyone, this is still the best movie with Batman ever made. I know it’s become cliché to claim that The Dark Knight is one of the best superhero movies ever, but many people said that for a reason, it is just that damn good.
What makes The Dark Knight work perfectly is how it’s an unique, distinct story about Batman being challenged mentally, emotionally, physically, thematically, and symbolically. The two other main characters throughout the picture in Joker and Harvey Dent represents both the hero that Batman so desperately wants to be along with the villain that he fears that he will one day come. It’s a Batman movie that perfectly mirrors itself with out it tells this identical tale of crime, corruption, and vengeance in the most complex and fascinating way imaginable.
Even the films’ overall minor flaws like a couple of plot holes throughout and taking place in the most generic looking Gotham City imaginable can’t take away from the amount of absolute superb filmmaking throughout the entire 152-minute long runtime. There are definitely Batman movies out there that people have liked/disliked more than others but I don’t think anyone can argue that there hasn’t been a Batman movie that has a much of an impact as The Dark Knight. From the twists and turns to it’s resonate themes to Heath Ledger’s amazing turn as Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight, even 14 years later, still stands on top.
Today is Spider-Man Day! Because of that, let’s go over my top 10 list of the best Spider-Man games that have been made so far!
Video games that are based off of a successful IP or franchise license tends to get a bad rep! They tend to always feels like they are just a cheap cash grab and something that a gaming studio can rushed out in a hurry without much effort or work put into it. 2023 in general has had a handful of stinkers in that department. The Lord of the Rings: Gollum was a trainwreck beyond measures, Avatar: Quest for Balance felt like a game thatgot locked away in a steel vault for the past 15 years and somehow found it’s way onto modern consoles, and I defy ANYONE to explain to me how in the living hell did Skull Island: Rise of Kong become an actual thing that exists in the year of 2023 (I literally get sick whenever I look at King Kong in that game!) However, when it comes to Spider-Man, I believe this is one of the few exceptions of a beloved IP having a handful of really solid games.
Whether it’s self-contain, movie tie-in, or part of it’s own successful medium, there are plenty of likeable games with Spidey to well…..actually like. Yes, there are plenty of stinkers out there as well but there’s plenty of winners that deserve it’s own respect. What are those winners you may ask? Well, stick around and I will tell you all! Here’s my list of the top 10 best Spider-Man games to date!
10.) Spider-Man: Edge of Time
Edge of Time tends to get a bad rep and I would be lying if I didn’t see why. The gameplay itself can get quite repetitive, it has it’s fair share of bugs and glitches, and it certainly pails in comparison to it’s predecessor that is Shattered Dimensions. However, if you are someone that plays a Spider-Man game for it’s story and cutscenes, Edge of Time is certainly one of the better Spider-Man games to pick up.
The storyline was written by no other than acclaimed Spider-Man comics writer, Peter David, and creates a really compelling story involving multiple Spider-Men that try to go back through time to save Peter Parker’s life. It focuses strictly on Peter’s original Spider-Man and his 2099 counterpart, Miguel O’Hara. It a race against time to save the future from destruction. That’s also without mention the stellar voice cast with fan favorites Christopher Daniel Barnes and Josh Keaton returning again to reprise their roles along with other notable talents such as Val Kilmer and Katee Sackhoff.
While the gameplay itself is just serviceable at best and features some incredibly frustrating boss fights, it’s the strong writing and voice work that helps push the whole game through and makes Edge of Time stand out greatly on it’s own. But at the same time, the gameplay is what matters first and foremost to a video game. Because of that, I can’t justify putting this game any higher on the list.
9.) Spider-Man: Web of Shadows
Web of Shadows was a massive hit when it came out in 2008 and is considered to be a fan favorite among the Spider-Man games. It delivers a grand story about Venom infecting New York City with the symbiote along with gameplay and direction that’s unlike any Spidey game that’s ever been released.
This is basically like a much better version of Spider-Man 3, both movie and game! It looks nicer, provides more solid web-swinging, the combat is improved, and it’s able to showcase a darker experience that explores the morality of donning the Symbiote suit. It’s also cool to have the player make their own narrative choices to advance in the story that includes multiple different endings, which includes awesome guest appearances from other Marvel characters such as Moon Knight, Luke Cage, and Wolverine. Just shame that it’s not as polished as other Spider-Man games with plenty of bugs and glitches throughout along with a really crappy camera.
If this game ever received a remaster that’s able to fix the glaring flaws I just mentioned, this could have been even higher on the list. Even so, Web of Shadows is definitely a game worth crediting for it’s ambition and offering plenty of different elements to the story and gameplay. It’s far from perfect but it’s also far from being a dud either.
8.) Spider-Man (2002)
The first movie tie-in of the web swinger managed to debunk the narrative that all movie games have to suck. It acted as a faithful adaption of the hit 2002 film while also being able to expand upon it by throwing in more villains from Spidey’s rose gallery into the picture…or game. Even though this was basically the very first try at doing a Spidey movie game, you wouldn’t notice that when playing through Spider-Man (2002).
This acts as a very mission based game, going from one main bad guy to another, showcasing the importance of Peter Parker’s very first step into becoming Spider-Man. The combat and controls work very well, with plenty of combos to achieve and bonus moves to unlock to make the experience all the more fun. It’s also pretty cool that they were able to get Tobey Maguire to reprise his role doing these games. And we also can’t forget the special added bonus that is Bruce Campbell as the narrator, A.K.A. the greatest narrator in video game history! It’s only a shame that the game lacks a proper open world for Spidey to explore in, especially doing the missions were you are able to swing through the skies of the cities but never the roads.
Despite it’s faults, Spider-Man (2002) was able to get what it needed to get right on it’s first try. By acting as a faithful adaption of the feature film it’s based on along with providing an neat little expansion of it, it was able to set up the ground work quite well for future Spidey games.
7.) Spider-Man (2000)
Right before the movie game of Spider-Man (2002), there was Spider-Man (2000) developed by Neversoft. If you want a game that is able to embrace the light-hearted and “Saturday Morning cartoon” level of nature of Spider-Man, you get all of that and more with Spider-Man (2000).
It’s bright, colorful, full of energy, and feels like a great tribute to not only Spider-Man but the whole Marvel universe as a whole. From the Baxter Building appearing to a cameo from the Punisher himself to even narration from the late great Stan Lee, this is a true Spider-Man game made by fans for fans. Gameplay incorporates all of Spidey’s powers in a nice, organic way, it’s filled with comic book Easter eggs and cool nods to other Spider-Man medium, and it even features voice actors from Spider-Man cartoons of the era (Spider-Man: The Animated Series and Spider-Man Unlimited).
This Spider-Man game does have its fair share of flaws regarding the physics and some wonky elements thrown in but there’s so much fun and charm to be had with Spider-Man (2000) that makes it all the more forgivable. This just goes to show you how far we come with superhero and licensed games.
6.) Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions
Here’s the game that basically did Into the Spider-Verse and No Way Home before anyone of those movies did. This is a game that see multiple different Spider-Man from multiple different universe. This includes Ultimate Spider-Man, Amazing Spider-Man, Spider-Man Noir, and Spider-Man 2099. If Shattered Dimensions proves anything, it’s that the more Spider-Men, the merrier.
The different styles of gameplay with the multiple different Spider-Men makes the game all the more enjoyable with plenty of variety to be found here. A great example of this is with Noir being strictly stealth while 2099 has high-tech gadgets. You also got a handful of awesome boss fights, the excellent voice cast filled with familiar old actors returning and welcome new additions, and all versions of Spider-Man that is presented throughout the game getting their time to shine.
Even if the story itself pales in comparison to Edge of Time, it’s the gameplay, variety, and multiple different versions of Spider-Man to play that makes Shattered Dimensions really shine among the best of the Spider-Man games. If you are a fan of the recent Spider-Man films involving the multiverse or Spider-Verse, you should definitely check this one out.
5.) Ultimate Spider-Man
After delivering what was, at the time, the king of Spider-Man games with Spider-Man 2, Treyarch was able to follow that up with yet another great Spider-Man game just one year later with 2005’s Ultimate Spider-Man. Based off the rebooted comic series of the same name, this sees the relationship of Peter Parker and Eddie Brock at it’s most personal as the two were once great best friends.
Swinging around the city as Spider-Man is as great as ever, the combat is able to pull off the right amount of challenge and difficulty without being completely unfair, and the way the story is told through the panels of a comic books is incredibly unique. And of course, there’s the addition of Venom as an actual playable character that helps makes the game stand out as one of the very best Spidey games. We’re forced to “feed” on enemies and innocent citizens alike to keep Venom alive as he launches himself from building to building using his tentacles. To top it all off, there’s a surprise cameo and boss battle with Wolverine.
Even with it’s admittedly dated graphics and voice work, there’s still a lot to love about Ultimate Spider-Man. The gameplay and story is some of the very best in all of the games and the addition of Venom is just the perfect icing on the cake. This game truly feels like well. the Ultimate Spider-Man game (Pun entirely intended!).
4.) Spider-Man 2 (2004)
If you wanna talk about a movie game that’s able to meet the quality of the feature film it’s based on, look no further than Spider-Man 2. While the first movie game was pretty good, this one was able to blow that game, along with just about every major superhero or licensed game up until 2004, out of the water.
You have controls that feel smoother, combat that is more inventive, inclusion of other main villains not from the movies that is more organic, web swinging that is more satisfying, and even an actual open world for Spider-Man to play around in this time. And even more amusing quips from Bruce Campbell and Tobey Maguire than ever before. There’s a not a single moment from this game that doesn’t feel thrilling or engaging, hitting all the right notes it needs to for a proper video game.
I could nitpick certain aspects of the side missions and story (Like why does Doc Ock blame Spider-Man for his wife’s death? There’s like no reason for him to do so!) but Spider-Man 2 just gets it all right. Much like the movie it’s based on, it takes everything that didn’t work about the original and not only improves it but expands upon it in very satisfying ways. Even if it’s no longer the best Spider-Man game anymore, it might just be the most important one made.
3.) Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
While I don’t think Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales is quite as good as the other Insomniac Spider-Man games, it still is able to succeed on it’s own merits by being an fun and compelling adventure for it’s own title character, proving he is more than worthy of being his own Spider-Man.
Everything that worked tremendously well in the first game still works very well here. The combat is still fun and fluid, the web swinging is at it’s absolute best here, the narrative remains engaging, it looks gorgeous, the soundtrack is unique, and Miles is just an awesome character that is very easy to get behind. I do hope that the Insomniac Spider-Man‘s series continues to add multiple playable characters to an expanding roster, perhaps having Spider-Gwen join in on the fun in the future. If they can keep finding ways to make the gameplay fun and unique while containing to tell engaging tales of not just Peter Parker but other Spider-men, women, and maybe even animals, then I can see this series of games having plenty of staying power.
Nevertheless, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales is a great game and another worthy addition to what is perhaps the best Spider-Man medium out there. Similar to Batman: Arkham Origins, this is a game that I often visit upon Christmas time because it just puts you in that holiday spirit!
2.) Marvel’s Spider-Man (2018)
Marvel’s Spider-Man is more than deserving of being as loved and celebrated as it was back in 2018. It still stands strongly as the best Spider-Man game to date and arguably the best licensed superhero game out there that doesn’t involve Batman. It’s able to take the kind of Spider-Man gameplay that has been a template from past Spider-Man games while modifying and perfecting it in every way, giving you the most perfect feeling Spidey experience you can possibly imagine. While I definitely could have done without the MJ/Miles sections, almost everything else is done so well that it doesn’t even come close to bringing down the rest of the game.
The web swinging is fun, the combat is a blast, the story is engaging, the characters are well-defined and characterized, the sound is stellar, and it’s able to feel like a complete Spider-Man package in a way that no other Spider-Man game has yet. It’s very rare for a game to come out that feels like it gives you your complete money’s worth, one that you can just pick up and play almost instantly and overall, just puts you in a good mood every time you play it. Marvel’s Spider-Man is able to do all of that and even more.
I will never forget the fond memories and enjoyment I was able to gain from Marvel’s Spider-Man. Insomniac Games crafted a really special game that is not just one of my favorite Spider-Man games but one of the most satisfying games I’ve ever played. Go Spidey go!
1.) Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is as every bit as good as you were expecting and hoping for it to be. This is Insomniac Games reaching a new level of peak! The story is more engaging and worth following, the gameplay is as polished and perfect as ever, the combat and web swinging has never been more satisfying, the graphics have never been more of a treat to the eyes, the soundtrack is a new definition of peak, and the voice work is some of the best performed in any video game.
What makes things even more exciting is that there are still plenty of doors left to open for this series. By the time the game concludes and the loose ends are established, you still get a sense of interest to see where this all goes from here. There’s still plenty of different storylines to tell and new characters to play as that can help expand the Insomniac-verse of Spider-Man even further.
Whether it’s the very best superhero game of all time is still up for debate (My heart still leans towards Batman: Arkham City!) but no doubt, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 will satisfy fans that have been waiting five years with eagerness to see the follow-up to the 2018 hit. If anything, this game basically confirms that Insomniac Games is my favorite gaming company working to date. With them finally reaching their Magnum Opus status, they have gain my complete trust for what they do in the future! I’m eagerly awaiting the next chapter in this franchise!
Today is National Spider-Man Day! Because of that, we now officially have 11 Spider-Man shows to date. Considering the excessive amount of films starting the beloved web swinger, it makes all the sense in the world to have a near equal amount of shows to go along with that. Even though history with each show can be seen as quite complicated, they are nevertheless all fascinating to talk about.
Because of all this and more, it’s time to rank each series involving Spider-Man at the forefront from worst to best! Time to stop wasting anymore time and web swing right in!
11.) Ultimate Spider-Man
The timing of Ultimate Spider-Man could not have been much worse. It was made right after the most beloved Spider-Man show to date in The Spectacular Spider-Man saw an abrupt end due to Disney buying Marvel and wanting to have a Spider-Man show of their own, aiming for a more lighthearted and kid-friendly tone attached to it. Despite the show lasting for four seasons and gaining over 100 episodes, this is seen as an absolute stinker to this very day. Ultimate Spider-Man abandons the traditional core themes that Spider-Man is always known for in favor of nonstop slapstick comedy, obnoxious four wall breaking, obvious merchandise placement, and having a Peter Parker that feels more in line with Deadpool than Spider-Man. Oh, and did I mention it has little to nothing to do with the Ultimate Spider-Man comics despite the title. The fact that Spectacular Spider-Man was cancelled in favor of this is the real salt on the wound. When taking all of those elements into affect, it easy to see just why this ranks as my least favorite Spider-Man show to date.
10.) Spider-Man & His Amazing Friends(2021)
Despite what the title may suggest, this has little in common with the Spider-Man series of the same name that released back in the 1980s. Instead of Ice-Man and Firestar, we see Peter Parker teaming up with Gwen Stacy (known as Ghost-Spider here) and Miles Morales (known as……Spin (?!) here) in their grade school kid incarnations. On one hand, this show does it’s job at offering Spidey tales for a clearly VERY young demographic. On the other hand, there is almost NOTHING to recommend her to any Spider-Man that is NOT part of the obvious pre-school targeted audience. It’s about as filler, substance free and “put something in the background to distract the kids” as they come. It may not be quite my least favorite Spidey show or the one I have the most gripes with but I can think of a Spidey show I would want to rewatch less than Spidey and His Amazing Friends (2021).
9.) Spider-Man (2017)
Disney’s 2nd attempt at making a Spider-Man cartoon is a mild improvement over Ultimate but still no where near good enough to do it’s title character justice. This does have the ingredients of a back-to-basics approach for Peter Parker, with a more emphasis on his personal life and connections to his friends/allies and having significant less pointless dumb down humor for the most brainless children. However, it tries to do justice to so many different storylines throughout Peter’s history that it’s unable to do almost any of them justice. It’s like the writers couldn’t make up their mind on what specific stories they wanted to tackle that they just threw whatever stories at the wall to see what sticks. Also, it’s quite bizarre to have Miles Morales in this version be of similar age to Peter Parker. And don’t get me started on it’s cheap as hell animation. It has solid voice acting and definitely has more ambition than the Spider-Man shows listed before but Marvel’s Spider-Man (2017) still showed Disney failing to crack the code on making a solid Spidey tale that works.
8.) Spider-Man (1967)/7.)Spider-Man (1981)
The two very first attempts at creating a stand-alone Spider-Man show more or less feel like perfect counterparts for one another. Both shows has the exact same titles, both shows are really hard to tell apart from the other, and both shows are remember more for their memes and iconic theme songs than they are of the actual quality and content in either show. These two shows do deserve a free pass for coming out during a time where Spider-Man was less known to the general public and it was harder than ever to make a successful cartoon due to it’s low budget. However, I can never feel the desire to ever go back and rewatch these shows in any way due to aging as well as a multiple decades supply of Spider-Milk. I still put these two shows this far on the list due to it’s undeniable impact on classic Spider-Man themes songs and meme culture.
6.) Spider-Man & His Amazing Friends (1981)
When it comes to classic Spider-Man cartoons of the late 1960s to early 1980s, this is the one that has aged the best and most consistent in quality. Here, we see Spider-Man informing his own superhero team for the first time ever, pairing him with heroes like Iceman and Firestar from the X-Men (for……some reason). It also has that traditional monster-of-the-week that became a stable for cartoons such as this, while fully utilizing Marvel villains normally not associated with Spider-Man but still finding ways to make it work. Stan Lee’s fingerprints is all over this show and it certainly did make for the better. It may not be a show that will appeal to the last few generations of Spider-Man fans, but Spider-Man & His Amazing Friends does at least offer a unique Saturday morning cartoon vibe that kids who grew up in that era can look very fondly upon, while being a nice blast for the past for those who miss their Saturday morning cartoons feeling very episodic with not much homework attached to it.
5.) Spider-Man: Unlimited
Spider-Man: Unlimited has to have the most bizarre concept of any Spider-Man show thus far. We see a Spider-Man that is fighting not for NYC but to free an alternate Earth from an evil ruler known as the High Evolutionary. This is clear an attempt to ape the success of Batman Beyond, with a much darker tone and a focus on a different iteration of Spider-Man. However, it never could keep the consistency that it’s 1994 predecessor have nor does it fully utilize Spider-Man 2099 very well. Thankfully, this version of Spider-Man did get his cameo in Across the Spider-Verse, opening up the doors for potential future stories with Miguel O’hara now that other Spider-folks that don’t have Peter Parker’s name attached to it can draw an audience. Unlimited may not be the winner it needed to be at the time it came out but it’s certainly one of the most unique Spider-Man shows released, which makes it worth giving at least one watch.
4.) Spider-Man: The New Animated Series
Believe it or not, MTV once took their shot at making a Spider-Man show back in 2003. Set in an alternate timeline after Sam Raimi’s first Spider-Man movie, Spider-Man: The New Animated Series offers a new, distinct, and downright mature take on the character, which led to many fans feel quite divided on the show. Similar to the newer released Spider-Man show, it has it’s own original animated art style, offers it’s own spin to the film franchise it’s based on, and makes bold choices to it’s cast of characters that may be off putting to certain people. Not to mention, that complete downer of an ending is still an all-timer! While there are certainly aspects that has aged poorly (particularly the 3D animation), Spider-Man: The New Animated Series deserves credits for being able to tell more adult-oriented stories of Peter Parker and his struggles to adapting to his college life as Spider-Man without sacrificing the gravitas of the character. Also, Neil Patrick Harris is pretty good here. Just a shame it didn’t get the ratings MTV wanted because I would have been curious to see how this version of Spider-Man went forward in the future.
3.) Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man
It might’ve took three times (four if you count the PBS-friendly Spidey And His Amazing Friends) but Disney has finally been able to crack the code on how to make a solid Spider-Man cartoon. Blending the traditional comic book panel traits of the character’s well-known origin while incorporating new distinct traits of it’s own, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is able to find the right balance of exploring the thrills of being Spider-Man and the chills of being Peter Parker, something which The Ultimate Spider-Man and Spider-Man (2017) failed to do. The newer cast of characters the show chooses to explore are (mostly) intriguing, it’s callbacks and references all feel earned, the theme song is dope as hell, and it’s able to use it’s alternate timeline and multiverse concept to not just reuse plot assets of the MCU or recurring fan favorite characters but also show how Peter’s life would’ve been different in the MCU if things play out a different way and he made all new friends and allies in the process. There are some strange creative decisions I’m not a fan of and the animation style won’t be to everyone’s taste but for the most part, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man is a winner and is the best Spidey show for the past 15+ years. I’m definitely intrigued to see Season 2 and 3!
2.) Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994)
Here’s the one Spidey cartoon that was so important at introduction Spider-Man to the mainstream media and pop culture entertainment. Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994) stands proudly alongside the likes of Batman: The Animated Series and X-Men: The Animated Series as being classic 1990s superhero cartoons that help introduce iconic superheroes to new generations and beyond. Even though it’s targeted towards children, the core themes and characters that make Spider-Man so special is presented throughout the entire series. Whether it involves it’s solid storytelling, impactful character moments, or for hilarious memes, every Spider-Man fan of old and now should be well aware of this show’s existence. Let’s also not forget it’s killer theme song, faithful adaptions of the characters, and even go as far to have Madame Web at the end voiced by Stan Lee’s wife. You can definitely argue that it’s animation has aged to some degree and doesn’t have the most consistent pacing but that doesn’t change the fact that Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994) is a true must see for any kind of Spider-Man fan.
1.) The Spectacular Spider-Man
The Spectacular Spider-Man is widely regarded by fans as one of the best, if not the best Spider-Man show that has ever been made and for PLENTY of good reasons! It’s a series that has enormous respects towards the character of Peter Parker and understands perfectly why Spider-Man is one of the most iconic and relatable superheroes in history. It’s able to greatly showcased these relatable aspects of Peter in his adventures as Spider-Man along with not being afraid to explore mature themes such as stress, relationships, balancing school and work, and even dark/sensitive topics such as gambling and drug addiction. Despite being targeted towards children, it’s able to deliver a quality superhero show that anyone of any age can understand or relate to without needing to dumb everything down. When it comes to the televisions show and streaming series involving our beloved web swinger thus far, there is not one series that gets as much right and finds the right balance for everything than The Spectacular Spider-Man! Filled with fantastic storytelling and character development along with some dope as hell action sequences, The Spectacular Spider-Man is an near perfect adaption of Spider-Man and one that is a must watch for any fan of the character!
Adam's Blog 