From Triumphs to Meh: My 2025 Movie Picks

A Year of Hits and Misses

As 2025 draws to a close, it's the perfect time to reflect on the movies that stood out --- and those that fell flat. Some movies thrilled me from start to finish, while others left me disappointed. In this article, I'll share my personal favorites and least favorite movies, analyzing what worked, what didn't, and why. Of course, taste is subjective and readers are always welcome to disagree.

2025 Triumphs: The Ones I Enjoyed

F1: The Movie

With its breathtaking cinematography, spectacular racing scenes, and amazing performances from Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, F1: The Movie takes the number one spot on my 2025 favorites list. The movie was praised for its authentic portrayal of the Formula 1 racing environment and the movie's arc of Sonny Hayes finding his place again in the world of racing, with mentoring Joshua Pierce even if those two had a turbulent relationship initially.

The movie leaves you wanting more, and a potential sequel would be especially thrilling. Director Joseph Kosinski has pitched a crossover with 1990's Days of Thunder, imagining Sonny Hayes going up against Tom Cruise's Cole Trickle. Kosinski even hinted that the two may have known each other at some point --- perhaps as former racing rivals --- which could see them go head-to-head on the track an incredible sight to fans.

Sinners

The story of twin brothers named Smoke and Stack returning home to Mississippi to start a juke joint business, only to face a supernatural threat, is incredibly compelling. Ryan Coogler manages to blend horror, racial commentary, and motifs like music to craft a rich and engaging narrative. The highlights of the movie have got to be when Smoke and the other guests fight off the vampires as well as Sammie's decision to follow his own path -- defying his pastor father, who believes music is "sinful"

According to Coogler, Sinners will not receive a sequel because he intended it to be a complete story --- a full course meal with a perfect beginning, middle, and end. After watching it, I fully agree: a sequel would be unnecessary.

Mickey 17

Mickey 17 presents a compelling concept: a man named Mickey dies on the job and is then revived. Robert Pattinson delivers an excellent performance as Mickey Barnes, capturing both the human and ethical challenges of his plight. The movie is thought-provoking, encouraging audiences to reflect on life, death, and the ethics of cloning.

Kenneth Marshall's desire to wipe out the Creepers serves as an allegory for humanity's tendency to ruin ecosystems. With its exploration of science, morality, and environmental themes, Mickey 17 is not only entertaining but also educational, making it something that could spark meaningful discussions in schools and universities.

Superman

Decades after the controversial take on Superman that began with Zack Snyder's Man of Steel, this new movie feels like a true return to the character's roots. David Corenswet embodies the Superman fans have been waiting for --- kind, empathetic, heroic-- displaying what Henry Cavill's version should have been from the start. While Cavill delivered a strong performance, poor writing and direction hindered his potential.

Some of the movie's best moments are surprisingly small yet impactful, like Superman saving a squirrel, which highlights his compassion to every living thing. James Gunn's take makes the character feel hopeful again, and it has me eagerly anticipating the sequel, Man of Tomorrow, set on July 9th, 2027.

Thunderbolts

On the surface, Thunderbolts may seem like a typical superhero movie but at its core, it's an allegory for mental health and personal accountability. Bucky's speech to Yelena Belova, Alexei Shostakov, John Walker and Ava Starr about facing the past rather than running from it is one of the movie's powerful scenes. Coming from someone who committed horrifying acts as the Winter Soldier under the influence of HYDRA, his words carry real weight.

The movie also emphasizes connection and healing. Bob's confrontation with his demonic self as the Sentry symbolizes overcoming inner demons than becoming them. Thunderbolts feels like a meaningful step forward for Marvel --- and a hopeful sign that the franchise is back on track.

Fantastic Four: First Steps

After two failed attempts by 20th Century Fox to deliver a proper Fantastic Four adaptation, Marvel Studios finally succeeds with Fantastic Four: First Steps. By skipping the origin story and focusing instead on Reed and Sue as new parents to Franklin while balancing superhero responsibilities --- especially with Galactus emerging as a dangerous threat --- the movie takes a refreshing route. It truly feels like a comic book brought to life, especially Galactus in his comic-accurate form rather than the generic cloud depicted in Rise of The Silver Surfer

Nevertheless, a qualm I have lies with Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards. While Pascal is no doubt a talented actor, his casting feels more like Marvel capitalizing on his popularity than choosing someone who fully personifies the character. It's a minor flaw in an otherwise solid adaptation of Marvel's First Family.

2025 Mehs: The Ones That Fell Short

Captain America: Brave New World

Captain America: Brave New World was marketed as Sam Wilson's debut as Captain America, but the movie ultimately fails in several ways. The most significant problem is that Sam lacks meaningful character development --- he does not seem to drive the story forward and never seems to struggle with living up to Steve Rogers' legacy. The movie would have been far compelling if it had shown Sam wrestling with self-doubt and earning the mantle. While Isaiah Bradley and Joaquin Torres appear, neither provides Sam with a strong moral anchor.

By contrast, Miles Morales in the Spider-Verse movies follows a clear and compelling character arc. He initially doubts himself but gradually learns to embrace his duties and finally defines his own identity as Spider-Man --- displaying the kind of growth that Sam Wilson's story in Brave New World did not have.

Brave New World also suffers from lackluster action sequences and undecided narrative focus. The return of characters from The Incredible Hulk, including Betty Ross and Samuel Sterns, feels more nostalgic than necessary, and Red Hulk is underutilized. In short, Sam Wilson deserved a stronger, more cohesive movie to define his Captain America.

From The World of John Wick: Ballerina

Ballerina is a decent action movie, packed with thrilling fight scenes, and Eve Macarro's quest to avenge her father's death at the hands of a mysterious group called the Cult is initially compelling. However, despite my love for the John Wick franchise, the movie fell short for me. Eve seems to perform high-level assassin sprees fresh out of training, which undermines the sense of progression that made John Wick's rise compelling.

The movie also presents complications with its timeline --- taking place during John Wick Chapter 3: Parabellum, it leads to confusing sequences such as John confronting Eve in Hallstat, Austria, while supposedly being hunted down by the High Table.

Additionally, John Wick's presence contributes nothing to the narrative; highlighting that Ballerina struggles to forge its own identity. Eve does eventually find out who killed her father and confronts the Chancellor, resolving her vengeance arc, but her journey still feels rushed.

In the end, Ballerina fails to add anything fresh to the John Wick universe, and it may be wise to end the franchise with John Wick Chapter 4 instead of pursuing spin offs -- even one centered on Sofia Boutella.

Karate Kid Legends

When I saw the trailer for Karate Kid Legends, I was excited to see more Karate Kid content long after Cobra Kai finished, and the prospect of seeing Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio sharing the screen had potential. However, after watching the movie, it left a lot to be desired.

While the movie follows a familiar formula-- protagonist moves to a new city with his single parent, deals with bullying, and seeks mentorship -- this time the lead, Li Fong, is already an established martial artist. Although he does confront past trauma due to his brother's death at the hands of a resentful tournament rival, his growth does not feel emotionally impactful or earned, unlike Daniel LaRusso in the original Karate Kid movies.

Another problem is while Daniel LaRusso does mentor Li Fong along with Mr. Han, his role in the narrative feels minimal. Despite the heavy marketing on Daniel-san and Mr. Han teaming up, he appears relatively late in the movie and does not affect Li Fong's journey in a meaningful way. As a result, their partnership feels underutilized than essential.

One of the movie's far more interesting ideas is introduced early on, when Li Fong mentors Victor Lampani -- the father of his love interest, Mia-- by helping him blend Kung Fu techniques into his boxing. This dynamic, featuring a teenage prodigy mentoring an older student, could have been a far compelling storyline to tackle.

Ultimately, Karate Kid Legends feels like an unrealized opportunity. With a stronger story and a longer runtime -- perhaps closer to two hours -- it might have justified continuing the series. Instead, it comes across as a nostalgia-driven cash-in, making it feel like Cobra Kai already provided a fitting ending to the franchise.

Mission: Impossible -- The Final Reckoning

Mission: Impossible -- The Final Reckoning was a mixed bag for me. While the movie delivers spectacular stunts and intense action sequences that define the franchise, its story ultimately felt underwhelming. Gabriel is a weak antagonist, especially compared to more memorable villains like Owen Davian from Mission: Impossible III, and the Entity never fully works as a compelling central threat.

Additionally, the heavy utilization of flashbacks to previous movies becomes distracting. I understand the intent --- to remind the viewers of the franchise's history -- but it ends up feeling unnecessary and burdens the narrative.

For the last two movies, I would have preferred Ethan Hunt facing a more dangerous villain on the level of Owen Davian. My ideal finale, Mission: Impossible -- The Final Strike would be darker in tone yet still retain the franchise's trademark gadgets, humor, and action. I envision a final showdown atop a Tokyo skyscraper, giving Ethan a true final mission. Japan feels like an ideal setting for such a story, and this take would provide the high-stakes, intensity, and satisfying ending that the franchise needed.

Reflecting on 2025 in Cinema

Overall, this year offered a wide range of cinematic experiences, from amazing spectacles that thrilled to films that fell short of their potential. F1: The Movie, Sinners, and Superman stood out for their captivating performances and thought-provoking themes. Meanwhile, Karate Kid: Legends, Ballerina, and Mission: Impossible -- The Final Reckoning struggled with character development or narrative focus. Looking back, the year highlights both the creativity and missteps that defined 2025 cinema, offering a clear idea of what resonated and what didn't with audiences.