In December, we will look back at the year in film and be startled at some of the films that overtook the zeitgeist - leaving a mark on us and changing our spirits For Good (😉).

For my part, I often want to try and predict which films, on paper, have the potential to do this to us - get meme'd, or have the girls leaving the cinema weak-legged, at the least.

You know - the films that will rack up AO3 entries in the 100's, the films that will spawn a new way of speaking - or just, the films that will end up sweeping next year's Academy Awards.

Without any insight into the Cannes, TIFF, or Venice offerings, here's what I think is looking to be the landscape for 2025, as of now.

Opus

Ayo. I'm so seated.

M3GAN 2.0

Word on the street from my cinephile besties is that this is gonna be amazing. I won't be able to tell you if it is (I will likely enlist the help of Michel on that), but I do know that if it's good, it's going to be everywhere.

Superman

Again, I’ve got word from the streets. I can’t divulge identities, but the DC girlies (of which I used to be one) are saying to keep an eye out for this one. The giveaway, apparently, was the bright colors.

Guillermo Del Toro’s Frankenstein

Oscar Isaac makes Jacob Elordi from scratch. TikTok is gonna explode when this trailer drops—I can feel it. Like, if you can see the image above, you already know what time it is. Look at him. He's dishevelled blorbo. If you're in the Tumblr trenches, too - carnage. CARNAGE.

I can't wait.

The Bride!

I think the girls are looking forward to some Frankenstein shenanigans, uno. TWO? TWO OF THEM? Also, a Christian Bale-aissance? We shall see.

Wicked: For Good

I mean, at this point, it would be negligence not to mention it.

Materialists

I have so much to say I hAVE SO MUCH TO SAY!

OK, so first of all, follow up to one of my all time favourites, the ruthlessly practical but hopelessly romantic 'Past Lives'. On top of that, I frequent areas of the internet where we received almost daily paparazzi pictures of them shooting this film, and I have to say, I don't think we're ready, truly. I love the aesthetic already, this 2000's flash high-contrast elegance thing they've got going on in the 'Save the Date' - like, I'm SO SEATED YOU HAVE NO IDEA!

Pedro and Chris try to woo Dakota—this is the kind of film you invest in for your pension. It’s such a sure thing. Get in early and go all in and I truly don't believe you'll be disappointed.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery

Rian Johnson. Sit your ass down, you know you’ll be there.

Fantastic Four: First Steps

Let me not lie - when the first teaser dropped, after almost a year of leaked teaser clips from various Comic Cons, I was a teensy bit disappointed at the lack of there there. I did, for a moment, falter in my devotion and wonder, fatally, is this going to be basic?

Needless to say, after much deliberation with...myself, I came to the conclusion that most people have, which is that we're being kept from knowing much going in, which, if you remember, was the same approach 'Wandavision' took as well.

I know there are current boycotts on current Marvel and Disney releases, but I hope F4 can be exempt, especially as two of the four cast members have, within recent memory, risked their careers and been vocal in the ways that matter, while still under contract.

I know Pedro can save anything, so I don't mark a film on its Pedro-ness (Ask Ridley how that went last time). I mark you on your merits. Matt Shakman earned my trust with 'Wandavision' - let's see.

Honourable Mentions

Freaky Tales

The only reason this isn’t official is that it looks like it’s heading for a mini cult-theatre release, but I truly hope this is the sleeper hit it appears to be.

Whatever that Paul Thomas Anderson movie is

I’m seated, at the very least. It sounds both bonkers ($10 million budget) and batshit (based on a novel about death).

Eddington

It sounds batshit amazing, which the girls love, but I’m also scared to put it on this list in case the trailer comes out and it’s… not great.

Warfare

If this is the commentary I hope it is, then this could be a smash. If it isn't, it will likely be a flow in this era of bipartisan Anti-war sentiment.

Share this article
The link has been copied!