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And everything happening this week for Future Fest!

Future Fest is upon us here at Popverse, a time when we look ahead at what awaits the pop culture community next year and the years after that. But to completely understand the future, you've got to have a pretty good idea of the present, which is why we're also using this opportunity to look (very shortly) back upon the movies that impacted us this year, with Popverse's list of the Best Movies of 2025 (so far).

Before we dive in, let me gently remind you of those parentheses in the bolded title above. 2025 isn't over yet (much to everyone's dismay, I know), and there very well may be a few more flicks that change our opinions before the year is done. All clear on that? Great, then here are the best movies of 2025, courtesy of your pals at Popverse.

Best Movies 2025: Death of a Unicorn

I've always been afraid of unicorns. 'Majestic creatures,' blah blah blah… 1000+ pounds of muscle, teeth, and hooves, replete with a sometimes-magical and always-very-sharp singular horn. Oh yeah, and they seemly know they are cornered beasts, seemingly always at the edge of extinction. That's why a movie like Death of a Unicorn appealed to me; it doesn't hide my view, it embraces it. Add in Jenna Ortega, Richard E. Grant, and the veneer of A24? You got me. - Chris Arrant, Popverse Editor-in-Chief

Best Movies 2025: KPop Demon Hunters

The combination of some absolutely remarkable animation and a soundtrack that is nothing but bangers from start to finish is probably why this movie has been one of the most-watched movies on Netflix this year. The story of a K-pop trio who use music to protect the world from demons is hilarious, heartfelt, and beautiful to watch. And, again, the music is absolute perfection. You’d have to have a heart of stone not to find KPop Demon Hunters charming. - Trent Cannon, Popverse Senior Contributing Writer

Best Movies 2025: Superman

To say I was nervous about James Gunn’s big screen reboot of DC’s Man of Steel is an understatement; the character is maybe my favorite fictional character in any medium, and he’s not really been treated that well when brought to life on the big or small screen, historically. That his reboot was also the launch of a new shared universe and trailers featured no less than four other superheroes in addition to at least two villains left me worried that what was awaiting was an ambitious failure. Thankfully, I was very wrong: the movie was the kind, funny, sentimental movie I’ve longed for for the character for years, with everyone seemingly supernaturally perfect in terms of casting and tone, and the year’s breakout star in the CGI Krypto. Film of the summer, for me, and the best superhero movie I’ve seen in years. - Graeme McMillan, Popverse Editor

Best Movies 2025: Sinners

As much as Sinners is a departure from Ryan Coogler’s franchise fare, the director brings at least one facet of the Black Panther movies into his first horror venture: a sense of scope. This is a BIG movie, and I’m not just talking about Coogler’s IMAX-worthy depictions of the Mississippi Delta or the multiple dance numbers that happen here. Coogler dives into the deeper implications of vampires existing in the world, working them into the fabric of history like I’ve never seen done before on film. - Grant DeArmitt, Popverse Staff Writer

Best Movies 2025: Mickey 17

Bong Joon-ho and Robert Pattinson are my new favorite director-actor dynamic duo. Adapting Edward Ashton’s book, Mickey 17 is about a loser in the near future who volunteers to be an “Expendable” for a corporation setting up a colony in space. As an Expendable, Mickey is cloned by the company every time he dies on the job. Mickey 17 synthesizes some of the themes we’ve seen Bong explore in his other films, like Parasite, Okja, Snowpiercer, and The Host related to the dehumanizing and devastating effects of capitalism. But it also lets the director’s comedic talents shine as well, thanks to riotous performances from Pattinson, Mark Ruffalo, and Toni Collette. I don’t think any of us should underestimate Pattinson’s ability to embody Weird Little Guys. - Jules Chin Greene, Popverse Staff Writer

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