In this post, I will quickly run over all the media released this year that I have engaged with. I plan to use this mostly to discuss my top 5 movies/tv shows of the year! This post will be spoiler-free.
Top 5 Films/TV
For some of these films, I have not had the chance to give a Score. I will pop in one, but it may not be my final verdict if I get around to making a full review! The top five films/tv for me this year were:
1) Demon Slayer- The Movie: Infinity Castle: This film was astounding. It adapted the arc in the manga that is probably my all-time favorite. The animation and sound design are stunning. The character writing is extremely enjoyable, and the handling of two characters is particularly impactful. The story manages to be tragic and uplifting. One of the best theater experiences I have had, and one of the few films I would give a perfect score. Score: 10/10
2) Chainsaw Man- The Movie: Reze Arc: Honestly... this might be my number one film of the year. It is not nearly as uplifting or inspiring as the Demon Slayer film, but it is artistically stunning. Once again, it is a film adapting a manga arc that is an all-time favorite of mine. Basically, every element of the film is perfect, and the narrative is haunting. This story had a profound impact on me personally when I read the manga, and that impact was redoubled by the film. Definitely the type of story that can change your life. (One reason it is second is it also has more... questionable content than the Demon Slayer film... so be aware if you plan to watch it! I have written a whole score review where I give more info on that). Much to my delight, this was yet another film I gave a perfect score. Score: 10/10
3) Andor- Season 2: Thoughtful, mature, and thematically rich. The production value of this series was superb. The one complaint I would level against this series is that the second season feels rushed, and I do not think it quite managed to hit the very high-highs of the first season. Still, a shockingly good Star Wars show! Score: 8/10
4) Frankenstein: This film was very stylish and well presented. Del Toro's fingerprints permeate the gothic classic. Both lead actors gave stellar performances. While the story is a much closer adaptation than most, it still did not dwell on some of the theological/philosophical elements present in the novel. The film is also quite gruesome with a touch of nudity, so be warned that this might be a grizzly watch. Score: 8/10
5) K-Pop Demon Hunters: This film has been quite the smash hit. The music is fun, the animation is flashy, the characters are charming, and overall, it is a great watch. The central theme is discussion-worthy, though I am not sure of the value of its universal application. While the premise seems ridiculous, K-Pop Demon Hunters readily embraces its glitter-covered concept and runs with it phenomenally. Score: 7/10
Honorable Mention:
Spy x Family- Season 3: I enjoyed this season. The show is fun, and now that I am married, the family dynamics are much more relatable and charming. The third season delved into some interesting and serious back-story elements and did a good job presenting new plot hooks and mysteries. That being said, I am not sure of the pacing this season, and overall, the story feels stronger when it is in the slice-of-life realm as opposed to the spy drama. This season was probably my least favorite overall. Score: 7/10
Dishonorable Mentions:
How to Train Your Dragon (2025): The less said about this abomination of a film the better. Score: 2/10
Superman (2025): While fun at first, the more I thought about this film (character motivations, world-building, plot writing, and tone), the less I liked it. This was a major disappointment since my wife had been looking forward to this for a long time. I honestly think Man of Steel is better. Score: 3/10
Top Games:
I have not even nailed down a good scoring system for games, so this is very much just a gut feeling.
1) Silksong: A beautiful sequel to one of my all-time favorite games. The mechanics and combat are more robust and more challenging. The world and OST are beautiful. The narrative was not as compelling to me as the original, and some of the run-backs and minion-summoning bosses are not particularly fun. As a sequel, I think it is a 10. As a game... Score: 9/10
2) Elden Ring- Nightreign: This game is a blast to play with friends and has generated a fun meme culture online. Getting the chance to battle the Nameless King while using a Sekiro parry mechanic is a dream come true. The game is not as robust or engaging as many of FromSoftware's other titles, but it is totally worth the price. I made some really good memories playing with my brother. Score: 8/10
3) Demon Slayer- Hinokami Chronicles 2: A surprisingly robust anime fighting game. The animation is top notch, and several balancing issues from the first game have been addressed. The cast is much bigger and now includes all of my favorite characters from the show (Muichiro Tokito! Yay!). I had a lot of fun with this game, and I am confident I will play it more in the future. Score: 7/10
4) Metroid Prime 4- Beyond: I just got this one for Christmas. The Prime games are some of my favorites, and I have been enjoying this one so far. There are some less-than-stellar elements (Miles Mackenzie demolishes the wonderful feeling of isolation that Metroid is so good at cultivating). I have beaten the first two real area bosses, so we will see what my final score is once I have finished the game. So far... Score: 7/10
Well, that is my breakdown of 2025 media I engaged with! I did watch and enjoy a fair few other things, but they would all get more middle-of-the-road scores from me. God has been kind to me this year, and I look forward to the next with a great deal of optimism. Hope you all have a fantastic 2026!
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